The Small Things~ Nataleigh Robinson

If you had been told to do something great you would have done it. How much more than when it is something simple. 2 Kings 5:13

I remember sitting up late one night reading a book and just crying. I had just started the book that day but I just couldn't put it down. After finally finishing it I turned out the lights but I still couldn't get to sleep. I felt as if God was telling me something and I just couldn't get it out of my head. It was that night that I decided that God wanted me to be a teen guidance counselor and not only that but that he wanted me to go to public school. 

I had been homeschooled all my life and I was afraid to go to public school. I wasn't even sure what my parents would think of that idea. But I obeyed God and began the process to go to public school.  The amazing thing was that when the time finally came for me to walk through those doors for the first time.  I wasn't even the tiniest bit nervous and my first day went better than I had ever imagined.

Sometimes the things God asks us to do might scare us at first. But God doesn't always tell us the things he wants us to do right that instant.  While God wanted me to go to school he didn't necessarily want me to go running to my mom and tell her that I was going right away. It took nearly 2 years of me preparing myself and working out the details before I was ready to walk through those doors and by then I had thought through it so much and had so many people give me their input that it was like a normal part of my life already.

All God asks of us is that we trust that He's got it all under control. But don't overlook the little things that He asks you to do at that very moment that may one day affect that future dream that he has placed in your mind. Sometimes we get so caught up in looking for the big things God wants us to do that we overlook the little things.  It’s been almost 6 years since that dream to become a counselor first began to germinate in my mind.  That dream has gone through numerous changes over the years but the heart of it is still the same.

In the verse at the beginning of this entry The leper Naaman had gone to the prophet Elisha to be healed and Elisha told him to go and wash in the dirtiest river there was. Naaman refused and left dejected. It was his servant who said the words at the beginning of this entry telling him he would have done anything to be healed but yet refused to do something as simple as washing in a dirty lake.

We must never think that something we do is not as important as something that someone else does because everything is important in the kingdom of God .  It is God who put dreams in our hearts and He is kind enough to allow us the responsibility and the choice to do what we wish with what we are given.

 

A Word From the Wise(The Wise being God)~ By Nadia

 Dear Nadia,

I have a crush on this really cute guy.  I'm 12 and I know this is natural for my age, but how do I handle it?  I mean, I'm no beginner to the whole boy thing.  I dont date, but I've been having crushes since age two and I got "engadged" about ten years ago.  Back to the current boy.  I only see him at church. We dont' go to the same school.  Sometimes I babysit his baby sister, but that's it.  What do I do?!  How do I handle this?!

 --A Little Confused


Dear A Little Confused,

"Cast your cares on God, for He cares for YOU" (1 Peter 5:7). I've
probably quoted this verse before, but that's because it's super
important! God cares about us with a depth that we can't even begin to
understand. I mean, if He cares about us and knows us so well that
He's even numbered the hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), I know He'll be
with you as you develop relationships with guys and seek His will on
those issues.

Bring everything to God. Sometimes I start to over-think issues or
just focus on them way too much, so what helps me is to just give my
heart and mind up to Him every time I even start thinking about the
issue, no matter how many times it takes (this is one of those 7 times
70 things).

Maybe one thing you can commit to right now is letting God write your
love story. Put the pen in His hands, because He is the best Author in
the universe! If you dedicate your heart to that right now and
continue to pray about it, He will help you and keep you on His path.
God bless you, girl!

Writing Notes to God~ Hogan Stevens

This has been a very stressful year for me. I’ll be a senior after this summer, so I’ve been researching all kinds of colleges and majors. I am sure a lot of you know just what this is like. Super stressful! And doesn’t it sometimes seem like no one really understands what you’re going through when they try to tell you not to stress?

 

Well, Someone understands. And He is the best person you could talk to when you’re feeling down or anxious.

 

And while I’ve found that praying can relax me and help me through the day, I also love communicating to God through another way. I write notes to Him. Most of the time, I’ll write Him a letter in my diary or my prayer journal, but just the other day I heard of another way to write notes.

 

Get a box--any kind you want--and cut a hole in the top. And then, when you are feeling low or just want to talk to Jesus, write out a simple note on a slip of paper and drop it into your prayer box. Keep it next to your bed or on your desk, and once your prayer has been dropped you can know that God has received it. The Lord knows what is best for you and He truly wants to make you happy; just remember that sometimes He has something different in mind than you--and that often times His plan turns out much greater than you could have ever imagined.

 

I know I’ll be dropping several notes into my box! Mostly I think I’ll be asking for patience as I search for the right university, and I definitely will need His guiding hand this coming year and beyond. I am looking forward to filling up my prayer box and--years from now, when I have finally found my way-- I will open it up and sift through the forgotten prayers and marvel at just how God answered them all. Not in my way, but in His perfect will.

Gap Store Review~ Renne Arnold

The GAP is a very popular store that carries mostly casual clothes and is very well known for their sweaters, jeans and flowey tank tops. I went to GAP looking for a semi-casual outfit, somthing you would wear to a picnic or barbeque,  under $100.

 

 

First, I found this adorable striped tank top that is not only cute but also modest as it features thicker straps and has a higher neckline. This tanktop is $22.95.

 

 

I love these shorts becasue they will keep you cool in hot temperatures but they are not revealing or inappropriate. They are made out of canvas so they are very durable and will last a long time which is a good thing becasue they cost $40. These shorts have a very good size range, they are available in 00-20 and GAP also has petite and tall sizes.

 

 

This outfit will look good with just any old rubber orange flip flops but if you want  something a little more upscale, these bright leather flip flops would be a perfect addition. They are $25 and will last a lot longer then plain rubber flip flops.

 

GAP  has a lot of great options for teenage girls. They are a more conservative store so they don't have any clothes that made me cringe. Their clothes are more expensive but they are very high quality so they are worth it if you are willing to pay the price. I highly recommend this store and highly suggest that you check it out.

 

This entire outfit came out to be $88 which is a lor for one outfit but thankfully, all of these pieces can be worn with a lot of other clothes you already own.

 

 

Michelle's Summer Music Picks

Michelle's Summer Music Picks:

For lazy days spent sitting by the pool, for dance parties with friends, and for bonfire-lit evenings, here are some music suggestions to help keep you spirits high.

Albums:
•Jamie Grace - One Song At A Time
This album is full of contemporary beats and rhythms but also creative lyrics packed with solid messages. It is perfect for a sunny summer day.

• Dia Frampton - Red
The close runner-up of the first season of the hit show "The Voice" has recorded an album perfect for a day lounging around the pool. A perfect balance of soulful rhythms and unique tunes makes this entire album feel like a breath of fresh air. But beware, she does throw the "D" word into one of her songs.

Songs:
•Rooftops - Jesus Culture
Listen to this song throughout the summer and it will remind you to make the most of your days by proclaiming His name in everything you do.

• Ready or Not - Britt Nicole (featuring Lecrae)
No matter what you plans are for the summer, this song challenges you to take action to show the love of Christ. The world may be ready or not.

10 Things to do This Summer~ Nataleigh Robinson

10 Things to do in the Summer

 

1. Go to the Beach and soak up some rays

 

2. Build something in the sand

 

3. Start a collection of cool shells or sea glass

 

4. Get up enjoy the early morning sun while it’s still cool

 

5. Go stargazing on a cool night

 

6. Go for a bike ride around town

 

7. Curl up on the porch with a good book

 

8. Get some girl friends together for a backyard campout

 

9. Play in the Sprinkler or turn your backyard play gym into a water slide

 

10. Start a garden

Summer Challenge~ Cassie Stout

 Hey guys! Summer's starting and I want to challenge you on something! :)

 This summer, whether you're at the beach, visiting family, or just spending
all your time at the pool, I want to challenge you to give thanks for even the
smallest things.

  The first part of the challenge is this:

 When you see things like trees, clouds, and water, think about how God
graciously made all these things with so much detail, and still He easily
fit them together to complete His perfect plan.  Take sand for instance.
First think of how many beaches God put in the world.  Next think of how
many grains of sand are on each beach.  Now think of how many molecules
are in each grain of sand.  Amazing isn't it?!  God cares so much!

  The other part is this:

 When you're thinking about those small things, pray and thank God for
blessing us with such wonderful creations.  God Himself says to do so in
Psalm 100:4 "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise:be thankful unto him, and bless his name."  After all, He
deserves it and much more!

  So when you're jumpin' in the water or sittin' in the sand this summer,
don't forget to stop and thank God for all the wonderful blessings He's
given us! :)

Summer Skin Care~ Renee Arnold

Hot and humid summer weather is very harsh on all types of skin. It is also very crucial to have a sunscreen convent in your moisturizer to protect your skin from the sun's ray's.

 

First, you want to make sure that your face lotion is not going to be heavy on your skin because that can be extremely uncomfortable. Look for moisturizers that are described as milks or lotions and try to avoid face moisturizers with petrolatum or dimethicone.

 

Next, you absolutely need to have a SPF in your face moisturizer regardless of where you are going. Even if you are not going to the beach or going to be in direct sunlight, you would be surprised how much the sun's rays can affect you skin. It is not necessary to have a SPF higher then 30 but have at least a 15.

 

I would recommend anything Neutrogena or Olay, if you have sensitive or oily skin, buy accordingly. Both of these brands are very affordable and can be found at any local drugstore or supermarket.

 

Protect you skin this summer and you will be much happier down the road when you have pretty, youthful skin that is free from sun spots and has fewer wrinkles then those who don't take care of their skin.

Rekindled - Tamera Alexander Review by Michelle Pell

On Christmas morning, Kathryn Jennings awakes to find only a note from her husband which read, "Kathryn, gone to northern pastures. Back by week's end."
When a day turns into a week which turns into months, Kathyn is determined to keep up the hope that her husband is still alive. But when her husband's body is found, that hope weakens but she still has a strong feeling that her husband Larson is still alive.

Larson wants to give his wife everything. That's why he has worked so hard to keep their ranch running, despite the hardships he has run into. It is for that reason that he left Christmas morning to seek out a new deal that would help their ranch. Little did he know the great tragedies he would face.

When he returns will Kathyrn be able to look inside to the man he has become and love him? Or will outward circumstances and appearances prevent both their love from flourishing?

Cresent Roll Danishes~ Hogan Stevens

I think I'd better warn you. This recipe is...a splurge recipe. We all deserve to splurge every once in a while, right? At least that's what I am firmly telling myself as I read over this delicious danish recipe. ;)

 

What you'll need:

 

2

2

1

1

1

1

 

Go ahead and crack open your first can of Crescent rolls and lay out a layer on the bottom of your pan.

 

Mix together all of the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 tsp. of vanilla. Spread this over the top of the rolls, and then spread your pie filling over all of it.

 

Now take your second can of Crescent rolls and spread them over the filling.

 

Lastly, take the melted butter and 1/2 cup of sugar mixture and pour it over the top.

 

And you're ready for the oven! Simply follow the baking instructions the rolls call for on the can, baking it until a golden brown.

 

Sounds yummy!

tsp. of vanilla stick of butter (melted) 1/2 cups of sugar can of cherry pie filling 8 oz. cream cheese (softened) cans of Crescent Rolls