You are Beautiful

I feel that as women, we have a solemn responsibility,

to not only believe those words, but treat ourselves as just that

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

Over the past few days, I've been reminded of this sacred treasure.

Last night in the creamery, a rather sketchy guy came into the Creamery at Helaman

{where I work as a cashier}

Two girls, who I assume are students here at BYU, were hanging all over him.

After kicking the spirit out of the store, breaking a box of soda, and using the back shelves as a place to 'touch each other inappropriately' they checked out.

The guy payed with a student id, which surprised me because he had his ears pierced, so I shouldn't have let him pay, but I did, and I regret it so much. But even more than that, I'm just disturbed by the skanky way these girls were dressed. So much make-up, fake tan, didn't look like they ate very healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if one of them had an eating disorder, tight, very revealing clothing, and it just looked like they didn't care how they treated themselves as long as this guy kept paying attention to them.

I wanted to tell them how beautiful they were with out all of that extra stuff, and with out changing their bodies so much, but I didn't. I didn't know what to say, or if it would be inappropriate as a cashier, and I wish I could find them and tell them, that they are beautiful, just them. And that guy was definitely not worth their time and energies. But I didn't.

Today, in addition to thinking about this experience all day, we talked about eating disorders in my human development class. I have an amazing Professor, Dr. Nelson, and the words he said really hit home. I can assure you that I don't have an eating disorder, but I will admit that I like many other women, am guilty of judging myself, others, and constantly comparing myself to them. Dr. Nelson talked to the men in the room, and pleaded with them to not let their actions or words be a cause of a daughter of God doing horrid things to her body to fit into a certain dress size, or look 'better'. I didn't realize this, but apparently its a big problem at BYU.

Proverbs 31:10-31 Reads:

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely ^atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her^ahands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She ^ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the^adistaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the ^apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her ^aclothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her ^aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of ^akindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ^aidleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and ^abeauty is vain: but a woman that^bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

~

I'm so proud that Heavenly Father loves me enough to let me come down to earth and strive to be a virtuous woman. We are hard working, beautiful, virtuous women, and we must never forget it!

President Uchtdorf said, "Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your once upon a time is now."

Starting now, I promise that I'm going to put in an extra effort to see myself, and all those around me as beautiful daughters of God. Not matter how tall or short, skinny or fat, black or white, we are all daughter of God. He loves us all equally, and that is all that matters.

I hope you know that you are beautiful, and I hope that your husband tells you that every day {I'm so grateful to Jeremy for doing that}

And if you aren't yet married, I challenge you to find a man that tells you you're beautiful every day, and believes it.

This is really cheesy, but I love the song by Bruno Mars 'Just the way you Are'

Ok, enough overwhelming, quoting, and referencing, and rambling on, you're beautiful! I love you all! Never forget your noble heritage!