I'm Watching You

For quite a while now, I've been receiving a teen girl Christian magazine called, "Susie Mag". If you haven't already heard about it, I highly recommend you go look it up!

The other day, I got the September/October issue. In it, was this article titled "I'm Watching You". This really spoke to me. Please, if you are a teen girl, and you know a girl younger than you..READ THIS ARTICLE. Even if you are a teen guy, this subject is so important right now. It's not the shortest article, but God really laid this on my heart to share with you all. We as teens need to be open to the things that the younger generation are struggling with.

   Hi. I'm Megan.
   I'm growing like crazy, and the changes in my body totally make me self-conscious.
   I love to sleep.
   I'm battling mood swings that can frighten a bear out of hibernation, and I often express myself through outbursts of anger. But I'm also terrified-and to cover that up-I pretend I'm much stronger than I am.
   I'm only 11. And this is where you come in! I know your older than me, and I want you to know that I need you. It seems like I crave encouragement, support and love-the unconditional kind. So when I try to hang around you, its' because I'm watching you. See, I know your remember what it's like to be 11. And because your turning out OK, I figure I can learn by your actions.
   My friends are really important to me. So is my freedom. I get lost in my day-sometimes I can't tell the difference between 5 minutes or 50 minutes. I daydream a lot too.
   I like to sew, paint and write in my journal. My little brothers drive me mad, but I love them like crazy. I'm interested in spiritual things, but a lot of what happens at church and what I read in my Bible, doesn't make sense to me...at least not yet.
   You remember this stuff, right? You were here. So you also know that I am a sponge! I soak in everything I see and hear, especially what I notice in teenage girls-girls just like you. Again,      I'm watching you.
   So I want you to know how powerful your life is! Have you ever thought about the opportunity you have to shape the life of young girls like me? It's crazy-huge! the way you choose to live your life is most likely the way my friends and I will choose to live our lives...so please...choose wisely.
   A while ago my dad asked me to make a list of the characteristics I think are important in being a role model. I think he was hoping I might find someone your age who could help me to become who God wants me to be. I think he also wanted me to know what kind of a person i'll need to be to shape the lives of younger girls when I'm your age. Anyway, here's what I came up with
   I want to be a teen girl who...

• has a positive self-image. I hope I don't look to the world for my worth, but instead remember that I'm a child of God and created in His image.

• respects authority. I hope I'll be someone who chooses to allow the people who are there to guide me (like my parents, teachers and coaches) to actually guide me.

• serves others first. I want to be a person who leads with love. I don't want love to be secondary in my life. I want it to be the first thing that comes out of me.

• is trustworthy. I want people to know they can believe in me because I fulfill my promises, keep secrets and am completely honest. 

• is always teachable. I hope I'm a person who never thinks I know everything but can learn from everyone-even people who are younger than me or people I don't really know very well.

• is committed to social causes. I hope that I'm a person who actively words to right the wrongs in the world.

• admits when I'm wrong. I want to be the kind of person who can admit when I've made a mistake or that I'm wrong when I am-and asks for forgiveness.

• is truthful. I pray that I'm always truthful, because lies are damaging and can destroy friendships. 

• is committed to living green. I want to increase my passion for this world to become a healthier place. As a future mentor or role model to others, I want to be a person who cares about all of God's creation.

• seeks holiness. I want to please God with my life, and I hope I'm a person who values love and purity.

• seeks peace. I want to be a person who tries to make peace and finds ways to bring people together by showing their similarities instead of their opposing views and different opinions.

• is a role model and has a role model. I want to always have someone to look up to. I think anyone who wants to be a role model should have a role model from whom to learn, grow and be shaped.

 My Plea
I don't know how you see yourself, but maybe the list of traits above will help you evaluate your life. Remember, I (and other girls just like me) am watching you. We all want to be just like you when we get older. I hope you'll show us how to live in the right way, so we can be powerful role models for others someday. 

I hope this has opened your eyes, as it did mine, to what we should act like not only around those younger than us, but around everyone. Please share this with every teen you know, we need to be the generation that seeks God's wisdom in all that we do, in all that we say. We need to be the ones to help those younger than us, so that when they are in our shoes, they'll know what to do.
Even if you don't know many younger than you right now, you can do so much even by lifting them up in prayer, as well as your peers, that they would rise up and be the children of God that He asks us to be.

On a side note, if you are interested in the magazine I mentioned earlier, shoot me a comment and I'll give you some more information!


Thanks for reading,

Jess

30 Day Challenge

Hey everyone!
My friend shared this on her blog, and I thought it was a WONDERFUL idea! This came out of one of the issues of the SUSIE Magazine. If you are a girl, and love magazines, I highly recommend this magazine! I'll give some more info at the bottom.
Anyways...like I was saying, this challenge was in one of those issues and I am going to do it! If anyone wants to join me, I'll be starting this upcoming Sunday. 
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EMOTIONAL 
• Do something kind for a neighbor three times a week for 30 days. 
• Hug someone in your family three times a week for 30 days. 
• Volunteer to do an extra chore (or someone else’s chore) at home three times a week for 30 days. 
• Take a bubble bath at least one time in the next 30 days to help you unwind.

Besides completing the above, CHOOSE ONE of the following to complete:
• Snail mail two handwritten notes of encouragement to someone in ministry during the next 30 days. 
• Make a snack for your family three times during the next 30 days.

STEWARDSHIP
• Tithe 10 percent of your income or allowance for 30 days. (If you don’t receive any allowance or income, tithe 15 minutes of your time to help someone do something every day for 30 days.)
• Help organize an event for your youth group or closest friends to volunteer at a charity (e.g., soup 
kitchen, thrift store, pregnancy resource center, church nursery, etc.) one time during the next 30 days.

Besides completing the above, CHOOSE ONE of the following to complete:
• Donate your old clothes, CDs, books and other items.
• Tithe your talent three times in the next 30 days (bake cookies for a neighbor, mow someone’s grass, babysit for free, send a handmade card, etc. In other words, whatever you do well, do it for some- one else.)

SPIRITUAL
• Read five chapters of Psalms each day. 
• Read the Gospel of Mark once. 
• Memorize 1 Corinthians 13 in any version of the Bible. (Yes, the entire chapter.) 
• Keep a prayer journal for 30 days.

Besides completing the above, CHOOSE TWO of the following to complete:
• Volunteer one day at your church to help where needed.
• Listen to a sermon you’ve never heard before on tape, podcast, the internet or CD.
• Verbally share your faith with someone who’s not a Christian.
• Invite a friend to church or youth group who does not regularly a??end.

MENTAL
• Read any book by Lee Strobel. (Make sure you read the student version.)
• Read Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. 
• Use a dictionary to learn the meaning of muckrake. Then use it in a conversation one day. 
• Use the dictionary to learn the meaning of zeppelin. Then use it in a conversation one day. 
• Go one week with no television.

Besides completing the above, CHOOSE TWO of the following to complete:
• Play one of the following games with your fam- ily one time during the next 30 days: Farkle®, Scrabble®, Trivial Pursuit®, Monopoly®, Pit®.
• Go one week without using your computer. 
• Plan a movie night with friends or family, and create five questions about the movie to discuss afterward. Choose one of the following movies to watch: The Ultimate Gift, Left Behind, Amazing Grace, Anne of Green Gables, Hangman’s Curse, Facing the Giants, Expelled, Secondhand Lions.

PHYSICAL
• Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day five times a week for 30 days.
• Avoid all caffeinated drinks for three days out of every week for 30 days. 
• Lift 10 pounds of weights 25 times three times a week. If you don’t have weights, lift the same amount in something else (sacks of potatoes, bags of flour, etc.)
• Eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day. (A tomato is a fruit, by the way.)

Besides completing the above, CHOOSE TWO of the following to complete: 
• Jog 20 minutes a day three times a week for the next 30 days.
• Jump rope for 20 minutes three times a week for the next 30 days. 
• Swim for 20 minutes three times a week for the next 30 days. 
• Bicycle for 30 minutes three times a week for the next 30 days.

FAQ's
What if I’ve already read one of the books listed? Can I count that?
No. Read it again.

To whom do I say my memorized verses?
Say them to a parent, because Mom or Dad will be signing the paper stating you completed the entire challenge.

What if I’ve already memorized 1 Corinthians 13?
Then memorize it in a different version of the Bible.

I play sports and am already physically active. Does that count?
If you have sports practice or games, you may count that as your exercise for that specific day.

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If you have any questions or anything, just give me a holler! And here is the link to the SUSIE magazine if you are interested!

http://www.susiemagazine.com/

Jess

Some Really Ingenious Title Goes Here :P

Hey all!
I'm sorry it's been such a long time. But...you know me! :) There has been a lot going on lately, but as usual, I can't find a place to start!
I have been helping out lately with our local Upwards Basketball games every Saturday at the score board and game table. I've really enjoyed getting to watch all the kids play and meet new people! Yesterday was the last game, and all the players did a wonderful job!

The most exciting thing happened the day before yesterday. My grandpa has a whole bunch of cows and one morning, a little calf just showed up! He tried to find the mom, but none of them took to it. My mom and I had gone over there while he was trying to find a home for it, and we suggested that I take it!

I've always wanted a bucket calf, and have come close to getting one, but I didn't think I'd get to have this little one. But, with some calling around, and planning, the next day I got little Josie Pie!

So every morning, afternoon and evening I get to go down to the barn, a good walking distance away from our house and bottle feed her! :)


Well, that's all for the moment :)

Jess

Bye Bye Long Hair!

Yay! I finally got my hair cut! It has been SO long!

Jess