Girlfriend Gazette - - Winter 2014

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G i r l f r i e n d G a z e t te Winter 2014

I Now Follow

Simone’s Testimony

Winter Photo Challenge Hot Drink Mixes For Crisp Winter Nights

Brittany Kuepher

Smiling Jesus

Ruffle Scarf Tutorial

THE INDEX 20 Winter Photo Challenge

in this issue

6 In Loving Memory of Anja Anja lived a powerful life… she did not loudly demand to be seen but silently served others with a joyful heart.

8 Beauty over Ashes I’ve known for a long time that God takes people through journeys of pain for a reason, but looking at someone else’s pain is nothing like going through it myself.

16 Hot Drink Mixes A few delicious drinks for those crisp winter nights.

20 Chayil: Clothed in Scarlet Femininity and modesty are not just things of the outward appearance, but when they are truly inward, they flow from the inside out.

34 Smiling Jesus I could clean much faster if there weren’t so many pictures all over the professor’s house.

HELLO, GIRLFRIEND! This winter has been very different from any other winter I’ve experienced.

Instead of snowmen and icicles outside my window there are palm trees, orchids, and sun rays.

I moved to Thailand almost oneyear ago… before then I was a Colorado girl. Yes mountains, ski slopes, and snow. I would’ve never have imagined then that a year later when it hit the 60s I would wrap up in blankets, put on a jacket, and quietly try to figure out if my family moved to the artic instead of warm, tropical Thailand.

We’re now mid-way into January. Everything that happened in December came to a climax on Christmas day and now that those festivities are over and the vigor from creating a New Years Resolutions list is beginning to wear off life can begin to feel very monotonous and well, just plain blah.

But do you remember about a month ago? When we were all full of joyous songs of the Savior’s gift to us? Do remember the wonderment we felt at God being with us?

God is still with us. And He will be with us through every joy and every sorrow that this next year holds.

Let’s remember that today and thank Him for it and continue to rejoice in all that He has done... all year long!

Praying God’s Blessings Upon You,

Monica

About Us Monica Miller Editor in Chief | Layout I am 17 and live with my family in the tropical land of Thailand. Jesus is my reason for everything. My heart beats to know Him, and to be near Him. I seek to live a life of holiness and faith that pleases Him. This magazine is His and I’m excited that I get to be a part of it!

I love to dream big and chase dreams. I love all things elegant, colors that are happy, musicals, God’s Word, gift-giving, peppermint tea, and dill pickles.

Christy Barkman Creative Assistant I am an people-person; outgoing and ready for LIVING. I desire to be a "little-Christ", one who does as He did, one who loves Him so much that nothing will come in the way of honoring and imitating Him. Learning to linger over little moments and love them to their core is my passion. Polaroid memories, worn journals and piles of pens, marked-up Bibles, COLOR, coffee-shop atmosphere and heart talks, thrift store shopping, interesting buildings, childhood pictures and videos, kindred spirits and paint samples are some of my favorite things.

Janae Miller Guest Writer I have lived in Kansas for all of my 17 years and love the people here, but someday I hope to travel across seas. I love Jesus and He is everything to me. I also love kids, my family, and friends. I enjoy art, music, writing, coffee shops, rain, going barefoot, stargazing, traveling, my youth group, being staff at RISE Kids Church (check us out on Facebook!), and just hanging out with wonderful people.

Brittany Kuepher Guest Writer I was born 16 years ago to world's best parents, Luke and Amy Kuepfer, and have been living in an amazing adventure ever since! I have two crazy younger siblings that have accompanied me so far on my story, and you can often find us playing soccer, rook, or doing something really stupid together. My life is based on a sole foundation--Jesus Christ. He is the author of my life--my best friend, and my solid rock. I'm finishing up my senior year in high school and am eager to see what God has in store for me throughout the days ahead. I love glitter, teacups, chocolate, books, and mountains. I will obnoxiously sing you a song, exaggerate the reenacting of an entire play, and talk until every word in the English dictionary has been used extensively. I live for God alone. He is life!

Simone Weaver Guest Writer If you have to call me by my name, I would prefer if you called me Simon with an e! [My love for Anne of Greene Gables just slipped out to you all] I am seventeen. There is nothing better to do on a Saturday night than to have coffee and a long chat with a friend. I love making new friends. Snail mailing is a hobby of mine. Skyping does my heart good, when talking to a friend in a distant land. I have a passion and desire to use my love and skill for writing to honor my Father in Heaven. I have fallen in love with quotes. I am currently involved in a city kids Ministry and love it. I love to see how alive God is in the kid’s lives and in my own heart and life. My family and all my cute little nieces and nephews add much fun and memories to my life. Above all, I am trying to abandon all the unnecessary parts of life and be totally sold out and used by God. I am trying to be a FOLLOWER and not a FAN.

In Loving Memory of Anja She was always the first one out of the house to meet us. It didn’t matter how many times we made our way to the Kansas plains we knew Anja would be there with big hugs, lots of laughter and tons of excitement over the good cousin times ahead.

She was a fun playmate. As little girls we imagined all sorts of things, had tea parties, pushed each other high on the hammock, made mud pies and played endless hours of “house”.

She was a steadfast confidant. As we got older we’d stay up late into the night dreaming of the future, giggling, sharing struggles, and talking about nothing until our words were all slurred together and we were nodding off to sleep.

Our times of sharing with each other were so precious. Anja had a thirst for righteousness, a pure heart and was totally in love with Jesus. She had a silent way of influencing me and loyally being there for me no matter what.

Anja lived a powerful life in her eighteen years. She did not loudly demand to be seen but silently served others with a joyful heart. She loved people, and even though she wasn’t one to put herself in the forefront, she was the life of every party.

The pain of Anja not being with us is excruciating.

But I am grateful that all of the things I say Anja was, Anja still is. Because even though we are not with her now, Anja is still beautiful, pure, loyal, fun-loving, and joyful... only now she lives out all those things in perfection with the One whom she lived her life for.

Anja, I love you. I am so grateful that I had the honor of growing up beside you.

Each and every memory is so, so precious to me. I miss you more than I can say in words. When it’s finally my turn to join you, Anja, I know you’ll be the first one at the door to meet me with excitement and a big hug. Till then—Monica

Janae Miller

Beauty

I can know and believe that Jesus will turn it around for good. I don’t always know how He will do it, but I must learn to choose beauty over ashes.

How I respond to every situation, be it painI’ve known for a long time that God takes peo- ful or healing, determines if I will let it have a ple through journeys of pain for a reason, but part in shaping me into someone beautiful or looking at someone else’s pain is nothing like someone hard. Yet even when I do make misgoing through it myself. My journey of late has takes, Jesus still redeems. Then I can again been one of pain, tears, questions, and faith choose beauty over ashes. shaking experiences, yet it is all washed in God’s No matter what season you are going beautiful grace. through, you can learn to choose beauty over There are many different experiashes. It may even just be the little ences, people, places and situations God promised things from day to day. Sometimes we all face and go through in this I am so sure that I am right or that to give you the life; some happy and some sad, I need to have something a certain some hard and some easy, some desire of your way, but if I could just learn to regood and some bad. Yet all of them spond like Jesus, I could choose heart, so when have some degree of influence on beauty instead of ashes. If I could who we are. Some of them shape us learn to love others like Jesus does, you desire for the better, while sadly, others set I could choose beauty over ashto respond like us back. es. If I would do exactly what JeMy life has obviously never been Jesus… He will sus wants me to do right when He perfect, but I had an incredibly easy wants me to do it, I could choose honor and fulfill life before tragedy entered in. Sure, beauty over ashes. When I do I had normal battles in the Christian that desire for things like Jesus and when I am like walk, trials I had to deal with from Jesus, there will be beauty, beHis daughter. day to day, and attacks of the enecause Jesus is beauty. Even if it my. Though my world had never bewas meant for bad, and life seems fore been shaken with excruciating pain like it as “ashy” as it could get, Jesus can still bring was when my close friend and cousin died inbeauty in and around you. th stantly in a car accident on September 10 of Jesus loves us just the way we are, but He this year. The hurt has been deeper and more doesn’t want to leave us like that. He continualpainful than I ever knew before, and sometimes ly brings things into our lives to stretch, mold, it feels more like I am just surviving than thrivand shape us into the beautiful people that He ing. wants us to become, but we have to let Him do Yet through it all, my desire is for Jesus to His work in us because He doesn’t force it on make me more beautiful. I don’t always feel us. God promised to give you the desire of your beautiful, and I’m sure I don’t always look beau- heart, so when you desire to respond like Jesus, tiful as I cry and question, but I know that Jesus love like Jesus, and be like Jesus, He will honor can make me and the ugliness of the pain and fulfill that desire of His precious daugharound me into something beautiful. ter. It is then that you are choosing beauty over Whatever comes against me as meant for evil, ashes.

Over Ashes

THE FLYING CHROCHET HOOK

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies & Maple Hot Chocolate

“These are seriously some of the best cookies I have ever made!” -Savannah

SAVANNAH KNEPP

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

Maple Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 C. Shortening

Submitted by Sierra Herr

1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

Âź cup sugar

1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 tablespoon baking cocoa

1 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 C. White Sugar

Âź cup hot water

1 1/2 Tsp Salt

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

3 Eggs

4 cups milk

3 C. flour

1 teaspoon maple flavoring

3 Tsp Vanilla 3 C. Oatmeal 3 T. Milk Directions: Beat Shortening, Sugars, Eggs, Milk and Vanilla together until creamy. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in oatmeal. Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Yields 6 Dozen. You may add 1 Cup chocolate chips or chopped pecans.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 12 large marshmallows In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in hot water and butter; bring to a boil. Add the milk, maple flavoring, vanilla, and 8 marshmallows. Heat through, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows are melted. Ladle into mugs and top each with a marshmallow. Yield: 4 servings

I Now Follow “I don’t want to be lukewarm now or when Jesus comes back.

I don’t want to be a fan…

I want to be a follower of Jesus.”

THIS IS MY TESTIMONY

I Now Follow My favorite verse, “And they overcame him by the call] a sold out FAN of my Father, Jesus Christ. blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.”

It didn’t really hit home till later in the summer. I I had gone through the process of being a Christian as had made amends with my Father Jesus. He had taken my broken, fan-lived life and made me completely a child. I always knew what was expected of me in church and house rules/standards. Most of all, I knew undone before Him. He didn’t just forgive me. He gave me the promise that I can have victory over my how to be a pretty good actor of going through the burdens. He promised that He wouldn’t leave me or motions. I would raise my voice in worship, when I was expected to and give prayer requests concerning forsake me. He promised me that if I live faithfully… the needs of friends. My dad had part in the Ministry I will receive Heaven. God is so, so good. at Church, and I didn’t want to let anyone down by After reading the book, Not a Fan by Kyle Idelman, “not being his good-little-daughter.” I put up a big I was hooked. His words were on target. As I read front for most of my life. I wasn’t willing to be vulthis book, it hit home. I have never read a book nerable and honest with life situations. [besides the Bible], that has impacted my life like The 2012-2013 school year had flown by. The sum- Kyle’s book. Since I love, love quotes: I had to print mer heat had arrived back into my corner of the coun- quotes from the book to hang up on my picture/ quote wall to remind me to be a follower and not a fan. The try. I was away from my Mennonite School. My friends didn’t seem to care, what I would be up to this morning I read this passage in the book, I stopped abruptly. I was in shock. This quote totally described summer. No one was watching to see, if I lived out my lifestyle before reading this book. “How did he my Christian life. [I thought. I was so wrong. People watch. People know, I needed to read it this morning?” It was God. God had given him the inspiration to write these know.] Friend’s emails would words for a little, Mennonite girl living in Lancaster flood my inbox with long It was a “epistles” on trying to allow County. It reads, continual battle… my mind to grasp that sin is ungodly and just an evil “These religious types were the fans that Jesus seems to have I wanted one foot thing to give your time the most trouble with. Fans who will walk into a restaurant and away to. I was so in the Church and [dreadfully] stubborn. bow their heads to pray before a meal just in case someone is I hated the thought of givone foot in the watching. Fans who won’t go to R-rated movies at the theater, ing in and admitting my world. You can’t wrong. It almost killed me but have a number of them saved on their DVR at home. Fans to contemplate that. How do it. who may feed the hungry and help the needy, and then they could someone else be right make sure they work it into every conversation for the next two and I be wrong?

weeks. Fans who make sure people see them put in their offerSigh. In my heart, I knew all along the other people in my life were correct. I just refused ing at church, but they haven’t considered reaching out to their to believe it. Conviction would come. Ever since I neighbor who lost a job and can’t pay the bills. Fans who like was growing up, I would ignore the invitation. Your heart pounds, loudly. [You are certain the whole pew seeing other people fail because in their minds it makes them had to hear your heart beating away.] I always came look better. Fans whose primary concern in raising their chilup with a petty excuse. I would always think about dren is what other people think. Fans who are reading this and doing it later in the comforts of my own home without the whole congregation laying eyes on me. It is assuming I’m describing someone else. Fans who have worn sometimes painful and embarrassing to be honest the mask for so long they have fooled even themselves.” with ourselves and others. Girls, I was being [what I

FROM SIMONE WEAVER God had taken that quote. He had challenged me in almost all of those areas [to be 100% honest.] It was a continual battle the Lord had me on in surrendering my desire to have one foot in the Church and one foot in the world. You can’t do it. In fact, I want to strive to live for my Creator each and every day. I don’t want to be lukewarm now or when Jesus comes back.

I don’t want to be a fan, and know every detail about Jesus and pretend to be a Jesus-Freak. I want to be a sold out follower of my God. I want to die daily. In every word or action, I want to be a follower of Jesus.

I want to walk in His footsteps. Another quote by Kyle Idelman says this,

Dear Friend, I want each of you to follow Jesus with a heart that desires to be reckless for Him and seeks for a closer relationship with God. Some of you may be wondering about life for me, now...

God has just been so amazing to me. I don’t think, I could find the words to describe his love for me and his forgiveness. It is just so awesome to see Him work. My passions are kids ministry, chatting with friends in struggles, and spending time with God. The journey of following God hasn't all been like sipping into an iced mocha latte’. Sometimes, it has just been “Following Jesus is a 24 hour a day commitment that will inter- tough. It has been many questions. Tears. Pain. God sends those hard times, that we can grow closer to fere with your life.” I want it to interfere with my life like mad. I God. God has an amazing plan. You just have to cling want Following Jesus to become more popular. What can you to Him and follow his leading

and I do to make it more common among the Christian teenagContinue to Follow Jesus. ers of today? How can you and I follow Jesus in life?”

What is your story? What has Jesus done

I encourage you to be on fire for God. If you are being a fan IT IS NOT WORTH IT.

that you want to shout out? Send your stories and testimonies along with a photo of you (and if you have any, photos that accompany your story) to: girlfriendgazette@gmail.com

Hot Drink Mixes For Crisp Winter Nights

Cappuccino Mix 2 c. coffee creamer 2 c. French vanilla creamer 2 c. dry milk 3 T. instant chocolate drink mix 3/4 c. instant coffee 1 1/2 c. white sugar 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. nutmeg 1/4 t. salt Stir together all ingredients. Store mix in airtight container. When ready to drink add 2-3 T of mix to a mug of hot water. Note: When I make cappuccino I usually blend it after I am done making it!

Chai Mix 1 C. nonfat dry milk powder 1 C. powdered non-dairy creamer 1 C. French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer 2 1/2 C. white sugar 1 1/2 C. unsweetened instant tea 2 tsp. ground ginger 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. ground cardamom (optional) In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.

Stir 2 heaping tablespoons of Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.

Quote Time

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our hearts

until

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in God

Chayil

Life as the Woman of Proverbs 31 VOLUME 3 : TUTORIAL AND INTERVIEW TRICIA AND CLARISSA MILLER

RuffleScarf a tutorial 1. Cut two strips 8" wide and 56" long (28" on fold).

2. Melt the raw edges lightly so they don't fray.

3. Sew one end of the two pieces together (so you have 1 long strip).

4. Sew a gathering stitch down the center.

5. Gather it to till it is your preferred length.

6. Knot the ends.

7. Sew a good tight stitch over the gathering stitch to keep the gathers from moving.

8. You’re done!

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“She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.�

Femininity and modesty are not just things of the outward appearance, but when they are truly inward, they flow from the inside out.

Interview Tricia & Clarissa Girlfriend Gazette: What are a few of your favorite things?

Tricia: I have many favorite things. A few of them would be; Spending time alone with God, Admiring the little embellishments of life, creating and experimenting in the kitchen, designing dresses and outfits, playing piano, and having uplifting talks with some of my amazing girlfriends.

Clarissa: The sound of laughter, the taste of something sweet, trees in bloom shedding their petals, the smile of little child, the ground covered in perfect white snow, a long chat with a good friend, and the excitement of receiving a gift.

GG: Which is your favorite kind of weather?

Tricia: A cool rainy day and a big thunderstorm once in a while... yes, I live in dry Kansas. :-) Clarissa: It's a hard call, but I love summer!

GG: Imagine you have a free round trip ticket to anywhere in the world… where are you going?

Tricia: After stopping by Thailand, I would to tour Europe.

Clarissa: I think I'd go to Israel.

GG: What three adjectives would you

use to describe yourself?

Tricia: Bubbly, sporadic and friendly.

Clarissa: Joyful, gentle, and secretly spunky.

GG: What’s your favorite drink?

Tricia: Umm which ONE??? Ooo... I guess I'll take Hot Chocolate with a tiny touch of cinnamon.

Clarissa: Caramel Frappé.

GG: What’s your hobby?

Tricia: photography. I kinda took a break from it for a while, but I really like it.

Clarissa: Creating art.

GG: Night owl or morning bird?

Tricia: that's hard, I can kinda be either one depending what I want to do. maybe more of a night owl.

Clarissa: Night Owl!

Holy Gods daughter. Ask God for a picture of who He made you to be and make sure it lines up with what He says in the Bible, then act like it, dress like it, and keep that in mind when taking care of yourself. You were created to reflect GG: Where do you go to rest and rethe glory (or beauty) of God. Not for evelax… and what do you do? ryone in the world to enjoy, but to be a Tricia: I go to my room, and think. reflection of God if even in a small and Clarissa: Sit in the living room and watch broken way. Often we movie, while drinking an iced coffee. mess things up with the choices we make, holding GG: What item in your closet do you grudges, filling ourselves wear most? with our own idea of beauTricia: My favorite green dress! It's prac- ty instead of Gods perfect tical and has a little bit of style. beauty. If we mean Clarissa: Probably my brown sleeveless enough to God that He dress, because it's a neutral color that would die for us, why goes with so many different tops. wouldn’t we wrap ourselves in His way of beauGG: What has God been teaching you ty? You will have to search recently? for yourselves to find out Tricia: That being broken is good. what that beauty looks like.

Clarissa: God really does want us to I dare you to… It's breathpray boldly and to ask with faith. Not just taking. hardly ask because I’m not sure if it's God's will… I think that attitude in my life 2. Why it’s Important to Man has been my excuse for a lack of faith.

We definitely want God's will in all areas The deepest form of but that doesn't mean that God's will is beauty is beauty of the the default of not asking or praying, we heart, its most breathtaking need to pray and ask to pursue what the for it is extremely rare. will of God is for our lives.

What we show on our body is—whether we think GG: What Bible verse has stood out to about it or not—a direct you recently? reflection of what is in our Tricia: Psalms 15 hearts. Your clothes are Clarissa: “And whatsoever ye shall ask like signs that tell people in my name, that will I do, that the Father what to think about you. may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall Girls, care about the guys around you. ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Guys don't control what they think of you, John 14:13-14 you control what they think of you. The clothes you wear are like signs, signs GG: What 5 things would be on your that say so many things, good and bad gratitude list for today? things like "I know who I am", "I don't like Tricia: Warmth, Loving family, clothes, who I am" or "pay attention to this” and Chai Tea, and a sewing machine. Not to there can be a thousand other things our mention a patient little brother who is clothes say. Not doing things Guys don't waitng on me to get done with this. like is a great way to respect them. ModClarissa: A hot shower, a sister who esty and purity go hand in hand in the makes delicious chai tea, the fact that I eyes of all the good men around you.

3. What about me? stayed warm last night, a wood stove (okay, so it's been really cold recently :-) You know the thrill you have when you and fabric that I can make clothes out of. get into the Christmas spirit? Bellowing out carols at the top of our lungs, joyfully GG: Do you have a tip or two you spreading cheer to neighbors and gratewould like to share with the young fully treasuring Jesus in our hearts. Then woman reading this on dressing with there's the Christmas decorations! Sparkfemininity and modesty? ly white angels, green wreaths with red Tricia: I think it's helpful to remember 3 berry's and gold ribbon. These all are the things when it comes to dressing with things that we feel when we get wrapped femininity and modesty: up in the Christmas Spirit. Yet they do not bring the Christmas Spirit. It's the spirit of Christmas that makes it Christ1.Why it's Important to God. Learn in your heart what it means to be a mas. Settling just for the decorations is

like settling for the pretty wrapping paper and not the gift. Even when we're not feeling it sometimes we can forget about it cause we are surrounded with all the sights and sounds.

It's the same with femininity. We can get all wrapped up in new skirts, and scarves that really make your outfit pop…. and yet we can still lack the Spirit of beauty (God's idea of beauty). The thing that brings all the joy and makes us feel alive is knowing God deep in our hearts. It's not just a feeling, it's the truth. The truth of who God made His cute little girls to be… they are His, no one else's. I call this the Spirit of Modesty. Forget your frumpy old ideas. Modesty is like the spirit we want to have at Christmas time and femininity like the decorations.

You can have one without the other but it's just doesn't seem right. To really have the spirit God wants for His girls, we first must know Jesus, and be overwhelmed in the joy of Him and what He means. Our natural expression as woman is to be feminine. Lets not for get the spirit because we're caught up in the wrapping.

You were created to reflect the glory of God. Not for everyone in the world to enjoy, but to be a reflection of God if even in a small and broken way.

Clarissa: Femininity and modesty are not just things of the outward appearance, but when they are truly inward, they flow from the inside out.

GG: What one thing would you like to say to the young woman reading this?

Tricia: Find your worth in our Father God. Not in any person on earth. Not in any thing on earth. He alone will satisfy everything in you.

Clarissa: Dressing in a feminine, modest and tasteful way is always truly beautiful.

Winter Photo

CHALLENGE from you

BRITTANY

MARY

BR

ROSA SARAH

RITTANY

JOY

JOY (including the two bottom photos)

MARY

KARLITA

The Next Challenge: B&W The next issue’s photo challenge is Black and White. Join the fun by sending your B&W photo to girlfriendgazette@gmail.com by March 1, 2014.

By Christy Barkman

The Girl With The

Blue Feathered Pen It is that time again. Magazine time.

My life recently has been ... odd; a bunch of mishaps and a few times were I could have been seriously hurt, or killed.

One story shortened a bit, the other day I had a bike accident.

Which (because I had no phone and hadn't memorized any numbers) resulted in me being away from home for around four hours with my parents knowing something was wrong, and having no idea where I was.

I guess some of the moral from that story is to try to be a kinder stranger.

He wasn't involved in the accident at all; he could've just patted my shoulder and walked away, leaving me to watch the person swatting flies away from their open wound by myself.

It's easier to be kind to kind people.

How often do we miss out on an experience simply because "We're not involved," "I don't know them," "It's not my problem," and etc.

Okay, normally we won't have the opportunity to The accident was my fault, which makes the whole help someone who just had an accident, thing worse. or something extremely serious.

I wasn't very hurt; I just have scratched up elbows But we still don't have a good excuse to not be that are trying to heal. available.

One of the people who was on the bike that I hit Let each of you look not only to his own interests, went to the hospital (it was more painful than seribut also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:4 ous), and so we were at the scene for a while waiting for the ambulance. There was a super nice man But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, who sat with me, who knew English.

It's incredible how someone just knowing your language can change the situation into something a whole lot less black and dreary.

yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

He went and bought gummy coca cola (don't ask how it tasted, let's just say I was mostly eating it to be polite) and sat there feeding me those things.

We've got God, people.

- 1 John 3:17

Let's show it.

He got me water for my elbows, iced water to drink (for the record, it really helps to gulp cold water rapidly when you're about to burst into tears), asked me questions, and just sat there giving me moral support.

barefoote.wordpress.com

Smil

ling Jesus

By Brittany Kuepher

My mom and I have a cleaning job at a seminary professor’s house in Wilmore.

Before I say any more, there needs to be one thing cleared up: I am not fast at cleaning. Yes, as shocking as that might be to you, it’s true. I think I could clean much faster if there weren’t so many pictures all over the professor’s house. I seriously can identify every one of their children and grandchildren. If something new has changed or a new picture has been added I can tell right away.

This is really quite horrible actually. Really. My poor mother slaves away while I’m observing which of the professor’s grandchildren have the darkest hair color.

What’s the point in me telling you thing? Let me explain—I dust, (this is vital information) and the room that takes the longest time to dust is the seminary professor’s room.

Two of his walls are massive book shelves, *groan* but you know what?

I’ve always loved that room. Why? Maybe it’s the vast number of books he has, or maybe it’s just the fact that all his books look like they came from the 1700’s (they’re old, leather bound,

I could clean much faster

pictures all ov

if there weren’t so many

ver the professor’s house.

and peeling. Lovely, really, if you think about it.) maybe it’s the large office chair looking so stately at the kingly desk, or it possibly could be that he owns a stash of Frank Peretti books.

Whatever the case is, I love that room!

But there is a special picture I like in that room. No, it’s not of his grand kids, or his kids, or even him and his wife! It’s a picture of Jesus.

know. But this isn’t the normal picture you see of Him. He’s not looking extremely formal, with a serious gaze to the top left corner. Nope, this Jesus is smiling. In fact, He’s laughing! He’s got a goblet in one hand and is simply exploding with laughter!

You know why I like that picture so much? Because That’s who MY Jesus is! That’s Him! Joy simply etched Now right about this time you all across every muscle of His face! That’s are yawning and pulling out popcorn, who I want to spend my eternity with. thinking “Well duh Brittany, obviously Someone Whom I can laugh with. the cool picture will be of Jesus.” I Someone Who doesn’t carry around a

“That’s Him! Joy simply etched across every muscle of His face! That’s who I want to spend my eternity with.” book marking down every time I sneeze incorrectly. Someone Who knows the meaning of JOY and LAUGHTER because He created it!

and scream (a good, happy scream) that they love Jesus? Duh, no. They really seem as if they have no joy in life.

Unfortunately too many times people get caught up with the rules and regulations of life. Every point is down to a scratch on a button. Notice something? Do those people laugh a lot?

Do you sense them really loving life?

Are they the type to get so excited and overjoyed that Christ is their BFF that they would climb Mt. Everest

Nope. That’s not my Jesus! My Jesus is my BFF. Yup, I’m not ashamed! Why would I be? He created me, I may as well enjoy the gift He gave me—life, Himself (most awesome gift ever). Do you want my Jesus? Congratulations, He yours. *

According to Webster Blusterey [bluhs-ter] verb (used without object) to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.

Niveous [niv-ee-uhs] adjective Resembling snow, especially in whiteness; snowy.

worthy Reads Kisses From Katie

By K a t ie Da v is

It made me fall in love with hurting children and made me want to hold every one of them, tell them everything will be fine and put a smile on their faces.

-Jocelyn Yoder

It’s (not that) Complicated

By A n n a Sof ia a n d Eliza b et h Bot k in Let's be real; who doesn't struggle with knowing how to relate to guys? The authors (two sisters) do a great job in this book of bringing the correct perspective of why we need to learn how to rightly relate to guys; not so that we can make a great impression or feel good about ourselves, but because we were created to glorify God in ALL of our relationships.

Ever feel frustrated because you don't really know how to guard your heart, but you've heard all your life that you really should? This book doesn't stay in gray areas, but brings it down to Biblical commands for what it means to guard your heart.

One of my friends highly recommended this book to me, and now I'm highly recommending it to you! -Christy Barkman

PS There’s still more fun stuff!

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“Winter is the season in which people try to keep

Winter in Thailand

the house as warm as it is in the summer, when they complained about the heat.”

Our email address is girlfriendgazette@gmail.com We’d love to stay in touch with you!

[Type ”Dear GG” in the subject header and you might just see your letter in an upcoming issue!]

Log onto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoOpHSzCraw to see a short movie on Monica’s first year in Asia.

Photo-shoot Blooper: Little Brother Photo Bombs

Cover Photo My name is Londa Rose Yoder.

I am thirteen years old and I live in Wolford, North Dakota. (which is in the middle of the prairie VERY far away from the nearest Walmart,if you ask me!) I come from a small family of five, am home schooled and in the eighth grade.

Favorite Season: Summer!

Favorite Drink: Oh! Most definitely iced coffee!!

Where I go to Relax and What I Do: My room, I usually read or listen to music and a lot of the time I just sit on my bed and pray.

Hobbies: Reading, knitting scarves, having heart to heart talks with good friends, and laughing!

A Few of My Favorite Things: Horses!!! Lazily turning of the alarm clock and going back to sleep, long movies, and late night girl parties.

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Girlfriend

Gazette Winter 2014

Anja, you are deeply loved and missed.