I have collected my fair share of tattoos over the past four years. I have counted eight since I have left Nepal and each comes with either an interesting story or a funny memory. I get asked what each one means quite a lot so I’m here to skip the small talk and get right to the point. Here are the meaning behind my eight lil’ beauties!
Psalm 73:26 (on my shoulder)
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”
I got this tattooed on my shoulder after high school, after developing a strong relationship with Christ, and going through some difficult times. This was my first tattoo and I have loved it ever since. Even though I would get asked a bazillion times if I actually knew the verse because I guess it is common for people to not know what they are tattooing on themselves.
A Heart (my ribs)
This one came from a quick trip to California with my best friends. My other half (best friend ever) asked “hey, Kylie Jenner and her best friend have matching heart tattoos, why don’t we” and that was how this was created at the lowest price of $30 in So Cal. Nothing special here, just a fun and rebellious moment inspired by the Kardashians.
A Cross (on my other wrist)
I would like to say a quick apology to my parents first because this explanation might cause a heart attack. I got a small cross on my right wrist but it was not done professionally. My friend at school had her own tattoo gun and I thought, “why not?” hahaha Don’t you just love college decisions? It turned out beautifully regardless of the extra pain involved.
Worthy (on my ankle)
I got this one done in Thailand while on a mission trip to Thailand and Cambodia through my school. We worked with Destiny’s Rescue, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates young women from the red light district or any kind of sex slave trade. I got the word “Worthy” tattooed in their language in honor of the girls. A majority of us got something tatted in honor of what we believed the girls to be and worthy they SO ARE.
Florals (on my wrist)
Quarter life crisis time at the ripe age of 21. I was going through it! I wanted everyday to be exciting, so when I got the call from my pal saying, “hey it’s Friday the 13th ($13 tattoos on this day), we are in line come join” I hopped out of bed without any idea of what I wanted and went. We got very few options for the price which we were unaware of, but after waiting two hours outside in the middle of an Arizona summer, I would have gotten anything tatted to make it worth it. My pal and I got matching florals on our left wrists. Simple and classy. At this point, I have three matching tattoos with people, it’s become my thing, kind of.
Mountains (behind my ear)
This one means everything to me. Not just because it’s another matching tattoo with that same pal or my mother, but because it was in honor of a very special young lady. My pal and I started The Rise Company in honor of a late friend killed by a drunk driver in 2017. We got mountains in honor of our company, logo, and the fact the accident happened on the way to the Grand Canyon. It felt good to be able to bring something with me on my year-long adventure.
Creation (on my arm)
I’ll just type out my Instagram caption for this one!
“Going into month 4 with something new, special, and life giving (get it?). The past few years have been a whirlwind. Full of growth, change, and unexpected turns. All things from Karli’s passing and watching my friends experience loss, falling in love and joining the LDS church to leaving when I felt my ideals didn’t align, from graduating college, and then leaving a year to be a full time missionary in eleven different countries. Some of these things I kept on the down low obviously but all of them had one thing in common and it was struggling with reaching for God. Going into month one of the World Race, my biggest concern for myself was I felt a block from God like He was not there for me (so not true). Going into my second continent now I truly realize how God will ALWAYS chase after the ONE and that we are all crazy special to Him. When I think of this painting/image, that’s what I immediately think of. Sometimes, always being in reach of God is super hard but my favorite thing to do is keep reaching after Him on a daily basis. Plus nothing is sweeter than knowing He is reaching after me too.”
Honey (on my elbow)
Sweeter than honey. Psalm 19:10. Not my mom’s favorite since I did not tell her it was happening but I couldn’t just go to Nepal and not join in on the tattoo fun!? I think it is cute, dainty, and a fun memory.
