a while back i mentioned i would be starting a mini-series.
you can read more about the series and what it means/why it was started here. i would love for you to read more and share it. i have yet to see something like this in the blog world and i think more woman need to be reminded of how lovely they are.
each installment will have bloggers sharing at least two self-portraits (more are welcomed).
one of themselves feeling vulnerable.
one of themselves feeling lovely.
i figured i should start.
courageous enough to share if i’m being honest.
uh…now? ha.
there was a time in college that comes to mind.
my roommate and I joined an organization on campus that desired to share
Christ.
most of the people were fantastic – loving, compassionate, genuinely interested
in others walk with the Lord and in pouring into the lives of others. sounds fantastic
right? well it was for a season. i went on some retreats, was poured into, made some good friendships, and really grew in my relationship with God. then came a new semester and things just started to crumble. i had not been able to go on the summer mission trip with most of the group, so i felt left out, and when we started “recruiting” new people something started clicking. they would go door to door in the dorm rooms and talk with the girls about the group – it was then that i noticed this “image” they were after – and my heart sank. if the girls looked like they belonged in a hollister ad – they really talked the organization up – and really invested in the conversations, if the girls looked a little more “plain jane” or “different” they just said “oh we would love for you to swing by”. i started thinking about how MY first experience went – and how my roommate was truly beautiful (inside and out). i started noticing my insecurities – overweight, acne, red streaks in my hair, punk attitude, a little out there…would they have accepted me with open arms without my roommate? i started to question a lot of things, and expressed some of those concerns with some of my friends – they felt the same, and we left the group. all of my other “friends” in the group stopped talking to me – would hardly ackowledge me if i passed – and stopped investing. now at the time i may have blown it out of proportion but my heart was shattered. just because i didn’t fit the “image” they wanted they shut me out. it was a really hard time emotionally – because i felt like such an outcast. (just on record: the organization is no longer like this – incredible people have really turned around some of those backwards ideals and they are truly reaching people for Jesus – it’s beautiful) i felt like i wasn’t lovely, wasn’t good enough, wasn’t picked first. i felt like MY whole package just didn’t measure up – and it sucked.
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So excited to see the first post go up! This really is going to be an awesome series!
I think a lot of people can relate to "losing their sense of loveliness" as time goes on. It seems the older you get, the harder it is to remember.
You are beautiful, inside and out! Your hair is amazing, and I'm actually a little envious of your freckles. I love freckles!
I will have my post sent to you by the end of the week…I just have to take my pictures. 🙂
Love your pictures, Amy!!!
That quote is perfect. I know just what you mean – I've seen it and felt it myself. 🙂
Oh my goodness, so much bravery. I want to do this, but I need time to think about it. I feel like this is such a delicate series and so beautiful and honest. You seriously are so stunning, I can tell you're an awesome person just by looking at you.
Oh Amy I love this so so much! What an amazing idea! And for the record you looked absolutely beautiful in EVERY photo!! XOXO
I absolutely love this idea – and I definitely agree with that quote about people talking with passion about something you love. I always tried when I went on dates to get a guy to talk about something he was passionate about because I believe that's when your genuine nature shines through and makes you look beautiful in your natural way.
I have to say that you look lovely make up free as much as in your less vulnerable pics so don't be afraid to be vulnerable it looks lovely on you. x
This is absolutely wonderful. YOU are beautiful inside and out and this is such a good idea. I can't wait to participate! I just have to find a time to take some pictures.
Wow, Amy. This is the most beautiful post I think I've ever read. There is so much beauty in you!
I really want to participate!
This is beautiful!!! Your vulnerability is so heartwarming since it's how I feel too!!!
If you would have smiled in the first photos they wouldn't have looked any different from the second set. So if you think you look better in the second set it's just an illusion. It's your smile… not your makeup or good hair day… that makes you shine! 🙂
And what is it about college christian groups!? I had so many insane experiences because of them and actually kind of walked away from God for a while as a result. Blah.
Keep being beautiful Amy!
LOVED this girl! You are truly beautiful inside and out, i love your heart for Jesus.
I can't wait to do mine 🙂 I will work on it this week, and I will send it to you when i'm done.
Love this!!! And that KVH quote is so good, I'm definitely going to be writing that one down!
Amazing series!! I better get on writing my post!! You are gorgeous, girl… inside and out.
Hi. So you made me tear up, you made me smile, and you made me really think about beauty, my past, and my story. Your hard work into this project is most definitely paying off!
Anyway, I so found myself nodding to all of your beauty/vulnerability/loveliness talk. There are so many people who don't want people because of their looks and it crushes me. It really does. It's not right and I'm so glad to hear that that campus group has since changed!
I also need to point out that you, my friend, are stunning. I've always loved your curly hair, but seeing these photos, made me realize you have amazing eyes, too! My goodness, you're pretty! And I am not just saying that, because you really and truly are. 🙂
I also loooove that quote you included. As an introvert, talking about my passions is what makes me fired up and I know for a fact that being passionate about something–whatever it is–really does bring out the sparks in our lives.
Speaking of which, I really need to get on my post! I've got the photos taken but have yet to do the writing part. Boy, that post is going to take serious worship music to write along with! 🙂
I got chills reading this post. I love it!
Beautiful! Love this 🙂
Oh, it breaks my heart to hear how you felt during that time in college. I am so glad that things have turned around with that organization, but that doesn't change the hurt of the past.
By the way, I love your smile. I just do. It's beautiful. 🙂
I'm so in love with this series. I can't wait to read everyone else's!!! You ARE lovely my dear!
loved this first post amy.
and i am so excited and honored to be a part of this wonderful series!
yes. yes. yes!! this post was truly amazing! what an exciting series – cannot wait to see other bloggers do this! 🙂
love that quote too! you have such a beautiful heart!
you are beautiful, amy. inside and out. god created you exactly how he wanted you. isn't that such a comforting thing?
i'm loving this series already. 🙂 sorry i've taken so long in getting my answers/pictures back to you! life's been a little hectic lately…i'll be sending them asap!
This is so wonderful! Thank you for choosing to be vulnerable with us. Through this I know that you will free so many women, including myself.
Thank you for sharing Amy!
This is powerful, and totally meets woman where we are at! Thank you!
And, for real, your hair is gorgeous, but more than that, your spirit is lovely for wanting to share a message like this!
http://www.lovelydoesit.com
Wow. This is a great series. I look at the vulnerable pictures and think they all look lovely, but I imagine myself taking one, and I know I wouldn't like it. I'd be looking at all my flaws too. What a wonderful idea to highlight the beauty in all of us.