Cornerstone Connection Christian Magazine with Classifieds and Events Orlando Florida

Life was not that of marble halls and fairy tales for a young girl facing one of the hardest choices of her life. In fact, it looked more like a file stamped, “just another statistic” for Shelly Ballestero. She had the checklist of history — a broken life filled with mentally and physically abusive relationships fueled by poor choices. All of that heartache was born out of simply one motivation — to find true love and acceptance. After all, that’s what any girl wants.

It’s hard to imagine this painful scenario for Shelly. She is the picture of elegance. Well coiffed with noted attention for design and detail, this beauty expert will tell you how to enhance your appearance from the tip of your toes to the curls in your hair. Yet ultimately she will express how a transformation from within produces a natural radiance. After all, she’s been transformed herself.

However at this time, the cycle of abuse, which began in her childhood, had culminated in yet another relationship draining her of self-worth. Shelly was pregnant from a boyfriend who was urging, even threatening her to get an abortion. Life as a bartender had fed her party-girl persona. She knew that life was not all it should be and craved for something more, yet still continued to fall back into old patterns. She numbed her senses with alcohol, experimented with drugs. Dance till dawn nights ended in morning after regrets. “It was like I was living two separate lives. I had my moments where I was the picture of goodness and virtue. And then I had those moments where I just let all the boundaries slide. I just wouldn’t think about the consequences. I was so lost, because I felt so unworthy. I truly believed that no one could love someone like me. I truly felt ugly — inside and out.”

Even though the situation seemed hopeless, Ballestero remembered the love of Christ that she knew as a child. It was up to her to make the choice to stop the down spiral. In the midst of this crazy life she came to a breaking point and made the crucial decision to keep her baby. It became the first step of redemption.

Going back to church and seeking God, Ballestero was on the right track. One night at a Bible study, the Lord spoke to her, revealing the man who would be her husband. It was the worship pastor. She had said “I thought … you’re crazy God because he’s a minister and I’m with child and this is no merry situation!” A few weeks later she miscarried. “Devastated,” and grieving over the loss, someone gave her a praise tape that ministered to her battled soul. “Life-giving words” from the music were like a healing balm. It was the turning point from a life of rebellion.

Married now for twelve years to Angelo Ballestero, the worship pastor, and with two wonderful boys, redemption is her song. Jesus is her Lord. It’s a new day.

Well-educated in the art of beauty, Ballestero has found passion in helping people become the best they can be, living a non-toxic life (mind, body & spirit). From the inside out! As an esthetician, herbalist, makeup artist and author, this beauty coach delights in making people shine. Just check out her book, Beauty by God (BBG), with tips on everything from making your own face mask (have you heard of a ‘coffee ground’ mask?), hair styles to match your face shape, living on a budget or getting green; all wrapped up with God’s perspective on how He sees you and loves you unconditionally.

You would never know that most of her life this accomplished consultant had a hard time finishing anything. Ballestero didn’t even finish high school, but has a G.E.D. She began school for art and design for awhile, and was accepted to Pratt School in New York City, only to never follow through. “I was the jack-of-all-trades and the master of none,” she admitted. It took finding her passion in the health and wellness area for this broken cycle to end, and the certificates of completion to stockpile. Doors have opened up for her in many different venues, including a behind-the-scenes Today Show stint as a Mother’s Day makeup artist, conference speaker and beauty consultant.

In the midst of consulting, speaking or doing makeovers, Ballestero said it’s important to be “genuine and not fake.” Having a heart to help and not being a threat by “slamming Jesus down their throat,” this true beauty lets her light shine by being “gentle and loving.” No matter where she is, as the hired expert of a TV show or at the local grocery store, her character is consistent. “If you’re a person of character when no one is around, what do you do?” she said. “I really, genuinely love people …. Sometimes you can speak so much more Jesus by not saying a word.”

Self-image is something this eco-beauty expert struggled with for a long time. Ballestero admitted to having an “approval addiction,” where she would “use anything I had to gain approval.” When she came to understand God’s unconditional love for her, it changed the way she saw herself. “As I drew closer to God and read what He says about the way He created us and about real beauty, I finally realized that true beauty is a joyful state that can radiate in all of us – through relationships, passion, prayer and, yes … brokenness,” (excerpt from BBG).

The Lord has given her faith lessons along the way. When the Ballestero’s had their first son, Angelo Jr., he was born with a rare blood disorder. Rushed from his new mother’s arms just a couple of hours after his birth, Ballestero was “a frantic mess” as her newborn son went into the neo-ICU. Yet, God had a purpose for the situation. In the same neo-ICU was another baby who was born with a tumor and addiction to drugs. The mother of this baby was crying, with her brother and mother gathered around. Angelo Sr. offered to pray with them and all three accepted “Jesus as their personal Savior” Ballestero explained. The next day that same family came back “leaping for joy!” The baby was healed, the tumor was gone. “It was a miracle!” Angelo Jr. is eleven now, and hasn’t had his blood checked in years. God’s purpose prevailed.

Well versed in the toxins used around our home, in skincare and make-up, Ballestero’s insights will change the way you live and what you buy … even what you eat! Having fought that fight herself, this grown-up beauty advises teens not to “listen to the media … our self-worth does not come from the medias. It comes from within and having a personal relationship with our Father. The best beauty glow we can ever get is His beauty shining in through us.”

“The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.” Psalm 45:11

Check out her web site: www.shellyballestero.com and get a free DVD. Use code: CornerStone

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