Got Problems?

Do you ever feel like you are minding your own business;

heading in the direction you feel is right.

It isn't until then, that you look up and

BAM, it is right on top of you!

Sometimes life just feels out of control.

Sometimes everything seems too big to handle.

Sometimes we don't realize just how bad it really is for us.

....until we look UP!

What do we do then?

We start running for our lives.

We forget everything and everyone around us.

Sometimes it looks like we are getting ahead of the

problems.

It looks like we are making progress.

But the problems keep barreling upon us.

The problem is....most times, when life gets like this we

think that doing a 180 degree turn will get us out of this dilemma.

When in reality, all we had to do was jump to the SIDE, take

 a breath, turn to our Heavenly Father, and watch the

"train" go on by us.

God works like that.

Notice that I said it will GO BY, He doesn't promise

that He will REMOVE it from your life.  It still has to pass.

If you keep focus, he can help you see the correct path you will

need to get you where HE wants you to go.

We don't want to spend our time, running in the wrong

direction from things that are so much bigger than we

will ever be.

Be Still and Know that I am God! -Psalm 46:10

(P.S. No XS GROUP girls were injured in the making

of this life lesson.  The train was just setting on

the track and we thought it was a great photo op.)

Is God YOUR BFF?

I know I've talked about a small group...VERY small group in more ways than one...these girls are TINY!

We are starting a new school year and want to have new ideas to keep us inspired to keep God #1 in our lives.

We meet once a week all year long.

Last year, we studied the book, "Do Hard Things", by Brent and Alex Harris.

I would encourage all teens to read this book...as well as their parents.

XS Group wants to get out of the low expectations of teens.

They want to BE the change!

I will take a picture each week of the girls holding a new verse...they will make that verse their focus for the week and see how God works with that verse each week.

They will also work the local outreach once a month...because it is held once a month.

They are also sacrificing their "wants" to put back money to possibly buy a heifer for a 3rd world family....they haven't quite decided what to do with it yet...they are seeking God's will. They started saving money in January and hope to have over $500 by the end of December.

I am very excited with their enthusiasm.

They each also took $10 to use their "talents" to make the $10 grow and give back.

One is making luggage tags that are just ADORABLE!

One is making spiritual necklaces that will look amazing on anybody!

I am selling fairy doors....

If you are interested in seeing any of the items, just leave a comment and I can post pics.

Our group Bible verse is Psalm 25:21, May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in You.

These girls are LIVING it!!

XS Group: What Does XS Stand For?

Several years ago, I became a small group leader through my church. We had hoped to get the youth involved and become bonded with one another.

I never really thought about how involved and bonded I would become....

Here are two members of XS Group, Naomi and Kimi.

(Not a fancy name..it really means Xtra Small Group...LoL)

Over the years, girls have come and girls have gone...sometimes to the point where we can't even qualify as a SMALL group...thus, the name.

Currently, there are 5 girls attending XS Group which means I actually have to use a church van to transport if all show up!

On this day, we had two girls come to XS Group.

We meet once a week after school.

Currently, we are reading Alex and Brett Harris' book, Do Hard Things.

This is a wonderful book in which all teens should read.

It helps teens realize that the teen years are for doing great things and to stop stooping down to the low expectations that are put on them.

Yes, that is correct...LOW expectations. (CLICK HERE FOR THEIR BLOG)

Seriously, most teens are expected to make their bed and make good grades and be good. Alex and Brett believe there is so much more that can be done while a teen. Did I mention that they were only 19 when they WROTE the book?

On this particular day, since all weren't here, we just headed to the local pizza place and did a tiny Bible study.

Teens deal with a lot of stress and sometimes, they feel very tiny in God's HUGE world. So, I spent some time putting together very tiny letters and basically told them that when they feel very small in God's world to just remember:

Matthew 10:30 says: And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Wow! When I think I am small...to just know that God knows HOW MANY hairs are on on MY head...UHMAZING!

I also, referred to:

Hebrews 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The tiny letter told them that I was proud that they made XS Group a priority and that meant that they were moving from the milk to the meat in their spiritual life. I also shared that sometimes we go back to the milk, but there will always be room for the meat.

The letters were put into tiny envelopes I created especially for the tiny letters (I had to use a magnifying glass to read it...they didn't). The tiny envelopes were put into a prayer capsule that the girls can keep on their key chains. My prayer is that they will add their own special prayers to this capsule and see them being answered one by one in God's special timing.

To my XS Group: I have experienced the ups and downs with you. I have cried and laughed with you. My heart has filled with joy of happiness and at times, been trampled by pain. I chose to walk this walk with you...sometimes me dragging you and sometimes you pushing me to go further. Thank you for including me in your Christian walk. My life is forever changed!

I love you!!!

Traci

Psalms 25:21 (Our XS Group Bible verse)