Fall 2015 Issue by Pam Lozano

Exposing the truth

Fall issue 2015

A product of Pure Design Ministries

What’s Inside? 2

AUTUMN FUN

PURE DESIGN TEAM

THE SECRET THAT KILLS LOVE

MY SPACE

MISSIONAL TRANSFORMATION

APPLE FRITTER CAKE

LOCAL ARTISANS

PURE DESIGN GUY

FASHION: MONOCHROMATIC MINIMALS

DON’T GO IT ALONE

Let’s Get Real… Dear Designers, This fall issue marks the THREE year anniversary of Pure Design Magazine! We are amazed at how the magazine has grown and improved over the years. We have an amazing team of professionals working as mentors with our teen team, and it has such a great project to work on together. We hope this magazine is a source of encouragement and support to you as you’ve read real life stories of teen girls just like you. We all struggle and we hope these stories inspire you to keep going, no matter how hard life gets. As we continue on, we want to begin going deeper into some tough topics that you face today. We want to encourage anyone who is struggling but feels there is no way out. We want to remind you that there is help and you are not alone! So beginning this issue, we will dive a little deeper. In this issue “Exposing the Truth”, we will talk about how many of us struggle with secret sins - things that are kept hidden from everyone else. We often hide secret addictions or compulsions from friends, family and others we look up to because of guilt or shame. Secret addictions are potentially dangerous. Often times we justify them, saying it isn’t “that bad” or “it isn’t hurting anyone else”. This may be true, but doing harmful things in secret, does hurt someone… mainly YOU. We hope these articles will expose some lies encourage you to share your own story with someone who can help. Find someone to talk these hard things over with - a parent, teacher or adult who can listen and offer advice. We ALL have dealt with isolating ourselves and being ashamed of things we do wrong. Life isn’t about trying to be perfect all the time, but learning and growing from our mistakes and moving on. We do not need to walk around feeling guilty or ashamed of the things we are doing. We can get help. We hope this issue encourages you to do just that! Thank you again for reading our magazine. We hope to inspire, encourage and provoke you to live authentically. Go for the things that make you come alive and begin to walk free from harmful things! Affirming His Design,

Pam & Caeilen Executive Directors

Favorites Worship song:

Pam: Nothing I Hold Onto by Will Reagan Caeilen: It is Well by Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music Last Good Read: Pam: Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary [A real life story of a woman who risked everything to leave Islam and follow Jesus.] Caeilen: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Favorite Fall Outfit: Pam: Long maxi skirt, big comfy sweater, and booties with a small heel. Caeilen: A pair of boyfriend style jeans, graphic jumper, Nike Air Max 90’s Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink: Pam: Grande non-fat, extra hot, peppermint hot chocolate Caeilen: Caramel Hot Chocolate Favorite Current Bible Verse: Pam: Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” Caeilen: Exodus 33:14 “And He said, my presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Autumn fun

SEPTEMBER Classical Music Month / National Blueberry Popsicle Month 3 - Skyscraper Day 4 - Newspaper day 5 - Cheese Pizza day 6 - Read a Book Day 7 - Labor Day 8 - International Literacy Day 9 - Teddy Bear Day 11 - 911 Remembrance Day 12 - Chocolate Milk Day 13 - Fortune Cookie Day 14 - National Cream-Filled Donut Day 15 - Felt Hat Day 16 - Play-Doh Day 17 - National Apple Dumpling Day 18 - National Cheeseburger Day 19 - National Butterscotch Pudding Day 20 - National Punch Day 21 - Miniature Golf Day 22 - Elephant Appreciation Day 23 - Checkers Day 25 - National Comic Book Day 28 - National Good Neighbor Day 30 - National Mud Day

OCTOBER Breast Cancer Awareness Month / Lupus Awareness Month / Cookie Month 1 - World Vegetarian Day 2 - World Smile Day 3 - National Golf Day 4 - National Frappe Day 5 - Teacher Appreciation Day 9 - Fire Prevention Day 10 - National Angel Food Cake Day 11 - Take your Teddy Bear to Work Day 12 – Columbus Day 14 - National Dessert Day 16 - Dictionary Day 17 - Sweetest Day 18 - No Beard Day 21 - National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day 22 - National Nut Day 24 - Make a Difference Day 25 - Mother-in-Law Day 27 - Navy Day 29 - National Frankenstein Day 30 - National Candy Corn Day 31 - Carve a Pumpkin Day

NOVEMBER Peanut Butter Lovers Month / National Adoption Awareness Month 2 - Deviled Eggs Day 4 - King Tut Day 6 - Saxophone Day 10 - Forget-me-Not Day 11 - Veteran’s Day 12 - Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul Day 13 - World Kindness Day 15 - Clean your Refrigerator Day 16 - Button Day 17 - Homemade Bread Day 20 - Beautiful Day 21 - World Hello Day 23 - Eat a Cranberry Day 24 - Cashew Day 25 - Eat a Parfait Day 26 – Thanksgiving Day 27 - Black Friday 28 - Red Planet Day 29 - Square Dance Day 30 - Stay at Home Day

Join the Team! WHO WE ARE Pure Design Magazine was launched in 2012 as a free online teen girls’ magazine. The publication is “for teens by teens” and every quarter, passionate students come together with their mentors to produce a magazine that will inspire their peers in purity, modesty, faith, selfimage and self-worth. Through mentoring articles and stories of reallife teenagers, plus top-notch fashion spreads, Pure Design Magazine is motivating young women to evaluate the choices they make and the influences they look to! In a world that says you must look a certain way to be beautiful and role models are stick thin, Pure Design Magazine encourages girls that beauty comes from within and is a quality we all possess. Pure Design Magazine is a positive voice of truth to a rising generation of women, encouraging them to embrace who God made them to be and walk in confidence. Tackling real-life issues like depression, suicide, eating disorders and family matters from a Biblical perspective sets Pure Design Magazine apart from other publications that solely focus on beauty and fashion. When a young woman picks up this magazine, she will be challenged to look at every aspect of her life from God’s point of view.

HOW WE STARTED

HOW YOU CAN HELP Currently, Pure Design Magazine is a free publication available only online. We are exploring opportunities to move to a print format as well, while still offering the magazine at no-cost. To support this effort, you can partner with us financially in one of two ways.Contributions may be tax-deductible.

PURE DESIGN SPONSORS

Sponsors receive ad space in the magazine. Various sponsor levels are available, starting as low as $100. For more detailed information, please email Pam at: pam@puredesignministries.com

PURE DESIGN PARTNERS

Give monthly or one-time to support the magazine’s ongoing needs. See Partner Card for details.

Pure Design Magazine was started by a mother-daughter team Pam and Caeilen Lozano as a vehicle to impact young women. Without prior experience in publishing, they stepped out in faith on a journey to inspire and encourage teen girls. Merging their gifts for writing and fashion, the Lozanos recruited several designers and photographers to volunteer their time. Together, they have led their team in creating an outstanding magazine to motivate teenage girls. www.PureDesignTeenmag.com

PURE DE SIGN TEAM

WELCOME

Gabrielle enjoys endlessly scrolling through Netflix, staying over at friends’ houses, and collecting typewriters when she’s not studying or helping others. She is a junior at Hayes High School and plans on moving out of Ohio after graduating. One thing she hopes she can do in the future is go to Russia in order to help orphans after learning the language, as well as becoming a polyglot in the future. Gabrielle joined Pure Design in the fall of 2015 and works mainly with social media at the moment. She hopes to help the magazine grow further and make strong connections with her new friends and family.

TEAM ROLES EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Pam Lozano Caeilen Lozano FINAL LAYOUT Sophia Garcia Ashley Paul DESIGNERS Sophia Garcia Ashley Paul Morgan Clipner Carrie Case Lauren Aldler WRITERS Pam Lozano Sarah Siegand Paige R. Amanda C.

HAIR STYLIST Melissa M. FASHION STYLIST Caeilen L. CREATIVE TEAM Gabrielle A. Meri B. Amanda C. Katelin C. Kate D. Caeilen L. Melissa M. Paige R. PUBLICIST Nicole Harrison

EDITORS Pam Lozano Natalie Garcia Kate Decker PHOTOGRAPHER Sophia Garcia MODELS Khilah Owens Melissa M. Natalie M. Rachel C.

WANT TO BE APART OF OUR TEAM? We are always looking for new additions to our team! Contact us to find out how you can participate!

THE SECRET THAT

KILLS LOVE HOW PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXTING ARE ROBBING TEEN GIRLS OF THEIR WORTH

by Sarah Siegand I sat across the table from a beautiful 19-year-old girl who was fighting hard to overcome the hellish nightmare of her high school years. I asked her what advice she would give a mom like me, with an upcoming middle-schooler wishing like crazy for a phone. “Don’t do it,” she said with a sadness in her eyes I can’t explain. “Not for like, a really long time. My phone almost ruined my life.” An addiction to pornography, random hook-ups, and a sexting scandal had left some serious wounds on her soul. There was no going back for her, only moving forward. Thankfully, when this young woman hit rock bottom, she reached out for help. She allowed God to do a deep work in her heart and she began discovering who she was always meant to be. In this digitally connected world of ours, porn, hook-ups, and sexting are the norm. Today’s teenagers have grown up with virtually unrestricted access to the Internet, and to each other, because of the technology at their fingertips. Porn is everywhere, and it’s a perfect (as in horrible) fit for teens who are hormonal and still working on developing the rest of their frontal lobe (the part of the brain that evaluates consequences and is not fully formed until around 25 years old). If you think Christian girls don’t struggle with porn, you’re absolutely wrong. They don’t talk about it, sure. But they’re looking at it. Some studies show that 35% of churchgoing women struggle with porn. Let that sink in… 1 out of 3 women you go to church with.

“No, not our church! We preach purity and abstinence and winning the lost!” Listen, hurting people are everywhere and no matter how squeaky clean some might seem on the outside, there can be deep pain. And let me tell you, at the source of a struggle with pornography is plenty of PAIN. It might be pain from a divorce situation, loneliness, a bad break-up, abuse, bullying, or any other loss. Porn becomes a coping mechanism, often accompanied by masturbation. That momentary high brings just enough comfort to keep you coming back. Even if the original curiosity about porn wasn’t from a place of pain, you can be sure that the pain came in quickly like a flood, along with plenty of lies from the enemy.

“You’re dirty for looking at that.” “If people knew what you were really like, they wouldn’t love you.” “If you tell anyone, your secret will be all over school, and your life will be ruined.” “God must be so disappointed in you.” Sound familiar? If you’ve struggled with pornography, chances are you’ve had these kind of lying thoughts. They’re what keep us locked in prisons of silence, struggling in isolation and trying to do better all alone, yet falling again, and feeling shame; and so the cycle repeats.

FINDING VALUE FINDING A MAN Sometimes young women struggle more with objectifying their own body than looking at pornography. There is no shortage of media messages filling young women’s minds with the lie that their bodies are currency with which they can purchase sexual power and influence.

Everyone wants to feel accepted and significant, from the middle school girl hoping to make the team, to the college girl hoping to meet Mr. Right. With so much focus on relationships in the teenage years, we need to look at how pornography has changed the dating landscape.

This lie plays out in the very common occurrence of sexting. A Drexel University Study in June 2014 found that more than half of all teenagers have exchanged sexually explicit text messages. There are outcomes to this sexting epidemic that many don’t fully realize. Child pornography charges, scholarships lost, public humiliation and bullying are just a few of the very real consequences that are possible when you send or receive indecent messages or photos. I hear stories and read headlines about it every day. Sexting is like old-school gossip on Internet steroids; it spreads like wildfire. Once you hit send, all bets are off and you’ve given someone consent to use your photo in whatever way they want to. You’ve given it away and there’s no getting it back.

My heart goes out to the young women who are crossing the threshold into adulthood feeling like finding a man without a history of porn is an impossible feat. Truthfully, it’s not going to get any easier. According to Covenant Eyes, 68% of young adult men look at porn at least once a week. This doesn’t mean you’re going to spend your life single or trapped in a miserable marriage to a porn addict. It does, however, mean that you’re going to need to be very intentional about the guys you put on the short list for dating or marriage. Here are some key things to consider as you pray about a potential guy:

Before you hit “send,” remember:

you are worth more. I think worth is really at the crux of this matter about objectifying our own bodies. So many girls believe the lie that their bodies determine their worth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Don’t you realize you’re a diamond—a rare find, without equal? Your value is beyond compare. Yet so many hang a “clearance” sign on their flesh-and-blood bodies and give themselves away for the cheap price of fleeting admiration or shock value. Every woman wants to be loved and respected, but we often doubt that we are the “right” kind of loveable, or worthy of a man’s respect, honor, and care. Believing it can’t be possible, we give ourselves away to anyone who will pay attention. We think our value is measured by how badly people want us. But really, just the opposite is true. We are far more desirable when we truly know our value.

#PornKillsLove • 68% of young adult men look at porn at least once a week. (CovenantEyes.com) • more than half of all teenagers have exchanged sexually explicit text messages. (Drexel University study) • 35% of churchgoing women struggle with porn. (xxxChurch.com)

• Boundaries. Do you have them when thinking of dating? Does he? Realize that porn is warping people’s expectations and understanding of sexual behavior. Be cautious and vigilant about not putting yourself in an unsafe situation. • If he’s struggling with porn, remember: you can’t change him, only God can. His freedom and relationship with God need his time and attention. Let God work on him and stay out of the way until that happens. • Get an accurate picture of how accountable his life is to others. If he has struggled with pornography in the past, who helped him through it? Does he live in the light with guy friends and Godly leaders? • Be ready to ask really specific questions about his sexual history, and be prepared for the answers. Glossing over this information might be more comfortable, but that will lead to trouble down the road. • Marriage won’t make the porn problem go away. The shame a guy feels for betraying his wife is often more intense than the shame he feels for looking at porn as a single man. Shame fuels secrecy and addiction. If you are following Christ as a young woman, you can trust that He will order your steps to bring you a Godly husband. You also need to realize the areas where your own heart may be tricked and deceived. A key ingredient to finding the man God has for you is being part of a Godly community with friends and leaders who will help keep you accountable, speak truth when needed, and pray for you as you pursue God’s best.

pornography, Crystal courageously admitted the same. That confession was her turning point to find freedom from a 10-year addiction. If you’re struggling with pornography, masturbation or lust, I encourage you to check out Crystal’s incredible book, Dirty Girls Come Clean. Jesus paid for freedom on the cross. It’s not just for everyone else – it’s for you too. Ask Him for the strength and courage to let a sister in Christ into your struggle.

MOVING FORWARD FINDING FREEDOM Are you ready for some truth? You can be free from the stronghold of pornography and masturbation. Yes, I mean it – FREE. But don’t stop reading when I tell you that freedom will come at the cost of letting someone into your pain by confessing your struggle. Tell someone. I know it’s frightening, but here’s why it’s important: James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Healing starts with confession. This is not just a theory I have. Not only is it truth from scripture, but I’ve experienced it working in my own life, and have watched dozens of people find freedom from these very issues by letting someone into their pain through a very simple confession. I’ve walked with women who said confession was not just helpful, but the turning point for lasting freedom. You see, the enemy of your soul (the devil) wants you to be bound in isolation and shame. In the dark and the silence, sin continues to master you as you grow frustrated with your ability to stop compulsive behavior. Shining light on your struggle breaks the power of darkness! It compels you to a place of humility, allowing sisters in Christ to strengthen you and keep you accountable. Author and speaker Crystal Renaud talks about the two words that changed her life: “Me too.” When a friend told Crystal she was struggling with

There’s no doubt that this generation of young people will face challenges that to some degree are still taking shape. It is still relatively unknown how the smart phone generation will fare from their overexposure to pornography, social media, and sexting, but overall, it doesn’t look pretty. And although the outcomes are still undetermined, one thing is for sure. If you as a young woman will do your part to keep your heart, mind, eyes and body sexually pure, you will walk in a freedom and peace that will be desperately needed by your peers. No matter where you may be today, whether you are struggling or are already living in freedom in these areas, this is what God says about you,“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11) Not only does God have plans to give you hope, but He wants to use you to bring hope to others. Only when you allow Him to occupy every area of your heart will you find the freedom, value, and the future you long for. If you or someone you love is struggling with pornography, there are amazing organizations that offer free resources and recovery tools, such as xxxchurch.com, FightTheNewDrug.org, and DirtyGirlsMinistries.com. Sarah Siegand is the author of Smart Girl, Stupid World and co-founder of Parents Who Fight, a social media campaign to help families fight pornography and other cyber dangers. For more information, including porn addiction recovery resources, go to parentswhofight.com.

D.I.Y.

MAKEUP

BRUSH

HOLDER

This fun and girly makeup brush holder is super simple and a great way to display and organize your brushes! It looks great on your dresser or on your bathroom sink!

INSTRUCTIONS

SUPPLIES

• Paper

• Sharpie • Scissors • Clear vase (find a fun shape/size that will work for you)

• Mod Podge • Paint Brush • Coffee Beans or Lentils

(optional)

TO DO 1. Find a logo or picture to put on your vase. 2. Next, cut a square out of your plain piece of paper.

After, you can use your sharpie to copy the logo onto the paper (or if you aren’t a great artist, you can simply print out the logo directly from your computer.)

3. After your logo is finished, take your paint brush and mod podge the logo onto the front of the vase. 4. After it’s fully dry, you can fill your holder with coffee beans, lentils, beads, sand or whatever you like! Then to finish, place your makeup brushes down in around the holder!

McKenzie

ABOUT McKenzie is 15 and loves all things fashion, theater, make-up and music. She plays tenor saxophone in the marching band, bass guitar in jazz band, and is great at the ukulele.

LOCAL MUSICIAN

of me.’ This made it very hard for me to share with others the sin I was struggling and dealing within my life. It took a lot of courage to finally talk to someone about it all. I finally shared with my youth pastor at the time and he immediately replied with, ‘God is so proud of you.’ Though this may sound pretty simple, it made me break down in such a beautiful way. It finally made me accept on a new level the fact that God truly does not want us coming to him in a perfect state. He wants our mess. He wants it all. In a true loving relationship you take on the burdens of the other, that’s what He wants to do for us. HAVE YOU EVER TALKED TO A PARENT, ADULT OR PASTOR ABOUT SOMETHING YOU WERE STRUGGLING WITH? IF SO, HOW DID TALKING ABOUT IT WITH THEM HELP YOU? As I just shared, my youth pastor was the first person I talked with about my personal struggles. After that it almost became like ‘word vomit.’ It felt so good to talk to others. I realized I wasn’t in this alone and started sharing with my parents, my sister, friends, and even strangers. There can be no darkness in the light and it felt so freeing to experience that. Of course it is probably wise to use caution in who you are telling/sharing the deeper things in your life with, but bottom line I am always an advocate of telling others the truth and being honest.

BIO

IS IT HARD NOT TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER MUSICIANS/ SINGERS? PLEASE EXPLAIN. That is definitely one of the main challenges within this industry. I am also very involved in modeling and acting within LA and in each industry it is equally as tough not to compare yourself to others. I’m constantly feeling that my body, voice, or acting abilities do not measure up to those around me. It’s a daily struggle that I have to continually pray and get prayer for. But with time and prayer it really has become so much easier to deal with. Finding your identity is key. Once that happens you become so much more secure and confident with yourself and who God has created you to be.

Robbie Davidson is a 20 year old young adult living in Los Angeles, California. He is working full time as a model but pursuing a career in acting and music. Robbie is originally from Columbus, Ohio, which he says will always be his favorite place in America.

THE PURE DESIGN TEAM ASKED ROBBIE DAVIDSON SOME QUESTIONS TO GET TO KNOW HIM A BIT BETTER. HERE IS OUR INTERVIEW WITH HIM. CHECK OUT WHAT HE HAD TO SAY: WHERE DID YOUR LOVE OF SINGING AND PLAYING MUSIC COME FROM? To be honest, it wasn’t until a little bit later in life that my excitement/ passion for my music sparked. I was 11 years old, attending Vineyard Columbus’ youth group. Two people prophesied over me that God was giving me the gift of music and before this, I had NO musical ability. I could not play any instruments and could not sing to save my life. But once those words were given to me the gift of music started to grow and since then it has been quite the journey. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST(S) AND WHY? I would say my favorite artist would be Stevie Wonder. He has been one of my biggest influences since the beginning. The way he has fine-tuned his craft is truly amazing. His writing, vocal, and instrumental ability is ‘out of this world’ good and his albums never grow old to me. THIS ISSUE IS CALLED “EXPOSING THE TRUTH”. MANY CHRISTIANS ARE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT THEIR WEAKNESSES OR HABITUAL SIN OUT OF FEAR OF REJECTION, OR GUILT OR SHAME. HAVE YOU EVER DEALT WITH FEAR REGARDING SIN IN YOUR OWN LIFE? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? Absolutely. Since I was very young I had such a strong need for perfection in my life. I believed the lie that ‘if I wasn’t perfect, no one would approve

WHO OR WHAT BESIDES GOD INSPIRES YOU TO DO MUSIC? This may sound like a generic answer but the people within the crowd when I’m playing music inspire me. Whether it be at my own show or leading worship, I love to see people’s reactions to music. I have always been somewhat of an ‘emotional addict’ meaning I love emotions and feeling the full spectrum of them. I think that’s why music and the arts in general can be so beautiful and healing; it allows us to feel. So when I’m on stage and I see the crowd of people letting the music affect them is when I feel the most excited and inspired. WHAT SCRIPTURES ENCOURAGE YOUR HEART ABOUT SINGING AND PERFORMING? Psalm 33:1-3 ‘Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.’ WHAT DREAMS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR LIFE? A few months ago I was having quiet time with God and was sitting in silence and listening. Often times God speaks to me through pictures or visions and that day He gave me a vision of an old man. He was walking the streets somewhere, whether it was America or some other country I do not know. When looking at this man I could tell he was very old and had aged quite a bit. His body was not in good condition and he probably should’ve had someone tending to his needs. But he continued walking down the street and further down the road he saw someone lying on the street that was in need of help. Again this man was not really in a place physically where he should be helping others but without even thinking, he jumped into action and tended to the person’s needs. That’s my goal of who I want to become, someone who is so selfless and aware of others around them that they love and serve others to the last breath. WHAT DO YOU WISHED YOU KNEW OR BELIEVED ABOUT YOURSELF WHEN YOU WERE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL? That I am loved by God no matter what I do or what happens. Once that becomes your identity, what others think of you or what you think of yourself slowly starts to fade away. All that matters is what God thinks of you, and that’s when you truly start living freely.

Missional Transformation

by Paige R.

When my youth group announced they were

for me to go to Costa Rica. Within just a mere

going on an international mission trip in

number of months I already had my full trip

the summer of 2015, everything within me

paid for. People were pouring over me in

screamed ‘yes’. At the time, I had no idea

generosity, both financially and through words

why my soul was so urged to go out of the

and prayer.

country and minister to His people in Costa Rica, but once I heard the announcement,

As all of this was going on though, I felt

I knew I had to go. Without hesitation I

uneasy. I knew I was supposed to go on this

signed up and quickly began to send out

trip for a bigger purpose, and I was trusting

fundraising letters. I prayed to God saying,

in that purpose. I had told God from the

“Lord, if I am supposed to go on this trip, pave

beginning that I would go on this trip if He

the way and allow everything to go smoothly.

paved the way, and He certainly had been.

Let this be Your perfect will.” Well, friends, let me tell you - everything went more than smooth. He certainly did begin to pave a way

As I said before, I was set financially, I received my passport

prayers, I walked out of that building with a genuine smile

in more than enough time, and everything else I needed

and a hop in my step. I was ready for that 3:00 a.m. plane

to do for preparation flowed into place. But, something

ride and I was also ready to embrace anything the Lord

within my heart still stirred and felt restless and fearful.

was going to throw at me while on my mission. From then

Every person I talked to gave me prophetic and reassuring

on, I began to trust the uncharted waters and jumped in

words for my trip. They told me I would be changed and

with both feet.

while changing myself I would impact others. They told me I would feel the power of God in beautiful ways I had

While there, I had to adjust my mentality and way of

never experienced before. They told me that all these

living. I began to throw my expectations of self-comfort

feelings of doubt were from the devil himself, and I

out the window. I learned to sleep with bugs and layers of

shouldn’t worry. In leading up to the trip, I got massive

sweat. I learned to be content with eating rice and beans

amounts of prayer from so many precious people in my

for eight days straight! I learned to be thankful for showers

life, but despite all the prayers I still felt anxious in my soul.

that were gasping cold and water that sometimes didn’t

I was frustrated - so, so frustrated. Why was God allowing me to feel so mentally and emotionally unstable about this trip if it was truly His plan for me to go? About a week or two before I was scheduled to leave, I began to wake up with panic attacks. I began to regress and stop sharing things with my family and closest friends.

“I didn’t do so well the first couple of days. In fact, I was miserable. ...But, then I would see the children’s happy eyes...”

I began to shy away from my church and those who knew me well. I was ashamed. I was ashamed that everyone on my mission team was excited and passionately ready to bring the gospel to Costa Rica while I was still wallowing in fear. I remember telling my mother just a few days before the trip that I didn’t even want to venture on it. I told her I was scared of the unknown. I was scared of going out of the country and being stuck there for eight days with no way home. I was scared of getting sick or obtaining a foreign disease. I was scared of leaving my comfort zone and safe home in the states. I allowed my mind to believe that every possible negative scenario was going to happen to me while in Costa Rica. I was scared and I couldn’t bring myself to stop feeling that way. The day before I left, I pulled myself out of my hole of self-pity (with the encouragement of my mother), put on a cute dress, did my hair, and drove myself to my church’s mission trip send-off service. When I walked through the doors of my church people embraced me from all angles and began showering me in faith and uplifting sendoffs. My heart began to flip and flop and scream and glow and shimmer and dim all at the same time. It was then time for my whole team and me to go up and receive prayer for our trip. Guys, I cannot tell you what flipped in my being at that moment, but I do know that God was present and working. After being drenched in my congregation’s

“...I would worship with the natives and listen to the voices of both Spanish and English intertwine together for one purpose. ...I learned to find simple joy in the ugly times and it was so good.”

work. I learned to adjust to zero alone time and minimal

Lord comes close to the broken and weary and He pours

privacy. It was a stretch; a dazzling and terrible stretch.

grace and strength over them. Friends, this truth is so

Honestly speaking, I didn’t do so well the first couple of

exact! God doesn’t just want you when you’re put together

days. In fact, I was miserable. I allowed my physical state to

and “perfect”. Actually, God would rather have you when

maim my mental state. I allowed my swollen ankles, acne

you’re crushed and weak! Psalm 51:17 says that God will

covered face, bug bitten body, and stinky clothes to get

not despise your broken and contrite heart; instead He

to me. But, then I would see the children’s happy eyes.

will cradle it and nurture it with kindness. God works the

I would worship with the natives and listen to the voices

strongest in broken places. He is willing and active to turn

of both Spanish and English intertwine together for one

our messes into messages.

purpose. I would walk along the streets in the pelting rain and be welcomed into stranger’s homes for a cup of

Having come back to the states, I realize that I am a

coffee. I learned to find simple joy in the ugly times and it

changed person. I’m learning to balance my quiet time and

was so good.

my connection time with the people I love. I’m learning to love this body the Father has allowed me to have. I’m

One thing I learned while there was that I am a soul. I am

learning to put others before myself in all situations. I’m

so much more than my appearance. I am not defined by

learning to be a better person and to be constantly striving

how I look, a number on a scale, or what grades I get. I

for a better me. I love this new perspective. I feel so free

am a spirit. I am a character. I am the books I read and the

and I’m incredibly thankful.

music I listen to. I am the way I act and the things I passionately talk about. I am the daughter of the King in heaven. I also learned that God works in vulnerable hearts, He works in fearful souls and He loves when we come broken to Him. All through the Psalms is written that the

“I am a soul. I am so much more than my appearance. I am not defined by how I look, a number on a scale, or what grades I get. I am a spirit. ...I am the daughter of the King in heaven.”

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart O God.” (Psalm 51:17 NLT)

Darkened Skies Sunken cheeks, full lips, lifeless eyes. The barrier she has created bars her from everyone else's reality. If only they knew, if only they knew, The constant lies penetrate her conscience and wreak their brutality. I'm not good for anything, says her corrupted mind. The view the pressure has forced upon her has made her perspective blind. If only they could see what goes on inside my head, Maybe the fears and failures would not haunt me when I lay down for bed. Little girl, still a child. Much too young for all of this. This pain, which has trapped her in an unfathomable abyss. Maybe if someone would see That this girl I am isn't me... Maybe if they would take the time, To see the pain and see the crime... However, when people ask how she's faring, The usual line comes out, she loses her courage and stops being daring. "I'm fine," she says, faking a smile, But really, she wishes she could tell them her trial. What will happen to this terrified conscience? Well, that is up to you, my dear audience. If you see past the darkness in her eyes... Then maybe, just maybe, she can once again have a sun in her darkened skies.

Petra R. Petra R. is a Christian teenager who resides in southern Ohio. She enjoys spending time with her large family and many friends. Poetry is one of her many passions. She also loves photography, music and writing. Poem used with permission.

Apple Fritter Cake Ingredients For Filling:

1 heaping cup of sliced apples 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon small pinch freshly grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons water 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For Cake:

1/3 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 2 1/4 cups Gluten Free Flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup greek yogurt (you could use plain yogurt as well or sour cream)

For Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 6 tablespoons milk

For filling: Make your filling by combining apples, sugar, water, cinnamon and cornstarch in a small

saucepan. Cook on low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickend and the apples are a bit soft. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined and set aside.

For Cake: Preheat oven to 350Â°. Grease and flour a 9Ă&#x2014;13 baking dish. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add applesauce and vanilla and mix till combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients to the batter in three parts alternating with the yogurt in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat until just combined. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the cooled apple mixture over the batter carefully and spread as evenly as possible. Sprinkle 2/3 of brown sugar cinnamon mixture over apples and cover with the rest of the batter. Sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

For Glaze: While the cake is baking, make the glaze. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla,

and milk until the glaze is desired consistency. When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately but carefully pour onto hot cake. Try to pour as evenly as possible. You might have to pick up the cake and tilt it to spread the glaze evenly. I even poured some out that pooled at the corners and repoured that over the top. Let the cake sit for awhile for the glaze to set.

secret

into the open, and everything that is concealed

For all that is

will be brought to

will eventually be brought

light and made known to all.

Luke 8:17

Why do you think it’s hard for teen guys and girls to really communicate well and understand one another as friends? It’s hard for teens of the opposite sex to communicate with each other as friends because of peer pressure. The pressure comes into play because if a guy goes to talk to a girl, it can be seen as flirting and can be awkward for both individuals. There’s also the pressure to make a good first impression, which can determine the future of the friendship. Also, sometimes guys can just get nervous! What ways have you found to strike up a conversation with a teen girl that you are trying to get to know as a friend? Holding a conversation can be difficult if there are no similar interests. I prefer to look for friendships with girls I’ve already been introduced to, such as someone in my math class or on my co-ed soccer team. It’s easier to start a conversation with a girl in a group environment because guys don’t want to come off as being creepy, and we’re usually not looking for anything more than friendship. What qualities or characteristics do you find draw you to want to have a friendship with a girl? What things stand out about her and make you want to get to know her as a friend? A quality I value in a girl is that she’s a good listener. It’s great if I feel comfortable enough to ask for advice from her perspective. It’s also important that she be trustworthy, friendly, and that we have some common interests and beliefs. What things do you see in some girls that “make you run the other way” and keep a distance from getting to know them? A red flag for me is a girl who acts like a diva. Also, if they talk unkindly about someone behind their back, I’m hesitant to trust them. Someone who is constantly looking for attention and doesn’t have a healthy respect for themselves and others is someone I would probably keep a distance from. I like girls who are confident in themselves, but not to the extreme where they are self-obsessed. Who do you look to for counsel or input in keeping your heart healthy in your relationships with teen girls? (parent, pastor, peers?) And why that person(s)? I typically go to one of my good friends when I need advice. I’ve known him since elementary school so he knows me well. I wish I could go to my parents more for advice but I don’t always feel comfortable doing that. What wisdom have you learned from adult mentors, teachers, parents or pastors about dealing with the

Favorite artist/musician? MIchael Jackson Favorite color? Blue Favorite movie of all time? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Favorite way to chill out and relax? Boating/Tubing with friends Faorite hang-out spot? My Basement

Getting to Know Kevin

came up with some questions for Kevin on communicating with teen girls. Here’s what he had to say:

Kevin C.

GUY The Pure Design Team

Kevin C. is 16 years old and a junior at Olentangy Liberty High School. He attends church with his family and enjoys participating in youth group. In his free time, he plays soccer, volleyball, and the cello.

opposite sex? What lessons have they shared from their own lives or experiences? My parents, youth leaders and my grandparents have always taught me to treat others the way you want to be treated. In our culture it’s very common to view women as possessions, instead of independent individuals with feelings. I want to make sure that I treat all my female friends with respect and kindness, just as Jesus would. Is there a scripture that has spoken to you in how you relate to teen girls even someone you might have feelings for in a special way? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 What is one difficult thing about being a Christian teenage guy in today’s world? I feel it’s hard for Christian teenage guys to keep a positive attitude, because there are so many cynical people. Sometimes in high school, certain groups don’t like to make friends with Christians because we aren’t rebellious and don’t really care that much about being approved of by the majority of students. My friends and I usually keep busy with sports and other activities, but I always try to keep the future in mind, and how good or bad, what I do now effects what will happen later in my life. We heard that you just recently went on a mission trip. Where did you go? And what did you learn most from going on this trip? On this most recent mission trip, we went to Pittsburgh. I had a wonderful time getting to spend a week with my church friends and getting to help those in need in a different community. I learned about the value of relationships, the hard work of service, and I’m more appreciative of what I have after seeing how much I have to be thankful for, compared to some other people. I have many amazing memories from this mission trip and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my time in any other way.

Team Playlist songs of healing and redemption... Amanda You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban Ashley You Restored Us by Five14 Sound Caeilen You Know Me by Steffany Frizzell & Bethel Music Carrie He Knows by Jeremy Camp Gabrielle Create in Me by Rend Collective Jenna Sovereign by Aaron Keys Kate Let it Go by Tenth Avenue North Katelin Healing in your Hands by Christy Nockels Lauren Hercules by Sara Bareilles Melissa How can it Be by Lauren Daigle Morgan Natalie It is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford Nicole Lamb of God by Vertical Church Paige It is Well by Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music Pam You Make Me Brave by Amanda Cook & Bethel Music Sophia Changed by Fascal Flatts Morgan Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Never Walk Alone by Johnny Cash

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

“I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS SELF-LOVE, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T HAVE SELF-LOVE, AND RESPECT FOR EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR OWN BODY, YOUR OWN SOUL, YOUR OWN CAPSULE, THEN HOW CAN YOU HAVE AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH ANYONE ELSE?” SHAILENE WOODLEY

“All of us make mistakes. The key is to acknowledge them, learn, and move on. The real sin is ignoring mistakes, or worse, seeking to hide them.” Robert Zoellick

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, PURIFIES US FROM ALL SIN.” I JOHN 1:7

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” Bruce Lee 26

“If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!” John 8:36 “But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22 “THE DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS EVENTUALLY REVEAL, LIKE A POLAROID, A CLEAR PICTURE OF HOW SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND DECISIONS ULTIMATELY SHAPE OUR LIVES.” HODA KOTB

“Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation.” Ezra Taft Benson

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“CONFORMITY IS THE JAILER OF FREEDOM AND THE ENEMY OF GROWTH.” JOHN F. KENNEDY

mono chromatic minimals

WESTERN BLUES Transition a summer shift dress like this black and white striped one with booties and a chambray shirt for a fun fall look.

PRE-WINTER WHITES Keep things modern and crisp with white jeans and a graphic top with matching accessories. This Zara top was a treasure found at a local thrift store. Keep an eye out for amazing designer deals at your local thrift shops.

BLACK DAZE For a comfy casual look, opt for an all-black outfit mixed with a matching monochrome flannel tied around the waist.

OXBLOOD FRENZY: For a head to toe look, keep it simple with a dual tone tee and matching skinny jeans. Comfy shoes that match finish off the entire look.

POWERSUITS Nothing says fall like a great jumpsuit and vest. Keep it current for fall with an olive green palette. Closed toes wedges or a pair of your favorite sandals finish off the outfit nicely.

GRADUAL GRAYS Go for a comfy long cardigan and tank top paired with your favorite jeans and tennies for the ultimate chilled looked.

CARMEL TONES Go bold for fall with a statement pair of pants! Add a lighter hue on top and darker boot to complete this stylish ensemble. Fashionable boots and great accessories always add a little flair for your friends to talk about! 40

sweet potato

Casserole Ingredients:

4 cups sweet potato, cut into cubes 1/2 cup white or brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup chopped pecans

How to make it

Preheat oven to 325ยบF (165ยบC). Put the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and fill the pan with water until the potatoes are covered. Cook over medium high heat until tender. Drain and mash. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. In medium-sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour. Mix in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans, and sprinkle topping over the sweet potato mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

Enjoy!

Recommended Reading Reading books is a great way to grow in your faith, learn about other Christian’s experiences and expand your worldview. Here are a few recommendations from our team to help you continue to mature in your walk with the Lord.

Your Beautiful Heart - 31 Reflections on Love, Faith, Friendship, and Becoming a Girl Who Shines by Lauren Scruggs Many of us know that God looks for “Beauty on the inside.” Yet in the society we live in, it’s tough to fight against the desire to simply focus on outward beauty all the time. What would your world be like if you truly felt beautiful and lived every day full of confidence and joy? “Fashion journalist Lauren Scruggs knows how it feels to search for beauty. She grew up knowing of God’s love, but never fully understood what that love meant, or how it extended to the deepest parts of her soul–until a horrible accident that resulted in the loss of both her left eye and hand. In her darkest hours, everything Lauren believed was tested. Yet it was there that God showed her where real beauty comes from: the unfailing love of the Creator. God’s love is what truly makes us lovely.” Using stories from Lauren’s accident, recovery, and experiences in the fashion world, Your Beautiful Heart explores issues that teen girls face every day: body image, self-worth, peer pressure, and much more.

Hiding in the Light – Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus by Rifqa Bary Fatima Rifqa Bary was born in Sri Lanka into a Muslim family. She moved to the United States when she was eight years old and secretly converted from Islam to Christianity by the age of 12. When her family discovered her secret four years later, she ran away from home and made national headlines. This story is one of her incredible journey with Christ of leaving all behind as a teenage girl in order to follow Him.

Love Does – Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff “As a college student Bob spent 16 days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. As a father he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state. He made friends in Uganda, and they liked him so much he became the Ugandan consul. He pursued his wife for three years before she agreed to date him. His grades weren’t good enough to get into law school, so he sat on a bench outside the Dean’s office for seven days until they finally let him enroll.” This book is full of paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world’s most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it’s not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob’s love takes action. Bob believes Love Does.

I’m No Angel – From Victoria’s Secret Model to Role Model by Kylie Bisutti Kylie aspired to be a Victoria’s Secret Model from a very young age. She began modeling in fashion shows at the local mall and made her way to the very top – winning the Victoria’s Secret Runway Angel competiton. But in December 2011, at the age of 21 she stunned the fashion industry when she chose faith over fame and fortune and made the switch from supermodel to role model. In I’m No Angel she shares the disillusionment and spiritual warfare that she dealt with when she realized she couldn’t be fully committed to Christ while caught in this world of modeling. She candidly talks about her personal struggles with inadequacy, low self-esteem, and her constant quest for approval. She constant dealt with feelings of not being thin enough, pretty enough or sexy enough. She helps young girls realize that true beauty lies within in the confidence of knowing Jesus and serving Him.

Don’t Go It Alone by Pam Lozano

Secrets are often meant to be kept quiet; they create curiosity and cause people to wonder what’s going on; they create suspicion and stir up questions; they keep things hidden and in the dark. But there are some secrets that are just not meant to be kept. Often times we have secrets from others around us. Girls and women keep quiet about abusive situations within their homes and families. Men and women keep silent about addictions to drugs or internet pornography. Teens secretly participate in inappropriate sexting, communicating things via their phones that are intimate and should exist within a marriage context. Our failures, bad behavior, addictions and sin are things we are afraid to talk about. We know they are wrong, yet somehow feel that if we keep these secrets, they will either go away or not really harm anyone. The truth is the one harmed the most by secret sin is US! We fail to realize is that when we keep sin hidden, we (or the person doing it) become enslaved to that sin. When we keep quiet and try to figure it out on our own, we give the enemy power over us. There is no possibility for help as long as it is a secret! Satan wants us to remain isolated and ashamed. He knows that when things are

brought into the light, the power it holds over us is broken. Honesty brings us into a place of vulnerability and accountability where we can change and break free from the habit or addiction. It enables people around us to become a support system to bring us into repentance and freedom. Think of the teenage boy or girl who sneaks into their room at night, hiding under the covers to surf the internet for inappropriate images. The very act of doing it in secret, hidden under the covers, should reveal that this is wrong. But the enemy lures and entices us to sin. It begins with something small; maybe we watch a movie or a clip on the internet that we know we really shouldn’t be watching. We choose to do it anyway and that choice causes us to justify or rationalize that it really wasn’t “that bad.” This often becomes a slippery slope that leads to other wrong choices, sometimes ones that are worse than the first. Temptation itself isn’t sin, but when we choose to act upon that temptation, it becomes sin. As a young girl, I remember being tempted to steal money off of my best friend’s dresser. I saw the money there and wanted it. My desire for the money wasn’t a sin, but what I did next was absolutely wrong. Even now as an adult, I can

There is no possibility for help as long as it is a secret!

Two are better than one remember looking at the bills laying on her dresser and having a conversation in my mind. My heart pounded as I considered taking them from her. I began justifying that I needed the money more than her. I knew it was wrong, but I kept justifying my actions in my own head. Before I knew it, I took the money and slid the bills into my pocket. I nervously went through the rest of the evening acting as if everything was fine, but I couldn’t wait to get home and hide what I had stolen.

Within a couple of hours the phone rang, and my best friend’s mother asked if she could speak with me. As I got on the phone, she began asking me if I had seen the money laying on her daughter’s dresser. My heart began racing at this point. I had been caught, and I knew I had to confess. At first, I tried to justify my actions to her, but before long, tears were streaming down my face as she expressed her deep disappointment in me. I admitted I was wrong and apologized. That ended up being the easy part. A few days later I had to face my friend, return the money, and ask her forgiveness. She was gracious and forgiving, but I felt awful for weeks whenever we saw each other or hung out again. Being caught doing wrong is never fun, but when we humble ourselves and admit our faults, we can repent and move towards freedom from sin. God doesn’t view sin like we do. Every sinful act, unethical choice or immoral thought is equally bad in his eyes. We as humans tend to weigh our mistakes, feeling awful for the “big sins”, while justifying the “little sins”. To God, sin is sin, no matter what it looks like.

The good news is that God does not expect perfection from us all the time. He knows we are weak and that we will make mistakes. He uses our failures to shape our character and make us more like Him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” God promises to be strong in us when we are weak. And when we are tempted, He is right there with us, giving us the strength to make the right choice even when we don’t think we can.

Freedom truly comes as we admit our mistakes. When we become accountable for our actions, own them, and admit we are wrong, God immediately forgives us and gives us grace to begin again with a fresh, clean slate. His word says that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. It is in

this place that we can begin changing habits and forming new ones. Some addictions or habits may require getting help or counseling from professionals. This isn’t a sign of weakness, but humility. Scripture says that God gives grace to the humble, but opposes the proud. As we humble ourselves and ask for help, others can come alongside of us and hold us accountable to make better choices. Sometimes addictions and bad habits take time to break. If you begin walking out of an addiction, but fall and stumble again, don’t lose heart. Get back up and start again. There is power in asking someone to hold you accountable. Ask a friend, pastor, mentor, or parent to check in on you and ask how you are doing. Give them permission to ask you if you are doing harmful things to yourself, looking at inappropriate things on the internet, or sending explicit texts. Find people around you who can be a source of help to get you to a healthy place of living. Renew your mind by reading scripture daily. Whenever you are tempted, open a Bible, look up a verse on your smartphone, or text a friend for prayer. Be proactive and tell others you need help. Do not try to do this alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Lean on those you can trust, share your weaknesses and don’t try to go this alone. Be bold and share your struggles with those who are trustworthy and can truly keep a confidence. Lean on others as you work through your struggles. This is a powerful way to begin walking in complete freedom!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Behind the Scenes With the Pure Design Team!

SNEAK PEAK AT ISSUE 14! Winter is around the corner and with it comes the magical beauty of snow here in Ohio. While it tends to be a long drawn out season of cold, it also reveals a picture of God’s blanket of grace and redemption through a white blanket of snow. It’s a season of dormancy, but one of internal growth and new life that is waiting to spring forth. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays often mean special times with family and friends filled with lots of food and gift giving. The winter issue of Pure Design comes out on January 1st and will be filled with lots of great pages and spreads. “The Gift of Friendship” will be a fun-filled issue talking about our need for relationships with one another. God created us to be in relationship with others for companionship, accountability and a sense of belonging. Many young people today struggle to find true authentic friendships and deal with loneliness and isolation. The do not have someone who they can be real and honest with. It’s so important to find friends who will accept you just the way you are, listen to your faults and failures and simple be there for you no matter what. We look forward to talking about these things with you in our next issue on January 1st - be sure to check it out!

Coming this Winter

• Real Life Articles • Winter Fashion Trends • Great Christmas Recipes • • Pure Design Guy Article • My Space and More! •

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All contents copyright ÂŠ 2015 by Pure Design Teen Mag. All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the written permission of the publisher. Please write to Pam Lozano at 18 N. State Street Westerville, Ohio 43081 or e-mail Pam@puredesignministries.com