Wishing everyone an amazing week!

Trust God

 May we all put our trust in no man,

only God.

From A Beautiful Deception:

A story of religious and trauma abuse.

Paperback: Amazon

"Taught to not ask questions,

I always complied

because if I were to question,

I wouldn’t have been keeping in line

with the brethren or their teachings

and would be considered a troublemaker."

My Truth

“Beauty is truth’s smile when she beholds her own face in a perfect mirror.” —Rabindranath Tagore, polymath and modernist 

My new book, A Beautiful Deception is available in paperback on Amazon. 

About the Book:

Written in verse, this is the story of how I left a high-control religion and found God.

"I’ve never liked the phrase “speak your truth,”

but in this instance, I feel prompted to use it.

My story is sure to breed contention in some

and even controversy,

not of my own making.

However, come what may,

I will accept it and stay the course."

“In the pages of A Beautiful Deception, Jewel Adams has somehow peered into my heart, gathered up my own raw and often painful sentiments, and carefully crafted them into eloquent verse—a salve to a healing wound. Even though this journey of walking away initially may feel lonely, Jewel offers us a gift of peace and quiet resolution through the truth she shares."

—Tami Rolen, author

Paperback: Amazon Link

What God Sees in Us

Despite our flaws and imperfections, God sees the beauty in us. We are precious in His sight and He sees the heart, no matter what we project outward. True beauty begins in the heart and radiates outward. We may fool others, but we can never fool God.

Swing by Amazon and grab a copy of this cute book!

https://amzn.to/3JqKahv

Being Real and Content

 I used to really dislike looking at unflattering photos of myself, but not anymore.

Now, I see those images as times of me being more real than at others, and I've come to understand there is beauty in vulnerability and imperfection.

God really does make all things beautiful, and in this truth, I am content!

Perfectly Imperfect!

 

One of my new favorite hobbies is crocheting dish cloths. I'm not a perfect crocheter by any stretch of the imagination, and no two dish cloths that I crochet are the same. In fact, they all turn out completely different. They differ in size, shape, color, and consistency in the loops, but each time I finish one, they look beautiful to me because they will all be used for the same purpose - to be a sturdy cleaner for dishes, countertops, etc. They suit and fulfill their purpose.

I think I'm like my dish cloths. God created me, and to Him, I am beautiful. There is nothing perfect about me and there are always flaws, but there is no one else like me and my life has a purpose. I'm trying to live my life in the way God placed me here to live it. But no matter how I look or how life has shaped me, I am still useful to Him. And so it is with each and every one of us!

I pray that we can all be like my perfectly-imperfect dish cloths, seeing the beauty in ourselves and cherishing our imperfections, remembering that our lives have a purpose and we all matter.

And if you would like to order any of these dish cloths, they come in a 3-pack for $6.00 + $4.00 for shipping. Message me😊

Have an amazing week!

A New Day!

 Well, I'm beginning again! I hope I can carry on with the updates this time😏

After turning 60 last year, I've committed to telling myself how beautiful and amazing I am, and not just saying the words but believing them, which is still hard to do sometimes. Nevertheless, I'm still invested in coming to see myself the way God sees me, hair loss and all. I've discovered how easy it is for women to affirm the beauty in others while feeling less than stellar ourselves.

That stops now!

Starting now, even on my worse days - days when I feel like a sinking ship physically and emotionally - I'm going to see myself through God's eyes and know that I have just as much value as anyone else, regardless of how I age or how little hair I have left. I'll simply keep expanding my wig collection and continue to diversify my style! Every curve and stretch mark I wear was earned from birthing eight children. And since I am grateful for having each and every one, I will embrace each and every sign of their existence, and mine!😊

I hope you all have an amazing day and stay beautiful!

Starting Fresh

 

Clearly, it has been a long time since my last post. Life has taken me in directions I never thought I would go. However, my chronic alopecia is still the same, and even worse in some ways. But hey, my wig collection has expanded and I learned new ways to camouflage my hair loss. My husband still thinks I'm beautiful, and so does my Heavenly Father. I need no other approval, and life is great!

Stay tuned for more thoughts and affirmations on true beauty!

Beautiful Soul

Thought for Today
To the people who love you, you are beautiful already. This is not because they're blind to your shortcomings, but because they so clearly see your soul. - Victoria Moran

Unconditional love is a priceless thing. So is a truly pure, honest and open heart. A pure heart sees beauty in everyone. When you possess a pure heart, you possess beautiful soul, and other beautiful souls will recognize it. If your soul is ugly, a pure heart will also recognize the possibilities there.

No Woman Is Ordinary

If you were to ask a group of women to name something beautiful or even special about themselves, some wouldn't be able to come up with anything. I find this really sad. So many of us consider ourselves ordinary when we are anything but.
No woman is ordinary and there is beauty in each and every one of us. It may not be physical, but inner, which is most important, because when you are beautiful on the inside, it will shine through your eyes, your smile, your whole being. Inner beauty shines far brighter than the physical. A woman who is kind and gracious, possessing a good heart, is beautiful. There is nothing ordinary about her.
It is my hope that we as women begin to realize this and hold on to it. Once we internalize this truth we will begin to see it. We will recognize true beauty and find it in every woman we see, including ourselves.

Thought for Today

“Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes you purest thoughts, for out of them will grow delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.” ~ James Allen

Thought for Today
“Honey, God loves you just as you are. As people who have been created by God, we are infinitely precious to Him because we are His creation. Regardless of our outward appearance, we are all made with that spiritual potential to relate directly to Him, spirit to Spirit...

You may not look so favorably on your outward appearance, but when God looks at you, He sees His beautiful daughter. While God cares deeply about our own personal struggles with our outward appearances, whatever they may be, He cares even more for you. Your outward appearance does not change God’s acceptance of you, and it certainly does not change the way He feels about you.”
― Corallie Buchanan

What Makes You Beautiful

One of my daughter's favorite songs is What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction and it is now my ringtone for when my husband calls. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. It will perk you right up:-)

True beauty goes so beyond the physical.

Accept You!

Thought for the Week
Since we bring about what we think about, say to yourself each day, "I am beautiful, healthy, happy, and I love and accept myself no matter what." You will soon become those things.

You're Perfect ; Trent Shelton

True Beauty Comes From the Heart

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“What's the whole point of being pretty on the outside when you’re so ugly on the inside?”
― Jess C. Scott, I'm Pretty 

“When you're a beautiful person on the inside, nothing in the world can change that about you. Jealousy is the result of one's lack of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance. The Lesson: If you can't accept yourself, then certainly no one else will.”
― Sasha Azevedo 

“If love is blind, then maybe a blind person that loves has a greater understanding of it.”
― Criss Jami, Salomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile 

Through the years I have discovered the truth of each of these quotes. No matter what we look like on the outside, no matter what we do to create a beautiful outer package, if we carry ugliness within us, everything else is just an illusion. The light of true beauty cannot live in a dark heart. So what if others are prettier, thinner, more talented, have more money, more attention from men, and more of things we desire? If we can be just as happy without those things while reaching toward the things we desire in life instead of harboring a covetous attitude and letting it eat at our insides, our true beauty will shine brighter and reveal more sparkle than any material possession we can acquire.
That is the beauty we want to possess.
And that is the beauty others will see.

A Beautiful Soul!!!

Thought For Today
People are like stained glass windows -- the true beauty can be seen only when there is light from within. The darker the night, the brighter the windows.
Elizabeth KublerRoss

If you haven't already met her, today I'd like you to meet Lizzy. If every woman possessed as beautiful a soul as Lizzy, the world would definitely be a better place.

Twenty-two year old Lizzie lives with a rare undiagnosed syndrome that only 3 people in the world currently struggle with. Lizzie can't gain weight, no matter what she eats. Even though she only weighs 60 pounds, nothing can get in the way of her dreams
and goals. She faces hatred, judgement and prejudice every day, yet she puts her faith in God and uses the adversity for so much good. Her story will warm your heart and remind you that YOU are beautiful by God. Support Lizzie! http://www.aboutlizzie.com

Beautiful People

Thought for Today

 The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.  Beautiful people do not just happen.  ~  Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful Excerpt: Your Thoughts

As a man thinketh . . .

There is a phrase that says, “What we think about, we bring about.” If we only dwell on the negative things in life instead the positive ones, we will surely bring ourselves down, because while positive thinking brightens my outlook and makes us feel good, negativity drains our energy and brings us down. Yes, there are a lot of terrible things going on in the world and our country is steadily sliding downward, but there is still so much good, and so much good we can bring to the world. We only need to synchronize our thoughts and actions and do what we can to make things happen.

Since we are all here for a reason, it is up to us to determine how we will spend our time in this life. If we are striving to embrace the good in life, we will make the world better because we are here. When we will truly know who we are and know our worth, our making the world better is automatic.

Request a free copy of the complete booklet: jewela40@gmail.com

Have a beautiful day!

Being Your Own Kind of Beautiful Excerpt: Judging

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
Roald Dahl

Booklet Excerpt

Judging.

Have you ever looked at parents with troubled children going astray and thought, “I wonder what they did or didn't do?” Or, “What kind of parents would let that happen?” Or here's the big one: “Boy, I sure wouldn't let my kids do that.”

Once upon a time I thought that way, but not anymore. Do you know why? Because I have learned you don't judge someone or a situation you know nothing about. I have learned this, and I have the scars to prove it. Some of those scars have healed, and some are still open because of ongoing lessons.

What about a successful couple that have been married for years and they have no children? Some would assume the couple have chosen not to have children because of selfishness, but in fact, the couple may not be able to have children. This could be their major trial and here we are, judging them.

Or, there is my case. We have eight children. Some may judge my husband and I and think we have too many. They may say it is because of people like us that the world is “overpopulated.” We are the reason the earth's resources are depleting. Have you ever heard anything so dumb? The only resources I ever see depleting are the groceries in our fridge and pantry.

We don't know what goes on in the homes of others. When don't know what others are dealing with in their lives. We also don't know what others are dealing with emotionally. We don't know any of these things . . . but God knows.

And suppose we really do know about others? Suppose we have even witnessed some poor choices of others. It is still not our place to judge. Judge between right and wrong, yes, but judging others? No. and if we truly know who we are, we won't feel a need to be judgmental. When you truly know who you are, you feel sorrow and empathy for others, yet steer clear of judgmental thoughts.

For a free copy of the complete ebooklet, email me at jewela40@gmail.com