A Fun Valentine's Day Gift for the Board Game Aficionado

You may absolutely adore Valentine's Day- the celebration of love- the hearts, sparkles, and chocolate abounding. 

Or you may completely detest this Hallmark Holiday, obviously used to commercialize something meaningful into a box of chocolate and red roses. 

I guess I fall somewhere in between. I do celebrate Valentine's Day but for the past four years it has been with homemade gifts and/or dinners. I thought I would share a really fun, inexpensive gift to make if either of you love board games! 

A personalized version of Monopoly! All you need is a foam poster board, a sharpie, scissors (and a box cutter if possible), a printer, glue and colored paper. Here's what I did:

Create your board!

• Using a regular Monopoly board as a template, cut a square out of the foam poster board. Using a box cutter makes a cleaner cut. 
• Draw your spaces around the board, in pencil then with Sharpie. 
• Create your logo in the center, mimicking the official name and trademark information. 

Choose your properties

• I incorporated places that we met, favorite date spots, places we lived, where we worked, etc. I printed small photos that represented each place to glue onto their space on the board. I listed the values of each space as represented on my regular Monopoly board. 
• For railroads, I used the cities which we have lived in. Instead of Go, I made a Home space. Instead of Jail - the Doghouse. For Free Parking, I made a little Mt Bonnell space, a famous Austin lookout. I replaced the luxury tax with a credit card bill, and income tax with a tithe. 
• I glued strips of colored paper on each section- you could also use different colored Sharpies and just color the tops! 
• For houses and hotels, just cut uniform shapes from colored paper- quick and easy!

Create Chance and Community Chest cards

• In my game Chance became "Get Lucky" cards and included an equal number of good and bad personalized fortunes and consequences. 
• Community Chest became Family Jewels. I read through the official Monopoly versions and modernized/personalized them! 

Print or create monopoly money

• I printed my own money by searching each monopoly denomination in a Google image search, re-sizing them all to be the same, creating sheets in a power point file, printing and cutting each out. 
• You can always just sub in the money from your official board game though and save yourself some time!

Don't forget your game pieces

• Create or find an item that represents each of you!

This project does take quite a bit of work, so be prepared to put in some time to make it perfect. I loved reminiscing about our relationship as I put this together. When I gifted it, we played a round and it was so fun to read through the cards and see how it all worked in actual game-play. And now, the board makes an adorable keepsake! 

Have you ever given or received a homemade Valentine's Day gift? 

reflections on youth camp

Youth Camp is always good. There is something powerful about getting away from technology, from routine, from outside influences- even family and friends- to focus on God. 

Of course it's overwhelmingly hot and the food isn't the best and there's never enough sleep.

(supplies we took)

But God continually uses this time to teach us, convict us, encourage us and reveal Himself to us! 

This was my third year going to Youth Week at Alto Frio with my youth group. It was also my second year operating not only as the leader of my group, but also on the team putting on camp.  I knew what to expect, and this year I was smart and got another girls sponsor to go so that I wouldn't feel responsible to stay with them at all times. Instead of staying in the cabins, I got a motel room at the conference center (holla!), which also served as a storage place for all of the extra snacks and drinks we brought. (I had to rethink that choice when someone came by after lights-out looking for Pop-Tarts)

(on my hotel bed, with a Toms tan, and our snacks in the background)

So, as a sponsor and member of the camp team I kinda had to remove myself from the emotional side of camp to supervise. I had to be aware of what was going on with my students, the schedule and my responsibilities for the services. I had to be sure to capture through pictures the activities we had, so that parents would understand why youth camp is such a big deal. I was checking that all campers adhered to the dress code. I had to be available to counsel during invitation time, to remember worship song lyrics off the top of my head when the tech guy needed to input a new song last minute, and to give announcements to the campers at a moments' notice. And so, honestly, I was looking forward to seeing God speak into the lives of my students... but not expecting for Him to speak to me. 


And God DID speak to each and every students. Of the ten who attended with me, every one of them came away changed. Saved. Convicted and forgiven. Recommitted to their purpose. Called to something great. 

Natalia accepted Christ for the first time. 

(in the center)

Betsaida and Jadzia felt God's call to be missionaries. 

and Yalani felt called to student ministry in the future!

(on the right)

To be part of this journey with each of them is humbling and encouraging.

What I didn't expect was for God to speak to me- the leader- at youth camp. On Wednesday night, our speaker spoke especially to the sponsors during a closing prayer time. He asked for any sponsors that needed prayer for anything in their life to go to one side of the room and for the other sponsors to pray over them. So I prayed over sponsors. And then I prayed over students. And then I started preparing what we would do in our church time that immediately followed the service. As we exited the tabernacle and headed to my motel room, I started thinking about what I would have asked for prayer for if I had gone up. A heavy burden weighed upon my shoulders, like carrying boulder on my back. Then, it just hit me how emotionally and even mentally that I had separated myself from what God was speaking that week. 

So, when my group got to the room, I asked if they would pray for me. Because I'm terrified to move away, even though I know it's what God has for me. I'm scared that I won't make friends or have enough money ever or maintain my current relationships or do well in school. I'm scared that nobody will be able to reach my Austin students like I have and their spiritual lives will suffer. But even worse, I'm scared that they'll find someone so much better to fill this position that they'll wonder why they've had me hired all this time. 

(I totally understand that I sound completely overdramatic. I agree.) 

And so, one by one my students and sponsors lifted me up before the Lord. And there I sat in a puddle of my tears (and snot), and felt the hand of God over all of us. I felt His presence burden me with my purpose for leaving and promising to be with this group when I leave. 

God spoke to me right in the middle of youth camp. It was awesome. 

You see, this step in my life is a lot like the zipline we did.

When I give in to fear, all I'm doing is looking down. 

Seeing how far I can fall.

but if I trust God 

and do what He's called me to do

I can just take that step of faith and enjoy the ride 

And I think I'd rather let go, than just stand on this ledge and be anxious. 

I'd rather have faith than fear.

Girls Extravaganza Recap

Thank you so much for praying for the Girls Extravaganza this past weekend. 

The outpouring of love and support and encouragement 

made such a huge difference, and I am so grateful to each and every one of you! 

The event well so well! It was more than evident that it had been 

covered in prayer by the way all of the elements came together. 

The volunteer force that helped throughout the day 

made everything run smoothly, and got everything shut down 

in a timely manner at the end of the day.

The color scheme for the Girls Event was pink, black and white so we incorporated that into signs for the registration table, restrooms, breakout session rooms, and food labels. 

I also painted some signs with scriptures that corresponded to our theme.

[I totally could have been a cheerleader.]

We also strung a pennant banner with cardstock triangles 

in different shades of pink, purple, black and white. 

As the girls came in, they registered at the table

and picked out a super swanky swag bag

Unfortunately, I was running around like a crazy woman 

and did not get a picture of all of the beautiful bags. 

But here's a picture of the one I ended up getting to take home!

[other bags included an additional accessory]

Then the girls grabbed a snack from our 

variety of delicious [and some healthy] selections.

We had a beautiful time of worship

And broke into small groups to rotate through breakout sessions.

Lindsey's session discussed how God can make all things new

and she showed them how to make a no-sew vest 

and two different kinds of scarves from T shirts

Tia's session discussed true beauty

and letting God define what's beautiful about us

Jessica's group looked at Biblical instruction for conflict resolution

and the importance of being a peacemaker.

I didn't get a picture of her group, 

but Emily's group discussed having healthy relationships,

and looked at warning signs of abusive ones.

I got to share some insight from my walk with Christ,

as well as some tips on how to dress modestly and fashionably

citing lots of examples from Much Love, Illy

[clearly not imposing my own style ;) ]

Now, unfortunately, I was again running around like a crazy person

so I didn't get a picture of our swap shop

where we released everyone to shop away

But Friday, David and I built this special structure to hang clothes on

It was kind of a pain, but it totally served its purpose!

I ended up with some cutesy new items

including a colorful dress from Target

a lavender cardigan 

and striped top 

God used the music 

the breakout sessions

a special video from Jackie

gifts

the swap

prayers from volunteers

to speak to everyone there

We didn't have fifty girls

but that was totally okay.

I continue to hear stories from ladies

[students, volunteers, and speakers]

on how God spoke to them

or how one specific thing affected them

and I know that God orchestrated every detail

He designed each piece

to teach and show love to His daughters.

And I am deeply impacted

encouraged 

and motivated 

to trade materialism for generosity

self preservation for His provision

ashes for beauty.

Valentine's Day Blog Gift Swap!

In case you haven't noticed, I love these things ;)

There's something exciting about getting mail...

especially packages...

especially when you don't know what' s inside! 

Alissa at Rags to Stitches and 

Caroline at Good Times Never Seem Sew Good

hosted this awesome swap for the day of love

I was paired with Kassi over at Truly Lovely.

She and her sister Kayli

share lots of fun projects, recipes

and stories!

Kassi's awesome!

She sent me tons of goodies.

She sent a sweet Valentine's card!

Heart shaped cookie cutters

a notepad 

awesome turquoise earrings

(i LOVE these)

purple nail polish

And a Scentsy car air freshener

I put this in my car as soon as I opened the package!

I had so much fun getting to know Kassi.

Go check out her post and see what I sent her! 

Even if you're not a fan of Valentine's,

celebrate love today.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends"

John 15:13

words of wisdom

This past Wednesday night I had the honor of being taught by a very wise woman, Mrs Jan Riggs. The title of her message was "I Love God but I Still Need a Man" and discussed why women, even Christian women, seek out a fulfillment in men that can only come from Christ. 


I wanted to share a few of the highlights from what we learned. It was such a beautiful message that gave such depth to the gospel and to the way I was designed. 

One thing we discussed were some of women's deepest desires, the innate senses that drive our action. 

We want to be wooed and pursued.

We want to  love and be loved with abandon.

We want someone who values us as a priceless jewel.

We want someone who doesn't want to live without us.

We want someone who will love us so madly he would die for us. 

We want Prince Charming on a white horse.

We want happy every after. 

If we expect all of these things from a man, a boyfriend, a husband- we're setting them up for failure and setting ourselves up for heartbreak. Countless relationships develop conflict because we go in to them with expectations for our men to live up to this. 


I've come to understand that people will always let us down. We have to be ready to forgive and learn and grow together knowing that we will disappoint one another. We are human, imperfect, flawed.  This is not to say that we should not have standards by which we choose a partner, rather that our standards cannot be perfection. 


There is only one who not only wants to be all of these things to us, but completely embodies these things. He IS love. He wrote our love story long ago.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Isaiah 43:4 "Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life."

Song of Solomon 1:15 "Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful."

Isaiah 62:3 "You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

Revelation 19:11 "Then I saw heaven open, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war."

Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord or lords. "

Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

It's only through having a truly fulfilling relationship with Christ that we can find contentment in our other relationships. 

If these scriptures don't describe enough how much Christ loves us, consider the obvious symbolism of the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony. All throughout scripture the church- that's me and you- are referred to as the bride of Christ. Understanding this cultural background brings so much depth to the analogy. 

The first part is the betrothal, during which time the bridegroom travels to the home of the bride. He negotiates with the bride's father for the appropriate price to be paid in exchange for a marriage. Once the bride price has been paid, the bridegroom drinks from the cup of betrothal and offers it to the bride. If she accepts the cup, the covenant is formed and the two are considered husband and wife. 

The second part then begins. The bridegroom leaves the bride's home and returns to his father's house to make preparations for the wedding celebration. The bride continues to live in her parents' home, but she now carries her identity as the betrothed. So she spends her time preparing herself and making herself beautiful for the arrival of the groom. Although the bride does not know when the preparations will be complete or when her groom will return, she anxiously awaits his arrival. 


Whenever the preparations are complete, the bridegroom leads a procession, along with those closest to him, to the home of the bride. He takes the bride from her home to the location of the ceremony where they vow forever to one another publicly, followed by a long and joyous party and the consummation of the marriage. 

I have taken the cup of betrothal. I am the betrothed of Christ. 

There are too many times when I find myself acting more like an adulterous wife chasing after idols.

But, I know that He is truly the only source of contentment.

And unending strength. 

And deep, bubbling up, unconditional love. 

Ladies, will you join me in preparing ourselves for our bridegroom's return?