She’s Intentional
the dainty jewells’ monthly e-newsletter
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Our Mission
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e all love a good magazine. Really. It’s just the nature of today’s culture. But what is a good magazine? Think about the writers that truly capture your attention and what it is that makes you keep going back for more. Most of the time you’ll find that what attracts you to a magazine is not just the magazine itself but what is captured within the essence of that magazine. The writer, who she is, what’s written about, the photographs used, the humor. All of it combined is what makes it so captivating! We enjoy reading articles that speak to us – the ones that make us laugh, the ones that make us cry. We enjoy looking at their pretty pictures of normal, everyday people just living life. We adore the way they take every aspect of life and make it seem relevant, and how everything just seems to connect. No one really wants to accept the ugly parts of life, the broken hearts and shattered dreams, but we understand that life isn’t compiled strictly of happy moments, coffee shops, and pretty dresses. Just like a broken teacup still has a beautiful pattern in spite of its brokenness and like the pages of a story may reveal the teacup came to be shattered, our lives often have a similar path. We must allow one another into our lives in order for beauty and deeper meaning to come to life in spite of difficulties. In fact, life is a story in which we each play our own leading roles. We must be willing to accept the fact that our own individual lives are neither more important or less glamorous than what we perceive others lives to be from the surface. Our mission, then, is to connect with you. Not merely on the surface, not only through the beauty of life, but in spite of, and in, the broken pieces of what life often is. This is a magazine written specifically for you; a place you can connect to, a place where you can become part of a community of ladies who love modesty, a place for you to share ideas, thoughts, and favorite things. A place where your leading role in life can intersect with other leading ladies and join together as one. A place where life is addressed for what it is: a beautiful, God-given gift that should be shared with others who hold the same values and beliefs. So live a connected life with us.
Live Intentionally.
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contents 3
Intentional Inspiration: The Lord Your God is in the Midst of You
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She’s Real: Its Going to be Worth It
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She’s All Dressed Up: That Little Black Dress
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She’s Inspired: 5 Tips for Effective & Intentional Daily Devotions
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She’s The Bride: Floral, Stripes, and Everything Nice
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She’s Cozy at Home: Parmesean 3 for 1
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Intentional Inspiration:
The Lord Your God is in the Midst of You
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ver the past few weeks, I have heard many references to praise, worship, and giving thanks to God for His greatness. Sermons that encourage us to glorify Jesus during trials are always so uplifting in the moment; but when life comes crashing down around us, in our humanity it is often difficult to see past the circumstance and even remember to trust in God let alone praise Him for who He is. Then if we make a mistake, Satan is a constant reminder of our imperfections, our failures, our shortcomings. However, be encouraged! God is on our side, He is our Redeemer, our Savior — He has promised to fight our battles, to be victorious if we will but place our trust in Him! The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.” {Zephaniah 3:17, Amplified Version} Jesus is our consistent, present help; He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings and we are His chosen daughters! He wants us to trust in Him, He loves us, He forgives us of sins and desires to take us to a place of satisfaction and joy in Him. He wants us to find passion in our purpose to live for Him. Whatever mistakes you have made in the past, once you repent, Jesus will never remember them, and neither will He wave them in front of your face to bribe you. Jesus is a gentleman; Jesus is understanding. He understands who you are in your humanity because He robed His Spirit in flesh (John 1:14) and came to earth in order to know pain, sorrow, grief, fear, disappointment, and hurt. He is aware of every emotion you feel. He loves you and wants you to love Him in return. Wherever you are today, whatever comes your way during this week, just remember:
Jesus, the Lord your God is in the midst of you! Whether you experience burnout, are single and long for a relationship, lack self-esteem, find yourself battling depression, or seek to be authentic in your relationships with others, know that God is fighting your battles. He will be your victor and you will overcome through His power and strength for He is with you!
Nichole Criss is the Editor in Chief & Blog Manager of She’s Intentional, and is also a pianist, music instructor & business owner. She is a lover of Steinway pianos, travel to far-away-places, fine literature, coffee shops & snail mail. Nichole is currently learning how to play the mandolin, is in the beginning stages of pursuing a Ph.D., and is involved in efforts to stop human trafficking. You can find her at www.nicholecriss.com, on Instagram @missnicholecriss, and Twitter @ msnicholecriss.
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She’s Real:
It’s Going to be Worth It Burnout.
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f you have served in any capacity for a lengthy period of time, you have most likely experienced burnout. Webster defines burnout as “the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time.”
Today, instead of a Pinterest inspiration or an outfit post, I am going to just speak from my heart. I have been a pastor’s daughter for almost fifteen years. We started with very few people in our church and have essentially had to build a church from absolutely nothing. If you’re a PK or have any experience with ministry, you would know that whenever a role becomes vacant, it becomes your job to fill that role, regardless of inexperience or age. In many larger more established churches, a member will come to the pastor and ask if they can serve in a certain capacity, but when you are building a church you are placed where you are needed. You do not necessarily get to choose where you are placed or how you want to serve. About four years ago, our music team moved and we were left without a music director, praise team and musicians. We basically had to start from scratch. My parents desperately needed a piano player, so I began taking lessons again and learning to play with chords. At about 17 years of age, I began leading worship and playing the piano at the same time. My brother also began singing with a headset while playing the drums because we needed a strong tenor. Then a little over a year ago, our youth pastor got a new job that required him to work on Wednesday nights. This meant that he couldn’t teach youth class anymore. My dad approached me and asked if I would teach the class. To be honest, I was terrified. I have had anxiety about public speaking for years, and to top it off, I had absolutely no experience teaching. I have been teaching for over a year now though, and I absolutely love it.
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However, in all of this, I experienced burnout. And to be honest with you, even typing that seems like a defeated response. I try so hard to be superwoman and not complain and just serve despite my self-imposed inadequacies, but to be completely transparent, I felt emotionally exhausted. If something were to go wrong, I would place the blame entirely on my shoulders. I found that it is difficult to have passion for music ministry and youth ministry when you experience burnout. You have no energy to continue, and your stress level is at an all-time high. I was envious of those PKs who seemingly had life served to them on a silver platter. They didn’t stay up at night worrying about the future of the music department. Then the questioning ensued, God why couldn’t I have things a little easier? How come they don’t have to work as hard as I do? God, I’m just really not cut out for this job. Yet, it was during these times of immense burnout and stress that I drew closer to God. Instead of complaining and asking why, I began to pray for the anointing. I began to pray that when I sang and played and taught that people would see Him and not me. I do not claim to be the greatest piano player or the greatest teacher, but above all else, I wanted to play and teach with anointing. To be honest with you, I still experience burnout on a fairly regular basis, actually. But what I have learned is that in times of great stress and massive burnout, you draw closer to Him. I’ve learned that there is a work that God wants to do that is greater than me. I’ve learned that when you completely surrender your will and let Him take full control, he will do things through you that you never thought were possible. I’ve learned that God is not concerned with ability but instead availability. I promise you that your labor is not in vain. And I promise you that God will bless you exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ask or even think. Despite the time and massive effort and the un-glamourous behind the scenes work that I do on a weekly basis, I never grow tired of watching God completely transform someone’s life. All the work that I do for Him, all the burnout that I experience, all the times that I feel inadequate, it all becomes worth it when someone’s life is made whole and given meaning and hope. To quote the lyrics of a song written by my dear friend Farrah Newton, “It’s gonna be worth it. It’s gonna be worth it. It’s gonna be worth it all. I believe that.” Your efforts are not in vain. It’s all going to be worth it when you hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” I promise you this. xoxo
Yet, it was during these times of immense burnout and stress that I drew closer to God.
Nicole Arnold is a pastor’s daughter from Michigan with a heart for people, an immense love for music and a passion for fashion. Find her on Instagram @ nikkiarnold2091.
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She’s All Dressed Up:
That Little Black Dress E
very girl should have the perfect black dress hanging in her closet. This dress should be modest; and while it should not need to have any added accessories, it should also lend itself to becoming a blank canvas waiting for a belt, scarf, handbag, and a variety of shoe choices. Little black dresses are classy, elegant, and timeless. I had the perfect LBD for awhile but it was worn so many times over many years — I’m embarrassed to admit how many years! — and knew it was time to replace it.
When I came across The Dream Dress from Dainty Jewell’s I knew I had found the perfect replacement dress. I ordered it in the knee length version because I felt it would translate better through every season and wouldn’t feel as fancy for occasions that call for a more casual dress.
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I didn’t add any accessories this time around with the dress, but I could easily wear it with the ribbon belt it came with, or add a metallic skinny belt. Because the cut of the dress is perfect, I can wear pumps, pointed heels, or even strappy stillettos. This dress is wonderfully versatile! The layers in the dress made it feel whimsical and very delicate. It truly is the perfect little black dress and I can see this one becoming one of my favorites for many years. If you haven’t found your own perfect little black dress yet, then enjoy the search! And make sure you check out Dainty Jewell’s Dream Dress because it might just be your perfect dress.
Ashley Moss is a wife to one, a momma to two and a youth pastor’s wife to an awesome group of teenagers . She is a reader, photographer, DIYer, top-knot abuser, and avid coffee drinker. Find her on Instagram and Twitter @mrsashleyem.
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She’s Inspired:
5 Tips for Effective & Intentional Daily Devotions Devotions.
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s Christian women, we often find that we have a love-hate relationship with them. At least I do, but maybe I’m just being too brutally honest.
Through the years I’ve found there are times in my life when I have looked forward to each day’s time in Scripture and spending time with Jesus, but there have also been times when I have dreaded opening Leviticus and reading page after page of…wait — what’s in that book anyway?! (kidding. kidding! ;) ) I recently moved my cozy reading chair from my bedroom into the corner of the living room, in between the fireplace and the piano. And since that change a few months ago, I have enjoyed my devotions more than ever! It just seems to be “the spot”; I look forward to my morning tea, coffee or smoothie, wrapping up in a cozy blanket and just reading Scripture, journaling, and being at peace with the morning light. Perhaps you were like me: struggling to find a time, space, or the moment when you would look forward to that quiet time alone with Jesus. If so, today’s post is dedicated to giving you inspiration on how to vamp up those devotions to make it a part of your day that you anticipate!
1. Create Your Own Spot I promise, a special place for your daily devotions is critical. Even if you don’t like a monotonous routine, having a certain place designated specifically for your devotions will be like reassuring comfort. Rearrange a cozy chair in front of a large window if you enjoy being close to nature, put it in a small, dark corner if you get distracted easily. Put the technology away, brew a cup of tea, get a small snack — do something to make that spot identifiable in your mind as “yours.”
2. Be Creative While there is so much to the Bible that it is entirely impossible to not get something new from it every day, the same reading pattern day after day, year after year can prove to be rather, well, boring. Don’t fall into the trap of reading your Bible through only cover to cover in a year or even chronologically. Those methods of reading Scripture are great, but why not develop a pattern suited to your personality! In January, I decided to only read through some of the minor prophets’ books that I often found myself dozing through. After I had committed to actually reading those books and not just getting through them, I discovered a wealth of beautiful truths and heart-stirring accounts.
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Join — or better yet, create your own — group of women who meet on biweekly or monthly basis to share your hearts and devotions with each other and reflect on God’s Word together.
3. Use Additional Resources As a society of materialistic-driven humans, we spend money constantly on the most ridiculous purchases. Invest some of that cash into a journal, devotional, or other materials to read alongside your Bible. I have included fiction works related to Biblical women (like Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love) to my readings and then read the related passages of Scripture at the same time. For single women, including books like Preparing to be a Help Meet (Debi Pearl), Captivating (John & Stasi Eldredge), and Passion and Purity (Elisabeth Elliot) are beautiful resources of encouragement, hope and purpose.
I am currently reading the Joyce Meyer Every Day Life Amplified Bible (as pictured above!), and using the Question & Answer a Day: 5 Year Journal to chronicle thoughts, ideas, and personal growth. The journal simply asks a question every day, and over the course of a five year period, each question will have been answered five times. It is a great way to see how we change as time passes! She Reads Truth is a lovely website that offers new season-appropriate, womenfriendly devotions on a regular basis; along with gorgeous (and free!) lock screen wallpapers on the mobile app, the devotions are poignant, timely, and come in adorable packages if you order the hard copies!
4. Engage Your Mind. Whether you’re a morning or evening devo kinda gal, always look for a truth to ponder throughout your day or even the following day. Remember to engage your mind and thoughts into what you are doing. Be present in your devotions. Be intentional as you read the Bible and look for scriptures that stand out to you. Be prepared for writing with a pretty gel pen or Sharpie, colorful postit notes for cross referencing, and a bookmarker for each book you’re using to help you keep your place. Underline in your Bible, jot thoughts down
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immediately, journal revelations right away that way you don’t forget them — even if it means you have to re-read a passage to get back into the reading!
5. Keep in Mind That the Whole Purpose of Daily Devotions is to Develop a Relationship With Jesus Christ. Not every conversation you have with your friend is the same, and neither is each devotion going to be the same. They may not always follow the same pattern: you may read and write little one day, whereas the next day two verses give you the most crazy amazing inspiration for a Bible study that you spend the majority of your time writing instead of reading. Allow yourself plenty of time for this — don’t stick your devotions in a space of time that you know will get interrupted on a consistent basis. Let this be your time to be alone with your Savior. Nichole Criss is the Editor in Chief & Blog Manager of She’s Intentional, and is also a pianist, music instructor & business owner. She is a lover of Steinway pianos, travel to far-away-places, fine literature, coffee shops & snail mail. Nichole is currently learning how to play the mandolin, is in the beginning stages of pursuing a Ph.D., and is involved in efforts to stop human trafficking. You can find her at www.nicholecriss.com, on Instagram @missnicholecriss, and Twitter @msnicholecriss.
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She’s The Bride:
Floral, Stripes, and Everything Nice
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Rachel A. Clingen via Visual Cravings Photography
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n a bride’s special day, what could be better than to have than pink, black and white stripes, darling bird cages (with macaroons and flowers inside), and pretty pastel balloons? Black, gold, and pink is such an elegant color scheme that can be easily incorporated with lots of glittery gold details for a glamorous wedding. The floral centerpiece then gives the ambiance a soft touch along with the stripped tablecloth to give it an exquisite appeal.
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hese silhouette signs are just darling for the bride and groom! I personally love the black framed design, but you could also incorporate these signs with other colors, too. If you have a local Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or another craft store nearby, that would be an ideal place for crafts and home décor for a decorative picture frame such as the ones shown above. This is a stylish and unique alternative for the typical “Mr. & Mrs.” chair signs for the wedded couple!
Style Me Pretty via Love’s A Big Deal Photography
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love how enchanting and abstract this photo looks. From the stylishly black candlestick holders, to the pastel flowers and golden tableware — it’s all fabulously topped off with a striped tablecloth!
Style Me Pretty via Milanes Photography
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4 Cake Decor via Sugar Peguin Cakery
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his jaw dropping cake is an extravagant work of art. If you were looking for a depiction of what a striped and floral wedding themed cake should look like, well, this would fit perfectly! This four tiered cake is the epitome of girly and chic. The black stripes with the draping pink flowers and gold ornamentation create a rich and wonderful contrast!
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o make your big day more awe-inspiring, have a glittery send-off! It would make the wedded love literally sparkle and the photos would be magical. Capturing a going-away moment for the newlyweds with a display of tossing lots of glitter would be perfectly breathtaking. It would also be quite a fun and exciting alternative rather than the traditional bird seeds or bubbles. :) So, try something new and let the glitter fly away for your blissful send-off. Happy Wedding Planning, Darlings! XOXO
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The Perfect Palette via Angie Capri Photography Jessica Wyatt attends Ivy Tech Community College where she is in nursing school, she is also currently enrolled in Hope Corps through Apostolic School of Theology. During her leisure time away from studying, Jessica enjoys playing piano, sewing, drinking teas and coffee, reading, and pursuing health & wellness. Follow her on Instagram @jessicawyatt_.
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She’s Cozy at Home:
Parmesean 3 for 1
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n order to keep my sanity, my life is a constant checklist. I really enjoy having things planned out and planning meals for my family is no exception. If you’re not a meal planner, I highly encourage you to give it a try! Not only will it alleviate the ‘What’s for dinner?’ question and stress, it will also save you money. Lately I’ve just been jotting down my grocery list and meal plans in a regular notebook, but I found some adorable printables that will help the process along that I intend to start using. Some of my favorite, fast, and inexpensive meals are also the easiest to prepare — and no one can complain about that! I love meals that are simple with very few ingredients, but still offer great flavors. Menu and List Planner via The Bold Abode
Parmesan Chicken, Tilapia or Salmon This recipe is a 3 for 1. I found the chicken version on Low Carb and Slow Carb Recipes. Although the original recipe calls for mayonnaise, I switched it out for plain yogurt. Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt 1/2 Shredded Parmesan cheese 4 Chicken Breasts, Tilapia or Salmon For Chicken: Mix mayo or yogurt with parmesan cheese. Place chicken in a baking dish and put a layer of mix on top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or from frozen bake at 400 for 1 hour. For Salmon: Mix mayo or yogurt with parmesan cheese. Place Salmon in a baking dish and put a layer of mix on top. Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.
AshLee Frymier is a music minister and pastor’s wife living in Florida. She spends her days chasing around her active, toddler son, dabbling in graphic design and maintaining her photography business. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @arfrymier.
For Tilapia: Mix mayo or yogurt with parmesan cheese. Place Tilapia in a baking dish and put a layer of mix on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. This has become my favorite way to make Tilapia and my whole family enjoys it as well. It’s been toddler approved by my 2 year old who eats an entire piece of Tilapia when I serve it this way. I hope you take the time to introduce this simple recipe to your family. It’s sure to go into your regular meal rotation!