Cosmetology School

I graduated high school in 2009. During the fall of that year I had not been attending any college classes and things were getting serious at home about doing something with my life. First let me say that I was working full time during the day in an office. It was clearly not a job I wanted for the rest of my life. I was 18 and I needed to figure things out.

I have always loved changing my hair color and I constantly get it cut. I would do such crazy things with my hair that people would tell me all the time that I should go to cosmetology school. I thought it would be cool, but to actually do it? NO WAY!! I was too scared! But, I was 18 living at home, working at a job I hated, and feeling pressure at home about making a decision about my future. I can remember many nights arguing with my Mom about what I was going to do with my life. I was just so scared to fail I didn't want to do anything.

My Mom and I started to pray about what to do. We would pray almost every night together about what I should do with my future.  I came to a crossroads. One way was to jump into photography. I love taking pictures. I looked into a lot of different schools, and classes, and the price of equipment. The other option was cosmetology school. Which was also pretty pricey. I think the cosmetology option seemed to make the most sense. But the cost was the one thing that was holding me back. I was praying all the time for an answer. I didn't know what to do!

One night I was at a family members home and the discussion of my future came up. The same questions everyone asks a high school graduate, ‘‘So what are you doing now?'' I answered honestly and said I wasn't sure, but I was thinking about cosmetology school, although I was not sure if that would work because of the cost. And out of nowhere this family member offered to loan me the money for school. I was shocked. I was speechless! I never in a million years would have asked this family member for a loan! Was this the answer? Was this God telling me to go to cosmetology school?? Well after more prayer and talking out the details - It was cosmetology School for me!

I started January 2010 and was enrolled for the evening classes because I still had to work during the day. I remember so clearly the first night. I remember telling my self,  ''Ok just this one night. And if you don't like it, you don't have to keep going.'' Well, the first class was such a great experience; I didn't even remember that I had given myself an out. I fell in love with my classes! For 2 years I worked full time during the day and went to school every night. Class didn't get out till 10:15 every night and it was tough, but I fought through it. And I completed the entire course of classes.

Now was the hard part: Taking the 1 day, 8 hour practical test, with someone monitoring my every move! Despite all my nerves, I felt God with me, holding my hand, walking with me through the whole day.

Let me start by saying that the date I was given to take my test was also the same date that my friend from school would be taking her test (It rarely happens that 2 people from the same class get the same test date) So, not only would my friend be with me, but my mom would also to be there to be my model for the test.

The night before the big test I was all ready to go but I was having a major panic attack. I was so nervous. I just wasn’t able to relax. I opened my phone and the bible app was open (which I didn't remember opening) the verse that was displayed was ‘‘Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success.'' Proverbs 3:6 I started to cry when I read this. I knew that God was with me.  It gave me such a peace.

The day of the test came. We had to wake up and be on the road by 6am.  The test was at 8am in L.A.  And there was no way I was going to be late. The test is broken into 2 sections. First half was practical and the second was a written exam.

So the practical exam started. The instructor that administered the test was super tough. It was a blessing that after the second procedure she was called away. Another instructor came and was so relaxed and easy going.

I was going along doing my thing. Each procedure was timed. The timer would go off with a halfway warning. There was this one procedure that I had practiced and practiced and practiced and I could not finish it in the time allotted for the test. I finally told myself that if I could get everything else correct, it would be ok to fail this one procedure. When that one procedure came up I was so nervous. I remember praying throughout the whole procedure. I was getting towards the end of this procedure and I remember that I had never heard the halfway warning. It turns out that she had forgotten to set the timer for this particular procedure. To make it fair she gave everyone an extra 10 minutes!!!!!! What?? This was crazy!!!

The rest of the practical testing went by great. After the completion of the practical section we had about  a 2-hour break before our written exam. I spoke to my Mom about that one procedure that the instructor forgot the timer on and she said she was praying and asking God if He could stop time for this one procedure so that I could finish it. Isn't that crazy?!!! God is so good!!! The written test went by perfectly. It wasn't hard at all. And after a super long wait ... I PASSED!!!!

God was with me that ENTIRE day. I will never forget it. It seems so silly in the scheme of the world. It would not be the worst thing to fail the test or run out of time. But God cared so much about me and the silly little things that I was so concerned about, that he made it all work out with a positive outcome...

I remember driving home that day and I just started crying. God had this all planned out. He directed me all the way from making the decision to go to school and getting through those tough 2 years, and then helping me pass the state board exam. When it seems so silly to stress about little things God cares and He is here. He listens to our concerns and helps us. We don't deserve this love but He loves us.

If He cared enough about me to give me these little victories and to let me pass a test that really isn’t that big of a deal in the big picture of the world. Image how much he can bless us and care for our bigger needs and things that we go through. Our God is all-powerful. He wants to help us with everything we go through and things we have to deal with.

Thank you for reading! God loves you and He cares about every step we take.

Jeremiah 29: 11

For I know the plans I have for you,’’ declares the Lord, ‘’plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Being Single in a World Full of Couples

I feel like people in my life have labeled me as being ‘’The Good Girl’’. I think this is because I was homeschooled, I can be shy, and I don’t really date. I have always resented this title because it’s usually said in a negative connotation. Is it really a bad thing to have standards? I may not have grown up like other girls my age. I haven’t done or experienced the same things in the same timeline for your average 24 year old, but I don’t really think that is bad thing.

I will admit that I didn’t have my first boyfriend until I was 24. We met, fell in love and then fell out of love all with in 2 months. It was quite the learning experience for me. There is so much I want to share on that experience, but I will have to write a whole other post about it… So please stay tuned…

Writing about my relationship experience (or lack there of) is a big thing for me. I don't usually broadcast this information about myself. Up until I had my first relationship most people would make untrue assumptions about me when they learn that I’ve never dated or even had a boyfriend. Being 24 and single and never been in a relationship? Something must be wrong with me. Right?

The most annoying thing I get asked when people would hear this about me is ‘‘don’t you want a boyfriend?" Singleness is not really something I have control over. Being in a relationship requires 2 people. I can want a boyfriend all I want but that’s not going to make someone magically appear. And I don't want just anyone. I want the right one.

I usually rush to my defense when I reveal this information. I say that I grew up homeschooled and went straight to cosmetology school after high school. Not much opportunity. And to top it off I am not the most outgoing person when I first meet people. I try to explain this to make myself seem less odd. But really, the true answer to the question as to why I am single is because I am not ready for a relationship right now. It’s not in God’s plan for me at the moment. I truly believe that He is preparing the right man for me. Just like He is preparing me for that right man.

I feel the need to explain a little.  To be a 24-year-old women who has never been in a relationship, never even had guys pursue you. Not even having the choice of saying no to dating. It has just never been given as an option for me. It’s very difficult when all you have ever wanted is to be in a relationship.

It’s hard seeing everyone else get what you want. I trust God and I know he has a plan for my life. But waiting is very hard.

When everyone around you is getting married and having babies and that’s all you have ever dreamed and wanted for your life. It’s hard to have patience. I find myself asking God all the time “When will it be my turn?”  

Well, I am an imperfect human and I decided to take matters into my own hands. I signed up for online dating. I have known quiet a few people in my life that have done online dating and it has worked for them. So I thought I would give it a try. And I thought maybe this is where God has planned for me to meet the man he has prepared for me....

Well I couldn’t have been more wrong!! After 8 months of membership. I have to say I am not so sure it was the right decision for me...

I have nothing against online dating I think it does work for people. But for me I don't think it was the right move.  

And here is why: I am an extremely emotional, sensitive and awkward human being.

I could go into detail of all the guys I have talked to and went on dates with but honestly who wants to read that. It’s a lot to put yourself out there over and over again. The rejection can hurt. Even though I don't know these guys very well, it was tough.

But all of this to say that… Yes, maybe the way my life has turned out is a bit unusual.

But I do believe that there is a man out there that God is preparing for me… I need to learn to trust God’s plan and not my own… His timing in answering prayers has always proved to be perfect in the past so why wouldn’t it be perfect in this situation.

We are not perfect. We make errors time and time again. But, God loves us and He wants to be in our life… But He does not force His way. It’s up to us... In my life I have been blessed so many times before and have seen His love and grace. But the enemy is real and knows what to do to bring us down… If we aren’t moving forward with God then we are moving backwards.

Thank you for reading! And remember God loves you no matter your history. 

Hebrews 10:35-36

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised.

Hair by a Hare

HAIR…. I've always been crazy about my hair. If I'm having a bad hair day then I'm having a bad day. I know that sounds silly but I truly can't help it. It really doesn't help that my last name is Hare. I guess you can kind of say I was born to become a hair stylist...

I remember the first time I changed my hair color. I was in 5th grade and I bought a bottle of Sun-In. It’s basically lemon juice in a spay bottle. I would spray on unnatural amounts in my hair and it turned my hair a reddish orange but I loved it... From then it only went down hill. My grandma would give me chunky highlights. Then I went to box dyes and it was a very unhealthy habit and an expensive one too because I was constantly changing hair color. I can honestly say I haven't had my natural hair color since I was in 5th grade. I really don't mind, other than it would  probably be a lot healthier.

I have been told repeatedly that if I were to have one hair color for too long it just wouldn't be me. Sometimes I wish I could not color my hair and let it grow and stop cutting it. But that just wouldn’t be me. I'm a shorthaired girl whose hair color changes every 3 months. But I like it that way (most of the time).

I became a licensed cosmetologist about 4 years ago. And I have never regretted it. When I first got my license everyone assumed that I would start working in a salon. Which is a fair assumption but I never saw myself working in a salon. I knew I wanted my license but working in a salon wasn’t really what I wanted to do. Most people thought it was odd that I continued to work full time in an office. I love my office job and I love that I am able to do hair on the side. I have had a lot of great opportunities doing hair and I don’t see working on hair as work. It’s more of a hobby for me. I love it!

I truly believe becoming a hairstylist is part of God’s plan for me. Right now in my life I am not meant for a salon maybe one day but not today. I don’t really know why or what Gods plan for my life is. In His timing He is reveling parts of it to me. I am 100% sure that becoming a licensed cosmetologist was part of His plan. It may even be for some reason I may never know. But I know that He has given me this skill and love for hair for a reason.

We don’t always know why God has us do certain things but we just have to listen and obey.

Thank you so much for reading!!! Remember God loves you even when you don’t understand why.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

 There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve.  And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do.

Starting A Blog

In 2011 I had this grand idea of staring a blog. I had no real direction of what this blog would be about or what I would even write about but I knew I wanted a blog….

Well without a direction or a topic to write about my blogger account just sat there. I felt very discouraged because I really wanted to have a blog. At the time I was following so many blogs and I wanted to be just like them.

Well it is now 2016. 5 years later. I have had an overwhelming desire to write. I have been writing for about a year and am now ready to post.

I truly feel that God has given me this passion to write at the perfect time. I have not started this blog to get followers, or to make it into a business. Which I can now see is what I was all about 5 years ago. So I believe God had me wait until I was ready to do it for the right reasons.

Simply put this blog is full of stories from my life and how God has brought me through rough seasons, guided me through decisions, and simply forgiven me after I made mistakes.

I am simply following what God has put on my heart to write. I am not trying to say what I do or what I have done is the right way I am simply sharing my experiences and how God has helped me.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope that my stories will bring encouragement to you. Remember that God loves you no matter what your past looks like.