The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

by Allie Marie Smith

So you girls probably already know how much we love 31 Bits. If you don't have any of their jewelry pieces you're going to want some - not only because they're funky, unique, handmade, high quality and tell a story, but because of the radical change these beautiful little bits of paper are making in the lives of Ugandan women and children.

If you're like me and still haven't gotten your mom something for Mother's Day pick her out a piece from the 31 Bits collection.

For your mom made with joy by the hands of another mom. Oh, and you have to watch this...

You can even pick a Mother's Day card to include with her gift! How perfect is that?

Okay so who's getting their mom some bits for Mother's Day?!!

Royal Wedding Thoughts

by Allie Marie Smith

Happy Friday lovelies!

So, the big question today is who watched the Royal Wedding?

I almost went to a friend's party at 3am to watch it and sip tea and eat crumpets in a big hat, but I have to be up at 3:30am in the morning tomorrow to drive to the "Breaking Through" Young Women's Conference" at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. So unfortunately I had to be practical. You should come if you're in driving distance and don't have plans for your lovely Saturday. It's FREE and there will be Chick-fil-a as well as great speakers and worship and 2,000 young women! We'll have a table with our WM merchandise and 31 Bits and our lovely photographer Katee Grace will be hosting an Antho-inspired (of course) professional photo-booth for us.

So about Princess Kate....didn't she look lovely? I have never seen an ugly bride and of course she was no exception - there is a radiance in a bride's face, a light in her heart that is contagious. I love how God uses the analogy of a bride to communicate His love for us. Just think - you and I and every girl who believes is the royal bride of Christ! So don't hate on Kate...you're a royal bride too!

PS. How cute is the little flower girl on the left covering her ears. Classic!

What are your thoughts on being the bride of Christ and the Royal Wedding?

Random Thursday: Wonderfully Made Conference Design Inspiration

by Allie Marie Smith

Happy Thursday girls. Glad you loved last week's Random Thursday post featuring Kayla and "Handy". We have footage of another ridiculous shenanigan I promise to post soon - this one is even more wacked. Brace yourself.

Anyhow, I've been in the midst of creating the stage design plans for our upcoming Wonderfully Made Conference on May 14th in Santa Maria. I've been consulting a few friends who suffer from CAD (Creative Attention Disorder) and gathering some photos that have inspired our big ideas. Like most things, my ideas might be a bit far-fetched as we have a shoestring budget, only a few weeks to go and a few volunteers, but I like to aim high and try because God's girls deserve the best! As I've shared before in my post Anthropologie Lustings, I'm a sucker for all things Anthro so she's the source of much of my inspiration...

What do you think?

Stage panel inspiration...

I wonder how our conference host would feel about transplanting a live oak tree in the middle of the sanctuary so we could do this...

Coffee filter flower garland...

If only this sweet vintage parlor couch would appear in the thrift shop down the street! Hoping to borrow or find pieces like this for our stage furniture.

Because girls and cupcakes just go together..

Dating Wisdom

by Allie Marie Smith

Two of my dearest friends are in dating relationships right now. One is very close to getting engaged and the other is still figuring out whether or not they should continue seeing each other. The three of us were having a conversation and there were a few golden nuggets worth sharing with you girls. Here's a recap:

Date more with your head and less of your heart.
Let's be real - our heart can be deceitful! Sometimes what we think is love is really infatuation. We are told to "guard our heart for it is the wellspring of life." When you're checking out a guy and seeing if this whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing might be an option, know that it's probably better to over-analyze your guy "prospect' than "under-analyze him." Are there any red flags? What are his relationships like? Can he hold a job? Does he have major credit card debt? Is there a crimincal record? Where's he at in his relationship with Christ? Steer clear from any major red flags - don't even go there girl!

Everyone will have their opinion.
Everyone close to you who you care about will likely have an opinion about your relationship and the guy you're dating. Sometimes their concerns are valid. Like if your friend points out he hasn't had a job in 8 months. Other times, they're not. Like if your parents require that he make at least six figures while overlooking his work ethic, spiritual maturity, character and financial wisdom.

Pray, reflect, think and take your time.
Ask God to help you be attracted to the qualities that are eternal, reasonable and that endure and unattracted to the things that aren't. Put God first in your love life. Pray for wisdom and discernment and the strength to not compromise His standards for dating relationships and marriage.

What advice do you have for any other girls navigating dating relationship?

Lessons from my Mad Chair Hunt

by Allie Marie Smith

Ever since I've stood under four feet tall I've known what I wanted and was determined to get it. At age eight I went to Shortcuts for a haircut and very firmly told the lady I wanted my bangs to look like a wave (it was the early nineties) - to my frustration she just didn't get it and they looked ordinary and not fabulous like I wanted. The first time I went ice-skating I was adamant about getting the ice skates with two blades on each sole so I wouldn't fall - they didn't exist, but in my head they did and I demanded them till I was red in the face. Paul says it's the German in me.

After we decided to move forward in faith to do a film series featuring girls' testimonies, I became fixated on finding the "perfect" chair for each story to be told in. I scoured antique shops up and down the Central Coast and as far as Palm Springs; googled "funky vintage wingback chair" more times than I can count and sent a group email me telling my friends about my hunt, confident the perfect one would appear. Sadly, I never found it (at least within our budget).

Yesterday, with only a few hours to spare I gave up my search. I painted my desk chair teal (of course) and shabby chic'd it up. I'm pretty happy with the result and what my chair hunt has taught me is that sometimes the thing we think we must have we really don't need at all; and that sometimes the thing we're searching for God has placed right in front of us.

Today at 6:15am we are shooting our very first HerStory film in a field of mustard seed with sea breeze blowing. Our girl Christie is the first to share. I believe with full confidence the Lord is going to use "her story" (His story) in a powerful way. We covet your prayers!

When's the last time you demanded something you realized you didn't need at all?

Wonderfully Made Conference - Saturday, May 14th (Santa Barbara County)

by Allie Marie Smith

Hey Lovelies,

Hope you girls had a great Easter! I wanted to be sure you all knew about our upcoming Wonderfully Made Conference on Saturday, May 14th in Santa Maria, California (Santa Barbara County). Kayla, Christie & I are all speaking and one of our other wmVoices, Danya Collyer will be making a special appearance all the way from Gulf Breeze, FL (the location of our next conference!).

The amazing ladies of Grace Baptist in Santa Maria are hosting the event and have been doing a great job putting all the details together. We are so thankful for their heart for young women and are eager to share with girls the message of our true value and worth. If you're looking for an early summer road trip, we think our conference is definitely a worthy reason! We hope to see you there!

Save your spot online HERE, and invite friends via our Facebook event HERE.

The Beautiful Paradox of Good Friday

by Allie Marie Smith

Today I paused for what I admit to be the first time at the irony of this day - that it is called "Good Friday." "Bloody Friday" seems a little more fitting. Our natural, physical selves wonder how anything "good" can come from such a day:

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him." Mark 15:22-23

And in the same way we ask ourselves this question: How can anything good come from this mistake; this abuse that was done to me; this depression, this eating disorder; this loss; this sickness; this battle I wage against myself?

Hosanna, our weary souls cry: save us!

On Good Friday Jesus set out to prove three days later when He conquered the grave that there is purpose in pain, beauty in ashes, forgiveness from our trespasses, life in death and redemption from brokenness. This hope we would not have, it if were not for what God did on our behalf.

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

In the lyrics of one of my favorite worship song: “You count it strange, so did I before I knew my Savior.” To all who are weary – this day is for you - for all of us. We are not alone in our pain. There is purpose. Hang tight and believe in Jehova Rapha – the Lord who heals and makes all wrongs right.

To Make the Dead Alive

by Allie Marie Smith

I heard a message while driving today with my windows down. The pastor said this:

"Jesus didn't come to make bad people good. He didn't come to make good people better. Jesus came to make dead people alive."

The most important question we should ask girls this weekend isn't about their cute little Easter dress, or their Easter plans, but rather, who they say Jesus is. Who are some girls and women has God placed in your life who are longing to hear the true Gospel...about who Jesus is and what He has done for them - and the beautiful story of what He's done (and is doing) in your life. How can you show love to them? What can you do for them this weekend?

I love the point that Jesus could have only been three things: a liar, a lunatic, or Lord - who He said He is. The evidence for Jesus in undeniable. But is the truth and presence of Jesus evident in your life?

BIG NEWS! We're LEGIT!

by Allie Marie Smith

I just wanted to share some big news with you all! Today I got a much anticipated letter from "the big guys" (the IRS!) deeming Wonderfully Made an official 501c3 non-profit organization! That's the fancy way of saying we are "legit" and are exempt from federal income taxes due to our chairtable work.

It's been a long journey with lots of paperwork, confusing legal speak, and no compensation but been worth it all. God has brought us so far and He's touched so many lives since He first gave us the vision of WM my sophomore year of college. I want to thank each one of you who I consider to be a part of the Wonderfully Made. You include the hundreds of girls who make this ministry the life-changing force it is. God has not just entrusted Wonderfully Made to me, but to each and every one of us who shares our time, gifts, friendship, blog comments and heart for the greater cause of WM.

I am especially grateful to each one of our faithful student leaders of our college chapters. And to the awesome girls of Santa Clara, Westmont, Pepperdine, and now Point Loma - I consider you and the sisterhood you create on your campus, the heartbeat of Wonderfully Made!

I have to confess that with this big news comes a bit of anxiety (okay, a lot). It's time for the big leagues...time for me to step it up as President (by default...so far our Board of Directors haven't fired me!). I'm thankful that God doesn't "call the equipped, but He equips the called." Will you please pray for me to take my role seriously, with renewed passion, discipline, humility and a whole lot of prayer?

If you believe in the work of WM and would like to join us in helping young women know their value through our free college chapters, conferences, team of speakers and resources, you can make a tax-deductible gift HERE or send a check to the following address:

Wonderfully Made
PO Box 129
Buellton, CA 93427

We are grateful for your support!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:20-21

Girl Nights, Girl Drama and Girlfriends

by Kati Smith

“Are we going to sit in a circle and cry?”

That was one of the better responses to a message I sent to about 20 girlfriends to invite them over for girl’s night. I’ll admit, the message was a bit mushy, but mostly it was just honest. Really, I didn’t plan to sit in a circle and cry, but I couldn’t make any promises.

The thing is, I’ve been mulling over this question lately: Why is it so hard for girls to be friends with other girls?

Finding and developing healthy and encouraging relationships with other women can feel downright impossible. It’s a phenomenon I have struggled to understand since like 1997. Relationships with girls are so hard that most of the time I’d rather lock myself in the house and watch the Cake Wars marathon than try to spend time with a group of females. Seriously.

So, I did the only thing I could think to do: I got on Facebook (Solving the World’s Issues 101: Always start with social media). I sent this message to my friends:

Mis Amigas:
br> I have to confess something to you. I have always thought being friends with girls is rough.br> br> I'm all overly emotional about everything and always have my feelings hurt. Like, "Ohhhh my gosh, you went to Starbucks with HER and didn't invite me?!!? Whhhyyy do you hate me?!?!"br> br> OR like when you show up wearing a new dress, or you got engaged, or you are just SO NICE that I could just drown in my own jealousy and insecurity. Ughhh!br> br> Anyhow, I was thinking about this the other day--not why you hate me or why your hair is so much better than mine, but why it can be rough to be friends with girls...br> br> If I'm being completely honest & raw with you, I've been jealous of every.single.one of you at some point. Some I've had flat out fights with, others unspoken tensions. I bet if you look at the list you'd see some women you've had the same issues with yourself. But one thing I know is this: Being friends with girls CAN be rough, but it doesn't HAVE to be.br> br> Am I talkin' to myself here or are ya with me?!br> br> When I tried to count the wonderful women around me, I was happy to know that even when I used both hands, I ran out of fingers!br> br> So, in honor of your fabulous wardrobe, your new engagements, your love, your good advice, your intelligence, your integrity, your beauty, your ability to be nice to everyone, and your being a GIRL, I would love to invite you over THIS FRIDAY to celebrate.

The day came, I decorated a bit (Yes, it was pink!), we ate cake pops and laughed a bunch. Some of the women didn’t know each other before, and some hadn’t seen one another in ages, so new friendships and old ones were celebrated. It was all girls, and it was just fun and relaxing.

But here’s the deal—I know that even after that night this will be hard. There are so many reasons why it’s hard for women to make (and keep) friendships with other women. We can make a long list of those reasons (jealousy, sensitivity, gossip, insecurity, etc, etc.) and use that list as an excuse for why we stay home and watch One Tree Hill, or why we develop unhealthy connections with male friends instead. OR, we can just try. We can message our friends, even the ones we are jealous of or the ones who have hurt us, and just try.

God intends for us to live in rich community with other women. To love one another, to show grace and forgiveness, to be a constant encouragement at all times….and sometimes maybe even to sit in a circle and cry.

The question of why it’s so hard might confound us, but the answer is always “It doesn’t have to be.” We all just have to start somewhere. This week, why don’t YOU be the fearless girl that gathers a group of other girls together? It just takes Facebook, a little courage, and a bunch of chocolate!

Why do you think it's sometimes hard to forge healthy friendships with other girls?

Random Thursday: Meet Handy

by Allie Marie Smith

We thought we'd give you a frightening behind-the-scenes look at the nonsense that regularly happens in between our WM events and conferences. Kayla is usually at the forefront of any shenanigans and I'm usually the instigator. In addition to being the Executive Director for a literacy foundation, teaching children's bible study classes, and volunteering countless hours on WM's Exec team, Kayla actually has a thriving career doing infomercials. Here's one she did on the spot for this green monster I salvaged from my mom's box of thrift store donations.

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What do you think Handy's true purpose is?

Virtuous Is the New Sexy: Commentary on Proverbs 31

by Allie Marie Smith

I stumbled across this commentary by Matthew Henry on Proverbs 31:10 as I was preparing for my last talk. I like to call the wise woman described in Proverbs 31 a "hard to find" woman because girls like her are scarce in our world today. It might not be sexy to be a considered a "virtuous" woman today, but like Proverbs says a "hard to find woman" (as I call her) is worth far more than "rubies or pearls"....and I think that's pretty hot (and so do a lot of pretty hot guys!). Let's choose together to be girls who are set apart.

Let's be rebels girls with a cause - who rise above the low standard set for young women today.

For further evidence for my case "virtuous is the new sexy," check out this article, "Bad Girls Are So 2008": Hollywood Embraces the Goody Two Shoes."

Read Proverbs 31:10-31 here. Following commentary by Matthew Henry:

1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good.
2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not.
3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter.
4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her.
5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully.
6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world.
7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever.
8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

*Above picture compliments of Mercy Ministires

Snapshots From Radiant: Our SCU Chapter's Annual Spring Seminar

by Allie Marie Smith

Showing our Psalm 139 short film...

Meghan leading acoustic worship...

Kayla bringing the truth (in dangerously high heels of course!)

Our photo booth backdrop...

Posing pretty...

And of course Kayla & I are doing the "rabid squirrel" pose.

Santa Cruz girls! Next time I think we'll make the photo booth a little bigger!

Speakers...

Who says white girls can't jump?

1 Day Countdown to Radiant!

by Allie Marie Smith

We're officially on the one day countdown til tomorrow's event! Saturday will mark our Santa Clara University chapter's six annual spring seminar event! I'm so excited (and a lil' nervous to speak) - I can't wait to be with all the girls and have a mini WM reunion! The Santa Clara wmGirls have worked so hard to make this event a reality and Kayla & I feel like two very proud mommas. I absolutely love our spring seminar events - they're our original WM event before we ever had other chapters and started doing official conferences. They're more intimate and are totally put on by the girls in our chapters. I can't wait for the day that our Westmont, Pepperdine (and now Point Loma!) chapters begin hosting their very own outreach events for the girls and women of their campuses and communities. The SCU girls have led the way and done an awesome job!

One of our ridiculously talented wmVoices, Meghan Incorvia will be leading us in worship and playing a few of her original songs. She's crazy good and crazy fun to be around & our spunky and gifted photographer Janelle will be taking photos of the event. My friend Aymee made us an Anthropologie-inspired, vintage-looking burlap flag sign for the backdrop of our photo-booth and it's so stinkin' cute! Please be praying for this event, for our team, and most of all for the life-changing message of Christ's love to go forth and be received into girls' hearts. Pray we will be equipped by God's spirit to share the gospel and the message of our true value and worth in Christ.

We're so thankful for you all - our wmGirls all over the country (and world!) - thank you for your love and support and for being a part of the Wonderfully Made movement!

P.S. If you live in driving distance to San Jose, we'd LOVE for your to join us for tomorrow's FREE event! Click here for details.

Are you attending?

On Idleness and Killing Time

by Allie Marie Smith

I've got some lazy bones in me. When my bare feet tap the floor each morning I'm as slow-going as molasses (I wrote that in a southern accent...did you hear it?). I came across this quote this morning from, yes, a friend's FB wall (confession: I was reading my FB feed in bed & hadn't had my quiet time yet) and it rocked me.

"When you kill time, remember that is has no resurrection." -A.W. Tozer

If I could gather up the days, moments and hours I've squandered doing worthless things it would equal a take a good chunk out of my life. Why is it so easy to take the time we've been given for granted?

Let this be our request:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Father, you are the author of time. Help us girls to be wise managers of the days, hours and minutes in between which you have entrusted to us as a gift. Wake up our souls to the wonder and adventures of this life - giving you the glory in all we do, say and think.

P.S. Here's a link I found to a wise article on God and time management and it's definitely worthy of your time!

Can you relate to killing time? What's the biggest time-waster in your life? Any tips that have helped you?

Our New Venture: HerStory Film Series!

by Allie Marie Smith

I'm so excited to give you girls the inside scoop on new a venture Wonderfully Made is doing!

We are launching a new professional short film series we are calling "HerStory". Each short film will feature a different young woman sharing her journey - the real, raw, unscripted story of what God has done and is doing in her life. Our hope is that these videos will be shared virally and meet girls where they are at with the Truth that sets us free.

Birthed out of the HerStory event our Pepperdine University chapter started (which inspired our regular blog feature), we are expectant for how God will use this series to reach His daughters.

We shoot our first HerStory film this month and Christie (who serves on our Exec volunteer team and oversees our Westmont chapter) will be the first to share.

• For each woman whose story will be featured.
• That hundreds of thousands of girls and women will be ministered to through our HerStory film series and that girls will be inspired to surrender their lives to Christ.
• For financial provision for this project.
• An anointing of God's spirit upon the film crew and every one involved.
• The perfect combo of lighting, natural setting and stage decor (you know how we like things done pretty!).

I am so excited for us to do this venture together! Thanks for being a part of the Wonderfully Made community.

Dear Wonderfully Made: Advice for Callie

by Allie Marie Smith

Happy Monday Girls!

Hope you had a lovely weekend. I'm busy gearing up for our Santa Clara University chapter's spring seminar this Saturday [insert loud holla and happy dance here!]. I cannot wait to be reunited with our amazing team of SCU wmGirls!

I've been running behind on responding to girls who email us and so many of them are giving me a heavy heart. I was wondering if you girls could help me write back to Callie and encourage her in her comments. I email her a link to this blog so she can see all of your heart-felt advice. Here's her email to us...

Dear Wonderfully Made,
My name is Callie and I went to your last Wonderfully Made Conference. Lately I have been really hard on myself - feeling like I'm not good enough and that has affected me major. My grades have gone down and I just don't know what to do. Help.

What thoughts, verses and practical advice do you want to share with Callie? I know she'll be encouraged to hear from you.

Have I Told You Lately?

by Allie Marie Smith

I don’t know if this happens to you, but old, cheesy, catchy songs have the tendency to intrude my mental jukebox during the most obscure moments. Like today, when I was washing my feet. Yes washing my feet.

Today it was Rod Stewart's ancient hit “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.” Are you singing it yet? As I sang along with him in my head today during my solo date at the farmer’s market (I’ve been told I should never sing aloud), the lyrics transpired into this revision:

God, have I told you lately that I’m thankful?

Have I told you that I’m thankful for a pillow under my head and a bed under my pillow? That I’m thankful for crystal, clean water whenever I’m thirsty? Or for friends who feel like sisters. Have I told you lately that I’m thankful for the big things like family, freedom and redemption and for the little things like watermelon slices in summer?

How about you - have you told God lately that you’re thankful?