More than a lipstick.. My Journey with Marykay

Interesting enough, my dad introduced me to the MaryKay opportunity. It was while he was building a home for a National Sales Director with MaryKay that he realized the company was legit and truly a way for women to have a job that provides choices.  Little did I know that the Lord would bring this "MaryKay" business back around to me.

Home built for NSD

Erin West & Me at Seminar

It wasn't to long after the home was built that my youth pastor's beautiful wife at the time invited me to my first meeting to receive a facial. I won't forget, leaning over to her asking if I really had to take off all of my makeup. It was after the facial that I was introduce to a lady who was sharp, completely fun and sassy too. She told me that for only $100 I too could start my own Marykay business... Except for me, I had to wait till I was 18.... So... On my 18th Birthday, I became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty consultant..


But first, why would I want to be a Marykay Beauty Consultant? 

Me and Christy at Seminar

For me, it was about having a platform to be in women's life's and through cosmetics remind them of there beauty in Christ. That was, and is still my mission statement for my business. It was about providing women with the skills and information they needed to know how to take care of there skin; so that they might feel confident and treasure how God made them. Being a Beauty Consultant is just a door that opens itself up to helping women understand there beauty comes from within.

Me and Sharon viewing  New Products not available to the public.  

It's also, about a group of women that I consider to be like family. That "youth pastor's wife" is Erin West, who was and is a dear woman of God who has taught me about what a beautiful women inside and out looks like. And the "sharp, completely fun and sassy lady", is Christy Bigham. A woman whom I love and treasure her friendship and wisdom. A woman whom I look up to an cannot wait to wear her shoes as a Sr. Director and one day National. Not to forget the many sisters that I get together weekly with and am encouraged and spurred on. the Lady on the right is Sharon Smith. She is a sweet angel in our group whose presence speaks Jesus to us all.

Bigham Future National Area

Being a Beauty consultant is learning to run your own business. Which I can't say i've always done well; however, 5 years later they still haven't fired me.  Being a beauty consultant though is a business, you work it - you see it grow; you take advantage of it - it will wilt away. 

Me and Sharon at Seminar

Free Caddilic * I cannot wait drive* Soon just not soon enough., 

It's about skincare, cosmetics and lots of girl time. It's about recognition, prizes and more prizes. It's about a company that rewards women for a job well done and gives women a reason to work even harder.  It's learning to become a better woman; a woman of her word and true to her commitments. It's about being  a woman who knows how to plan her day and work her plan. How to run a business that doesn't overtake your life or jack up your priorities. I love that Marykay's mission is still about God first, family second, and career third - and they MEAN IT.. From Marykay grandson to our unit in lubbock - we still hold that value.. I would add that it's not even that it's 1. God 2. Family 3 career as it's is GOD IN ALL THINGS and ALL TIMES and out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. I have the choice to be with my family and work a business. I don't work for someone who tells me "so sorry, you can't have Friday's off just because your husband get's off at noon. No, Friday's are our day and we take it easy. I set my schedule... I get to meet people in a way that is comfortable to me with no sales quotas or a certain number that I must meet every month or quarter.

Christy Bigham walking across stage in recognition of driving Free with Marykay

Mary Kay is about having amazing customers who are loyal to the product and to us, the consultant. I have some of the most amazing customers. I have also been able to reconnect with women whom I may have never had reason to reconnect with. I love that I was able to facial my 5th grade math teacher and now I have the opportunity to work side by side as she too saw how awesome this company is. I get to reconnect with sisters in christ that I at one time went to church with and teach young women how to put on makeup and the reason why we take care of our skin at a girls retreat. It's about living outside of my self and my own little world and connect with women all around me. It's about meeting my neighbors that I may have never reached out and met.

Me and Evylan - "Adopt a Grandmother Valentine Project" 

One of my favorite reasons for because being a Beauty Consultant is the giving heart the company ask us all to have.  From the way I run my own business to the way the Corporate is, we are about giving back. Corporate is always raising money for cancer as well as domestic violence and this quarter we are reaching out and as a whole giving one million hours of service to communities around the world. Our valentines "Adopt a grandmother" was just the start of many more ways we personally plan on reaching out to our Lubbock community. It's something we can't do alone,  it's a project we must include everyone in on, and I must say; that's the most exciting part about it. IT's about dreaming big and allowing God to bring together 200 gifts to give grandmothers and grandfathers in our community when we were scared to ask for 70. It's about wanting MUCH MORE, in our community, in ourselves and in the lives of all those around us. And speaking of giving, the company is having a "Get beautiful, Give back" Makeover contest.  It's a chance for 3 Grand Prize winners to receive $2,500 visa gift card and $5,000 to give to a charity of your choice. I would LOVE To enter 100 women into this contest. If you know me, I want to be able to give back to our Lubbock community. If you would like to be entered, leave a comment or contact me. 

Marykay Sisters at the "Adopt a Grandmother Valentines Party"

As you can see, Marykay isn't about selling a lipstick it's truly about something much bigger than I can even put into words. The past 5 years of being in this business has truly had it's up's and downs, however, one thing is certain, I have never believed more in the company than I do now. On the break of celebrating 50 years, the company has exciting things in the works, from skin care to giving out thousands of dollars to women to turn around and give back the community. The company isn't going anywhere, bad economy and all. I'm excited about days and years to come in such a company that believes in enriching women's lives, deeper than the eye can see.

Things to come

I miss this place. Blogging and dumping my words on to a page. I miss you. I miss looking for the small things in life, as I blow past them trying to get my "to do list" done. It really is going to be a habit; finding time to write. It's part of my soul and all that I love doing... I need to do it.. For Jesus. I find it a waste when I keep all that HE shows me to myself. I learn lessons from big and small, quiet and loud, earth shaking and ladybug impacting things and he shows them to me, yes to teach me, but so I can share with you. So this is my commitment, to you, my reader - my friend, I will share with you what the Lord is doing in my life. For His glory, not mine.. This is not about me, it's about what He is doing in my life.

Things to look forward to :

• January Wrap Up.
• Habits & Commitment
• Several post about why I do certain things
• a Journey about my 5 years in Mary Kay
• Out reach
• Love
• accountability
• Favorite products
• Things to come!!! :) ( Super excited about this)
• and daily about what Jesus is doing

My heart is full!

2011

If you recall, last year I decided I would find a word that would define my year. I wrote a whole post about it. Furthermore, the lord placed on my heart to ponder the word "move" for a year. And boy, did I move. We moved across the state and that was only the beginning... however, the word really only settled deep within me for the first 6 months, after that the lord was truly asking me to "be still." that to which was good for my soul, and for us. Like a child grows in his sleep, so I grew so much while I was "still."

The being still included many nights in the comfort of my own home, in front of the fire, enjoying the the company of my best friend, and our pup. Thus, blogging, writing, and some of my hobbies got set to the side. I never knew how important those moments could, and will be. Life happens in those moments. Still though, my heart was heavy these past two or so months when I started reflecting back to all that we did and all we did not. So in the process of reflecting I started looking forward, I started dreaming and praying what my "word" would be for the year and I knew one thing was certain, I wanted to see proof of my efforts this next year.


A few words came to mind but even last night I wasn't settled on a word, and because I'm OCD and a perfectionist not having a word settled on last night bothered me... Don't worry though, God knows me.. HE know how He wired me... So he confirmed my "word" at church this morning. Yes, God even cares about my word for the year...




drum roll please.........




The word for 2012 is.... Result...




The definition of result is "A consequence, effect, or outcome of something."




Yes, That's right for an entire year, I want to see the results of my efforts.




I want to see fruit of my labor.. my labor of love..




( side note) I know good and well that you don't always see the results of your work. You plant seeds but never see them bloom, I get that.




But what i am saying is, I can see results in studying the word and being in constant prayer.. I can see results of saving and being wise with our finances. I can see results in eating healthy and working out. I can see results of being kind to others, and loving my enemies..




But get this... It's not for me... No, Not about me at all. The whole idea of see results is working so hard something happens. giving so much of my self to the work of the lord that every night I lay my head of my pillow I can honestly say, LORD, I am tired because I gave all I had today.




I don't want to see the results for me! Today, I want to make a different in the lord. and If I never see the blossom of my labor, just the same.




So how did the lord confirm this in me at church today? He confirmed the thought of 2012 of being a year of Much More in 1 tim 4: 14-15.

"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress."




the word, the living Word of God, tells me to be diligent, to give myself wholly to them, SO THAT, there are results, and all the see..


(side note again) my word has nothing to do with what I can show others!


It's about giving myself to the promises of God. It's Believing God at His word. His Promises. It's defining my day by His Love, His word, His promises, His Hope, His Goodness. It's believing
" that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)

Redefine Today, 

Misty 

2011 in Review

2011 in Review 

January 

Austin and I started the year in New Braunfels, working for Christian Outdoor Alliance.

February

I turned 22. We went on a hot date! :)

March

We Moved to Lubbock

April

We got Trigger, Austin Turned 25, Celebrated Easter with Brashier's in Dallas. 

May

We celebrated our 1st year of Marriage in Ft. Lauderdale Fl.  

June 

Prayed for Rain. Played with pup to cool down. 

July 

Prayed for Rain, and more rain

August 

 

Went to Colorado with Family 

September

Dove Hunting and Spent a weekend catching up with the Brashier's, and Justin. 

October

Haboob hit Lubbock, Tx 

November

Celebrated Thanksgiving and went on Elk Hunt 2011

December  

Celebrated the Birth of Christ 

So much to come in 2012.

Counting my day

Friend, If something were to happen to me, I would want you to know I love you! You! More importantly, I would want you to know Jesus, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lord loves you! He loved you so much that he died for you. He died,  so that you would know life to the fullest. O that you would know the depth of that love...

I would want you to know, I love my husband and think the world of him. And, though I tell him often, I wish he could see into the depths of my soul and know how deep my love is for him. My cowboy, best friend, and life warrior  has taught me so very much about Jesus, about loving others, and selflessly living. About breathing the fresh air. About playing outside and enjoying the creation. He has taught me about giving. About taking Jesus at his Word. He has taught me about respect, and how not to demand respect, but be a person that is worthy of another mans respect. Hes been an example of selflessness; in how he always puts my needs above his. About TEAM Work. About how much more fun life is together.  And through it all, he has taught me how it all comes back to Jesus. How life it's self is rooted in and through Christ, how we can only do, give and be because of him.... O how I would want you to know I think the world of my man!

I would also want you to know I'm a family gal and my family, is the better half of me. They have built me up and made me who i am. They have loved me and pushed me to love others more daily.  My Papa bear, well, his hands are huge and have built a foundation for our family that will extend for generations. My mom and best friend has taught me love sweeter than honey; honey that overflows and attracts like bee's to the honeycomb. My brother has taught me to enjoy life, and not be a fun hater because it's not perfect or exactly right. My sister-in-law, has taught me about passion and giving your everything to that which you are called to... and my husbands family, the family I am so blessed to be apart of, has taught me the art being exactly who Christ has called you to be, unapologetically.  Lastly, our puppy dog, trigger, has taught me to slow down and play a little more often and to love people with no regard to weather they want lovin or not, just to love. 

I would want you to know Kindness, well, it matters. As mom say's, "Kindness is love with it's workbooks on!" There is no room for rudeness. Jesus doesn't care what he or she did, but that they know they are loved. That every person matters.

I would want you to listen more often to the spirit.. Jesus whispers to us moment to moment. and so often the noise of life is too loud, and our ears aren't quite in tune... So as i tell my kiddos at school, turn your listening ears on!

Talk less too, and listen more often.

Pause, as the sun is setting and breath deep as the sun rises; and take a mental picture of the beauty that is created for you today. IT won't ever be the same.... 

Forgive others. Really, forgive them. There is a thing called grace; we should carry with us everywhere.

I would want you to know I think it's important that you do that which christ has called you too... For some that requires a long work week but family, work hard but love even harder.. Be available to people.. Really, be there for your community. Be able. Be ready. Be willing. Please don't be so overwhelmed in the task at hand as the ones you are doing it for. Know that you can say NO so you can say YES to people. Please, PLEASE be available for people..Please, say YES To people.  Don't let work plan your every hour.... Don't let activities be your all... Be in community WITH PEOPLE!!!! Create a life that allows others to know you are there for them! forreal, slow down. Know who your neighbors are.. Cause Christ calls us to love them too...

Open your home up to others.. invite them in, and create a place for all to rest. Create a sanctuary so that they would find Jesus amongst the daily grind. 

Take risks. Take Chances. Set goals. Set even Higher goals. Don't forget to dream a little too.

Take time to see the ocean and be high in the mountains as the rain is pouring down.

Hold hands, hug and kiss often.

Do something every day for your self, for others, and do it all for CHRIST, so that all would know him! 

Don't let perfectionism get in the way from starting.. Just start whatever you have been dreaming of. Just write, Just sing, play, create, paint, speak, what ever it is, just do it! don't put it off.

Treat your body well! Move it daily.

Memorize the Word. Pray hard! Pray harder! Wives, Pray for you man! Husbands, Pray for your wife! Husband and wives, PRAY TOGETHER!

Celebrate life! Have parties. Have a party for no good reason but that today is the day GOD HAS MADE! don't forget, every detail doesn't have to be planned to celebrate life.. just get together and celebrate today.

Count your blessings! Really, write them down daily and thank Jesus for them each... over and over.

Find the good in everything because it is there. if you don't think so.... look again.

Remember its not about you. This world was not created for you and you alone.. This world does not revolve around you. So put others before yourself. 

Take action. Do random acts of kindness.

Give. Expecting NOTHING in return. give more than you think is possible. then, give a little more.

Remember, we don't for men, but for God. May your work be an extension of the fathers hand.

and Lastly, I would want you to know Love ALWAYS WINS.. It always has, it always will! But remember for your love to be pure, it needs not to come from your own strength, but rather, it needs to be an overflow of the love that is from the Father.. O! Soak in his love and it will never let you down.

I don't write all of this down as though I think something is going to happen to me, though it is a humbling thought, but rather because my prayer the past couple of weeks is that people one day wouldn't have to read who I am about but rather would know all this because you see it in my life.. You see this daily in all that I do... O, how I pray you know I am here for you and I love you! that the hours in my life are spent on others and not my self.. O Jesus help me to count my days that I would have a greater appreciation for each moment... may every breath in, exhale Jesus' Name.


Counting today, as a blessing.

I love you,

He Leads me beside quiet waters.

Austin and I at the beginning of the year dreamed up a type of lifestyle we wanted and wrote it all down . A lifestyle that allowed us to be in church on a weekly basis, a lifestyle that allowed us to see family and be available to them, and a lifestyle that allowed us to be and do more. After seeing where we were and where we believed the Lord was leading us; we took a HUGE leap of faith and moved to Lubbock, for a lifestyle change... and while the moved has afforded us the ability to change our lifestyle a bit, we still have to fight for the a lifestyle in certain areas. While the move won a fight, it did not win the battle. I find so many related parallels in our daily lives, if we did not set aside time to spend with God, would we? If we didn't make it a point to go to church, would we? Would we work out, if someone wasn't holding our hand? Would we be nice if someone didn't say to? I hope so, but the fact of the matter is, most everything in our society is fighting against our core values and essentials to the way Christ intended out lives to be lived.

In a generation, that is so urgent on making the most money now, we choose to work 7 days a week and think nothing of it. We spend time running our families around but never stopping to enjoy them. We become so consumed in our life ,we become way to "busy" for others.

It's a sad thing, and we have seen this picture so clearly painted for us since the beginning of the year. It's been a constant battle. Fighting for the life style we truly desire and strongly believe God has called us to. I know, you might be thinking, Misty, you're just now figuring this out... to which I would tell you, No! We're not just now figuring it out, but we are realizing more daily that way too many people don't fight for a Godly lifestyle, instead, they follow the treads and fads of our society and wonder where the day's go.

I don't know what you think your "Lifestyle" should look like, but I do think if you don't take time to figure it out... a lifestyle you really aren't okay with will creep in on your family. A lifestyle that will cause stress and chaos all around and in each one of your family members. It will creep in so slowly that you won't even have time to notice, and before you know it, this lifestyle is passed down from generation to generation!

Furthermore, for us, it's a lifestyle committed to the lord, a lifestyle of faith and trust. A lifestyle of availability. Availability to each other, our family, and our community. A lifestyle of family, friends and community. A life of giving. Giving of our selves, our resources and our time.

and trust me, I hear the objectives in my head now. Objectives such as "it's really not that easy," and sure "we would live that lifestyle if money we're a problem but we need more money." Objectives that "well that's easy for you to say, yall don't have kids."

All to which I would reply, the CHOICE of lifestyle is yours... "but, as for me and my household we will serve the lord. "

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my Soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Even though I walk through the

valley of the shadow of death,

I fear No evil,

for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, the comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me

all the days of my life, and I will dwell

in the house of the Lord forever." -Ps 123

"Fighting the Fight until I see His face,"

Happy New Year

Often referred to as the 9th month of the year, in the Brashier home, September 1st is the New year! Today friends, is the beginning of 2011-2012 hunting Season. So, Happy New Year to you all!

With the New Year, I want to tell you, that you are EXACTLY where you need to be! You are not late, you are not behind, you're not even Early! You are right on time.

I say that, because, as a 22 year old, you wouldn't think that I feel behind in day to day life; but I do. I often feel as though I can't ever catch up.. If I we're honest, I would tell you I feel like a mouse in a wheel, except I don't even feel like I am running, but standing still. There is always something in my way. But, not today friend. You are where you need to be. SO breath in, Breath out, and Embrace this new year with Grace and know Christ has you where you need to be today, so, be all there.

Cease Striving, and know He is Faithful,