{Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

Welcome, NEW Team Member! 

Good Morning Y’all! 

We are excited here at UYM to be annoucning a brand NEW Team Member! Krista will be writing at least 3-4 times a month and we can’t wait to hear what she has to share! Please give her a very warm welcome! 

Krista, welcome to the UYM family! đź’™

  

Krista Dunbar is loved by God, set free from her failures through Jesus Christ, and is living out her purpose through writing, encouraging, and loving others. She believes the best way to lead is by being open, honest, and authentic. She’s the wife and helper to her Young Adult Pastor husband, Chris. They love doing ministry together, serving side by side in conversation, missional living, and doing CrossFit. Krista loves sharing stories of God’s purpose through others’ over at Woven & Threaded. She also just launched her own communications consulting business and is learning how to be an entrepreneur.

Amie, Cheyenne's Posts, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Lanissa's Posts, Melissa's Posts, OBS, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

UYM turns 8 Months! 

  
Today is the day!! We turn 8 months!!! Wow! What a journey it has been, walking in full-time ministry with The UYM Team! We are so amazed by how faithful God has been to our ministry. The thousands of lives that have been changed, touched and restored…brings tears to our eyes.

Thank YOU dear friends and family, for your support and encouragement! Uniquely Yours Ministries, wouldn’t be the same without you ❤️ We love y’all and we can’t wait to see what God has in store in the future! Happy 8 months!!!! 

Much love! Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

{VIDEO Blog} Our Journey.

Hello UYM Friends,

We are SO excited to share with you, this incredible video blog! (Thank you shout-out to Joshua Chaulk, our super talented video productions manager)

Join Our President and Founder, Kerrington Sweeney, as she shares from her heart about the journey and inception of Uniquely Yours Ministries! Bless you! Happy Tuesday y’allđź’™

Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team 

http://youtu.be/zE_nfDR5En8 

Melissa's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Princesses, Problems, and Perfection

godseyes

Written By: Melissa Longval

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

I blame Disney.  I blame Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.  Princess perfection.  Lovely voices, animal taming personalities, and tiny feet.  This clod hopper didn’t measure up.  As a size 10, jokes about throwing away shoes and just wearing the boxes were common!  Yeah, yeah, I get it…I don’t even need to wear skis…cause my feet are so big!

Along with big feet came other large things that I wished were smaller, hair that I wish were curlier and bigger (it was the 80’s after all), skin that was clearer.  The list was endless.  The quest to be beautifully perfect haunted me for a long time.  I know I wasn’t alone.

The desire to be perfect doesn’t stop after high school.  In fact, once I became a mother, I had a whole new idea of perfection.  Being the perfect mom with the perfect child.  Breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food…again the list is long.

We don’t have to look far to see this idea of perfection invades our culture and most cultures around the world.  As a Christian, I know perfection is not attainable here.  And yet, the wrestling continues.

My thoughts are that the idea of perfection, flawlessness, comes from the Lord.  He is perfect.  His laws, statutes, and ways are perfect.  Everything about Him is perfect, yet we have perverted this perfection to fulfill desires of the flesh.

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

But, perfection is only attainable through the righteousness of Christ.  My imperfections, my weak and broken places are where Christ’s strength is found.

“For where I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12: 10

Chasing after perfection, as a goal in and of itself, is like chasing the wind.  I will never catch it.  When I am willing to let go of the idea of perfection, I can hold on to the beautiful plan God has for me.  And, I don’t have to rush around for Him, because He is always with me.  What a Savior!

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  Philippians 3:12

Christ has given me His perfection…His righteousness…His holiness.  Best of all, I do not have to horde it and keep it to myself, but the more I give it away, the more I receive.  The more I allow people to see the imperfections, the wrinkles, and age spots, the more freedom I have to love others the way Christ loves me…with abandon!

And as we walk this journey on this small planet, knowing where we are headed, following our perfect Lord and Savior, may we all live happily ever after…

Until Next Time,
Melissa

Amie, Uncategorized, {Beauty}

{Beauty} A Beautiful Ripple. 

Written By: Amie Comber

  

It was a windy day.  The kind of day that’s sprinkled with sunshine and puffy clouds that look like boats jumping along the horizon line.  I was in line in a busy cafĂ© waiting for some coffee and delectable, yet overpriced, dessert.  As I looked up, some bubbly lady caught my attention.  Her eyes held mine and we exchanged smiles.  She came right up to me, gave me a small hug and told me that I had the most beautiful smile she had seen, then she left to go onto whatever her day had in front of her.  It was so simple.  It took almost no effort.  Yet that simple interaction has stuck with me since the day it happened over 10 months ago.  I remember my heart feeling so light, and my smile burst forth to a few more people than normal that day because I felt so beautiful and noticed.

Often, I think of beauty as something that I want to achieve.  Beauty is a personal adjective that I strive for outwardly, inwardly, and all around.  Striving to be beautiful through a joyful complexion, gracefulness, kindness, and in my heart are not bad pursuits whatsoever.  Today, sweet girl, I would like you to try something new.  I want you to temporarily set aside your thoughts of personal beauty and focus that energy on how you could make someone around you feel beautiful.  How can you pass along beauty to another sweet soul?  What small gesture or words of affirmation can be hand-picked and lovingly delivered to change someone’s day, just like that lady changed mine.

I think of the phrase, “a beautiful ripple.”  When I cast a stone into a sparkling pond it plops through the surface of the water and gurgles to the sand waiting to catch it at the bottom.  I don’t see how far it sinks down, but I do see the affect of that stone upon the surface.  Let’s say that your efforts to help another young lady feel beautiful represent that stone.  It may sink a foot deep into a pond, or it may travel the depths of the ocean into her heart.  But no matter how deep that act of kindness sinks into someone’s heart, there is always a ripple on the surface.  Whether it’s a small one like a simple smile and a thank you, or if she in turn goes to 5 other ladies to pass along the kindness… you are starting something.  You are starting “a beautiful ripple.”

There were many beautiful ladies in that cafĂ© that day.  Looking back, I thought the bubbly lady was the most beautiful because she was brave enough to cast her stone.  She didn’t know where it would land, and she didn’t know how I would receive it.  Her stone sank so deep into my heart and I’ve treasured it, and her ripple is still going as this blog post is now rippling it’s way to you.  Your beauty shines the most when you make those around you feel beautiful.

Until next time,

~Amie

P.S. Feel free to comment below a story of how someone took the time to make you feel beautiful, and the ripple that became of it. xoxo

Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

The Authentic Community 

Hey UYM Friends!! Lots of fun and sweet fellowship happening over at The Authentic Community Face-book group! We’d love to have you join us! UYM Authentic Community was born to provide a beacon of hope for women who are desiring to live an Authentic Life dedicated to Jesus Christ. A place online where women, world-wide can receive support, prayer and encouragement on a daily basis. Come and stay awhile! đź’™

  
See you there –> 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423542331188838/
Until Next Time, 

~The Authentic Community Leadership Team  

Taylor's Posts, Uncategorized, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Taking Care of Yourself

Taylor BeautyWritten By: Taylor Fast

Have you ever been asked if you’re tired…cause you look tired?  I hate when I am asked that question.  Usually once finals for school roll around, I get asked that question a lot.  Though, this question reminds me that I need to take care of myself.

There is a lot that we can get caught up with in our daily lives.  Our society is one that is built on getting things accomplished as quickly as we can.  So where does that leave room for taking care of ourselves?  We have a duty to take care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Spiritually, we need to make sure we take time out of our day to spend time with God.  We all have some time in our day that we can save for Him, whether this is during a lunch break, in the morning, or before you head to bed.  This time with God is important as you can recharge your batteries in a way!  Spending time with God allows you to think about His word and apply it to your own life.  It allows you time to reflect and come to God with the concerns of the day.  This time is necessary for your spiritual health, and your walk with God.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

When I think of some beautiful women that I look up to, I can see in their lives that they take time for themselves.  Their beauty radiates because they love themselves for who they are and they respect their bodies.  I challenge everyone reading this, to take a well needed break today.  Even if it’s just for a few minutes, spend this time being mindful of the life you have.  Let your body relax, and give thanks to God, who cares for you and loves you always, just as you should care for and love yourself.  This well needed me time is an act of love towards yourself, and nothing is more beautiful than that!

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

{Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

That Christmas. 

  
Written By: Marnie Pouget 

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I love decorating the house and the festive spirit that permeates the atmosphere. I love to sit in the peaceful quiet circle of light surrounded by deep inky darkness.Maybe 1500 lights are too many for a Christmas Tree but my tree is larger than life in my cozy living room and it deserves to be dressed well. The effort is well worth the effect and every year I eagerly anticipate those quiet Christmas evenings.  

Every year but last year.

Last year I was confounded by stress and overwhelmed with a deep sadness. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact source of either and the thought of putting up a Christmas Tree paralyzed me. As we became more and more immersed in the season, I became more and more helpless and I felt a growing hopelessness.

Though, we often have three trees gracing our home for the holidays, I had somehow managed to get my family to agree that we didn’t need a tree at all this year. I was beyond thankful for their understanding. (I later learned that they were disappointed at the prospect of a treeless holiday however, didn’t want to put additional pressure on me so they kept their disappointment to themselves.)

A friend encouraged me to put up a tree. Even if it wasn’t perfect. Even if it didn’t have all the decorations on it. No matter what I was feeling, the celebration was necessary for my family……and for me.

My husband brought down the boxes for one of our smaller trees and some of our ornaments. It was still too much. I sat, hedged in by boxes, unsure where to start. My sweet 12 year old daughter asked if it would be okay if she put the tree together and started and I could just sit and watch.

I sat.

I watched and as I did, my spirits were lifted by the way she served and the grace she showed

She decorated the whole tree with the help of her little brothers. It was beautiful…..

…….and just what I needed.

In my evenings that followed, sitting in the circle of grace-filled light, I embraced peace even in the midst of the chaos of my times.

It was a Christmas like none other and one that I won’t likely forget.

Until Next Time, 

~Marnie 

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

The Brutally Honest Christmas Card.

  
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney 
This has been one of the hardest years of my life. I am still on a road of recovery from it. This past year:

In the early spring of this year, I was physically attacked by an unknown sickness. I was emotionally drained and spiritually on a desperate searching quest. In search for something to quench my never-ending thirst of strength in my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Resulting in, me spending a few horrific nights in the Emergency Room…waiting hours and hours in search of answers. That season was absolutely lifeless. No growth took place, rather the roots of a health filled life-style, were ripped out from underneath me. 

I felt weary, defeated, and ragged. My soul was in pieces, scattered around, limp with no life left within me. Failure. Defeated. Worthless. These were the words so often spoken in my mind, on a vicious cycle that seemed to never end. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of mystical voices. I was numb to the Lord’s presence. I had no emotional balance. I was knee-deep in a place of utter chaos and complete confusion. A season of wandering, searching, and questioning. A choice was placed in front of me. Would I begin to take up the quest in hope of finding my authentic purpose once again, or would I continue to lay limp, life-less in a state of exhaustion?

My weary soul felt no reason to pray. No reason to read my Bible and not even an ounce of reason to attend a church service. I was tired. Weak. Ready to, in all honesty, give up. “What was the point anymore?”, I thought. This soul was mine. I, Kerrington, had to take ownership of it. No longer was I being a slave to the fears, raging inside of me. This was not my portion and I knew that I knew, something had to give. 
It was the year full of hardship. Harsh words, temptations, and faithless defeat. Anxiety, unsettledness, sleepless nights, and never-ending tears. Oh, and change. Lots of it.

The year of goodbye to the old and hello to the new. A year of questioning what truly defined me. The year crammed with medical tests and procedures. Ugly moments and real jealousy. It was the year, I truly fell in love and then, got my heart recklessly broken. The year of frequently changing seasons. The year of learning to love and somewhat trust once again. Full of high mountain tops and low valleys of deep feelings and insecure emotions. The year of pursuing, a true balance for my life. 

It was a year of realignment and of a complete shift that took place. A brand new purpose and an intimate calling was being birthed directly into my weary heart, into my very spirit. I would either embrace it with open arms, wholly surrendered or I would resist it, and be shaken to the very core of my being and be tested on my every move. God was calling my heart deeper through this year and I honestly was struggling to trust Him through it all.  

But then friends, Jesus. He came…like a winter snow. He was quiet, soft and slow. Falling from the sky to the earth below. 
I think at times I often forget, especially in the fast-paced culture we abide in, that God is a personal God. We forget that He deserves our undivided attention first and foremost. We just need to Stop. Seek. Pray. Reach and Regenerate. Because, He’s there. 

He’s there in those moments when you could just break down and cry. He’s there celebrating with you in your greatest achievements. He’s there in the stormy crashing waves of life, and He’s there in those moments of sweet peace and stillness. He’s with you in hardship and in worship. In agony and in freedom. He’s always there. 

Dear Readers, Friends and Family, 

Whatever your year may have looked like…just know and believe that God has a purpose for it. The seasons, the circumstances and the situations you walked through have a greater purpose than you can even possibly begin to understand. Whether it was a battle year or a victory year, He was there. The battles you may be fighting or have fought, the hurts you are clenching on to, the bitterness that is building up within you, the struggles that are constantly bombarding your mind…Give them up. 

Hand the keys over to God, let Him begin to lock those things out of your life. Let Him cleanse your weary heart. I know for a fact that He has prosperous plans for you. Hopefully this post has shown you that, I don’t have it all together. I live a real life, just like you. I am fighting battles, and am always learning to give more to God. I am just like you, walking on a journey to a Heavenly Place, our eternal home. I pray with all of my heart, that this vulnerably written post, has empowered you this Christmas Season. 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time…

President & Founder,

~Kerrington Sweeney