a more beautiful you!

I believe that a person is one of the most beautiful things ever created by God. It is so simple, yet so complex. Now, I am not talking about a person's physical appearance (even though they are beautiful also), but rather, their personality.

For example, during the summers of 2005 and 2006, I was given an opportunity to travel to Tikhovitsi, Russia to work with orphans. Tikhovitsi is not one of the nicest locations in the world, but because of the mission work that we were doing there, it made the area beautiful in my mind. Russia is definitly a different place than the United States. Showers and cleanliness are not always at the top of their priorites, but no matter how long it has been since their last shower, you can't help but love them. They have a heart unlike any other person I have met. To explain what kind of heart these orphans had, one of them gave me his only possession at the time. He gave me his bandana; every day he wore that bandana on his head, around his neck, he wore it everywhere! He insisted on giving it to me because he really became attached to me. Every time I would tell him to keep it, but he made me keep it as a memory of him.

Another boy would write me love letters every day. Every person from Our Savior Lutheran Church that served as a missionary that week usually had a "stalker/lover". The children would slide notes and pictures they had made under our doors. We would have to get them translated, but often the letter said how much they enjoyed playing soccer with us and couldn't wait to spend more time with us.

Little things such as writing notes and drawing pictures, or just the beauty of a person's personality is what makes life worth living. Many high school and college students are pressured by today's celebrities and media. Every day we are surrounded by magazines filled with headings such as "How to lose 10lbs in 10 days", "108 Ways to Look More Galmourous", and "John Gosselin Shows Off Stomach". We cannot go one day without the pressures of looking perfectly sculpted or pretending to be completely in love with prince charming. I have thought a lot about this today; it is a shame that we want to be like these celebrities!

What has happened to us? Why can't we strive to be a person that truly has made a difference in someone's life? One of my favorite little celebrities is a girl named Alex Scott...Yes, she is a girl, not a woman; at the young age of 4 years old, Alex wanted to make a difference in the lives of other children, especially cancer patients. Now, Alex was an ordinary girl, but, she was suffering with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer. One day, after receiving a stem cell transplant, Alex told her mother, "When I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand." The earnings she made from the lemonade stand would go to cancer research. Her first lemonade stand made a remarkable $2000. Alex followed her dream and has made a difference with her heart. If you want to know more about Alex, check out her website at http://www.alexslemonade.org/. This girl is truly amazing...why can't everyone have a heart as big as hers?

So, you want to become more beautiful, more beautiful than you already are, but the true question is...

how?

That is a question that I ask myself every day, and truthfully, the answer isn't all that easy. Every day I wake up asking myself, "How can I make a difference and make myself as well as others more beautiful?"

From what I have found, little, simple things make all the difference.

For me, a smile, a pat on the back, a hug, a helping hand, or just some comforting words are what make a difference in my life. I cannot tell you how many times my day has been made 100% better just because the gas station clerk told me "good morning". I cannot tell you how happy I am when I receive a phone call in the morning from a person that I adore. I cannot tell you how much I love receiving notes and letters just to say "thanks" or "I am thinking of you". ALL of these things are so special and completely necessary to make life enjoyable!



Surround yourself with people that make you happy, ones that strive to make you more beautiful! Recently, I have become more involved with the young adults at my church Jordan Lutheran. We meet almost weekly just to talk and enjoy each other's presence. Every day we try to talk on Facebook just to joke around or support someone in a time of need. These people are my constant prayer warriors and will always be there for me whenever I need them most. These people make me a more beautiful person!



FFA. It makes people beautiful! There is no better place to see students helping others, especially those in their schools and communities. Serving as a state officer this past year has made me realize how normal middle school and high school students can make a difference in the life of a person! FFA makes never ending friendships and a lifetime of memories; it makes for a beautiful bunch of people!


If you are having a bad day or just need some support, look for someone that will make you feel a whole lot better. If you see someone that could use some encouragment, give it to them! Take time to listen and respond; be a smiling face. Recently, I heard a song by Jason Diaz that really emphasizes how you are beautiful, no matter how you look!

There could never be a more beautiful you

Don't buy the lies, disguises, and hoops they make you jump through

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do

So there could never be a more beautiful you!

Remember, something simple will make all the difference!