It all started when our good to WOW challenge hosted self-portraits on week 8 and less than half our group linked up.
My heart broke as I read post after post filled with words of how each woman feels about themselves and the reasons they are never in front of the camera. I prayed as I left each post and thanked God that the women who joined in at least had the courage to go for it. Yet, I asked God to show me how I could do something more than simply host a weekly photo challenge that would encourage women (girls, teens) to see themselves as they really are – WONDERFULLY, PERFECTLY, and FEARFULLY created by God.
Earlier in March I wrote several posts that I pray will encourage to join our project today! (They were originally on my family blog but that is now private and I want you to be able to read them)
It is time we take back what the world has stolen from us – our worth and beauty just as we are!
Another post I originally shared on our family blog this week that I pray each of you reads and then shares with all the women and teens in your lives. It is that important and truly needs to be talked about, so others can be set free from the pain that is holding them back from knowing their worth and beauty.
It’s easy to tell other people that they are beautiful,
but it’s a lot harder to tell yourself that YOU are beautiful and believe it.
Well, What are you waiting for?
Go read my posts above and then join us to change how we all see ourselves…one beautiful person at a time!
If you would like to enter your photos into our flickr group simply click on any photo in this post. Thank you!
Please share your posts below so we can all be blessed by what God is doing and has done in your lives, that you set you free, to proclaim loud and proud the title in which you always are to Him - I AM BEAUTIFUL!!!
48 Friends Commented:
I just one of your pictures featured on PW! Way to go and congrats!
Jill, I love this idea and excited to be a part of it. Hoping to have some pics to upload to the group this weekend!
This is wonderful!! I know from my experience, growing up in the church, we were taught that focusing on our own beauty is vanity, and that has been a tough mindset to break. Thanks for the encouragement to recognize my beauty as defined by who I am in Christ - perfectly and wonderfully made!!
I really need to carve out some time for a photo - great idea!
I've been visiting your site for awhile now and just wanted to say how much I love this idea. I'm uploading a picture to the flickr group and am going to write a post with a link on my own blog. I'm one who never likes to be in front of the camera so it's scary, but I'm going to conquer my fear! Blessings...
a-lens-with-a-view.blogspot.com
Thanks so much!! I needed this post today.
You are one amazing mom, photograher and friend to many!
So blessed the Lord allowed our paths to cross.
You are truly BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!
I love it!
Oh Jill, you and your family members are so beautiful!
What a wonderful idea!
Bless you dear Sister!
Beth
Love that project. I will figure out this weekend to set-up my tripod to photograph myself with the sign :)
Woo-hoo! This is such a great idea -- and will be an awesome blessing! (but you already knew that from me!)
I'm still brain storming on this... and will hopefully get something soon! :)
xoxo
Michelle
Love this idea. Stopping by from Courtney @ Perfect Imperfection's blog and I'm really excited to be a part of this. :)
Definitely need to jump in on this project! It is an awesome idea!!! Hopefully I can try and get some photo time in tomorrow and link up.
love this idea.. will be getting mine done soon I hope.
Hey, Jill!
just wanted to let you know that I am making your I am beautiful project this week's Selfie Saturday challenge: http://selfiemagic.com/2011/03/iloveme/
I love this! I think it's so important to let people know how truly beautiful they actually are. I did take some photos already that you can see here: http://withoutadornment.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/self-you-are-beautiful/ :)
Jill, I wrote a bit about the challenge on my Saturday post on Heart Choices.
I definitely needed this post today! I'll be passing it on to my readers tomorrow. Thank you!
This is exciting - count me in. I'll link in with a flickr photo soon.
Rosie
leavesnbloom photography
Found this post through Emily's blog (Scribbles from Emily). Glad for the reminder. I sure am one of those people who tend to forget who I really am IN GOD'S SIGHT.
www.theblogforbrides.com
www.journeyofawoman.wordpress.com
How did I miss this?!? I remember reading the posts and thinking "why do we do this to ourselves?"
I'll join the project this weekend.
said I was going to do this and just posted pictures we took afew days ago!! my kids loved doing it as well!
What a powerful and beautiful message.
-A @SM
{http://sweetlymade.blogspot.com/}
Beautiful indeed and thankful that I know and live that now in Christ but I remember when I felt not only less than beautiful but shamed, guilty and dirty but for the BLOOD OF JESUS that heals and RESTORES!!! Hallelujah to GOD!
Love you girl! I'm going to share a message on my blog and incorporate your links because this is something I minister for over 15 years to women about it seeing themselves through God's eyes. Love you!
I soooo agree with our Sis Lisa above... I even felt kind of odd writing it out so my son could take a photo of me for this event. If I will be accepted that is.
This is soooo EXCITING and LOVE that it is about our Abba Father too!!! Praising Him continues, naturally :0) ...
Hugs Dena
Just wanted to let you know that I linked to your photography blog/I Am Beautiful challenge on my post today. Though I am not ready to take on that challenge, I am sure many others are right there on the verge, ready to embrace that truth!
Blessings!
Holly
http://purposedrivenfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/facing-shears.html
Thank God for all of His beauties!!!
Thank you Jill for starting this project. I've grabbed the button and my post is up.
Brightest blessings on you and your family!
maybe i'll get in on this...
This is so WONDERFUL! thank you so much for this inspirational idea!!
and look for it on my blog :) I can't wait to share it with friends!
bless you!
allmylovemeg.blogspot.com
Ah! Why didn't I know you had a link up for this? Lol. Well I finally got mine linked.
Hello, Jill
Some of the "I AM BEAUTIFUL project" stories had me in tears. Such amazing people and the love-- is just so huge, you can really feel it! Great post! Luxy Living is your newest follower.
God Bless you and yours,
Fuchsia
post is up! again: THANK YOU for this amazing project!
http://allmylovemeg.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-couldnt-wait.html
this is beautiful! I will work on mine! Couldn't have come at a better time!
Great project! I tried to read the posts on your other blog to get more information, but got a message that says access is denied to me because you have to be invited to read that blog.
Jeanine
http://dressmytruth.blogspot.com
wonderful idea Jill but you always take a great photo.
Checked out the links but they are by invite only.
love the idea, sorry for the double post. #23/ #24. when I first posted (#23) the link wouldnt work so I posted it again (#24) and it does but I don't know how to delete #23. hopefully someone else knows.
I totally wish that I had someone to take photos of me (maybe I can have my 6 year old try). I love the ones that I've seen! Very amazingly well done.
I truly love this idea! I will check out the group and how to get involved.
Pam
What a wonderful project!! I'm happy to join in! But I'm not a professional photographer like all of you, I'll very likely take the photo(s) with my cell phone or with Photo Booth in my computer, I hope that's ok...
Such a 'beautiful idea!'. I will do my best to participate soon. Just wanted to let you know that I am starting a new feature on my blog for bloggers who host linkups. As I stumble across more and more linkups I am trying my best to spread the word. You can check out all the details at this link. http://throughaphotographerseyes.blogspot.com/search/label/OtherLinkUps
So many pictures, so much beauty. Truly inspiring. I have updated my post as I decided to have another take or two...:-)
This is amazing and i will be participating in this tomorrow. What a great idea!
That was a lot harder than it should have been.
Jill! This is awesome! My daughter has the flu, but as soon as she gets better, we are going to upload a post! Thank you for empowering women to the power of beauty! :) I am joining with you beautiful!
:)
Teresa
What a wonderful pursuit. I am so glad I found your blog through an unexpected series of clicks. I, too, am passionate about women of every age seeing their God's given beauty. It a message I taught on last night and am just launching at More to Be. I will definitely be linking up to your blog soon and sharing this project with others.
Blessings,
Lisa
www.moretobe.com
redefining beauty at www.moretobe.com/
This is hands down THE most difficult photography assignment I have undertaken. I have talked about it in a myriad of posts throughout the last year. It took me 18 months to get to a place to even be able to post my picture. Yet Jill, I'm so glad you are doing this :)
WOW, Jill! I discovered this post via a string of posts from "Project Alicia" and I am so glad I did. This would be a difficult thing for me. I have suffered poor self esteem much of my life (particularly my adult life). My story is possibly like so many others... believing the lies said by one or two significant people in my life and carrying those words with me as truth. And now my daughters struggle themselves from the same (and words spoken over them by the same significant others)... Between you and Alicia, I am challenged to write a post on self esteem. Thank you :)
I am your newest follower.
A year later and this is still going strong! :) And only getting stronger with every day that passes with God's blessings!!
Here's year/take 2 for me! :)
http://snapshotsbymichelle.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-am-beautiful-project-take-2.html
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