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“As Christians, we need to remember to walk our talk.” -Rachel Joy Scott
Columbine High School You can probably recall several shootings and terrorist attacks that occurred over the past year. It’s a painful reminder that we live in a fallen world, but occasionally, stories of hope come from these tragedies. April 20th, 1999 is a day that will live in infamy, especially to those who were students at Columbine High School. Twelve students and a coach were murdered, and another 21 were injured due to the malicious acts of two students. The first victim was Rachel Joy Scott. Whether you attend public, private, or home school, your safety and the way your education is done has been affected by this day. During this back to school season, we can solemnly remember tragedies like this, as well as look for the hidden hope that they bring. In this issue we’re teaming with I’m Not Ashamed to retell the story of Rachel Joy Scott. We also have hopeful ways to celebrate the back-to-school season and this season of life. Enjoy!
From the Editor, Jessica Lippe Design: Lily Garay/ I’m Not Ashamed(cover) and Jessica Lippe (pages) Editors: Jessica Lippe and Lily Garay All other contributors, photo credits, and sources are listed on the page in which they appear.
In This Issue Godly Girlz ......................................... 3 These Special Words ..................... 3 Back to School ...............................4 Learning to Listen ......................... 6 Letters from the Other Side......... 8 Girlz in Action ................................. 10 I’m Not Ashamed ......................... 10 3 Homework Hacks...................... 14 Kristi’s Story ................................. 16 Girls Around the World................ 18 Beautiful Girlz .................................20 That (Authentic) 90s Look ..........20 Do You Fit In? ............................... 22 How to Transition from Summer to Fall ............................................ 24 Fun 4 Girlz .......................................26 Voiceless and Priceless ................26 Hit the Books ...............................28 Could You Survive a Week in the Wilderness? ..................................30 Behind the Scenes ....................... 32 Find more content at Girlz4ChristMagazine.org We’re on your favorite social media, too! Although we try to ensure that mentioned sites and outside resources are accurate and appropriate, we cannot guarantee due to changes over time. Opinions/recommendations were not swayed by payment. Readers under 13 need to obtain parental permission before reading or visiting any online sites.
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These Special Words I say these special words every morning as I awake Lord please keep me safe with every step that I make And Lord please allow me to treat others right And live a life that is pleasing to your sight These special words help me throughout my day Because it teaches me to watch the things that I say You know I’ve been around a lot of cruel people in my lifetime They have went their way and I have went mine Some have left me sad and lonely But I praise God every day because He never left me Even though those so called friends were gone Smiles filled my face and with God I pressed on God blessed me abundantly throughout their absence And I have not looked back ever since Until one day I was contacted by a former friend Who cried and vented about her backstabbing friend As I listened to her these words came crashing down What goes around comes right back around It’s amazing how people think that they can treat others bad And then when the same thing happen to them they get so mad It brings me back to the special words that I say every day And that is to make sure I treat people the right way By Patrice D. Wilkerson
Check out more art by illustrators Haley and Linz at facebook.com/TeenIllustrator GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Hi girls! If you’re anything like me, the phrase “back-to-school” simultaneously instills excitement and panic. I was always eager to get back to seeing my friends every day, and I genuinely loved learning. But, the beginning of the school year also brought with it an onslaught of business and responsibility. I knew that in a short time, I would be up to my eyeballs in homework, running from school to dance practice to youth group to community service and on and on! Do you feel like this is your deep inhale
before the rush of craziness? I’ve recognized a pattern in my life when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and maybe you can relate. The first thing I cut from my list of todo’s when life gets crazy is the thing I need most – uninterrupted, quiet time with the One who is capable of injecting peace into any situation, no matter how many papers and dance rehearsals threaten to rob me of that peace. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn over and over again. Too often I believe the lie that my worldly responsibilities – my English paper, scheduling more community service hours, applying for college scholarships, etc. – are more important than my spiritual well-being. I couldn’t be more wrong! When I give into those lies, my peace and sense of security spiral out of control. I feel overwhelmed and anxious, and an evil little voice in the back of my head whispers to me that I’m not measuring up, I’m not living up to the standards I set for myself, I’m failing, I’m not good enough.
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The good news, my friends, is that God waits in eager anticipation to restore a true and accurate picture of who you are. He delights to tell you over and over, as many times as you need to hear it, until you understand fully that you are loved, you are His, and you are more valuable than you can comprehend. But, he can’t tell you these things unless you make time to hear them. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Jesus is saying that like a vine soaks up water to feed its branches, so he desires to feed you with his Word. He longs to give you all that you need to “bear much fruit” – to prosper, to thrive, to live abundantly. As life-giving as his Word is, the consequence of living apart from it is equally devastating. Apart from Christ, we will stumble through life trying to keep our chins up when inside we feel frantic and insecure. With Christ, we can rest in the assurance that he loves us completely and unchangingly. Apart from Christ, our sense of worth rests on our performance – getting an A in a class or winning the softball championship. In Christ, we can never disappoint, because he has given us his righteousness and he sees us as perfect. So dig your roots deeply into the soil of Scripture. Soak up all the goodness and nutrition it has to offer. Let the wisdom of God fill every inch of you and bring life to you when you feel weary and overwhelmed. Feel the strength and steadiness that comes from being deeply rooted in the love of Christ.
You may be done with back-to-school shopping, but you can never have too many bookmarks! Copy and cut out the bookmark, and remember Christ’s connection whenever you read.
I know I’m fixed on the wrong things when I’ve replaced the truths and promises of the Gospel.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
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Learning to Listen in Prayer Kristen Hogrefe is the author of the young adult suspense trilogy Wings of the Dawn. Her blog thinktruethoughts.com is designed to encourage young adults to think truthfully and live daringly. She enjoys meeting new friends on Twitter @kjhogrefe or on Facebook at facebook.com/kristenhogrefe.author. “Why doesn’t Jesus answer my prayers?” I looked at the little girl in front of me. If you’ve ever worked with children, you know they can and will ask whatever is on their minds. I’m used to the unexpected questions, but for some reason, this one seemed harder to answer.
Seriously. When is the last time we asked God to speak to us and then actually took the time to listen for His answer?
Maybe because I’ve asked it so many times myself.
He speaks through His Word.
Many of us have heard the typical and truthful responses to this question. Sometimes, God answers our prayers yes, no, or wait. Perhaps He is protecting us or has something far better in mind. As Elisabeth Elliot said, “God’s refusals are His mercies.”
After all, do we not have the Bible, God’s Word? It is as relevant now as it ever has been.
All of the above are true, and yet there is something inside us that still aches. Perhaps the reason is that we are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking why God doesn’t answer our prayers, we should be asking: God, what do you have to say to me?
But, Kristen, God doesn’t speak—not anymore. Oh yes, He does.
God may not speak audibly today, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t speaking.
Instead of accusing God of not speaking, we should honestly examine ourselves. Are we spending time in His Word? Are we seeking to hear what He has to say to us? Do we want to know His truth, or are we too comfortable with our “little sins” that separate us from Him? Nothing is more important than your relationship with God. If some sin in your life is
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keeping you from Him, forsake it, and get right with Him. Pray this prayer from Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (KJV). He speaks through the Holy Spirit. Did you know the Holy Spirit is our partner in prayer? According to Romans 8:26: In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (NASB). Not only does the Holy Spirit intercede for us, or intervene on our behalf, but this member of the Trinity also teaches us and reminds us of Jesus’ truth (John 14:26). How can He do this if He doesn’t speak? If you’re God’s child, you can probably think of a time when you felt a pricking in your chest to do something—maybe pray for a friend or check up on an elderly widow from church. Maybe you’ve felt a desire to start a Bible study or serve in a ministry. Maybe there’s something else on your mind and you want to know what God has to say. I challenge you: Ask Him. Keep your Bible, a notebook, and a pen ready. Be still before Him. Did not Jesus invite us to “come” to Him and “learn” of Him in Matthew 11:28-29? If you make a habit of listening for God to speak, He won’t disappoint you.
He speaks through circumstances. The other day, I was reading Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. Suddenly, I started crying over a circumstance in her life that so much resonated with something I was experiencing. Using the words her father had spoken to comfort her, God spoke comfort to my own heart. That’s just a small example. God can speak to us whether we’re reading a book, having lunch with a friend, listening to our pastor at church, or simply going about our everyday lives. We never know when or how God will use circumstances to point us to the truth we need to hear. Again, the question is whether or not we’re listening. A challenge for you and me A few weeks back, my class in youth group finished a Bible study, so my fellow leader and I asked what topic the teens would like to talk about next. “I’d like to know how to pray better,” one girl said. Amen, sister! Oftentimes, God doesn’t give easy answers to prayer, because He wants us to pursue a relationship with Him. He asks us to seek Him with the questions we have, and He promises that when we do, we’ll find what we need (Jeremiah 29:13). We might not find the answer we wanted, but we’ll find Him. And He is infinitely better, and His ways are infinitely higher. So will you join me? When we pray, let’s learn to talk less and listen more. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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You already know that guys and girls think differently. Get together any mixed group and play Catch Phrase, or Taboo, or just ask some deep question about life, like, “What are your 3 most important possessions?” and it is easy to see why a book saying we’re from different planets got to be so famous. Our priorities, our ways of talking and acting and reacting are so different, even when a guy and girl agree on something, they usually traveled toward their agreed conclusion via different emotional and mental paths. (For example, my husband would have agreed with my statement, but he never would have thought in terms of “emotional and mental paths,” much less put it in writing!) We (my husband and I) had noticed this difference, so when we were preparing to speak to our youth
group in separate guy/girl groups, we decided it might help for each side to get to hear how the “other side” thought about certain aspects of purity. So I wrote a letter for Brian (my husband) to read to the guys, and he wrote a letter for me to read to the girls. In this issue, I’d like to share Brian’s letter with you, in the hopes that this letter will help you see a little more clearly what’s important to the other side. Letter from a Guy’s Perspective God has made us all in His image. We are precious in His sight. Each one of you is loved by God and has been made for a special purpose. You were given a personality, you develop character, and can make a wonderful difference to the world around you. I felt I needed to remind you of that. Generally, a woman’s attitude and clothing go hand in hand. When she wears a tight shirt, low neck, tight pants, or short shorts or skirts, she’s sending a message. Guys aren’t stupid and neither are girls. When she wears things that show off her body, that’s exactly what the guy is going to see: her body. She may think that’s a GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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good thing, but do you realize what she’s saying to all the guys around her? “Look at my body, that’s the most important part of me.” Let me say that again. She’s telling the guys, “Look at my body, that’s the most important part of me.”
Don’t go the easy route and regret it the rest of your life. The guy who will love you for more than your body will be looking for a girl who is more than just a body.
Let me be blunt for a minute. If you dress and act cheap, expect to be treated as if you are cheap.
Well, were you surprised? Before I met him, I had no idea that how a girl dresses could be so important. I knew it was important to dress modestly, but didn’t really understand why.
Remember what I said at the beginning? You are a very special person. If you attract guys with your body, they’ll only love your body. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on fine apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
What kind of guy are you attracting?
Brian and I had both committed to remaining pure until marriage. We made that choice long before we met each other, which is a good thing since we didn’t meet until our midtwenties. But I will say with absolute certainty that waiting for God’s best was way better than settling for anything less along the way. If you’re not currently dating or courting, be encouraged that, though waiting is hard, it is very, very worth it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently! God knows best, and what He asks of you is for your good. If you are currently dating someone, I’d recommend getting together (in a public place—ironically, talking about purity can become a very tempting subject) to discuss if the way your “other side” person sees things. Ask if there are ways you can help them be less tempted to impurity. It may be making clear boundaries on what is and is not acceptable touch, or it may be not wearing that great red shirt you like so much. (That was my husband’s request for me when we were engaged—instead of getting upset, it made me really happy to know that he was so attracted to me.) Once you’ve talked it over and better understand where each side is coming from, pray together and commit to helping each other keep your commitments to purity. God has given you a precious, amazing gift. Hopefully this little visit from the “other side” will help you remember that it’s worth all your hard work to keep it! GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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What was your real life high school experience like? My high school experience was really great at times, but also really hard. I played basketball and did plays throughout most of high school, and I remember that time with my team and cast being so much fun and the highlight GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Masey McLain plays Rachel Joy Scott.
How are you and Rachel similar? How are you different? Rachel’s real life best friend, Mark Bodiford (who is portrayed as Nathan in the movie) got to screen the movie to give a review of what he thought about it before it was released. I was in awe when I read that he wrote how similar Rachel and I were—that our laughs were the same, our quirks, and our voice. He said that there were times that he didn’t feel like he was watching a movie, but rather reliving
a memory. I never met Rachel, got to hear her voice, or see how she laughed or figure out her quirks. Only God could have orchestrated that. That still leaves me in awe! I also think we are similar in the way of having that desire to want to live with a purpose and make an impact on the world. That’s definitely something I found that lives in my heart and I could relate to. There are probably a lot of ways we are different, but one that sticks out to me is that Rachel always wanted a boyfriend throughout high school and that’s something I never really cared about in high school.
This movie is based on her real-life journals.
Was it different to play someone who actually lived as opposed to a fictional character? Yes! There is so much power in telling a true story. I got to rely on her journals, her mom, and what people that knew Rachel said about her. The more I read her thoughts and feelings that she wrote down, the more I realized how much I could relate to her and even how similar we were in a lot of ways.
Growing up, Rachel knew the love of God, but she wasn’t always ready to receive it. At times her faith was on fire … and at other times it was at odds with her everyday life. As she wrote in her journal: “I don't understand why having a walk with God is so hard for me. I'm so weak. At school, with friends, at work.” Having reached a breaking point when her relationship with a nonbelieving boyfriend ended, Rachel found inspiration from her “big brother”—a former homeless teen she helped lead to Christ. After praying, “Father, use my life to touch the world and let your light shine through me,” her renewed commitment to Jesus played out compassionately and powerfully at her high school … and around the world.
Based on Rachel’s honest and heartfelt journals, I’m Not Ashamed is a hope-filled reminder that when we put our lives in God’s hands, we can make a world of difference.
Give us a brief testimony. How do you say, “I’m Not Ashamed” in your life? In my own personal life, I’ve realized that in anything I do, I want to do under the umbrella of living for the glory of God. I want to intimately know Him, hear His voice above all others, and follow it. He is the only one that has satisfied my soul and has given me hope and true life, and because of that I know He’s worth following. When you decide to live for Jesus, there will be so many lures, distractions, and temptations that will try to throw off your focus and dull your purpose. I’ve definitely experienced that—we all will. There will be persecution, too. Most of us may never experience it physically, but we definitely will in other ways. So in all of that, for me to say “I’m Not Ashamed,” means for me to remember that in whatever circumstance I’m in, that I am a child of God. Because of the cross I have hope, freedom, and true life that the things of this world can’t compare to or take away. Ephesians 2:6 says, “and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” As a child of God, I am already SEATED in heaven next to Jesus. I’m already victorious, so what do I have to fear in this life? Because of that, I want to live for Him, and I want others to see the light that He has put in me and be drawn to Him because of it. How did you grow in your faith while acting for I’m Not Ashamed? I’ve never experienced the level of dependency and intimacy that I had with the Lord like I did while filming. It was a really special time in my own walk with Him. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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I’m Not Ashamed is coming to theaters October 21st! Because this is rated PG-13, please get parental permission before going.
There aren’t many movies where you already know the ending before it even comes to theaters. (See page 2 for info about the Columbine Massacre.) But the events leading up to the end of I’m Not Ashamed will still keep you on the on the edge of your seat!
of high school for me. However, there was a time when I felt extremely lonely, especially towards the end of high school. I homeschooled my senior year, and it was one of the hardest, loneliest, but most needed years of my life. I remember thinking that I had a choice—I could either sit in my own self-pity and waste the whole year doing things my way and trying to cope with feeling lonely, or I could seek God with everything I had and trust that there was a purpose to that year. I finally chose to trust Him. That year was so crucial for me. It was a year of renovation and preparation in my heart. Looking back, I see how He knew exactly what He was doing and that I desperately needed that time of it being just me and him. He became my best friend that year.
I’m Not Ashamed also stars some of Duck Dynasty’s Robertson family, including Sadie and Korie!
This story is so special and powerful, and to be honest, I was so scared the months leading up to filming, because I didn’t want to mess it up! But I knew that God had called me to it, and I had to trust that. It was amazing to experience that dependency on Him. He knew Rachel’s heart more than anyone, so He’s the one I looked to the most to give me insight, even creatively. I walked away confident that whatever the Lord calls you to do, He will give you everything you need to do it. What was the most challenging movie scene for you? The most challenging, but most rewarding scene for me was the shooting scene I had no idea what to expect going in that day to film. My heart was heavy and everyone on the set knew it was going to be a tough day. I More Movies! remember it being SO hot outside and we had to film this scene almost all day to get all the shots and every angle and point of This October is a view needed. It was emotionally draining and exhausting in great month for every way possible, but it was also one of the most special faith-based films. moments of my entire life. I remember the Lord flooding my Check out page 26. mind with worship songs, and the story of Stephen (the first martyr in the Bible) was constantly going through my head. I felt like the Lord truly gave me a glimpse of how proud He was of Rachel in that moment and all I felt was Him singing over me and even smiling. It’s hard to explain everything the Lord allowed me to experience that day, but I hope I never forget it. I remember after it was over, I just completely collapsed and had a meltdown. I had no idea that day was going to be so hard yet so absolutely beautiful and powerful. Why do you think it’s important to tell the story of an event that occurred 17 years ago? A story like Rachel’s needs to be told—no matter how long ago it happened. Rachel’s life is such a powerful reminder to us of how to truly love others the way Jesus did, and what it means to pick up our cross and follow Him, no matter what the cost. We don’t know if we will have tomorrow, but we do have whatever time we have been given to live with purpose, and Rachel’s story reminds us of that. What do you like to do off the set? I love to go for runs and listen to music, read, have movie nights, play my guitar, play games, sing in the car, and hang out with the people I love! What’s the biggest reason that teen girls should see this movie? It will remind you of your true purpose. It’s so easy to get caught up in with the things of the world—the drama, gossip, popularity, boys, “competition,” and the temptations that we all experience. Satan uses those things to lure us away from living out our true purpose, and we don’t even realize he’s doing it most of the time. I hope that after seeing this movie, you are encouraged by Rachel’s life and that you set in your heart to live boldly for an audience of one—the only one who is worth following and living unashamedly living for. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Like the girls’ 90s styles in I’m Not Ashamed? Then you have to check out page 20!
Tell us about your favorite nonprofit. I love Compassion International. There are so many kids around the world in poverty that need to be provided for and know that they are loved and cared about. I love that Compassion International doesn’t only provide their physical needs, but they do it all for the glory of God with the true purpose of sharing the hope, truth, and life that is found in Jesus. Jesus tended to the sick and took care of the poor, and He told us to do the same. I love how Compassion International lives out being His hands and feet to kids all around the world. How did the Columbine shooting affect you and the rest of your family? Do you remember exactly what you were doing at the time? Columbine changed the course of all our lives. We had to learn how to live life without Rachel and were also thrust into the public limelight. I was at work when my oldest daughter Bethanee called and told me there had been a shooting at Columbine and she was going to go and pick up Rachel and Craig. Of course, that never happened and 24 hours after the shooting we received a call from the coroner's office that Rachel was a confirmed victim.
Beth Nimmo is a mother who was very involved in the aftermath of the event at Columbine. Not only did she lose her daughter Rachel Joy Scott, but her son Craig was also in the library and lost friends at the time of the shooting. Beth Nimmo contributed much to the making of I’m Not Ashamed, both as executive producer and an invaluable resource to the real-life happenings.
What personal challenges did you face getting involved in making a movie about a difficult time in your family's life? My children were my biggest concern. I did not want to let them down, but had not brought them into my decision when I decided to move forward. We had always discussed working together on a film and I felt I was supposed to do this. It did bring up so many of the old feelings and was very emotional at times. Sometimes, I had to step back from Columbine and breathe. Also, trusting someone to bring to screen what I had envisioned in my mind for so many years was a step of faith. I believe we have met that expectation. Tell us something about Rachel that we won't see in the movie. Rachel was very modest about her looks. She wore Goodwill or hand-me-downs. She was never focused on money even when she worked at Subway. Also, she was wise beyond her years. Her way of looking at people and situations was always to see the good. She was competitive and could beat you at cards. She always played to win. She had a cute sassy sense of humor but was never mean spirited. She loved her family!!!! How did Terri Minton do in portraying you? She was great. I am a soft spoken woman and pretty evened tempered. Even the kids thought she acted and sounded like me. As a single mother of five for almost seven years, I had to run a tight ship at times, but we had many good times as a family with morning prayer and family meetings to help sort out any issues and feelings.
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for the Busy Student
After a long school day, you probably want to go home and just relax. But there’s that wonderful thing called homework hanging over your head. Most days, homework seems grueling and tedious, and sometimes your mind just won’t focus, making school work drag on even longer. When those days hit, try these three homework hacks. By Jessica Perez
1) Sweet Motivation The next time you have a long reading assignment but can’t seem to drag your eyes through the pages, try breaking up the monotony with bits of yumminess. Strategically place gummy bears or M&M’s along the page to push you from paragraph to paragraph. (I recommend the “less is more” strategy. See hack #3 for further explanation.) As Mary Poppins said, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun, and—snap!—the job’s a game.” While this tip may not suddenly make homework seem as fun as Candy Crush, it’ll definitely seem much sweeter!
2) Mind Tricks Sometimes tricking yourself into finishing homework is the only way to get it done. When your mind thinks you are going to be sitting comfortably for a while, it naturally relaxes, but if it thinks you're about to get up and do something, it stays active and can power through your math problems. Instead of wearing pajamas or comfy sweatpants while memorizing dates for history or writing a paper, wear nicer clothes to subconsciously engage your mind more. Or wear shoes while doing homework to make your mind think you’re about to go somewhere.
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In an interview with Forbes, Dr. Karen Pine, psychology professor and fashion psychologist, said, “A lot of clothing has symbolic meaning for us, whether it’s ‘professional work attire’ or ‘relaxing weekend wear,’ so when we put it on, we prime the brain to behave in ways consistent with that meaning.” 3) Food for the Mind What is your favorite snack when you do homework? Chips? Coke? Ice cream? If you’re really serious about finishing homework, change your homework “diet.” Soda gives you a boost of energy but then makes you crash and feel more tired than before. The better alternative is water. According to MindTools.com, “Dehydration can make [you] feel tired, irritable, slow, or even sick. . . Staying
hydrated is an easy way to help improve your concentration during the day.” Sipping a glass of water will keep you refreshed, full, and focused. Snacking on healthy, mind-boosting foods like fruits and veggies will give you longerlasting energy than sweets. LiveScience.com interviewed Michael Green of Aston University about mind foods, and he said, “The brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in the blood stream — about the amount found in a banana.” Schoolwork can be tough, especially when there’s so many other things you’d rather be doing. Finding the balance between doing homework quickly and doing it well can seem hard, but these tips will help you get the job done right. Good luck! GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Kristi is the kind of person you have a hard time believing is real. When she was sixteen years old, she went on an overseas mission trip. While there, stepping aside from everyone else and their ministries, she was personally drawn to minister to prostitutes. Yes, prostitutes. At sixteen, Kristi was hearing these women’s stories. One girl was sold by her father to help his drug habit. Another was thirteen years old and pregnant with her third child. Another girl had just wanted to be loved. When she came back to America, Kristi did not leave her burden for trapped women behind. She started seeking out prostitutes in her local, sweet small town in North Carolina. And she found them. Now in college, Kristi spends her summers in ministry. One summer she was specially trained and sent to a closed country in Asia, where she and a friend would leave their hotel at two in the morning to go spend time with the trafficked girls on the street. It took several days for the girls to stop being afraid of the white foreigners; the only foreigners they had encountered were the ones who paid to use them. After several attempts to just love the girls and treat them with value, hesitant smiles started shining through, and in time, these
girls too were opening up. Kristi wanted the girls to know the love and value placed on them by God and His Son, Jesus. She wanted to see the girls get saved. However, she was discouraged when, though they listened, none accepted Christ then. For someone like Kristi, who feels strongly and takes on other’s pain, this was hard to accept. Then God came through. Kristi was feeling discouraged at the lack of results, at her lack of ability to make things happen, at all the evil in the world she couldn’t stop. But God had something to show Kristi, through a vessel she never expected. Nanci (names have been changed for security reasons), an Asian woman, had agreed to let Kristi and her group come to her home to show a DVD that told God’s story from creation to the resurrection of Jesus. Excited, they started out, only to be told that Nanci’s DVD player was broken. “Of course,” thought Kristi. Satan was at it again, fighting against their efforts. The discouragement sunk deeper. Then Nanci told them that, because her DVD player was broken, they would go to her friend’s beauty salon and show it there. Instead of just one or two people watching it, nine women in the beauty salon watched the entire
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video. They all wept. Again, Kristi hoped for results. Again, she was surprised when none mentioned wanting a personal relationship with this Jesus. What to do next? Kristi didn’t know. Until Nanci came to her later to tell her something important. “I can’t accept your Jesus,” Nancie said, “because my husband would disown me and beat me. My family would disown me. I don’t know what would happen to my baby. But this Jesus is important.” So important, Nancie made twenty-five copies of the DVD and gave them away to villages—entire villages. She is making more copies to give away. Through this woman, who has not yet accepted Christ herself, entire villages are being given the Gospel! To add to that, a fourteen-year-old who works for Nancie, who actually is a Christian but could never read the Bible because she could not read, is now feeding upon the word thanks to Nancie, who has started reading the Bible out loud to her. Kristi had to return home and leave her new Asian friends behind. She does not know what will happen with Nancie or with the trafficked girls. But she has now seen firsthand that God can use anything—an unbeliever, a beauty salon, and even illiteracy as a tool to get His Word forth and reach people.
People ask Kristi if she was afraid during her time in the closed country. It certainly does come to mind when she speaks, as her audience looks at this tiny, beautiful blond girl who talks about the red-light district with familiarity and compassion. To answer their question, Kristi tells about the security guard who worked at the hotel where they were staying. In that closed country, any overt attempts to witness are illegal, but Kristi felt the Lord nudging her to give this security guard a Bible. She resisted the prodding several times until finally she decided, “This has to be for the Lord. I do not want to do this…It just has to be all about Him.” Subtly, she slipped the man a Bible. One night after that, Kristi and her friend had gone to the nearby area where the trafficked girls were. One of the pimps and a friend became very angry. They were in danger. And yes, they were afraid. Suddenly, the guys ran off. Kristi turned to see the security guard behind her, protecting her. Every night after that the guard watched over them as they went and came back.
“It’s not about numbers,” Kristi says now. “It’s about obedience.”
Listening to God’s voice had seemed dangerous. Obeying proved safe.
What will Kristi be doing in the future? Only God knows. But it will be good!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV
-Kimberly Rae GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Girls Around the
WORLD
Did you know? Girlz 4 Christ readers represent 35 different countries from all around the world! In this issue, our reader Bethany takes us on a tour of her Scottish island home. Interviewed by Jessica Lippe 18 GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
Name: Bethany Partridge Age: 13 Location: Barra, Scotland Part of the Partridge Family Where she’s from: I was born in London and spent my early years living in Somerset. But over the last four years I've been living on an island off West coast Scotland called Barra. In her family: My parents, Matt and Jenny, and my four wonderful siblings. I've got two sisters and two brothers, ranging from 1-10 years old. Daily activities: I'm homeschooled so I get up at around 8:00am, do my chores and schoolwork until 12:30pm, have lunch, then carry on until 4:00pm with more schoolwork. Then I often help look after my younger siblings until dinner time. Best place in Barra: There are some really stunning beaches in Barra and since the island’s population is only 1100, you can often get a whole beach to yourself! Her favorite getaway: Me and my family all love going to South West England on holiday to a little seaside town called Teignmouth. Her favorite food: I really like pizza, pasta and loads of different fruits, especially mangos! On language: I speak English, but I also speak a bit of Gaelic, the main language on Barra. On free time: I really enjoy sports like surfing and baseball. I also love art. I really enjoy drawing and painting beaches by that are by my house, and spending time with Jesus.
What she would say if trying to convince someone to visit her hometown: I personally think that the Isle of Barra is a truly beautiful place with a whole range of things to do. Barra is the only place in the world where the plane actually lands on the beach! It's very amazing to watch it land and take off! There is also a castle owned by the Clan MacNeil in the bay, you have to go out in a small boat to visit it. On future dreams: I would love to get married and have a family, and serve the Lord in whatever way I can. Where she would love to live: I would really like to live in Hawaii! Because of the good surf and the wildlife there. I would also like to meet Bethany Hamilton. On community involvement: I used to volunteer in the local produce shop called Búth Bharraigh, and I helped at the local garden centre planting vegetables and flowers. On her life and nation: I was the only Christian girl living on Barra, which was very hard for me. My mom had been praying for godly Christian role models for me and was delighted when we discovered the Duggar and Bates girls. Their ministry has really encouraged me and helped me in my walk with the Lord. If anyone would like to ask me any questions or contact me, my email address is partridgefamily5@icloud.com.
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We asked the experts from the I’m Not Ashamed movie for fashion advice: How does a realistic 90s look compare to today’s trendy throwback? Designing costumes for I’m Not Ashamed was an incredible experience, but no small feat. Luckily I was born the same year as Rachel Joy Scott, so imagining high school in the late 90s came easily, but that was just a serendipitous starting point. From there I had to do a lot of research to identify the regional trends for Columbine High School and the specific, unique style that Rachel herself possessed. Rachel wasn’t a slave to fashion and she didn’t come from money. She created her own personal style, and it was important for me to understand that style at a gut level in order to create the 70 plus outfits worn by our actress portraying Rachel, Macey McLain. Rachel’s mother, Beth Nimmo, was also on hand to provide photos, books of doodles, and even real examples of Rachel’s clothes, an invaluable resource because Rachel liked to draw on her clothing and accessories. From Rachel’s actual doodles, our costume team drew on pieces of Rachel’s wardrobe, like her Converse, jeans, and backpack. From day one, my wonderful team of volunteers and I hit the thrift stores hard
in order to create the 90s stockpile required to dress an ensemble cast, and dozens of extras, for school days, a prom, a funeral, and everything in between (and by the way, Nashville has amazing thrift stores). Every thrifted item was washed and steamed and then organized into sections. Certain key pieces, like Rachel’s prom dress and the shirt worn on the cover of Rachel’s Tears, were custom made to fit our actress by our extraordinary seamstress, Darla Spears. Sometimes we even went to the mall, like in cases where we needed doubles of an outfit on hand for technical reasons. Lucky for us, 90s fashion is all the rage. A fact that also helped us out was that our extras often showed up camera ready. Overall, the actors and extras seemed happy with their wardrobe. The most consistent surprise came from the boys who were shocked by how big their costume pants were. A reminder that things don’t come back exactly how they used to be...sorry kids, but there were no skinny jeans in the 90s! -Vanessa Gonzalez, Costumer GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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The feature film I’m Not Ashamed is the inspiring true story of Rachel Joy Scott at Columbine High School. I was honored to be a producer and have the responsibility of overseeing the Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup Departments. Because this is a true story that occurred in the 90s, we had to pay extra attention to hair, makeup, and wardrobe details. It’s often said that God uses all our past experiences and this is exactly true for me as an I’m Not Ashamed producer. My personal journey started as a US and international model, actor, and Miss TN USA. Then I opened a training center and Advantage Models & Talent in 1987. My fashion background was very helpful in overseeing the creating of authentic 90s looks for the cast of 45. In general, the 90s is not completely different than current trends, but there are many differences in the small details. Jeans were popular in the 90s, but they were NOT skinny. T-shirts were popular, but they were crew neck, NOT V-neck. High school students expressed their style through hair and makeup. Rachel Joy Scott’s hair style was simple and natural. Her natural brown hair was shiny and she mostly wore it down and natural, often with one of her many hats. We contracted
the talented hair stylist Katie Mirian, owner of Salon Atash, to create the hair styles for the main cast. To re-create Rachel Joy Scott’s natural beauty, Katie conditioned and put a dark temporary rinse on actress Masey McLain’s hair. This created the shine and rich color that Rachel had. To create the look for Celine, Rachel’s edgy friend, Katie went with a short cut, bleached with purple accents. The purple color was temporary and reapplied daily. To create the look for Rachel’s popular and wealthy girlfriend, Madison, Katie added a warm rich color plus highlights and layers. Madison’s hair was styled with loose curls for most of the scenes. The makeup was also an important part of creating the 90s look. Because of the long 12-hour filming days, the makeup team applied Arbonne Primer before applying the foundation to keep the makeup color correct and prevent breakouts. Eyebrows were well defined and full. Rachel’s makeup was generally natural except for the play and prom scenes where she wore a beautiful red lipstick. Celine’s makeup was the heaviest, usually with a very dark shade including black. -Nise Davies, Producer GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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By Vicki Courtney, from her new book Reflect
Do You
Fit In? As a parent volunteer at my son’s high school, I once attended a meeting of about three hundred students. The meeting was for a student leadership organization that was given the task of voting for the homecoming theme. I watched with interest as students were given four choices for the theme. Then they raised their hands when their favorite theme was called. A group of about eight or ten girls discussed among themselves which theme they would choose, and when it came time for the vote, they raised their hands in unison for their preferred selection. As they glanced around the room, it became apparent that their choice was not the popular choice; and a few of the girls became visibly uncomfortable and quickly lowered their hands before their vote was counted. Most teens want to fit in. For the Christian
teen, this will be a challenge—especially if fitting in means compromising faith or values. It’s only a matter of time before you are faced with either “fitting in” or “standing strong.” Standing strong may mean risking your place in the group. For three handsome teenagers in the Bible, it meant risking their very lives. Perhaps you remember the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the third chapter of Daniel in the Old Testament. They faced the biggest challenge of their young lives when King Nebuchadnezzar issued a command for everyone to fall down and worship a golden image he had created. This was not your average gold statue. It was ninety feet high! The cue to bow down was the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music. Furthermore, the king ordered that anyone who refused to GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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worship the golden image would “immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire” (see vv. 3:4–6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the image. The king was notified of their disobedience, and they were summoned to come before him. He gave them one more chance to bow down and worship the idol—and reminded them that disobedient citizens would be cast into the fiery furnace. He further asked them, “What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15 NIV). Stop for a minute and think about their dilemma. It is human nature to defend your own life, yet they resisted the temptation to bow down and conform. What a picture to imagine the three men standing amid the music while everyone else hit the dirt, most likely at the first blast of the horn. What a shame they were the only three. Would you have remained standing during the first playing of the song? I hope so. If you think you passed the test, hang on a minute. Now put yourself in their place the second time around. Are you still standing? If it’s human nature to want to conform, then it’s all the more so to want to live. I love the men’s response to the king’s command when he gave them a second chance to bow down and worship the golden image. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:16–18 NIV). Now, if that’s not radical, I don’t know what is. Forget the music and send the orchestra
home. No need to play even a chord—these men had made up their minds. They knew their God was capable of rescuing them, even without the foreknowledge of knowing if He actually would. They were prepared to die for God rather than reject Him by bowing down to an idol. Most of us, had we made it through the first song still standing, would have complied with the king after taking one look at the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar was so angry with the trio’s response that he ordered the fire in the furnace be turned up seven times hotter than normal. In fact, the furnace was so hot that the soldiers who threw the men into the furnace were killed by the flames. Of course, there is a happy ending to the story: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought out of the furnace unscathed by the fire. When the king called them out of the furnace, he referred to them as “servants of the Most High God” (Daniel 3:26). By standing up for God in a public way, they were able to give the one true God the glory and honor He deserves. Likewise, we, too, should care more about preserving God’s reputation than conforming to the world around us. Now, I don’t imagine you will face the temptation to bow down to a ninety-foot statue, but there are plenty of other things that Christian teens willingly bow down to on a daily basis. What about cursing, lying, or gossip? What about drugs, alcohol, or sex? Or viewing inappropriate things on television, the Internet, or in movies? When it comes to the temptation to conform, we need to remember Romans 12:2, which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). Are you a Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego at your school—someone who is determined to follow God more than the crowd? GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Voiceless and
Priceless I
saiah 1:17 says “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (NIV) Two movies coming to theaters this fall are taking a stand for the oppressed. After watching them, ask yourself, “What can I do to help the voiceless, the priceless, and others in need?” Voiceless In Theaters October 7th Jesse Dean arrives to his new hometown of Philadelphia to take on the role as a church outreach leader. That’s quite the contrast of his former job as a soldier! Initially, the outreach is fairly typical. Church membership continues to decline, but Jesse is getting the inner-city youth to attend his workshops. When he discovers that there is an abortion clinic just across the street, Jesse believes that this is the kind of outreach that God sent him to Philadelphia for.
He’s surprised at the lack of support he receives in his pro-life endeavors, even from his pastor and wife! But standing for what’s right isn’t always the popular thing to do, and Jesse’s ready to address this. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Priceless In Theaters October 14th James Stevenson has had a rough life. His wife died, he lost custody of his daughter, and he’s having a terrible time finding a job. He takes on a gig driving a truck crosscountry. When he sleepily drives off the road and discovers the kind of cargo he’s been hired to deliver, James learns that there are modern slaves whose lives are worse off than his own. And they may be closer to home than we think! When James throws himself into the fight against human trafficking, he encounters danger, threats, and a life change. Is that enough to rescue those he cares about? You may know the Smallbone brothers’ band, for KING & COUNTRY. It’s interesting to see the brothers work on a film with the same name as their hit single. Their thrilling work, inspired by true stories, will keep you on the edge of your seat!
1. What needs are there to be filled in your own community? 2. What are you passionate about? 3. Is there a way you can use your passions to help your community and the world? 4. Pray about how you personally can help the voiceless, priceless, and otherwise oppressed. 5. Don’t forget to visit the movie theater this October for more inspiration!
*Note that both the Voiceless and Priceless movies tackle tough topics. Priceless addresses human trafficking while Voiceless deals with abortion. To keep situations realistically accurate, both films needed to be rated PG-13. Please get parent permission before watching either of these! Written by Jessica Lippe. Jessica is thankful and excited about all the faithbased movies that are coming to theaters this fall. She’s not sure whether Voiceless, Priceless, or I’m Not Ashamed is her favorite! GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Hit the Books! Take a break from your required reading with one of these! Reviewed by Jessica Lippe Book Images Credited to the Publishers The Smart Girl’s Guide to Mean Girls, Manicures, and God’s Amazing Plan for Me On one page, you’ll learn how prevent human trafficking. On another, you’ll find out how to mail emoji pillows without a box! Authors Susie Shellenberger and Kristen Weber have been writing for teen girls for years, and in this book, they write to each other. Eavesdropping on their banter is fun! With 100 tips going way beyond mean girls and manicures, this is a handy guide for thriving through your teen years! Secrets of Royalty In a book that’s part allegory, part daily devotional, Livy Jarmusch writes to girls about their worth in Christ. Sharing her own feelings and using examples from Disney princesses drives home the message. Get ready to leave the Worthlessness Camp for good and embark on a journey towards God’s Kingdom! Bible Devotions for Teen Girls Lives can change in 40 days. That’s how long Jesus fasted in the wilderness. That’s how long Moses spent on Mount Sinai. And that’s how many devotionals are included in this book! Author Emily van Rijn uses a variety of examples from her life and ours to guide a daily quiet time with a better understanding of Bible passages and God Himself. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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Heart Made Whole Have you ever suffered from a broken or hurting heart? Christa Black Gifford did when a rare condition in her daughter allowed her to live only a few minutes after being born. She authored this book to allow for healing in her life and ours. Through the power of God, any heart can be made whole again!
Between Us Girls Spending time with your mom or another female role model in your life can be made even more meaningful with Trish Donohue’s newest book. These twenty-six guided conversations, or “walks”, will strengthen bonds between you and with Christ. Might be a good gift to get Mom for her birthday or Christmas!
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By Adelee Russell
Katniss Everdeen and Indiana Jones; they both have one thing in common: They possess ninja survival skills when it comes to being stuck in the wilderness for days on end. Think you’re ready to become the next Mockingjay or archaeologist hero? Answer these seven questions to find out: 1.
Your friends invite you to go camping with them this weekend. You: a. Say, “Absolutely!” And dig out the trusty state of the art camping tent you bought at the wilderness survival store last year. b. Say “Okay,” but ONLY if you can sleep in an air-conditioned camper. c. Tell them you’ll come, but you’ll be staying at the hotel five miles from the campground. 2. You’re on a trail hike with your friends and you get lost. You: a. Remain calm, retrace your steps, and look for familiar landmarks. b. Anxiously walk around in circles while attempting to get
reception on your phone so you can call for help. c. Collapse on the forest floor, look up to the heavens and exclaim: “I’m too young to die!” 3. You’re camping with your friends and you hear a rustling noise outside the tent at night. You: a. Go back to sleep. It’s probably just a squirrel or a raccoon. Totally harmless. b. Race outside the tent screaming at the top of your lungs and banging pots and pans together in hopes of scaring the creature away. c. Burst into sobs and whine to your friends: “Why did you make me come?!” 4. You’re in a canoe with a friend and suddenly realize there are rapids up ahead. You: a. Paddle as fast as you can toward the shore in hopes of reaching it before getting sucked into the rapids by the current. b. Brace yourself and try to maintain balance as you weave GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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your way through the large rocks. c. Start apologizing to your friend for every bad thing you’ve ever done so you can die in peace. 5. You’re hiking with your friends and stumble across the opening of a cave. They beg you to explore it with them. You: a. Say, “Sure!” and lead the way. b. Cautiously approach the dark recess and hold your flashlight close like a blankie. c. Tell them you’ll notify their next of kin as you do an about face and hightail it back to the campsite. 6. While on a trail, you fall and scrape your arm. Once you’re back at the campsite you: a. Calmly wash your arm and put a bandage on the wound. b. Try not to hyperventilate as your friend puts the bandage on for you. c. See the drop of blood on your arm and pass out. 7. You’re about to pack up and head home, but the storm last night caused some flooding and washed out the bridge at the entrance of the
campground. You’ll have to stay put until the park rangers say it’s safe to leave. You: a. Do a happy dance. One more night of adventure! b. Knock on the door of the park rangers’ office every hour to see if it’s safe to leave. c. Grab your journal and begin penning your last memoirs. If you’re gonna waste away in this forsaken forest, you at least want your inspiring life story to be made into a movie someday. Mostly a’s: You’ve got this. You are a wilderness ninja. You’ve got great survival instincts and can remain calm in the face of the unknown. You’ll have a blast on your wilderness excursion! Mostly b’s: It’ll be a struggle, but you’ll make it. You may not be the next Katniss Everdeen, but you get an A for effort. You might get lost a few times or have a few near death experiences on your wilderness adventure, but you’ll make it out alright. Mostly c’s: Let’s face it: You’re going to die. Wilderness excursions are not for you. My advice: Stay at home, watch a movie, bake a cake, learn to paint, play a video game, read a book, sip some tea, knit a blanket, play some solitaire, eat some chocolate—basically do ANYTHING but go into wilderness.
Adelee Russell is a freelance writer from Brownsburg, IN. She loves watching The Hunger Games and Indiana Jones movies but she hates camping. If she attempted to go on a wilderness excursion she’d probably end up falling off a cliff, dying from exposure, or getting eaten by a mountain lion. You can check out more of her adventures on her blog at: www.rewritten27.wordpress.com. GIRLZ4CHRISTMAGAZINE.ORG
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During 2016, an anonymous donor is donating to the favorite charity of every Girlz 4 Christ cover interviewee. Since actress Masey McLain chose Compassion International, we were able to supply a Compassion child with a Bible and a lifetime supply of clean water! Learn how you can do the same at Compassion.com.
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Movie photo answers from top to bottom: Priceless, I’m Not Ashamed, and Voiceless
