Inadequate |

Inadequate. The word itself seems depressing and hopeless, right? As I was thinking about this topic, I began to realize that every human being, no matter how confident they may seem, feels inadequate in some area of their life. The bottom line is that we all feel it and experience feeling insignificant to some degree. Sometimes I feel like I am not capable for what I know God has called me to do. In the sense that there are so many people who are more talented and gifted than I am. Inadequacy stems from fear and doubting one's self worth. But how do we fix this? How do we change our mindset? It is only when we realize God's extraordinary, constant, unfailing love that we can overcome a mindset consumed with inadequacy and doubt. I know so many truly phenomenal, kind, loving, generous people who doubt themselves because they fail to meet the standards of the media. They're convinced they aren't intelligent enough, or good looking enough, or talented enough to fulfill their full potential. At an early age I was placed into music ministry. I felt the call of God on my life at thirteen years of age at youth camp. I knew inately that music was definitely one of my callings. However throughout the years, I've has my fair share of struggle in the "leading worship" department. There have been several times where I've felt that i've completely failed, and that I was somehow inadequate for what I know I've been called to do. I recall distinct times where I went to my dad's office and cried because, in my opinion, I wasn't cut out for the job. (If you know me at all, you know that I very rarely cry.) Yet, the beauty of living for God is that if you surrender your failures, doubts and worries to Him, He will mold you into something you never thought you could be. To Christ, "inadequacy" is a ten letter word, not an insurmountable obstacle. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV). 

Self worth is essential. You cannot love and mentor others if your own wounds and insecurities are crippling your spirit and joy. You are worth it. You are worthy of love, and not just temporal love, but a love that surpasses all boundaries, insecurities or doubts: the never ending love of Christ. 

Flo-Rida

For the past six days, I've been on vacation with my family in Florida! It's honestly been absolutely wonderful to just get away and relax without all the stress. I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with my family. We're so busy with the church and the busyness of life, so it was fabulous not to have to follow a schedule or to do list. I got to meet some friends while in Florida, which was incredible! 

My good friend, Sam Aleman, is an exquisite photographer, and took these pictures for me! 

I took the rest of the following pictures! Most of them we're taken at one of the Disney parks.

 

Have an amazing weekend! 

Xoxo

Nikki Marie 

The Curls Tutorial |

Over the course of the past two years, I've had numerous people ask my how I curl my hair. I get asked on Instagram, at church events and even at the grocery store! The follow up question is usually, "do you have extensions?". Which I always find hilarious. 

This is honestly the easiest hairstyle. My favorite thing about these types of curls is that they last forever. Leftover curls are my best friend. Seriously. 

The picture below shows the products that I use. They work incredibly well with this hairstyle. I use Revlon velvet, hot rollers. They come in a set of 20 rollers, and I purchased them for $20 at Walmart. 

Step one: I prefer to start with clean, freshly washed hair. I then brush it out. 

Step two: I then section my hair. I take a medium sized portion of hair and tease the roots. Don't tease all of your hair and then try to put the rollers in. Instead, tease a section, put the roller in and then continue: 

Step three: After you have teased your section (don't go crazy), put a dime sized squirt of mousse into your palm and then work it into that section. Then put in your roller. Instead of using clips to secure the roller, I use bobby pins, they work fabulously. Then simply continue the process until you have run out of hair and rollers. This entire process takes me anywhere between 12 - 18 minutes! 

Step four: Once the rollers have cooled (try to leave them in AT LEAST 15 minutes), simply take the rollers out. I normally separate the curls into two pieces. 

Step five: Take your fingers and gently pull your roots to give your hair great volume. Make sure you do this to your whole head, not just the front section of your hair. Then simply spray your hair with the hairspray shown above! I normally use a shine spray as well! It should end up looking like this!

I hope this tutorial helped! Once you get the hang out it, this hairstyle is a breeze! I've also had requests for up-do tutorials, so those will be coming very soon! I hope everyone is staying warm in this horrible frigid weather! 

Xoxo

Nikki Marie