Sunday, August 28, 2011

Number 9, May 22, 2011


 ____________________________________________________________________________
Living 4 Jesus 4 Life: #9 May 22, 2011 

______________________________________________________________  ______________


In this issue...     the best day with an unlikely friend
                             try an end-of-school brain teaser!
                             ... and a new recipe!
                      
  _____________________________________________________
Here's a *shoutout* to our reader's in Louisiana!!!

~our mailbox~
I love it! :) - Rebekah
  
{Prayer Requests}

 

⦁ Please pray for a lady in our church who has breast cancer. Erin has 3 kids: 4, 3, and 18 months. You can read about her at erinfray.blogspot.com. - Artiss
  
⦁ Please continue to pray for Rebekah's cousin Karen, who has Breast Cancer. She has five children, and her husband is in the military! Thank you!
⦁ Please remember to pray for Sarah Kae's friend, Harper Grigsby. She is at home now and she is growing! God is so good! You can read all about her on her mom's blog at adgrigsby.blogspot.com. Thanks!

⦁ Zack is at home now. He had brain surgery so they could remove the tumor and he has come back to church, practically healed.
⦁ Pray that God will show Himself to a girl in Elly's gym class and He will change her heart!

Hey girls!
Since our last issue of Living 4 Jesus 4 Life turned out a little different than we planned, Sarah and I decided to stay on this topic a little longer: your mom can be one of your best friends! Here is a song that I think really speaks well to most of us for all our moms do for us each and every day. Enjoy!
Love ya'll! autumn
The Best Day by Taylor Swift
I'm five years old, it's getting cold, I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now, the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home


I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
But I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today


I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop 'til I've forgotten all their names


I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school
But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day with you today


I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother, inside and out, he's better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run
And I had the best days with you


There is a video I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me
It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs
And Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world


And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
For staying back and watching me shine
And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm takin' this chance to say
That I had the best day with you today


An Unlikely Friend?
I have a question for you, are you frien's with your mom? You might think that it is a silly question. But many girls moms are their best friends! If you really think about it, your mom has been with you every step of the way. Also, whenever you have a lot on your mind, she is always around and can usually tell that something is wrong. God made moms really special! They are great at working out problems, being a listening ear when you need one, and they have great advice! Oh, and don't forget, they ALWAYS have your back. If you think about it, these are all qualities of a good friend! Isn't that cool? For me, it's great because I know my mom prays for me. And I'm sure your mom does the same for you. :) And she always makes decisions that will be the best for me. So just ask yourself, is your mom really your friend, or is she just someone you know? But the even greater question is; Is God your friend? If you know God, your relationship with your mom can be so much better! God Bless!
Sarah
Fresh Green Beans (submitted by Lindsay)
Ingredients:
1 lb. Fresh green beans, trim ends, and cook until tender. Drain.       --Pre-cook for about 10 min.
1 stick of butter, melted
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp.dill weed
1 tsp. parsley flakes
Saute garlic salt, dill weed and parsley in melted butter in large skillet. Add cooked beans.  Stir mixture over beans and simmer until ready to serve.   Enjoy!
BRAIN TEASER:
As I was going to Labrid's, I met a man with seven kids, each kid had seven sacks, each sack had seven cats, each cat had seven kittens; kits, cats, sacks, kids, how many were going to Labrid's?

Number 8, May 8, 2011


 ____________________________________________________________________________
Living 4 Jesus 4 Life: #8 May 8, 2011 
______________________________________________________________  ______________

 
In this issue...      see what some of our readers have to say about Living 4 Jesus 4 Life
 
   
 _____________________________________________________
 
Here's a *shoutout* to our reader's in Oklahoma!!!
 

~our mailbox~
 
Thanks so much for doing these newsletters!!! :) - Rebekah
 
awesome newsletter! - Rachel
 
The U in JesUs article is really cool!
I really like getting the newsletter! - Loice
 
{Prayer Requests}
 
⦁ Please continue to pray for Rebekah's cousin Karen, who has Breast Cancer. She has five children, and her husband is in the military! Thank you!
 
⦁ Please pray for a little boy in my church. His name is Zack and he has a brain tumor or cancer, we aren’t sure what it is. - Artiss
 
⦁ Please remember to pray for Sarah Kae's friend, Harper Grigsby. She is at home now and she is growing! God is so good! You can read all about her on her mom's blog at adgrigsby.blogspot.com. Thanks!
 
⦁ Please pray for rain in west Texas. There is another big fire about fifteen miles from my house again. The wind isn't so bad this time, so that is good. Going through this just weeks ago, we know the power of God to stop the fire right now or to  fuel it for days. Praise Him! thanks - Autumn
 
⦁ Also, pray for Sarah while she is out of town this week at church camp. Pray that she will have a safe, fun, and truly encourageing time!
 
Always wanted to be published? Send us your recipes, craft ideas, jokes, or anything else! We're looking forward to hearing from you!
Don't forget to send us your prayer requests and we can publish them or just keep a secret!
 
Joke:
Why can a TV never take the place of a newspaper?
 
Answer: have you ever heard of useing a TV to swat a fly?
 
- by Loice
 
 
Allright, so I have a huge struggle with procrastinating... I have put this article off until later than the last minute this time. Here's what happened: earlier this week when Sarah and I were discussing what our topic should be, I suggested that we write about how our moms can be our friends, how they are just like us, but they are so much wiser, and they can teach us so much more about life, and love, and godliness! You know, since it's Mother's Day and all. Well, I don't always agree with my mom about everything, but I know I am told to honor her and I will be blessed. Ephesians 6:2-3 - "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." When we don't see eye to eye, sometimes I struggle, but I try to honor her. After all, she usually knows better anyway.
 
This week, after I came up with the brilliant idea of talking about how we are great friends, I guess Satan wasn't happy. I have had a really hard time getting along with my mom the last two or three days. He wanted me to fail. I knew I needed to write my  article, but I felt like a hypcrite. So I'm just being honest now.
 
Last night was the worst, I went to bed and cried because I was just so tired and worn out. I haven't done that in a long time. We spent the whole day together yesterday at 4-H contests, which usually brings the worst out of us as far as disagreement goes. So when I got home, she wanted me to work on my 4-H project again.... eleven o'clock last night. "Come on! It's not due 'til Monday!" I thought. I just wanted to go to bed, because I never go to bed on time anymore. Something is due every night. I planned to take advantage of my one night off. That didn't happen. When I finally went to bed it was the strangest thing. I could not go to sleep for a long time. I know my mom is only trying to help. She is never trying to get on my nerves, or ruin my projects. We both just happen to be very oppinionated, and we don't always agree. I KNOW this, but that doesn't stop me from getting annoyed at her and I don't always want her help or FEEL like she is being especially helpful. You know what? I wanted to talk to someone. Anyone. Mostly my mom. I just couldn't. Not about that. She has feelings too, and she does her best, so I wasn't about to hurt her feelings and tell her everything I don't like about her when I was seriously deprived of my rest at midnight last night! I didn't want to say something I would regret, and yet she was the one I wanted to talk to most.
 
As I laid in my bed last night, I realized the attack Satan had sent on our relationship just before Mother's Day, just before my whole talk about how great we get along.... wow. You know, it took me a while, but I finally just started talking out loud to the Lord. He is always there when no one else is, and He is there to listen. He understands how I feel before I can put it into words. He reminded me of the words of Titus 2:3-5, how the older women are supposed to teach the younger women. My mom sets such a great example for me. I have sooo much to learn from her! And yes, she can be my friend. This is not what I planned on writing earlier this week, but it's what I've been through. Maybe I'll get to the rest some other time. Today has been great for us. My little sister and I are taking her to get a pedicure for mother's day sometime in the next couple of weeks and we are all super excited!
 
Titus 2:3-5

Number 7, April 23, 2011


____________________________________________________________________________
Living 4 Jesus 4 Life: #7 April 23, 2011 
____________________________________________________________________________

 
In this special Easter edition...      see what one of our readers has to say about Heaven!
                                                     the U in JESUS
                                                     try a new chocolate recipe
 
   
 _____________________________________________________
12 Happy Birthday Natalie!!!
Natalie is turning twelve on May 2. She enjoys horseback riding and shooting. Her favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough.
  
________________________________________________________________             _  _
If you have a friend who would like to join our mailing list, send us her name and___  
address too. We began last month with fourteen readers and a goal of doubling that  
number by the end of this month.... we now have twenty-three!!!  Just five more to go
girls, we can do this!! :D____________________________________     ______________
____ _____________________________________________________ _ ______________ 
 
{Prayer Requests}
 
⦁ Please pray for Rebekah's cousin Karen, who has Breast Cancer. She has five children, and her husband is in the military! Thank you!
 
⦁ Please pray for a little boy in my church. His name is Zack and he has a brain tumor or cancer, we aren’t sure what it is. - Artiss
 
⦁ Please remember to pray for Sarah Kae's friend, Harper Grigsby. Pray that her oxygen saturation levels will go up and she will grow and be strong. You can read all about her on her mom's blog at adgrigsby.blogspot.com. Thanks!
 
~~~
 Kylie says...
 
"My name is Kylie Johnston and I am a Christian. There are many reasons I am a Christian, but I am only going to name a couple today. For starters, I love being a Christian because I LOVE the worship. I love the fact that Jesus, a man that does not even know me, loved me enough to give his own life to save me and forgive my sins.  Just think of it, someone you barely even know, would die for you. To me that is pretty amazing, and then rise from the grave three days later!

For those of you who do not know who Jesus is, He is God's Son; for those who do not know who GOD is, He is the Creator of all. From me to you and the entire earth, and infinity and beyond, anything and everything you can imagine, GOD created it. Both Jesus and GOD love you dearly.
 
Now in every story there is a bad guy right? Well here is our story's bad guy. In the story of life the bad guy is the Devil, also known as Satan or Lucifer. The Devil was once an angel, but he tried to take God's place, and rule the world. GOD sent Satan to his own little world called Hell and he has been there ever since, along with the rest of the people who were sent to Hell because they did not accept Christ as their personal savior.
 
If you do accept Him before you die, you will go to Heaven with GOD and Jesus for the rest of eternity. Okay think about the best place ever. Now heaven is one hundred percent better than that place. Heaven is Paradise.

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share the word of GOD with you!!"
____________________________________________________________________ 
 

THE U IN JESUS

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son..

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U. 
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came. 
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified. 
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? 
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. 
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U." 
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too? 
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U. 
When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amazing Chocolate  Recipe by Loice:
1/4-1/3 cup cocoa powder (depends on how chocolatey you want it)
1 cup           peanut butter
1 cup           powdered milk
1/2 cup        honey

(you can mix coconut in it if you want)

 Mix cocoa powder and milk powder in a bowl. Add honey and peanut butter and mix together.Put in fridge to harden.It's a great desert or snack.You can also roll it into balls and roll it in coconut. Enjoy!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Sorry it was a couple days late y'all! We were both out of town. Hope y'all like it! :)
  Sarah

 
and... Don't forget to check out a life for christ by Sarah Elisabeth Stephens!!!
 
Always wanted to be published? Send us your recipes, craft ideas, jokes, or anything else! We're looking forward to hearing from you!
 

Number 6, April 9, 2011


   "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13__
Living 4 Jesus 4 Life: #6 April 9, 2011 
   "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13__


In this issue ...   learn the importance of being a true friend
                             celebrate!
                             laugh out loud
   
 _____________________________________________________
14 Happy BirthdaGillian!!!
Our spotlight's on Gillian Stiles this week, the Irish dancer! She is turning 14 on April 9! Happy Birthday girl!!
Gillian enjoys singing, dancing, running, reading, drawing, and animal research. Her favorite flavor of ice cream is eggnog! Hope you have a good one!
 11 Trinity
 Also featuring... Trinity Fox!! Trinity likes Hebraic dancing! She celebrated her eleventh birthday yesterday - hope you had an awesome time! Trinity also loves Scottish Terriers, marine biology, dinosaurs, collecting, and art! Some day she wants to visit the Congo in Africa!
________________________________________________________________             _  _
If you have a friend who would like to join our mailing list, send us her name and___   address too. We began last month with fourteen readers and a goal of doubling that number by the end of this month.... we now have twenty-three!!! Thanks for all_____   your help girls! AND welcome new subscribers, we're so glad to have you!!!! Just  _ five more to go girls, we can do this!! :D____________________________________    
_________________________________________________________ _ ______________ 
~our mailbox~

that was cool thanks for doing these!  - Rachel Stephens
This newsletter was just what I needed to hear!!!!!!!! I have been struggling with fear!:(  - Loice Morrison

                      
{Prayer}



Someone has said that if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. During WWII, one of Churchill's advisers organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England , its people and peace. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . If you would like to participate, every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. :)

(submitted by Loice)
....request
Hey girls! :) A really good friend of mine is going through a really hard time. I can't say what shes going through, but she needs a ton of prayer. Pray that she will have wisdom, peace, and faith that God will get her through this hard time. 
      Also I hurt my shoulder about 6 weeks ago. I went to the chiropractor last week, and they said that my left shoulder is higher than my right shoulder. It is hereditary, and basically it just means that my spine is a little bit curved. No big deal. I am requesting your prayers for healing. Also I probably will have an x-ray done on Monday. so pray that it will go well. Thanks so much. :)
   Sarah
      Elisabeth
I have an aunt who has been a victim of MS for about five or six years now. She told her husband earlier this week that she is ready to go, and she did not want to take her medicine anymore. She can't hardly talk at all. Please pray for her and pray that he will make the right decision, that God will give each of them strength to go through this time.
I am also thanking God this week for the safe delivery of Harper Lynn Grigsby. She is a miracle baby! I don't know if any of ya'll would be interested but you can find her story at my friend Amy's blog! Enjoy and God bless! Autumn
In Stonewall County there is a big fire. It's been going for about 4 days now. It's not under control AT ALL. It has burned up 74,OOO acres!! The wind still continues to blow. It has only burned about 2 houses because it has mostly just been pastureland. But it is currently moving toward residential land. It has been really dry there because they havent had a good rain since around October. Please be praying that the fire will get under control and that no more houses will be burned. Thanks! :)
Autumn & Sarah
Don't forget to send us your prayer requests and we can publish them or just keep a secret!
 Be a Good Friend <3______________
About five or six years ago, my dad asked me a question. We had gone to Dairy Queen one afternoon for a blizzard, and he casually asked me who my best friend was. I thought for a minute before I answered him, and I realized that my best friend was my best friend simply because I trusted her. I had known her since the second grade and never heard her make one negative comment about anyone else.  Later I also realized that I myself gossiped all the time. I decided I wanted to be like Kellie – I wanted people to be able to say that they never heard me say rude things about others.

I tried very hard, in the strength of Christ, to change and lose my bad habit of gossiping. I read a lot of verses about controlling the tongue, and I became much better about controlling mine. My goal was to say only things that brought glory to God.

As the years have gone by, I have learned there is a lot more involved in being a good friend. In John 15:13 God describes the love of a true friend. He is my very best friend, and no one knows better! He is the best friend you could ever have, and He can be everyone's best friend. The more like Christ I become, the better friend I will be. Earlier this year one of my friends made a very bad decision that will affect her for the rest of her life. I had a choice. I could forgive her and move on, continuing to be her friend and encourageing her in the Lord, or I could never speak to her again. I knew girls who chose both, and I decided to be her friend. I am not happy about the decision that she made, but I am happy that when God tested my ability to be a friend, I passed!
~ autumn
Just How Important Is a True Friend?_______
     Have you ever gone through a hard time? A trial? A time in your life when you just felt like crying? That is most definitely a normal thing. Everybody goes through trials, everybody experiences the challenge of a hard time, everybody feels like crying every now and then. In all these difficult times, sometimes we just need someone to talk to.
     Personally, for me, I first go to God and just lay everything down on the line. I tell Him everything that's going on, how I feel, all of that. God is the closest friend that anybody could ever have. He loves it so much when we turn to Him first instead of a family member or a friend. After I have talked to God about it I will usually call, e-mail, or text one of my closest friends. I explain the situation to them and ask what they think about the situation. Every time, I get directed right to God. They remind me that no matter what God is always going to be here for me. And that He has a special reason for everything that happens. That right there is the type of friend that everybody needs. 
     A true friend will not point you in the wrong direction. They will direct you to God, pray for you, and carefully help you through any problem that you may be facing. If you don't have a true friend that follows God, then you might find yourself making a bad decision. But it is not only important to have True friends, it is also very important to BE a true friend. Being a true friend is about directing your friends to God, praying for them, helping them in their situation, and not gossiping about what they have told you. If you go and tell everybody whats happening with your friends, then they won't be able to trust you anymore. And you could lose out on a wonderful friendship.
    The things you say to your friends, will affect them. Prayer is an extremely important part of being a True friend. Everybody needs a friend who prays for them. Prayer is a very powerful thing. The most important thing you can do for a friend that is going through a hard time is to pray for them.
~John 15:13- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
....And here's an idea for all you blondes! (submitted by Esther Eddy)
There was a blonde who found herself sitting next to a Lawyer on an airplane. The lawyer just kept bugging the blonde wanting her to play a game of intelligence. Finally, the lawyer offered her 10 to 1 odds, and said every time the blonde could not answer one of his questions, she owed him $5, but every time he could not answer hers, he'd give her $50.00. The lawyer figured he could not lose, and the blonde reluctantly accepted.

The lawyer first asked, "What is the distance between the Earth and the nearest star?"

Without saying a word the blonde handed him $5. then the blonde asked, "What goes up a hill with 3 legs and comes back down the hill with 4 legs?"

Well, the lawyer looked puzzled. He took several hours, looking up everything he could on his laptop and even placing numerous air-to-ground phone calls trying to find the answer. Finally, angry and frustrated, he gave up and paid the blonde $50.00

The blonde put the $50 into her purse without comment, but the lawyer insisted, "What is the answer to your question?"

Without saying a word, the blonde handed him $5.
Always wanted to be published? Send us your recipes, craft ideas, jokes, or anything else! We're looking forward to hearing from you!
and... Don't forget to check out a life for christ by sarah elisabeth stephens!!!
*********************************************************************************************************************
We're also getting ready to start a question section. Ya'll can send in totally random questions, really serious, or kind of in between. Ya'll get to choose a signature name, and then when you write to "Ask Sarah" or "Ask Autumn" just sign your question with it and stay anonymous! You can send in ideas for the contest to living4jesus4life@gmail.com and we will announce the winning entry in our next issue on April 23, 2011!
*********************************************************************************************************************

Number 5, March 26, 2011


________________________________________________________________
Living 4 Jesus 4 Life: #5 March 26, 2011 
________________________________________________________________
 
In this issue ...  
 
.......Learn How to conquer fear and worry......
 
   
 _____________________________________________________
13 HappBirthday Macy!!!
Macy's turning 13 on April 4! Happy Birthday!!
Macy loves her friends, chocolate ice cream AND Blue Bell!
 
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear is from the devil. Worry is from the devil. In I Peter 5:8-9 Satan is compared to a roaring lion, “seeking whom he may devour.” Looking at this comparison, we can see that the only way to reap the benefits of our fears and worries is to face them.

When a group of lions is stalking its prey, an older lion is usually the one who steps out into the open and roars – the one with worn teeth and less speed. Meanwhile, young speedy lions are waiting in tall grass in the opposite direction for the prey, frightened by the roar of the old lion, to run straight at them. The prey could reach safety by running toward the lion which seems fierce and strong on the outside but is actually old and worn out on the inside. We can only conquer fear by visualizing the worst possible result and then the benefits of that result.  And repeat the process until there ARE no more fears.  Worry is assuming responsibilities that are not yours.  We conquer it by giving those responsibilities back to the person whose responsibility it really belongs to. 

In the same way, we can only truly overcome our fear and worry when we face them with God on our side. The longer we fear something or worry about a situation, the more we will fear it and worry about it. But when we look past the immediate consequences of that situation we will be able to grasp the lasting benefits of growing through that situation.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
....by autumn 
When I was younger, I was worried all the time about what would happen to me when I grew up and had to take care of myself. As a banker’s daughter, I especially wondered how I would be responsible financially.  I felt like I knew nothing about finances. One thing I did know was to save. As a result, I became a tightwad. I did not want to spend much on gifts for my friends or family, and I especially did not want to spend money on myself. I did not buy myself anything that wasn't absolutely necessary. I had to save money for college, and a car, someday. Saving is a good thing, but I had no balance. Over the years, this became my lifestyle.

I still have a hard time spending my money. It's not because I'm afraid that I really need it right now, I know my parents will take good care of me as long as I am their responsibility. I just always know that someday I will have to provide for myself, and I want to be ready. And that day keeps getting closer! When I read Scripture, I know this worry is wrong. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” If I seek God first and His kingdom, He will fulfill all my earthly needs.

As I have gotten older, my parents have encouraged me to become responsible with my money and other responsibilities. I must face my fear of growing up - really there is no other option. My parents have given me the opportunity to grow while I am still at home under their protection and provision. Since I was about twelve they have allowed and encouraged me to have different jobs off and on, so I could learn to manage my resources. This school year I began taking college courses. My parents and I knew that this was God’s will for me, and His way of allowing me to prepare for being on my own later in life. When I go to college in a year or two, I will have been able to prepare for the work while living a normal life, with my parents here to help me when I need them.  I have the chance to learn how to be responsible with my timebefore I have to be totally responsible in every other area of my life. 

Last semester I enrolled in two college-level courses; this semester I have enrolled in three. God will always continue to take care of me, and I get the benefits of having a good education early. As long as I am seeking His will in my life, I will have to work hard, but I will reap lasting benefits.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
& Sarah!! (hold for applause)
Well, last May I went to a week long camp called SMITE. This camp is in Louisiana and while you're there you learn all about how to teach Bible Clubs and how to share the Gospel. I had been thinking about going for several months prior to when i had to send in my application. I also talked to my friends about it. Because some of them had already gone. 

I heard so many good, positive things about it. But then there were the few "not so good" things (or thats what my friends said). Of course, like a teenager, I focused mainly on all the negative things. I really began to wonder if I really should go or not. I had heard things like "All the people there are really weird", "The rules are soo strict", "The sermons are hard to understand", and things like that. I began to really get scared about going. Every single time I thought of a positive aspect of the trip a new fear would pop up in my mind about all the "negative" things. 

Finally I decided to pray about it. I mean if God really wanted me to go then He would take all of my fears and worries away. I prayed so many times and just talked to God about it. I prayed that God would conquer my fear and destroy every worry in my heart. And guess what?! Thats exactly what He did! I no longer had anymore fears or worries or even doubts! It was a great feeling! I went to SMITE and learned so much! I was glad that God had not allowed Satan to influence my decision by making me not go. And He has done the same exact thing so many other times in my life.
  ~Sarah
     Elisabeth
If you have a friend with an empty inbox, send us her name and address too!
and... Don't forget to check out a life for christ by sarah elisabeth stephens!!!
 
P-LEASE send us something cool for our next issue everyone! A special welcome to all our new readers!!
 
~~ send us sweet recipes, crafts, jokes, room decorating ideas or anything else you find intrigueing! we're looking forward to hearing from you(; ~~
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
and... HaPpY BiRtHdAy SARAH!! thanks for being one of my best friends and I love you so much girl! hope your birthday rocks!
 
15Sarah Elisabeth Stephens
   Sarah's favorite color is light blue and she likes riding horses, writing, piano, and hangin' with friends! She's celebrating the last of this month! woo-woo!
 
--
P.S. Sorry I'm so late on this one girls! NOT Sarah's fault!!