Not of this WorldSeptember/October 2011

a note from the editor

Dear Readers,

As you’ve probably noticed, the magazine has been lacking lately.

I haven’t had time to find as many articles nor have I been making

my publishing deadlines. I wasn’t even able to do the July or August issue! This makes me so sad because I absolutely love

working on this magazine and I want to strive to do my best. To

ensure that the magazine starts coming out on time again and

that I can find more writers and articles, I have decided to temporarily switch Not of this World from a monthly online magazine to a bi-monthly online magazine.

The main reason I’ve been falling behind with the magazine is due to a huge transition I’m going

through right now. After five years of ministry in Italy, my family moved back to Texas this summer. I’m ready to be in the US again, but Italy will always have a special place in my heart and I will miss it so much.

As you can imagine, life is pretty chaotic right now with a new school, a new house, and pretty much

a new life. Like I mentioned before, I want to make sure the magazine runs smoothly and I don’t think I am able to accomplish that right now with all that is happening in my life. Thus, the change.

I’m not sure how long “temporarily” is, but my hope is to, one day, get it back on track with an issue

published every month. If you want to see Not of this World on a monthly schedule again, help me

out! To publish this magazine I need lots of writers. Spread the word about Not of this World.

Encourage others to read and write. I would greatly appreciate it!

The ultimate purpose of this magazine is to bring glory to God and I hope that I will be able to do so

better with more time to work on this magazine. I’m excited about my next phase as an MK and

trusting God with His plan for my life. I hope that you’re clinging to His truth and grace this fall as you start school.

Happy Fall! Courtney R.

Table of Contents On TCKsYou Know You’re an MK When...8Transition: My Battle with the Beast... 9-12Third Culture Pet of the Month... 34On GodBible Verses on Courage... 33Heart of Worship: Even in the Impossible... 21-22Loving to Serve... 29-30You See Me... 19-20

On YouAre You Ready for School... 25-28On OthersSummer 2011 Mission Trips... 3-7A Note from the Editor... 1On CultureTravel Craft... 31-32On Everything These are a few of our favorite things....23Fiction: A Story of a Sojourner... 15-18Amelia Earhart Quote.... 13Love and Its Ever Changing Forms... 7

6

15

Summer 2011 Missions

Trips

Who: Travis C.Where: Paris, FranceWhat: Though it may seem like a tough strategy to make much headway, God really used our initiative with random students to build a lot of good connections. One of the highlights for me was getting to meet with a recent graduate named Charles from China. We got to meet four times for discipleship and training and discussed things like the nature of God’s love for us, assurance of salvation, the Spirit-filled life, and the Great Commission.

It was really cool for me to see God use me to train him since I feel like God is calling me to a future in college ministry in places where there are few laborers. I have always been afraid that I would be unable to train a student and cast vision for mission then leave. God set this up and showed me that He is able to do it. Charles began to catch the vision for Paris, revealing that he had shared his faith the last week we were there.

“I feel like God is calling me to a future in college ministry in places where there are few laborers.”

Who: Savannah J. and Amanda C.

Where: ArgentinaWhat: During the trip, we went to a local church in the village of the Toba people. Our mission was to invite local children to the VBS program we would put on. At first, I thought it would be too much. But once everyone was seated and quiet, something in the room changed. We sang with them, played games, and told them the story of the prodigal son. It was inspiring to see how many lives were changed because of the three hours we spent playing with the children. -Savannah

This summer, God has asked me a very big question -- who am I living for? For my Savior? Or for myself? In Ethiopia last summer, God really seized my heart and opened my eyes to the awful reality of brokenness in this world and inspired me to spend the rest of my life serving Him. But deeper than that, this summer in Argentina, He has reminded me to check my motives. Who am I living for? It's a reminder I hope I won't forget anytime soon. -Amanda

Who: Chris T. Where: UgandaWhat: This summer my prayer was that God would allow me to see the Nations through His eyes, to feel sorrow with His heart, and to confront evil with His justice.  Our ministry in Uganda this summer was primarily to do ear piercing clinics because of the problem with witchdoctors abducting children (only “pure” children won’t be taken, thus ear piercing saves them from being kidnapped).  We started the clinics the day after we arrived in country and I was thrown into the mix as a team leader.  We had two piercers per team and the first day proved to our whole group how much God had put on our plates.  The second day of the piercings, Jesus began to answer my prayer.  I remember very specifically one little girl who we knelt down to pierce and the overwhelming love and compassion that engulfed my heart, so much so that I became distractingly emotional and had to hand off my post as a piercer.  What Jesus did was let me begin to see those kids through His eyes and to feel for them just a small portion of the love He loves them with.  For the rest of the trip my role was to intercede for each child that we were blessed to encounter.  When it was all said and done we were able to use 800 pairs of earrings and shared the Gospel with many others while we were in the slums.  It was an incredible experience to watch Micah 6:8 become a true part of all our lives.  He has told us to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the Lord our God and our whole team got to see that start to make sense to our spoiled and shallow American minds.  It’s humbling that Jesus let us be a small part of His heartbeat for Uganda.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?”

-Micah 6:8

Who: Amy C.

Where: Durban, South Africa

What: God used this summer in Durban to show me the importance of the Gospel. At first, sharing my faith with every person I met on campus seemed awkward, but I quickly grew to love it. I learned to see the depths of God’s grace towards sinners, like me, and how that process does not rest on me at all! I am trying to live as an ambassador for Christ knowing that everything in this life pales to Salvation and being with God for eternity.

God also taught me a lot through our time in the community - at the orphanage and the AIDS hospice. A patient that my teammate and I had prayed for and sung with passed away during our time there. This was a painful and powerful illustration to me of the sovereignty of God’s timing and plan. I am so grateful that I can be at peace trusting that God has a plan for all of our lives. Praise the Lord that we have hope beyond this broken earth!

Learn some “Zulu”

Hello =

Sawubona

Goodbye =

Sala Kahle

Thank you=

Ngiyabonga

Love and Its Ever Changing Forms by Claire S.

Love, a small delicate flower, reaching for the sunThe strong and overwhelming thumping of a youthʼs heart

Two romanticsʼ constant letters, after time apartFor all, a tragic sacrifice of a blameless One

Grandmother’s wise words before her fruitful life is done

A hidden message in a picture; a loverʼs artYoung girl working for her family, on street with cartProud father in stands watching son hit home run

Newborn babyʼs sad cries, then motherʼs soothing lullabyWedding-day kiss of blushing bride and devoted groomCautious trust with care, broken heart lifted out of gloom

Lying on grass gazing at twinkling stars in night sky

Love, wistfully desired and wanted mysteryLove, tiny seed planted in a heart begins to bloom

You  Know  You’re  an  MK  When...

....you can recite the airline  safety  video in one or more languages

....youʼre 18 and still donʼt have a driverʼs license, but you have

a passport full of stamps

....you think itʼs weird that everyone is constantly texting when you go back to the US

....taking public transportation is part of your life

....you wince when people mispronounce foreign words

Provided  by  Catherine  C.  and  her  classmates  at  North  Star

Transition: My Battle with the Beast

by Liz G.

I think life was simpler when we could use Popsicle sticks.

Popsicle sticks were a diverting solution and object lesson that led young minds to believe that change could be as easy as floating on a little wooden construction of a raft from one world to the next. After crossing an ocean or two on this raft, their parents could now be called “overseas” missionaries. How charming. All the child had to do was understand the simple concept that “R” stood for reconciliation, “A” for affirmation, “F” for farewells, and “T” for think destination, and moving would be as simple as pie.

How perfect for the little kids who built their RAFTS and added glitter, while the parents cried and stressed and booked plane tickets and learned new languages and were forced to give up their dearly held

routines while their realities were shaken from the roots up.

But there comes a time when Popsicle sticks are no longer applicable, and a kid is forced to realize that, though he will carry his favorite teddy bear and his imaginary friend Sammy across to Bosnia from Texas, he just said goodbye to his real-deal best friend Jack.

And then, later, Sammy is forgotten and the teddy bear becomes irrelevant and suddenly everything is up in the air again, including the family who is returning to Texas on a 747.

After having sat in on 21 classes and seminars on the subject, I know what Iʼm talking about. I know which scenarios get to people the most, Iʼve heard plenty of testimonies on change, and I know at least four acronyms and models that describe the human processes when oneʼs earthly treasures are suddenly stripped away, and he or she is called to leave everything and

go to the land God has called him or her to. I know that Abraham did this, and that Daniel was a TCK, and that Esther had a purpose in a foreign land.

I walk down the street dragging my suitcase from Spring Trip chatting, with a classmate as the ugly cold wind irritates my faces and toes. Rain always falls in movies on the day when the protagonist is depressed and boy, what perfect timing it had today.

“Yeah!” says Ku Won. “Two weeks and I go to Korea!” He grins.

19 days.

“When do you leave?”

“19 days,” I say. He looked surprised. “June 9th I leave.”

“Then June 3rd is my last day to see you.” He sobers. We exchange sad looks. June 3rd is the last day of school, and I really donʼt want to think about that right now.

I walk in the door of my house and see where all the furniture had been. I wander down the little aisles of borrowed tables set up in the living room that are piled with loads of junk I barely remember ever seeing. Itʼs set up for a garage sale and Iʼm thinking “Iʼm not ready for this. Not today. Iʼm not mentally prepared.”

But the question is, are we ever mentally prepared? Will my move be easy because of those 21 seminars? Duh, no. I am an expert on it, I could teach a class on it, except for one small problem and that is, Iʼve never done it.

Iʼm talking about Transition. Yes, the word that holds all the power, that seems to topple us so completely just by controlling one tiny phase in our lives. You can spend your whole life battening down the hatches and still, i t ca tches you surpr ised and confused, wondering why moving had to be this hard.

As I write this I keep getting up to handle calls from SOS and our crisis manager, as my mom is lying in bed wi th some form of something unidentifiable that is not hepatitis A, B, or C, but turns her bright yellow. It ʼs no wonder she ʼs sick and exhausted, for the two of us have been battling in spiritual warfare for the past two weeks as the phones break and the toilet leaks and I have to pass final exams and finish up things at school. On top of all that, Dad is gone in America for the past few days because his dad, my grandfather, my momʼs father-in-law,

has passed away and le f t my dear grandmother alone in a large house in Atlanta.

I came in from a jog yesterday (which is rare) and my mom was still on the couch.

“I just got off the phone with Dr. Robinson,” she said slowly. “Iʼll be going to Hong Kong.”

I sat down on the other couch, not sure what to say. Her worst fear had been confirmed. I watched her open and close her eyes and breathe in and out. It begins to hit me that in spite of the fact that she has probably taught many more than 21 seminars and is much wiser than I am, her transition has been officially ruined by a higher power. She will be evacuated to Hong Kong and spend a week there, while precious time ticks by. Dad and I can pack up the house, but if she leaves, her due date for goodbyes will slap her in the face and throw off her whole RAFT. A great chunk of her farewells, preparations, and time to think has been suddenly removed from the picture. Disappeared. Wiped blank. Iʼm sure she would do everything right in this phase of transition if she would just be allowed to have it.

“I donʼt doubt the Lord,” she said a minute later. “Itʼs His plan for these things, and His plan is good.” She sighed gently. “But it makes me sad.” As I sit there and run my hand up and down the air con unit, I think we both seem to get it now, about transition being unconquerable and unfathomable; we just didnʼt think it was going to be this hard.

But our God, of course, can conquer and fathom everything. And of course, this up-and-down experience is perfectly tailored to me, my pride and my expectations, my feeling of inadequacy and reluctance when forced to depend so hard on the prayers of other people. So obviously, there are obvious lessons to be learned.

But besides the typical response of “God turned my life upside down in a new way, and I have learned lessons X, Y, and Z through this experience, and though it was hard I wouldnʼt go back and change it,” I think Iʼm on my way to discover more. Sure, the above is a good reaction to times of hardship, but well, I canʼt do that yet because Iʼm still in the phase of hardship and learning, and anyway it gets confusing because Iʼm always trying to predict what lessons God is going to make me learn

Transition towers over me with giant eyes and dripping fangs, its claws extending the

length of forearms, and its head the size of a Smart Car. Its eyebrows are shaggy and terrifying. I raise my shining sword and—

Put it down.

“You!” I say. “Listen. I donʼt care about it being hard. Iʼm fine with my move being hard and painful. But one thing I want is…letʼs be friends.”

Transition growls at me, very, very puzzled. I take a breath.

“Everyone talks about you like you are so not a happy experience and I get that. But my relationship with the Lord is one that focuses on enjoying life together, me worshipping him for little blessings and for hard lessons, and now that Iʼve learned all the acronyms and helpful tips to try and fight you…I…want to have fun with you instead. Can we team up?”

The mist swirls around my feet and his mighty paws. I stare at him longer and I still donʼt think he gets it.

“Youʼre not Satan, beast. Youʼre just Transition. And I would have you know that I am the adventuress in my fairytale, who will do all I can to stop him from spoiling my fun.” I sigh and pause a moment, then say more softly: “Do you want to be my friend, because I think I need help believing that all this change can possibly be adding to the adventure.”

Miss t r a n s i t i o n e x p e r t E l i z a b e t h G . i s no t invincib le, a n d n o t s e l f -dependent. “But he said to me, ʻMy g r a c e i s sufficient for you, for my p o w e r i s m a d e per fect in weakness.ʼ Therefore I will boast all t h e m o r e gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christʼs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christʼs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) And the strength He has given me here and now is to walk side by side with Transition and say “Bring on the storm and send me the adventure, and I will glorify God in it.” Praise Him for that, right?

My grace is

sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect

in weakness.

Adventure is worthwhile in itself.

-Amelia Earhart

Photography by Ken Cochrum

facebook.com/notworld

f

A Story of a Sojourner Fiction by Courtney R.

T h e s k y w a s a

masterpiece. Bold, passionate strokes of deep purple were laced with puffs of orange and splashes of blue and pink to create the perfect evening sky. Rolling hills sat proudly in the distance, nestled in a haze of gentle mist and a soft breeze brought the sweet scent of fresh rain. It was absolutely beautiful. Beautiful and bittersweet.

Emmerleigh closed her eyes and took a deep breath, taking it all in. As her eyes fluttered open, she smiled and settled her chin on her knees that were pulled up tight to her chest. She would miss the autumn evenings the most, the few precious moments when the sky was afire with color and everything in nature seemed to hold its breath and melt into the mist as the sun shimmered out of sight.

It had only been a few hours ago that her parents had said they were moving, but it felt like years. So many emotions and thoughts had raced in her mind since the words were uttered. The weight of the news had been staggering. Emmerleigh had spent almost her entire life in the small Romanian town she called home. It was a part of her. She was a part of it. Her life was hard, just like anyone elseʼs and she had her struggles and challenges, but life seemed so simple and slow in her sleepy town nestled in the mountains. She thrived in the

quiet peace that seemed to always exist so far away from the rest of the world. Her family didnʼt even have internet, which her b ro thers though t was the greatest injustice to ever befall mankind. Emmerleigh didnʼt mind it, though. It was so nice to escape.

She knew that someday they would move, the time would have to come. But the destination was what shocked her. New York City. At first, she was in denial. New York City? The one with all the hustle and bustle? The one that was one of the hubs of the world? Compared to her quaint European town, it seemed like a nightmare. A nightmare that leaves you sweating in bed, afraid to even blink, with chills racing up your spine.

She shuddered and pulled her knees closer to her chest. Her long, brown hair fell in the waves over her shoulder, warming her neck. The scene stretched out before her looked l iked i t belonged in a childrenʼs fairy-tale book. It was enchanting. She had been coming to the spot ever since she was little. Just a ten-minute walk from the house, it was close enough that her parents had no need to worry, yet far enough to give her space to think and pray. A semi-circle of tall trees surrounded a bare patch where a single stump sat, weathered with age. Emmerleigh liked to imagine how old it was, who else had sat there and thought. Maybe a knight from the

Middle Ages had paused on his way to battle. Maybe an inspiring artist had sat and dreamed during the days of the Middle A g e s . P e r h a p s a h u n t e d scientist had pondered the starry heavens during days of religious persecution. Or maybe a small girl used it as a table for a tea-party during the days of the Great War. The possibilities were endless. It was part of the magic of the spot.

A gust of wind sent the leaves rattling and blew away her daydreams. She suddenly felt so small and alone. With a towering forest behind her, a limitless sky before her, and a looming city in her future, she was well aware of her insignificance to the world.

The wind grew colder and her body started to ache from being the in the same huddled position for so long. Small tears started their long journey from her soft, brown eyes to the tip of her pointed chin. How could she leave this place? She needed to be there. She needed to hear the unique language. She needed fresh bread from the local bakery every morning. She needed to have her friends. She needed her distance from the world. She needed her quiet times in the mountains. She needed it all.

An ache started to form in the pit of her stomach and slowly grew, until her whole body pounded with grief and frustration. No one understood, no one could

understand, and no one ever would.

New York would be busy and rough. No one would have time for a girl who daydreamed and believed that fairytales existed. S h e ʼ d b e a d e e r i n t h e headlights. She was used to her small, home church and her parentʼs ministry with the locals. How could they find that in New York?

Her body shook with sobs that seemed to suddenly take over her body. After letting herself cry, she put her hand down to stable herself and felt the cool surface of her Bible.

She used the back of her hand to wipe away remaining tears and pulled her well-worn Bible into her lap. Her fingers clumsily thumbed through the thin pages, looking for a specific verse. She finally found the verse she was looking for, but she couldnʼt see anything because of the strong gusts of wind that sent her hair whirling. As she pushed back her hair, her Bible fell to the ground. Tears of frustration streamed down her face.

She reached down, yet again, to pick up her Bible when she noticed an index card on the ground. She picked it up. In large, swirly black letters were the words written: “God watches over the sojourners.” -Psalm 146:9

Holding back her hair w i t h o n e h a n d , Emmerleigh let her other hand trace the words slowly. She kept tracing the words until they felt ingrained on her finger tips. She shu t he r eyes tightly and let her m i n d w a n d e r back to when she had first written on the note card.

Vivid memories o f s i t t i n g , huddled on a plane, praying that God would s a v e h e r flashed across her mind. The lights on the air plane were flickering and the trembling voice of a flight attendant repeatedly told the passengers to stay calm. Every few minutes a sob would escape from her bright red lips.

Flying home from a mission trip, Emmerleigh was completely alone on the turbulent-ridden flight. As panic began to seize her heart, she held her Bible close and began to pray. As she prayed, she remembered a verse one of her leaders had shown her on the last night. She continually repeated the soothing words in her head for the remainder of the flight.

A few days later, once again on safe, sturdy ground, she had written the verse on the note card to remember when she had called upon the Lord and He had answered her.

One year later, she held the same note card in the palm of her hand and let the words comfort her. Just as she had on the flight, she felt

herself aching and wondering what was happening to her safe, steady world. She felt herself free-falling into the pit of the unknown, fear filling every crack in her breaking heart.

But as she looked at the note card, she sensed peace filling her body. She had called on the Lord before and He had answered her. He had been there for her. And He would be there for her again.

Emmerleigh took a deep breath of the fresh, mountain air and smiled - a small, hard smile, but a smile. She clutched her Bible to her chest and started back down the path to her house.

You See Me                                                      by  Kelly  R.

 Although Ohio’s  weather  is  unpredictable,  there  are  those  rare  beautiful  

spring  days  that  beg  to  be  enjoyed.      Well,  on  one  such  day,  I  was  outside  and  had  decided  to  pick  some  yellow  wildflowers  that  were  growing  along  the  bike  path  I  was  walking  (I  know...I’m  such  a  girl!)  Having  assembled  a  small  bouquet,  I  decided  that  some  purple  flowers  would  be  the  perfect  addition.      Thus,  I  looked  everywhere  for  some  purple  flowers...everywhere!      In  fact,  I  almost  climbed  into  some  poison  ivy  for  a  one  wilted  purple  flower,  but  thought  better  of  it  and  figured  it  wasn’t  worth  it.      Frustrated,  I  just  finally  gave  it  up  to  the  Lord  and  said,  "If  You  want  me  to  have  purple  flowers,  YOU  can  provide  them."    Ha!    No  sooner  had  I  said  that,  did  I  look  up  and  see  dozens  of  purple  flowers  dotting  the  path.    It  was  almost  surreal.    I  loved  it...and  I  actually  started  laughing  aloud.        Now  perhaps,  you  may  be  thinking,  “Honestly...with  everything  going  on  in  the  world,  you  bothered  God  to  ask  Him  for  some  stupid  purple  flowers?”      Yes.    Yes,  I  did.  And  there  are  a  few  reasons  why  I  did.    First  of  all,  the  Lord  reminded  me  that  He  really  does  have  SO  much  to  give,  all  we  have  to  do  is  ask…and  that  is  all  He  really  wants  us  to  do  anyways.        Perhaps  this  is  a  random,  silly  story,  but  God  used  it  to  remind  me  that  He,  the  King  of  the  Universe,  loves  me  enough  to  hear  and  answer  my  request  for  a  couple  of  purple  flowers.            And  finally  (perhaps  most  importantly),  God  had  me  take  a  walk  with  Him  in  search  of  some  purple  flowers  to  remind  me  that  He  is  the  One  who  can  and  will  provide.    And  it  made  me  wonder...why  do  I  ever  question  Him?    A  good  lesson  to  learn  while  support  raising,  huh!?  

Heart of Worship by Michaela F.Even in the

Impossible

Where   is   God   when   you   are  

going   through   transi1on?   Did   you   leave  Him  behind   in  the  place  you  just  le<?  Has  He   lost  track   of   where   you   are   staying?   Or  does   He  just   not   care   about   your   stressful   situa1on?  How  in  the  world  can  everyone  say   it’s  gonna  be   ok   when  nothing  changes   no  maAer  how  hard  you   pray?   You   try   to   trust  Him   and   you  tell  all   your   friends   that  you  believe  God  will  work   something   out,   but   deep   inside   you  wonder,   can   God   really   give   you   what   you  need?  Even  if  you  know  it’s  possible-­‐  will  He?  

I   don’t   know   if   you   have   ever  

experienced   the   thoughts   men1oned   above  but  I  sure  have.  In   fact,  I  am  thinking  them  as  I  write  this  since  I  happen  to  be  in  the  middle  of   a   major   move   right   now.  We   have   been  asking   God   to   provide   housing   for   us   for  months  now  and,  s1ll,  God  is  silent.  It  is  really  hard  and  we  feel  like  we  just  don’t  know  what  else  to   do.  We  are  trying  to  believe  that  God  will   do   the   impossible-­‐   find   us   a   livable,  affordable   and,   dare   I   say   it,  wonderful  house  in  four  days.  My  mom   thinks   that   God   is   just  seMng  the  stage  for  His   drama1c  provision.   I   think   I   believe   that  but  honestly  I’m  scared  that  what  

“It is a battle in my heart between what I want and what

God knows is best for me.”

I   want   won’t   be   what   God   gives   us.   It   is   a  baAle   in  my  heart  between  what   I  want  and  what  God  knows   is  best  for  me.  All  I  know  is  that  God  is  good  and  He  says  in  His  word  “For  I  know  the  plans  I  have  for  you,”  declares  the  LORD,  “plans   to  prosper  you  and  not  to  harm  you,   plans   to   give   you   hope   and   a  future”  (NIV).    I  know  that  verse  is  used  o<en  but  the  truth  of   it  never  gets  old.  God   is   the  

only   one  who   can   see   the  big  picture   and   Hw  knows   that   we   need   to   experience   certain  things   in   order   to   become   the   people   He  created  us  to  be.  

So   how   is   that   supposed   to   help   you  

when  you  are  facing  a  new  situa1on?  You  have  to   remind   yourself   that   God   is   with   you   no  maAer  where  you   are.  Even   if   you   don’t  want  to   believe   it   you   have   to   keep   telling  yourself  and  eventually  it  will  start  to  make  a  difference  in   your   thinking.   Another   thing   that   helps   is  coun1ng   your   blessings.   Look   for   all   the  ways  God   is   answering  your  prayers   and   thank   and  praise  Him   for   it.   It  will   help   you   have   a  more  posi1ve  aMtude  and  give  you  hope.  

Going   back   to   my   story,   I   saw   two  

minor  prayers   answered   even  while   the  major  one   has   remained   unanswered.   First,   I   have  begged   God  over   the   years   to   let  us   live   close  to   our   cousins   and   have  even   cried   because   I  wanted   it   so   badly.   Currently   I   am   siMng   in  what  used  to  be  the  garage  of  their  house  (now  it   is   a   rental   house).   I   could’ve   never   even  imagined   that   God   would   do   something   like  that!   Second,   my   mom   and   I   prayed   that   I  would   be   able   to   find   families   that   need   a  babysiAer.  My  mom  men1oned  my   availability  and   willingness   to   a   lady   whose   husband  owned   a   house   we   were   looking   at   and   they  called  me  THAT  NIGHT  with  a  job  offer.  All  I  can  say  is  that  God  does  hear  us  and  He  will  answer  some  of  our  prayers   in  ways  that  go  above  and  beyond   what  we  asked   for.   To   you   who   really  needed   to   hear   this,   and   even   if   you   don’t,-­‐  please  don’t  give  up  on   God.  He   loves   you   SO  MUCH   and   will   always   do   things   in   your   best  interest.  Choose  to  trust  Him.

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This fun, unique sign is perfect for a locker, bedside table, or just to carry in your purse as a reminder to trust God. -etsy.com/shop/tankandtink $10.00

Abolitionʼs Well is a heart-felt collection of worship songs by Civil Parish that will both inspire and encourage the listener. . -itunes.apple.com $6.53

Muchloveillyʼs poppy layered bracelet is the perfect pop of color that will add a fun twist to any outfit. -etsy.com/shop/muchloveilly $11.50

These stylish wristwarmers will keep you warm all fall and winter! -hm.com $5.95

Bath and Body Worksʼs fall collection includes this yummy Cinnamon Pumpkin candle. -bathandbodyworks.com $9.50

Not of this World was not paid to review any of the above products. These are just fun products that we found our readers enjoying. Reviews by Courtney R.

Are you ready for school?

by Courtney R.

Are you ready to learn?

Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning...” The chapter goes on to say that only “fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Strive to pay attention in class and do well. Soak up as much knowledge as possible. These years of your life are not a waste; take advantage of the time you have now to learn about a wide variety of things.

Are you ready to be diligent?

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes to poverty.” God honors diligent work. It’s important to try your hardest and do the best you can on your school assignments and in every part of your life. This verse confirms the old says, “Haste makes waste.”

Are you ready to work hard?

Colossians 3:23-24 reads, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” As school starts up, keep this verse in the front of your mind and remember to 1) work heartily. Don’t be lazy; do your very best. And 2) work only for God, not others. Only what He thinks of you matters. Everything you do, do it well and do it for the Lord.

Are you ready to obey?

Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Though you might not like it, your “governing authorities” include your teachers and everyone else who works at your school and God is calling you to submit to them. This means what they say goes, unless, of course, it explicitly goes against what the Bible teaches. Even if their rules seem silly, they are there for a purpose and you need to follow them.

Are you ready to be a light for Christ?

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same ways, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” Be a shining light for Christ in your school! Actively live out your faith, get involved in existing Bible studies or evangelism groups or consider starting your own. This might mean sacrificing things. It might mean choosing to not listen to music that’s popular because the theme is not healthy for your mind. It might mean saying no to certain activities that God doesn’t approve of. It might mean not going to certain movies or wearing certain clothes. Recently, I heard a talk on being a difference on your campus and one line really stuck out: If you want to see a difference, you have to be willing to be different. Get out of your comfort zone this year, take off the basket that is hiding your light. For some encouragement on living out your faith, look up Matthew 10:19-20 and 10:26-33.

Are you ready to be a good friend?

The Bible has a lot to say on the topic of friendship. One verse says, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor...” (Proverbs 12:26a). Encourage your friends and be there for them; point them to Christ. The Bible calls us to rejoice and weep with our friends (Romans 12:15), love them at all times (Proverbs 17:17), to not spread gossip about them (Proverbs 16:28b), and to even go as far as to lay down our life for them (John 15:13-15). Represent Christ well and be a good friend to your peers.

Service. Most  people   like   the   idea  to  be   served  better   than  to   serve   others   (Sometimes   I’m   that   person!).   This   summer,   I  volunteered   to  help  with  my   church’s  Vacation  Bible   School.   It   was  my  first  time!  I  had  experienced  a  few  health  issues,  but  I  wanted  this  Summer  (as  my  whole  life)  to  be  God’s.  So  I  decided  to  go  ahead  and  help  as  much  as    possible  for  the  camp.  God  honored  my  step  of  faith  and  blessed  the  camp  and  me  immensely!          

That  experience  taught  me  so  much  about  God,  myself,  service,  people,  and  kids.  It  was  a  blast!  It  was  a  bilingual  camp  (English  and  French)   so   I   translated   in   French   for   the   children   who   needed   it.   I  translated   the   Creation  exploration   section,  Bible   stories   and   a   few  other   activities.  I   took  so  much  joy   and  pleasure   in  serving  God  and  others,  something  I  had  rarely  experienced  in  the  past,  so   it  was  life-­‐changing.

But  God’s  most  beautiful  gift  to  me  during  this  time  was  the  surprise  of  one  of  my  amazing  friends  and  her  great   family,  along  with  a     team  from  Texas  that   came   to   help.   It   was  such  an  unsuspected  blessing!   I  shared  such  precious  moments   and  memories  with   these   special   “old  friends”  and  “new  friends”.  It  was  also  a  blessing  to  share  Christ‘s  love  with   many   children.   During   this   vacation   season   I   learned   something  very  precious:  the  joy  in  serving  a  little  bit  more  everyday!

Letting the  great  volunteers  team  go  back  home  was  

bittersweet.  There  were  too  many  laughs,  hugs  and  tears  to  even  count.  I  gave  so  much  of  myself  away  that  my  emotions  are  a  mess,  but  I  want  to  believe  it  was  worth  it  all  the  way.

So  will  you  join  me   in  leaning  to   joyfully   serve  God  and  people  even  when  it  hurts?

Written by Rebecca M.

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I

travel for travel’s sake.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

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Gather your supplies. You will need a small piece of wood

(or a sturdy piece of white paper), a paintbrush, three different colors of acrylic paint, and a sharpie

Find an outline of the place you want to paint. The

easiest way to do this is to print one off the internet. Make sure it’s proportionate to your “canvas.” Lay your outline on the wood and use your sharpie to trace your country or state. I would suggest using a lighter colored sharpie to make sure the paint covers the marks.

Choose your background color and trace the outline of the country first, then fill in the rest. Choose a different color to fill in your country.

Finally, add a heart to your city and display your painting!

Ways to use it: this could be a great gift for

someone moving away or just a fun way to display your own memories of your favorite places!

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If you’re not much of a “crafter,” you can buy these paintings at

PaintMeAPicture, where I originally got the idea to make this fun craft!

Bible verses on... Courage

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

-Philippians 4:13

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

-Deuteronomy 31:6

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is my stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

-Psalm 27:1

“But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For

when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and the subsequent movies have captivated readers and viewers for years. The final movie was released in the United States on July 15th and the first showing made forty-three million dollars. The wizard-themed series is one of the most popular book series in modern literature and has both Christian and non-Christian fans. With such wide popularity, the chances are pretty high that you have a lot of non-Christian friends who are a fan of the series, so how can you use this movie to reach out to them?

Read the rest here!

My name is Taffy and I’m Courtney’s doggy. I loved living in Italy. It was a dog’s dream! I got to on lots of walks in the country where it was nice and quiet and I was allowed to go inside almost all of the stores there. I miss my Italian friends, Pippo and Mona Lisa, but I am excited about meeting some Texan pups. Some of my favorite things include walks, bananas, my family, cookie dough, and playing with my tiger ring.

Do you have a third culture pet? Send a picture and

bio of your pet to notofthisworld.r2@gmail.com

Follow Taffy on

twitter!

here!

Romans 12:2Not of this Worldfor MK girls by MK girls