Anna Lipscomb (photo credit: Sharaya Mauck)

It’s time to rally together and show the world the might of the SUSIE Sisterhood! Anna Lipscomb, SUSIE Mag’s December cover girl who has raised over $65,000 for the Global Orphan Project, has been nominated as a finalist in the America Inspired contest hosted by Examiner.com.

If Anna wins, she’ll receive $50,000 in prize money. She has committed to giving that money to the GO Project to continue helping orphaned and abandoned children throughout the world.

Anna needs your support! YOU can vote for her once a day through January 27. Here’s how:

Go to www.examiner.com.

Click “Sign Up” in the right hand corner of the screen.

Create an account (be sure and ask your parents’ permission first).

Cast your vote for Anna in the America Inspired contest (Outstanding Youth category) once a day through January 27.

Spread the word — get your family, friends and community to vote for Anna, too! Post it on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Announce it in church. Tell your school. Send out an email to everyone you know.

By gathering support for Anna, we’re giving her the chance to share this $50,000 with orphaned and abandoned children. Let’s do it, SUSIE Sisters!

We have some super-exciting news to share with you! After working with the Global Orphan Project, we’ve declared a winner of the first-ever SUSIE Christmas Challenge! Drum roll, please …

Joslynn, creator of Help4Haiti, is our grand prize winner! Joslynn raised an amazing total of $2,265 for the GO Project. She and her mom, Penny, will be traveling with Anna Lipscomb and her mom to Haiti to visit the Saintilus village, along with other villages in the area.

Here’s what Joslynn shared about her experience with the Challenge:

The Open Her World Christmas Challenge was such a life-changing thing for me spiritually. I didn’t rely on others to give me money, and I didn’t persist in asking for it. I decided that God would work through the hearts of the people that could give financially. He even worked in me by putting it on my heart to give all the money I had earned in December to the girls in Haiti. I learned that most of the time, those who didn’t have as much were the ones who gave the most.

I raised money by first telling my church about it. These people are my family, and I knew they would support me in the best way they could, whether it be financially or through prayers. I then gave an information sheet about what I was doing to other area churches in our community. Finally, I sent out letters asking people to consider their part in this opportunity. The results overwhelmed me!

God’s faithfulness overwhelmed us, too! Because of what ALL of you did, the SUSIE Sisterhood will be sending a grand total of $6,454* to help orphans in Saintilus! You focused on others this Christmas season and have been a reflection of Jesus’ selfless love and compassion. We know the lives of orphans will be changed because of your sacrifice. The SUSIE staff would like to give you a huge thank you, and so would the GO Project! Here’s what Trace Thurlby, president of the GO Project, wanted to share with each of you who participated:

The Global Orphan Project would like to thank you for helping care for orphaned and abandoned children through SUSIE’s Christmas Challenge. By following her heart, Anna Lipscomb helped provide dozens of Haitian orphans with a home. By following your hearts, you’ve helped children who were fending for themselves in the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Now, they no longer worry about their next meal. They live with the care of a house momma. They go to school. They have a future. Each one of you helped replace their hunger with hope.

Anna also shared a word of thanks and encouragement with the SUSIE Sisterhood for partnering with her in her efforts to share God’s love with Haitian orphans:

I am so amazed at what you did for the teen girls in Haiti through the SUSIE Christmas Challenge — over $6,000 raised … WOW! Thank you to all my SUSIE Sisters who took time to be part of it during an already busy holiday season. What you all did WILL make a difference in the lives of these orphans. Let’s keep encouraging each other in the year to come as we seek to reach out to “the least of these” — in our own communities and around the world!

Precious SUSIE Sisters, we are so excited about what God’s done through the Challenge! Thank you for every sacrifice you made, every prayer you prayed and every dollar you raised. We pray God opened your heart in a new way this Christmas season! Let’s follow Anna’s lead and continue loving and serving those around us. You are His light to the world!

The 2011 SUSIE Christmas Challenge winner, Joslynn, and her mom, Penny.

*This total includes online donations and checks that were mailed in to the GO Project. Checks were not counted toward an individual’s total in the contest, but they were counted toward the overall grand total.

We know many of you are curious about the winner of the Christmas Challenge, and we are, too! We’re working with The Global Orphan Project to get the final results tallied, to ensure that all funds have been received and to declare a winner. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we have this process completed so we can celebrate together.

To all of you who participated in the Challenge – THANK YOU! Your efforts are making a difference in the lives of girls in Haiti. God’s love and compassion are shining through you, and what you did was so worth it! Thank you for shining His light!

-The SUSIE Staff

In some ways, Jesus means the same to all who have accepted Him. He paid the price for our sin, and because of Him we can stand before God, forgiven and clean. We are promised eternity in heaven, and that’s a promise for all who believe.

But in other more personal ways, Jesus means something different to each of us. He knows us deeply — our dreams, our hurts, our joys, our struggles, and our hearts. And because none of our lives look the same, He means something different to each of us.

Write a love letter to Jesus today, sharing and celebrating what He means to you. Let Him know how He’s changed your life and what you love about Him. And remember that He loves you too, enough to die for you — and love doesn’t get any greater than that. So go and celebrate our King today. Because a love like His is a love worth celebrating.

The SUSIE staff wishes you a very Merry Christmas! We’re so glad that you came on the Christmas Journey with us. We pray that God used it to draw you closer to Himself and that you’ll continue growing deeper in Him after the Christmas season has passed. Making time for Him every day allows Him to continue opening your heart in new ways. We pray that as you grow closer to Him, you’ll discover a love more amazing than you could ever imagine. Enjoy celebrating God’s love for you today, SUSIE Sisters. We love you, too! Merry Christmas!

Have you ever experienced a time when you really recognized God’s presence in your life?

What happened? Looking back, why was His presence especially obvious during this time?

Taking You Back

Read Matthew 2:13-23. So what do you think? Is God a faithful Provider or what? He took such good care of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. He let them know exactly when they needed to leave Egypt, and they obeyed His voice. He also led them back into Israel, taking them by a safe path so they could return home. He was watching over them all the way.

One name for Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” And God really was with Mary and Joseph. He was watching over them, keeping them safe and guiding their path so they could return home without being harmed. He never promised that their journey would be easy, but He kept them in His perfect care, guiding them each step of the way.

God was with Mary and Joseph then, and He’s with you right now. He’s right by your side, and He’ll never leave you or forsake you. There might be times in your life when things seem really hard, but He will always be with you, guiding your steps and keeping you in His hands. He’s unchanging. Jesus is still Emmanuel in your life today — He’s always with you.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• Where did you see God’s faithful presence in Mary and Joseph’s story?

• How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus is Emmanuel — with you always, every minute, every second of your day?

• How does this affect your outlook on life and your view of Him?

From You to God

God, You are so good! Thank you for the way I can see Your presence in Joseph and Mary’s story, and thank you that You are still that same God today. I trust You with my life. Please remind me of Your presence when things get rough. I’m so thankful for a relationship with You! Please draw my heart close to Yours and keep my eyes on You as I celebrate the birth of Jesus. I love You! Amen.

Facebook Fun

Where have you seen Jesus this Christmas season? Post it as your FB status and tag SUSIE Magazine!

Bonus

Draw a map of major milestones in your faith journey and write how God has used them to help draw you closer to Himself. Highlight places where His faithfulness has been especially evident, and rejoice in His constant presence in your life.

Have a blessed Christmas Eve, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Have you ever made a plan for what would happen tomorrow? Or next week? Or next month? Or even next year?

How did your plan turn out? Did everything go exactly as you thought it would?

Taking You Back

Read Matthew 2:1-12. Most Christians today know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But isn’t it crazy to think that people who studied the prophecies in Jesus’ time knew that He, the Messiah, would come from Bethlehem before He was even born? For years, it had been prophesied that a king would rise up out of Bethlehem. And in Matthew 2:1, we see the fulfillment of the prophecy in Micah.

But it doesn’t stop there. Read on in Matthew 2:13-23 to see two more prophecies that Jesus fulfilled: one (in Matthew 2:14-15) that was predicted in Hosea, and another (in Matthew 2:16) from Jeremiah. These are just three of the many, many prophecies made about Jesus, and He fulfilled every single one. This definitely goes to show that when God makes a plan, He always follows through.

God is the Planner of all planners, and He gets every detail right every single time. He can do this because He’s a sovereign God, meaning He’s in supreme authority. No one has a higher rank or power than He does, and nothing can throw a glitch in His plans. His sovereignty reigned then, it does now and it will forever. He’s our great God, and no one or nothing will ever be greater than Him.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• Now that we’ve looked so carefully at Jesus’ birth, what have you learned about God’s sovereignty (His supreme power and authority)? What other examples of his sovereignty do you see in the Christmas story?

• Can anyone ever overpower God or make a change to His plans? How does this make you feel about Him?

• What does His sovereignty mean to you? Write it in a prayer to Him.

From You to God

Sovereign God, thank you for Your awesome power! Thank you that I can trust You more than anyone or anything in the whole world. You are in complete control, and nothing can ever change that. I know that You are faithful, and I trust You with my life. I lay down my worries and my fears at Your feet. Please be my focus and my peace. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Facebook Fun

What’s your fave detail/small thing about Christmas? Post it as your status and tag SUSIE Magazine!

Bonus

Give someone in your family a big bear hug today!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? Which one is it?

What do you like about that song? When did it become your favorite?

Taking You Back

Have you ever slowed down to really listen to the words of a Christmas song? Not popular carols like “Jingle Bells” or “Let It Snow,” but songs that speak of the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus. Some of these songs are classics and were written many years ago, while others are newer and have a more contemporary sound. But no matter how old or new they may be, they were all written for one reason: to worship the King.

Let’s re-read the passage we read yesterday, Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi did a pretty cool thing when they first met baby Jesus — they bowed down and worshiped Him. They were humbled by His Presence and gave Him praise. They also brought Him treasured gifts — they gave Him their very best!

Christmas songs can be super-fun to sing just because they make us feel warm and cozy inside. But, sweet friends, let’s pause a moment to think as we sing along to our favorite Christmas songs this week. Let’s listen to the words and really consider what we’re singing. Let’s use it as a chance to be like the Magi and worship the One this season is all about.

Today we’re going to spend some time simply worshiping God. We’re not going to do any journaling or Facebooking. So, eliminate all distractions, ask God to open your heart, and crank up the Christmas songs. As you sing, focus on the words and what you’re really singing to God. Let your heart rejoice in praise as you worship the King of Kings.

Think about the best gift you’ve ever given someone. What was the occasion?

Why was this gift so special? How did it feel when you gave it to them?

Taking You Back

Read Matthew 2:1-12.The shepherds weren’t the only ones who got to see the baby Jesus. The Magi, or wise men, also paid Him a visit. These men traveled a long way to meet Jesus. But right from the start, they knew that He was much more than just a baby. Before they even met Jesus, they wanted to worship Him.

After following the star, the Magi met Jesus and were overjoyed. They bowed before the baby king and presented Him with gifts as a way to demonstrate their love and admiration. And they brought the good stuff: gold, frankincense and myrrh. This might not be what you’d expect to find under your Christmas tree, but in Jesus’ time, these precious gifts were fit for a king.

While we might not have any gold, frankincense or myrrh to offer Jesus, each of us has a wonderful gift that we can lay before Him. If Jesus were to ask you for a Christmas present this year, He’d ask for the most simple and beautiful thing you can offer Him: your heart.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• What would it look like to be less focused on Christmas gifts this year and more focused on worshiping Jesus?

• What’s one way you can offer your heart to Jesus as a gift this Christmas season?

• How can you continue to offer your life as a gift of worship to God after the Christmas season is over?

From You to God

God, thank you for giving us Your Son. Thank you for the life I have in You forever because of Him. I want to give You my heart this Christmas season. Please be my focus and my joy. Show me how I can worship you right now and for the rest of my life. I am Yours, God. I love You so much. Amen.

Facebook Fun

If you could have been at the manger, what would you have brought to Jesus? Post it as your status, and then rock out to this.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough to be in God’s presence? Like maybe you need to talk or behave in a certain way in order for Him to want to spend time with you?

Why do you think you feel this way?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 2:8-20. The shepherds were just a group of ordinary people. They may have smelled a little funny from being with their sheep all day, they also didn’t have any kind of prestigious status that would get them special rights, but they were among the first to see baby Jesus and spend time in His earthly presence.

Isn’t that amazing? When God decided who would be among the first to meet His Son, He didn’t make it exclusive to the richest, smartest, or best-looking people in the world. He chose shepherds, people who had spent their lives out in fields. They hadn’t done anything to earn the right to meet Jesus, but God invited them in anyway.

The shepherds were just like us. They probably didn’t live perfect lives or have things all figured out, but they didn’t have to in order to get close to Jesus. The same goes for us. We don’t have to say the right words or have a special status to spend time with Jesus. He’s there waiting and welcomes us to spend time with Him always. His presence is where we find grace to admit our struggles and peace for what we’re going through in life. There’s no special code or handshake, it’s just Him, and He wants an authentic relationship with you. Just be yourself and share what’s on your heart. He died so you could have this relationship with Him. And when you’ve got it, it will totally change your life.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• How do you think the shepherds felt as they were among the first to see Jesus – God in human flesh? Do you think it felt different being in the stable, knowing they were in the presence of God?

• Now that we have the Holy Spirit living in us, God is always with us. But are there ever times that you feel like you have to do something special or act in a certain way to be welcomed in His presence?

• What would it mean for you to come to Him just as you are?

From You to God

God, thank you that You accept me just as I am. I don’t have to be perfect or have it all together, but You just want me. Thank you for Your beautiful grace! Please teach me to come to You just as I am — no hiding and no pretending. I want to be honest with You. Thank you that I am in Your presence always. I love You! Amen.

Facebook Fun

Make your status one thing that you feel makes you ordinary (it’s probably something extraordinary in disguise). Be sure to tag SUSIE Mag!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Have you ever asked God what to do and wished He’d just send you a text or give you a call with the answer? A loud booming voice might be nice too, or a visit from an angel like we read in the Christmas story.

Have you ever felt this way before? God probably didn’t answer you with a text or a phone call, but how did He reveal His will to you?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 2:1-16. Think about this: You’re standing outside on a dark, silent night, just minding your own business and going about life as usual. Suddenly, a group of angels appears with the glory of the Lord shining around them. (It’s hard to know exactly what “the glory of the Lord” would look like, but we can definitely assume that it’s pretty amazing!)

Well, that’s exactly what happened to the shepherds. Not only were they completely surprised by the visit of the angels, but suddenly they were in the presence of heavenly beings who were delivering a message straight from God.

The shepherds may not have been expecting to hear from God that night, but His message to them was loud and clear. God speaks to us, too, in many different ways. A few of those ways are through His Word, through the counsel of a Christian friend or mentor, or simply through the feelings of unrest or peace that we feel deep in our hearts.

In order to hear His voice, we must be genuinely listening. If we’re not really wanting to seek His will, our own voice can quickly drown out His. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own plans and desires, but as we lay down our will and surrender to His, the right answers will become clear. He won’t leave us hanging. And … we’ll always discover that His plans were way better than ours!

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• Do you feel like God’s spoken to you before? If so, how did you hear His voice or experience His leading?

• Is there anything you’ve been wanting to hear from God about lately? 

• Is your heart open to hearing His voice, even if He gives you an answer that may not be exactly what you want?

From You to God

Journal a prayer to God letting Him know that your heart truly wants His will more than your own. If there’s something you’re needing His guidance with, ask Him for it. Surrender your plans to Him, and let Him know You trust Him.

Facebook Fun

Leave a note for God as your FB status today.

Bonus

Memorize a verse today that speaks of God’s promise to guide us through life. A few ideas are Proverbs 3:5-6, and Psalm 32:8.