Life.

Ahhh... life. I've been thinking about life today, and doing some reading. I came across this blog where this girl said she googled: "what am I supposed to do with my life?" Well.. she came across a site that said they would tell here in just 20 minutes what her purpose in life is.

So, she started to do what it told her..long story short, it told her to grab a pen and paper or open up Microsoft Word or something of the like. Then it said to write at the top: "What is my true purpose in life?" Now, write down any answer that comes to your mind. "Keep writing until you write the answer that makes you cry" was the last step.

So, I decided to do it. I've got some pretty good ideas of what I'm supposed to be doing with my life, but why not try this out. I guess I oftentimes wonder if I'm doing the right things, and heading in the right direction.

So, I opened up word. Titled the page, and began to type...

I liked most of what I wrote. Some of the things were things I would absolutely love to do...like.. sing, write, be a rockstar. you know..dreams that can seem totally unreal, but as they say, "hey! a girl can dream, right?" Anyhow, my list began to get more serious (not on purpose). I started writing things like:

To be all the God has called me to be

To get people saved and follow Christ

To travel the world telling people about God – whether it be through song, music or writing lyrics or books or speech

To love everyone how God does, be an example and change the world

To fulfill everything God has in store for me

To be a wife and mother

To be the best sister and daughter I can be

To be an example to everyone

To help young girls

To love God so much that when people see me they see Christ in me ---that was one of my favorites. Combine that with a couple others and you have:

To love everyone how God does, be an example and change the world. To love God so much that when people see me they see Christ in me. To help and serve others.

So, it doesn't matter if I have huge dreams that seem unreachable. What matters is, I want to fulfill all the things God wants me to do. And hey, if he wants me to write songs for other people and stories that will go across the world and change people's lives, show God's love and bring people to know Christ, then so be it. I'd be delighted to...

God has a plan and purpose for your life. --read that slowly 3 more times. -- I know you may have heard that a million times. But have you really thought about it? Try writing down what you think your purpose in life is.

Read it over. See what you really want. It puts things into perspective.

That's all for now :) Send any stories, questions or comments to colorme31@gmail.com. :)

Xx

Kirsten

Compromise

We all compromise at some point in our life. Is it worth it? How does it affect your future, and...How does it affect those around you?

Do you justify your actions because of someone else's?

Read this blog..it's eye opening and ground breaking.

http://lindathompson.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/not-compromisin/

Friendship: Trust

“A single rose can be my garden, a single friend…my world.” Leo Buscaglia

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my past 20, almost 21 years of life, it’s exactly that. And as obvious as that statement was, it took me until just recently to realize it. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum for as long as I could remember. At nine years old I changed my name from Kassandra to a shortened Kassy, because I thought it suited me better. Even to this day only my oldest friends and family call me Kassandra. I often got in trouble in class for doodling, and I often preferred more, ahem, color in my life. My hair has gone from brown to platinum blonde to violet to black to pink etc. I was often the nerd who read and drew comic books and dressed a little differently then most kids, but I loved who I was. Now I’m older and in college but still love art and drawing, which is what I’m majoring in now. :)

I recently had the idea to write a blog for girls ages 14-20, just about life and activities. However, I had no idea what to write about or how to start, so I figured, why not ask the audience? Before I started writing this, I asked a number of girls, ages 14 to 20, on what topics they would like to see me write about and what they would like to read about. Most responses I got were on relationships; friends, boys, and family. So my first few entries will be on friendships. How do you choose your friends? Which friends stick? Do you need to have many friends to feel important?

Now let’s admit, as young women, especially when we are in school, it’s hard to find a good friend out there. Along with the busyness of school, homework, family, extra-curricular activities and, some of you may have jobs, work; it’s very hard to determine who our true friends are until it’s too late. Friendships are a very important part of your life; they can either make or break you. The one huge problem among girl friendships today is trust. But what leads up this particular issue? Have you ever had a friend, or even a few friends, who you really loved to hang out with? You got really close and could tell them anything and the suddenly, you’re not friends anymore? Why did this happen? Well it could have been a number of reasons, but afterward it makes a person feel awful…who wouldn’t? Someone you really loved to be around and even thought you could trust is no longer apart of your life.

Speaking from my experience, I know how that feels. It was my Sophomore year in High School and I hung around this group of friends who all had the same interests as me and liked the same TV shows and music, etc. Going back to how I was odd to other students back then, I really fit in with this group, and I didn’t feel odd at all. I had so much fun hanging out with these people, we were inseparable and I felt I could really trust all of them. One girl in my group had a couple of issues though. She was on anti-depressants at the time, and her family was never really there for her, and sometimes she would start to do outrageous things to get attention, like denying that it was her birthday. Of course it worried all of us, especially me. So I decided to visit a social worker at my high school; I didn’t mention her name and confided in the social worker to give good advice.

Afterwards I mentioned to my other 2 friends what I did over the phone later and they seemed fine with it. Unfortunately, about 10 minutes later I got a call from the girlfriend I was trying to help and she started screaming about what a horrible back-stabbing friend I was…our friendship ended that night and I found out that one of my other 2 friends was the one who went behind my back and told her that I saw a social worker. I confided in both of these people…and they both just quit talking to me. After all the nights I stayed up on the phone with this girl, spent hours with her, and was the only one who ever cared for her well being and she calls me a horrible, backstabbing friend? I couldn’t believe it.

A few days after, our parents tried to get us to make up…all except for her parents and her, they wanted nothing to do with me or my family. After that, these two former friends got many of my other friends to turn against me. The only person who stayed be my side, was the other friend from our former group; my current best friend Katie. Katie stuck by me through everything…even when things got bad, and they got really bad.

People would talk about us…people I didn’t even know and have never met before were calling me horrible names, and they have never talked to me before! I would get horrible notes from my previous friends and people would just laugh as I walked down the hall. There was even a rumor going around that Katie and I were dating! It was a horrible time at school for the both of us…and sometimes I just wanted to stay home from school so I wouldn’t have to deal with what the prank was that day. The only people who kept me strong through the whole thing was my mom and Katie.

This lasted for the rest of Sophomore year, and my only real friend was still Katie. I had one real friend, but you know something? It didn’t bother me. I figured I would rather have one true friend, then a lot of fake friends. And even now, after 6 years, we are still closer than ever, and is even more like a sister to me than a friend. And the friends that turned on me back then, are now talking to me again on facebook. And you know what is really funny? After 4 years the same girl still hates me. She even got angry that the other friends started to want to talk to me again! After 4 years! Isn’t that funny?

Now that I look back on that time, I was young and strange to a lot of people just because I liked something different. I wanted to fit in so badly and have a lot of friends, but I refused to change who I was; which was good, but I also became friends with just anyone, which wasn’t very wise. I didn’t bother to really get to know these people and would pour out all of my secrets to them without even thinking. I’ve learned in life that it’s not bad to have more than one friend, however, I keep all my thoughts, secrets, hopes, and dreams to my one and only true friend, who has proved her loyalty to me time and time again. Sometimes you have to walk alone for a while…and sometimes you may only have one real friend at your side, but maybe that’s all you need.

Kassy

My next blog is about true friends. What makes a true friend? How do you know if someone really wants to be your friend or if they are trying to use you? And how do you keep friends even if they move far away? You can read all about it in my next blog. :)

More Than a Statistic

We all know what statistics are: the numbers and figures that you hear, when you're at assembly's or church, about teen drinking suicide drugs etc. Well while I was in my preteen to early teen years that's all I thought I was - a statistic..

By the time I was 11 I had such a terrible body image I would cry almost every night because I thought I was fat. By the time I was 12 my parents both worked so I could get away with skipping meals and working out excessively. By the time I was 13 I was a full out anorexic. Both my parents worked full time so I was able to hide it. So when we'd be out when they saw how little I ate they thought it was normal and always said I "ate like a bird" they had no idea the inner turmoil that was going on inside of me. I was so ashamed of my body and how I wasn't perfect like the people in church or magazines that I started taking it out on my body with self-harm. I felt worthless and numb to everything around me. I lost all my friends had no real relationships with my parents and hated church. A month before I turned 15 I gave God and ultimatum. I said if your real you need to do something. I'm a wreck and I'm falling faster everyday. I need you to take action in my life if your even real. Because if not after my birthday im done holding back. Because I just don't care anymore.
Then I got an email from a friend. She wanted to get together ans have a little girls night. I have no idea why but I said yes. It was the first time I felt like I was loved. And at dinner I unraveled a bit. Later that night I prayed that God would forgive me and help me.

But that's not the end of the story. I still had the guilt and shame of what I had done to myself and to top that I was still addicted to cutting myself. I still felt worthless. How could God ever love me? Look at everything I've done. How is it possible to be anything when all I am is a statistic?

It wasn't easy but one day I was so mad and no longer at myself but at the devil who was trying to bring me down everyday. I had had a candle burning and all the wax was melted inside I took my nail file which I used to cut and threw it in the wax and blew out the wick. I made a choice that day to change the way I was thinking about myself. I was not just a statistic. I was loved by the creator of the world. He thinks I'm beautiful! He loves me! Even when I felt like everything was falling apart I knew there was a reason he intervened in my life when he did. He has a plan and a purpose for my life! I am not worthless but a masterpiece created exactly how God wanted me to be.

It's easy to believe lies when that all you hear. Its hard to change. It's still a choice for me everyday, I have to get up and choose to think about what God says about me.

No matter how far you are He's always there ready to pick you up and help you through. You are his treasure, and He knows every hair on your head, every freckle on your face AND what your jean size is :-). All you have to do is ask Him for help and it will come. Even if its in email from from a friend you haven't talked to in months.

by Tyler J.

Coffee with a Friend: Staying Grounded

Coffee with a friend.

This morning I had the opportunity to go get coffee with a friend of mine. Our schedules are complete opposite, so this is a rarity, but when we make the time, I am oh so happy it works out.

See, drinking coffee may be an everyday occurrence for most of the population, but for me, "going out for coffee" with a friend involves so much more than downing a liquid to keep me awake. (I don't even drink coffee).

Keeping up my relationships with my close friends is so important to me - no matter how busy life gets, or how it changes. During the hour we spent at the coffee shop this morning, we got to catch up on each others lives and talk about how life is changing: graduating college, applying to grad school, running a business, having new relationships, family updates, and the list goes on. But 2 things in particular stood out to me today.

We talked about how words have such a powerful affect on us - on everyone. And yes, you've heard it before - "life and death is in the power of the tongue." But how does that relate to your everyday life? How can words do so much?

I've been reading this dancer's blog for a couple months, and recently I read her book. She's very artsy, and I love everything artsy. I often times wish I was looked more artsy, spoke more artsy, dressed more artsy, etc, but that's besides the point. The point is I have been so into her blog, that I read it almost every day. And the thing is...she wrote about heartache and being sad and depressed. She also wrote about love, and your dreams, and pushing through in life. But, somehow, it all got to me. I found myself being sad, and going back to my past thoughts of heartache. Even though, I'm not in that season of my life anymore, it really affected how I carried myself, and what I thought about me.

I walked around for days wondering why I was so down. Then, I realized..I haven't confessed God's Word. I haven't prayed how I should be praying. My Bible reading hasn't been too much more than a routine. And where did the guard on my heart go?

You see...I allow myself to be influenced very easily if my guard isn't up. I have trusted people I shouldn't. I have one too many times mistaken being naive for innocence. I care too much about people. I carry their burdens, knowing it won't help them, but wishing it would. I cry when other people are hurting. And..I've just recently come across something that changes everything: "Your job isn't to be their Savior. It's to point them to Jesus" (marshill). God, how could I take on their cares along with mine, and not cast them on You?

Life is funny sometimes. The way our minds work is amazing. They way His Word transforms our lives astounds me. God created us in His image. Right? Well if we're to uphold that image, we need to do something about it. It just doesn't happen on it's own. We need to stay grounded in our faith by continually putting His Words in our heart, spirit, thoughts and mouth. (not a dancer from LA, a rapper from Missouri, your friends or the devil - who will constantly try to bring you down).

Moral of the store of my life? Watch what you say, what you read, what you listen to ((music)) and what you believe. Words can kill or nourish life.

PS. I'm doing a study on prayer. Hopefully a good blog will come from it in the near future.

<3 Kirsten

The Choice of Happiness

The first day of college was less than pleasurable. I lost my 50-dollar train ticket; forgot to write down the room numbers of the classes I was in, so I was late to my first class; what would have been a five minute walk turned into a 45 minute walk to my next class; learned that most art students are weird! And all this was done with me carrying three bags in 80-degree weather. This was the start of my semester, and also the start of my absolute distain for school.

I hated everything about it: the commute, the teachers, the class, the material, the bathrooms, the list goes on. I was so miserable and I constantly thought of how better it would be if I was somewhere else. I constantly sat there feeling sorry for myself and cringed every time someone asked me how school was.

My attitude started spilling into my family life as well. I would come home upset or mopey everyday and which, of course, wasn’t pleasant for them. SIDE NOTE: You may think that your attitude and you’re your decisions are only affecting you, but this is a very selfish way of thinking. You aren’t thinking how your stinky attitude is affecting the people around you... Anyway, this is all pretty pathetic huh? Yes! It was! I had to make a decision and make the most of my situation. For a while I just sat there expecting myself to just Boom! Be happy but, of course, that’s not how it works. Happiness is a choice, and I had to choose that even though everything around me was less than pleasurable, that I was going to be happy. That doesn’t mean that I sat myself down and say, “ok think happy thoughts…. chocolate, puppies, warm exotic beaches…” No! I had to change the way that I thought. I had to replace those pathetic thoughts with the Word of God. I constantly listened to praise and worship music, and thanked God for the day. Thanked him for giving me the opportunity to go to school. Thanked him for the great parents I had that wouldn’t even let me entertain the thought of dropping school :) And slowly my thoughts started getting more positive and I wasn’t miserable. I didn’t allow myself to be miserable anymore.

My dad always says that we are often thrown in situations that we don’t like, but it’s how we react to those situations that determine our character. Whether you are hating school, or you really can’t stand your boss or if there is this really weird girl who just won’t leave you alone. You have a choice to make.

-Sam Schoessler

Easter What??

Ok, so I was making a sign for our store's door to let people know we'll be closed on Easter Sunday. I entered the word "Easter" into the clip art search box of Microsoft Publisher, and 99.99% of it was eggs and bunnies. Cute, but I immediately asked myself, "Where is Jesus?" Yes, I'm all about Easter baskets and getting people excited about Easter. Coloring eggs is still fun to me. And I think everyone should get Easter candy :). Don't get me wrong, I love Easter celebrations, and have the utmost respect for anyone involved in celebrating Easter!

However, I will ask you - Where is Jesus?

I grew up in church. You may have too. Yet, I read that only 20% of only the American population goes to church each weekend. So, what happens to this generation's kids? When they're older and go to make an Easter sign, will they even question what they find?

It's deeper than this. What do you believe in? Do you act on what you believe. Get ready for a cliche phrase.... actions speak louder than words. Do you share what you believe? Do you do what you believe?

I encourage you to research more about Easter. I hope you find more than you already knew. You'll find amazing facts about Jesus that may make you cry. I hope they remind you about what this season is all about. Delve into the scriptures and ask God to show you something new this Easter season. Please look up the word "crucifixion." Read all about it; I pray that it opens your eyes to a whole new meaning, and God gives you a revelation of what Jesus actually went through to save YOU from hell.

Also, you may find that eggs and bunnies do have a significant meaning. :) Who knew? I'd like to share those meanings with everyone, so the next generation does think of Jesus when they see and celebrate with Easter eggs.

I won't be giving you the answers :) so, please comment below to let us know what you find!

-K

Rainy Day Thoughts and Shoes

Heyyy girls... so it's quite dreary out today..and sometimes the weather puts me in a funny mood. Not like funny-haha, but just strange.. I'm not depressed or sad.. I'm actually ecstatically happy inside. But on the outside...there's a complete aura of mellowness.

Do you ever just want to sit inside on a rainy day, read a book, sit by a fire and sip a hot cup of insert your favorite hot drink here? I would like to do just that..and read inspirational blogs and quotes. I often times get completely obsessed with reading other people's thoughts and am completely amused at that fact that I too feel that way. Or have felt that way.


Do you ever think you're the ONLY girl in the world that is thinking what you're thinking? Welll....I can tell you that that's not true. Somewhere someone has felt how you feel. And you know what? Feelings and emotions are great! As long as they don't run your life. Feelings and emotions aren't always good or true. But fact is fact.

Feelings: I'm not good enough. or pretty enough. or strong enough. I don't have this or that..I can't do this or that..I wish this or that...

Facts: You're only as good as you think you are - HOWEVER, God thinks you're amazing. He created you to be just like Him.. and you need to embrace that - think THAT. God loves you. God will take care of you. He's strong when you're weak. He says you're beautiful and made in HIS IMAGE. God will provide all of your daily needs according to HIS RICHES AND GLORY. let God give you strength, peace, love, faith, joy, happiness, and everything else He's promised you. He's ready to give it to you - ALL you have to do is...... ask.

I may be in a mellow mood...but that doesn't mean anything other than...I'm in a mellow mood. It doesn't mean something's wrong..or I need to worry or complain. However, if that is ever the case..the moment I start to speak positive things and God's WORD over my life, my happiness level increases. This world isn't about me. It isn't about you. But we do need to take care of ourselves. Remember, you're the only Jesus a lot of people will ever see.

BTW...praying for other people will totally boost your mood (amongst other things). And what you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.

Oh..and as for shoes..that's just how my mind works..The second I start to think, I think of 580384237 things within the smallest time frame.. So to reference Gilmore Girls.."hockey puck, rattle snake, monkey, monkey, underpants."

Please share what's on your mind!

<3 Girl of many random thoughts,
Kirsten

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Girls!!!

We are writing our very own RECIPE BOOK with center31 and we want YOU to be apart of it!

We are asking if YOU would send us your favorite home recipe WITH PHOTOS to: info@center31.com

Don't be shy we know that there is a little chef in everyone of you!

Love

Love. So many words may rush to your head when you hear the word “love.” Valentine’s Day, Boyfriends, Hearts, Flowers, Candies, Dates. Or even Family, Friends, Caring, Providing… So many ideas can come from one word. But what is the basis of love? What do we, as girls, need to do to make sure we have the best idea of love that there is?

Thinking of the phrase “colorme31” or “colormeLOVE”…let’s look at Proverbs 31:10, “A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” Now let’s take a look at your character? What characteristics of a Proverbs 31 girl do you have? Ones that make you more precious than jewels, rubies and pearls?!

You know the scripture that says, “and the greatest of these is love”? Well it’s true. And the Bible also talks about God being love. Take a look at this expert from the book “31 Girl” by Mary Simpson.

“Stay Close to Love. The Bible says in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. This means that by staying close and plugged into the ultimate source of love then we cannot but be changed. As you spend daily quality time with God His character is deposited in you. The more time you spend with Him, the more you become like Him.

Staying close to God also keeps us “in love” with Him. Revelation 2:4 says that we should not forsake our first love. Above all else, our Heavenly Father must be our first love. That’s not to say we can’t have other loves in our life but He has to be our priority, our personal Number One.”

When you first read the word “Love” at the beginning of this blog, did “God” come to your mind? Hmmm.. Put God as your Number One and see what happens in your life. I can guarantee you it won’t stay the same. Is he already first?? Step it up, and see what He does! J

Have a very happy Valentine’s Day. Show your love to God, your parents, siblings and loved ones!! Make sure you put your words into action! <3