Hello, Mini-Women! It's been so fun for me to read your comments and see how you're re-mapping some things in your lives so you can walk more in the direction God wants you to go. We'll get to that in a minute, but first, some prayer requests (And I gotta say you're the prayin-est mini-women I've ever known. Must be the GIA Agent in each of you!) Today, let's pray for:
ANNARACHEL and KAT who are having some friend trouble.
ABIGAIL who doesn't know what to do to stop gossiping about the math teacher who is . . . "Different."
NIKITA's friend who hasn't discovered that God loves her.
EMMA who was sick yesterday (hope you're better today, Emma)
Merciful God, please hear the prayers of your Mini-Women.
Before we go on, we need to give a BIG ol welcome to JENNA who just joined us. Let us know if you have any questions, Jenna. We're so glad you're here!
WHAT YOU SAID AFTER LAST TIME'S POST:
I asked you to tell us where you're going to "go home by another way" with something in your life. We now have GIA Agents (that's God in Action -- we are the Mini-Women Division) making these kinds of changes:
* not listening to music with bad language in it
* not deceiving your parents about listening to music with bad language in it!
* being kinder to (as in , not yelling at!) siblings, even if they're mean to you; same goes for friends
* not blowing money
* speaking up for yourselves
* not spending so much time on computer games and tv
* reading the Bible more (just doing these assignments should help you there)
* sitting next to new people
* cleaning your room
* not putting things off til the last minute
* not being quite so hung up on your appearance
* controlling your temper
* showing God more in your actions (well put)
This time I gave you the go-ahead to help each other out and you did that beautifully. AMELIA gave CASSI some great questions to ask herself, and MARY came up with this way cool approach to finding out where you might need to change direction using I Corinthians 13. If you didn't read her comment on Saturday, you might want to go back and do that.
If you want to keep discussing some of those things, here's what you are welcome to do here in your comments, only because these Mini-Women ASKED for advice:
* Share with ABIGAIL what you would do in her situation: "My math teacher is definitely different than other teachers, and I am aware that some people in my class hate him becaues of his unusual-ness and other reasons. Maybe he's not the best at times, but he doesn't deserve all that gossiping that my friends have been giving him. I feel sorry for him and I don't know what to do!"
* ABIGAIL also says she's sometimes mean to herself. She says, "Does anybody have any suggestions?" Again, just share with ABIGAIL what you would do or have done when you feel like that.
* MARY commented that she's not sure she WANTS to change direction even though she knows she should. I liked her honesty. If you want to respond to that, ONLY tell us if you feel the same way.
I think you're ready for me to open up discussions like this, so show us you can handle it by not "preaching" (saying "This is what you have to do because in the Bible, etc.) or putting anyone down (no one has done that in a LONG time!) or making someone feel like you're trying to "fix" her.
Now, on today's assignment, which is a little shorter and is more about you than some of the others. Here we go:
Epiphany Assignment #3
READ: Matthew 2:13-15 If you don't have your toolkit handy, you'll want to go read this at some point. Here's a quick recap -- After the wise men go home by another way, an angel appears to Joseph (Jesus' earthly dad) in a dream and tells him to take Mary and Joseph and flee to Egypt because the evil king Herod is about to search for Jesus and destroy him. Joseph doesn't even hesitate. He does what the angel says, and he and his little family stay in Egypt until they learn that King Herod has died.
CONNECT: Has there ever been a time when you knew God had protected you? Like maybe you really wanted to be friends with a girl but she didn't want to be friends with you -- and not long after that, this girl got her friends into some trouble and you realized if you'd been part of that group, you'd be in trouble too. (NOTE: sometimes it doesn't seem like God was there to protect you and something bad happened; I can't tell you why that happens and I don't think anyone can, but I do know form my long life experience that God IS there in every situation, helping us through it. You'll need to remember this for tomorrow's story)
PRAY: Grab that drawing pad of yours out of your toolkit and write a letter to God thanking God for protecting you in that situation. Then decorate the borders, kind of the way monks used to "illuminate" the pages of the bible. Make it beautiful, because God deserves that.
TAKE ACTION: Next think of a situation you're in right now, one where you aren't really sure God's paying attention at all (your friends are all mad at you, you're strugging with a subject and your teacher won't help you, you dad just doesn't seem to get you). Over the next few days, between now and Thursday, watch for the things God might just be doing that you weren't even aware of. Maybe another girl is kind of hanging around, hoping to be your friend, or the kid next to you in that tough subject is really good at it and he isn't too absurd (as boys go) and you might be able to ask for his help.
SHARE; There are lots of ways you can comment this time. You might have some personal experience to share with ABIGAIL (see above) or you might want to tell us whether you really WANT to chagne direciton (see MARY above). Or you might want to try Mary's 1Corinthians exercise and see what happens. And of course you can share where God has protected you and how God might just be protecting you right now.
Yikes -- we should have a pretty full comment box! And don't forget, our first Epiphany CONTEST happens Thursday so BE HERE. The prize is something BRAND NEW that nobody's seen before -- very cool.
Blessings, Mini-Women --
Nancy Rue
Thank you for praying! i feel better than yesterday but still sicka nd now my best friend is sick to !Please keep praying and pray hat my mom and no one gets sick please! Will try to post more later. thanks!
Posted by: Emma !!! ♫ | January 21, 2013 at 05:37 PM
Prayer request: we might have to get rid of my dog, fam stuff, my big news and for me because I have been kinda rebellious and spacey lately. God has been there at youth group and other times 2. (I'm trying to write way quick because my computer keeps kicking me off and I have to type it all over again!) I still have to do the drawing for the last 2 + this 1 so I'm busy! Thanks for praying guys!!!
Posted by: Kat | January 21, 2013 at 07:14 PM
Uhhhhh.... Well.... My grandfather does have cancer:( He will have an 8 hour surgery to get the tumor out and then a 10 week recovery in a nursing home. The surgery and recovery could be succesfull. My dad might go back to the states during the surgery and to look after my grandma.
Please Pray!
~Josie~
Posted by: Josie | January 22, 2013 at 12:41 PM
totally praying josie, and everybody else.
Posted by: Casey | January 22, 2013 at 01:05 PM
Just if anyone is struggling with the right kind of music... here's a very good phrase-
"God created music. Why? For His Glory." So if the music points to Him, it's good!
Hope that helps,
Jenna
Posted by: Jenna | January 22, 2013 at 03:04 PM
Abigal,
About your teacher. First, think about yourself. Get yourself right with God about the gossiping before telling others they shouldn't gossip. And then, give your teacher a gift, invite him over for supper to get to know him a little bit more. You never know what a person is going through and it never helps when other people are gossiping about you.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Jenna | January 22, 2013 at 03:07 PM
Sorry Abigail! I spelled your name wrong! :)
Posted by: Jenna | January 22, 2013 at 03:11 PM
I did have a comment but it got deleted I guess. Prayer request: The situation I already talked about I don't know what to do. Infact can anyone help me?? My friends sister took a video of my friend and I talking about the boy I like and sent it to a lot of people. Including the boy that I like best friend so ya he told someone and that person told the boy I like. I have to go though so talk to you later.
WELCOME JENNA!!!!!!!!!! And this is Beth but I changed it to Jesus Freak because I LOVE that song!!!
Luv ya'll,
Beth!!!!!
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 22, 2013 at 05:55 PM
Oh Josie! I am so sorry! I will defanyently be praying! let us know how it goes! Aww Kat! I'm sorry! I am praying! Oh Beth i'm SOrry! I am praying!
Praying for all! love you girls!
Posted by: Emma !!! ♫ | January 22, 2013 at 07:13 PM
Here's an idea, Abigail, with your math teacher situation: Why don't you just start with your teacher? Yes, it's incredibly rude for kids to be gossiping behind his back about him- it always is, no matter how weird they may be. But I'm sure it would help YOU not to gossip- especially if you want to stop something, start by stopping yourself from doing whatever it is you want to stop- if you tried to do something kind for him each day- or maybe even just once a week. Ask him how he's doing as you walk into class. Let him know he's a great teacher- whether that's through talking or just delivering a little sticky note on his door or put a kind message on a note attached to a fun, little treat. How can you say bad things about somebody when you're doing kind things for them- and possibly seeing the really cool, really fun, really good side of him because of your encouragement? It just takes one student.
Also, Abigail, when it comes to the being-mean-to-yourself situation, I've been there- ans struggle with it daily. What I try to do is treat myself like a friend- whether it's a good friend or even a best friend. Would you be mean to that good or best friend? Of course not! Instead, you would compliment her and try to help her feel her best. Why not try that with yourself?
And Mary, I TOTALLY feel the same way.
Praying for all of you lovely ladies! xo!
Posted by: Cassi | January 22, 2013 at 07:30 PM
Oh and Mary I'm totally with u. I'm praying everyone!!!
TTYL XOXO
Beth
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 22, 2013 at 07:48 PM
Abigail- my motto is do it in secret!
I'm not sure if this is a valid answer, but my gluten and casein intolerances (which are proteins found in wheat, Spelt, barley, and rye and milk and whey *respectively* give me oppertunities to be a closer and better friend to the allergic and intolerant ppls! Cause if it weren't so, I wouldn't have as many friends or as many understanding and close friends.
Posted by: Amelia | January 23, 2013 at 02:08 PM
Hey Abigail!
I know how hard it is not to gossip about somebody! Well my advice for the teacher thing is that 1 stay away from the gossipers! If you hang around people who gossip you'll do it too! And every time you find yourself gossiping just stop mid sentence, walk away, tell yourself that what you just said isn't true(or if it is that you shouldn't talk about it) go back and talk about something completely different.
Or when you find your friends gossiping you could quickly change the subject so then your the one stopping all gossiping w/ your friends. So pretty much my advice is to just change the subject when the gossiping starts!
And w/ the being mean to yourself(never actually done it but have had friends who have so I know a few things about that;)) Well once a week or something like that spoil yourself! Give yourself a manicure or something like that! And whenever your being mean to yourself stop, drop, and roll (literally!)! In other words stop thinking or doing or saying mean things about yourself, drop the subject(don't beat yourself up for being mean to yourself!), and roll onto some nice thoughts!(what your going to do after your done with homework ect.)
Hope that helps!!!
Posted by: Kat | January 23, 2013 at 06:08 PM
Jenna I totally agree with you and if you are struggling with the right kind of music hears a few ideas: If your like me your going to want to listen to TobyMac! And then there's a radio station that my family listens to: K-love at 91.1 F.M.
(Sorry I've posted alot!)
Posted by: Kat | January 23, 2013 at 06:15 PM
Ok seriously last post this time!!!! Thanks for praying guys! We have been doing some work with my dog and my mom thinks that we're going to take him to a training class and Friday we have a dog trainer coming to see if he's trainable!(luckily my mom said we are going to try to train him anyway because we have been able to train him in the past) My big news is about to burst everytime I post! But I have to get the okay from somebody before I can tell people!
Posted by: Kat | January 23, 2013 at 06:20 PM
Today's the contest can't wait I'll check back soon!!!!!!!
TTYLX0X
Beth :)
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 24, 2013 at 08:56 AM
can't wait for the contest hope i don't miss it beacause i do sometimes
=)
Posted by: english faithgirl aka Nikita (gods girlz rock!!!!!) | January 24, 2013 at 09:01 AM
yeah, today. can't wait have to cheek back later too.
Posted by: Casey | January 24, 2013 at 09:44 AM
Grrrr I just keep looking back evry 5 minutes I'm just SOOOOOOO excited!!!!
TTYLXOX
Beth :) =) =P
Posted by: Jesus Freak | January 24, 2013 at 10:05 AM
i know right Beth.
Posted by: Casey | January 24, 2013 at 10:09 AM