V-day Hair Clips Tutorial

I started writing a few tutorials over the Christmas holiday (here is the link if you missed it http://12craftsofchristmas.blogspot.com/ ). I really enjoy it because it helps me to practice both my crafting and my writing. Instruction writing is hard! Anyway, here is one for some Valentine's Day Hair Clips that I made to give to my Bible Study girlfriends.

What You Will Need:

• Conversation Hearts
• A hot glue gun
• Hair clips
• Spray Varnish
• Modge Podge

Steps:

1.  Place the conversation hearts in a large shallow container that you do not mind getting varnished (I used a box top) and take it outside to spray the hearts. DO THIS OUTSIDE. The stuff is very strong smelling and also flammable.
2. Be sure to spray BOTH sides of the hearts. This makes them weather resistent. (Follow the directions on the can)
3. After your hearts are dry clip them onto some waxed paper so that the hot glue does not cause the clip to stick to itself when you glue the hearts onto the top.
4. Place a small dot of hot glue on the back of the heart and press it onto the clip, holding it down firmly until dry.
5. If you want your clips to be shiny brush a small amount of modge podge on the top of the hearts.
6. DONE! Enjoy :)

*Note: Be careful with your clips. They are pretty sturdy, but not intended for children.*

Mid Winter Haiku

On lacy branches
Buds timidly appear.
Welcome friends.

A Kiss is Not a Contract

Last week I overheard two girls talking about how whenever they were dating someone new the guy would make them feel, more or less, obligated to have sex with them. Even if it was only their FIRST date. I was shocked, but what was even more shocking was that they often went along with it even if they didn't really want to.

That, my friends, breaks my heart. What kind of a scum bag guy feels like it is okay to try and guilt someone into having sex with them? and what kind of a girl does not have enough self worth to stand up to him and let him know that this is not okay!? I fear that this sort of thing happens much more often than we think. It is probably why nearly half of the US female population ages 20-24 have a high risk form of HPV.

^^^ I got this from the CDC.gov website. Scary, huh?

I don't want this post to seem judgemental. Whatever you do is your business. I would just like to encourage my fellow ladies to stand up for yourselves and realize that you are worth more than your body. You deserve someone who is going to take care of your heart too. You are NOT obligated to do anything except be true to yourself. If this loser you are dating cannot see that, he is not worth you time.

If that did not get through to you...perhaps Brett and Jermaine say it best:

"A Kiss is Not a Contract"

January Update!

The Proverbs 31 Project is going really well! January's goal was to "Be Reliable/Responsible."

Week 1: My mini-goal for the first week was to spend consistent time with God every night. It was really tough (I don't know why I can spend hours on facebook and not in my Bible), but sooo rewarding. Life just seems to flow smoother when God is actively involved. The blessings continue to pour out and I am ever so grateful. If you want to get closer to God I highly recommend stepping it up in your quiet times. I find that prayer journaling helps me a lot!

I learned this format for prayer journaling in Sunday School when I was little and still use it today. It is based off of the format of the Lord's Prayer.

• A (Adore): Start your prayer by praising God for the marvelous God He is! He deserves it!
• C (Confess): Confess your sins to the Lord daily, and repent of them.
• T (Thanksgiving): Thank the Lord for all of your blessings.
• S (Supplication): Humbly ask the Lord to provide for your needs.

Week 2: My mini-goal for the second week was to keep commitments. I was proud of myself for doing everything that I said I would do this week, but it was very difficult. Life is busy and unexpected things come up all the time. I think that the best way to keep your commitments is to not make very many of them.

The Proverbs 31 Project

Many of you already know how much I enjoy the Proverbs. I feel as thought they have much practical advice to offer, especially in today's day and age when it is so easy to get off track. In fact, my "life verse" for many years has been Proverbs 3:5-6

^"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

   and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways submit to him,

   and he will make your paths straight."

As I have grown older I have found out just how true those words are. Submitting to God takes every ounce of energy a person can muster along with some help from the Holy Spirit. However, nothing is more fulfilling. There is a divine peace that comes when we walk with the Lord and Him alone.

SO this year I decided to set monthly goals to help me submit to His will for my life. To help me do this I have turned to the Proverbs 31 description of what a godly woman should be. From that description I have taken 12 attributes (one for each month) and have written them on my desktop calender. I will spend each day praying for that month's attribute to become evident in my life and set mini-goals for the week that help me put them into action. Here are the 12 attributes:

A Godly Woman:

1. Is trustworthy/ reliable
2. Works to meet the needs of others
3. Is proactive
4. Has a positive attitude
5. Is discerning
6. Is a good provider
7. Is a hard worker
8. Has dignity
9. Trusts God's will
10. Is confident
11. Is wise
12. Is a mentor

I have added this as a new section to my blog and will post my updates and goals for each month! Be on the lookout for January's coming soon :)