Beautiful Treasures (Mug-spiration Monday)

Two weekends ago, Wes and Jess (our friends from the mountains) came to visit us in Charlotte. Since moving to Charlotte a year ago (a whole flippin' year!!!!) we haven't gotten to see them more than a handful of times... and that's dumb. #BooHiss

So needless to say, having them in town was refreshing and needed.

We spent a lot of time showing them around Charlotte and meeting up with a mutual friend who goes to grad school in the area. It was such a fun weekend, but one of the best parts was having Jess take our pictures.

Beautiful

Jess got a new camera for her birthday and brought it on their trip so that she could get some pictures of me and Taylor, some headshots for the blog, etc. I was a little worried we wouldn't get one's that I liked for the blog, simply because I hate how I look in pictures since gaining weight.

But I was so happy when I saw the results! Jess took some amazing pictures and I felt beautiful. Here are a few:

Everyone is Beautiful

It's easy to get caught up in the world's standard of beauty: to like people better when they are attractive, to think of thin people as a "higher class" than heavy people, and to see physical imperfections as dividers. I do it, and I'm willing to bet you do too to some degree.

But we know that's not right. We know that our physical appearance does not determine our worth, or the the truth about our inward beauty. God see's us as His beautiful creations. Sure, our flaws are there, but the beauty is there too- inside and out!

A Little Bit Different

This is technically still "Mug-spiration Monday", but I'd like to encourage you all to take this Monday's encouragement a little further. I challenge you to post a selfie on Instagram today using the hashtag "#thebeautifultreasures". Let everyone know that you are beautiful despite whatever imperfections you may have.

Make the world a little bit better today by encouraging others to see themselves as the lovely people they are.

Ready? Go!