Not of this World September 2010
National It is very hard, if not impossible, to explain going to school in a foreign country with one word. But that word certainly isn’t “easy”. I live in Pisa, Italy and have been going to Italian school for 5 years. Like every school, there are positives and negatives. Some of the positives are that I have shorter school days, that the school is across the street and I can learn Italian faster and better. The biggest negative, however, is having to go to school on Saturday! Through my experiences with school God has given me courage for facing unknown things. He has shown me that whatever we do, wherever we are, He will always provide for us. The Lord, most importantly
Homeschool Just like any other mode of schooling, there are definitely both positives and negatives to homeschooling. An obvious example of the negative side of homeschooling is the social deprivation. This can be extremely difficult for extroverts, and often produces socially awkward kids. On the other hand, if a homeschooling student has a healthy body of friends around him or her home-schoolers and others then homeschooling can be a great experience. Personally, I love the independence of homeschooling and the ability to choose my courses and set my own pace. I like both the flexibility of my schedule, as well as the responsibility to live up to - getting things done
School Views read about different MKs’ school experiences
gave me a heart for Italians that don’t know Him. One unique thing about my school is that there are so many foreigners (sadly no Americans). I always try to show the Lord’s light by telling people about what Campus Crusade (the organization my parents work with) does and why we are so interested in telling people about Jesus. Some people have even asked about coming to church with me. One thing that I think we have to remember is that each one of us have a roll in His master plan. We may not always be able to se how our roll fits in His plan, but we need to remember that no roll is too small.
-Ragan K.
7th grade
American Public
without more structure. As a homeschooler, I know many other Christian middle and high school students in my city who homeschool. We together have a homeschool co-op that comes together multiple times during the week to have extracurricular classes - things we couldn't do without classmates, such as P.E. and science labs. So that's pretty much our school environment. Right now, we are going through some rough times in our co-op when it's hard to see God at work - three key large families just moved away this summer but I know He is there. By His grace, we even found each other and formed our co-op in the first place. By His provision, we were able to form strong bonds and make really close friendships among each other and avoid that "social awkward" phase [I think ;)]. And one huge thing that God has taught me through this co-op is the lesson of living every day of my life as a witness for Him - even, and especially, among other Christians.
-Amanda C. I really love my public school because of all the opportunities it brings. A larger school means more
grade
10th
students which bring more clubs, sports, a wider variety of class courses and often really good and experienced teachers. Plus the school brings a lot of school spirit which is also fun! A public school gives you so many opportunities to excel academically too with many more AP classes offered. There are a lot of really great things about being in the public school system, but with that brings a lot of things that aren't really great. In such a large public school it is a lot harder to control what happens and most often students can get away with anything. The first year i started going to my public high school as a freshman, i was shocked to see girls my age pregnant. I know this often isn't the reality at other schools but its one of those things that you cant help ignoring. Coming into a huge public high school as a freshman was pretty overwhelming at first. During that time i grew in my relationship with Christ. He really became my best friend because while i saw all these things going on around me, things i felt were wrong i turned to God as my best friend. God has really used my friends in my life to urge me to keep strong in my faith and
International International schools are very diverse and unique Everyone comes from different backgrounds, different countries and different cultures. Most of us have something in common though, we are all TCKs (third culture kids) and we all are looking for people who will understand where we are coming from. Friendships are formed immediately because we do not know how long we will get to enjoy that person. International schools are great because you know people from all corners of the world and you are exposed to different nationalities. Also, our bonds go deep because we can relate so well and our friendships are strong. Some hard things about international school are that you are always saying goodbye to friends, teachers and mentors that mean a lot to you. It can also be confusing and hard if the cultures represented around you are very different and hard to understand. God has used my school (BFA- its great!) to teach me that friendships are not eternal and i need to lean on God to
be a light in my school. Being an MK at my school makes me unique. Public schools are full of unique people that all have their own interests. I originally thought it would be hard, but it actually wasn't! Every time someone asked me how long I've been in Orlando and where i had moved from. They always followed up with the question why did you live there or what did your parents do? Its a great opportunity to share a little about your life while sharing a little about your passion for Christ!
-Anna E.
to be my best Friend. I have also learned that God is doing amazing things all over the world and its amazing to be a part of that. I love my school and I am so thankful to God that I can attend there.
-Michaela F.
10th
grade
11th
grade
Anna
Ragan
Amanda
Michaela
If you have any stories about your school experiences, e-mail them to : notofthisworld.r2@gmail.com
Makeup 101 by Melissa Renee
God made all girls unique and beautiful. He knows every hair on your head. He crafted the shape of your eyes and the line of your lips. He knows that beauty is important to you, and He wants you to look your best. You’re already beautiful, but you can enhance your Godgiven beauty with the right makeup. Let’s explore the basic aspects of makeup and let that beauty shine!
Mascara Every girl needs a good mascara. Even if you have thick, dark lashes, a swipe of mascara will open up your eyes. If you have blonde hair, choose a brown or brown-black. Brunettes should go for a brown-black or black. You don’t need a department store brand – often the drugstore mascaras work just as well. Apply from the roots up, carefully wiggling the brush a little to separate lashes. Don’t bother with waterproof formulas unless you know you’re going to get wet – these dry out your lashes, so they shouldn’t be used every day.
Eyeshadow A sweep of eyeshadow will really complement your mascara and add to your look. Every girl should have at least two sets of eyeshadow – a natural, earthy set and a fun, colorful set. Look for coppers, beiges, pinks, dusty olives, and blush tones for a natural look. Makeup artists will tell you green is the most flattering shade of eyeshadow. If you have blue, green or gray eyes, choose a pale, shimmery green. If you have brown eyes, go for a rich olive. Purples are also very flattering and can create a mild smoky eye without looking too mature. To make your eyeshadow last longer, apply a base of foundation or concealer to your lids before layering on the colors.
Lip color Your lips should never go bare, but you can be pretty easygoing with your lip color. The bare essential is a good lip balm with sunscreen – it will make your lips look softer, pinker, and healthier without getting gooey. If you want to do more with your lips, swipe on some pretty gloss. Light plum flatters everybody. If you’re African American, play up your full lips with a sheer nude gloss.
Base & blush If you’re self-conscious about your skin, mix some moisturizer with sunscreen and concealer to give you sheer, beautiful coverage that’s good for your skin. If you have great skin, skip this step and just apply sunscreen. You should also choose a good compact powder )not loose powder( that matches your skin tone and apply it to your T-zone )forehead, nose, and chin(. This will soak up extra oil and give you a matte finish. As for blush, choose a shade close to the color of your cheeks when you exercise. Smile and apply to where your cheeks are fattest )also called the apples of your cheeks(.
Extras Eyeliner, concealer, foundation, lip liner, and lipstick didn’t make the list of beauty basics. Why not? If you’re wearing mascara, eyeshadow, foundation, concealer, lip gloss, lipstick, lip liner, blush, and eyeliner, you’re wearing too much makeup. In your teen years, you have fresh, youthful skin, and trying to cake it on will look fake. Nobody wants to look like they’ve been playing dress-up with their mommy’s makeup. I wear eyeliner often, and I think it’s a great way to make your eyes pop, but you have to have a balance. If you’re going to wear eyeliner, go lighter on your lips. If you’re going to apply a ton of lip color, go easy on your eye makeup. Remember that more makeup isn’t better. It’s just more.
Embrace the beauty God has given you! You were created with unique features. No other girl in the whole world is exactly like you. No other girl can pull off blue eyeshadow in the way you do. No other girl has your sculpted lips. Play up your best features and be confident in the way God has made you. Confidence is the best makeup out there.
Dear Lord, Fill me.
Streng then m e.
Love me. Encourage Hold me.
Test
me.
. e m
Dare me.
Challenge me.
Comfort me.
e H
m lp
Inspire me.
Show me. e.
Forgive me.
Say What? by Elizabeth G.
Living in another culture can be hard—and it can be funny. Spending hours, dignity, and frustrated tears on the study of another language is often fruitless, but occasionally rewarding. For instance, have you ever been in an extreme culture clash? I don’t mean the kind that could get you killed by a jungle tribe, I mean the kind where you could burst out laughing and lose a friend. I once went on a horseback riding day trip in a valley in LiJiang, China. The group did many different things throughout the day including stopping at a tea house in the afternoon, to drink tea…though it was actually just a selling gig. We were assigned a tea server, who immediately began to recite a lightning fast spiel about the tea they were selling. She went through the history of the tea, and we ended up with a detailed cultural narrative of the people in that area. Suddenly we found ourselves hearing this: “As you know, the Han minority of Chinese greatly values being slender. In the Xi, however, being fat is valued. A girl always aspires to have a stomach like a watermelon and a butt like a pumpkin.” My parents and I looked at each other. “Sorry? Did you say skin?” “No, butt.” Do you ever have those moments where you stop and say: “this is
why I love this place.”? Give yourself a break from studying, and remember your favorite conversation, the time where you thanked God for teaching you to understand another race and language.
Bible Verses on...Being
Content
“Keep your life
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” -Psalm 23:1
money, and be
“ And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” -Isaiah 58:11
free from love of content with what you have, for He has said, "I will
never leave you
nor forsake you." -Hebrews 13:5
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” -1 Timothy 6:6 “...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” -Philppians 4:11-13
The Interview by Courtney R.
Interview-ies
[
Interviewer
I sit outside at a restaurant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Across from me sit Kyle and Ben. It’s the second week of our missions trip and we’re eating lunch after a tiring, but amazing, morning of evangelism.
]
So now that you can picture the scene in your mind I’ll tell you what we’re talking about...
Ben “So you made an e-zine for mk girls?” Me “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.” Pause.
Kyle “Cool.” Pause.
Ben “Hey, you should interview me and Kyle! Ya know, like they always do in magazines for girls.”
Me “Um, ok...” The more I think about it, the better of an idea it sounds. I quickly pull out my notebook and a pen from my bag, trying my best to look like the professional journalist that I’m not. I clear my throat and look up at their expectant faces. I ask the first question that pops into my head, “What are five things that girls should know about guys?” Their faces light up and their eyes reveal a million different things. I get my pen ready.
1 Guys have to have their “bro time”
They need freedom
to just be themselves without the pressure of girls thinking they’re immature.
2 Girls overanalyze guys
If a guy smiles at you, don’t
immediately jump to the conclusion that he wants to marry you.
3 Keep it simple
(I took their advice and didn’t ask them to expand
on this point)
4 Give guys a change before judging them otherwise
Basically, don’t judge a book by its cover.
5 LEt the guy be the leader
Don’t try and dominate in a
relationship.
FACT
Ben grew up in
Hungary and Kyle grew up in Ecuador
I look up from my notebook and make sure I have it right. “Anything else?” I ask. Ben grins and before I know it he and Kyle are trying to out best each other in thinking of quotes to end their interview. The farther they go, the sillier it gets. I smile and put my notebook back in my bag.
The End.
“...it would etch a memory into our lives that we would never forget.� Written by Connor O.
We were all excited as we stepped into the bus, setting out for the Jesus film showing. It was about 5:30 in the afternoon, and everyone was energized and ready to go. After about 30 minutes of driving, we were met by some of the J-film staff who showed us the way to the site. It was quite humorous to watch so many of us foreigners tread through the slippery mud in order to reach our destination. All of our shoes were covered in sewage filth by the time we finally got there. But what we were about to witness was completely worth the effort, and it would etch a memory into our lives that we would never forget. As we gathered around, we were swarmed by little children. All of them were exhilarated by the presence of so many “white” people, and they quickly found that we provided some high quality entertainment. We started out by doing the “Funky Chicken”, followed by about five other kids songs. By
the time we finished our fun, we had gathered a sizable crowd. By now, the Jesus film staff had finished setting up, and we were ready to watch the movie. As the projection began to play, I couldn't help being overwhelmed by what was happening. There were at least 200 people standing in mud, all prepared to watch the 2½ hour-long movie. I had never been in a similar situation before in my life. It was amazing. As the sun began to set, I saw stars begin to dot the black sky. I could feel the Holy Spirit working in that place, and it was an absolutely humbling experience. As I looked behind my shoulder, I could see people stacked along the streets. There must have been over 350 people watching! The constant murmur of the crowd filled my heart with joy as they would whisper “Hallelujah” or “Amen” after every miracle. The fact that there were so many people who, for the first time, were being
exposed to the gospel was simply awesome. Yet the most fantastic thing happened near the end of the movie. When Jesus was being crucified, the film stopped, and tension filled the air. Then, an Amharic voice began to speak, and I quickly recognized that it was a call to prayer. Suddenly hands started shooting up. Nearly everyone present were raising their hands, accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Tears streaked down my cheeks as I realized what was happening. All these people, who lived in what we would describe as slums, were receiving life. They were receiving a hope that is greater than anything this world has to offer. They were receiving Jesus. I will never forget that day. Not because of the sewage mud that we stood in, or my aching legs after standing straight for nearly three hours, or even the sheer number of people that came. I will remember that day because of how the Holy Spirit worked a miracle in the hearts of so many desperate souls, and how they now have a purpose in life to live for.
You Know You’re an MK When... 1. You can speak 2 languages and can't spell in either
2. Someone asks you where your consider home, you say Heaven 3. You know your way around at least three different airports 4.You spell/pronounce certain words the British way 5. You know how to use chopsticks better than a fork 6. You sit on the ground anywhere and don't think its weird. 7. When you get back to the States and you’re always converting dollars to the currency of your country in order to see how much the item "really" costs Provided by Catherine C. and her classmates at North Star
I am His by Courtney R.
Identity. The dictionary describes it as “the sense of self, providing sameness and continuity in personality over time”. Your identity is who you are - what makes you, you. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says, “Tell me about yourself.” It’s the core of who you are and what you’re about. Your identity is your name tag. For a long time my name tag read, “Straight A Student”. In elementary school I loved to learn and had an answer for every question the teacher asked. Then right before middle school my family moved to Italy where I started homeschooling. I was still a good student and was for the most part enjoying it, but then the next year I switched to an Italian public school and because of the language barrier, my grades quickly plummeted. I wasn’t the smart girl anymore. I felt like a nobody who was worthless. I didn’t know who I was. If I wasn’t Straight A Student, then who was I? Though I still hurt from having my grades taken away, I’ve slowly gotten passed that. I’ve tried writing other titles on my name-tag but someone keeps scribbling them out. And every time it hurts. A lot. It’s come to the point where I don’t really know who I am. I mean, I know what I like about myself and who I’d like to become, but who am I always? I change depending on my mood and I hate that. I don’t want to be one way because I’m feeling artsy and another when I’m feeling sporty. I want to have a permanent name. Like the dictionary definition I want “continuity in personality over time.” Not a fickle identity that’s written in pencil, but one written in a
permanent marker. I especially struggled with my identity this past summer on a missions trip. I kept not being myself, but I didn’t really know who myself was. It wasn’t until one night during worship halfway through the trip that I finally realized who I am. As we were singing about how amazing God’s love is I started to sob and it hit me: I am His. I am His. I am His! It was like a breath of fresh air to my tired body. It didn’t matter that my grades weren’t as high as they used to be, it didn’t matter if I’m not the best at sports, it didn’t matter that I’m not the best writer, it didn’t matter what my roommates thought of me. Because I am His. Christ is my identity. I’ve always known that Christ is my identity but that summer it became real to me and I realized how vital it is to firmly place your identity in Him. Placing your identity anywhere other than Christ is like the man who builds his house in the sand instead of on the rocks. You will be broken, again and again because nothing on this earth lasts. Placing your identity in Christ means that you get your value from Him and Him only. You’re standing on a secure rock, safe from taunting voices, stinging remarks, and glaring eyes. Letting God write his name in permanent ink on your name-tag takes time, but once it’s there it can never come off! Start by saturating yourself with His truth. Take time everyday to read the Bible and pray. The more time you spend with God, the more you will fall in love with Him. Next time someone asks you who are you try, “I am His.”
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” -2 Corinthians 1:21-22
10 Ways to Show Christ’s Love to Your School John 13:34 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This year make it your goal to focus more on others than yourself. Here are 10 easy ways you can love those around you!
1 Pay attention in class
even though it sounds kinda silly,
your teachers will really appreciate it if you give them your undivided attention. Can you imagine how hard it would be to talk to people all day and have only one or two people really listening to you?
2 Reach out to the lonely
even though it’s hard to leave
your friends, try sitting with the new girl at lunch or by the girl who sits alone every day. You’ll show her kindness and encourage others to do the same.
3 Volunteer to tutor
sacrifice your afternoon once in a while
to tutor someone who’s struggling with their homework. You’ll really minister to them and their family.
4
Smile smile at people when you see them in the hall, speak
with kindness, be cheerful. It’ll make others happier to see you happy!
5
Start a Biblestudy this would really encourage other
6
Respect the rules and authorities hopefully you’re
7
Respect others just as you should respect your authorities
8
Sticky-notes write a few encouraging (try to make it about
9
Extra Lunch bring an extra lunch (or extra cafeteria money)
girls and you’ll be encouraged yourself. It could also provide great opportunities to witness to your non-Christian friends.
already doing this, but even if you are it’s hard sometimes to not want to bend the rules a little. Try extra hard to respect those in charge of you. They will really appreciate it and, more importantly, God commands us to.
you should also respect your fellow classmates. Count others more valuable than yourself and give them the time and thought they deserve.
inward qualities instead of appearances) words on a sticky-note and put it on someone’s locker - it’ll make their day!
for someone who forgot their lunch.
10
Listen take time to listen to those around you. Don’t
always have to be the one talking.
If it feels like too much grab a friend and keep each other accountable. If you tried any of these or if you have more ideas e-mail them to me at notofthisworld.r2@gmail.com
Whatʼd you think of this monthʼs issue? Tell me at notofthisworld.r2@gmail. com
Want more makeup tips from Melissa? Go to girls-4god.blogspot.com/
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." -Corrie ten Boom
In the next issue: babysitting tips, Beauty Redefined by Christian author Natalie Lloyd, What’s God Up To, and
more!