His Biblical Beauty

My First YouTube Video?!!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:35:00 +0000

GUYS! I took a leap of faith this week and decided to add 'Vlogger' to my title!!!! In my first YouTube video, you can find me sharing 10 facts about myself that you might not have even seen on here....

So what are you waiting for?!?!! Go watch it and don't forget to subscribe :)

Watch it HERE!!!!!!

With love,
Paige

Biblical Beauty of the Month: Megan {May 2016}

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 03 May 2016 15:56:00 +0000

I met Megan at church camp when we were 10 years old. Somehow when we grew older, we reconnected and instantly hit it off! I used to dream about living in her small, Western Kansas town and seeing her every day. Megan has been an amazing friend over the years and even though we don't see each other often, we always pick up right where we left off. I wish you all could experience her adorable laugh in person!

Meet Megan Maupin.

Age: 17

City/State: Jetmore, Kansas

Church: Jetmore United Methodist Church

When did you make the decision to follow Christ? I was 6 years old.

Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 6:33

Favorite book in the Bible: Proverbs

Favorite Christian song: Soul on Fire by Third Day

Favorite Christian artist: MercyMe

Favorite way to connect with God: Music and long prayers.

Favorite School Subject: English

Scholastic/Career Ambitions: Get a dual-degree from K-State and Manhattan Christian College in Journalism (KSU) and Biblical Leadership (MCC).

Describe your personal style: I believe simplicity is key. If you feel beautiful, then the opinions of others don't matter.

What are your hobbies/talents? I am a two-time state forensics champion! Acting and making people laugh is my passion. I also love writing and can't wait to pursue a career in it.

What do you think it means to be a Biblical Beauty? You should do everything for the glory of God. Pray to have God shine His light through you: not for your own image, but so other people may know God.

Keep up with Megan!
Instagram: @meganmaupin
Twitter: @meganmaupin5
Pinterest: @megss1722

Would you like to be the next Biblical Beauty of the Month? Fill out an application here! :)

Walkin' on Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 18:30:00 +0000

Hellloo, everyone! I hope so far you are having a bright, sunshiny day!!!!...oops, wrong song.

It's pretty ironic I'm posting this today because yesterday our entire state was covered in severe weather and tornado warnings. All of the gloominess has sparked me to daydream about sunnier times, and more specifically sundresses, that I'd rather be wearing. I bought this beauty during an Old Navy haul I had a few weeks ago (sadly, it's no longer available :/) The looser fit makes it super comfortable, and the print just screams girly. It's versatile enough to wear to the grocery store with jeans or on Easter Sunday with heels. Accent with minimal jewelry to keep the simplicity of the dress the focal statement.

Photos by Bailey Barker Photography

Make sure to check out my Facebook and Instagram pages if you haven't already!!! :)

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised." -Psalm 113:3

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Putting in Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 12:54:00 +0000

Dress: Lauren James, Shoes: Versona

Good morning, Biblical Beauties! I have been so excited to share this post with you. I was feeling inspired after watching the Masters a few weeks ago, and knew I had to debut this lovely Lauren James dress on the golf course. These photos wouldn't have turned out this gorgeous if it wasn't for Pam Weaver! She is incredibly talented, creative, patient, and a joy to be around. Contact Pam to book a summer sesh today!!!

While I'm no pro myself, I've grown to appreciate golf over the years. My dad has played in Men's League for 20 years and my boyfriend currently plays for his college. Year after year, I've said I was going to go out for the golf team and never have...but I can assure you that next year you'll find me proudly playing for the Swather Men's Golf Team (Yes, our mascot is a tractor, and no, we don't have a girls team)

One thing I have always appreciated is a quality-made, classy dress. Lauren James is a Southern-prep clothing company based out of Arkansas that has all the essentials if you want to look like a sophisticated young woman. They have pages and pages of dresses, skirts, and shorts made from seersucker and embellished with bows. Even if your style isn't full-on Southern Belle, there are still pieces that would look great in any setting, whether you're in the Deep South or on the West Coast. Browse the rest of their spring collection here!!

Photos by Pam Weaver Photography

Thank you Hesston Golf Course for letting us shoot here!

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." -Hebrews 4:16

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Prom 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 02:54:00 +0000

I am writing this post 24 hours later in a pair of sweatpants laying motionless on my couch.... That means it's the day after prom!!! Haha, for real though. I am SO tired. Buuuut Prom 2016 was a blast! Even though I'm only a junior, this is my third year going to prom. This one was by far my favorite because I was able to go with all of my closest friends! Let me introduce you...

My dress was a Sherri Hill purchased from Terry Costa in Dallas when I was on a visit to DBU back in January. They have gorgeous dresses and friendly employees. Check them out if you're in the area!

I started off the day by getting my hair and makeup done at Studio 400. My mom was a hairdresser for 20+ years and worked with many of the women who are employed here. It's always really fun to go back and see them since I grew up in the shop, admiring the beautiful hairstyles they created. I chose a classic french twist since there was a chance of rain and golden shimmer eyeshadow.

Next, my grandparents came over to take pictures at our house. They're the sweetest!

Our group finally met up at the beautiful Thiesen home to take more pictures. I think it's safe to say every girl felt like a princess in the castle. Zack doubled as my date and my brother! We are best friends and have been for a number of years now.

^^ our relationship in a picture, haha

We started to get hungry and made our way to Wichita for dinner at Newport Grill. (One of my best friends/photographers, Bailey, works there!) Even though we were already full, coffee ice cream sounded too good to pass up and we indulged on Churn & Burn.

Finally, it was time to actually go to prom! We arrived on the red carpet fashionably late at 8:50 and made our grand entrance. Our promenade is so cute because the whole town comes out to watch and pick out their favorite dresses.

Photo by Pam Weaver Photography

We danced the night away for three hours, laughing, taking photos and eating snacks.

My friends headed on to After Prom at the YMCA, also put on by the parents, complete with swimming pools, basketball courts, movies, and prizes. They got home at 4:30, just in time for breakfast. Where was I, you ask? I went home to catch a few hours of sleep before waking up for breakfast with the gang :)

This year's prom was an amazing experience and wouldn't have been possible without all of the hard work the parents and teachers put in. Thank you all!!!!

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Truly Kustom, Truly Kute + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 19:26:00 +0000

Earrings: Truly Kustom, Top: Old Navy, Shorts: Old Navy

Hello everyone! I hope you're having an incredible Tuesday :) I had a great weekend catching up with my friend Bailey and enjoying the gorgeous weather we've been having lately. Both prom and my show choir performances are coming up, which makes April a crazy busy month. Still, I've been finding time to enjoy the little things in life - riding my bike around town, spending time with grandparents, and diving back into reading my Bible. Right now I'm working to memorize Psalm 130!

Speaking of little everyday blessings, can we talk about these earrings from Truly Kustom?! So, so cute! I found their shop on Instagram and was fortunate enough to win this pair of earrings in a giveaway. Not only is their jewelry good quality and absolutely adorable, it's also affordable! This pair only costs $10. The two moms behind Truly Kustom do a fabulous job with their small business. They are so kind, sweet, and generous....generous enough to donate a pair of earrings for an Instagram giveaway!!!!! Check @hisbiblicalbeauty to find out how to enter!

Together with this darling peplum top from Old Navy and a pair of khaki shorts, this outfit can be worn anywhere and accessorized as little or as much as you'd like.

Photos by Kailie Hamilton

"If you kept a record of sins, Lord, who would stand a chance? But forgiveness is with you -- that's why you are honored." - Psalm 130:3-4

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Biblical Beauty of the Month: Kenzie {April 2016}

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:25:00 +0000

I met Kenzie when I went on a mission trip to Costa Rica two summers ago, but it wasn't until Ecuador this past summer that we became close friends. I love her free spirit, genuine heart, and sweet nature. I can always count on her when I need her to be there for encouragement. Kenzie is honestly one of my favorite people on this planet, and her God-given creativity is sure to amaze you. Thanks Kenz, for being my first ever Biblical Beauty of the Month! Now it's time for you to meet her!

Meet Kenzie Goley.

Age: 19 (almost 20!)

City/State: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Church: Life.Church

When did you make the decision to follow Christ? I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was 5 years old.

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 103:1-5 and Psalm 139.

Favorite book in the Bible: Psalm and Proverbs.

Favorite Christian song: 'How Can It Be' by Lauren Daigle.

Favorite way to connect with God: Music and reading the Bible.

Scholastic/Career Ambition: I'm attending Tulsa Community College and majoring in Business. I plan on pursuing photography full-time.

Describe your personal style: I guess you could say I’m artsy and creative. I like bringing that creativity into my photography and fashion. I also love anything vintage.

What are your hobbies/talents? I love drawing, photography, singing, and reading. I also love traveling.

What do you think it means to be a Biblical Beauty? I think it means to follow the Lord with your whole heart and have high standards for yourself and to be a light to others.

Keep up with Kenzie!

Website: kenziegoley.com

Instagram: @kenziegoley

Twitter: @kenz_goley

Pssst! Want to be featured as the Biblical Beauty of the Month? Fill out an application here!

Tank You, APU

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:09:00 +0000

God always seems to surprise you most when you least expect it. When I went on college visits in California over spring break last month, I wasn’t sure if my decision would be made clear. The pressure was on: it’s not every day I can take off for a week and fly 1,200 miles to make an on-campus visit to a prospective school! But God made it clear that He has my back and He has a plan.

Pre-Visit Rankings:

#1 Pepperdine University

#2 Biola University

#3 Azusa Pacific University

Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t that I was doubting APU or closed-minded about going there. Truth be told, I just didn't know anything about it! I almost didn’t visit because I wasn’t sure if it would be worth my time. But APU proved me wrong, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance.

Azusa was my second visit of the three. I entered the day with no expectations and a positive attitude. My tour guide, Tori, was the absolute sweetest person I could’ve asked for!!! I was immediately surprised by the friendliness of everyone on campus. I soaked in the peaceful environment, yet was intrigued that it still remained upbeat. The adorable trolleys fascinated me and I loved the uniqueness of the two campuses - one being more “homey” and surrounded by pretty foliage; the other having more of an urban feel with clean lines and large windows. Most important of all, their faith was emphasized in everything and their motto, “God First,” was genuinely reflected throughout the day.

Everyone I interacted with that day played a part in helping me make my decision: the kind receptionist at the welcome center, the man who gave an informational presentation, my tour guide Tori, my admissions counselor Emily, and the dance team member Madison. Thank you all for making my visit a positive experience!!!

I concluded my amazing visit with a trip to the APU bookstore and got this cute muscle tank. Check it out online here!

Photos by Kayleigh Regan Photography

I will be attending Azusa Pacific University in the Fall of 2017 and double-majoring in Journalism and Business. Thank you mom and dad, thank you Jesus, and tank you APU!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jeremiah 29:11

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

March Gladness

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 23:39:00 +0000

It's March, and the madness is almost over! Although I don't know every player's name or every team's seed, I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to sports and the NCAA tournament. Back in the day, I used to be a baller and played post (it's okay, you can laugh.) Now, I just enjoy cheering from the sidelines.

Since my two favorite teams aren't in the tournament (Wichita State and Kansas State), I keep it neutral with this baseball style tee from La Tee Da. LTD is an Etsy shop that sells custom graphic tees, home decor, and accessories. It just so happens that they're also based in my hometown! Check out their Etsy shop here.

Syracuse isn't the only one who made a comeback this year. Converse sneakers are cuter than ever and have re-entered the fashion realm, although some may argue they never went out of style in the first place. Stayed up late watching North Carolina win and didn't have time to wash your hair? Spritz in some dry shampoo, throw it up in a ponytail and you've completed the sporty look!

A good photoshoot wouldn't be complete without some bloopers.....but it seems like this one was mostly silly pictures ;)

This was a 100% pure candid moment, haha

Photography by Kailie Hamilton

Comment who you're cheering for!

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his COURTS with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." -Psalm 100:4

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

PS Still looking for a snack to serve at your party? Try this Jalapeno Popper Dip from All Recipes! It's one of my favorites.

FriYAY $20 Starbucks Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 16:14:00 +0000

Hey everyone! Meet my adorable friend, Jessie Lee.

She has the cutest blog ever!!!!! I love it. And you will too.

Go read her blog Meanwhile Jessie and enter for your chance to win a $20 Starbucks gift card, today only! Contest runs from 11 am - 11 pm CST. Have an incredible Friday, friends!

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Peaceful Afternoons

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:25:00 +0000

Top: American Eagle, Bralette: Aerie, Necklace: Urban Outfitters, Leggings: Main Street Company

It seems like everything in our world is zooming full speed ahead. Political campaigns are in full swing, schools are squeezing in last minute lessons before spring break, and March Madness is right around the corner. Sometimes, what we really need to do instead of chasing the crowd is to slow down. To spend time with Jesus. To reflect and appreciate the peace that truly passes all understanding.

One of my favorite new resources for studying God's word is Scarlet & Gold's Scripture Memory Cards. They now have two sets: 'Redeemed Girl' and 'My God Is.' Each set comes with 52 cute as can be cards with a verse on them--one verse to memorize for every week of the year! Check out S & G's cute tops, prints, and jewelry here.

My lace-est obsession has been bralettes. I seriously can't get over them! They're so comfortable and go with almost anything. You can hide them or show them off, like with this Bar Back Tee from American Eagle (on sale now!)

My favorite bralettes are from Aerie. Their #AerieReal campaign has been inspiring as swimsuit season is coming up and many girls' insecurities begin to come out. Supporting a company that encourages young women to be confident in themselves encourages me to buy more from them!! So thank you, Aerie. You rock.

Photography by Bailey Barker Photography

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7

What is your favorite way to relax?! I'm currently watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix and reading the Christy Miller series (for the third time...)

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Adventures with Sarah: Wichita Art Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 16:52:00 +0000

Meet my best friend, Sarah Graham. I introduced her on the blog a while back, but she's been absent on here for way too long. That's why a new series called 'Adventures with Sarah' was created: to document all of the crazy adventures we have together over the next year and a half before graduation. A goal of mine has been to blog more lifestyle pieces, and AWS is going to be a stepping stone in that direction.

Last week, our art classes took a field trip to visit several museums. I have never been a talented artist, but decided to try painting this year and step outside of my comfort zone. While doing so, I dragged Sarah along with me. Learning to draw together has been ~~challenging~~ interesting and really helped develop Sarah and I's friendship. We've been able to laugh together as well as support and encourage one another, all while discussing The Bachelor with our teacher, Mrs. Savage. We loaded our big yellow school bus and started our day!

Our first stop was to visit the Karg Art Glass Gallery in Kechi.

We were able to observe the men working in the shop and watch them make several pieces. They were very patient with our group and made it look so effortless! While they work with the glass, it must be heated between 1000º-2000º.

Afterwards, we browsed around the shop. I ended up purchasing a cute little deer figurine, because let's face it-- I can't resist miniature woodland creatures ;)

We hit the road again and continued on to Wichita where we visited the Wichita Art Museum. It was my first time visiting and I fell in love! We only had an hour to walk through which proved to be very little time in the massive gallery. My group toured the Gordon Parks and Freedom Now exhibits, which were both centered around the Civil Rights Movement. It was here that I learned the first sit-in actually took place in Wichita, but isn't as widely recognized because it wasn't covered by the press. Gordon Parks was a highly-renowned African-American photographer for LIFE Magazine who's mission was to shine a light on the way blacks were being treated. He once said this:

"I saw that the camera could be used as a weapon against poverty, against racism - against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at one point I had to have a camera." -Gordon Parks

We also toured through the museum's collection they have on display year round. This glass sculpture, created by Dale Chihuly, hangs as the center of attention in the heart of the museum. It weighs as much as an SUV!

Soon after saying our goodbyes, we went out for lunch. If you didn't text Chipotle last week and get your free burrito, you definitely missed out. Sarah and I's go-to spot is usually Panera, but we decided to switch it up a bit.

We concluded our day by visiting the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit at the Wichita Center for the Arts. Several of our classmates had pieces featured here as well! It was inspiring to see some of the gorgeous artwork people our age were creating. Here are a few of my favorites:

'All Organic' by Isabella Rausch, El Dorado

'Lyin' In A Pink Room' by Cassie Miller, El Dorado

'Ballerina's Melody' by Isabella Terrill, Maize

And of course, we couldn't resist the temptation of stopping by Cold Stone Creamery on the way home! Sarah gets Oreo Overload, and I get Cake Batter with Heath Bar and extra caramel. We're such regulars and creatures of habit that we know what we want before we step through the door, haha!

Soon, it was back to the real world. We got back to school just in time to get our English assignment and make up a math quiz.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy Wednesday, and check back soon for more Adventures with Sarah :)

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

People are Priorities

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 22:14:00 +0000

Don't you love it when God is obvious?! I get butterflies when I know He is speaking to me and reveals a piece his plan for my life. I had a moment like earlier last week, and I knew something great was going to come out of it.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am goal-oriented and have a hard time saying no. I don't enjoy being busy and having limited free time, but I feel like I let people down if I don't agree to help them out. Which means I end up committing to 10,000,000 different things and don't have time to sit down between 6 am and 10 pm.

I have 25 minutes on Tuesday between practices? Sure, I'm free!

15 minutes open on Saturday before I work? No problem!

Overtime, I've learned to perfect and plan my schedule down to the exact minute. I've mastered time management (although I'm still working on arriving places early) and use every second of the day I'm provided with. And when an unwanted or unexpected interruption occurs, it throws me off.

I don't like it at all. And I get annoyed.

Even if it's something good, like a friend asking to meet for coffee or a phone call from my mentor. It wasn't scheduled into my day, it wasn't expected, and now I have to rearrange my plans. Ugh!! God, why me? I'm don't have time for this.

What's wrong with this picture? First of all, there isn't any time set aside in my day to spend with the Lord. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." While this verse doesn't mean we have to stop everything we are doing and pray on our knees for an hour, I find myself thinking I can "be still" while doing three other things at the same time. It's important to set aside distraction-free time to spend with Jesus every single day, no matter how little that time may be.

One of my all time favorite Judah Smith sermons is called "It's Easy to Be Mary When You're Not Martha." Judah talks about how we can't drop everything and sit at the feet of Jesus because, well, life happens. We have floors to clean, bills to pay, homework to do, laundry to fold. It's easy to be calm, relaxed, and spend time with God when we're not the ones with all of the responsibility.

More often than not, I remind myself Martha. I am so caught up and consumed by all of the details that I forget the true purpose behind everything I'm doing and who I'm doing it for. I find my joy in checking off to-do lists and shaving off a minute of my time on the treadmill instead of delighting in the Lord like it says in Psalm 37:4 (Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.)

Secondly, I want become the type of person who would welcome a stranger into their home with a warm smile and a friendly attitude. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us this: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without even knowing it." In other words, I want to receive these distractions and interruptions in my day with a enthusiastic attitude, thankful that God has given me the opportunity to spend time with that specific person.

The older I get, the more I realize how important people are. How important love is. When you're too busy trying to please others and do all the right things, trying to put on an impression that you're perfect and good at everything, it's exhausting. I know because I've been there, and I'm still there. I have gone so far deep that I've valued getting a perfect score on a math test and volunteering at five different church events in one month over spending time with my friends and family. I've poured myself into so many different things - all good things - but I'm empty. I'm realizing I can't do it all and I'm going to have to make decisions on how I will spend my time in this life.

Coming back from winter break, I was relaxed, spending more time reading my Bible, and ready to take on a new year. Once school rolled around though, I was focused and back in high-stress mode. I knew I wasn't going to spend the last year and a half I had left at home busy, tired, and alone. I was ready for my cup to overflow again. So little by little, I've been cutting back on the things I'm involved in and spending more and more time investing in people.

As the Message Translation puts 1 Corinthians 13:7, we are bankrupt without love. God is love and shows his love to us through having relationships with others. I don't want to look back on my life and only have a list of mediocre achievements to take pride in. I want to reflect on the times I spent laughing with my family, doing outrageous things with my friends, the deep talks I had with the people who mean the most to me, and the special, intimate moments I had talking to Jesus.

Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying. I believe it's important to volunteer in your church, and I also believe setting goals are crucial if you want to be successful in life! A focused mindset comes in handy when I'm studying for tests and choreographing cheer routines. But when we place too much of our value and worth in anything other than Christ, we are going to run ourselves crazy and end up broken back at the feet of Jesus - right where he wants us to be.

So if you're tired of being busy and not having time to spend with those who really matter to you, take the first step and give something up. Your gain will be far greater than your loss.

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Goals, Visions & Dreams: 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 14:48:00 +0000

Hey y'all! Can you believe it's already 2016?! We're five days in and I'm still in awe. The fact that I am about to begin the second semester of my junior year blows my mind. The days are long, but the years are short. I'd like to update everyone on my vision for His Biblical Beauty this year and in the years to come.

I began this blog in January of my freshman year (still can't believe it's been two years!!) It's been a place for me to express my creativity as well as my feelings about faith and relationships. I haven't been very consistent in posting and my content has been a little scatter-brained, but it feels like I am finally starting to narrow down the purpose of my blog and the direction I want it to go.

Looking ahead, the main focus of my blog will center around faith, fashion, lifestyle, and traveling. I'm going to attempt to dive into the world of "vlogging," (YouTubing) and further explore graphic design. Hopefully it will also be a great way to keep my friends and family updated as I transition to college in the next two years! Ultimately in the next ten years, I'd like to make a living off my writing. The main purpose of HBB still remains to glorify God with each and every word that I type, and that will always remain the same.

Thank you for supporting me these past two years!! Writing is a lot more fun knowing that people are reading :)

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Dipped Gingersnaps

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 03:29:00 +0000

This month, we celebrated my Grandma Peirce's 80th birthday! While scattering old pictures of grandma and I on the tables, it reminded me of a little adventure she and I had a few years ago.

It was Christmas time and I was probably nine years old. Since we had the whole day to spend together and I had never tried gingerbread before, we decided to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies from scratch! Five hours and over 100 gingerbread men later, I took my first bite-- and concluded that they tasted awful. I'm pretty sure she and I just sat there for ten minutes and surveyed the mess we had gotten ourselves into.....but ended up laughing and realized we had a blast making memories, even if the situation wasn't ideal.

I'm certainly no food blogger and will willingly admit I'm not at the point in my culinary career where I can whip up my own recipes. That's why I turned to my mom for help when choosing which family Christmas recipe to share this year!! These gingersnaps had a much better impression on me than the gingerbread men from years ago, and they're a lot softer than what you would traditionally imagine.

This recipe is adapted from a Taste of Home Dec/Jan 1997 issue. Enjoy!

Cookie Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar for rolling

Frosting Ingredients:
2 (12 oz.) Ghirardelli white chocolate chips
1/4 cup shortening

Begin by combining sugar and oil in a mixing bowl.

Add eggs one at a time and beat until well incorporated. Stir in molasses.

In a large separate bowl, combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add dry ingredients to creamed and mix well.

Set aside a small bowl of sugar. Take out a ball of dough using a medium cookie scoop. Mold the dough in your hands and roll in extra sugar. Place on baking sheets and bake at 350º for 9-11 minutes (the less you bake them, the softer they are!) Let cool on a wire rack.

For the frosting, melt chips and shortening in microwave or on the stove, stirring until smooth.

Dip the cookies halfway in the chocolate (or drizzle on top) and place on wax paper.

Buy this cute 'Merry and Bright' platter here (originally purchased at Faith & Life Bookstore)

Merry Christmas and happy baking!

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Like this recipe? Pin it here!

Christmas with the Kauffmans

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:52:00 +0000

Hello lovelies! I'm a little late posting this seeing that our house has been decorated since Thanksgiving weekend, but I figured it would be neat to share pictures of our home during the Christmas season. My mom does an amazing job making everything look so pretty (and not just during December; she decorates our house for every season!!) I swear, every square inch is covered in red and green. I'm picking up tips and traditions that I hope to carry into a house of my own someday.

I'll begin the tour with our living room. Count how many times you find the word 'joy' in our house....it's actually hilarious.

My favorite Christmas memories originate from an odd family collection of....nutcrackers! My parents have bought a new one every year since I was a baby, and it has grown to be quite the group. I used to have names for all of them but I can't remember them anymore.

Back when mom was in love with Longaberger Baskets in the 90's, she thought it would be cute to buy this sleigh. Now we just use it to hold our Christmas cards ;)

We have a kitchen tree with cooking utensil ornaments like spatulas, whisks, and cookie cutters!

Even dad has his own Christmas mug when he's doing work from home on Saturday mornings.

In the piano room/office, we keep this cute caroler my dad made as a kid.

Because the obsession I hold with Christmas is so strong, I have my own tree and decorations in my room! It basically consists of angels, ballerinas, and Lennox Classics my Grandma Phyllis has given me over the years.

I love the little display I put together on my teacup shelf! (Those are actually American Girl Doll ice skates. I knew they would come in handy someday, haha)

My parent's room hosts a beautiful nativity.

Down the stairs.....

Dad built this gorgeous star a few years ago that hangs on the side of our house and lights up at night. It's a great reminder of the Biblical reason behind what and who we celebrate at Christmas.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Dressember Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 03:58:00 +0000

Hello friends! I am very excited to share with you about the Dressember Campaign I am participating in and how you can be a part of combating human trafficking. This is a part of my platform for the Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen pageant, which you can read more about on my website, Journey to the Crown.

About
The Dressember Foundation uses fashion to advocate for women who've been exploited for their femininity. In 2009, founder Blythe Hill was just a college girl who wanted to create a personal style challenge by wearing a dress every day during the month of December. A huge hit, her idea spread like wildfire and the possibilities seemed endless for where Dressember could go. In 2013, Hill began to give Dressember a purpose by partnering with International Justice Mission to raise money for anti-trafficking. In the year of 2014, Dressember raised $465,000 with 2,600 participants. Their message is continuing to reach others and a global movement is underway. (Facts from Dressember Website; dressember.org)

Dressember + You
You can help support my platform and the Dressember Foundation by:

1. Participating in the Dressember Campaign by creating a page, raising money, and wearing a dress every day during the month of December.

2. Donate money to my Dressember page here.

3. Purchase the Dressember Dress of 2015 here.

4. Promote Dressember on social media! Use the hashtag #DressemberKS so we can see the difference Kansans are making!!

Thank you for your support of me, Dressember, and the fight for justice against human trafficking!

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Christmas Crown + Advent Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 21:21:00 +0000

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Which to be honest is kind of freaking me out a little! It seems like in the blink of an eye it went from 70º in September to 20º in December. Things haven't exactly slowed down for me like I anticipated, but I am learning to balance school, activities, friends/family, time to rest, and hobbies, with Jesus at the top of the pyramid. It's been hard to set blogging aside this fall because it's one of my biggest passions, but it's something I had to do for my sanity. I am determined to relax and get back to writing this winter.

I shot with the incredibly talented Pam Weaver yesterday, and as chilly as it was, the lighting was perfect. I snagged this holly crown from Forage Floral before her maternity leave after seeing it on her Instagram page! Red lipstick, a boho dress, flower crowns, and a gorgeous setting all wrapped into one made this one of my favorite shoots yet.

Holly Crown: Forage Floral, Dress: American Eagle (last year)

Recently, I've started a plan on the Bible App called "Rediscovering the Christmas Season." As someone who has grown up in the church and read about the Birth of Jesus year after year, I think it can be easy to lose our child-like wonder about this miraculous story. First of all, Jesus was born to a teenage girl-- a girl who was younger than I am now, which is hard to comprehend. And not just any teenage girl, but a virgin?! Seriously, our God is so creative. He loves to throw plot twists in the middle of situations to teach us more about him and keep us on our toes.

Because the Inn was all booked up, God decides to have Jesus, (the King the whole earth has been aching for!!!!) be born in a manger. While we don't know if this was in a barn, a cave, a shack, or elsewhere, it was definitely no Independence Inn (I never thought I'd see the day I would be cross-referencing Gilmore Girls and the Bible, haha) Living in Kansas, I've seen my share of barns and places where livestock are kept. The stench is atrocious and you can't walk four feet in any direction without stepping in cow patties, but I'm sure the holy moment of the Messiah taking his first breath took precedence over these un-ideal conditions.

Photography by Pam Weaver Photography

Typically when I think of the word 'advent,' thoughts of lighting the colored candles at church and reading corresponding scriptures flood my mind. I want to challenge you (and I am challenging myself, too) to dig deeper into the Christmas Story and spend time thinking about what Advent really means. Here's an excerpt from the Bible plan I mentioned earlier:

"The Hebrews looked forward to the coming of a Savior or Messiah - the First Advent. Now, we are waiting expectantly for His return to sweep His bride off of our feet - the Second Advent. The Church has been waiting for Him to come back from the moment He left the first time."

Let's rekindle the anticipation of Christmas; because we are reminded of Jesus' coming long ago, and we yearn for our King to return again.

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Orange Is the New Black

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 22:08:00 +0000

Shorts: H&M, Shoes: Famous Footwear

Hey friends, and happy fall! It totally blows my mind that we are already almost done with October. The last two months have been a blur, but I've been finding time to slow down and enjoy the beauty of autumn :) Here's what I've been up to....

My boyfriend, John, surprised me and visited last week! We visited the Cosmosphere, watched baseball, navigated a corn maze, and enjoyed each other's company :)

My four best girlfriends and I enjoyed a night (attempting) to be crafty with pumpkins, eating some donuts, and watching New Girl.

This morning, I had the privilege of shooting with the talented Pam Weaver. She is one of the best photographers in my area and I loved working with her!!

I love the dressing in traditional fall hues, but orange isn't usually the color I'm dying to have that new sweater in. But today, I decided to highlight one shade of orange that is making itself known in the fashion world-- burnt orange. These high-waisted shorts are comfortable and transition from summer to winter by slapping on a pair of tights. Sass it up with a pair of killer heels and strike a pose!

Photography by Pam Weaver Photography

"For everything there is a season, and a time under heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Cardi Party

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 03:10:00 +0000

Lately, it feels like I have a lot of reasons to celebrate. We're already 1/4 of the way into the school year, our football team is playing well, and mom has gotten into the habit of making muffins for breakfast. My biggest victory within the last few weeks is that I made it through homecoming week - whew!

Homecoming is a big deal in my town. Our high school has 'spirit week' where the kids dress up with a different theme each day. This year it was Dress Like a Parent/Teacher Day, Movie Character Day, Zombie Day, Redneck Day, and Luau. My favorite day was Tuesday when I dressed up as Elle Woods from Legally Blonde :)

Our town also has a parade and bonfire Thursday night, and then the game on Friday. This is the most crazy week of the entire year because my cheer squad performs our routine!! We spend about a month learning and perfecting our four minute dance. As stressful it may be, it's so worth it when we get to showcase our hard work and hit that last motion, knowing we nailed the entire thing. Now that it's over, I can finally get back to blogging....until we do our next routine in January.

Here in Kansas, the weather is pretty moody. It's autumn in the morning, summer in the afternoon and winter at night! Luckily, I've found the one accessory that seems to keep me company during all seasons: cardigans. Oh, how I love them. They can cover what needs to be covered, keep you warm, add a pop of color and that extra something you need to spice up your outfit. Since I discovered these babies back in '08, I've accumulated quite a few that I just can't seem to give up yet. This means a lot of these cardigans aren't available anymore :( But...I've similar ones for sale recently!!

Without further ado, I will introduce my favorite cardigans of all time and we'll have ourselves a little Cardi Party.

#1: "Savannah" - This cardigan has a sweet nature and is one of my simple addictions, just like the store I bought it from. It can either be worn as a basic staple or take a vintage twist.

Cardigan, Simple Addiction

Cami, American Eagle (no longer available)

Jeans, American Eagle

#2: "Chloe" - This flowy number can almost pass for a kimono, but I like it too much not to feature on here. It looks great with tops and dresses, tight or loose, and is extremely comfortable.

Cardigan, Kohl's (no longer available)

Top, Francesca's (no longer available)

Shorts, Maurices (no longer available)

#3: "Daisy" - If this ain't the cutest darn thing you've ever seen, I don't know what is. The attention to detail shown by these darling, tiny flower embellishments makes my heart happy.

Cardigan, Von Maur (no longer available)

Dress, Versona (no longer available)

Shoes, ModCloth (no longer available)

#4: "Bridget" - This is the cardigan I have gotten the most compliments and the most use out of over the past four years since I've had it. It literally goes with anything and is pretty much my favorite.

Cardigan, Maurices (no longer available)

Dress, American Eagle (on sale now!!)

#5: "Harper" - A little color never killed nobody, and this bright cardigan perks up the black and white. (I also happen to have this cardigan in four other colors...oops)

Cardigan, Simple Addiction (no longer available)

Top, Kohl's (no longer available)

Skirt, H&M

Shoes, Famous Footwear

#6 "Lizzy" - Who says you can't find great buys at Walmart?! This is actually called a sleep cardigan, but I deemed it acceptable to wear outside of the house with my favorite team tank.

*side note: I've lost weight since this shoot about a month ago and am really excited to be sharing about my journey with Skinny Teatox soon!!

Cardigan, Walmart (in store only)

Tank, Swather Power Club

Leggings, Nike (or any athletic store)

Shoes, Zappos (similar)

#7: "Jennifer" - Originally, my mom owned this cozy thing but I ended up stealing it (Before you begin to feel sorry for her, these exchanges are mutual and happen way too often) The material isn't itchy at all and really just makes you want to carve pumpkins and drink hot cider and partake in cheesy fall festivities.

Cardigan, Kohl's (no longer available)

Cami, Old Navy

Jeans, American Eagle

I hope you enjoyed your little glance into my closet!!! Until next time ;)

Photography by Lynsey Basgall

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Grow Where You're Planted

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 21:49:00 +0000

I was born and raised in the same small town my entire life.

To give you an idea of just how small it really is, our population is around 3,800 and I have 57 kids in my graduating class. What we consider "fun" on Friday and Saturday nights is driving around listening to the radio and going to Applebee's. Talk about living the dream! Don't get me wrong - small down life isn't terrible, but I don't want to spend 70+ years of my life living in the same place. I feel blessed to have been raised in a safe, cozy, Christian community where everyone is like family, and my roots will forever be planted here. Still, God has wired me a with a sense of adventure and I think in my case that means I will end up moving away after high school and follow Jesus wherever he takes me.

Because my future plans are beginning to come into focus, it's difficult for me to sit still and realize I still have two years left here. Patience is something I struggle with on a daily basis anyways, and I have a feeling that's something God is in the process of modifying. Again, I know high school 'goes by way too fast' (or so I've heard), and I'm trying my best to savor it, but it's tough when I feel like there's not much left for me here other than my family and friends. Until that day comes when I pack up my bags and turn the page in the next chapter of my life, I am determined to look on the bright side and grow in my hobbies, friendships, and faith.

I do not believe that circumstances in our lives are merely coincidences strung together, but rather events that are all a part of God's plan for us. As Jesus followers, we aren't guaranteed an easy or a painless life. For some people following Jesus means their lives may even become more challenging, but Job 1:21 says "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord." This means there's probably going to be some rainy days, months, weeks, or even years throughout your lifetime. Guilt, debt, anger, divorce, anxiety and death can all get the best of us at times. Despite the trials we will face, it's during those rainy seasons where we have the opportunity to grow the most. In life, it's not always the problem itself that defines us but how we handle the problem. My advice? Give whatever it is that's raining on your parade over to God and let him take care of it. (After all, I think he knows a little better than you and I do.)

It can be equally as hard to grow in the sunlight. Right now, I'm in a particular stage where the clouds have rolled away and I'm learning to be content; embracing my time in the sun with the Son. Judah Smith speaks on this topic in his sermon 'Instagram Isn't Real' and how attractive a content person really is. I want to be so in awe of Jesus' love and grace that I don't even have time to glance at my neighbor and envy what they have or who they are.

But here's where the problem lies: I am an achiever. I don't mean to sound like I'm boasting about my strengths or talents, but instead to express the vicious cycle I'm stuck in: setting goals, reaching them, and never being satisfied. There is always something else to work for and look forward to. Let me tell you, this comes in handy when I'm doing my homework or have deadlines of some kind, but for the most part it's pretty draining. For years I couldn't wait to be a high school cheerleader. Now I'm here and already thinking about moving away and going to college. When will it ever be enough, Paige?! When will you ever slow down and be satisfied? There are so many people and places and opportunities God has positioned in my life for a reason. I don't want to wake up one day and realize I never appreciated them because I was too busy dreaming about the future. Because someday the present will be the past, and the future will be the present, and I won't know what difference I've really made throughout the last 50 years of my life. Matthew 6:34 reminds us to 'not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will bring its own worries.'

I never want to be too comfortable where I am and always want to stay on my toes, waiting for God to use me - even if it's in Small Town, USA. Whether this means you are a busy mom tired of the same routine, a broke college student searching for your calling, or simply a person who is feeling like they're not living to their full potential, trust me - our God has you exactly where He wants you and has not forgotten about you (just look at Jeremiah 29:11) Continue to pursue Jesus, love people, and you'll be amazed at how your life begins to bloom.

As for me right now, I guess that means I will do my best to thank God in the sun and in the rain, soak up His word, and enjoy the little time I have left in this town until He's ready to transplant me somewhere else. I will do my best to grow where I am planted - and where I am is a pretty good place to be.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!" -2 Peter 3:18

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige

Pear Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 21:08:00 +0000

Pear cake is one of the recipes that was introduced to my by my Grandma Peirce. From a young age, I grew up being "grandma's little helper" in the kitchen, watching and admiring her every move. Grandma always has coffee brewed and something delicious made in case my grandpa's friends or the grandkids stop by for a visit. She is a wonderful host and her cooking along with her gentle and spirited personality makes her the epitome of the woman I aspire to be someday.

I am actually not a fan of pears, but hold a strong obsession with cream cheese frosting. To be honest, you can't taste any pears at all! Their job in this recipe is to be the undercover secret ingredient and make it taste like a moist, white cake. All in all, this dessert is simple, yummy, and practically PEARfect in every way ;) Let's get started!

Cake Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix

1 lb. canned pears

1 whole egg

2 egg whites

Start by pureeing your pears, juice and all, in a blender.

Beat cake mix, pureed pears, and eggs together in a KitchenAid mixer or in a bowl until smooth.

Pour into two 9" rounds or a 9x13 pan and bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Don't forget to spray the pans!

If you want to be a multi-tasker, you can clean up your dishes and begin whipping up the frosting while the cake is baking!

Frosting Ingredients:

1 8 oz. cream cheese

1 stick butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat 8 oz. of cream cheese, 1 stick of butter, 4 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. of vanilla together until light and fluffy.

Make sure the cake is cooled before frosting. You can even put it in the fridge to speed up the process if you're in a hurry!!

Annnnnd TA-DA!

Thanks for reading!

For a printable recipe card, click here.

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

ECUADOR/GALAPAGOS MISSION TRIP 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 02:22:00 +0000

After being absent from the blogging world for over a month, I am finally getting around to sharing about my extraordinary time serving in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands this summer (more to come about what I've been up to soon!)

Last summer, I had the opportunity to travel with Never the Same Missions, an organization based in Tulsa, to Costa Rica for two weeks (read about it here). Encountering Jesus' radical love for me and His children in a new way, I returned home truly never the same. My passion for missions flourished and I began to look forward to my second trip with NTS.

As always, the Lord provides. I soon had raised enough money and was on my way for training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I arrived absolutely stoked and ready to see how God was going to work over the course of the next three weeks! I was put on a team with almost all of my old friends and ready to turn the strangers into new ones. What a sweet reunion it was to be with people so dear to my heart that I hadn't seen in a year.

Lizzie and I

Over the course of our three days of training, we had team meetings, FUAGNEMs (services with worship and speakers), many trips to Starbucks, and drama training. Lots and lots of drama training.

Our organization uses a drama called 'Spellbound: Toymaker and Son' for our main ministry. Spellbound is a drama which portrays the Gospel through many unique characters and costumes that is family friendly and breaks through the language barrier. Each student on our team is cast a role the first night we arrive in Florida, and this year I received the part of the Spanish dancer who represents Mary.

I was also one of three students who was asked to speak on youth night in Florida during one of our FUAGNEMs this year!! You can listen to my speech on forgiveness here:

Following that evening's service, I hopped on a red-eye flight with a group of 20 other Galapagoers and flew directly to Quito, Ecuador. This is when the adventure really began!!

I would be lying if I said there weren't a couple bumps in the road along the way. Because of another group's flight complications, a couple of our soundboxes did not show up until a few days after being in Quito. However, we made it work and headed out for ministry the day after everyone had safely arrived and checked in.

Pope Francis also happened to be in Ecuador for his South America tour at the exact same time as our group; Quito being one of the cities he stayed in. Several Ecuadorians were confused, believing our sole purpose for visiting their country was to see the Pope like thousands of others who had migrated there to do the same. It was interesting to see their reaction when we explained why we were there and how God had divinely placed the both of us there at the same time.

We began day one of ministry by performing the drama in a huge park on a street corner across from our hotel. Playing games with children, conversing with people on the sidewalks, and dancing around in our ridiculous costumes caught the eyes of many, and soon we had our first audience.

This year's ministry had a bit more variety than last year's. On our third ministry day, we partnered with a local church to help out with work projects where we painted walls, scrubbed floors, and cleaned bathrooms. After finishing at the church in the morning, we traveled down the road to another park to perform the drama. It was here that I had the privilege of leading a young mother named Jessica to Christ!

On day four, we traveled to a church where we put on a VBS for kids and colored pictures, blew bubbles, passed out stickers, made balloon animals, and shared laughter together. Our group took a little field trip with the children, which included hiking up a steep hill that dropped into a beautiful valley and revealed a large, open space to play soccer. After loving on the kids some more, we performed the drama again.

Day six's ministry was one of my favorites. Our group traveled two hours to Otavalo, home of the largest outdoor market in South America. On our way there, we stopped at a rural church to aid in their VBS program. First, we shopped around at the market to buy all of our souvenirs. After all of our purchases were made, we began weaving through the market and inviting people to watch the drama later that afternoon. The church we had visited earlier that day brought the kids to watch us perform there! It was the most unique place I have performed the drama over the past two years and a great place for ministry at that. After the drama concluded, the children flocked around us and piled onto our laps to listen to what our team leader had to say about God's love for them.

During our time in Quito, there were two optional excursion days to go white water rafting/ziplining and visit the Equator. I chose to visit the Center of the Earth and take the other day off since I had done the other two activities in Costa Rica last year. It was so surreal!!! There was also an array of shops and restaurants that we visited after taking photos on the famous yellow line.

One of our FUAGNEMs was designated as the annual 'Talent Only A Mother Could Love' show. Basically, students, LITs, or leaders can perform their "talent" of any kind, which is usually a joke and not supposed to be a legit talent at all. This year I went for it and decided to enter with a few of my friends, leading a pretend Zumba class! We received second place to the boys on our team who danced to 'Apache.' Their win was well deserved :)

Probably the most impactful experience I had in Quito was my baptism! I was baptized/dedicated as a baby in the Methodist church, but we don't attend there anymore. I also wanted it to be a personal decision I made for myself when I was more mature and confident in my faith. It was so worth the wait! Before the actual baptism, my two closest friends Kassidy and Lizzie, read my testimony. It was an incredibly holy and special moment to be surrounded by some of my favorite people for this event. What teenage girl can say she was baptized in a hot tub in Quito, Ecuador?!

It was incredibly bittersweet when the first flight group made their departure. Some friends were continuing on with me to the Galapagos, while others were returning home. It would be another year until I saw some of them again. Many tears were shed, many hugs were given, and many plans were made for the future.

While the goodbyes were difficult, that didn't stop my excitement from arriving and reality began to hit that we were actually traveling to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS! Our flight there was short and soon we landed on the island of Baltra. Next, we loaded onto a boat to Santa Cruz, the island where we were staying. Our hotel was seven floors high, had hammocks in the lobby, and delicious empanadas were sold right next door.

Each day spent in the Galapagos was structured almost the same. We woke up and were presented with an amazing breakfast of coffee, freshly-squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs (that weren't runny, which is typical of Central/South America) and homemade rolls. We then started ministry by visiting a school and performing the drama. The kids were so sweet and open to what we had to say. It was awesome to witness the children listen about Jesus with enthusiasm, some hearing about Him for the first time.

Our afternoons were spent being tourists and visiting the national park, a few beaches, local shops and restaurants, including a froyo place (which we discovered had the best WiFi on the island.) Then, we geared up for evening ministry. There's a neat park by the dock with a stage where a lot of teenagers, families, and tourists go to hang out. Here, we set up camp and performed the Spellbound drama and the Everything Skit. We also spent a few nights having worship on the dock. People in the Galapagos weren't necessarily as hungry to hear the message we had to spread, but many seeds were planted and I'm thankful for the hearts we did get to touch during the time we spent there. There was a team of about fifteen who traveled on to India after the Galapagos for three more weeks! From the pictures I've seen and the stories I've heard, it was a once in-a-lifetime experience and God worked in big ways.

Overall, these three weeks were full of adventure and personal growth. I'm so grateful for the opportunities God has granted me with and I hope to continue to pursue His plan for me. With that being said, I am praying about traveling to Haiti with Never the Same again next summer. Yay!

Thank you for reading about my travels and how God has worked in my life. I'd love to hear about what He's doing in yours.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." -Matthew 28:19

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Mary Lou's Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:10:00 +0000

Growing up, my parents were both very successful in their careers. When I was six weeks old, my mom had to return to work cutting hair, which left me at my new babysitter, Mary Lou's, home for the day. And let me tell you, I adored Mary Lou. Their family welcomed me from the start and I quickly became one of their own. I'm thankful for all of the life lessons she taught me about kindness, sharing, responsibility, and love.

One of the best things I remember about Mary Lou was her excellent cooking. Being a typical picky five year-old, I may not have always appreciated it...especially because we weren't allowed to leave the table until our plates were empty! However, there was one dish I couldn't resist. It was simple and consisted of rice and beef. Now, if your picky daughter actually likes something other than chicken strips or french fries, it's probably wise to get the recipe. That's exactly what my mom did, and in my home it became known as 'Mary Lou's Stuff.' I hope you enjoy fixing this meal for your family and making memories you can pass down, too.

Begin by drizzling olive oil into a skillet and turning on your stovetop to medium heat.

Add 1 cup of long grain rice to the skillet and stir with a spatula until lightly browned.

Pour 2 cups of water in with the rice and bring to a boil.

Sprinkle 1 tsp. of both ground cumin and tomato bouillon in the rice. Turn heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, brown 1-1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef (I cook mine in the microwave). Take one package of your favorite taco seasoning and mix as directed with water in a saucepan.

Combine meat with the taco seasoning in the saucepan and stir until incorporated. Cook for 5 minutes.

This is what the hamburger and rice should look like when cooked properly and is ready to be combined.

Pour the meat onto the rice and mix together.

Annnnd you're all done!!! Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and tortilla chips. Make it a meal out and serve corn and black beans on the side.

For a printable recipe card, click here.

When I think of Mary Lou, the passage Proverbs 31 comes to mind. Thank you for working hard for your family and pouring everything you have into all of the kids you've watched over the years! You tamed this little diva and contributed to a major part of my life. You're a wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 woman. I love you, Mary Lou!!! :)

"She speaks with wisdom and faithful and instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." -Proverbs 31:26-27

His Biblical Beauty,

Paige

Glitter & Grace {GIVEAWAY}

noreply@blogger.com (Paige) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:41:00 +0000

Biblical Beauties, I'm hosting my first ever giveaway, yet another exciting milestone! It will run from 10:00 am on Thursday, July 23 to Saturday, July 25 at 10:00pm. This package, 'Glitter & Grace,' features all things girly and is perfect for your daughter, best friend, or yourself :) Check it out!!

Photography by Bailey Barker Photography

Glitter & Grace Giveaway Prizes

You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth: Faith and Life Bookstore*

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson: Faith and Life Bookstore*

Psalm 19:10 Print: Abigail Reimer Designs*

Bracelets: Tayste'N Sweet*

Earrings: Francesca's

OPI Nail Polish: Target

*=these prizes were donated for this giveaway. THANK YOU to all of our donors, you rock!!! :)

ENTER HERE!

"You are worth more than gold and precious stones..." -Psalm 19:10

His Biblical Beauty,
Paige