Girlfriend Gazette, Magazine 3

Girlfriend Gazette GirlfriendGazette A Giveaway!

From The Flying Crochet Hook.

Standing Alone

By Teresa miller

Debut To

The Girl With The Blue Feather Pen

Another Photo shoot With Nichole ‌. And More!

Winter 2012, Magazine 3

Index Another

6

Photo Shoot With Nichole 16

Debut!

The Girl With The

Blue Feather Pen 14

Thirst and Contentment Monica Miller Debut!

7

TheRecipes, Flying Crochet Hook Crafts, and Sewing Projects, and More From the Mind Of Savannah 7

A Giveaway!

A few lines from “Yours Truly”: Well, once again, here I sit. I’m about to publish the winter volume of the Girlfriend Gazette!

And, once again, I have a whole space to fill of just me rambling. *rubs hands together in anticipation* FUN!

But, instead of rambling on, I’ll just alert you to something very special! Two of my dear friends, Christy Barkman and Savannah Knepp have both started their own columns!

The Flying Crochet Hook, (Savannah Knepp) will have new crafts, recipes, sewing projects and more featured every issue!

(And, Savannah is also a talented at crocheting [thus the title], and is giving one of her superrrrrr cute hats away! So be sure that you don’t miss that!) [Page 7] The Girl With The Blue Feather Pen, (Christy Barkman) will be a section giving us a peak into Christy’s adventures, family, and life in general. (and I’m sure we’ll have lots of laughs along the way!). This issue Christy starts her column by telling you a little about herself, and her family. [Page 16] I also would like to keep you somewhat updated with my life with my new section, It’s a Beautiful, Crazy Life.

And so, on with the magazine!

Monica Miller/Girlfriend Gazette 2950 E. Main St. Canon City CO, 81212

Email: girlfriendgazette@gmail.com Blog: girlfriendgazette.blogspot.com Or “like” the Girlfriend Gazette page on Facebook!

This Month’s Cover Model: Jerica Marie (9) Favorite Thing About Winter: The Snow! Favorite Color: Pink Favorite Winter Treat: Hot Chocolate Three Of My Favorite Things: My Pets, Music and My Art Supplies Sledding or Ice Skating: Ice Skating Favorite Season: Summer Favorite memory from this winter so far: Riding My Dog Anything Would Like To Say To The Reader?: If you are wondering…how I ride the dog… I get the leash and tie it around the trike and then she pulls me around! That’s All!

BEAUTY FOR ASHES -Kelsia BarkmanWhere is beauty?

The beauty that shines with love and radiates true joy and peace?

I long for it.

My heart is broken and bleeding Hurt and seeking ...

Why God? Why has beauty been stolen away?

Or do I not know what true beauty is?

Why has my heart been left in ashes?

Hope is lost, Joy is severed.

Tears fill my soul and I weep, Weep till I can cry no more.

Help me, Jesus.

Help me find beauty that comes from a pure heart And makes my face glow...

Fill me, Jesus, with your love and your peace.

Without your hope I feel lost...

Without peace, there is no calm...

Without joy, sorrow consumes me.

Jesus, you are the essence of beauty.

Your beauty overflows and fills those that follow you.

Take my heart, Beauty for ashes...

Hope for despair...

Joy for sorrow...

You make all things beautiful.

I believe with you all things are possible.

Make me beautiful.

Kelsia Barkman

Give me your true beauty, Jesus.

“

Joy is not the absence of suffering,

but the presence of God.”

Another Photo Shoot With Nichole

The Flying Crochet Hook Recipes, Crafts, and Sewing Projects, and More From the Mind Of Savannah

Oatmeal Hand Scrub Puppy Chow 12 oz. Milk Chocolate chips,

(12 oz.) box Chex Cereal,

1 C. Creamy Peanut Butter,

Powdered Sugar

Homemade Spa Recipe for a gentle hand scrub made from oatmeal, lemon juice and olive oil that leaves your hands nourished and soft

1/2 C.(one stick) Butter, Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter: pour over cereal (in a large bowl). Coat well. In large paper bag, put 1/3 of mixture and coat with powdered sugar (about 1 1/2 cups). Shake well until covered. Lay on cookie sheet to cool. Continue with the rest of Chocolate covered cereal; Keep adding powdered sugar. Let stand for an hour or two. Store in airtight container

2 tsp. oatmeal 1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice 1tsp olive oil add the oatmeal to 1/4 cup water and let stand 10 minutes until oatmeal is softened.

Giveaway!

Savannah’s going to give away one of her super cute hand-crocheted hats!

All you have to do is send Savannah, a recipe, craft, sewing project etc. to: theflyingcrochet@gmail.com and you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway! (all entries must be received by March 1st, 2012)

Add 1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. Olive Oil to oatmeal and mix well.

Rub Mixture into hands and let at and 1-2 minutes.

Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Apply moisturizer to your hands and let soak in 10-15 minutes.

Reading Recomme

endations: Before You Meet Prince Charming: Sarah Mally This book is not just a book that is refreshing (though it is that too), but one that convicts...and one that makes you want to live your life differently.

Sarah Mally writes much like a big sister, lovingly guiding about matters of guarding the heart.

Sarah also teaches very practically… and shows us areas in which can be approved upon, and that grace will be given! (she also teaches from a very godly example...which goes a long ways!)

Through the power of story, the spoken word, and being grounded in scripture this “Guide to radiant purity” is one that should be on every young woman’s shelf!

Lies Young Women Believe: Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh How do we identify those lies that control us?

And even then, how do we break free from them?

After conducting nation-wide surveys and indepth discussions, Dannah and Nancy revealed the top 25 lies believed by the young women of our generation.

Every one of these 25 lies are exposed in the light…and Dannah and Nancy show us practical ways that we can be set free.

This book gives us the hope that, through Christ, truth is more powerful than the deception!

Standing Alone Teresa Miller I can vividly remember lugging my backpack down the dirt trail in a Cambodian jungle village. I took a deep breath as I realized this was going to be our home for the next week. “Think camping, Teresa. Just think camping and you’ll be fine.”

I was fine. We had the stretching experiences of teaching English, tasting chewy roasted cat, praying for the elderly in their huts, and sleeping under mosquito nets. Though I confess, touching our host’s pet python nearly pushed me over the edge.

Who you are outwardly does reflect who you are inwardly. God wants all of us, the inward and outward. But first and foremost standing alone reveals what you believe about God. It is not just standing alone for what you believe…but ultimately WHO you believe.

There is no reason to be ashamed. Even in the confusion of this world – we can trust Him to keep us until the day we see Him face to face! 1 Timothy 1:12 proclaims: “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I During that week Alynn came to our class. She is 18 years old, have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I plays guitar, sings, and likes hugs. She confided that her parents have entrusted to Him until that day.” Standing alone means we are not Christians. When she decided to give her life to Jesus her have to believe in Jesus. father said that she had to choose him or Jesus…she could not have both. With tears in her eyes Alynn told me that it was a Standing Alone means we must deny ourselves and follow our difficult decision, one she didn’t want to make. Finally, she told Lord her father that even though she would always love him, she had You are a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords! That is to love Jesus first. the most beautiful title you will ever possess. I promise it will be a more thrilling dance than you can imagine. But if you are like me, sometimes we want the title and not the responsibility.

We like to set up our little kingdom and make it a comfortable place to live.

Standing alone. We grimace at those two words. But Alynn has shown me a glimpse of the radiant beauty and strength that can come only from standing alone. standing alone means that we have to believe As young women we are bombarded by a culture that is sending many different messages. Sometimes it is hard to know what to believe. What really matters? She is a Christian too, why can’t I do that? Is it really wrong? What does Jesus say? Most likely if we all got together and had a Girlfriend Gazette Shebang we would discover that outwardly we appear to believe different things.

We are often unaware that there is an enemy in the camp and he wants to pull us into his kingdom. He makes us think that popularity, fads, and the “latest” from technology to clothes is what really matters. We forget that Jesus took up a cross – a cross that cost His reputation, friends, popularity, and dreams. He denied Himself and took a stand for the Kingdom of His Father God. Jesus said that “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [Luke 9:23] Standing alone means we must deny ourselves and follow our Lord. We can’t live for ourselves and Him – it’s all or nothing. standing alone means that we live out of love and not fear As I write I’m thinking of many people in the Bible that stood alone. A few examples would be Daniel in the lion’s den, Stephen the first martyr, and Paul the apostle. We admire their bravery to give their lives and do the unthinkable for God. They were not controlled by fear – but rather something much greater – Love.

Fear is often what keeps us from standing alone. Maybe you are not facing or fearing death but we all have fears. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear that we are too much for people, fear

of loneliness (to name a few – I’m sure you could add some of your Alynn’s name beside them. “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the own). These fears are real to us and devastating. When we are afraid strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will we cower in the corner - not stand for Truth. be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil …therefore take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the The good news is that we have a greater power than fear – and that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm,” is love. God is love. His Love in you will cast out your fear for “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” [1 John 4:18] Stand- He has given you everything you need to be fully engaged in the battle for His Kingdom. Most of all He has given Himself. With Him ing alone means that we live out of love and not fear. you will be able to stand. You were chosen to be set apart for His standing alone means that you have to stand and not sit down Kingdom – it is more glorious than anything we can imagine. I pray We will never grow strong if we stay in the protection of our highest you will experience the same grace and joy that Stephen, Daniel, castle tower and never go where we are required to stand for what Paul, and Alynn did when you stand alone…and I pray above all that we believe. Don’t be afraid of surrounding yourself with people that you will stay strong in Jesus. believe differently than you do. If we are always with people like us we will be like a robot and not know what or Who we’re standing for.

To stand alone is not to become like a bronze war-veteran statue that says, “I survived now stand and gawk at me!” No, it says, “I live and fight for something greater and will passionately love and serve Him and His people forever!”

When you stand alone, our All-Seeing God promises He will always be with you. You are never alone. He will give you the love, words, strength, and wisdom to tell others about Him and His Kingdom. But the simple fact is that you have to stand - you cannot stand alone and sit down at the same time.

As I was hugging Alynn goodbye in Cambodia she tearfully whispered, “Stay strong in Jesus.” I was humbled. I have never had to make a decision between my dad and Jesus. Who am I that she tells me to stay strong?

I have since highlighted some verses from Ephesians and penned in

It’s a Beautiful, Crazy

Life snap-shots from my journey

Thirst and Contentment Monica Miller “God I long for your presence, why do you feel so far away right now?”

I sit there, feeling completely alone. I’m frustrated. I’ve been praying for so long for God to reveal himself to me...for him to change me.

It feels like day after day I seek God, yet, He never responds.

Why would God want me to stay at the same level in my relationship with Him? I want to go deeper…yet it almost appears that He doesn’t.

Then He seems to ask me, “Monica… are you hungry for me, or are you simply discontented?”

Yes. Yes, I am discontented. Why didn’t I realize it before?

Then I turn back to my journal and write, “God, I want to hunger, to thirst...not be discontented. Give me contentment.”

Delight. Delight in me Monica.

Yes, Yes Jesus. I choose to delight in you!

Once again I pick up my pen and begin to write the things I love about God in my journal.

God you are: Holy, righteous, artistic, compassionate, loving, patient, majestic, mighty, smart, wise, powerful, spot-less, just…

I continue on and on, listing some of the things I love about Him. ...my redeemer, creator of the heavens, my lover, warrior, present here, glorified, peace-giver, my father, dream-giver, King of Kings…

And then Peace.

Peace that passes all my understanding.

And contentment.

gle. (Is. 40:31) Because, you know, if God is our heart’s desire then of course we are going to want to know Him more! We are going to want to be more like Him. I definitely am not saying this to give you a comfortable feeling. I’m not saying, “Hey, you’ll just be discontent...so why try?” (No, in all bluntness, waiting on God is sometimes very… uncomfortable.)

I only say this to tell you to delight in where you are and yet hold on to hope for what is to come.

Contentment in knowing Him, in being His.

Yes. Seek the Lord. Search Him. DESIRE HIM. But rest.

Contentment like I haven’t felt in a very long time.

Go to Him...He’ll give you the thirst (because, when you go to Him, you’ll get to know Him… and so you will want more of Him)...and the contentment.

————— It’s so easy— too easy— to fall into discontentment… discontentment at where I am at with my relationship with Christ.

Sometimes, I get so caught up with where I want to be, that I forget to thank Him for where I am.

And besides, if God always gave me what I want when I want it, where would waiting on Him come in? And I don’t know about you but I don’t want to miss out on soaring like an Ea-

I leave with two verses God has given me in the last few days: “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” -Galatians 5:5 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (emphasis added)

The Girl With The

Blue Feather Pen

C HRISTY B ARKMAN My name is Christina Celise Barkman.

moment of every day.

His favorite quote that he made up the other night: Sadness Knoweth not the Heart of a Happy Man.

My Elder Sister Cherie Clarae (18), is my best-friend, confidant, partner-in-crime, Christina is Latin for Follower of Christ. basically-my-all -'round-hero, and inspirI can't find the meaning for Celise, but people say it probably came from Celeste ing-person. which means heavenly.

My Elder Brother (by only 11 months, I'm And while you're trying to figure out And I really don't know what Barkman proud to say) Zachary Raymont (16) But whether it's ridiculously obvious or means, but it's probably German or he would appreciate it if you would call whether there is potential for a poet or a something for "Man Who Barks Like him Seggary.

Dog". (joke.)

He's definitely my Anyway, that's how I’m called, known, partner in crime, the and talked to. getter-of-my-lameThe real me? jokes, and my hero.

Well, I want to be a true "follower of (Basically everyone in Christ". my family inspires that’s my heart, me, just clearing that my desire, my hope. up.)

Chloe

My Younger brother Trevor Wesley (13) challenges me in all things tom-boyish.

When he plays sports, he almost always gets hurt, because of his ability to put his ALL into what he's doing.

His giggle is ridiculously infectious.

ry a h c a Z

sty Mich Chri ael

e eri Ch

I have done a few things in this magazine before, but I guess this one is for REAL. so, if you are going to have to be reading my column for the next ___ years, then you should probably know a wee bit more about me.

Trevor

speaker, the next up is my Youngest Sister, Chloe Chantelle.

She's sweeter than honey, she tells me stories about princesses who live in casI live in a family of eight. (counting mytles made of pink flowers, she giggles, self.) she imagines, she plays with her cat, she My father Gaylord is my teacher, preach- My Other Younger Brother Michael Brady has an incredible soft heart, she brighter, role model, and poet.

(10, I think. heh heh) is the ultimate dyens our lives.

I don't really know if I should state his namite in our family.

There they are.

He's our crazy brother who never thinks age.

My family. anything is too difficult or impossible to I shall restrain myself.

My heroes. do, like riding a bicycle with both hands The ones who have shaped my life the full of jello, or getting his little sister to My mother Celesta is my teacher, role most. ride down the basement stairs on her model, and instructor in how to live my So, if I freak you out a bit, you can blame tricycle, or managing to be moving every life in a God-glorifying way. it on them.

Now, for my first... ...whatever it is... is just getting to know me.

And I have this book that I wrote billions (okay, not billions) of random questions, that I bring to random social gatherings and force my waanderful friends at pen-point to answer.

So, just to take some of my own medicine, I shall answer most of them as a Get-To-Know-Me Quiz thing.

Hmm . . .

Question #1: How Do You Feel About Records?

...On a scale of 1-10, i'd say an eight.

A whisk.

Because he stirs things up, he's fun and wacky, and he's unique.

Question #5: How Important are Shoes to You? Hmm...

I like them.

I think that they're a fun link to the past. Me and Monica col- Question #6: Would You Babysit Someone You Don't Know? yes. I'm actually getting a babysitting/nannying job with lect them.

Cherie in Beach City even though we don't have record players. to two little children named Kayle and Travis. which some people would think strange.

We haven't met Travis yet, and we're probably starting next anyway. week.

Question #2: What Comes to Mind When You See the Word "FAMILY"?

(That's definitely a prayer request.)

love, inside jokes, embarrassing moments, fun, adventure, hot

Question #7: Purple Glasses, or Green Contacts?

and cramped road trips,

Purple Glasses, because if I would start wearing green con-

music, laughter, family devotions, prayers, sarcasm . . .

tacts, everyone would be a little weirded out because they know I have brown eyes.

Question #3: What is One Thing You Would Change About the World?

I would bring Revival.

Which would change almost everything.

heh heh.

Question #8: Would you Rather receive a Letter or a FB Message?

Are you kidding?

Abortion. Starvation. Cheating. Lying. Stealing. Murder. Back- a letter. stabbing. Music. Movies.

Question #9: Would you Rather have a Banquet, or a Picnic?

Question #4: If Your Father Would be a Kitchen Utensil, Which Would He Be?

Probably a Picnic.

Ohmyword, I haven't had a true Picnic in a long time.

Question #10: Would you be more Satisfied if You Only Got the One Thing you Wanted Most, or the Billion Other Things?

I think the billion other things. even though you would have the big thing nagging at you . . .

Question #11: What Would You Want Your Last Words to be?

Hm. Cherie wants hers to be "I left a . . million . . dollars under . . . the . . " eh heh.

I don't know. something inspiring and hopeful and cheerful and poetry-ful, i guess.

Question #12: What Do You Want the Personality of Your Last Child to be?

Question #19: What do You Want to Accomplish in 2012?

Hm. I think Bright and Sweet.

Question #13: On Average, How Often do you Randomly Burst into Song During the Week?

Oh wow, I have no clue.

Fifty times?

35 times?

Forty times?

Question #14: (these are no longer question found in my book) How Tall Are You?

I want to be bolder.

I want to make more of a difference.

I want to be a "good example, instead of a horrible warning".

I want to lead people to Him. I want to challenge myself more, and others.

So, there's a tiny little bit about me, about my life, dreams, and goals.

The last time I was measured, I was Four Foot Ten. Don't laugh.

Question #15: What are Three Things that can Always be Found in Your Fridge?

Ranch.

Lettuce.

Jam.

Question #16: What Am I Doing Tomorrow?

Well, I guess I'll count today as tomorrow, 'cause it's only 12:35 AM. It's actually my 16th Birthday.

So, Cherie and some of my friends are going out for lunch, and then to SALLY'S. (a.k.a. Salvation Army. Yes, I do shop at second hand stores.)

And then we have Small Groups.

(YAY!! I heart our Small Group.)

Question #17: What Do You Miss Most About Being a Kid? The Wide-eyedness; the ability to see miracles in the little, obvious things that i never think about. The ability to make every day the best day of their life.

Question #18: If You Could be Any Fictional Character, Which Would You be?

Hmm... Probably Anne Shirley, of Anne of Green Gables.

Her ability to make everything special and new, her dreamy wistfulness, her fiery spirit, and her imaginativeness.

I am pretty excited about this whole "My Column" Thing.

I hope to get to know you guys better.

If you have any questions, comments, criticisms, encouragements, etc.etc.etc., email me at browneyed996@gmail.com.

Or you also stalk me at www.sinkhappysoughts.blogspot.com.

(I do love blog readers. ;) God bless you guys incredibly in the next year.

May you learn to trust Him in Every Aspect of your life, and to go to Him when you are confused, distressed, angry, sad, or even if something just happened to make you smile.

Signing off, The Girl with the Blue Feather Pen.

Girlfriend Gazette January 2012– To God be the glory