So I Was At FCA Camp

   I got back from FCA Leadership camp four hours ago.  I'm still waay up there on that camp high, and it feels a little wierd to be home, but I am so excited to break the huddle and play the game.  Camp was such an amazing experience that I have to tell you about it. So.  After attending North Missouri FCA Leadership Camp 2012, I can officially say that:

• ArgoMania is way better than plain ole Rock Paper Scissors.
• God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
• I adore water.  The frozen stage is awesome, too.
• Surrender is more than performance.
• I have been taken hold of by Christ.
• Attitudes are contagious.
• I have gone TP raiding.  (bucket list!)
• You can make impact by just living your life.
• Inside jokes are great.
• God passionately pursues ME.
• I have met someone with almost thee same testimony as me.
• Worship is more than nice songs.
• Andrew was a phenomenal evangelist.
• Power = dunamus (Greek) = dynamite.
• You can't make the club if you're sitting in the tub.
• fcaresources.com is a website I have to utilize.
• I love competition.
• God renews.
• I took 9 pages of notes.
• The best way to lead is to serve.
• It makes me smile when people hold the door open.
• People know me know me cause they know my coachin' daddy.
• Purity is more than a list of don'ts.
• Christian pick-up lines are hysterical.
• I have made life-long friends.
• I am more than a conqueror.  Crazy, but totally true.
• Aleah got me hooked on bandanas.
• I am unstoppable.
• Late night hallway parties are the best.  Especially with junk food.
• Absolutely nothing can change the way He loves me.
• Laughing is an intense ab workout.  I'm sore.
• The word enthusiasm comes from two Greek words.  En = in.  Theos = God.
• I am in the zone.

What Boys Need to Know About Girls

Dear boys,
   There are some things you should know.  About girls.  Because sometimes, you guys seem kinda clueless.  No offense or anything, but you look like you could use some help.  I'm thinking some hints and tips from a female perspective might be enlightening.  So listen close, because what I'm about to tell you could change your girl endeavors forever.  These are the things you guys need to know about girls.
   Numero uno: They are not toys.  Girls were not put on this earth to play with.  You don't get to drop them when you get bored or find one you like better.  Don't pick up the first one that catches your eye, and don't think she'll come without a price.  Any girl worth your time is a valuable treasure.  Keep her safe, hold her close, and treat her like the precious jewel she is.  A girl's heart is not to be messed with.
   Secondly:  Girls think differently than you.  They read into everything and their brains can work crazy fast.  When you flirt, you mess with a girl's mind.  Whatever you do, a girl is trying to figure out what it means. 

"Does he like me?  He acts like he does, but I really don't think so.  He said that one thing the other day, and really there's no way he likes me likes me.  I hope he likes me.  He surely doesn't like me."  

"Does what he just did mean anything?  I'm really not ready for a relationship right now.  What does he want?  I don't want to hurt him.  Maybe it doesn't mean anything.  But surely it means something."  

"I wonder if he's mad.  I think he's mad.  Is he upset with me?  Does he need a hug?  Maybe he just needs some space.  I should've worn different shoes!"

   So don't say or do anything you don't mean.  Think about what effect your actions will have on a girl.  Don't toy with her.  Don't mess with a girl's heart.

   Third: Girls adore chivalry.  You don't have to be physical to prove your attraction (love?).  A girl may act like all she wants is you to go farther physically with her, but really she is longing to know that you will always be there for her, that you love her, that she is worth it.  Show her all of this in other ways.  You may have to get a little more creative, put a little more effort into it, but it will be well worth it - to you, and to your girl.  Prove yourself in other ways.  A girl's heart is not to be messed with.

   Number four:  Girls DO want and need guy friends.  You don't have to be all mushy-gushy romantic.  Really, you need to not be.  A girl needs a friend.  Someone she can trust.  Someone who's not a drama queen.  Someone she can come to with her problems and know he won't just cause more.  Someone who will be steady, dependable.  A friend.  A girl needs a guy who won't mess with her heart.

   Fifth:  There is a girl out there who needs you.  Get ready.  She was created for you, so don't waste your time with all those other girls.  Keep your heart safe for her, be watching for her.  And when you find her, never let her go.  Don't let anyone mess with her heart.

   I hope and pray that you've been enlightened dear boys.  Take this knowledge to heart and put it to use.  Remembering these five things about girls can save so much confusion and heartache.  God bless you, young men.  And never forget: a girl's heart is not to be messed with.

   In Him,

     ~Michaela :) ♥

You and Jasmine

   So how many of you really got that lesson?  You know, when our FACS teacher read the story about Jasmine.  Remember tearing of pieces of our paper hearts every time she lost a piece of herself?
   I remember laughing and talking.  Saying she was stupid and should of learned her lesson.  Joking about taping her legs together.  But girls, as you tore that paper heart to shreds, did you stop to think that you might be doing the very same thing to yourself?
   You don't have to have sex to loose part of yourself.  Remember that kiss, the hug by your locker, or holding hands on the way to class?  Each time, you gave him a piece of yourself.  Maybe just the tiniest sliver, but your heart just became that much smaller.
   Ever wonder why it hurts so much to break up?  You gave him yourself, by bits and pieces, thinking that this was love and you'd be together forever.  Now you're left with less of himself and more of his baggage.
   Have you ever considered the man you will marry?  You want his whole heart, his whole self, not a battered and bruise piece of it.  What will you have left for him?
   So don't be so quick to judge Jasmine, the girl with the shredded heart.  You may have more in common with her than you thought.

Passion and Purity

   You may be wondering how "passion" and "purity" even belong in the same title together.  Can one love passionately and still remain pure?  The answer is a resounding yes.
   In Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control, Elisabeth Elliot tells her own moving love story.  Mrs. Elliot teaches us about finding Mr. Right, how far is too far, and surrendering our desires to God.  Using letters, diary journals, and memories from her five-year courtship with Jim she shows us an example of what it means to love Christ more than each other, and to give His plans priority over yours.  Elisabeth Elliot has been there, done that, and offers time-tested advice and wisdom that applies to all of us.
   I just finished reading Passion and Purity for the second time, and it was worth every minute.  I read a lot of books, and enjoy most of them, but few are special enough to read over and over again.  This is one of those special books.  I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  You will be blessed when you read Passion and Purity.

Love. Such a Simple Word

   Love.  Just a simple, four-letter word, but with such intricate and confusing meanings.  We love our families, love God, love our pets, love chocolate, love our enemies.  We take "love" and apply it to almost any thing, place, or person.  But what about love love?  You know, the kind for that significant other of the opposite sex?
   The word love is being tossed around so much that it's lost its value.  It seems like everyone's telling everyone else that they love them.  Do they?  Is this what love really means?  What about the guy who has had nine girlfriends, saying "I love you" to each of them?  Did he love them all?  Does he still?
   I want to take love back to its deepest, truest meaning.  Love for that one other person; passionate love reserved for them only.  More than physical attraction.  More than short-lived infatuation.  Perfect, Christlike love shared between one man and one woman.
   So young man, don't you dare tell me you love me.  I don't want to hear it.  Don't let those three words come out of your mouth unless "Will you marry me?" is on its way next.  And don't pop the question unless I know that you do love me.  Save "I love you" for the one woman you marry.  Make it passionate and pure.  Let your love be true.

Why Bother?

   Girls, you may wonder what the point of dressing modestly is.  You may think What's the big deal?  Why should I be modest?  Well, here are five reasons.
   Be modest for you.  You can be modest and still stylish.  Wear clothes that flatter you, and cover you.  This shows others that you know you are worth it, that you know you are valuable.  Dressing modestly sends a clear message that you respect yourself, and also demands respect from others.
   Be modest for the girls.  If you are modest, it shows other girls that it can be done, that you can be modest and still look great.  Dressing modest tells them that it's worth it - that they are worth it.
   Be modest for the guys.  When you wear revealing or provocative clothes, you are a stumbling block for all the males who see you.  Don't even try to tell me "they shouldn't be looking."  If there's something to look at, it is your very own fault.  Don't cause the guys to stumble.  They are those out there who want to stay pure, who aren't looking at girls all the time.  Let's help them out.
   Be modest for Prince Charming.  Be pure for your future husband.  He is waiting for the one and he will notice a girl who respects herself and the guys enough to dress modestly.  Be ready for your Prince Charming - he will love that you waited.  There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty.  -1 Peter 3:2 (the Message)
   Be modest for Him.  God loves you beyond what you could ever imagine, and he understands your full worth.  Your body is the temple of Holy Spirit.  Doesn't it deserve all the respect you can give it?  Your Heavenly Father specifically instructs you to be modest.

And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. 

-1 Timothy 2:9-10 (the Message) 

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,  but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.  

-1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NKJ)

How Do You See Me?

   You may think I'll like it if you call me "hot." You might think I 'll blush and smile.  You may think "sexy" is a compliment.
   You thought wrong.
   If you greet me with "sexy" I'll turn and walk away. Call me "hot" and I'll want nothing to do with you.  Those words don't flatter me, they disgust me.  They don't attract me, they shove me away.
   "Sexy" and "hot" tell me you see me as an object, not someone to be loved and cherished.  They show me that you only care about what I look like on the outside, not my feelings on the inside.  Those words reveal that you're just looking at my body, not who I really am.
   Is that all you really care about?  Is that really how you think?  Can't you see that there's so much more?
   I don't wanna be sexy or hot.  I want you to love me for me.  I want you to know that I'm gorgeous inside and out.  I want to be the one you would give your life for.  I want you to see who I really am, and still love it.  I wanna be "beautiful."

   How do you see me?

I'd Rather Be a Proverbs 31 Woman

   Think of a Victoria's Secret model.  The picture of "perfection" and sexiness.  She's what every girl dreams of looking like.  What every guy wants to have.  Right?
   Now picture something -someone- better.  Someone valued more than rubies.  Someone a man would rather have than VS model.  A Proverbs 31 woman.
   Who would you rather be?
   A sex object or a woman who has true worth?  A girl wanted for her body or a woman a man can truly fall in love with?  The girl with skin-deep perfection or the woman who's beauty goes deeper and beyond her looks?  A girl who is falling apart on the inside or a woman who know who she is?
   Who will you be?

Inspired by I'd Rather Have a Proverbs 31 Woman Than a Victoria's Secret Model