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Summer Memories... STEP 2013!

Well.. I know it's been quite a while since I blogged.. But, I'll try and redeem myself! ;) I've been so busy this year! :)

This summer in June I went to STEP. STEP stands for Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness. It is held at the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, Texas every summer! :) To learn more about the program click here.

Some of the questions people ask about my experience at STEP are.. What kind of camp was that again? Was it different than you were expecting? What did you learn? What did you like the best?
So.. I'll try to answer these questions to the best of my ability! :)

What kind of camp was it?
       It was a Biblically based emergency preparedness camp for girls ages 15 and up. We had about 50 girls that were split up into 3 groups and 6 teams. I was in Red Team One with 7 other girls ages 16-20.

Was it different than you were expecting?
     I didn't really know what to expect!! It was kind of how I envisioned it, but I didn't think about how it would be a whole lot since I really didn't have a clue about what it could be like! I had been planning on coming to STEP since October of 2012, so I had some time to mentally prepare myself. What I really wanted out of STEP was some alone time with God. Some time away from family, friends and distractions where I could just focus on my relationship with God, and His will for my life. I just graduated highschool this spring, so I was needing some direction.
I was also hoping to learn life skills that would be useful later in life. I was excited about PT, because I really wanted to get in better shape.. which I totally did!
One of the things I really didn't expect or prepare for, was how close I would get to some of my teammates. I thought I would make friends at STEP, but I didn't know that we would become so close. I almost feel as if I have gained sisters! :)

What did you learn?
      I learned so much!! It's almost hard to explain. I feel as if I am still realizing the things that I learned at STEP. It was truly a life changing experience. I changed a lot there in little ways and in some big ways as well. To give you an idea about the skills we learned.. here are some of the classes we had:
Map Navigation
Canoeing
Water Safety
First Aid/CPR
Search and Rescue
Self Defense
Basic Plumbing, Electrical and Drywall Repair
Auto Maintenance
Ropes and Knots
River Crossing
Rappelling
and... much more! :)

I learned so much spiritually as well! God revealed a lot of little things to me while I was at STEP. I am so thankful that He allowed me to go!! :)
I had an amazing team leader. God definitely put me on the team he wanted me on with the teammates he knew I needed. He is so good and he supplies our every need!
Some personal skills I learned were journaling, time management and how to take a shower in less than 5 minutes! ;) We also memorized large portions of Philippians, which was a lot of fun!

What did you like the best?
     That is always so hard to choose! I liked everything!! I think I finally decided though, after debating about it for quite some time, was that the thing I liked the best was making dear friends. I became so close to several of my teammates and my team leader! When you live with people for a month and go through everything with them (including team building activities) you just become close. I am so thankful for them all! :)

I am so glad that God allowed me to go to STEP this year. I highly recommend it to anyone that is eligible. You learn so much. It is just such an amazing and life changing experience!

 My dear friend Katelynn!! :)

 Some of my team and group mates

 Group room time :)

 First Aid ;)

 My dear friends. Some of my team mates and the awesomest team leader ever! :)))

Marriage Thoughts

We got this poem from a book at the library.  It was so true and precious I had to share it. :)

The Person I Marry

I went to a wedding.  I saw pretty things.
I noticed the dresses, the tuxes and rings,
the candles, the curls and the floral bouquets.
I stood with the crowd as we turned our gaze
to a bride who beamed as she came down the aisle,
sending love to her groom in the form of a smile.

Then as we sat down, my mom pulled me near
and whispered some wisdom right into my ear,
wisdom I know that I won't be forgetting.
"It's 'who', not 'what', that makes a great wedding.
The clothing you wear and the flowers you carry
don't matter as much as the person you marry."

Questions have swirled in my mind ever since.
What makes a princess?  What makes a prince?
It cannot be riches, hair color and height,
or any externals I think are just right.

Something that's inside, something much deeper,
will help me determine which one is a "keeper".
And so, long before any diamonds or glitter,
these are some things that I need to consider:

The person I marry will be quite a find.
Perfect?  Of course not, but certainly kind;
one who's sincere, non-threatening, real,
with genuine interest in how others feel.
Wisely, this person will understand
the good that can come from a gentle hand.

A quality person my heart can embrace
has courteous speech that is seasoned with grace.
Some people talk tough (or wish they were),
but here's something better I tend to perfer.
True sensitivity.  This can be shown
by words that are tactful and tender in tone.

The person I marry won't have to pretend
just to impress me.  I want a friend,
one who can share, but can also receive.
That is the marrying type, I believe.

And as we share, my partner and I
will learn which things can satisfy;
not shallow things some call successs,
but little deeds of thoughtfulness.
And though we may not live like kings,
we'll both enjoy life's little things.

All days won't be sunny; and during the rain,
my partner and I will be slow to complain.
We'll stick close together the way that we vowed
no matter how dark and looming the cloud.

We'll look on the bright side.  All hope isn't gone.
Our Lord just decided to water our lawn.
With all kinds of blessings He's filling our cup,
so sooner or later, it's bound to let up.

The person, perhaps, might make hardly a sound,
or maybe spread humor and cheer all around.
Flamboyant or quiet, we will have a supply
of laughs we can share and tears we can cry.

Whether theatrically singing on stage,
or sitting and turning the other one's page,
we'll share each emotion as husband and wife,
enjoying our mutual passion for life.

Whenever we happen to face, by chance,
a less-than-perfect circumstance,
the person I marry won't act like a grump
at every little snag or bump
My friend might have to count to ten,
but then we'll cast our lines again.
Oh, it might take us both a minute,
but soon we'll see the humor in it.

The one with whom I want to live
is patient, eager to forgive;
and also very quick to say
"I'm sorry" in a heartfelt way.

The person I marry will never forget
to dignify life, each person and pet.
Since God is Creator and He is supreme,
we'll treat His creation with proper esteem.

One who acknowledges people have worth
is precious and rare; a gem on this earth.
And I want a gem, so the one I select
must honor our families and show them respect.

This person will be someone who
will listen to my point of view
and hear the things my heart is saying
even when our hair is graying

Hair may thin or change in shade.
Faces may wrinkle, memories fade.
The person I'll trust to carry my heart
must truly believe "til death do us part."

The one for me will be eager to learn,
and willing to teach me things in return.
From time to time we'll disagree
on issues; that's a guarantee.
Certain ones are rather small
and they don't matter much at all.
But some have moral consequence.
On these we cannot ride the fence.
We'll use the Bible as our guide
to keep our spirits unified.

And I expect my lifelong mate
to know some things are worth the wait.
So, by the grace of God, I'm sure
we'll both succeed in staying pure.

Though some may do the things they ought
out of fear of being caught,
that's not good enough for me.
I'll want real integrity.

Honesty is a must.
I'll need someone I can trust,
true in heart, strong as stone
whether watched or all alone.

Who needs a person that's charming and flirty?
I prefer someone whose hands can get dirty-
a person who works with purpose and goals,
helping our world and enriching our souls.

And every-so-often, while working so hard,
the person I marry will catch me off guard
as work becomes fun.  We won't be afraid
to keep life in balance and see that we've played.

The person I marry will be the sort
that's by my side to lend support,
share the burden, help me stand
by offering a caring hand.

Sympathizing, heaven-sent,
my friend will give encouragement.
And though it seems we face defeat,
we'll soon be back up on our feet.

Though it may sound a little strange,
through every season, every change,
this person must be someone who
will cherish me as Number Two.

Oh, I'll be deeply loved, of course.
But I can't be my partner's source.
When everything is said and done,
God must be our Number One.

I'll probably marry, but maybe I won't.
(Some people do; some people don't).
But if I marry, this I'll know-
I set my standards long ago
when I was just a little kid.
I set them high; I'm glad I did.
The vows I'll say I mean to keep,
So I'll look hard before I leap.

That special one of mystery
has weaknesses, of course, like me.
So, in the meantime I'll prepare
by lifting both of us in prayer.
~Gary Bower

Priorities

Lately I've been thinking about time.  There are only 24 hours in a day, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds.  Twenty-four hours is all you get.  Time is something that all of us have equally.  You can't buy more time or sell it.  We all have the same amount of time and, regardless of how we spend it, time keeps on ticking.

That made me stop and think.  Are we spending our time in a way that glorifies God?  Just think, God has given us precious little time on this earth.  We ought to put our whole lives into honoring, glorifying him and furthering his kingdom. 

Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying, "It's not a priority," and see how that feels.  Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation.  I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to.  But other things are harder.  Try it: "I'm not going to edit your resume, sweetie, cause it's not a priority."  "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority."  If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point.  Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice.  If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently. -Laura Vanderkam

I tried changing this for me.  "I could make time to read my Bible, but it's not a priority."  "I choose to get on Facebook, so it must be a priority over spending one-on-one time with my family."  It doesn't sound very good, does it?  I'm guilty of these very things... I think I'm going to work on my priorities. :)

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ~Proverbs 31:27

If By Grace

If by grace... Salvation.  The gift of God's only begotten Son to us, so we can reign forever with Him.  Salvation is a hard thing to grasp.  It is so simple, and yet to our human minds it is more than complex.  Do you mean to tell me that God gave His only son to cover my sins, and all I have to do is believe him?   I don't have to work?  Surely God wouldn't just want me to believe him... that is much to simple!  Many of us protest..  and yet it is what God requires.  Simply believe.

Grace: the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.  How true this is!  Grace is the free, unmerited love and favor of God.  God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to be the blood sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, was crucified so that we could be with God eternally.  How unmerited is that love!

 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.~ Ephesians 2:1-10

Joy in Contentment

 I have been thinking a lot about thankfulness lately.  People that are thankful are such a joy and a blessing to be around.  If you are helping a thankful person, and serving them, no matter how hard the task... a thankful person makes you feel really special.  Thankful people are just a joy to be around!  So that made me start thinking... What causes thankfulness and joy?

I think I boiled it down to contentement.  It's one word packed with meaning.  I think it's a little bit like trust.  Content means: rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.  Paul said, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

If you are content where you are then doesn't thankfulness and joy follow?  Paul said, in whatsoever state I am.  He didn't say.. "once you reach the place where you have everything you desire and are truly happy you can be content."  He said, whatsoever state.  

It doesn't come naturally..  Paul said "for I have learned"  I think contentement is like a state of mind.  It's like putting God's best above the way you think things should be and going on with life, putting all your energy into it.  Some people call it "blooming where you're planted."

After you have accepted the state you are, I believe joy and thankfulness follow.  If we're not always looking ahead...  Oh, when I get out of highschool, when I get a better job, if I just had a guy after me, when I get married... And the list goes on.  Why can't we just be content in the state God has placed us?  Why are we always looking to something we think would be better?

For so many young ladies the time of waiting inbetween highschool and marriage is the hardest time of their lives.  Why is that so?  God has instilled in us the desire to marry and have a family, but while we're waiting why don't we do something with our lives? 

I believe this time of life for us is the most precious of all.  We don't have a husband or children to take care of.  We have more time than we will probably ever have.  We will never get this time back.  Let's use it to serve God and further his kingdom!  Instead of looking at the time we have and pining for the day when we will marry, let us be content.  These years of waiting are God's gift to us to do something for him.  Let's use them!

To love God is to love His will. It is to wait quietly for life to be measured by One who knows us through and through. It is to be content with His timing and His wise appointment. ~Elisabeth Elliot

About my Car... ;)

So, I'm pretty sure that God has been teaching me about trust..  Recently I wrecked my car.  I didn't understand why God allowed it to happen, and yes, I shed a few tears.  Yet, as I watched the towing guy load my car up onto his tow truck (yes, I totaled it :P), there was a peace within me.  I thought, "Lord, I know you are trying to teach me to trust you, but what am I going to do?!  Help me to trust you!"  I do have a job, and college classes so I pretty much relied on my car for everything.  The insurance I had on my car was just liability, so it only covered the other vehicle in the accident.  I was pretty much on my own to buy a new car.

Through the accident, no one was injured and it was pretty much the best of what could have possibly happened.  God is faithful.  The night before the accident my friend and I were discussing how God lets us do stupid things, but he protects us.  He allows us to learn and grow through all the foolish things we get ourselves into.  How true that statement proved to be the following day!

When I got home that day I was pretty much still in shock from everything.  I praised the Lord for protecting us, and asked him to help me trust him.  I didn't really ask for a car, though.  I just prayed that God would work everything out according to his will.

The next day I started searching Craigslist for a car.  I had bought my previous car off of Craigslist in April.  So I was pretty short on money now, since I had just bought a car 5 months ago.  I was looking for a car that was $2000 or less.  I don't know if you know this or not, but cars that cheap are rather hard to come by.  I didn't come up with any cars that day.  That evening I prayed for a car.  I prayed that I would find a car soon; it would be under $2000; it would be blue; it would have lowish miles; it would be an automatic; it would be cute. ;)

The following day was a Sunday, so I didn't get on Craigslist until the afternoon.  I found a few cars that were cheap enough and quickly ruled them all out but two.  One of them was a 2002 Dodge Neon.  They didn't have any pictures up of it or anything, but they said they could text pics, so I asked her to send me some.

The car looked good and everything.  I had to go to work, so I told the lady that I would ask my dad what he thought of it, and get back with her.  Later I asked my dad and he said it looked good if I liked it.  We happened to be going into town the next day, so I texted the lady back and asked her if I could see it the next morning.

That evening I prayed that God would make it clear if it was his will that I buy that car.  I prayed that if he wanted me to have the car, I would get it for $1600. (They were asking $2000.)  The next morning my mom and I went to see the car.  It was everything I'd prayed for.  When it came time to buy it I asked if she would take any less on it.  She said yes and to make an offer.  So, I held my breath and offered $1600.  She took it.  God obviously wanted me to buy the car, so I did.

The people I bought the car from were so nice and helpful.  I was only out a car for three days.  I praise God for his faithfulness!!  I still don't understand why God allowed me to wreck my previous car, but I pray that he would be glorified through everything that happens concerning it.  I love my new car.  I think it's cute. ;) God is so good. <3   

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Those who Threaten It :)

Yes... I know it's a strange blog title.  I get my strangeness from my family. :P  That phrase came from my older brother several years ago.  I use it to title things when I can't think of what else to put. lol  Anyways... I figured I should tell you something about what I'm up to since... I haven't really written much about that.  It's easy to write about!  Some of these posts take a lot of brain power!! :)

I got a job at Subway about a month ago. :)  I was so excited to get hired there!  It was the one place in the entire town that I actually wanted to work.  I would have worked other places, but I didn't really want to.  I have the most amazing boss in the whole world I'm pretty sure.  She is really nice.  Also, the girls I work with... (yes I work with all girls), are just incredible.  I thank God for letting me get hired there all the time.  I seriously love my job.  Which... If you talk to me much you would know that. :)

I am also taking dual-enrollment classes this fall.  I am taking drawing, desktop applications and photoshop.  I have the same professor for all three classes (coincidence?), which happens to be a good thing. :)  He is a nice guy.  I am learning quite a bit so far. :)

Music... I am not taking orchestra this semester.  I have started taking voice lessons, however, and I am also still taking flute lessons.  I am loving my voice lessons!!  I've always wanted to take them, but I never took the time.  Since I'm not doing orchestra I decided I was going to take them.  I'm learning a lot! :)

That pretty much sums up my life at the moment..  Work, school and music. :)  Along with memorizing scripture with my friend and going to church. :)  God is good!

Through the Faith of Christ

A friend of mine and I are memorizing part of Philippians 3.  Well the other day we were on verses 7-9 and my friend asked me.. "what do you think this means?" ...that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  I thought about it for a while. (I was making lunch at the time ;))  Then all of the sudden it clicked.  I was so excited that I had to tell you all. :)

The key is in the beginning of the verse.  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,  Whenever we see someone that we view as godly or righteous we see it through their works.  By following the law we are working righteousness.  (If that makes any sense.)  Our best day.. that day when we did everything right.  The day that we were serving, helping and loving people even when they weren't appreciative..  God says "...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.."  Just think, though.  Compared to the righteousness and glory of God... What is our righteousness?  It's as filthy rags.

Paul understood that, so he said "...not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"  As Christians, when we get saved we are born again.  God imputes his righteousness unto us, by faith.  What is faith?  Faith is believing.  So when we believe on Jesus he imputes his righteousness to us.

As a Christian, when God looks at us he doesn't see our failed attempts of serving him...  he sees Christ.  He sees Jesus.  A sinless perfect man.  The righteousness which is of God by faith.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior we have. <3

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ~Philippians 3:7-9

Don't Look Back!

Moving on... It's easy to dwell on past things that you've done.  Things that have happened, words spoken, things you wish you could change...  But it's all in the past.  You can't change what has already been.  Time, once gone, is gone forever.  To regret and have sorrow over things you've done in the past is only normal, but we should get over it.  It's time to move on and do great things for God with our lives.

To repent means to stop, turn and don't go back.  If you have repented, and you're not going back... why dwell on things in the past?  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Let's just think about Paul for a minute.  Paul wrote many books of the Bible, including Philippians.  What was Paul before God converted him?  He was a Pharisee.  He persecuted the Christians!  He had the coats of the men stoning Stephen at his feet as he looked on.  Could you imagine having to live with that?  Living with having Stephen, the great martyr, stoned?  While you looked on and approved.  What shame.  What reproach.  It wasn't just Stephen either... he had many Christians put to death or thrown into prison.  And yet, it is Paul that says "...forgetting those things with are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

What if Paul hadn't forgotten?  What if he let the wickedness of his past deeds eat on him and prevent him from moving on in his life?  What good would that have done him?  I'm sure he wouldn't have written the many books that he did.  I'm sure he wouldn't have led all those people to the Lord.  Yet Paul did not sit around and wonder why it was him.  Why it had to be him that was raised a Pharisee.  Why it had to be him that had Christians imprisoned...  Why do we do this to ourselves?

Bless God for the time he's given us to allow us to grow, and then move on.  God has a better plan for our life than we can even imagine.  Let him have his will.  Follow him, and don't look back. 

Just... Trust Me

Trust... Have you ever thought about that word.  That one little word that has so much meaning packed into it.  That one word that means so much.  God has been teaching me a lot about trust this summer.  He's been showing me how much I really don't know about lots of things, but mainly about myself.  I've done things this summer that I never thought I'd do.  Not in a million years.  God has shown me how much of a sinner I really am, and how much I need him.

To trust means to have confidence; a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.  So to trust someone is basically to give them your confidence.  To believe that they are worthy of your trust and you aren't going to abuse it or harm them in any way.  In doing so they would break your trust and it would take time for them to believe you were trustworthy again.

Proverbs 3:5 says, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.   When we truly are trusting God we are saying, God I believe that you have better control of my life than I do I'm just going to sit back and let you take care of things.  I think after trust comes waiting.  If we are really trusting him then we will be content to wait for his timing.  As said Elisabeth Elliot, If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!  
Really, think about it.  God created us, put us where we are, loves us and he already knows the plan for our life.  Why do we think we can run our life better than he can?  Why is it so hard to just say, "Okay God, you're in control." when he tells us no?  If we trusted him, we would.  Sometimes I wonder how God must view us when we try to run things our way.  Is he hurt?  Does he laugh and say... okay you try that?  God is so good, and yet he doesn't try to protect us from our own stupidity.  He does let us learn from it though!

Over the summer I have learned so much.  I think I've learned more this summer than I have my entire life.  Let me tell you one thing... Trying to run things your own way doesn't pay well, and just digs you into a deeper mess.  Trust God, and let him run your life.  He loves you, and knows what is best for your life.  He wants to bless you, you just have to let him.     

This one time at camp... :)

I was blessed to be able to help out at Camp JOY this year.  The first week of July was when the younger kids (ages 7-9) went.  I was in the kitchen then, working with some of the most amazing women ever! :)  I slept a lot that week, because I wanted to be prepared for the next week when I counseled.  It was a lot of fun, though, and I enjoyed being able to talk to some of the kids. :)

The second week of July I co-counseled with another lady.  The age of the kids that week was 10-12, although, most of the girls in my cabin were younger.  It was such a blessing to be able to minister to the girls and just get to know them.  There were eleven girls in my cabin, and they were all so fun. :)

The third week of July I went as a camper.  It was such an amazing blessing; and I can honestly say, the best week of camp I've ever had! :)  I was in a cabin with 19 other girls.  There were a lot of us, but we made it work! :)  The theme for camp this year was Forward with Christ.  It was the most convicting week of camp I've ever had.  I knew when I got there the first day that there was going to be some things I was going to have to give up if I was going to go forward with Christ.  It took me a few days, but God got me to the point of surrender.  He is so good!!  I praise his holy name for everything that he did at camp this year.

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses; let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us:  looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Has it really been?!

So.. yes.  It's almost been a year since I last posted.  A lot has happened in the past year!  I am looking forward to writing more posts! :)  Every once and a while I would think... I should really write a blog post... but I could never think of what to write about! :P  I have some ideas now, though, so you should be getting some more posts. :)  Au revouire for now! ;)

Calling all Curls!!

It's been a while, but now that I have some time I'd like to give you some more rules for curly hair.

Honor your curls natural shape with gel.  I don't really consider this a rule since your hair can do without gel, but it really does help.  Gel holds your hair in place and protects it from outside elements such as wind and humidity.  For best results use a alcohol and silicone free gel that has a strong hold without leaving your hair crunchy.  I use DevaCurl's ArcAngel.  This is also an organic product, and it works amazingly on my hair.  I apply my gel before towel-drying my hair.  This seems to give me a stronger hold and less frizz.

You shouldn't dry your hair with a conventional towel.  A traditional terry-cloth towel will absorb to much moisture, which your hair needs.  The harsh texture of it ruffles the hair causing frizz.  I first used an old T-shirt which works really well.  Now I use a microfiber towel, which is very convenient, and will not cause frizz because of its smooth surface.

You shouldn't touch or scrunch your hair while it's drying.  Touching your hair while it's drying interferes with the curl's natural formation and creates frizz.  Some people think that if you scrunch your hair while it's drying, that will make it more curly.  This is not the case, however; and it will create frizz.  If I sit still (such as when doing school) after I get out of the shower for a few hours; my hair is always less frizzy. :)  After your hair dries it will have a gel "cast" on it.  When it is completely dry you can scrunch the cast out of it, and release your soft curls.

You should have your hair cut ONLY when it is dry.  This is very important, especially for people with tighter curls.  Let me try to explain.  When your hair is dry your curls have all different amounts of spring.  Some curls will be tighter, and thus, curl up shorter than a looser curl.  If you wet your hair and comb it for cutting, or straighten it, this makes your hair all one length.  When you style it again your hair will be all different lengths, because it was cut all length when it was wet.  I got my hair cut by a Deva certified stylist, which means that she was taught the curly girl methods.

For more information you can go to www.mydevacurl.com or find DevaCurl on Facebook. :) 

When Nathanael Makes Smoothies...

Little brothers are so fun!  Nathanael loves smoothies, and thinks that it is a blast to help in the kitchen.  He has been doing this for a while now, and it is so cute I had to share it with you! 

 Nathanael peeling the banana. :)

Putting the banana in the blender.  He did take a bite of it first... actually I think it was several. :)  My mom assured me that some people would think that was kind of gross.  I thought it was extremely amusing. :)

The peach!

Blueberries!!  He didn't actually eat any of those this time. :)

Strawberries! 

The yogurt.  I decided it would be best if I poured it. :P

Everything ready for blending.

Nathanael helping. :)

Helping to pour (he has a spoon) :)

Enjoying his smoothie own smoothie, and yes, he will drink all that.  :)

Happy boy!

As the Curls Tumble

Well... now for the reasoning behind the Curly Girl method.  Is it really that different?  Oh yes, as you will soon see. :)

Since many people don't understand frizz, let me explain it like this.  Your hair is wet.  It is curly and beautiful!  Great start, right?  Then it dries.  The curls fall flat, and it morphs into a bunch of frizz!  *Pause for dramatic effect*  What happened?  Frizz is just a curl waiting to happen.
Your hair is a porous surface.  It absorbs everything that you put on it.  When it is not hydrated enough the hair reaches out searching for moisture creating... frizz!  This also explains why your hair is more frizzy when is is humid.  When your hair is well hydrated, it doesn't need more moisture, so it stays where you put it (most of the time). :)  It's that simple.

Here are some of the rules in following the Curly Girl method.  I'll try to explain them so they will make sense.

1. You should only use sulfate-free shampoos/cleansers.  Sulfates are the same detergents that are found in body wash, dish soap and laundry detergent.  It is the last thing that you want to put in your hair.  Sulfates strip your hair of its natural oils and hydration causing frizz.  People are addicted to lather.  The shampoo that I use is a Deva product.  They call it No-poo.  It is an all natural product that does not lather, but contains certain organic extracts that cleanse the hair.  This, I believe, is the most important step.

2. You should hyper condition your hair.  Frizz is just a curl waiting to happen.  It is hair desperately in need of moisture.  "Once curly hair fibers are sufficiently hydrated with conditioner, they hold onto the moisture they need, and the frizz disappears," says Massey the author of Curly Girl.  The conditioner fills the porous surface of curly hair, and smooths the surface so that light can reflect off of it.  Leave some or all of the conditioner in your hair rather than rinsing.  (Typically the tighter the curl, the more conditioner you'll need.) 
Will this make your hair greasy?  I have had this question asked me a lot.  When you shampoo your hair it overly strips the oil off your scalp.  This causes it to make more oil, causing it to be greasy.  On a person with curly hair, the amount of oil made naturally by your scalp will be absorbed into your hair.  I never rinse out any conditioner, and my hair is never greasy. 
I use a Deva silicone-free conditioner.  This is another all-natural organic product, and it smells amazing. :) It doesn't contain silicone because although silicone does make your hair shiny; it also blocks the pours in your hair which keeps your hair from absorbing conditioner.  Think about it; silicone is the same thing that they use in rubber and tires.  Why would you want to put that in your hair? 

3. You should never brush or comb your hair.  Brushing and combing your hair breaks apart your delicate curls, causing frizz.   If you look at a healthy curly girl's hair you will see that her hair is grouped into something we call curl families.  In other words each curl is actually a group of hairs that are all curling the same direction.  When you comb your hair, you break apart these curl families which causes frizz.  "Instead of combing your hair, drench wet hair with conditioner in the shower and gently comb it with your fingers," says Massey.  You tend to be much gentler on your hair when you are using your fingers anyway.

I hope that wasn't an overload of information!  Those are the three most important rules for a curly girl.  I follow all of these, all the time, with no exceptions.  I will post up some more later when I have time.  :)           

   

Twirls and Curls...

I found a few pictures of me, so I thought I would share them with you first.

This is before the curly girl method.  You can kind of see my hair... I think I had it back in a flip-through ponytail.

This is using the curly girl method without Deva Curl products, or a curly girl hair cut.

This picture is a little blurry.  This is after Deva Curl products, diffuser and curly girl cut.  It looks much better now.  The longer you use Deva products the more curly and defined your hair gets.  Since this picture I have gotten it cut again, and it is quite a bit shorter.

Let me leave you with this thought...
No one else in the world has curly hair like you do,
So why would you want to straighten it and make it look like everyone else's?
Be thankful for the curly hair that God gave you, and choose to wear it that way.
~Another Curly Girl

Once Upon a Curl...

The curl'tinued story. :)

My Grandfather, who happened to be a barber, was quite aghast that I didn't shampoo my hair.  (I will explain more about this later).  So, at Christmas time as part of my Christmas present he decided to do this hot oil treatment on my hair.  The point of this treatment was to repair damaged hair, supposedly making it look healthy and shiny.  I didn't think it would work on my hair, but I went along with it.  I didn't want to offend him.  In the end, it ended up making my hair a lot worse than it already was.  Besides the fact that they shampooed it, they also combed through it without any conditioner in it which broke off a bunch of hair.

I did a lot of research on the curly girl book when I got back home.  I found a few facts on their website, and implemented them.  I also discovered that a newer version of the curly girl book was coming out in January.  I bought the newer book and read it.  It was much better than the last book!  It had more types of curls, how to cut curly hair and more updated questions and answers.  I loved it!!

I went onto the curly girl website and looked up to see if I could find a curly girl salon around here, so I could get my hair cut.  The closest one was in Eureka, Missouri; however, my grandparents live close to there, so we booked an appointment for February; which is when we would be up there next.

This lady cut my hair, and she did an amazing job!  She looked at each separate curl and cut each one so they would all be the same length.  While I was at her salon I also bought Deva Curl hair products and a diffuser.  These products are created by Lorraine Massey, the lady that wrote Curly Girl.  They have been absolutely amazing on my hair!

This is my story.  I will write more later about the chemistry and method behind the curly girl book. :)

Was it Just Frizz?

Pretty much anyone that knows me, knows that I love curly hair.  When I am talking to someone, especially if I just met them, they will say "I love your hair!"  To which I usually respond, "Thank you, I do too." ;)  Let me tell you how I discovered my curls.

My hair has been frizzy ever since I was twelve years old or so.  I am not just talking about any kind of frizz either, I mean... it was one big, poofy ball of frizz.  So, to hide that problem I wore it in braids all of the time.  (If I hadn't of I would show you pictures... it was bad.)

Last summer I discovered a book, Curly Girl: The Handbook by Lorraine Massey.  This book was absolutely incredible!  It told all about how to take care of your curls.  This was like unheard of!  A book on curly hair?  Everyone I had talked to so far had told me to straighten it (which I had refused to do).  I read the book cover-to-cover several times.  I implemented everything that was practical for me to do at that time.  after a while my hair was curly, and I could wear it down.  It still wasn't perfect, though, and it didn't look like the pictures of the curls in the book.

Frizz is just a curl waiting to happen.  To be curl'tinued... 

Missions in Action

We were listening to a CD titled Missions in Action by Bob Johnston the other day.  He and his wife Mary are missionaries to the Haitian people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  The message he preached was about compassion, taken from Mark chapter 2.  One of the stories that he told while preaching really touched my heart, and I would like to share a sort of summary of it with you.  I hope it touches your heart, as it has mine.

I (Bob Johnston speaking) am going to tell you about a little boy about twelve years old named John Dainy (not the correct spelling, but that is how it is pronounced).  Now John Dainy was a special boy among his people.  His parents had dedicated him to Satan to become a witch doctor.  I heard that there was a family that lived up on a certain mountain, so I went up with one of my friends to tell them about Jesus.  We walked up the hill, a two hour and forty-five minute walk.  When we got to the top, I knocked on the door and tried to tell the mother and father, grandma and grandpa about Jesus.  In the yard watching us talk to his family about Jesus was a twelve year old boy named John Dainy.

The mother and father, grandma and and grandpa didn't want to hear about Jesus... they had their own gods, and they didn't need Jesus.  We left the mountain.  Two Sundays later I saw some movement in the bushes by the church.  I thought it was some of those kids that like to throw pebbles at the preacher while he is preaching.  I thought, I'm going to see who this is.  So I inched my way over to that side of the building still preaching.  When I got close enough where I could see... there he was John Dainy.  You see, John Dainy was easy to recognize.  When a Haitian boy is dedicated to Satan, they don't cut his hair.  I kept preaching.  I preached about Jesus and his free salvation.

The next week I was preaching, and I saw John Dainy by the bushes near the front door of the building.  He would peer into the door while I was preaching, so he could see me.  I preached... I preached about Jesus, and his saving blood, how he could rescue your soul from sin.  After about two hours I gave the invitation.  Who came running up that isle but John Dainy himself.  I said, John Dainy, let's pray.  We knelt down beside one of those front benches, and we prayed.  John Dainy got saved.  Praise God!

Well, John Dainy went home and told his parents; he told them that he got saved.  They kicked him out.  They didn't feed him, they wouldn't give him any water... they wouldn't give a place to sleep.  I didn't hear about this until about five days after it happened, but when I did I headed up that mountain.  One of my friends came with me.  It was about eleven o'clock at night, so we were using flashlights.  Searching our way up the mountain, we got to John Dainy's house.  We began calling for him.  By this time... we didn't even know if he was still alive.  Then we heard... the weeping and sobbing of a twelve year old boy.  We ran closer, and there was John Dainy.  On his knees, outside the door of his home praying,  "Jesus, please save my mother and father, grandma and grandpa, brothers and sisters."  He wasn't worried about himself, that he hadn't eaten in five days or had a bed to sleep in!  He had compassion.  He cared more about his own family, than he did about himself, or how comfortable he was.  To this day that door is still stained with his tears.

I said, John Dainy... are you alright?  He said, "Yes, I'm alright, but please pray for my mother and father, grandpa and grandma, brothers and sisters... that they would be saved.  I prayed for them and talked to him some more.  Then we went on down the mountain.

One day I woke up at four-thirty in the morning to go to the church and pray, and there was John Dainy.  He was sweeping the church yard before he had to take his father's goats up to the top of the mountain.  I said, John Dainy, do you understand that salvation is by Jesus' blood alone, and not by your works?  He said, "Yes Preacher, but I'm doing this for Jesus."  Then before he left he reminded me.  "Preacher, don't forget to pray for my mother and father, grandma and grandpa, brothers and sisters."  He never missed a day to tell me that... he would always remind me.  "Don't forget to pray for them, Preacher."

About two weeks later, he didn't come down to sweep the church yard.  I wondered why, but I didn't really think much of it... until he missed a service.  John Dainy never missed a church service.  Someone came and told me that John Dainy was very sick.  I went up the mountain, a two hour and forty-five minute walk.  When I came to his house they had him laying on a bed in the house.  His belly was all swollen with hunger.  I said, John Dainy... it's the preacher.  He looked up at me and said, "Oh, Preacher, I knew you would come."  I asked him, John Dainy do you know that you're saved?  He said "Yes, Preacher, I'm going to heaven.  I'm going to see Jesus."  After a while I had to leave so I told him, John Dainy, I have to go into town tomorrow, but I'll be back on Wednesday, you hang in there, okay?

On Wednesday, when I was getting ready to go up the mountain, someone came running down and told me that John Dainy was very sick.  I ran up that mountain.  The normally two hour and forty-five minute walk took me one hour and eleven minutes.  When I got up there I went into where he was laying on the bed.  His belly had burst from his hunger.  I reached down and took his hand, that was swollen bigger than mine and said, John Dainy I have to ask you one more time.  Do you know that you know?  He said, "Preacher, I know, and I'm going to see Jesus.  Please pray for my mother and father, grandma and grandpa, brothers and sisters."  So I began to pray, but it was John Dainy that I was praying for.  He stopped me, "No, Preacher, don't pray for me... pray for my mother and father, grandma and grandpa, brothers and sisters."  I had lost it at this point, and I was weeping.  I began to pray, I prayed that they would all get saved.  Then right before John Dainy took his final breath he said, "Preacher, when I get to heaven I'll save you a place right next to mine, so we can always be together." 

The compassion of that boy had made him willing to go to the point of death.  He loved his family, and he wanted them to be saved, above anything and everything else.  The next morning, I went into the church to pray... and inside the church there was already a wooden casket with the body of John Dainy in it.  I began to weep, and I prayed that God would give me that kind of compassion as I preached the funeral service for this boy.  That John Dainy's mother and father, grandma and grandpa, brothers and sisters would get saved.

At John Dainy's funeral there was upwards of a thousand people there.  They were in the church, outside and all around the church.  I preached, and God gave me a special kind of compassion that I haven't been able to understand.  I preached, and John Dainy's mother and father got saved, his grandma and grandpa got saved, his brothers and sisters got saved!  John Dainy's compassion took him to death, so that his family would get saved.

Do you have compassion?  We all have lost friends and family.  Do you pray for them?  Do you really pray for them?  Do you spend time every day pouring out your heart for them?  Do you have compassion for the lost?  I definitely haven't been taking the time to pray for my lost friends and family every day.  This story preached to me.  God, please give me that kind of compassion!