MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Check out a great friend of mine and an incredible artist "Barry Southgate" Add him to your myspace, facebook and follow him on twitter!! He was a finalist on Australian Idol and is now doing music i know you will LOVE... So be sure to check it out!

Here is a a song to keep you in Christmas Spirit by Barry himself!!



MORE MUSIC AVAILABLE ON ITUNES, CD BABY AND MORE!!!

Finals...

FINALS are just around the corner for most of us. Are you prepared? Mentally, physically and emotionally? Here’s some quick, practical tips for you – or not for you! To Do and Not To Do.

To Do:

-Set goals for each study session and write them down.

-Drink plenty of water!

-Eat food and snacks that will give you energy. Sugar and junk foods will make you feel sluggish and not be able to focus. Don’t eat continuously. Just a small amount every hour or so. Take a few small breaks to walk around and keep your blood flowing.

-Study in sessions rather than an all-day or all-nighter.

-STUDY GUIDES! These really helped me. If my teacher gave them to us, it was a huge plus! I’d fill it in, and carry it with me EVERYWHERE I WENT! And I memorized every question! I have found that a lot of teachers don’t give study guides as you get older, so I MAKE MY OWN. I type up lists of questions and facts, print it out, and write my answers and comments in pencil. ---HUGE HELP!!!!! So, whether it be a teacher’s study guide or your own, bring it with you everywhere you go and look it over when you get a chance ::::::::::

In line, in the car, on the bus, on the train, while you’re getting ready, at lunch, etc etc….

-Take needed mental breaks.

-Have a small rewards system for yourself. EXAMPLE: “I can have 3 M & M’s for every 10 pages I read.” -----something of the sort-----

Not To Do:

-Facebooking, Googling, MySpacing, TEXTING, calling, watching TV….all distractions that should be avoided and HIDDEN :) in order for a GOOD study session.

If you don’t want to be distracted, don’t put it near you!

-Give up on/Change your pre-written goals! Follow through with your initial plan. Procrastination shouldn’t be an option.
SHORT TERM PAIN FOR LONG TERM GAIN.

For you - or - not for you:

-Some people can listen to music while they study. I used to be one of those people – it used to help me concentrate. Now, I can’t! I get so consumed with the lyrics or the instruments that I just can’t focus on my work. So music is a no for me.

If music helps you study, go for it! Classical and instrumental are best – the lyrics can be too distracting.

-Study in groups. Does this help you stay motivated? Do you need a study group or friend to keep you accountable?

::::::STUDY SNACKS::::::
Apples & Peanut Butter (add cinnamon if you’d like!)
Grapes
Carrots and dip
Cheerios
Celery, Raisins and Peanut Butter
Mini Sandwiches
Trail Mix

GO TO OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE www.facebook.com/colorme31 and give us your study tips, tricks, ideas, snacks, etc!

Also, here’s a few websites that may help!

http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/study_tips_for_final_exams

http://www.testtakingtips.com/

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Cramming-Brain-Food-Into-Exam-Time-Care-Packages

Jesus Took It

Hey Girls!!! This is a great testimony of a girl named Emily, talking about growing up in the church, family and the blood of Jesus! I hope this encourages you like it did to me...



If you are struggling with anything like this or have any prayer requests PLEASE e-mail us. ColorMe31@gmail.com You can remain totally anonymous...

LOVE

Worship Element: Steadfast Love from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

Worship Element: Sacrificial Love from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

Worship Element: Perfect Love from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

i know you...

Intro: God's Gonna Cut You Down from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

Social … To be or Not to be?

Written by Lindsey Rae

Have you ever been around a group of people and yet felt alone? I know I have felt that way before. Perhaps it was because you may not know anyone or are afraid to start a conversation. Either way, it can be uncomfortable. When it comes to being social, we can all learn new things. For instance, you may be someone who gets really nervous and insecure around other people or perhaps you are super comfortable and end up saying too much or the wrong thing!

Here are some pointers that may help you:

• Be Open - that includes your facial expression, posture, your attitude (Proverbs 15:13, 27:17)
• Be Kind in what you say & how you say it (1 Corinthians 13:4)
• Always keep your conversation pure and avoid gossip (Proverbs 11:13, 16:28, 20:19 & 22:11)
• Be a Friend (Proverbs 11:30, 18:24)
• Don’t allow fear to stop you from being you! (2 Timothy 1:17)
• You can do it! (Philippians 4:13)

Now the most important thing to remember about being social is …. Drum roll please…. Christ Jesus lives in you! (Galatians 2:20) This is super important, because when others are around you; they are around Christ that is in you! Again, that takes the pressure off you… Let your light shine girly!!

My Testimony

When I moved to Chicago from Tennessee, I knew literally a hand full of people at my new school. Normally, I would have just sat and waited for people to come to me & ask to be my friend… but this time I made a decision. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and be friendly to all who I met. I would introduce myself and make conversation with people. Guess what!! It worked! I met so many people because I changed the way I thought and fought back against the fear that tried to keep me secluded to myself. Not only did I make a lot of new friends, I got to minister to so many people because I knew them!! J How cool is that!

What’s your testimony…

Email us at colorme31@gmail.com or leave a comment

noise

In 1968 in order to get ONE HOUR of undisturbed natual silence, no aeroplanes, no cars, no birds, it would take about 15 hours of recoding time..
TODAY in order to get that same ONE HOUR it takes 2000 hours of recording time...

why is silence so hard to deal with?

183 million people are regularly exposed to noise levels labelled as exsessive by the Environmental Protecction Agency.

Do you have a cell phone?

Voice-mail?

A cell phone with voice-mail and e-mail and facebook and everything else that comes with it?

Do you have a TV?

More than one TV?

Do you listen to the radio ALL day? Music all day?

On at work, at school, at home, in the car?
Is there such a thing as visual noise?

Do you feel like God is distant?

Do you wish God's voice would be LOUDER in your life?
Is there a connection between the the amount of noise in our lives and the inability to HEAR Gods voice?

SUV's now come with seperate CD and DVD systems for the back seats.

You can buy wired clothing now. Coats and jackets equipped with cell phone and MP3 players.

Try this...

Make yourself comfortable in your chair and begin breathing slowly as you read on.
"Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen!" Deuteronomy 27:9 "Search your hearts and be silent" Psalm 4:4 "But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." Habakkuk 2:20 "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28

If i am not still and if I don't listen, how will Jesus give me rest?
Have you spent the same amount of time worrying and talking about your difficult, confusing situations, as you have spent in silence, listening to what God might have to say?

Why is talking so much easier then listening?

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16
These were regular disciplines Jesus had.
Silence. Solitude.

When was the last time you were in a solitary place?

What is it about silence that is so difficult?

Why is it so much easier to surround myself with noise, to keep moving than to stop, be silent and listen?

Does my schedule, my time, my life look like that of a person who wants to hear God's voice?

Maybe the healing and guidance we desperately we need isn't going to come from one more meeting or therapy session. Maybe it won't come from another sermon or self-help book.
But from simply listening for the voice of God.

Do you really believe in God's voice over the peoples around you?

Is it possible that you have been searching for God in the winds, the earthquakes and the fires, and He is waiting to speak to you in silence?


taken from nooma 1-5 noise.

To all of you who sometimes feel like giving up...

This video is called "I Love Living Life. I am Happy."

Click Here to watch this video!!!!
(We know your going to love it!)

Let this video remind us:

• That we are the Righteousness in Christ Jesus: 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. That we are His children.

**Look up what it means to be made Righteous...Knowledge is a powerful thing!

• That He loves us tenderly: Ephesians 3:18 (NLT) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

• That we can do what God has called us to do: Mark 9:23 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “If you can believe,all things are possible to him who believes.”

• That we will succeed: Joshua 1:7-8 (NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

http://lifewithoutlimbs.org

Ps. Email us and let us know if anyone needs prayer for anything! We would love to help with a little encouragement of our own! ColorMe31@gmail.com

Beautiful Daughters of the Most High God…Read On!

Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Am I skinny enough? Why can’t I look like her? Girls – these are questions that have come to our minds far too often. In a society that focuses on outward beauty and appearance, the Bible talks about the treasure we are on the inside!

1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine jewelry and clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Now, I know that is easier read than done! I have been all too familiar with the struggles of constantly thinking and worrying about my appearance. I struggled for years with low self-esteem and not thinking I was ever pretty enough, smart enough, loved enough, etc.  I came dangerously close to an eating disorder and I had such low self-esteem that I could barely look people in the eye when speaking to them. I never wanted to attend any functions or parties. I was convinced that people didn’t like me or want me around. What bondage!! Thank God that He made a way for me to escape this thinking ..and He made a way for you too!

So how do you become free? Whether your struggle is great or small, the answer is in the Word of God. You must commit to taking those negative thoughts captive! If we don’t conquer these thoughts, we are tricked into really believing that these terrible things we are thinking are true! What does that mean exactly? It means that every time you have a bad thought about yourself (no matter how true you think it is!), you replace it with a scripture. It’s really so simple. Now the devil will try and trick you into thinking that whatever you are thinking is true – this is where the struggle is – but you have to press on and say aloud what the Bible says about you. Speak it out loud and also meditate on it in your heart. The more you do this, the less often those thoughts will come. Pretty soon they will be gone and you will be walking in freedom and victory!

One thing I have learned on this topic is that you can’t and won’t walk in God’s perfect plan for your life until you embrace who He has made you to be. His hands are tied until you surrender and make a choice to believe Him and not your thoughts. You can miss out on His plan and waste years of your life going around the same mountain. Make a choice today to surrender yourself and give your thoughts over to who you are in Christ.

Here are some scriptures for you to confess and meditate on as you embrace who He made you to be:

Psalm 139:14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

John 16:27 The Father Himself tenderly loves me

Luke 12:24 I am valuable, appreciated, cherished, precious and important

Col. 1:22 I am without fault or failure in His sight

Deut. 28:13 I am the head and not the tail, I am above only and not beneath

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength

Eph 1:6 I am accepted in the Beloved

Song of Solomon 4:7 I am all together beautiful and there is no flaw in me 
 

By: Rita Cirullo 

IAMSECOND.

http://iamsecond.com/#/seconds/Jason_Castro/

If anyone remembers Jason Castro from American Idol a few seasons ago this is him! This video is about 5 minutes long and gives a quick testimony of how he came to really KNOW and SERVE Jesus Christ!

www.iamsecond.com is a website dedicated to helping people realize we do ALL have a PURPOSE for our lives! There are tons of different videos from people off all different backgrounds and struggles. It gives the stories of how people came to know Christ and its a great witnessing tool to show your friends and family!


So check it out, be encouraged and go encourage others!!


<3 Michelle

Your LOVE for Gods Word!!

Kirsten

Do you know God’s Word? Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you love God’s Word as you love God? The Word became flesh, right? John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” We need to make sure we know the Word of God!

Well, I want to become just as Jesus Christ has become. And, what did he often say? “It is written.” The scriptures are written. God’s Word is written. If we want to be just like Jesus, we need to know what He says, what He knows, and become just like Him! No more just talking the talk – knowing the lingo. We are to live the life – and BECOME. We are called to go out into all the world and preach the Good News. We can’t preach it if we don’t know it. It starts with you. YOU have to do something about it! You can’t know something unless you do something that causes you to learn it.

Joshua 1:8

“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.”

It doesn’t say look at it; it doesn’t say carry it; it doesn’t even say read it. That scripture doesn’t mean anything other than what it says…. It says study it! (There are over 25 definitions of the word “study.” Look them up to see what it is that we are supposed to be doing).

God’s Word is a weapon for battle. It is our only offensive weapon.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I love God?
• Do I love what God loves?
• Am I proving it?
• Is it showing in how I live my life?
• If I had the opportunity to lead someone to Christ at this very moment, could I go through Bible with them, and show them the story of Jesus?
• Could I lead them to Christ?
• Could I tell them Who the Holy Spirit is and how to have Him in their life?
• Do I find God’s Word more valuable that millions in gold and silver? (Psalm 119:72) - More valuable than my income, my job, my friends, sports, and even more than the air that I breathe?
• Could I tell someone why I love God’s Word?

I challenge each and every one of you to delve into God’s Word. It’s going to take sacrifice. You’re going to have to give something up. It’s going to take discipline and endurance. I recommend getting a partner, establishing common goals, and keeping each other accountable. This will help you a lot! If you get to the point where you don’t want to do it anymore, that’s the point right before your breakthrough! That’s the devil trying to tear you down and take you away from God and His mighty Word. Press through with endurance.

I have been doing what is basically challenge 1 for about 2 months now: learning about 45 scriptures on “God's Word,” studying them, memorizing them, and meditating on them everyday-often all day (it takes a while to confess that many scriptures 10x a day!). As a result, my life has completely transformed. Nothing is the same..and I'm so thankful that someone encouraged me to do it. It took a lot of discipline and sacrifice, but it's worth it. I'm going to continue to do these scriptures and find more! Let me tell you, it really is life changing!

CHALLENGE 1

Step 1: Sacrifice – give up – one thing that is distracting you.

Step 2: Replace that thing with spending time reading God’s Word.

Step 3: Read, read, read. Confess, confess, confess.

*I suggest starting with the “God’s Word” scriptures; they’re listed at the end*

Let’s do these together for 31 days – and if you put your heart into it, your life will be completely transformed. You’ll be a new person! You’ll have such a love for God’s Word!! What you meditate on – you think – what you think you say- what you say – you do. Change is comin’!

If you need help getting started, pray and ask the Holy Spirit and talk to a leader to help you get going! Don’t forget to get a partner to help keep you accountable. Here are the scriptures:

God’s Word Scriptures:

Joshua 1:8           Proverbs 6:20-22
Job 23:10-12         Proverbs 27:7
Psalm 1:1-3           Proverbs 30:5
Psalm 40:8            Isaiah 55:8-11
Psalm 119:18        Jeremiah 15:16
Psalm 119:48        Matthew 24:35
Psalm 119:72        John 1:1
Psalm 119:89        John 8:31-32
Psalm 119:97        2 Timothy 3:16-17
Psalm 119:103       Hebrews 4:12
Psalm 119:105        James 1:22-25
Psalm 119:130        2 Peter 1:19-21
Proverbs 4:20-22    Revelation 19:13

Dear Girls,

“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator.”

That is the first part of Ecclesiastes 12:1. This is something I have really been thinking about for the past few weeks. Going through life I think that we tend to ignore our responsibilities we have as Christians. We make excuses. “I’m too busy.” “I have homework.” “I have practice.” “I went to church three times this week already…I don’t need to go again.” “I’m too tired…I’ll read my bible tomorrow.” These are all things I too, am guilty of saying and thinking…more then once.

But I just really feel it in my heart to tell you guys that we all do NOT have as much time to “get it together” as we would like to think. Life is short. The time we have is fleeting. WHAT WE DO NOW MATTERS!

I know many of you who read this are young but this is important. We were created for one purpose, one ambition, and that is to know and please God. So let’s challenge ourselves to read the Word, go to church and actually PAY ATTENTION in church. Put away the cell phones for an hour or two and really FOCUS.

Our friends and family and peers need God just as much as we do. However, in many cases, we are the only God people will ever get to see. You know what to do, so DO IT. Let your light shine. Get your heart right. Live to please God. Let that be your ONE AMBITION in life. So ladies, do NOT let your YOUTH be an excuse to forget your CREATOR!!

Love,

Michelle

GETTING FIT

OK GIRLS...
ITS TIME TO GET THOSE WORK OUT CLOTHES ON
AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK OUT!!!

Make sure that the have no injury to begin OR consult a doctor if needed Okay begin with a warm up 3-5 minutes of either running on the spot or skipping.

If it's a nice day why not go for a nice walk or run around your block!!!

Now for some pushups... DROP AND GIVE ME 12-15... This works your chest.. And your arms!! Bicep curls (front of the arms) with a 1 pound weight or use cans from pantry or milk cartons WITH MILK or WATER IN IT!!!! Stand straight up with a straight back. Don't bend backwards. Bring the weight towards your upper chest. Keep your elbows tucked into your sides. Pause at the top of the movement, and slowly lower the weight to the starting position. Do 12-15 of these.

Step ups 12-15 on each leg.. If you have steps in your house step up and down the first step...

ARE YOU TIRED YET???

Do two or three sets of 12-15 crunches for that nice trim stomach!!!

Now do it all over again!!! And end it with a nice cool down walk...

WE'RE ON FACEBOOK!

HEY GIRLS CHECK IT OUT...
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Click on the link to check out the page and become a fan!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ColorMe31/125839142457

Evolution

The “You” in Skin Care

With all of the latest discoveries in skin care and the hundreds of products screaming at you from the shelves of every store, you may have yourself wondering what’s best for my skin. What’s right for my skin type? Here are some tips that will definitely have you looking and feeling better about your skin and the choices you are making for yourself.

The number one ingredient that we all can use to help our skin no matter your age or skin type is drinking plenty of water. Drinking pure water is essential to the health of the skin and body because it sustains the health of the cells and aids in the elimination of toxins and waste.

Here are the basics in skin care:

· Cleanse

· Tone (not as important and can be skipped)

· Moisturize

· Exfoliate lightly once a week

· Mask once a week.

It is important that you learn your skin type in order to be using the right products on your skin. Teens are spending way too much money on products that aren’t right for their skin. These products end up sitting on a shelf in your home with the other hundreds of dollars you have wasted on trying to find something that works for you.

Don’t buy something just because it is on a commercial and the person advertising it looks GREAT! That’s not always the truth. It would be beneficial for you to find an Esthetician to help you. Estheticians are trained licensed professionals that will do a free skin analysis on you and tell you what your skin type is and recommend the products that will best suit your needs. An Esthetician will be your skin care manager and can detect the changes in your skin throughout the year and guide you to the treatment or product that will help bring balance and healing to your skin.

I say throughout the year because something that I must make you aware of is that there are many different types of skin as you most know. What you probably don’t know is that you have at least two different types. Didn’t you ever wonder why the moisturizer you use in the summer is not working in the winter? Or why the cleanser you use in the winter doesn’t have the same cleansing effect as in the summer? That is because your skin changes throughout the year and with the seasons. The skin is also known notoriously for changing because of a situation or a change in your body. Stress caused by fear, worry, or peer pressure can trigger a huge mess of problems with your skin from acne to dehydration, to wrinkles to dullness.

Let’s talk about the “YOU” in dealing with skin care. One main thing that will bring health and balance to your skin cannot be found in a product. It has to come from within YOU; I’m taking about believing in YOUrself and loving YOUrself no matter how you look or think you may look. I say that because usually we can have a distorted imagine of ourselves because we are comparing ourselves to a phony picture in a magazine or we are trying to be like someone that God never called us to be. YOU are YOU, God says fearfully and wonderfully made. He also said that before he formed YOU in the womb he knew YOU; He said he has a plan and a purpose for YOU, just for YOU, and the more you embrace that the more confidence you will gain and not only will YOU look fabulous, you’ll feel FABULOUS!!!!!!

check out Kimm's beautiful website http://apeelingfaces.com/

I Want a new hair Style... HELP!!

Beth Diaz

When choosing a haircut that best fits you, there are some key factors you must consider before hand. One of the key elements in choosing the right haircut is to consider the shape of your face. Listed you will find five different face shapes that follow the best cuts and styles that correlate with them.

• Round faces: Your goal is to minimize the roundness of your face as much as possible.

~Gentle waves deflect the roundness of the face. However, be careful with curls. Extremely curly or flat hair can accentuate roundness.

~Wispy ends are more flattering to a round face than blunt, one-length ends, which tend to widen the face.

~Long hair is the best for round faces as it elongates the face.

• Square faces: How do you know you have a square face? If you were to measure your head from top to bottom and side-to-side, it would measure about the same.

~In the following picture, you will a classic square face, with a very long, wavy haircut. Her long hair tames the squareness of her jaw and by wearing it towards her face, softens the hard lines.

~ Short cuts can work too; just keep away from any hard, straight lines. Try to keep it soft and flowy.

• Oval faces: Oval faces are the most versatile face.

~Many different styles will work for you, but no matter the length of your cut, you will look best with layers near your cheekbones, lips or chin -- whatever feature you want to highlight.

~Stay away from very long and straight styles; try to keep some kind of wave or light
curl.

• Long Faces: The key is to create width by adding bangs or by adding to curls. Stay away from extremely long or short cuts, these elongate your face.

~Curls & waves also add width, but avoid short layers that add volume on top. Bangs make your face appear shorter because they cover up a particularly large forehead.

~For shorter cuts, simply add fullness to the sides to create the illusion of width.

• Heart faces: Typically, this is someone with a very narrow chin. Try to pick a style that draws attention away from the chin.

~Bangs draw the eye up away from the chin and hide a large forehead. Make sure the bangs are long and skim the brow.

~If you have curly hair, consider this gorgeous style. Curls can get heavy, so be sure to have them tapered on the ends.

Never Been Kissed

By Sarah Beth

I sat with my parents, in the restaurant, on my thirteenth birthday. My dad spoke to me, in detail, about a commitment to God and to a man I had yet to meet. He spoke to me of nobility and of staying pure. One moment that I remember vividly was seeing my covenant ring for the first time. As my dad pulled out my ring, my eyes widened in amazement. It was a reminder to me that my parents were praying a special hedge of protection around me, which would only be penetrated by the right suitor. I was a treasure to be found. That ring stood for the commitment that I was making to God, to my parents, and to my future spouse. My commitment was to stay pure, in both mind and body, so that I could someday give myself – as a precious gift – to my future spouse, my one and only love. This meant that the first time that I would ever be kissed would be on my wedding day, for I had yet to give that to any man. I had always thought it was right to wait until your wedding day to kiss. That is, after all, the reason that the minister says, “You may now kiss your bride.” Saying, “you may now kiss” implies that kissing prior to that moment would be improper, right? I thought this to be very reasonable and logical…until all the criticism came. And it didn’t come from those whom one would expect either, mind you. No, my critics were those who graced the halls and seats of the church…the ones whom you would expect to support any Godly standard that one would choose to uphold.

All of my life, I have had people question the importance, validity, and necessity of the commitment I made that day. Many mocked and scorned it, saying that it could never be done. Many others just laughed at me, calling me foolish and naïve. Maybe I was naïve? Actually, I would rather like to think of it as innocence. I never wanted to lose my innocence. Once lost, it is nearly impossible to regain. As I reflect back on those days, I recall countless times when I questioned the commitment that I made. Sometimes that covenant ring was a source of pain and confusion, as I wondered if anyone would ever love me, care for me, or even notice my existence. In all honesty, there were times when I felt like cursing that “hedge of protection” that had been placed over me, as if it were some type of spell cast over me to never get a date! I remember crying out to God, asking why. The giant of compromise was staring me in the face, wanting me to give in. But, by the time that giant showed up with full force, it was too late. It was too late because all those times when my acquaintances were out with their weekend flings, casual dates, and their “special someone”…I was with mine…my Special Someone, that is. I was pouring that time into growing my relationship with God. Those were such rich times in His presence! I fell in love with Him there. And when you love someone so deeply, the last thing that you would ever want to do is hurt him. I knew that if I compromised, even in the smallest detail, it would devastate Him. I just couldn’t do that to the one I loved. During this time in my life, I also started writing a detailed journal to my future spouse (of course still not knowing whom that would be). This helped to remind me that he was out there somewhere, because of faith (Hebrews 11:1). I just needed to continue to sow seeds of faithfulness.

Many years passed, and it was looking grim – but still, I knew that I didn’t want to “settle.” I wanted more. I wanted to be different then the rest – special. Anyone can give him/herself to compromise! That is the easy way out! But, in order to have more, you have to do something more. Let me pause for a moment and say something to those considering this challenge. This is not for the faint of heart. This will take guts. You will be rejected by many. And again, those you would expect to support you will ridicule you for your so-called “extremism.” If you are looking to go along with pop culture (with what the “popular” believe) you will be dead in the water! When you choose the high road, you will stand alone many times, and you must continue to stand, for the long term. You must not wait for others to do it with you…if you do, you will never make it. This commitment is only for those who are looking to bring nobility, honor, and purity back into the definition of a truly beautiful woman of God. And this is only for those who are willing to wait for the reward and fruit that comes from years of sowing in tears. The sweetest fruit ripens on the vine…it is not picked before its time. Fruit that is picked and eaten prematurely is bitter and makes one sick. All the seeds that were sown, by making that one commitment on my thirteenth birthday, came to fruition shortly after my 27th birthday…14 years!

My knight found me and, with the blessing of my parents, courted me and asked, with all nobility, for my hand in marriage. Everything within me cried, “It was worth it!” as I experienced my first real kiss, on my wedding day. I had fulfilled my covenant of purity, with my family, friends, and loved ones witnessing that such things are still possible! It was right, and I know that God was pleased and smiling! With all this said, I want to challenge you to never compromise your dignity. And if you are one who has already gone down that road of compromise…it is not too late to turn back.

Turn to God and cling to Him – He wants to help you. The faster we realize that we can’t survive without Him, the better. In relationships, instead of asking yourself, “How much can I get away with?” begin by making different choices and asking, “How can I begin to bring nobility, honor, dignity, and purity back into this relationship?” I have news that may be news to us, but not to God: We are already made these things in Christ! Now, we just have to believe it ourselves, and agree. I challenge you to not only desire more, but also to be more…leaving a legacy for others to follow. It was my desire, from the start, to be an example and to leave a legacy. What I have learned in my short time is that a legacy is built one right decision at a time. It can be done…I did it…and you can be that next one…