Robin Jones Gifford

Monday Moments with God: Trust

April 22, 2013 By Robin Gifford Leave a Comment

This weekend we allowed our eighteen year old daughter, Emerie, to drive three hours away to see a friend. Alone!

Ok, you’re thinking, she’s 18; what’s the problem?

Let me tell you. This is our youngest daughter and she just got her first car. Yes, she had to wait until she was a senior in high school for a car, despite daughter number one getting her car at 16. A lesson in patience for the entire family. But this is a future post!

When she asked her dad and I if she could go, I panicked saying, absolutely not! Why go all that way? Why alone?

But as my husband, Brad, and I discussed it, he asked me, was it only out of fear that I was saying no? Gulp. As Kay Arthur would say, you’re at a crossroads! Do I tell the truth? That YES, it is fear stopping me from uttering the word my daughter wants to hear most.

Brad reminded me that she is 18 and that she is not ours, but God’s. And I need to trust God to protect her and get her where she wanted to go. I do trust God. I just don’t trust other drivers!

Through a few tears, I walked upstairs to Emerie’s bedroom and asked if I could talk to her. I told her that we decided she could go. She was ecstatic. Before she left, she gave me a big hug and told me she loved me.

That was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a parent. Almost as hard as holding one of my girls as they cried their eyes out because of one thing or another.

The point is, I tell others all the time, you either trust God or you don’t. Now God was telling me, you either trust me or you don’t! Wow. I hate conviction! But God asks us to trust Him in ALL we do, not just the things that seem easy to trust him in or with.

My good friend, Vera, is teaching a Bible study titled Grace-full: Lessons from our Ancient Sisters. During my daily homework this week we looked at Proverbs 3:5-6 and specifically the phrase, in all your ways acknowledge him. She asked us in what ways is this command hardest for us to obey? It would have been much easier to answer in what ways is it easiest to obey? Trusting God to get my daughter safely from one place to another on a busy interstate. Difficult! But we are commanded to trust in EVERYTHING.

Guess what? God did get her safely there and back. Not even one wrong turn. Praise his name!

How are you doing with trusting God? Where do you have difficulty? If you’re like me, where don’t you have difficulty!

Keep reading the living word of God and get to know him well. You can only trust the God you know! {another sound bite from Vera that has stuck with me!}

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

In the Message:

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure it out on your own. Listen to God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Faith, God, Grace-full, Proverbs, Trust, Vera Friesen

Top 10 Drug Store Make-up Picks!

April 5, 2013 By Robin Gifford 1 Comment

I’m baaaccckkk!

It’s been a crazy season, and while it isn’t over, I thought I’d better touch base with you.

As a make-up artist, I’ve been asked over and over to produce a list of drugstore cosmetics that I recommend. And I can’t wait to share the brands I rely on everyday. Yes, I do have my higher end items that I can’t live without, but you might be surprised by what I use from the drugstore aisle.

So here goes. My top 10 drugstore products!

Cover Girl Concealer Balm

Pixi Correction Concentrate. This is oh-so-peach, so don’t be startled. If you suffer with dark
circles there is nothing that will cover them that isn’t peach/salmon. Pixi is great, but it does takes some getting used to. You have to use a very little amount. It is thick, so warm it up between your fingers, then pat it on just the blue circle. Dust on a tiny amount of translucent powder to set, then use a skin colored concealer for over it and directly under the eye. Finish with a brightening powder. Warning: if you use too much, it will crease and make eyes look older. Only at Target. $15.
{compared to it’s Benefit Erase Paste at $26} This little pot will last a year!
Cover Girl Olay Concealer Balm. This is the old-fashioned stick, but it works. I use it anywhereI need some spot coverage, as well as under my eye. $7.99 at Walmart.
Revlon 24-hour Whipped Cream Make-up. You won’t believe how amazing this is. It is the
smoothest coverage ever. I recommended it to one of my friends who said, “it’s revolutionized my face!” I use it everyday! A little goes a long way, so start with a few daps! $10.97 at Walmart.
NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator. I have a lot of highlighters/illuminators. This one is great. Use no more than a pinhead amount on tip of your cheek bones and you’ll have that “J-Lo glow!” I like it in Gleam. $6.99 at Ulta
NYX Matte Bronzer. I like it because it is matte and that works best for bronzers. Use a big fluffy brush and add it onto your face in layers. Too much makes you look muddy! $14 at Ulta
NYX Eye Shadow. I use my MAC palettes mostly, but this eye shadow is just as pigmented, goes on smooth and stays the day! I use matte dark brown everyday on my eyes. $4.50 at Ulta
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara. I just won’t use anything else. It can get clumpy toward the end of it’s life, but what mascara doesn’t. I do like Mally mascara too, but since I can’t pick it up outside QVC, I’ll stack with my tried and true. $5.84 at Target or Walmart.
Jordana Lip Pencils. I pick them up in every color at Walgreen’s. They used be just $.99, but even at $2.19, they’re a steal.
Rimmel Lip Pencils. I love Ravish! I have a hard time finding a red I can wear, but this is amazing. I use it over my entire lip, then add gloss. $3.50 at Walgreens.
Rimmel Lip Gloss. I have all colors, but I really LOVE Treasure Hunt. It looks bright red with sparkles, but fear not! It goes on sheer and beautiful. $4.99 at Walgreens.

NYX, Jordana, Rimmel, lip pencil, eye shadow, mascara, L'Oreal

Try these out and let me know what you think.

Good luck!

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: CoverGirl, Drugstore Makeup, L'Oreal, NYX, Pixi, Rimmel

Monday Moments with God: Is Busyness Keeping You From Going All In?

March 4, 2013 By Robin Gifford 4 Comments

I am still on my quest to be All In for God. Are you with me?

After anxiety, it’s my busy schedule that gets in my way. Actually, it’s more likely my busyness that causes the anxiety that keeps me from going All In!

Are we busy because we really have that many things to get done? And if so, why? Are we running our kids ragged because it’s best for them? Or are we, as moms, trying to keep up with the Joneses?” {Yup, I’m a Jones and I can tell you there is nothing to keep up with!}

Are we scheduling ourselves into overload because we feel more important or needed that way? We are important to the One who made us and we needn’t do anything for that status!

When we don’t stop and be still before God, we can’t possibly hear His voice. We can’t know the plans He has for us. He wants to make our path straight; instead we zigzag through life. Why? Because we don’t stop to listen!

Remember the story of Mary and Martha? Martha was busy cleaning, cooking and doing what she thought a good hostess should do when a VIP visits! But Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened. Can’t you just hear Martha getting her whine on and asking Jesus, Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! Wha, wha, wha.

And here is what Jesus said in Luke 10: 41:

Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

While Martha was showing respect for her guest, Mary was doing the one thing that was more important; she was giving up the superficial to hear the words of life from her Lord!

Are you willing to give up something in your schedule to hear the words of life from your Lord? I’m not talking about one Sunday morning a week. I’m asking if you’re ready to daily stop doing and listen?

It’s not easy. But I promise you – God promises – that his word will not return void! You’ll go All In!

Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you and your loved ones. February 25 daily devotion from Jesus Calling

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: All In, Busyness, Dare 2 Share, Faith, God, Jesus Calling

3 Rules to Dressing Your Body Well

February 22, 2013 By Robin Gifford Leave a Comment

Fashion, Fashion over 40, Rules for dressing your body

Rule 1: Never draw attention to an imperfection.

What Not To Wear, Before and After, Fashion. Dressing your Body

This young woman appears to be a little shorter. Dressing with too full of skirt, a boxy jacket and overly long hair makes her look shorter and heavier. But on a pencil skirt and a jacket that is more fitted and in proportion to her body and she looks like a million bucks!

Rule 2: Never duplicate what’s already there.

Cameron Diaz, Hairstyles, Square Jawline, Face Shape

Rule 3: It’s better to be slightly overdressed than under dressed.

Interview dress, How to dress for an interview, Fashion

This is a good look at all our rules! These are younger women, ready for a job interview. The first girl is too casual. Even though she has on dress pants, her outfit looks sloppy. Under dressed! The young woman in the middle is also too casual. Her dress is too short and the style is better suited for sandals and a day out with the girls. Her shoes don’t do with the dress at all. They are too dressy for the dress and too casual and open for an interview! This dress also makes her look shorter. Finally, dressing in dark shoes, tights and skirt draw the eyes up, making the woman’s silhouette look long and lean. The jacket has some style and she looks ready to take on any task. Her hair could be a little neater.

Example 2:

Anna Wintour, Kathy Lee Gifford, Fashion, Fashion over 40

For women over 40, Anna Wintour and Kathie Lee Gifford prove dressing up is both professional and hip! The accessories, textures and shapes make these outfits dressier than typical day/office wear, but wouldn’t you want to hire or work with them?

Let me know your figure vs wardrobe questions and I’ll answer them in future posts!

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: Face Shape, fashion, Figure vs Wardrobe, Hairstyles, Over 40 fashion

Monday Moments with God: 5 tips to going ALL IN. #1Anxiety

February 18, 2013 By Robin Gifford Leave a Comment

D2S, All In, Greg Stier, Faith, God Last Monday, we talked about reckless abandon for Jesus. About trusting Him and only Him for our eternal life.

Have you done that? If not, what are you waiting for? And if you have, are you ready to go all in?

I’ve been wearing my All In bracelet from D2S, thinking about what that means for me? What do I have to do to be All In?

I’ve thought about abandoning my job, lifestyle…life as I know it, really, and seeing where God takes me.

But as I sat down to do my devotions just this morning, God spoke truth to me about what it means to be all in for Him. It’s not doing, it’s a mindset! Here are 5 things we are to give up {so to speak} to be all in:

Anxiety. {Are you anxious just reading the word? Then you better pay attention!}

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:7

Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING? What?!

I can tell you that I have personally experienced this peace with God. And I know it’s from Him because there is no way I would have found peace in my circumstances.

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. I had two elementary-age girls. After surgery, the doctor told me, there is nothing more we can do. {apparently, in my sedated state, I flipped the pointer at the doctor and told him that his news was unacceptable. I had two little girls to raise! Rebel!}

Fast-forward nearly nine years. God has kept his hand on my liver and the tumors have not changed. I do subject myself to a very large, nasty injection once a month, but I am confident it is God, and God alone, keeping my cancer from spreading. {Paul and I have this in common…we both have a thorn in our side!}

In the weeks after my surgery, my husband and I made a decision to glorify God no matter what happened. Each year, when I go get my scans, I have a moment of anxiety until I remember who has all life in His hand. {Isaiah 41:13} Only once, did I really break down and beg God to spare my life. I know he heard me because it was that very day that I heard the voice of God. Yes, I’ve heard the voice of God. {I’ll share that with you in another post!}

The bottom line? I’ll use Sarah Young’s words from my devotional, Calling Jesus tell you:

The closer you live to Me, the safer you are. Circumstances around you are undulating, and there are treacherous-looking waves in the distance. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. By the time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of My design. I am always beside you, helping you face today’s waves. The future is a phanton, seeking to spiik you. Laugh at the future! Stay close to Me. {bold is my emphasis}

Over the next four Mondays, we’ll look at the other things we must give up to be All In: Control, Busy Schedules, Noise and Fear. I hope you’ll join me.

Please, leave a comment and let me know what’s you’ve given up to be all in. Or what you need to give up! It’s not easy. It’s a daily decision to pick up our cross and cast all our anxiety on Him. Aren’t you glad He willingly accepts it?