The Fourth of July weekend is the epitome of summer fun. It’s a great time for picnics, swim parties, and watching fireworks. It’s a great day to give thanks for living in freedom while donning red, white, and blue summer attire. Here are a few ideas for what to wear this Fourth of July weekend.

Picnic

Dressing for a picnic in the middle of July can be a smidge tricky. It’s inevitably one of the hottest days of the year, but one of the best for spending time outdoors with friends and family. In order to stay comfy and cool, try something like this top with these shorts, sandals, and hat. To beat the heat in style, try this cute sundress with these sandals. Or, if you, by some miracle, will experience a cooler Fourth of July, try something like this top under this with these and these.

Pool party

A pool party can be another challenging event. Since you probably won’t spend 100 percent of your time in the pool, you’ll have to think about something to wear over your suit. I love this swimsuit. It would be adorable under this with these sandals and this hat. I also love this suit with this cover-up, these sandals, and sunglasses. I also love this or this for a cute swim bag.

Watching Fireworks

One of the best parts of the Fourth of July is a great fireworks show. Hopefully, the temperatures will go down when the sun goes down. For a fireworks watching party, this dress with this and these would be a great option. I also think a top with a light cardigan, cute jeans, sandals, and simple accessories would be really cute.

I hope you have a very happy Fourth of July!

Avoiding boredom during the summer can be a lot of work! Let’s be honest: there are only so many hours a day you can spend on Facebook, texting friends, and watching TV. Eventually, your mind might crave some actual intellectual stimulation. If and when that time comes, here are a few great book ideas for summer reading. 

Fiction

The True Colors Series. This series of books, all by Melody Carlson, follow girls as they deal with everything from addiction to breaking up with a boyfriend to jealousy. Though these books are a series, they don’t build off one another, so you wouldn’t have to start with book #1.  

The Live Free Series. This series is by Jan Kern. Like The True Colors Series, the books are independent, so you can start with any book in the series. These books cover real life issues such as purity, self-injury, and online addiction. 

Little Women. This is a great classic by Louisa May Alcott. I read this book with my mom one summer and it was a blast! It’s the story of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. It has laughter, tears, and love – who could ask for more from a book? Plus, it was made into a movie a few years ago, which I highly recommend watching after reading the book. 

Non-Fiction

Idol Girls. This book is by Hayley DiMarco. It’s an excellent book that helps you explore what you worship, what you think about, and what consumes you. Living in a world that puts a high premium on owning things can be difficult for Christians who are called to store up treasures in heaven! 

I Married Adventure by Luci Swindoll helps you look at life through the lens of opportunity. Luci Swindoll is the founder of Women of Faith, worked for several years traveling for Mobil Oil Company, and has never married. Luci is a great example of how to live a fulfilling life, and this book encourages girls to seize opportunities and look for adventure in everyday life. 

The Hiding Place. I have read this book, by Corrie ten Boom, at least five times. Corrie writes about her experience during World War II helping Jews escape Nazi Germany and eventually ending up in a concentration camp with her sister and father. A gentle warning: read this book with a box of tissues nearby! 

Bible Study

The PB&J (Pocket Book & Journal) Series by Hayley DiMarco covers a range of topics including dating, modesty, sexual purity, and mean girls. These books would make a great independent study or small group book. 

Deal with It. This book is a 12-week study on teenage girls’ anger by Mary Huebner. It can be incredibly difficult to deal with anger and maintain a good attitude. This study can help you (and your friends) learn to deal with anger in a healthy, Christ-like way.

When you live in a city, a vaction to a big city doesn’t seem like much of a getaway, but if you’re from a smaller town (like me) it’s a great vacation. I’m definitely a city girl at heart, and trips to bigger cities give me an excuse to dress up and wear clothes I wouldn’t normally wear in small(ish)-town Missouri. When packing for a trip to the city, here are a few ideas for things to bring along.

Airplane. Air travel isn’t quite as convenient as it used to be. Between layers and layers of security, liquid and gel limits, and small seats, it can be a bit of a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be so bad. Due to the inconsistent temperatures in airports and planes, I like to dress in plenty of layers. I also like to wear slip on shoes with socks to avoid walking barefoot through security where so many have gone before.  

Daytime. It can be hard to strike a good balance between comfort and style, especially when you’re planning an entire day of sight-seeing, shopping, and walking. A cute top with shorts and comfy flats might be a good option. Consider wearing a cute sundress or jumper with sandals or flats.  To avoid the embarassment of being spotted with a fanny pack, here are a few cute bags that will travel well. If you’re doing both indoor and outdoor sightseeing and shopping, light layers are always a good idea. I think something like these with this top, sweater, flats, and bag (big enough to store your sweater when you get warm) would be a great option.

Nighttime. Going out for a nice dinner or a show at night definitely calls for a little drama. A dress like this with these shoes, and these fun accessories would be a great option. I also like this with these and this. These are some cute evening bags, too!

School is definitely out for the summer. I’ve been bombarded with friends’ quiz results and statuses reading “…is bored” every time I log onto Facebook. Students who only a few short weeks ago were overwhelmed with projects, papers, and finals are now complaining about being bored out of their minds. In an effort to help you avoid this boredom, here are a few things to try this summer: 

Get a job. Not only will this help you have a little extra spending money, but it will give you a reason to get up and shower before noon. Plus, it will give you a great addition to your college applications and some great life experience. If you’re planning on doing a lot of traveling and don’t want to commit to a job for the entire summer, put the word out that you’re available for babysitting, yard work, or house sitting. If you’re contemplating getting your first job, start here. 

Volunteer. If making money isn’t a priority for you this summer, or if you’re only working a few hours a week, consider volunteering. Talk to your youth pastor to see if he or she needs help during the summer. Talk to your pastor to see if there’s a family in your church who could use your help. Check with your school to see if there are any community volunteer organizations looking for help from students. Not only will it keep you from being bored, but you’ll also feel a great sense of accomplishment about the fact that you’ve done something to help another person. 

Learn something new. Summer is a great time to learn something that you actually want to learn. Take piano, guitar, or voice lessons. Memorize some scripture verses or poetry. Go to the library and research Amelia Earhart or The Boston Tea Party. Read a book on the Holy Spirit or Neurology. Take up Bocce Ball or knitting. Ask your mom or Grandmother to teach you to cook. Not only will you learn something new, but you’ll sound smart and be more prepared for study in college. Learning doesn’t have to be boring! 

Practice listening. This could also be a great time to make a new friend. Offer to meet the new girl at church for coffee. Find a mature Christian woman from your church and spend time listening to her talk about her relationship with God. Visit your grandparents and ask them to tell you all of their stories. You might be surprised by what you can learn about people, life, and God just by listening to people talk! 

Help out.  Clean your room, make your bed, or fold some laundry without being asked. If you’re not sure what needs to be done, ask your parents if there’s something you can do around the house to help out. It will help you fend off boredom, plus your parents will be impressed and probably more willing to say yes when you ask for something later on! 

Whatever you do this summer, don’t just sit around thinking about how bored you are, but find something meaningful to do. Enjoy your summer and try something new!

Just in case you’re out of the loop, Father’s Day is this Sunday (June 21). So, in honor of my dad, today’s blog is all about dads. The father-daughter relationship is a pretty important one. According to this great article, the father-daughter relationship is one of the most important influences in a girl’s life. 

So, Dad, thank you for taking me to see Sesame Street Live! every year on our special date, even though I rarely made it through the first act without falling asleep. Thank you for teaching me to ride my bike. I’m sorry you got in trouble for running in to tell Mom before you taught me to use the brakes. Thank you for eventually teaching me to use them, though. 

Thank you for disciplining me when I deserved it. You were always fair and I know you always had my best interest in mind, even if I thought you wanted to take me back to the store and exchange me for a different, better-behaved daughter. 

Thank you for playing Barbies with me. It never occurred to me that a man in his mid-30’s might not enjoy playing with dolls as much as I did. You were an excellent playmate even if you didn’t know that the red shoes should never go with a pink dress. 

Thank you for teaching me to drive. I can still hear your voice next to me saying “brake, brake, BRAKE!” when I get a little too close to the car in front of me. It makes me a safer driver. 

I love you! 

Take time this weekend to thank your dad for everything he’s done for you. Give him a big hug and tell him how much you love him. 

If your dad isn’t in your life right now, and you feel like you have a big piece missing, know that God is the perfect father.  

1 John 3:1-3 (NIV) says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

Vacationing is one of my favorite parts of summer! However, with extra baggage fees and smaller trunks, packing for vacation can be a challenge. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll talk about how to pack for different vacation destinations. This week, we’ll tackle the beach vacation.

Swimsuit. I just groaned a little bit when I typed that word. Shopping for a swimsuit can be an emotional, difficult process. When you start looking for a swimsuit, pick something that you feel comfortable in. Also, remember that just because you’re near a body of water, it doesn’t mean you should be showing off your body. Here are a few cute options to consider.

Daytime outfits. If you take a day to go shopping or out to lunch, try something like these shorts with this top and these shoes or this with this and these. You could also do shorts or capris with one of these tops that would work as a cute swimsuit cover up.

Evening outfits. At night, you might want to get dressed up to go out for dinner or take a walk on the beach, but you’re still on vacation, so you don’t want to look too overdone. Something like this dress with these shoes and cute accessories would be a great option. I also like this with these and this.

Protect yourself. Sitting in the sun all day sounds like a great way to relax, but it can be really hard on your eyes, skin, and hair. Here are some cute shades to protect your eyes from the sun. Plus, here are a few cute scarves and adorable hats to protect your face and hair from the sun.

Packing light is always a good idea when you’re on vacation, especially if you’re flying, so here are a few ideas for packing light on your beach vacation:

• Rewear accessories. Take a couple pairs of comfortable, neutral sandals that will work with several different outfits. Also, pack simple accessories that will dress up casual outfits.
• Don’t overdo it. You’re at the beach. Embrace the beach hair and skin. Leave your curling iron and hair dryer at home. Just bring a little concealer, a pretty eye shadow, a bronzer, and some lipgloss.
• Be unified. Pack things in the same color family so that you can rewear accessories and pair things together to create different outfits.

Enjoy your vacation!

One of my most favorite Psalms is Psalm 139. David wrote this psalm about how God thinks about us. About the fact that He’s familiar with everything we do, He created us, He knows us, and loves us. I thought I’d just share all of Psalm 139 with you from the Message. I encourage you to really read this psalm and remember that it’s about how God thinks about you!

 ^1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
   I’m an open book to you;
      even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
   You know when I leave and when I get back;
      I’m never out of your sight.
   You know everything I’m going to say
      before I start the first sentence.
   I look behind me and you’re there,
      then up ahead and you’re there, too—
      your reassuring presence, coming and going.
   This is too much, too wonderful—
      I can’t take it all in! 

 ^7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
      to be out of your sight?
   If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
      If I go underground, you’re there!
   If I flew on morning’s wings
      to the far western horizon,
   You’d find me in a minute—
      you’re already there waiting!
   Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
      At night I’m immersed in the light!”
   It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
      night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you. 

 ^13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother’s womb.
   I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I’d even lived one day. 

 ^17-22 Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
      God, I’ll never comprehend them!
   I couldn’t even begin to count them—
      any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
   Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
      And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
   And you murderers—out of here!—
      all the men and women who belittle you, God,
      infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
   See how I hate those who hate you, God,
      see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
   I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
      Your enemies are my enemies! 
 ^23-24 Investigate my life, O God,
      find out everything about me;
   Cross-examine and test me,
      get a clear picture of what I’m about;
   See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
      then guide me on the road to eternal life.

As you go about the rest of your day today, remember that God cares about you and knows everything about you. He’s always with you. He designed you and loves you exactly the way you are!

A few years ago, a friend told me that he’d recently experienced a major breakthrough in his relationship with the Lord. He told me that he’d just realized how much God loved him, and that when I really understood how much God loved me that it would totally revolutionize my relationship with the Lord.

I walked away from the conversation thinking that he was being a little over-dramatic (as we all know boys can tend to be). I’d been a Christian since I was four years old and had probably sung “Jesus loves me” about 800 times. I knew God loved me. But, because he was a good friend, and I respected what he had to say about spiritual things, I decided to give it a try.

I prayed that God would show me how much He loved me. Over the course of that summer, God began to show me all of the ways He’d been pursuing over the course of my entire life. He began to show me the different ways He’d loved me – as a perfect Father, a faithful Friend, and even as the Lover of my soul.

Even during hard times, He started to show me how He’d been faithful during those times, feeling compassion for me, and waiting for me to turn to Him and allow Him to heal those wounds.

My friend had been right. Understanding God’s love in this new way illuminated my walk with Him. Since that summer, there are times that I don’t feel God’s love quite the same way I felt it then, but God continually shows me ways He’s protected me, provided for me, and pursued me. Even knowing what I know about His love, I don’t think I’ll fully comprehend how amazing His love is for me until He returns.

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is Ephesians 3. Paul had lived in Ephesus for about three years and developed a relationship with the Christians there. He had many friends in the church and prayed this prayer for them:

“¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19, NIV).

It’s interesting to me that Paul prays that the Ephesian Christians would be rooted and grounded in love that they would be able “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” There are layers to God’s love.

Recently, my pastor described the love of God like treading water in the ocean. We’re enjoying the surface, and we have no idea how deep and wide His love is! No matter how long we hold our breath, we won’t be able to reach the bottom on our own. We won’t be able to swim to the other side of the ocean on our own. However, the part that we can see, feel, and understand seems so much bigger and amazing than we can comprehend.

I woke up this morning to perfectly clear blue skies, a cool breeze, and almost no humidity. It makes it easy to understand why so many couples choose June as the month for their wedding. Dressing for a summer wedding can be almost as stressful as planning a wedding. Here are a few general things to keep in mind when planning your ensemble:

• Avoid extremes. Traditionally, it’s good to avoid wearing all white or all black to a wedding. If you want to wear something light, go with a floral pattern or a light color. If you’re going to an evening wedding, black is OK, but add a splash of color with your shoes and other accessories.
• Be on time. Obviously, it’s important to be on time for a wedding so that you’re not being seated as the bride is walking down the aisle, but it’s also important to dress appropriately for the time of day. For an afternoon wedding, something like this would be really cute. For an evening wedding, something a little more like this would be great.
• Stay comfortable. As much as it’s important to be cute for a wedding, remember that you’re probably going to stay in your shoes for a few hours. Here are a few cute, comfortable shoe options. Also, if you’re going to an outdoor wedding, you’ll want to be ready for warm weather. Or if it’s indoors, you might get cold and need a cute wrap or sweater.
• Have a solid foundation. At the risk of sounding like an adult, I’m just going to say that undergarments are meant to be worn underneath things. Make sure no straps are showing and check yourself out in the mirror to make sure nothing shows through. Also, don’t forget that any time you wear a dress, you should wear a slip underneath. Even if the wedding is indoors, you just never know when the sun will catch your skirt.

I’ve tried a lot of different things when trying to hear from God on big issues in my life. I’ve taken my Bible and tossed it gingerly onto my bed hoping that it will open to the exact chapter and verse that spells out how I should handle the situation. Unfortunately, the binding on my Bible has a little fold and so most of the time, it opens to a page with the heading “The Soul who Sins will Die.” Though good advice, not exactly the words of wisdom I’m seeking. 

When I was in 7^th grade, I started dating a boy. I wasn’t allowed to date at this age, but I had started sneaking around to talk to this boy on the phone. I was writing him notes in class and hanging out with friends who I knew were friends with him.  

A few days into the relationship, I started to feel a little convicted about how I’d been behaving. So, I prayed that if I was supposed to end the relationship with this boy, that when I turned on the radio, the song “Mmm…Bop” by Hanson would be on the radio. First of all, this boy was clearly a bad influence on me because I was definitely not allowed to listen to the radio station this song played on. Secondly, this story takes place in 1997, a time when it was impossible to go into a restaurant, shop in the mall, or walk down the street without hearing “Mmm…Bop” by Hanson as it was one of the most popular songs released that year. 

I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed really hard before I turned the radio on. Sure enough, “Mmm…Bop” by Hanson was playing on the radio. Immediately, I began to explain away what just happened. I shouldn’t have been listening to that radio station. The boy wasn’t that bad of an influence on me. What if he starts coming to church with me? What if I’m the link between him and Jesus?   

I did eventually end things with the boy. Unfortunately, it was about a month after this incident and probably could have saved myself a lot of stress, heartache, and tears by ending things when I started to feel convicted. 

It seems like the longer I walk with the Lord, the more reliant I become on hearing his voice to make big decisions. I’ve learned that tossing my Bible on the bed and turning on the radio aren’t probably the best ways to hear His voice either. Hearing from God takes practice, time, and quiet.  

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) says “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” 

God wants to help us make decisions – both big and small. Our responsibility is to practice being quiet, listening, and seeking His voice.