STELLAR DAY ISSUE 17 | JANUARY 2017
The
January Issue
MONEY TALK FOR 2017
Rachel Cruze shares 5 ways to make a fresh start with your money this year . Don ' t miss it !
TO SPEAK OR NOT Deciding when it ' s the right time to step out in faith , when you ' ve been waiting for the word GO .
TO THE WOMAN WHO ISN'T ENOUGH One writer shares her heart about being enough and what it means when you feel like you aren ' t .
Photo by Kym Ventola
Stellar
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To Speak or Not To Speak Silence Lifted An Interview with Sarah Humphrey Words To The Woman Who Isn't Enough Jesus Changes Everything Speaking From The Heart
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An Interview with Melissa D'Arabian Roasted Fruit & Homemade Ricotta Six Reasons I Love My Day Designer 5 Ways To Make A Fresh Start With Your Money Classic Banana Bread Wreck My Life Editors Note
TO SPEAK
OR NOT TO SPEAK WRITTEN BY JESSICA WILLIAMS PHOTOS BY KYM VENTOLA For a long time, I ’ ve been sitting under the promises that the Lord was going to have me “ speak ” to people. And for that entire time, it completely terrified me. I heard him prompting me in that direction but knew that it wasn ’ t time. Not only did I know it wasn ’ t time, but I didn ’ t exactly know what “ speaking ” would mean. I know all too well that when the Lord starts prompting
your heart in one direction, it ’ s hardly going to be the direction that we thought or even dreamed. With zero aspirations to be a public speaker of sorts, I ’ ve prayed for just short of a decade about how the Lord wants to use me and I ’ ve tried to wait for his timing and his direction. Waiting can be tough. I ’ ve told women in my path for a long
"SPEAK IS A WORD HE’S WHISPERED OVER AND OVER TO ME FOR YEARS." STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 3
time that I feel the Lord asking me to “ speak ” to women, and up until my current close circle of friends, I literally would get the sideways glance when I would say that. I could feel the “ what could God possibly use you to say ” vibes and I sat discouraged for a long time.
Maybe I ’ m not supposed to speak. Did I hear the Lord wrong? My voice isn ’ t worth being heard. What would I have to say? Who would even listen to me? Why would God want to use me? I STILL struggle with these lies sometimes. I know that they are lies and I also know that my inner circle was full of the wrong women. Women who didn ’ t believe in me, understand me, or truly support me. But even still, I heard the Lord tell me that he will use me to speak and I was terrified in that, alone in that, and anticipating what on earth the Lord could be up to. Last fall, I asked the Lord boldly to show me what our January theme would be for 2016. He didn ’ t tell me right away, but I DID hear Him say that January 2017 ’ s theme would be Speak . It baffled me, excited me, AND left me to wonder where we would be in a year. So I shelved the theme for 2017, knowing that the Lord ’ s timing would be perfect when we got to that month ( and year ha! ) and I ’ ve anticipated it for a solid year now. Finally, I heard that 2016 was to be all about Grace. It was literally my word for the last year. Grace for myself, grace for my husband, my kids, my friends, my family - everything. To live in grace and to move through tough situations in grace is exactly where the Lord wanted me to be and exactly what He wanted me to learn in 2016. It wasn ’ t easy. Learning grace is never easy. But I do feel like it has prepared me for what the next season may hold. And now as I look
back I realize that this entire year was what I needed to learn in order to move gracefully into something new. A new extension of Stellar Day and a place where my heart has belonged and been ready for, for years. Throughout the course of this year, I have been prompted, encouraged, and moved to start a new podcast station, Stellar Day Radio! My goal to begin is to do two shows a month ( every other week beginning in February ) to start and to begin to slowly speak about issues that are close to my heart. It is my goal to bring other women into the conversation, to continue to lift others up, point towards the truth, and to spread encouragement. I am humbled by the opportunity and what the future could potentially hold there, but mostly I am thankful. I am so thankful for a God that knew I would need a year to focus on grace before stepping into a sliver of the promises he
has for me. I have no idea where this new endeavor within Stellar Day is going to take us. Everything with Stellar Day has lead to new surprises, new blessings, and new opportunities that I never thought were possible. It wasn ’ t my goal to become a magazine editor or host a radio / podcast show, but it IS what the Lord has had planned for me all along. We all have our lives planned out according to what we think they should be. But if you allow the Lord to fully take over your life and direct YOU to what he wants you to do, and where he wants you to be, you ’ ll absolutely end up in a place that you never dreamed you ’ d be. But it ’ ll be better than anything you could ever imagine. I stepped into 2016 with Grace as our spearheading issue for the year with an expectant heart, a gentle spirit, and ready to see what the Lord would do
Honestly? With Speak as the theme and the spearheading issue for 2017, I am nervous and literally feel like the Lord is exactly one step ahead of me in this thing. Every step I take, I feel like I ’ m anticipating that the Lord will be there and realizing more than ever, that He is. Speak is a word He ’ s whispered over and over to me for years. And while I don ’ t understand what He ’ s up to, I know that it ’ s not an accident that He ’ s chosen this year to launch with this theme. His timing is perfect. It ’ s up to me, whether or not I will follow. To speak or not to speak? That ’ s my question. Nerves aside, I ’ m moving into new things, new chapters, new opportunities all with the same heartbeat of encouragement and lifting others up. WHO ’ S IN?
"BE CAREFUL WITH YOURWORDS. ONCE THEY ARE SAID, THEY CAN ONLY BE FORGIVEN, AND NOT FORGOTTEN."
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 7
SILENCE LIFTED BY CASSIDY RICH She made her way down the dusty road, hoping against hope that she could see him today. Week after week she traveled into the nearby towns and villages, needing to see this man who was said to be unlike any other. Being disgraced and brought so low in society had already made her life beyond miserable. Hearing of his gentleness, though, she prayed that everything she had been told of him was true. Too long she had suffered. More than a decade she was given dirty looks and nasty nicknames by those who should have been her kind neighbors. If the wisest doctors could not heal her, maybe this miracle worker could. She hoped healing would lift her of her silence. A crowd had already gathered in the center of town by the time she arrived to witness the teachings and parables of this man. She squeezed her way close to the front, finding a spot where she could barely see him. Someone suddenly grabbed her arm. “What are you doing here? You’re out in the open, you filth!” the voice whispered in her ear. She turned around to see a young woman who lived in her village. This young woman was known for being awfully rude and caring about no one but herself. She opened her mouth to respond to the young woman’s offensive comment, but thankfully the crowd began to move and she lost the young woman in the sea of people. His head was barely visible above the crowd. She did not know where the crowd was moving with such haste, but she knew this was her only chance.
Swiftly, she moved past people and crouched down. If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed, she thought as she drew closer to the man. She reached out her hand, not caring if it was stepped on or pushed aside – she simply desired healing. She would no longer be silenced by those around her if she was healed. She could speak and not be hushed. She could be heard and not told that what she had to say was worthless. She grasped the very edge of his outer garment. What happened next was inexplicable. The pain and everything that had ever bothered her in the twelve years with this sickness was gone – completely gone forever. In that moment she knew she was healed. The man suddenly turned around and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” Everything became a blur as she heard voices speaking, but was unable to respond. Seeing the man’s face, though, she knew she had to speak. She was healed, it was time. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” – Mark 5:33-34.
Author’s note: This is the true story of the woman who “had been subject to bleeding for twelve years” (Mark 5:25). We are only given a snippet of her life when she encountered Jesus and He healed her. I added some details where the Bible provides none, but please know that any Biblical fiction can never replace the real Word of God. It is only through Christ that we are able to speak words of beauty, healing, and truth to those in need of hope. The entire passage of this silenced woman and her healing experience with Christ can be found in Mark 5. To fully understand why her struggle with bleeding was such a tragedy, read Leviticus 15.
h a r a S An Interview With
y e r h p m u H
- FEATURED ARTICLE -
We are kicking 2017 with a bang and introducing you further to a woman who wrote an amazing article for us last month, Sarah Humphrey. I have been so encouraged through getting to know her, as she has encouraged me to continue to find MY voice through what we are doing here at Stellar Day. I knew that she would be perfect for January's theme. We sat down with Sarah Humphrey, author of "40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood" and "I Am A Courageous Kid!" to discuss her passions, her family, and her hopes for the future. She is a true gem and a wealth of encouragement! 1. Thank you so much for being our first interview of 2017! We are stoked to have you! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?
healthy community. And it’s one of my absolute favorite things to see people walk in their true identity and calling with purity and joy!
Hi! I’d love to! I was born and raised in Ohio but have since lived in Arizona, the Alabama shore, and now Nashville. I’m a creative at heart but also studied to be a doctor in college, so I love mixing my passions of mothering, creating, and healthy living into a perfectly, messy box of “daily life.”
3. Who is a role model you have and why? I’ve come to love Audrey Hepburn. She was not only a picture of elegance but she spent her life devoted to serving. When I think of the role models that are needed today, especially for young
"THE ONE THING I’VE ALWAYS YEARNED FOR IS AUTHENTICITY." My husband, David, and I have three children six years and under —as well as one big St. Berdoodle. We live in a suburb of Nashville and enjoy the simple life, while leaving some extra room for adventure and plain old fun!
2. What are you most passionate about and why? I think my biggest passion is freedom. I’ve spent a lot of time learning about identity and selfacceptance over the course of my life, and the one thing I’ve always yearned for is authenticity. I love watching people get free from old patterns and false mindsets, especially in the context of
women, I think she is a great one! She was able to use her skills, talents, and gifts in a way that incorporated art, and she also gave away her life by serving children around the world. I also love Twiggy! She’s similar to Audrey in the career sense, but I feel a connection to her because of her joy as a teenager and the simplicity of her career in that regard. She had great style and was a little quirky; that’s inspiring to me!
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 9
SPEAK EVEN IF YOUR VOI C E SHAKES 4. Our theme this month is SPEAK. What is a piece of encouragement or advice you're able to give to our Stellar Day readers when thinking of this theme? I believe there’s a quote that says "Speak, even if your voice shakes.” I-love-this. So many people speak so loudly, and those are often the people we’d rather not hear. But the person who has something really profound to say, something they’ve been chewing on and wrestling with, something that they might be uncomfortable to bring up for fear of rejection…those are usually my favorite speakers. Yes, eloquence is nice, but I’m most inspired by those who have had to fight for their voice and who do it with humility and bravery.
5. We love the books that you've written! What was the inspiration behind the 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood devotional? Thank you! My inspiration behind 40 Days was simply the journals of my every day life! I’ve spent my life writing out my thoughts, and it’s been my most healing and effective way for retreat and expression. The chapters in 40 Days (like identity, self-acceptance, reconciling with grief, presence, and forgiveness) are actually the themes I’ve most had to work through in my own personal process. I did this a lot through my postpartum period because as I was thinking of raising a child, there were patterns in my life that I wanted to encourage and others that I wanted to interrupt. I love to doodle and color, and so it automatically became an adult .
I THINK PEOPLE OFTEN DON’T REALIZE HOW POWERFUL THEIR STORIES ARE. coloring book because I always need an extra creative edge. What I love about 40 Days is that it really is a piece of my heart; it came from my family, and I wrote it for them!
6. What was the inspiration behind I Am A Courageous Kid? I’ve been so fortunate to get connected to The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY. They are a non-profit who have a full scale camping facility for children and families with a special or medically fragile need. They make dreams come true for children who may not otherwise be able to go to camp; they also support veterans and veteran families! Because I do voice over work, I helped them create an animated mascot of their founder. Her name is “Little Betty,” and she is the inspiration for our book. The storyline covers the topics of courage, compassion, and friendship; it highlights the everyday super hero of children with a special or medical need. We also included discussion questions, activities, and coloring pages so that we could bring awareness to the courage of these children. We wanted to create a book that celebrates them and also helps other kids understand how to have compassion for a friend who might live with some extra challenges.
7. What is your favorite thing about being a mom? Your biggest struggle? My favorite thing about being a mom is the simplicity of joy. I love the minimal, daily life where small things make a big difference. I hate feeling rushed and love going slow; I feed off presence. I think it’s one of the reasons I enjoy kids; everything is an adventure to them! That’s how I love to live! My biggest struggle is probably time management within that; the reality that there are things to do and places to be. Our biggest struggle is getting out the door on time. It’s stressful for me to gather my kids; they too are adventurers, so getting everyone in the right place at the right time takes a lot of effort. We all have a lot of energy, so we’ve had to work on our “flow” quite a bit!
8. What is something about the future that you are excited for, that you can share? I’m really excited this year to continue creating a new paradigm for women’s overall health! I think women have been dealt a difficult hand with expectations, performance, beauty, and healthy living. My goal is have a podcast up by spring that highlights these topics! I want there to be a safe place to hear real stories of selfacceptance and peace as well as
productivity within a career. I think women can do anything they want to with the right tools! I’m hoping to provide some of those tools through my experience over the last few years of raising kids while also slow moving into an entrepreneurial spirit with some of my career goals.
9. What is one word that you think might possible describe your 2017? What is the significance to you? Kairos! I think everything in my life has actually been leading up to this year; I’ve worked really hard my whole life; I haven’t always had an easy hand. And this year, my ducks have really gotten in a row, and I’m extremely grateful. A lot of my work has been hidden; and I’ve been extremely particular about where I’ve shared it, simply because I’ve wanted my focus to be first on the Holy Spirit’s leading and second on what my family needs. I’ve had a lot of long nights of writing and preparing, a lot of inner healing work so I could lead from vulnerability, and a lot of practical practice just in daily life and my small community. It feels like all of those are meshing now, and so I’m really excited to see what doors open this year. It feels like everything is happening at the right time and in the right way; Kairos!
10. What is one piece of advice you could share with any woman as we head into the new year? Be yourself! There truly is no one like you, and no one can replace you! Your personal story needs to be shared because we create from the inside out-- so that we can serve from authenticity. I think people often don’t realize how powerful their stories are. I would love to see more people walking in their true identity, sharing their gifts from a place of surrender to God and in humility. It really can change the world!
WORDS
Do you ever hear a song and it totally convicts you? I do. All the time. There is a song that is played on the Christian radio station all the time and at first I would just sing along, not really listening or taking in the words. Then one night I heard it again and I was sobbing my eyes out. Totally hit home. I finally heard the song and let the lyrics sink in. That was my ah-ha moment. I want the words that come out of my mouth to speak truth, and encourage and uplift, not bring down, or criticize. I want people to notice a difference in me with the words I speak. I want people to draw closer to Jesus with how I speak. I’m so excited for a new year. It’s kind of like a redo in some areas in my life, and this area, the words that come out of my mouth will be one that I focus and work on. Not just what I actually say, but what is going on in my heart and mind.
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 13
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINE CRAM
HERE ARE SOME OF THE LYRICS
from the song that convicted me:
“
Words” by Hawk Nelson.
They’ve made me feel like a prisoner They’ve made me feel set free They’ve made me feel like a criminal Made me feel like a king They’ve lifted my heart To places I’ve never been And they’ve dragged me down Back to where I began Words can build you up Words can break you down Start a fire in your heart Put it out Let my Let my I don’t Unless
words be life words be truth wanna say a word it points the world back to You
I wanna speak your love Not just another noise Oh, I wanna be your light I wanna be your voice Let my Let my I don’t Unless
words be life words be truth wanna say a word it points the world back to You
TO THE WOMAN WHO ISN'T ENOUGH
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 15
BY NICOLE THOMPSON I know I’ve said this before but I really do mean it, so I’ll say it again. I wish I could see all the faces who read this. I’d love to meet you and listen to your story. I want to hear your struggles and victories and the journey in between. However, today I wish I could just speak to you. God has put a specific woman on my heart, maybe it’s you. To the woman who is
doing her very best in the season of life she’s in and feels like it just isn’t enough, I want to say this: It’s okay. You’re okay. You were never supposed to be enough. None of us are. I’ve known this in theory but I recently had to allow that truth to sink deeper into my heart. I pretty quickly went from a season of harvest to struggle and difficulty (and loss and grief). As we often don’t, I didn’t see it coming. Although I know I need Jesus, there are times I’m more acutely aware of this need. Other times there’s an illusion that I’ve kind of got my life together. Life’s not perfect and neither am I, but in some seasons it’s easy to feel more self-sufficient. In those times I might think of God throughout the day but I’m not so desperate for him. For the last month or so I’ve definitely been feeling the need for my Savior. I’ve needed him to be my healer, helper, comforter, counselor, protector, and so much more. My insufficiency has been staring me in the face all the day long. I wasn’t able to take care of myself and my family like I wanted to. I couldn’t be the mom my daughter needed me to be either. This was hard for both of us. In her three year
"YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE ENOUGH. NONE OF US ARE."
old mind she couldn’t quite communicate how this change affected her, but it came out in her behavior. I also gave too many warnings and second chances and wasn’t as consistent as my smart, determined girl needs me to be. My house was a mess (I still haven’t cleaned my floors) and we ate take-out A LOT. In all of this I know I was doing my best given the circumstances and that this too would pass. Although I didn’t love it, I had made peace with it. It was a rough six weeks and I kept thinking, “Things will get better soon and then I’ll step it up again.” However, things seemed to keep dragging on longer and getting worse not better. It wasn’t until my daughter was pretty difficult while a friend was watching her that I really felt inadequate. The next morning I woke up and all I could see were the many areas I wasn’t enough. Worse yet, I didn’t just feel inadequate, I felt like a failure. Things got a little dim in my mind as I tried to figure out
"LIFE’S NOT PERFECT AND NEITHER AM I, BUT IN SOME SEASONS IT’S EASY TO FEEL MORE SELFSUFFICIENT."
YOU’RE IN THE VERY BEST PLACE TO SEE JESUS DO HIS BEST WORK IN YOUR LIFE. what to do. I was doing my best and it wasn’t enough, yet I couldn’t do much better. Some sweet friends gently brought me out of my despair and back to the truth. They reminded me of God’s grace. How our parenting isn’t what makes our kids good. Although how we parent is definitely important, what really makes our kids good is God. Even on my best parenting day I’m not enough because the truth is we’re never enough. Not once, not ever. Sometimes the gaps we need Jesus to fill in for us are greater, but we always do need Him. In this season I need his grace to cover the gaps in my parenting. And he will because we were never made to be enough. We were always made to need Him.
So to the woman who isn’t enough, who keeps doing the best she can and coming up short, I want to give you and hug and tell you, “You’re okay, you were never supposed to be enough. None of us ever are.” In fact, you’re in the very best place to see Jesus do his best work in your life. He can and will fill all the gaps in our life with his grace when we invite him into our hearts and circumstances. He takes our “not enough” and makes it more and plenty. We are never enough apart from Christ, so we can stop beating ourselves up over it. We can let go of trying to be enough and just grab hold of Jesus. When we only do what we can, we can trust him to do what only He can.
Jesus Changes Everything BY JESSE CHRISTENSEN I heard this quote once, “My heart swings back and forth between the need of routine and the urge to run.” Since moving away from my family, I have had to really let go of my control for routine. There are days down in Arizona where my heart longs for my old life. The life that consisted of the belief that an abundant and adventurous life wasn’t for me. That big dreams, desires, or passions were for the most driven. My old life loved routine of being comfortable in my own little world while knowing exactly what was going to happen from the moment I woke up, to when I went to bed. All while putting God in a box. Routine became ingrained in me. Any bit of threat to that comfort would cause bitterness
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 18
and anger to stir in my heart. I idolized the predictability of my safe, comfortable, routine life. Then, I came into an authentic and intimate relationship with the real and living Jesus Christ, and everything changed, because Jesus changes everything. Jesus changes our passions. He starts turning the passion of our own selfish desires onto His desires. We start to ask Him daily to break our hearts for what breaks His and out of that compassion births a passion to move into action. The passion and drive to do whatever it takes to stop the pain and injustice of those around us. We start to long for a more unpredictable life and desire the daily adventure with Jesus.
Jesus changes our dreams. He starts placing dreams on our hearts that we could not possibly dream up ourselves. They start with a thought, move to an idea, then He gives us action steps, and we suddenly realize that He actually desires our dreams to be fulfilled! He gives us confidence to move forward with impossible dreams because that is His starting place. And with each step forward, He opens doors for us and we walk through them with expectation. Along the way to one dream, He fulfills others dreams because Jesus is a dreamer, a giver, and a lover of His children. We start to realize that abundant life is truly for us and dreams are meant to be fulfilled in Jesus.
"Along the way to one dream, He fulfills others dreams because Jesus is a dreamer, a giver, and a lover of His children." Jesus changes our relationships. We start to raise our expectation of the man we desire to marry and realize that we are worthy of a man that is chasing after the cross. We realize marriage is one of Jesus’ biggest ministry tools He uses to spread the Gospel and we desire to take on that responsibility. We realize marriage is more than the “happily ever after,” more than comfort and companionship, more than cultural status and labels. We start to view marriage the way it was designed from the beginning, as the most intimate relationship designed to be used as a ministry tool to represent Christ’s love to His church. Jesus changes our mission. We will start to see ourselves and others through the lens of the Word and not the world. That perspective alone will change us. We will realize that when we fail we are covered in His Grace and we boldly rise up again and persevere in our mission. Our mission to make Jesus famous. Our mission to help others understand that Jesus died for them and the freedom, hope and joy He brings. Our mission to bring mercy to the unjust, a voice to the voiceless, stand up for those who can't, and point others to Jesus. Our mission to live with joy in the midst of trial, and hope in the midst of waiting, because we know that living for Jesus is the most exciting, thrilling, and joyful adventure of them all. So, I believe what our hearts long for the most is not the comfort of routine or the urge to run to adventure, but to bring Jesus Glory. How do we bring Him glory? We come to Him. We allow Him to direct, guide, and change our lives. We allow Him to break our hearts and transform our minds. So, whether He calls us into a season of routine or a season to run, our desire to seek Him brings Him Glory, which ultimately fulfills our true hearts desire.
SPEAKING FROM THE HEART by
Sarah
Costa
The heart is deceitful and
,
wicked
?
is it not
should start by what we talk
.
How do we as
about
?
believers react when words
?
contradict
?
How do we say things
Who do we talk to
What exactly
?
When do we speak
did we say
?
up ourselves
“
Out of the abundance of the
. ’
Speech
.
It s such a gift
,
are powerful
,
word
,
Words
heart
it goes deeper into our
.
out of our heart
,
When we write
we have the opportunity to go
,
Luke
6:45.
but the spoken
hearts because it comes directly
back
.”
the mouth speaks
,
cross things out
-
back
.
,
we are talking to people
.
comes out
,
.
!
powerful
it
but the
,
.
When we
want to look at our hearts and do we really
M A G A Z I N E
,
But on the other
we are to
burdens with them
What is said has a causal effect
D A Y
.
none of us are perfect
, ,
.
S T E L L A R
It is a
sharpen our friends
What is said becomes reality
,
?
hold our tongue
one hand
.
-
up then and when we should
precarious situation because on
It can build up or tear
some soul searching
’
How do we know when to speak
down within seconds
.
than reviewing what I ve
When
And it is
What is said matters
Christ
.
truth of what is in our hearts always comes out
that draws me closer to
my true heart
Some people have a
better filter than others
, ,
to me
said because I know that reveals
space or completely start over with what we want to say
There is nothing more convicting
| 20
bear their
and yes
confront them in the presence of
.
witnesses
As believers we are to
rightly divide the word of God
.
but also to show discernment
. ,
,
I think this is one of the reasons God
His control
As we walk into this new year
has allowed us to pray to Him and
your words
to begin your day with a desire to have a pure heart that pours
!
given us His Spirit
How else are we
to enter into life unless we cover it in
?
prayer
.
.
encouragement and grace to the hearer
.
walk into conversations and speak truth in love
.
Pray that our words would
edify the hearer
,
out love
discernment and know when to be silent
.
Pray that our
what God is putting on your heart
.
I would urge you to pray over
I urge you to confidently
I urge you to show
,
But above all
I urge you to speak
Have courage in what He is teaching you
speech would be covered with love
and be bold with your words because His work in your heart is an awesome
Pray that we would say only the
thing and speech is powerful
.
things the Spirit wants from us
Pray
that our heart would be clean and our
.
motives clear
we are
,
,
to make
to season our words with
,
salt and love
!
Let your mouth abundantly pour out His work in your heart
…
And THEN
called to make a joyful noise disciples
.
“Because
your lovingkindness
but in order for us to do
!
any of that we have to speak up
We
is better than life, my lips
have to use the voice that God has
.
given us
We have to have faith in the
will praise you!”
work of the Spirit and in the power of Christ and trust that when the
, .
situation arises
wants us to say
we will say what He Nothing is outside of
Psalm 63:3
Interview With
Melissa D’Arabian BY ESTHER GALLAGHER
Stellar comes from the root word ‘stella’ or star, and Melissa D’Arabian is just that! She’s my all-time favorite ‘The Next Food Network Star,’ who made her inaugural celebrity chef debut with her first show, Ten Dollar Dinners, in 2009 and whose career has since evolved to include serving as a reoccurring judge on Guy’s Grocery Games (GGG), multiple cookbooks, writing opportunities, and other Food Network projects and appearances. I was so honored that she wanted to interview with Stellar Day this month and also a bit nervous, this being only my second interview and my very first with a TV personality. So to prepare, I researched and
satisfying to my soul that I hope will feel the same to you, dear readers, as you let them simmer through your soul today
….
and throughout this new year
teed up my list of questions and came up with a recipe for what I thought would be diverse questions that covered a multitude of savory topics ranging from TV blooper
Esther: Thank you for making time to talk with me today. I’ve been looking forward to this interview for months!
moments, balancing working mom/wife responsibilities, to asking her who rocks the spiky, blonde look best- Guy Fieri,
Melissa: It’s my pleasure! I’ve been able to look at some of
Kiefer Sutherland in the Lost Boys or maybe Billy Idol? But
your magazine issues and I just love what Stellar Day is
right before our interview, I asked God to lead us into a
doing to encourage women.
conversation that would speak blessings over each other and over our Stellar Day community. During our Skype (which
Esther: Well, one of the journeys we encourage women to
really just felt like cozy cawfee tawk with a good friend,
pursue is their walk with God. On that note, I was drawn to
even though I was sitting by my Christmas tree in AZ and
interviewing you because (besides your amazing social
she in her CA kitchen with her freshly showered hair), I just
media posts for your live cooking show, It’s Tuesday Night
let the convo flow like the French Roast making its way into
Somewhere!) you speak to your time spent in devotionals
our mugs and asked her only two of my scripted questions at
with God. What advice do you have for intentionally
the end. And the words that unfolded felt like a starry gift
carving that time out of your day, especially for people like
from heaven-- divinely inspired discussion instead of
me who sometimes gets caught up in the chaos and busy-
carefully crafted questions intended to produce black-and-
ness of work/parenting and leaves her Bible to collect dust
white responses easy to mold into an article. So here they
on the coffee table?
are- thoughts and considerations so warm and richly
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 22
Melissa: I’m sometimes hesitant to share posts from early morning devotionals because it’s not intended to make people feel guilty about not participating in devotional/scripture time. I will say that for me, once I got started with the habit of morning devotional, my time with God turned from being an obligation into being a treasure. And that’s saying a lot, because I used to be a snooze-button addict! My pastor said something years ago that has stuck with me. She talked about the difference between going through life in ‘trying’ versus ‘training’ mode. When we find ourselves trying too hard at life, especially in challenging or frustrating seasons, we sometimes end up biting our tongues and white knuckling our way through them. If I find myself in this unpeaceful place, I know I need to move into training mode and apply the wisdom, peace, and context of His Word to my life. For me, the best training is that morning devotional time. I choose to create that same accountability and intentionality in my time with God, steeping myself in His Word. In this training time I set aside, I get to marinate in the Word and apply it to my soul.
Esther: I'm just loving the marinating and steeping references- you can definitely tell I'm interviewing a foodie! But you're right, I know when I set aside time to train myself up in His Word, instead of feeling fed up with the
Issue 27 | 234
challenges that come my way, I am
—nurtured and able to
morning. Dread slips away, and I
simply fed
wake up energized to spend quiet
sustain whatever comes my way
time with God, and usually my
with His peace. You seem like such
daughter Margaux, who often joins
a morning person. Besides your
me with her Bible.
time with God, what other factors make up the perfect morning for
Esther: Any other tips on how we
you?
can go about studying the Bible in a way that guides our hearts to really
Melissa: I wasn’t always a morning
seek what the Lord wants us to
person. But about twenty years
know and apply to our lives?
ago, I listened to an interview with Jack Welch, then CEO of GE, that
Melissa: I love studying God’s
prompted me to change that. He
word in a variety of ways in
said that every successful person he
parallel. There are apps that can be
knows is a morning person, either
helpful
by nature or by choice. And that
Bible in a year plan with an
resonated with me because I
accountability partner. Also, I’ve
realized that I had a choice to
been involved in a women’s
become a morning person. It took
Bible study for several years that I
about ten years to start loving
love. That Bible study is a
mornings, but now, I truly cherish
combination of teaching and the
the half hour or so that I get to
Lectio Divina method of study,
myself each morning. I believe that
which focuses on reading the verses
by crafting a morning that nurtures
aloud and allowing them to sink
my soul, I give myself the gift of
into our hearts. Both the head and
something to look forward to in the
the heart are engaged in taking in
– right now I’m doing the
I believe that by crafting a morning that nurtures my soul, I give myself the gift of something to look forward to in the morning. Dread slips away, and I wake up energized to spend quiet time with God...
God’s word. So I have that track of study going on. God’s
Melissa: Speech is powerful- we were spoken into existence!
word is such a gift to us, yet we can easily get into feeling
When we speak, we are setting something into motion. The
guilty that we don’t have it all mastered, and figured out. God
words we speak can either heal and connect people or they can
is too big to figure out entirely, so that’s OK. Still, I want to
divide and destroy them. Through our words and actions, as
apply the same vigor I do in my business and family life to my
Christians, we can either marginalize and judge people or
spiritual life. I’ll spend hours investigating the best computer
show Jesus’s love.
to buy or searching the best deal for a family vacation. I challenge myself to spend the same energy on my spiritual
Esther: I read in your profile that one of your passions is to
growth and learning about God. I don’t want to
help encourage women who are struggling or feeling
“get stupid”
about my spiritual growth when I’m so smart in other areas of
despaired. What advice would you give those who feel
my life. My relationship with God is so much richer for it.
isolated or frustrated with the challenges of motherhood and are in need of community?
Esther: Tell me a little more about the name of your production company, 4 Women Partners.
Melissa: If the struggle is related to raising small kiddos, then no question -- JOIN A MOPs GROUP! In a MOPs
Melissa: There is such power in a name. When I see my
community, you’ll find yourself in a circle where you won’t
business card or sign a contract or give someone my mailing
feel alone in the struggles, where you will be embraced by
address, I’m reminded of my calling- connecting with women
women who have
- and of pursuing opportunities that align with what’s
too, will pass’ and that no, not every minute of motherhood is
important to me. The name of course is a play on words:
awesome. There will be hard, tiresome, drowning-in-diapers
FOUR women partners (my daughters) and FOR women
seasons of motherhood but rest assured, that will pass. And
partners (all women).
MOPs helps debunk the myth that we have to have it all
“been there” and will remind you that, ‘this
together and be in control of everything. MOPs offers moms a Esther: Speaking of encouraging women, Stellar Day’s theme
chance to get out the door and to show up with their kids still
for this magazine issue is the word SPEAK. What comes to
in pajamas- it’s a lifeline that is rooted in Jesus’ rest.
mind when you think of this word?
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE
19
Esther: Yes! MOPs fed and sustained me through the diapering days and when I graduated into a MOPs group specifically for moms with teens, also through the teenager eye-rolling season! Speaking of being ‘fed’ by pursuing God’s Word and being in community with women, I would be remiss if I ended this interview
…
without a food-related question for you so, with that What’s next for you in the world of food?!
Melissa: I’m currently working on writing a book that explores the intersection of food and faith. I started out this particular journey inspired by the ability of food to bring people together and create community, but I’ve discovered there is so much more to the food story. Just as one example, food represents God’s complete provision to us (and thus our reliance on Him), as we see throughout the Bible, but particularly in creation in Genesis, and then again with the provision of manna in Exodus. Food has a very deliberate role in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, and I’m loving exploring those themes.
Esther: So true! I’m also thinking of how when we ask the Lord to bless our food, not only are we thanking Him, but in His blessing over it, He is sanctifying it for us. I’m so excited to see this book come to fruition! Thank you so much for your time today and words of encouragement for the Stellar Day community! In closing, what recipe would you like to share with us?
Melissa: I’ll share one of my favorite winter desserts. It’s so easy, yet perfect for finishing a winter dinner: Roasted
….
Fruit and Homemade Ricotta
You can stay in touch with Melissa on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and
Pinterest as well as on her
website, www.MelissadArabian.net.
Roasted Fruit &
Homemade Ricotta
BY MELISSA D'ARABIAN
Setting out an assortment of sweet options for dessert, like homemade ricotta, fresh fruit, roasted fruit, toasted hazelnuts, and honey for drizzling, is visually appealing and allows guests to pick and choose how much (or little) dessert they want. Serves 6 Preparation Time: 45 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 1. To make the ricotta: Set a large fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl. Line the sieve with a dampened piece of
INGREDIENTS:
cheesecloth. Pour both of the milks into a medium stainless steel or enameled pot and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the
FOR THE RICOTTA 2 cups 2% milk
vinegar. Let the mixture set for 5 minutes (it will separate into curds and whey).
1 cup whole milk
2. Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and
1½ tablespoons white vinegar
drain until the ricotta is nice and thick, 20 to 25 minutes.
½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
Pour off and discard the water in the bowl occasionally (for
out with the tip of a paring knife (reserve the bean for another use or discard)
thicker ricotta, drain longer). 3. Turn the ricotta out into a bowl and stir in the vanilla seeds. Use immediately or transfer the ricotta to an airtight
FOR THE FRUIT 2 peaches, halved, pitted, and quartered 2 pears, seeded and quartered lengthwise
container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. 4. To roast the fruit: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the peaches, pears, and plums to a large bowl and toss with the
2 plums, pitted and quartered
melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Place the fruit on
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
a rimmed baking sheet and roast until slightly soft and
1 tablespoon lightly packed light brown sugar ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup hazelnuts
caramelized, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Roast the hazelnuts on a second rimmed baking sheet until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cutting board to cool, then roughly chop.
Honey of choice 5. Serve the ricotta alongside the roasted fruit, chopped hazelnuts, and honey for drizzling.
PER SERVING: Calories 191 / Protein 6g / Dietary Fiber 3g / Sugars 20g / Total Fat 9g Reprinted from Supermarket Healthy: Recipes and Know-How for Eating Well Without Spending a Lot. Copyright © 2014 by Melissa d’Arabian. Photographs © 2014 by Tina Rupp. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House LLC.
YOU'RE GIVEN
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. Extreme,
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? But I seriously feel like it’s true.
huh
, now that The Day
I feel like
, I don’t know
Designer is in my life
. A little bit
how to live without it
… I work full time as a
about me
creative manager and associate
. I also run a busy
magazine editor
, am the
photography business
,a
associate editor for Stellar Day
, and wife.
mom of a toddler
, I have a lot on my
Needless to say
plate and keeping organized is
. So, why do I love this?
crucial
:
Six reasons I love my Day Designer
. I am able to visualize everything.
1
, my schedule can
As a photographer
. Not
easily book up six months out
, but once I schedule a
only that
, I can also schedule when I
shoot
, follow-up
plan to send invoices
, reminder email; when I’ll
emails
, send the gallery over, order
edit
, and even blog the session.
prints
’
, but nothing
I ve used so many apps
keeps be together like seeing it laid
.
out on paper on a daily basis
|
2 9
" Now is the perfect time to add a little organization to your life." : The Day Designer photographed by Jennifer Stamps Photography.
Above
. Each day has it’s own page.
glancing through the pages of
’
the days to come I m reminded
2
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I ve used so many
...and this is the only
planners
!
The Day designer is great
. It is sturdy! I’ve had it for
page for everyday
4
schedule to block schedule my
three months
-
, “order
little things like
” to it. I always
Christmas cards
’
because you don t need to
, pack it with me
, and it’s still holding
everyday
! The cover is hard and the
up
.
…not anymore!
. At the top of each page are a …the one I use the
few sections
most are my
“top three” for the
, magazine deadline,
gallery over
. I usually
or important meeting
, so as I’m
add those a week out
. I’m
customizable like I use it
-
. Each day has a motivational
5
’
I ve ever had
– I needed
quote at the top
something serious to keep me
read several days at a time
organized
. I seriously don’t
.
because I love them so much
.
They help brighten the day
. These are the super : send a
very easily become
busiest year photography wise
think I could have gotten through this busy season
. Now is the perfect
day
important ones like
– but it can
100
. Sometimes I’ll
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customize it at all
% hooked. This was the
ring binder is strong
used to forget to do those little things
I usually use to schedule my photography social media posts
’
days and the to do list to add the
– and a notes section which .
of the big things
one I ve come across that has a
. I use the
day
without it
. The bottom section of each
6
time of year to add a little
day has a daily gratitude section
organization in your life
.
- which is so awesome to write ’
something I m thankful for each
.
Get yours by clicking HERE
5 WAYS TO MAKE A FRESH START With Your Money BY RACHEL CRUZE
January is all about fresh starts. That’s why it’s so hard to find an open treadmill at the gym this time of year. That’s why everyone seems to be talking about the new diet they want to try in 2017. Everything is fresh and new in January. But one area where a lot of people miss an opportunity for a fresh start is their personal finances. Year after year, many of us make the same old mistakes with our money —credit cards, car payments, too much mortgage. Nothing changes. So why not make 2017 the year you change your money habits? Here are several ways you can make a fresh start:
1. MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR MONEY. Stay with me here. I know, it’s the dreaded “B word.” But a budget is really not that bad, I promise. Making a budget that works for you might take a few tries, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll have no trouble putting one STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 31
together each month. Spend every dollar on paper, on purpose, before the month begins. Of course, you can also make your budget online with our free online tool, EveryDollar. Give every dollar a name. Basically, when you’re planning for the month ahead, you should be able to subtract your expenses (outgo) from your income to equal zero. When you’re done writing the budget, you shouldn’t have anything left over.
2. STEER CLEAR OF DEBT. This is where you need to get crazy. Make a debt snowball, listing your debts from smallest to largest, and attack that small debt with a vengeance. Sell stuff you don’t need. Pick a date in the future when you want to be completely out of debt, and go for it!
3. SACRIFICE SOMETHING. If you’re struggling with money, it’s time to prioritize. Something’s got to go. Is it the
eating-out habit? The monthly purchase of a new $500 purse? The leased car? The house you can’t afford? You get the picture. If you’re going to get serious about cleaning up a financial mess, you’ve got to make some cuts somewhere. 4. TALK ABOUT MONEY (EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD.) Talking about money can be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Money fights and money problems are one of the leading causes of divorce. That’s why it’s so important for couples to talk about money and get on the same page financially. We all have different money personalities, and that’s okay. But take steps to communicate about your budget, manage spending wars, and create a plan together to reach your financial goals. 5. DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN. Yes, you can still have fun with money. Just budget for it! Make sure you set aside a little money each month to “blow.” Use it to go on a date, buy a new piece of clothing, or spend a night away. But, whatever you choose to do with your fun money, make sure it doesn’t
blow up your budget. You need a mental breather every now and then, but don’t let it get you off track. If you’re serious about making a fresh start with your money, these tips should help. This time next year, you could be in an entirely different situation. Make 2017 the year you make a plan and get disciplined with your money! About Rachel Cruze: As a #1 New York Times best-selling author and seasoned communicator, Rachel Cruze helps Americans learn the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. She’s authored two best-selling books: Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey. You can follow Cruze on Twitter, Instagram , Facebook or online HERE.
Photo by Cameron Powell
.
Photo by Jennifer Stamps Photography
Classic Banana Bread BY DANIELLE NESPER
I am the type of person that buys a massive amount of bananas every time I grocery shop. I always want to make sure I have extra bananas that I know will turn brown that way I can make banana bread! If I'm not ready to make banana bread yet, but my bananas are already brown, I put them in the freezer in a dated ziplock baggie and thaw them whenever I'm ready to use them! I have so many frozen bananas in my freezer at all times. My husband rolls his eyes at how many bananas we have stashed away in our freezer. I am a banana hoarder. I have no problem admitting that. Banana bread is one of my favorite comfort treats and it's so simple to make! This banana bread is a staple during the cold months in our home! I've been making this banana bread since I became a wife and I have no
Ingredients 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 2 ripe bananas; mashed 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional) 1/2 cup nuts (optional)
intentions of changing my recipe for a different one any time soon. It's a simple and classic recipe that is a hit every time!
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 34
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, bananas, and vanilla until blended.
4. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour just until blended.
5. If you're adding chocolate chips and/or nuts add them into the bowl now and fold them in gently.
6. Grease 9x5 inch loaf pan and pour in batter.
7. Bake for 60-65 minutes until a pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cover your loaf pan with aluminum foil for the last 30 minutes to avoid browning the top of your bread too much.
8. Cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes, remove from pan and then let cool on the rack completely OR dig into it while it's still warm! (I always dig into it before it cools completely I can't help myself!) Slap some butter on it - you could also try some strawberry jam or some apple butter - and enjoy!
*If you're making banana bread muffins, instead of a whole loaf, bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes checking them periodically starting at 12 minutes. Everyone's oven is different so keep your eye on those muffins to avoid drying them out!
STELLAR DAY MAGAZINE | 36
WRECK MY LIFE A BOOK REVIEW BY ESTHER GALLAGHER
In a culture that craves comfort and tells us to ‘fake it till you make it’ and just skip and hum right on past painful times, Mo Isom asks in her book Wreck My Life, what if “we recognized trouble and adversity as sacred versus scarring?” What if we leaned into someone more who has already fought the battle and won it for us. Can we, in the uncomfortable, heart-wrenching, grieving, tragic, hard-knock places we find ourselves in, see those circumstances not as a reluctant Plan B that we were dragged into kicking and screaming but rather, a “Master Plan tailored to a perfectly imperfect life?” The author, a soccer player bred for collegiate greatness as an LSU All American goalkeeper and the first female to try out for the SEC men’s football team, tells a story of athletic accomplishment almost second-hand to the wreckage of her eating disorder, her father’s suicide, her promiscuity, and a car accident that should have killed her. Like the mangled mass of metal she found herself on the highway, the wreckage of her personal life that threatened to choke her very breath brought her running away from and challenging the God she had been force-fed her whole churched life. She demanded that He prove that He heard her cries and through the literal and figurative, sharp and shattered mess she found herself in, He answered. And she realized that He knew her brokenness better than she did herself and would help her see through her warped self-image and the lies she had been believing. Mo’s story is one that debunks the falsehood that we have to reflect a life of ‘I’ve got this,’ that perception of ease and self-control. It’s a memoir that reflects upon
the dangers of putting God-sized expectations on ourselves and the imperfect people around us, but mostly to me, the author’s story, through its mosaic metaphor, speaks to the greatest of loves; THE celestial divine love of our Heavenly Father that wraps all of us in grace. A love that says, My sweet child, you don’t have to do anything to earn and keep My love. Familial and romantic relationships may fall short, but not my Agape love for you. Through the shattered pieces that stare back at you in the mirror, my love will shine through. It will be a reminder that it is I who hold you together; you don’t have to do this on your own like the world tells you. You don’t need to put on your big girl pants, but you can put on your big God pants. And if another piece of you breaks, I will pick it up, and refashion and equip you-- and your reflection will be more beautiful than you would have ever imagined. You don’t have to look whole or appear ‘strong enough’ to anyone; I have made you whole, your strength is in Me and the shattered pieces are often where real beauty can reflect the best light anyway– My light and my eternal love for you." "
I personally, am so grateful for the opportunity to review this book. I’ll be honest, the book cover of Mos holding the soccer ball left me thinking, ‘I’m not entirely sure this story will resonate with me’ considering the only thing I know about soccer is that you have to use the inside of your foot to kick the ball. But Mo didn’t write this book to boast of her athletic prowess, she’s here to tell you and I that God’s got all of this; to remind us that He’s holding us in His mighty right hand. That we are not what’s happened to us and we are not our choices; that we are Sons and Daughters of a King who wants us to lean into Him for strength. That there will be times of great blessing and times of tragedy, and through it all, He will never leave or forsake us.
a s ' e r e n h e t h w t n e m o o t m e v a h r e u h o t y e h w e r s o o o t n h e c l i s e b p u to d n a t a l s a l a o M t
Sponsorship Opportunities
We have several exciting opportunities and ways that YOU can become a Stellar Day sponsor! We are a fast growing magazine and are always looking for new businesses to feature and to partner with Stellar Day. If you'd like more information, please email Esther at Esther@stellardaymagazine.com. If you'd like to submit an article or photos for the magazine, please email Jennifer at Jennifer@stellardaymagazine.com. We can't wait to hear from you and for our bright future together!
The Stellar Day Team
Sponsors and special thanks!
www.stellardaymagazine.com
Shout Out.
We can't speak highly enough of you!
Jessica Williams, Editor in Chief Jennifer Stamps, Associate Editor Esther Gallagher, Advertising Manager Nicole Thompson, Blog Manager
Contributing Writers In This Issue Cassidy Rich Christine Cram Danielle Nesper Esther Gallagher Jennifer Stamps Jessica Williams Jessie Christensen Melissa D'Arabian Nicole Thompson Rachel Cruze Sarah Costa Sarah Humphrey
Special Thanks AFC Chiropractic Honeybook Jay & Jess Photography Jennifer Stamps Photography Melissa D'Arabian Mo Isom Nine Retreat Rachel Cruze Sarah Costa, Beachbody Coach
EDITORIAL OFFICES Located in sunny Scottsdale, AZ Stellar Day Magazine is published by Issuu and created in Canva. www.stellardaymagazine.com
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Photo by Kym Ventola
EDITOR'S NOTE Sometimes it's hard to find your voice.
I've spent a good amount of my life holding my tongue, quieting the noise in my head that desperately wants to come out, and waiting for others to tell me it's ok to talk. I'm not afraid to raise my voice and speak my mind, but I spend a lot of time questioning things I've said, listening to Satan tell me that the advice I gave is worthless, and holding onto words that I know the Lord wants me to speak.
The truth is, I've been hearing the Lord tell me to use my voice for a long, long, time. And like the patient God that He is, He has allowed me to wait until every single step was revealed and door was opened before I stepped falling into His plan for me. He has allowed me to wrestle with the fear that comes from raising your voice, speaking up and being heard. He's grown me in unimaginable ways and has allowed me to see his promises begin to unfold in more glorious ways than I can count.
The time is now. This theme isn't just a theme for this month's issue. It's really MY theme, MY word for
2017
in more areas than one.
Maybe it's yours too? Maybe you also need to use your voice and it's time to be heard. Maybe the Lord is asking you to share what's on your heart and to stand up without fear and SPEAK. Whether we are speaking to the masses or to one amazing human being, may we use our voice for good and not for evil. May solid words of truth be told and may anything that is not fall on deaf ears. May we use this year to lift our voices and SPEAK our truths.
Because they need to be told.
Jessica Williams Editor-in-chief