Finding Inner Peace winter issue 2014
A product of Pure Design Ministries
What’s inside?
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2 winter fun 4 team! 6 help 9DIY 14 16 artisans meet the
calling for
our space
confusion within
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24 guy
pure design
local
winter fashion:
festive patterns
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40peace a battle for
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Pure Design Magazine would like to say a big Thank You to Mr. Tree Farm for allowing us to use their tree farm for our fashion photo shoot for this issue! Mr. Tree Farm is located at located at 1099 Reynoldsburg - New Albany Rd, Blacklick, OH 43004. www.mrtreefarm.com
P Dear Designers!
Happy Holidays! Can you believe it’s that time of year again? The years seem to fly by at a faster and faster pace! Life is so full here in the West, and time ticks away so quickly. The days and weeks are so full that life often feels too chaotic to enjoy. I have to be honest with you; winter is not my favorite season. I am not a cold weather person, and I don’t enjoy snow. Here in Ohio, we get both and a LOT of it! I love sweaters, scarves and a great pair of boots, but the chilling temps do not entice me. In fact, they often keep me inside snuggled up by a warm fire with a good book. I imagine the holidays are a time most of us look forward to. We have our family traditions, holiday customs, and some sense of anticipation for Christmas and the New Year. But along with that comes a lot of stress and tension. There are gifts to buy, family to visit, mid-term exams, parties, baking... and on and on the list goes. It’s often overwhelming and a time many of us dread instead of look forward to. The holidays should be a time of reflection and peace; a time of remembering God’s gift to the world through His son Jesus Christ; a time to embrace what God has done and to be thankful. In this issue we want you to feel some “Peace in the Midst of Chaos”. How do we find that inner peace when everything around us is swirling? How do we stop the anxious thoughts that crowd our mind and affect our health and the way we view life? How do we rest at night and grab onto some of that “peace on earth” that is supposed to be happening? Rarely do we stop and take our own spiritual temperature. We don’t sit still long enough to evaluate what’s really going on inside. But it’s vital to having a healthy heart and soul. We need to stop and find peace. We need to center ourselves and focus our attention on the Creator of the Universe who knows us by name. My prayer is that as you read, God’s peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds, and that you’ll sense God’s nearness as you turn the pages of this issue. We hope you will slow down and breathe, drinking in the richness of this Holiday season. May you reflect on the gift of life that you have been given and take time to enjoy your friends and even those difficult family members who seem to make life hard. Embrace the bad with the good, and allow your heart to experience peace in the midst of it all.
Pam Lozano executive director
Favorite worship song currently: This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham
Favorite book this season: Captivating! by Stasi and John Eldridge
Favorite winter outfit: • a comfy pair of skinny jeans • a soft bulky oversized sweater • a pair of my favorite boots • and a colorful scarf is usually in the mix as well
Favorite Bible verse currently: Psalm 46:10 NLT – “Be still and know that I am God; I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
As always, thank you for your support, encouragement and for reading our magazine! We hope you enjoy this issue and pass it on to your family and friends! Affirming His Design,
Pamela Lozano Founder/Executive Director
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n u F r e t Win
DECEMBER
Bingo Month, Write a Friend Month 1- Eat a Red Apple Day 2- National Fritter Day 4 - Wear Brown Shoes Day 6 - St. Nicholas Day 7 - Pearl Harbor 7- Letter Writing Day 8 - National Brownie Day 9 - Christmas Card Day 10 - Human Rights Day 12 - Poinsettia Day 13 - Ice Cream Day 14 - International Children’s Day 15 - Bill of Rights Day 16 - National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 17 - National Maple Syrup Day 18 - Bake Cookies Day 19 - Look for Evergreen Day 20 - Go Caroling Day 21 - Look on the Bright Side Day 24 - Christmas Eve! 25 - Christmas Day! 27 - National Fruitcake Day 31 - Make Up Your Mind Day 31 - New Year’s Eve!
JANUARY
Hot Tea Month, National Blood Donor Month, National Oatmeal Month 1 - New Years Day! 1 - Celebrate those whose name begin with “Z” Day 3 - Sleep Day 4 - Trivia Day 5 - Bird Day 6 - Bean Day 8 - Bubble Bath Day 13 - National Rubber Ducky Day 14 - National Dress Up Your Pet Day 16 - National Nothing Day 18 - Winnie the Pooh Day 19 - National Popcorn Day 25 - National Opposite Day 28 - Fun at Work Day 31 - Art Day
FEBRUARY
Black History Month, National American Apple Pie Month, 2 – Ground Hog Day 4 - Vacuum Day 5 - National Weatherman’s Day 7 - Send a Friend a Card Day 8 - Kite Day 10 - Umbrella Day 12 - National Plum Pudding Day 14 - Ferris Wheel Day 15 - National Gum Drop Day 18 - National Cake Batter Day 22 - Be Humble Day 26 - Tell a Fairytale 28 - National Tooth Fairy Day
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PureDesignTeenMag
PureDesignTeenMag
PureDesignMag
@PureDesignMag
www.PureDesignTeenmag.com
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, self-image and self-worth. Through mentoring articles and stories of real-life 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!
PAM & CAEILEN LOZANO
HOW WE STARTED 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. PURE DESIGN TEAM
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 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. Email pam@puredesignministries. com for more detailed information.
Pure Design Partners: Give monthly or one-time to support the magazine’s ongoing needs. See Partner Card for details.
FOR mORE inFORmATiOn, EmAil: pam@puredesignministries.com.
Pure Design Team Katelin media enthusiast
Avery photo director, assistant
Gabrielle photo shoot hair stylist
Kate art appreciator, fitness buff
Caeilen fashion guru
Naomi writer, social media extraordinaire Ruth photo director
Meet Arika Baker Arika is a professional photographer who joined our Pure Design team this fall! She is the owner of Emerald Anchor Photography located in Delaware, Ohio and has been doing photography for 8 years. She enjoys preserving memories and taking pictures of momentous life occasions. Arika is a huge animal lover and loves all things adventurous, especially horseback riding, kayaking and hiking.
Meet Sarah Howard Sarah is our new Pure Design blogger/creative writer. She is 25 years old and dreams of becoming a freelance writer. She loves reading, writing and decorating her apartment in Grandview with handmade projects. Sarah loves to share her personal stories and struggles to help encourage young women to be authentically true to themselves. 4
Pam founder, executive director
Hannah photographer, design apprentice
Ashley designer, editor
Nicole publicist, events coordinator
Carrie editor, designer
Paige writer, social media expert
Natalie marketing director, copy editor
Morgan editor, designer
Sarah editor, designer
Maddie brainstormer/advisor
Kerry creative writer
Sophia photographer, editor, designer
CALLING FOR HELP by Kerry B. Merchant
It was a dark and slightly chilly evening in May as
to have lost its wonder, replaced with spinning thoughts of
I sat alone in my recently purchased used car. It was the
my perceived failures. I didn’t even feel good enough for God.
biggest and most responsible purchase I had ever made,
I would attend church and look at people with smiling faces
I should have been proud of myself. Instead I could not
singing happy songs but I couldn’t make myself feel happy. Did
feel anything but the dark stomach ache that had been a
that mean I wasn’t really being a true Christian since I couldn’t
wound since I was a teenager. It started when I was sixteen
feel the happiness everyone else seemed to be feeling?
and would ebb and flow in a pattern of happiness and then
Sitting alone in my car I had decided that I was done carrying my burden.
desolate loneliness. No matter how much I would fight it by distracting myself with school or hobbies, it would always find ways to creep back in. The only way I can describe my depression to you, is like a burden that I had been cursed to carry. I would smile on the outside when I was with people, while on the inside I felt numb with the stain of my darkness… and I had been feeling numb for a while.
I had recently graduated college; I should be proud
of myself right? Wrong. I felt so lost, so alone. My friends and family seemed busy with their own lives, and didn’t seem to notice that I was sinking further into the pit of depression. I could not motivate myself to do the things I had once enjoyed. I tried to pick up a pen to write, but no words would come. Food seemed tasteless in my mouth. Nature seemed
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I had written a note to my family and friends telling
them not to blame themselves. This was my choice. I just simply could not go on living like this anymore. I couldn’t live with this pit in my soul that would not go away. I could find no other way to get rid of it, other than to simply get rid of myself. But there in that moment, there was a prodding in my mind. A small voice said to me, “You are not alone. Call for help.” I know for most psychologists, to say that there was a voice in my mind would symbolize that I was crazy. But I know for a fact that God stopped me right then, and re-
minded me that instead of solving my problem on my own,
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
I needed to ask for help. I needed someone to talk me out
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” God can carry
of my decision.
your burden of depression, and will not let the darkness over-
come you. I can personally testify to this as He didn’t let me
I flipped open my cell phone and dialed the national
suicide hotline, something I had heard about on the radio.
go after I decided to seek help.
“Hello?” A woman answered.
“Um…hi.” I awkwardly replied.
“Are you safe?”
“Not really.”
“Where are you?”
“In my car considering doing something you probably wouldn’t want me to do.”
“How long have you been struggling with this?”
“Years.” I proceeded to tell this nameless woman about the
burden of depression that I had been carrying. She asked me details about my life, and I told her that I recently had a nephew that was born. She then said the one thing that convinced me to go the hospital and receive treatment, which up until this point; I had been fighting because I felt ashamed to admit I had a problem.
“Think about what you are taking away from your
nephew. He will never be able to experience his wonderful Aunt Kerry. He will grow up never knowing you, or receiving your love. Do you want that for him, or do you want to seek help with the burden that you have been carrying?”
AND THAT IS WHAT BROKE ME.
I realized not only had I been avoiding letting fam-
ily and friends know what was going on inside me, I had also been shutting out God. I thought that because I was not a happy go lucky Christian, that he would not want me. What a lie the enemy had me believe about myself! God is bigger than the burdens that we carry, and he understands every thread of thought that enters our minds. Psalms 55:22 says,
After my realization of needing help, I spent a
week in the Ohio State medical center receiving treatment for my depression. I learned information about my disease and ways to deal with it. What I found is that I am genetically pre-disposed to suffer from depression as it runs in my family, therefore feeling guilty about having a disease that I inherited, was something I did not have to carry. Secondly, my blood pressure runs low so it is easier for me to fall into feelings of slothfulness and depression. I also lack a sufficient amount of endorphins in my body. Endorphins are referred to as the “happy chemicals” and are naturally released in the body.
When I was released from the hospital, things
did not get better right away. Shocking, right? In fact, some things got worse. My boyfriend of nine months left me at my lowest point. I still felt the numbness of my depression every morning, and I still had many decisions to make about the direction of my life. BUT I was alive! So instead, I started to find joy in the little things God allowed me to live to see and experience. The glassy touch of the river as I kayaked, and my Brother Matthew’s tight hugs made me feel as if nothing bad could harm me. The warmth of the sun as it touched my face when I woke up. The smells of a restaurant and the first taste of a fresh meal were all joys to be experienced. Maybe I wasn’t “happy” yet, but I had the joy and knowledge that God was with me every step of the way through my darkness till I reached the light.
I cannot begin to express how truly grateful I am
that God stopped me from ending my life. I would have missed out on so much. I did not know the plans God had in store for me! Since then, I have been living in
Denver,
Colorado
I cannot begin to express how truly grateful I am that God stopped me from ending my life.
and I truly love the path God has me on. Being able to hike to the top of a mountain and see God’s glory is something I take great joy in. God
has opened doors for me in the modeling industry, which is something I have always dreamed of doing. I am attending graduate school for clinical mental health, creating new food recipes, and I still get to write for this wonderful magazine. Most importantly, a few months ago I met my nephew Carson for the very first time. I taught him how to say, “Ta DA!” with magnificent flare.
I now see the hope and future that the Bible speaks
of in Jeremiah 29:11.
“FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, “PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU A HOPE AND A FUTURE.” JEREMIAH 29:11 (NIV)
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION: • Low energy/motivation • Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities • Loss of appetite • Thoughts like, “I wish I didn’t exist” or “I just can’t go on anymore” (suicidal thoughts)
Depression makes you feel hopeless and sometimes
it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the darkness is surrounding you. But God is with you in the midst of the struggle. He is the light in our darkness; our joy
• Feelings of worthlessness • Inability to sleep or wanting to sleep all the time
when we feel as if we have none. God’s plan for us is NEVER to end our lives. The temptation of suicide is a lie from the enemy. God has plans for you, although it may be hard to see
If you think you are struggling with depression
around the corner when you feel as if you are stuck in the pit
or suicide, do not feel ashamed, or that there is
of depression.
something wrong with you. Seek help from your parent, or trusted adult. Remember God loves you Kerry Merchant currently lives in Denver, Colorado and is a graduate student in the mental health counseling program at Denver Seminary. She is also pursuing modeling and acting with Wilhelmina Studios. She enjoys hiking in the Colorado Rockies, dreaming up new food recipes, and writing poetry. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11.
NO MATTER WHAT and there are people in your life who love you and will support you during this dark time. If you need help immediately, call the national suicide helpline at:
1-800-273-8255
DIY Craft:
Vibrant MasonJars
Supplies you will need:
• Clean mason jars (or any other glass jar you fancy) • Acrylic paint • Paintbrush 1. Make sure your glass jar or bottle is clean and dry. 2. Pour a liberal amount of paint into the bottle. You can swirl the paint around in the jar to cover it, then use a brush to cover the hard to reach places with a good coat of paint. 3. Allow to dry for 24 hours with the jars upside down so that any excess paint can run out of the jar. 4. Once all excess paint is out of the bottle, dry with the jar upright so that it can finally dry. 5. Fill with whatever flowers or fun things you desire!
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Hearty hot chocolate Ingredients: 2 C of milk 2 Tbsp of cocoa powder 2 Tbsp of sugar How to make it: Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, and heat until the mixture is warm (the cocoa powder will float on the top of the milk until the mixture heats up). Remove from heat, and pour into mugs. To spice it up, add:
1/2 tsp of cinnamon 1/2 tsp of ginger 1/4 tsp of cumin
Classic additions:
~Marshmallows ~Peppermint sticks ~1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
Winter Devo Guide::. Here is a day by day reading guide to keep you on track with your daily devotionals this winter season. Take 10 minutes each day to read and process the portion of scripture and ask yourself the questions below. We encourage you to read slowly, put yourself in the story and think about what the characters were facing. Write down scriptures that stand out to you or prayers in response to what you are reading in a journal or notebook to go back to later. 1. What is the author (The Apostle John) literally saying in the scripture? 2. How does this portion of scripture speak to you personally? 3. How can you apply this to your life today? Throughout the winter, we will go through the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. The Apostle John gave himself the name – The Apostle whom Jesus Loved because he was secure in his relationship to Christ. He was a close friend of Jesus and his account of Jesus’ life is written in this first book. His other accounts were written in 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Revelation.
December::. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
John 1:1-13 – The Word became Flesh John 1:14-18 – The Word became Flesh - 2 John 1:19-28 – John the Baptist Denies being the Messiah John 1:29-34 – John’s Testimony about Jesus John 1:35-42 – John’s Disciples Follow Jesus John 1:43-51 – Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael John 2:1-12 – Jesus Changes Water into Wine John 2:13-25 – Jesus Clears the Temple Courts John 3:1-15 – Jesus Teaches Nicodemus John 3:16-21 – Jesus Teaches Nicodemus - 2 John 3:22-36 – John Testifies Again About Jesus John 4:1-12 – Jesus Talks to the Samaritan Woman John 4:13-26 – Jesus Talks to the Samaritan Woman - 2 John 4:27-38 – The Disciples Rejoin Jesus John 4:39-42 – Many Samaritans Believe John 4:43-54 – Jesus Heals the Official’s Son
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
John 5:1-15 – The Healing at the Pool John 5:16-30 – The Authority of the Son John 5:31-47 – Testimonies about Jesus John 6:1-15 – Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand John 6:16-24 – Jesus Walks on Water John 6:25-40 – Jesus the Bread of Life John 6:41-59 – Jesus the Bread of Life – 2 John 6:60-71 – Many Disciples Desert Jesus John 7:1-13 – Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles John 7:14-24 – Jesus Teaches at the Festival John 7:25-44 – Division over Who Jesus Is John 7:45-53 – Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders John 8:1-11 – Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders – 2 John 8:12-20 – Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony John 8:21-30 – Dispute Over Who Jesus Is Continued on next page.
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John 3:16::.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
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January::. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
John 8:31-47 – Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are John 8:48-59 – Jesus’ Claims About Himself John 9:1-12 – Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:13-34 – The Pharisees Investigate the Healing John 9:35-41 – Spiritual Blindness John 10:1-13 – The Good Shepherd and His Sheep John 10:14-21 – The Good Shepherd and His Sheep - 2 John 10:22-42 – Further Conflict over Jesus’ Claims John 11:1-16 – The Death of Lazarus John 11:17-37 – Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus John 11:38-44 – Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead John 11:45-57 – The Plot to Kill Jesus John 12:1-11 – Jesus Anointed at Bethany John 12:12-19 – Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King John 12:20-36 – Jesus Predicts His Death John 12:37-50 – Belief and unbelief Among the Jews Jesus 13:1-17 – Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet John 13:18-30 – Jesus Predicts His Betrayal John 13:31-38 – Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial John 14:1-14 – Jesus Comforts His Disciples John 14:15-31 – Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit John 15:1-17 – The Vine and the Branches John 15:18-25 – The World Hates the Disciples John 15:26-27 – The Work of the Holy Spirit 1 John 18:19-27 – The High Priest Questions Jesus 16:1-15 – The Work of the Holy Spirit - 2 2 John 18:28-40 – Jesus Before Pilate John 16:16-33 – The Disciples’ Grief will Turn to Joy 3 John 19:1-16 – Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified John 17:1-5 – Jesus Prays to be Glorified 4 John 19:17-27 – The Crucifixion of Jesus John 17:6-19 – Jesus Prays for His Disciples 5 John 19:28-37 – The Death of Jesus John 17:20-26 – Jesus Prays for All Believers 6 John 19:38-42 – The Burial of Jesus John 18:1-14 – Jesus Arrested 7 John 20:1-10 – The Empty Tomb John 18:15-18 – Peter’s First Denial 8 John 20:11-18 – Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 9 John 20:19-23 – Jesus Appears to His Disciples 10 John 20:24-29 – Jesus Appears to Thomas 11 John 20:30-31 – The Purpose of John’s Gospel 12 John 21:1-14 – Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish 13 John 21:15-25 – Jesus Reinstates Peter 14 I John 1:1-4 – The Incarnation of the Word of Life 15 I John 1:5-10 – Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness 16 I John 2:1-2 – Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness - 2 17 I John 2:3-11 – Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers 18 I John 2:12-14 – Reasons for Writing 19 I John 2:15-17 – On Not Loving the World 20 I John 2:18-27 – Warnings Against Denying the Son 21 I John 2:28-3:10 – God’s Children and Sin 22 I John 3:11-24 – More on Love and Hatred 23 I John 4:1-6 – On Denying the Incarnation 24 I John 4:7-21 – God’s Love and Ours 25 I John 5:1-12 – Faith in the Incarnate Son of God 26 I John 5:13-21 – Concluding Affirmations 27 2 John 1-13 – A letter to the Elder 28 3 John 1-14 – A letter to the Elder- 2
FEBRUARY::.
Our Space ABOUT US
PURE DESIGN STUDIOS
Pure Design Magazine has a home! We are located at 18 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio behind Pure Roots Boutique in Uptown Westerville. Our studio will be used for brainstorming, crafting, designing and future workshops! We are very excited to have this space! Stop by and see us sometime!
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Local Artisans 16
Hannah H. is 16 years old and has loved to draw from the minute she could pick up a pencil. She loves and partakes in art of all kinds, from drawing, to writing, to acting, and of late; cooking. She tries to surround herself with creative people and a natural environment when she’s drawing and in everyday life.
Hannah H. #1
Hannah H. is a senior at Jonathan Alder High School. She is passionate about God and loving others. She enjoys golfing on her free time.
Hannah H. #2
Gluten Free
ALMONDJoyMACAROONS
Ingredients Preparation
4 large egg whites ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 5 ¼ cups (14 ounce bag) sweetened flaked coconut 24 whole almonds ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, sugar, salt and vanilla extract until foamy. Fold in coconut flakes until mixture is evenly distributed. Scoop golf ball sized mounds of coconut mixture, place almond in the center and roll into a ball. Place macaroons about one inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until outsides are a light golden brown color. Cool for 5-10 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Melt chocolate chips either in the microwave or over a double boiler. Dip bottoms of cooled macarons into melted chocolate and transfer to parchment paper to set. Drizzle any remaining chocolate over macaroons if desired. Allow chocolate to set completely before storing in an airtight container.
Bon Apetit
Team Playlist Naomi: Winter Song by The Head and the Heart Maddie: Coffee by Sylvan Esso
Sophia: By My Side by Ben Harper Kerry: Snow Day by Matt Pond
Paige: Atlas Hands by Benjamin Francis Leftwich Ashley: The Cave by Mumford and Sons
Nicole: Darling Divine by The Careful Ones
Sarah: Where Does the Time Go? by Innocence Mission Pam: Here With Me Now by Laura Hackett Caeilen: Lego House by Ed Sheeran
Ruth: Train Song by Ben Gibbard & Feist Kate: One You’ll Find by Shane & Shane Hannah: High of 75 by Reliant K
Morgan: Skinny Love by Bon Iver 19
Confusion By Katherine
Within
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you in singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17). I’m not the kid that you would guess to have problems with depression, but I do. I tend to be good about hiding it, but it is still something I struggle with. I grew up in a Christian home and my parents took me to church every Sunday. I remember my second grade Sunday school teacher explaining that I could not live life on my own and I needed a Savior to help me through the hard times and pay for my sins. I decided to accept Christ, but nothing really changed. Besides being good at hiding my feelings, I was also very good in school and always had excellent grades. I had amazing friends and discovered my passion for music at a young age. In the eyes of society, I had everything. So why would I be depressed? When middle school hit, my so-called perfect life was not enough. I decided to try to play the popular game. I was willing to change my appearance, speech, and attitude to be friends with the cool kids. By the time high school rolled around, I was engrossed in changing everything I could about myself to fit in and be liked by all. I would cuss to fit in with the popular kids and take hard classes to fit in with the smart ones. I practiced violin constantly to be part of the musical crowd. I morphed into whoever I was hanging out with. But my so-called perfect life began to fall apart. I was not fulfilled in any of it and was stressed out.
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During the middle of my freshman year of high school, I became very depressed. Since I was far from the Lord and I had given up my identity to everything around me, I was desperate for some kind of truth in my life. I started to believe lies from the devil. I believed that I was unloved and worthless. These lies began to shape my identity. Even though I was hurting, I didn’t let it show because of fear of losing my friends. I assumed no one would want to be friends with someone dealing with depression. I shut out my friends and family and buried myself in schoolwork and music. I tried to do everything on my own. I put on a smile during the school day, studied hard in the evening and cried myself to sleep at night. But no one knew. I felt so alone all the time but I didn’t want to burden my friends or family with what I was going through. I told myself they didn’t need to know and I could handle it on my own. But in reality, I couldn’t. That is the hard part about depression. On the outside, everyone thinks you are doing okay, but on the inside you are trying to hold it together. Then something happens and you realize you can’t.
Guest Author: Katherine Katherine is a 17 year old with a passion for music, learning, and Jesus. She is a senior at Delaware Hayes High School. She loves spending time playing viola,hanging with friends and family, and drinking coffee.
I don’t think I ever consciously diagnosed myself as depressed. I just knew that I wasn’t okay on the inside. My normal cheery self was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t popular or smart or musical or a solid Christian. I felt empty and alone on the inside. Lucky for me, God had plans for my life. He wasn’t about to let his precious daughter struggle through this on her own. In fact, He doesn’t want any of his children to struggle alone. He puts people and events in our lives that He can use in amazing ways. He purposefully reaches into our circumstances to make a way of escape. For me, it was church camp the summer after my sophomore year. God put women in my life that loved me so deeply and called me out on what was going on in my heart. They asked the hard questions and were patient to listen to the hard answers. God opened my eyes to the beautiful, Godly woman He created me to be. He showed me that I am not only loved by friends and family, but also loved by Him – the One who created love itself. God sees worth in me because I am made in His image. I am never alone because “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you in singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17). God chose to show the power of His love in crazy ways that week. Going into church camp, I was in denial that I was in the midst of depression and walking far from the Lord. But after camp, I was filled with the joy of Christ and His truths. I was depression-free and relying on Christ daily for my strength. After that week, I truly began to live for Him. Sometimes God chooses not to wipe out depression in a week, or a month, or a year. But something God does promise is that He is our “fortress, our refuge in times of trouble,” (Psalm 59:16). Sometimes it is hard to see the good in God’s plan, and
it often does not make sense to us, but it is so much bigger and better than we can ever imagine. Do you know the best part? God promises again and again, that no matter what, He will always be right beside us – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20). If depression is something you struggle with, remember three things. First, God loves you so much. God loves you more than you will ever know or could ever imagine. He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for you. You are made in the image of Christ! Second, remember God’s power. God is big enough and powerful enough to overcome any lies the enemy throws at you. And lastly, remember that you have friends and family who care about you. They want to help you through this part of your life so let them! Tell them what is going on and allow yourself to be helped. If you know someone who is going through a rough time, whether it is depression or something else, be a friend to them. Listen intently and ask them the hard questions. Show them you care, the love of Jesus and the power He has to help them through. Depression is hard and messy. It is not something we like to talk about, but it affects many of us in one way or another. If you are struggling with depression, know that you are not alone in your struggle. Millions of people struggle with this as well. Even if you are not struggling with depression, look at those around you and see how you can support someone who is. Depression isn’t something someone chooses to go through or chooses to end. However, depression is something you can overcome with the help of God and others around you.
Philippians 4:6 -7 ( NlV ) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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GUY
Q& A
Alden is 15 years old and lives in Delaware, Ohio. He is a high school sophomore and is homeschooled. He has a passion for all kinds of music. He plays drums and guitar and serves regularly on the worship team at his church. He also has started leading worship at his High School home group. When he’s not playing music, he likes to ride motorcycles, hang out with his friends, and be outdoors.
Alden Robinson
Anxiety and stress is something a lot of teens deal with throughout their high school years. Often, guys and girls process this and other issues differently. We thought we’d ask Alden his perspective on how he and some of his friends handle these topics and what advice he might give to some of his high school girlfriends. PD: Many young women today face overwhelming anxiety and stress in regard to school, self-image, and their future. What advice would you give a friend dealing with overwhelming stress in her life? AR: I know too much stress can be a really bad thing, so I’d encourage a friend to find ways to relax - whether that is spending time with her family, talking to a friend, or just doing something fun to “de-stress”. I would also remind her that God is in control and has a plan for her future, and that He also cares about all the little things going on in her life as a teenager. PD: Anxiety and panic attacks are growing issues for teens today. Have you ever talked a friend through a time of anxiety? If so what was your advice to her? If not, what would you say? AR: I haven’t had a friend deal with this directly. If I did, I would encourage her to pray and seek out some counsel from an adult or pastor who could help figure out what is causing the panic attacks. We often need help from others to figure out what the true problem is, and to interpret whether it’s a spiritual attack or something physical. 24
PD: Have you personally ever dealt with anxiety, fear or overwhelming stress? If so how did you handle it? AR: I personally haven’t struggled much with anxiety. I think it might just be that my personality is more laid back. People say I’m pretty relaxed. PD: As Christians, we know so many scriptures about trusting the Lord, not being fearful and surrendering to God. Why do you think it is hard as humans to do this? AR: Why is it hard to trust God? I think as humans we try to take things into our own hands, forgetting that God is stronger and smarter than we are. We can also get distracted by everyday life and forget that God is with us all the time, not just when we are at church, and that He cares about everything in our lives. When we don’t trust Him, we don’t believe what is true about God. PD: What have you seen or do you think are things that cause stress or anxiety for girls in today’s society? AR: I think guys and girls can feel the stress of striving to get good grades, fitting in with their friends, and trying to look cool. I also see that TV and magazines put an extra pressure on girls to do everything well and always look like the fashion models too! PD: What strengths do you see girls having when it comes to friendships? AR: Girls are better at sharing and expressing their feelings and opening up about personal struggles and fears with their friends. Guys can also have strong friendships, but it doesn’t come as naturally to communicate like that with each other.
PD: So many teen girls want or feel they need affirmation and acceptance from guys. What advice would you give to a girl who is struggling to find acceptance from teen guys? AR: I would say that they should not be trying to please or get acceptance from teen guys. As Christians, we need to have our focus on Jesus, and remember that our identity comes from Him. What the world says you should be like is always changing, but God doesn’t change. Teens shouldn’t behave a certain way to impress other people. God says you are valuable and His opinion matters most. PD: Dating is such a huge deal during high school for both guys and girls. What advice would you give a teen girl who desperately wants to be in a dating relationship? AR: I would ask, “Why are you desperate to be dating?” That sounds like someone who can’t be happy without a boyfriend, which might mean she is trying to find her identity or worth in that other person. I personally have chosen to develop good friendships with girls but not pursue exclusive dating relationships at this time. I want to wait until I am older when the focus of dating would be to find the wife God has chosen for me. Pure Design Guy is an article to gain a teen “guy’s perspective” on a variety of subjects and questions. The Pure Design team comes up with questions pertaining to that issue and chooses a teenage guy to interview. Answers are emailed back directly to the team and published. Pure Design would love to hear from YOU. If you have questions or topics you’d like answered by a teenage guy in a future issue, simply email your questions to pam@puredesignministries.com or leave us a FB message on our FB page – Pure Design Teen Mag.
Festive
PATTERNS
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LAYERED LOOKS Keep cozy and warm with a solid coat and combat boots for any winter weather! Outerwear pieces make a great fashion statement no matter what the occasion. 28
HOLIDAY MITTS These cute mittens are an excellent way to add a pop of color to any outfit while keeping your fingers warm!
MIXING PATTERNS Don’t be afraid to pair up acid washed jeans, a bold sweater and a neutral plaid shirt for this holiday season. Whether you are heading out to have some fun or just hanging with friends, mixing prints is a fun way to express yourself when the snow begins to fly.
EMERALD ENVY Combat boots come in a variety of colors and designs. Make your friends jealous by mixing in these emerald green boots to your winter footwear. 31
COLORED DAZE Scarves are a must during the cold winter season. Add a colorful infinity scarf to any casual outfit for some extra flair. 32
BACK TO BLACK Black is basic, but black is bold. You can never go wrong with black skinny jeans and a black leather jacket. Add some comfy moccasins for a stylish December look!
TRIBAL TRENDS We love super trendy joggers with simple staples like a long sleeved T, and a big infinity scarf. Mix and match prints and patterns to make your outfit chic and fun.
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ANIMAL INSTINCTS Draw some attention as you walk in the room by wearing a fun and furry bomber hat!
BLACK AND BLUE Black leather leggings are a strong statement piece. Pull on your favorite plaid shirt and cardigan to match for a comfy yet modern look. 36
A POP OF RED When working with one or two dark colors in your apparel, don’t be afraid to go bold with a classic red lipstick!
CHRISTMAS FLAIR Make a statement for the holidays with a black leather skirt and some fun patterned tights. Add some converse tennies for a flirty casual look.
HANGING OUTDOORS Beanies and hats are great for the winter. Plaid, hound’s-tooth or other patterned sweaters add a variety of choices for cold weather temps. 39
A Battle for
Peacee By Pam Lozano
As I lay next to my daughter on her bed, I could feel fear in the room. Our once happy- go-lucky girl was afraid to fall asleep alone because of the intense nightmares she was having. We prayed, quoted scriptures and talked through what she was dealing with, but nothing seemed to change. I had offered to sleep with her that night so she wouldn’t be alone, but now as she was sound asleep, I began to feel afraid and the room seemed incredibly dark. It felt as if a dark heavy fog had settled in. As I opened my eyes to look, I didn’t see anything but could definitely feel something was there. I began to pray under my breath asking God’s presence to fill the room. I had never experienced something so intense within our home. I knew I had authority over anything evil that might be trying to invade our space, but no matter what I did, nothing changed. This happened soon after Caeilen was diagnosed with Graves Disease, a hyper-thyroid condition that had several side affects – anxiety being the major one. Her hormone levels were greatly imbalanced creating emotional swings that she had never experienced. She had a hard time focusing and wanted to be alone more than usual. She didn’t seem to be herself, but I assumed she was just stressed because of mid-term exams and her sophomore year was important. I never imagined something was going on health wise until we went in for her yearly physical and her doctor wanted to run some blood tests.
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The test results showed she had a hyper-thyroid condition that was treatable with medication. I thought “Great, we’ll get some medicine and soon she’ll be feeling better and back to her normal self.” But what I didn’t realize was that the diagnosis brought on more anxiety because of the unknowns. She wasn’t certain she would feel normal again and now regular blood tests and medication were part of her new norm. As a teenage girl, she wanted to be healthy and normal, not different from everyone else. All of these things were piling up, adding stress to an already tense season of life. This was then compounded by a spiritual attack of fear and anxiety which would take weeks to battle through. As I lay there on her bed that night, I realized no matter what we know and believe we really do have an enemy who hates us and wants to destroy our lives. He is out to make us believe that he has more power than God and that we do not have authority over him. I continued to pray and encourage Caeilen to do the same. We realized we were in a war to regain peace in her life and it wasn’t going to be an overnight thing. As she talked with one of our pastors, he shared that this was a spiritual attack and she was going to be okay, and that these panic attacks really would begin to subside as she surrendered control of her health over to God. After this, the anxiety and fear began to lift little by little.
Many of us battle fear, anxiety, and depression or panic attacks and do not know how to handle them. Sometimes it is due to a chemical or hormonal imbalance and absolutely needs to be treated by a doctor. Other times, however, we forget that as Christians, we are in a spiritual battle and while I do not believe that everything we face in life is an evil spirit, I think there are times where we have to remember there is a spiritual realm and a real enemy who wants to destroy our lives.
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
I Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
So how do we battle for peace in our lives? 1. Realize our lives are not our own. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we give everything over to Him – our health, our successes, our failures and our future. We give Him the reins and the right to direct our steps and show us where to go. We are simply along for the ride. This enables us to not strive, but to live at peace, that He will show us step by step, day by day exactly where He wants us to go. We can trust when we go through hard things that He is there with us. He will never leave us alone. When we know this and believe it our hearts can be filled with peace. 2. Read and quote scripture to yourself. The Bible is often referred to as “the sword of the spirit” and Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword...It is our weapon against the enemy. When we are battling fear, anxiety, stress or depression, if we can learn to speak the truth of God’s Word to our own hearts and minds, we begin to win the battle. Ephesians 6: 10-17 talks about the armor of God and what each piece represents. I’d encourage you to read and study this scripture if you battle with anxiety, fear or depression. We need to learn to how to quote scriptures and battle for our own sense of peace. 3. Pray. Talk things out with God. He knows what you are struggling with. He sees the anxiety, fear and lack of sleep. Jesus desires to give us peace, but sometimes we forget to ask Him for it. We can make exchanges with Him – our fears for His peace. Jesus promised to never leave us, and He is able to come into those places of fear if we invite Him to.
4. Seek Help. There are definitely times when professional help is needed. If you are battling any of these things – fear, anxiety, depression, panic attacks or insomnia and even after you’ve prayed, read scripture and surrendered it to the Lord, there is no change, ask for help. Talk to your parents first and share what is going on. Be honest and open with them in how severe things are. If you don’t have a parent you can talk to, find a pastor or teacher or adult that you trust. They may encourage you to see a counselor or doctor. Seeking help is NOT a sign of weakness. If you break your arm, you go to a specialist to get a cast so it can heal. Counselors and doctors can also find ways to help heal emotional issues or health issues. Do not keep things hidden, be brave and reach out for the help you need. Peace is attainable. It may ebb and flow like the waves on the shore depending on what’s happening around us. Storms may come and cause things to be shaky for a bit, but by continual surrender of control of our lives to Jesus, we can live with inner peace. A favorite song of mine, by Brian Johnson of Bethel, has some amazing lyrics to describe this:
“If my heart is overwhelmed And I cannot hear Your voice I hold on to what is true Though I cannot see If the storms of life they come And the road ahead gets steep I will lift these hands in faith I will believe.”
Philemon 1:3 (ESV) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. PSALM 4:8 (ESV) IN PEACE I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN AND SLEEP; FOR YOU ALONE, O LORD, MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV) Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you always.
YOU CANNOT FIND PEACE BY AVOIDING LIFE. - VIRGINIA WOOLF
Isaiah 54:10 (ESV) For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,� says the Lord, who has compassion on you.. Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. - William Hazlitt PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF CONFLICT, IT IS THE ABILITY TO HANDLE CONFLICT BY PEACEFUL MEANS. - RONALD REAGAN
John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world!
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. - C. S. Lewis
First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. - Thomas a Kempis
Psalm 34:13 (ESV) Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 43
Behind the Scenes With the Pure Design Team!
SNEAK PEAK AT ISSUE 11! Spring is always an amazing season of new life breaking forth all around us. Trees are in bloom, flowers burst from the ground and dormant life comes alive again all around us. The spring issue of Pure Design Magazine will be published on March 1st As we look ahead to spring, we want to embrace all that it brings – new life and warmer weather with both sunshine and rain. “Beauty for Ashes” is a theme throughout life that brings such hope and peace to people. It reminds us that God can take the mistakes, failures and brokenness of people and redeem, restore and heal them. He gives new beginnings, fresh starts and “do overs” all throughout His Word, and He loves to do the same for us! He desires to take the broken pieces of our lives and mend them into a beautiful tapestry of grace for His glory. We hope this issue inspires you to look at the broken places of your own heart and life and turn them over to God’s redemptive grace. “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Stay tuned to read more... Keep connected to our blog and quarterly magazines at www.puredesignteenmag.com. Share your thoughts with us by messaging us on FB or emailing pam@puredesignministries.com. Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram and please share our site with your friends!
What to Expect This Winter
• Inspiring spring fashion • True life stories from teen girls like you • • Pure Design Guy Article • My Space spread •
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All contents copyright Š 2014 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