“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5

Whether it is monsters hidden in a dark closet or spiders crawling on you while you sleep, we are all afraid of something. Fear is an ever present and necessary part of life. While it may be scary, learning how to overcome our fears can help us learn about ourselves. By overcoming them, we mature into the people we are meant to become. However, overcoming fear is not easy. Fear can sit on our hearts like a blanket covering a flashlight, hiding the light beneath it. Fighting our fears can feel like fighting a brick wall or like taking a step off of a cliff without knowing what is at the bottom. In order to overcome fear, we need to understand the light that is mentioned in John 1:5. We need to understand the power that shines through us and within us.

We are all living through a period of dramatic change, whether we wish to or not. Often with change comes fear and uncertainty. It is not always easy knowing which decisions to make when the future is so uncertain, but we have the power to overcome the hardest of challenges even in these times. The following scripture describes the light that gives us the power to overcome:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7

In the middle of so much chaos, we have the ability and opportunity to be a light through the spirit. We have been gifted with a spirit that makes us capable of so much more than we even understand. God has gifted us with power, love, and self-discipline. We receive it through faith and believing that God will fight for us. Through good times and bad times, that light remains. It is a light that people need to see and a light that we should not keep hidden.

When we hear of bad news on TV or online, remember John 1:5. The darkness will never overcome the light. We have a choice: we can give in to fear or we can fight against it. We can step off that cliff knowing we will land safely and we can break through that brick wall knowing there is One that fights with us. We just need to believe what God has said.

There are some in this world who do not properly value human life and we can see that in our culture at times, but this is not the case with God. He knows our worth and he has equipped us with what we need to overcome fear in our lives. We were made to thrive (John 10:10), Jesus came in order that we may have a fulfilling life. But part of living that fulfilling life means we must be will to learn and grow through the obstacles and challenges we face every day. Whatever tough choices or decisions we have to make, we possess the strength and have access to the wisdom that will help us make the best choices and decisions.

Do not make decisions based on fear. Stress and anxiety will come like a rising tide, but they do not have to define who we are. Let love, power, and self-control define who you are. Decide to give to others when you have little. Decide to love when it would be easier to hate. Hold your tongue when you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind. Eliminate distractions and overcome addictions. With God’s help, you have the ability to create a light that overcomes the fear inside you and illuminates the world around you.

Think back for a moment to when you were young. How often in your youth did you question if you were made correctly? I am guessing it was not often, maybe never. Perhaps it was by the time you were dissecting creatures in biology class or were getting teased by your friends for the way you acted that you started to question what you were made of and why. It is easy to let comments chip away at self-confidence when we let them. If you listen to what God has to say about you, however, you might be surprised by what you hear.

When I was a kid, I used to love building forts. We had friends who lived on a property with a small forest and every opportunity we had we would run outside and start adding on to our latest wood creations. We would gather logs, tie them together with vines, raise them up, and cover them with branches so that the fort stayed partially hidden. I will never forget the feeling of accomplishment we felt when our fort was finished. It was a feeling so strong that to this day I think back on it and feel proud of what we were able to accomplish. Now multiply that feeling by a million, because you are much more complex than our little forts, and that is how God feels about you.

The psalmist David understand this and had an inspiring self-confidence that did not come from himself, but rather from his belief in the one who made him. In Psalms 139:13-14 he says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Personally, I have never openly said to someone that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. There have been times in my life when I was not happy with the way I had been made and would have chosen to be something other than what I am. We all go through seasons of doubt and insecurity, but when we go through those seasons we should remember that someone took the time to mold us into the individuals we are and created us to be unique in a meaningful way.

In the book of Isaiah, individuals are compared to clay in God’s hands: “O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) All of us are said to be formed by God, which means that care was taken to make you just the way you are. I encourage you to watch a video of a potter using clay to make a pot. It is not a short process and it is undertaken with delicate care and attention to detail. When a pot is made by hand, it ends up looking completely unique and can be made for very different purposes.

We each have a purpose and a reason for being made the way that we are. If you struggle with hopelessness or self-doubt, know that this is not God’s ultimate intention for you. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to give you hope and a future.’” When we seek him with our whole heart, he guides us and teaches us day by day about our talents and how to use them. It is not a quick process, it takes time and patience to learn how to use the skills you have been given, but it is a fulfilling one.
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So how do we take steps to understanding God’s purpose for our lives? Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great place to start: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust in the one who made you to guide you and show you all the ways that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
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I would like to share with you some hope this holiday season. Hope may not be the first word that pops into your mind while you are out shopping for Christmas gifts, trying to remember why you subject yourself to retail stores, long lines, and hours of gift wrapping. While giving is such an important and wonderful part of the holidays, there is a deeper meaning behind why this time of year is so special. Among other reasons, it is a time when we can remember and rejoice in where our hope comes from.

Hope can be a very slippery concept. You can fight to hold on to it and when you finally do manage to catch it your life is filled with light for a time, but then it can slip out of your grasp and be quickly replaced by darkness. As we move through the year trying to achieve goals and hold onto hope, our lives can often feel like a roller coaster of highs and lows; however, if we can keep our arms and legs inside the vehicle long enough to avoid major injury, we make it to the month of December. A month where frosty decorations come out, jolly music is played on the radio, and Floridians are forced to imagine what a white Christmas might look like. It is a month that contains a special day, one that means so much to so many people.

For just a moment, before the present wrapping and merrymaking begins, pause and ask yourself how many days over the past year you lived with hope in your heart.  Maybe your year was full of wins, a new job or a new relationship, or maybe it full of losses, a layoff or a departed loved one. Between picking up kids from school, fighting for that promotion, and trying to stay in shape, hope may have been one of the last things you thought about. Even so, it may be one of the most important.

In the book of Romans, chapter 15 verse 13, it reads, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” From this verse we can learn several things: that God is the embodiment of hope, he wishes for those who trust in Him to be overflowing with that hope, and hope is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Overflowing does not mean that you are given just enough to get by. It means that you have more than you can contain and are able to turn and offer it to someone else.

The first book of Peter, chapter 1 verses 3-6, teaches us more about this kind of hope we are meant to have and where it comes from, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”

Our hope is alive! It lives in Jesus Christ who walks alongside those who accept him as their Lord. I believe that Jesus wants you to live a fulfilled life, full of hope. Every year, Christmas reminds me of the good news that Jesus chose to come into this world, simply to be a sacrifice and show his love for every human being on the planet. That kind of crazy love as well as the promises he shared give me the hope I need to thrive throughout the year.
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Romans, chapter 5 verse 3B: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Here in Tampa, Florida it is hard to believe that the first nine weeks of the school year is almost over! The hustle and bustle of getting back into a routine and carting everyone off to their respective places in the mornings may already be wearing on you a bit.  Finding the time and energy to plan and make healthy meals and snacks might not be at the top of the priority list. However, at these critical stages of growth, it is so important for children (and parents) to be eating healthy and nutritious food.  While it is not realistic to send your kids to school with five-star meals everyday, it would feel good to know that you are sending them off with food of quality.  We are here to help you out with our creation of some simple and fun recipes that your kids are sure to enjoy eating and making with you.

Homemade Breakfast Granola
Granola is packed with healthy carbs and tastes amazing.  It is quick and easy to eat if you are in a hurry and can be prepared in advance so there is no need to wake up early and cook.  For your ingredients you will need oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla, vegetable oil, water, almonds, and either dried or fresh fruit.  After you have mixed the ingredients together, bake them in the oven until they turn a nice golden brown and have a crunchy texture.  Stir it occasionally.  After baking, add in the dried or fresh fruit of your choice.  Serve it right away or store it for future breakfast meals.  Consider adding honey for a little extra sweetness.

Chocolate Banana Blast Smoothie
Making a smoothie in the morning is so a simple solution and they come in all kinds of delicious flavors.  A nice kid friendly option is our Chocolate Banana Blast smoothie.  You will need milk or regular Greek yogurt, a banana, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and ice.  You could add some ground flax seed or a dab of honey for some extra nutrition and sweetness.  Mix all of the ingredients and blend them together.  You can make smoothies for one or make enough for your whole family.  Smoothies are a great way to wake up your metabolism in the morning without overwhelming your stomach if you or your kids are not used to eating a big breakfast.

Ham and Ranch Roll Ups
When it comes to packing school lunches the food has to be easy to store and easy to eat.  Most schools do not have microwaves ovens to heat up the food so options are limited.  Ham and Ranch Roll Ups are a great lunch solution.  They are fun to eat, simple to make, easy to store, and absolutely delicious.  All you will need for ingredients are tortillas, ham, cucumbers, and ranch dressing.  Lay out the tortillas on a cutting board and add a layer of ham directly on top.  Place cucumbers in two or three rows on top of the ham and spread a light layer of ranch over the whole tortilla.  Roll the tortillas carefully and cut them into fourths or fifths.  The roll ups will stay together well on their own, but you can use a toothpick to hold it all together if need be.  Preparing these roll ups take such a short amount of time and they are small enough to fit into any size lunchbox or Tupperware.

Tex Mex Roll Ups
Tex Mex Roll Ups are another simple solution for you to start packing in school lunches.  You will need tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheese, chili powder, black beans, bell peppers, and cilantro.  You could add a meat to it, such as chicken or beef, but with the lack of an option to heat up at school it may not taste good with meat.  Roll out a tortilla on a cutting board and add the black beans, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese together in a bowl.  Add chili powder and sour cream and place them on the tortillas and then roll them up tightly.  Cut into fourths or fifths and serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.  These tasty roll ups pack a good deal of flavor and have healthy ingredients that will keep your kids energized and feeling great.

We hope that you enjoy these simple, recipes that you and your kids can enjoy throughout the school year.  Please comment if you have any fun recipes that you would like to share!  Stay safe and God bless you and your family this school year!
 

Written by: Natalie Smith

At the heart of every nonprofit there lies a desire for a difference to be made.  Made Wonderfully was created to do good works in the Tampa Bay community by impacting the lives of disadvantaged children and strengthening family bonds.  From what started as one family’s dream to serve, has evolved into a tribe of people who believe in prioritizing relationships and teaching lessons that will affect positive change in the lives of others.

Made Wonderfully was founded in 2015 by Nicolle and her husband Anthony Jones as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  Nicolle developed a passion for working with disadvantaged children while at the Joshua House in Tampa.  Joshua House is a nonprofit that serves abused, neglected, and abandoned children – many who have lived in multiple foster care homes.  In getting to hear some of their stories, Nicolle realized the importance of pouring into their lives and how often they have failed to receive basic life lessons. 

Through Made Wonderfully, Nicolle now facilitates a nine-week, “Life Lessons Learned in the Kitchen” curriculum where she uses her gifts in the kitchen to teach youths 5 to 18 years of age about self-worth and the importance of taking care of themselves.  She hosts these classes at Summer and Spring Break camps, in classrooms, and at community events.  The lessons reinforce positive self-image and teach healthy habits which are critical to learn at an early age.

After partnering with churches and centers in the community, Anthony and Nicolle began hosting annual events such as the Tampa Bay Annual Father Daughter Ball which is held in the Fall and is welcome to fathers and daughters of all ages.  Attendees benefit from a formal sit-down dinner followed by a fun time of dancing.  The ball gives fathers and daughters a unique opportunity to connect and enjoy precious memories together that they will be able to look back on for years to come.

For Jessica Vega-Eugene, who sits on the Board of Made Wonderfully, the Father Daughter Ball is her favorite event of the year.  “I think the Ball just shows you how precious time is.  It makes me happy knowing that my daughter will know how she should be treated and what real love looks like.”  Jessica is excited to be apart of an organization that she says fills a gap and puts the focus back on the family.  “The Life Lessons Learned in the Kitchen is teaching kids the skills that they need in an interactive and nonjudgmental environment.  With how busy we are in our society today; it can be hard to take the time to listen to each other – Nicolle is gifted at creating the kind of environment that allows the kids to open up and express themselves.”

The M*A*S*H (Mother and Son Hangout) was the next event to be created and it takes place in the month of May.  Nicolle and Anthony discovered pretty quickly that the young men were interested in participating in activities such as games and contests.  This event is another wonderful opportunity for special memories to be created between the bond of mother and son.

The journey to creating Made Wonderfully has been one that Jen Shelton, Treasurer of the Board, has been excited to witness.  She received an email from a dad who said the Ball had become a tradition for his family after he attended with his daughter who fell in love with it.  “Watching Nicolle’s vision come to fruition is amazing.  Seeing how well the events have been received shows me that this is working and it’s headed in the right direction,” she says.  The Life Lessons Learned in the Kitchen she believes is equally as impactful: “It shows the kids their value and shows them that it is worthwhile to invest in themselves.  They come away learning that they are truly made wonderfully and it is beautiful to see how receptive they are.”

As Anthony and Nicolle look ahead, they plan on continuing to teach classes and host events in the community.  In the future they hope to have the ability to open a facility where they can meet for the current activities and also have worship nights, classes geared towards other ages, counseling services and a place to provide meals and resources.  Please keep the people of Made Wonderfully in your prayers as they seek to live out God’s purpose for their lives in our community.

If you would like to learn more about the mission of Made Wonderfully please visit their website.  Made Wonderfully posts event updates and information on community involvement on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

“Ask us a question, join us at an event, donate, volunteer…whatever you do, do it wonderfully, because you are MADE WONDERFULLY our friends!  Make it a GREAT day!” – Anthony and Nicolle Jones