The Only Reason I Will Ever Take Too Many Selfies...

By Emily Bansuelo

I had something else planned for this blog, but what better than to share my experiences from a weekend spent with a couple thousand youth at the My City conference in Sacramento, CA. I’m the Middle School Pastor with my husband at Capital Christian Center, and got to hangout with my 678 kids all weekend!

I’ve had a few people ask me what my favorite part of this weekend was, and I have only one word for you.

SISTERHOOD!

 

I hung out with some pretty crazy chicks, from all over Sacramento and the surrounding areas, from 6^th graders to other youth pastors who are in the trenches with me. 

Leading & Loving It NorCal

And there was one session where I was able to party and celebrate SISTERHOOD with girls from all walks of life. 

We were encouraged by Caitlin Zick to ask ourselves whom we are really LOYAL to,  our God, our word, our friends and our cause. It’s time we gather arm in arm and be “UNITED IN FRIENDSHIP AND UNITED IN CAUSE”. 

So myself and my friend Brittany encouraged the girls there to act now and we took some crazy selfies!!! By the way, I've never taken so many selfies in MY LIFE!!! And all for the cause of SISTERHOOD!

If you want to take an even deeper look into our craziness, go ahead and search #SacramentoSisterhood to see the beautiful faces of young women ready to bridge the gap, stand together and fight for unity in our cities!

I’m so proud of you ladies!!! It's now or never. Our world is getting too cray-cray for us to stand by and watch. We must fully commit to the cause of Christ and stand together, speaking the Word of God without fear. I believe that this generation of young women will be strong enough to say, "Though none go with me, still I will follow," but in the midst of saying that will see other women rise up with her and we will not have to stand alone any longer!

P.S. If you want to see some of my crazy dance moves go to my Insta @emcatzz.

Tangles Be Gone

Now I know what you're thinking by reading the title of this post, but no, this is not about hair! (Although I do recommend Dove Hair Therapy detangler if you're looking for a good product)
But today, in honor of Fun Friday (yes, it's a thing) we are bringing you a DIY project for those annoying tangles that seem to be created as soon as you set your headphones down. If you're like me, and you throw your headphones in your purse when you're headed out the door, the tangles are inevitable! We all know tangled headphones are one of the biggest first world problems we face today. So let's fix it.

Remember those awesome friendship bracelets you used to make as a kid? Well now you can relive your childhood AND solve your detangling problem all in one! We found some Pinspiration for you that is so simple and fun to do!

All you need is some embroidery floss in various colors (found at your local craft store or Wal-Mart) and those pesky headphones and you're ready to go! Tie the different strands of floss around the plug-in end of your headphones and follow the steps you would use to make a friendship bracelet. (If you need some direction on friendship bracelet making, we've attached a link below)

http://pinterest.com/pin/282389839108900607/

This DIY was brought to you by Fashion Lush via Pinterest

Happy detangling beauties!

The Best Relationship of Your Life

By Alison Vidal

If you type “the best relationship of your life” into Google, a lot will pop up; “14 ways to create the best relationship of your life”, “8 scientifically proven ways to have the best relationship”, or “15 ways to have the best relationship of your life”. These articles go on and on, all of them trying to tell you how to get the guy, how to keep the guy, how to make the guy happy. How all of that will make you and your life complete somehow. Today, I just want to tell you this. The best relationship that you’ll ever have WON’T be with a guy (or a girl, for you guys reading this). The best relationship of your life, the one that will be fulfilling, the one that will make you whole will NEVER be with another person here on Earth. The best relationship of your life will be the one that you have with Jesus. 

I have a boyfriend, and his name is Michael. He’s sweet, and kind and incredible and I love him. However, there will be times when Michael will let me down. There are going to be things in my life that he can’t fix, and voids that he cannot fill. Likewise, there will be times that I let him down, and times that I cannot fix something in his life. The relationship that Michael and I have entered into is wonderful, but it’s NOT the best one I will ever have. Why? Because he’s fully human, and so am I.We both bring sin, baggage and all kinds of broken things to the table . My relationship with Jesus though? That is without a doubt the most fulfilling, comforting, relationship that I have ever had and I ever will have. Jesus is the only person that can make me whole, and the only person that can make you whole.

People are flawed and broken, that’s just a fact of life. When you put two of those people together the pieces don’t fit perfectly together like a puzzle. In fact a lot of times your broken pieces and their broken pieces end up making things a lot more broken than they were to begin with. I don’t know how many times I searched for a relationship thinking that it would make me whole. I know I’m not alone in this ladies. Maybe you've been there before too, or maybe you’re there right now. It always seems like a good idea and it always seems like it’s going to work, that new relationship, that attention from a guy, that other fully flawed person will be enough to make us feel whole. Until the inevitable happens: we realize that it’s NOT. 

The world around us may project the idea that relationships here on earth are the key to fulfillment and happiness, and that other people can complete us, but the truth is, Jesus trumps that idea every time. The love that Jesus has for us is agape love. That means selfless, sacrificial, unconditional. Agape love is the highest of the four types of love mentioned in the Bible and that’s the kind of love Jesus has for us. Romans 8:37-39 says “For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When it comes to relationships here on earth, there are all kinds of things that can separate you from each other. When it comes to the love that Jesus has for us, there is nothing that can separate us from that. I can’t think of anything more comforting than the fact that Jesus died for me out of love, and that love is unconditional. I can trust in that love without fear of it ever changing.

There might be a lot of advice floating around on the internet and magazines about how to create the best relationship of your life that involve things like a 15 step plan or “scientifically proven” tactic, but my advice for you is just this: start a relationship with Jesus. That will forever be the best choice that you make. I promise you this, His love will never fail you. Your relationship with Jesus will fulfill you in a way that no other relationship ever has, or ever will be able to. He will take all of your broken pieces and mend them. When it comes to the best relationship of your life, it’s going to be with the one who laid down his life. 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..."

As Easy As Chocolate Ganache

By Vanessa Shepherd

Have you ever heard the saying "as easy as pie"... well I beg to differ! Have you ever made a pie? It is not "easy".  It includes a mixer, rolling out the dough, then chilling the dough, then using pie weights (seriously pie, I don't even use weights), then making a filling, and topping it with another pie crust to bake for the perfect amount of time. Too long and it's burned, too short and it's raw.  Good luck walking down "easy" street or using the "easy" button, because it's all just as "easy" as pie. 

People who use this saying are exactly why I have baking trust issues.

BUT... I know something that is easy in every sense of the word!!!! And with it being Valentine's Day this weekend I thought it would be a perfect time to pull out the recipe that is sure to put a smile on your mom, dads, siblings, or friends faces- because this is the day to show everyone how much you love them- so do it with CHOCOLATE GANACHE! 

And if that makes you go- huh- then just think chocolate icing or chocolate dip but fancy! All you need is a few things!

And now for the truly easy part! Add the sugar and butter to the whipping cream and heat until boiling in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (mine starts to boil at 1:30).

Pour the boiled cream into the bowl of chocolate chips and let sit for a few minutes.  Then, just stir it a few times.  With a fork.  Not a special kitchen appliance.  Until well combined.

And there you have it! It's as easy as Chocolate Ganache! 

Ingredients:

1-12 oz. package semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions:

Add sugar and butter to the whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl 

and heat until boiling in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (mine starts to boil at 1:30). 

Pour the chocolate chips into the bowl of boiled cream and let sit for a few minutes.  

Stir with a fork and serve!

You can have ganache with fruit, marshmallows, unfrosted sugar cookies, cake, or anything you think a pile of chocolate would be good on... which in my book is pretty much everything! And as far as Valentine's Day or as some people refer to it "Single Awareness Day" is concerned, how about a little history...

"Valentinus was the name of a young man who lived in Rome during the reign of Claudius II when Christians were being persecuted. Although he was not a Christian, he helped them, but he was caught and put into prison. In prison he became a believer in Jesus. Because of this, Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned and finally beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269. After his death, this gate was known as Porta Valentini. While he was in prison he sent messages to his friends saying, "Remember your Valentine!" and "I love you."

Yep it is morbid (and yes I did just go there) but you want to know what else it is- it is not a story about true love (unless you count Jesus' true love for us) but rather a day to remember all of those you care for! So hug your friends a little tighter, let your family see your face a little more, and mix up a bowl of ganache to enjoy together with those you love!

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.

The Comparison Game

By Haley Waters

We all play it. Oh, we try not to, we really do. We say we aren’t going to play. We tell ourselves we’re “unique” and “one-of-a-kind”; we may even write the words “fearfully and wonderfully made” on our mirrors as a reminder. We never intend to play the game, but inevitably, we all do.

The first rule in this game is: WHO? Who are you comparing yourself to? A famous person? A friend? A mentor, a leader? Some picture of Audrina Partridge you found on Pinterest that you took to your hairdresser because you wanted your hair to look EXACTLY like hers? (Ok maybe that one was just me) 

The next thing you need to know about about this comparison game is that there are two versions. One version plays the card of “I’m not that bad.” 

Often we excuse our own behavior by comparing ourselves to others. “At least my music isn’t that bad,” “What I do definitely isn’t as bad as what they do,” “Have you heard what comes out of her mouth? At least what I say isn’t that bad.” 

Making these excuses is like setting a trap for yourself. Imagine: you’re out shopping with a friend. She tries a dress on that is less than figure-flattering. She comes out of the dressing room and asks, “Does this make me look fat?” You reply with, “Well you don’t look that fat.” 

What?! No one wants to hear that! That is the worst response in the history of ever! (And really, who wants that question to be answered honestly? It’s a trap! A good friend will just suggest something else that will look better on you!) 

This scenario is very similar to what we do when we make excuses: we don’t really want the truth so we compare ourselves to others so that we will be overlooked. 

Galatians 6:3-5 says “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” 

What you do or do not do should not be based on what someone else does. You are unique, you are one-of-a- kind, you ARE fearfully and wonderfully made, so you don’t have to pretend like you’re someone else or pretend like you’re better than someone else. 

Now remember, there are two versions to this comparison game. The second version plays the card of “I’m not that good.” While excusing our own behavior by comparing it to someone else is a trap we can fall into, disguising insecurity as humility is also a dangerous trap. We can get discouraged very easily when we constantly compare our looks, our talents, our abilities to other people. 

“I can never be as good as they are, so I’m not even going to try.” 

Sound familiar? I’m raising my hand because I’ve been there! Comparison often robs us of even trying. 

I Peter 2:9 tells us that we are “A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called us out darkness into His wonderful light.”

When I find myself playing this version of the comparison game, I just repeat: I am chosen, I am royal, I am His. I am chosen, I am royal, I am His. Try it! Say it out loud! Write it on your mirror if you have to—just remember: you are chosen, you are royal, you are His. 

You win the comparison game (yes, it’s possible) by comparing yourself to Christ; after all, you were “Made in His image” (Genesis 1:27). When you compare yourself to Him, because He’s perfect, He will point out the areas in your life that need a little work. With His help, through prayer, reading His Words, and daily practice, you CAN get out of the trap of excuses and move forward into the amazing things God has for you. 

You are chosen, you are royal, you are His. 

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

By Vanessa Shepherd

We're adopting.  Yep.  Any day now. Any. Day.  Seriously Lord, any day now.  

It's kind of a long process and I may or may not be taking the whole "any day now" phase with great enthusiasm. (Can't you tell, doesn't this post just ooze with patient enthusiasm?)  Of course what I really mean to say- or write- is that my house is now full of new DIY projects to help keep my mind off of the fact it has been over six months that we have been "approved" and on stand by for God to bring us our little Shepherd girl.  

That being said, we at LHOH decided it would be fun to start a "Friday Fun Post" for crafting, baking, cooking, or weird lists of random things.  This of course makes me feel a little better about the stack of new material I have with all of my erotic power tool usage and chalk paint paintings! So here it is, a great Friday Fun post just for you... and this one is great for any weekend!

SLEEPOVERS!!!!  I mean come on, it's the weekend there are bound to be a few sleepovers happening!  And with all that time spent at someone's house there are bound to be a few "mi casa es su casa" moments.  You know the ones where your friends ask where the towels are but they are morning people so their asking is mid dream and to be a good host you have to pull your uncaffeinated self out of your ever so comfortable sleeping position to show them for the umpteenth time where the hall closet is, because that is in fact where everyone keeps their towels.  Or the toothpaste... that is in one of the few drawers in the bathroom.  Or your blow dryer because they have forgotten theirs.  Or some other thing that is in some other place that they cannot find without waking you from your peaceful rest and all the while you just want to say, my house is your house, feel free to look in every drawer and in every room if it will mean five more minutes of sleep.

Maybe that's just me because I am most definitely NOT a morning person and should not speak without my morning worship songs and giant cup of coffee first.  But alas I have found an answer to our problem!  The "Be Our Guest" Basket fully stocked with extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, an old blow dryer, a straightener, a comb, a brush, hairspray, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, and a fresh towel!

It is genius!  No need to fumble around with one eye open, dodging all things with reflective surfaces that might catch your troll-like hair, to find the unmentionables for the even more unmentionable week (which all can be found now in a zippered pouch in your new basket) for your embarrassed guest.  

And to make them feel extra special without having to skip a great date with the Sandman (the fictitious man who helps you sleep, yep not sure who thought up that nightmare), take your dry erase markers and write a welcome note on your bathroom mirror!  We do it every time someone comes to stay with us and without fail it is a big hit!  Plus it wipes right off.

(Never mind the awesome camera work, clearly I am a photographer 

now that I own a smart phone with editing options and all.)

My favorite thing is to write a new scripture on my own mirror each day to help me remember something God has been trying to remind me of.  There's just something about seeing how I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) as I do my makeup that puts me in a great mood the rest of the day!  Or about how I am "more than a conqueror through Christ" (Romans 8:37) as I go through a hard season.  So even if there are no immediate plans for someone to come stay because you may or may not be in trouble for something you possibly did, then encourage yourself with a line or two from the greatest love note ever written- the Bible- and smile as you tackle your day!

Isaiah 61:3

"...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Two Wrongs Because I’m Right

By Vanessa Shepherd

Retaliation. Revenge. Go ahead and do whatever you need to do, because after all you are… justified. 

Oh, someone was rude to your sister? Just scream at them like a lunatic. That’ll teach them.

Oh, someone called you an inappropriate name? Get out the dictionary, there’s bound to be something worse in there. And if a longer more sophisticated word doesn’t work, then just pull out every four letter word you know. Or better yet, call them fat. Girls hate that one.

Oh, someone formed a group that gathers just to gossip about you and literally call themselves your “hater club”? Well, my friend, gossip away! After all, you didn’t start it. You weren’t the first to walk down the shallow road, and you definitely won’t be the last! If they are starting clubs, might as well start your own!

Wait… what? That’s not how it works? I beg to differ. That is exactly how it works. What I think you mean to say is that this is not how it is supposed to work. That is not how God wants us to work. But unfortunately we do time and time again.

"But you didn’t see what they did! You didn’t hear what they said!” I know. I know. I have been there too. It hurts, it’s unfair, you did nothing wrong. I know.

I have two boys and I cannot count the times that I have heard the phrase, “he hit me first” as if to absolve any responsibility for what happened after the first punch. Surely in the mind of a six year old it is just self defense when your 2 (at the time) year old brother throws a toy at your leg and you therefore decide that pushing him into the absurdly solid wood bed frame is in fact the correct response. And without hesitation when the 2 year old starts crying I will hear those four little words, “he hit me first” followed immediately by, “I didn’t mean to hurt him”. Really Michael? What was your intention then? I think he hurt you so hurting him back was exactly your intention, but when you retaliated you realized something very profound- you are now just as at fault, you are now also in need of forgiveness, and hurting someone how they’ve hurt you brings little to no satisfaction. Your pain is still there whether they are in pain also or not.

I can guarantee you with every mom bone in me that both boys have had their fair share of electronics taken, groundings, conversations of right and wrong, and even a few spankings. The more interesting thing is not that I have had to discipline them for their actions, but how EVERY TIME I have to punish them BOTH. Because there is always retaliation. There is always payback. Their little minds haven’t fully grasped the concept of “an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind” yet. But us? We are much older. We can learn this valuable lesson. We can change our responses. I believe in my heart that we can.

So someone was rude to your sister? Pray for them.

So someone called you an inappropriate name? Pray for them.

So someone formed a group that gathers just to gossip about you and literally call themselves your “hater club”? Smack them and then pray for them. Ok, maybe just pray for them.

A person does not have the ability to make you feel small without your permission… so stop giving it! Stop allowing yourself to be hurt and belittled and victimized. You are not weak. You are not unimportant. You are not the words spoken over you. You’re not. 

Hurting people hurt people, it is just a part of life. And while it feels so very personal, I promise you sweet girl that unless you did something to provoke the situation, it is not. You are just the “face” that they can take it out on since the emotions they are carrying around with them cannot be found in our physical world. The bible says it this way in Ephesians 6:12, “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world”. We are fighting against jealousy, against anger, against offense, and against assumption. We are fighting things that are not tied to any one person, despite how they may feel. 

So let’s stop fighting back with words or actions. Our feelings toward people change (and depending on the week quite often I might add!). And when you see that person and you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach again because of what they did (or said or might have done), just replace their name with the emotion you are facing and if you are to fight anything, fight that! Because no matter how "justified" you are, two wrongs will never make us right!

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons [and daughters!] of your Father in heaven…”