Chances are, you’re in full-blown, end-of-the-year school insanity! With tests, projects, reports, and finals, there’s a lot to finish up in the next few weeks. Here are some great tips to help you finish the semester strong.

1. Make a list of priorities. When you get home from school, grab a snack and sit down at your desk or kitchen table. Make a list of everything that needs to be done during the week according to the priority. Don’t start Friday’s homework or studying if you have an assignment due on Wednesday. If everything has the same due date, start with the smaller, easier assignments so you can start checking things off your to-do list right away.

2. Eliminate distractions. Don’t allow temptations near you when you need to get some serious work done. If you’re like me, working on a writing assignment while listening to the TV can be dangerous as I find myself actually writing phrases from the commercials or shows I’m listening to. Friends, television, social networking sites, video games … these can be the enemy of productivity!

3. Get a snack. Trying to be productive is really hard on an empty stomach! When you get home from school and get ready to start in on some studying, make yourself a bagel and cream cheese. Or grab some yogurt, sliced cheese and crackers, raw veggies and dip, or some toast and peanut butter to regain some energy before you hit the books!

4. Take advantage of study hall. If you have built in time to work on homework during the school day, take advantage of it! It can be tempting to sleep, veg-out, or socialize, but taking advantage of study hall will cut down on the amount of stress you experience in the evening after school.

5. Start studying ahead of time. Don’t wait until the night before a test to start studying. Start a week out, briefly reading over and familiarizing yourself with the main points. As the test day approaches, gradually step up the amount of studying you do for that particular subject.

6. Determine what type of learner you are. Some people retain information well by just reading it. Others need to talk it through, be quizzed by a friend or family member, use flash cards, re-write their notes, etc. Figure out what works best for you so you can make the most of your studying time!

Here are some great Scripture verses to meditate on as well if you’re feeling overwhelmed and drained of energy!

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NLT).

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him” (1 Chronicles 16:11, NLT).

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (Isaiah 40:29, NLT).

With all of the stress of the end of the school year, it can be really hard to get the amount of sleep you need to be able to function at your full capacity these last few weeks. Here are a few helpful tips for sounder sleep!

Turn off all electronic devices 30 minutes before you go to bed. This will allow your brain a chance to slow down.

Take a hot bath or shower before bed to relax you.

Keep your bedroom dark — pull the shades, draw the curtains, close the door.

Make notes of things you need to remember to do before you go to bed so your mind is clear.

Silence the phone call and text message function of your phone to prevent being woken up sporadically throughout the night.

Establish a bedtime routine — wash your face, brush your teeth, get your jammies on, and settle into bed around the same time every night.

Get a lot of activity during the day. Sometimes a lazy day with a lack of activity can contribute to sleep problems at night. Instead of being tempted to take a nap after school, go for a brisk walk.

Avoid consuming caffeine after dinner.

As you lie in bed, relax all of your muscles. Unclench your jaw and your hands too — you might be tensing up in those areas without even knowing it!

Avoid drinking anything an hour before bed — this will reduce your need to get up and use the restroom so many times in the middle of the night!

Refrain from going to bed really late at night and sleeping in a long time on the weekends. This can really mess up the sleep routine you’ve established during the week!

Spring is wrapping up and summer is just around the corner. If you’re thinking about applying for a summer job, now is definitely the time to get on it!

1. Choose your references carefully. Your potential future employer probably won’t care if your mom, best friend, sister, and classmate think of you. Think about references with some unbiased credibility — maybe you have a teacher who can vouch for your work ethic, a pastor who can vouch for your character and consistency, and a parent you’ve done a lot of babysitting for in the past who can vouch for your responsibility.

2. Dress appropriately for the interview. Meaning, if the job is at a high-end retailer or corporate environment, you will want to step up your game a little when it comes to your interview outfit. Think classy and modest in the dresses, skirts, dress pants, and blouses you choose. At the same time, you might not want to show up to your interview for a summer camp counselor position in a skirt with heels and all of your bling! (Check out the What-to-Wear Wednesday blog from this week for two great examples!)

3. Be prepared. Be sure to know as much about the job you are applying for as possible, as well as about the business that is hiring you. You will also want to be prepared to answer a variety of interview questions like:

a. What can you tell me about yourself?

b. Why do you want to work for us?

c. Tell me about a time when you were faced with a difficult situation. What did you do? What was the outcome?

d. Why did you leave your last job? (might not be applicable if this is your first)

e. How would you describe your ability to work with others?

f. What would your teachers say about you?

g. Why should we hire you?

And finally, you will want to be prepared with some questions of your own. They’re not just interviewing you … you’re interviewing them too. Maybe after the interview is over you realize that this particular job isn’t what you had in mind afterall.

4. Be courteous. Show up on time. Smile, make eye contact, and shake the hand of the manager that comes to interview you. Be pleasant — use expression in your voice and in your face. Let your personality shine through! Don’t let your nerves take over. Be confidant and be you! After your interview, send the hiring manager a card, thanking them for their time.

As you apply for jobs this summer, remember that no job is insignificant. As a Christian you are called to “work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23, NLT)!

Job Interview

Summer is just around the corner and if you’re thinking about getting a summer job, now is the time to start applying! Today we’ll look at a few adorable outfit options you can wear to your job interviews.

Outfit #1

Wear a pair of wide-legged jeans, an unbuttoned khaki-colored blazer with a long tank top underneath, a pair of cute flats, and some great jewelry. Complete your outfit with a great purse!

This outfit would be great for interviews for jobs as a babysitter or nanny, jobs in restaurants, retail stores (not high-end), movie theaters, outdoor seasonal positions, camp counselors, etc.

Outfit #2

Wear a pair of dress pants with a cap-sleeved knit sweater, cute brown woven flats, brown bag, and some accessories.

This outfit would be great for interviews for jobs as a receptionist, internships in an office environment, jobs at cultural institutions like museums, government buildings, high-end retail stores, etc.

April Showers 

April showers bring May flowers. So let’s look at a few cute outfit ideas that are perfect for rainy weather!

Outfit #1

Start out with a gray jersey skirt, and add a butter yellow tee under a denim jacket. Add a pair of leggings, a scarf, a beanie to protect your hair from the rain, and some jewelry. Complete your outfit with an adorable pair of rain boots and a fun umbrella!

Outfit #2

Wear these adorable rain boots with skinny jeans, and a striped tank top under a navy blue zip-up hoodie. And here’s the perfect umbrella to go with your outfit!

Outfit #3

Wear a comfortable black jersey dress with a pink zip-up hooded sweatshirt over it, black leggings, and these awesome zebra print rain boots. Accessorize with a cute scarf, some hoop earrings, and a great umbrella.

Join us next week as we look at a few outfits perfect for summer job interviews!

I love a good thunderstorm. The chilly air, the soothing sound of the rain, and the occasional claps of thunder and flashes of lightning are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing day at home in comfy clothes!

What I don’t like is walking outside and being bombarded with the overwhelming smell of worms. I’ve long wondered what was the function of worms. Aside from stinking, they create an obstacle course requiring the ability to walk for long periods of time on tip-toes to avoid squishing them.

The earthworm’s primary gift to the world is loosened, fertilized soil. Without worms, the dirt underneath our feet would become too compacted, restricting water and oxygen from easily filtering through and making it hard for plant roots to grown down deep. Worms also process dirt as they make their way through the ground, leaving behind soil that has nutrients in it. They stay in the ground to prevent their bodies from drying out, which causes them to suffocate. Worms surface to sidewalks and driveways after a rainstorm to migrate to another area while conditions outside of the soil are moist enough for them to still be able to breathe.

Isn’t it funny that something so little and so seemingly unimportant to the operations of the rest of the world actually was created by God and given a big responsibility?

Anybody else reading this feel pretty little and unimportant too from time to time? Maybe you’ve introduced yourself to people two or three times and they still seem like they’ve never seen you before. Maybe you don’t feel like you have impressive talents to offer humanity. Maybe you feel like a small fish in a big pond — or even a big fish in a small pond, under-challenged and waiting for the next step.

Guess what? If God took time to create the earthworm and give it such important duties, how much more important are you?! God gave you a personality, interests, strengths, and weaknesses that differ from everyone else, and uniquely designed the way you look.

Take a look at this Scripture passage:

^“What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31, NLT).

Never let yourself buy in to the lie that you are insignificant. That’s Satan trying to wear you down. Instead, remember the earthworm and the sparrow from Matthew 10:29! You are unbelievably, perfectly, and wonderfully loved and created for a purpose by God.

On a Rainy Day

April showers bring May flowers. That’s great and all — but what are you supposed to do on a rainy day? Here are a few fun suggestions!

1. Make breakfast for lunch.

2. Have a movie/TV series marathon.

3. Go to a museum.

4. Make a craft.

5. Go swimming (as long as there’s no thunder/lightning!).

6. Organize your closet.

7. Clean under your bed.

8. Have a spa day — take a bubble bath, do a face mask, paint your nails, deep condition your hair, whiten your teeth, etc.

9. Get a day pass to a local gym and spend some time working out, attending a fitness class, or hitting up the pool.

10. Catch up on school work. (Hey, seriously! Sometimes it feels great to get ahead!)

11. Write a story, song, or poem.

12. Work on plans for a fun day for a family member’s upcoming birthday or an upcoming holiday.

13. Choose a Scripture, quote, or line from a favorite song. Write it on a large piece of paper and using old magazines and art supplies, make a collage to illustrate the statement. Mat it, frame it, and use it as wall décor in your bedroom!

14. Go glow bowling.

15. Make homemade pizza.

16. Have prints made of some of your most recent photos and spend the day scrapbooking.

17. Give yourself a spending limit and hit up a thrift store. Try to purchase an entire outfit for under that given amount of money.

18. Read a book.

19. Choose five Scripture verses to memorize.

20. Clean the house as a surprise to your parents.

I was reading the Easter story a few weeks ago in preparation for the coming season and the story of Judas really struck me. It’s a story we’ve probably all heard a million times, but for some reason I really dwelled on it this year.

For those of you who aren’t very familiar with the Easter story, particularly how Judas fits in, take a minute to read the following passages:

Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-25

Jesus is betrayed by Judas: Matthew 26:41-56

There’s a saying that goes like this: just because you sit in a garage, it doesn’t mean you’re a car. I laughed when I first heard this because it conjures up a really funny mental picture, but then I realized it was true of other things as well. Just because you sit in a church, it doesn’t mean you’re a Christian. And as it relates to the Easter story, just because Judas was in Jesus’ circle, it didn’t mean that he was a sold-out, committed follower.

Judas became so remorseful after finding out of the plans to kill Jesus that he threw down the silver he had been paid and went out to hang himself. You can read about it in Matthew 27:1-10.

Was Judas ever a believer? If he was and had just committed a horrible sin, would he have still gone to Heaven because of God’s grace? Did Judas ask for God’s forgiveness and re-dedicate his life before he killed himself? Do people who commit suicide have a chance of going to Heaven? These are questions that only God knows the answers to. Only God knew the depths of Judas’ heart and the intricacies of the events that happened. But it leaves us with a lot to think about this Easter season.

Are you sitting in a garage ignorantly thinking you’re a car? Do you have a true personal relationship with the Lord or have you merely been surrounding yourself with Christian things?

I encourage you this Easter season to learn a lesson from Judas. Don’t just be around Jesus. Accept Him into your life. Spend as much time with Him as you can. Learn from Him. Accept correction from Him. And more importantly, never turn your back on Him.

Easter Sunday

Easter is almost here! Last week we looked at outfits for Good Friday services, which were primarily darker, more somber colors fitting of the day, but today we are looking at a few outfits that celebrate the risen Savior! And that means bright, rejoicing colors.

Since all churches and all girls are different, we’ve pulled some great outfit ideas for you to look at that are casual, semi-dressy, and dressy. You never get too old to want a new Easter outfit.

Outfit #1: Casual

For Easter Sunday services that are a little more laid back, wear a springy blouse with white or dark washed jeans, and a pair of cute shoes. Find a cute, springy purse to coordinate with whatever springy top you chose!

Outfit #2: Semi-Dressy

Wear a cute, casual skirt and great belt, a pretty, white top with a white tank top underneath, and a pair of great boots. Add a fun necklace and earrings and a handbag and your Easter outfit is complete!

Outfit #3: Dressy

For those of you who love to step it up a notch at Easter, wear an adorable, spring dress with a wide belt for the middle of your waist and a complimenting cardigan. Add a cute pair of wedge sandals and some great accessories and you’ll have a great Easter outfit!

Change is no fun. Well, I guess unless it benefits you, it would seem. Which in the grand scheme of things means that puberty should be a fun kind of change, but if you’ve already gone through it, are in the middle of it, or stand on the brink of it, you might disagree.

Let’s take an open and honest look at a few of the changes we girls go through on our journey to becoming women!

Breast Growth: This change can either make girls extremely excited or extremely self-conscious. Your first signs that your breasts are changing will probably be tenderness and maybe even what feels like a knot under your nipple. Don’t ever be afraid to address your fears or concerns with your mom, your doctor, or another trusted woman. Sometimes breast growth is slow and controlled but other times it seems as if they sprouted overnight. It’s also not uncommon for it to seem like one breast is larger than the other for a period of time. This is all normal! No two people are exactly alike so please don’t make a habit of comparing any part of your development with other girls around you!

Hair Growth: The hair on your legs might become a point of insecurity for you as you head into puberty. If you can hold off shaving, awesome. Because once you start shaving you’re kind of committed. Some girls have extra dark hair and might reach the point of needing to shave before you. But just be sure that when you reach the point of starting to shave that you’re doing it for you — not because all of your friends are doing it. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up if you don’t really need to shave. Talk it over with your mom and see if you guys can come up with a good plan that works. She can also give you advice on what type of razor to use and teach you how to safely shave.

Your armpits might also start getting a little prickly and uncomfortable. The growth of hair in your armpits is another indicator that you’re headed into puberty. Keep a razor in your shower and as you’re slathering up with soap, run the blade over your armpits a few times to solve that annoying problem.

Body Odor: Your feet, your armpits … lots of things start to stink when you’re heading into puberty.: ) Your body releases sweat to cool itself down. Sweat mixes with the bacteria on your skin and that’s why you stink! Now is probably the time to develop a regular showering schedule if you’re not already. This might be everyday depending on how much you sweat during the day or how greasy your hair gets, or it might be just every other day.

Froofy shower gels and baths oils are fun, but use them sparingly. Adolescent skin is prone to breakouts and sometimes the scents and added oils of these products can wreak havoc on your skin. Stick with a good bar of soap for your everyday showers, and save the froofy shower gels and bath oils for special occasions. Be sure to run the bar of soap over all of those stinky problem areas — including those stinky feet!

You’ll also want to invest in some good deodorant. It might take a few different tries to find a brand that works well for you. After several breakouts under my arms, I had to switch to sensitive skin deodorants, so if you start noticing an itchy rash, try switching to an unscented or sensitive skin stick. Ask your mom or another trusted woman for advice, or see what brands your friends are using. Remember, it’s not just about cute packaging or fun scents — your deodorant needs to work hard keeping you dry and stink-free!

Achiness: You might notice a growth spurt coming on when you wake up in the middle of the night with achy bones, Charlie-horses, or feeling the need to stretch. This is all part of your body growing up! Tell your mom and see if a pain killer might be a good solution.

Menstrual Cycle: Aka: period, time of the month, or Aunt Flo. This is by far the biggest change we girls experience and the change that takes the longest to get used to. Girls seem to react to getting their periods in all different ways — some are thrilled and share the news with all of their friends, while some bawl and think that their lives are over. So however you find yourself reacting when it’s your turn, don’t think you’re alone in the way you feel!

Typically, a girl’s period will last anywhere from about 5-7 days, about once a month (or once every 28 days). Some girls can set their watches by when they get their periods, but other girls have really irregular cycles, especially during the first year. When you go in for your annual physical your doctor will ask you questions about when you first got your period and how regular it is. You might want to keep a small calendar in your nightstand so you can indicate the days when you have your period so you can start tracking when it will fall. This is helpful for planning pool parties, vacations to the lake, and problem solving if your period is going to fall during the swimming unit in gym class. If you are really irregular your doctor will want to know that, so a calendar can help give her that information he or she needs.

Pads and tampons will be your new favorite accessories one week out of the month. Talk to your mom or another trusted woman with any questions you have about brands and varieties. Here’s a tip — for extra protection, get the pads that have “wings.” The frequency in which you change pads and tampons depends purely on how heavy your flow is on any given day. You might find yourself changing pads more frequently simply because of cleanliness and to reduce the odor you’ll start noticing. You might find that the first and last two days of your period are pretty light, but the middle two or three days are pretty heavy. Maybe you’ll decide to wear pads on the light days but tampons on the heavy days. It’ll all be up to what works best for you!

Other symptoms that might accompany your “time of the month” might be cramping, headaches, backaches, diarrhea, and crankiness. These are all normal. Inconvenient and pretty uncomfortable, but normal.

Getting Good Advice: So who can you talk to about all of these changes your body is going through? How about your mom? Big sister? An aunt? Trusted female youth leader? Do you have a female teacher at school that you can confide in? Maybe the school nurse or counselor? What’s helpful about these new changes you’re going through is that literally all of the older women in your life have been there and done that. So none of them are going to be shocked by the questions that you ask them since they’re all things that they’ve had to work through as well.
Additional Resources:

·The Care and Keeping of You, by Valorie Schaeffer (American Girl)

·http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body