A GLORY BOX PARTY

My eldest granddaughter, Calais, was about to turn 13. I thought back to when I was that age. What were my ambitions in life? You guessed it; I just wanted to be a mother and a wife. Was that wrong? Were these natural instincts unhealthy for me? No one pressured me. I don’t recollect any conversions or any determined actions of my mother to make sure I walked this path. After all, God made us this way. It is the most natural and honest heart’s desire we can have. To deny these maturing feelings, we in fact, embrace a lie.

My heart aches for the precious young ladies of today’s society who are laughed and scoffed at if they should be brave enough to voice their heart’s desire for marriage and motherhood. Instead, they are encouraged into a career with the boon of extra income and to satisfy immediate desires offered by a materialistic and selfish society.

Apart from prayer and example, what can mothers and grandmothers do? The one thing in my life that kept me focused (and I didn’t know the Lord then) was my Glory Box. My very first babysitting job for a neighbour scored me my first tea towel and the beginning of my box. I began work at 15 years of age and, from time to time, I would buy things and put them away. It was amazing how much I accumulated over the years.

Whenever someone came to visit I would eventually get around to asking if they would like to see my Glory Box. I loved pulling everything out, wrapping it up and putting it away again. Americans call it a “Hope Chest” and I showed everyone the hope that was in my heart of one day becoming a wife and a mother. When I married at 23 years old my Glory Box was very much appreciated! I had prepared for this since I was 13 years old and at long last I could empty it and use everything! This was my glory.

Sadly, I did not encourage my own children in this. Now, however, I wanted to resurrect this old custom for my grandchildren. Not only that, I longed to make it a family tradition.

Natalie, Calais’ mother and I spent hours planning what we could do. We agreed that at 13 years Calais was already a woman, albeit a young one. We decided on a surprise dinner with a few selected guests who had already been building into her life. Formal dress, waiters, four-course meal, tables set with a full set of cutlery and so on. For this special occasion we decided HOME was the best place. With six younger siblings ranging down to two years it was going to take a bit of ingenuity which larger families never seem to lack.

The formal homemade invitations were mailed out to ladies only. There was a big SHHHhh! on each one to keep it a secret. The waiters were her father, grandfather, brother, uncle and two younger sisters. Calais’ friend, Lauren, and her parents were in on the conspiracy and helped in the surprise. They invited Calais to go with them to a “flash” restaurant which meant everyone had to dress formally. Her first formal dress! Finding a modest formal dress for her age wasn’t easy but was finally achieved.

On the night Calais was duly blindfolded. They set off in the car with vigorous conversations and loud music playing to confuse her whereabouts; then turned around and headed back home. What a surprise to find herself back home with a room full of ladies seated around beautifully set tables.

Aunty Kay used to be a window dresser and what she achieved with a few balloons and ribbons was amazing. She made the most beautiful topiaries as centrepieces and set the table as beautiful as any wedding. We were waited on hand and foot.

During the evening different ones shared advice and gave items. The highlight was the GLORY BOX. My husband Bill, Calais’ beloved granddad, made it especially for her. In fact, as the guests were arriving he was still putting the final touches on it. Guests brought gifts in keeping with the theme.  My Scriptures for Calais were:

1 Corinthians 11:7, “The woman is the glory of the man.”

Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous woman is the glory of her husband”.

Proverbs 18:22, “Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing”.

“From now on,” I encouraged her: “Keep your focus on preparing for that day when you become the glory of one special man whom God has already chosen for you. There is no need to look for him. God will bring him to you. Remember, ‘No fishing’ for the attentions of young men who will no doubt try to gain your attention. Wait patiently for God’s surprise. If you run ahead of God you will miss out on His special plan for your life.”

Inside the box was an album with encouraging notes, letters and poems to Calais that she can reread at her leisure. She absolutely loves it and we now have many families wanting to do the same for their daughters.

VAL STARES

Gold Coast, Australia

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

P.S. Down Under readers use the word ‘serviettes’ for ‘napkins’.

TRANSITION TO WOMANHOOD

When I was very young, my mother gave me the dream of marriage and motherhood. She spoke of marriage as wonderful and having the babies God wants to send as the best way. The seeds my mother sewed into me took root. Throughout my childhood my dreams grew and I started collecting my Glory Box at a young age. I dreamed of the type of man I would like to marry and chose names for the twelve children I would like to have.

Many years passed until the morning of 19th November 1989. I was 47 years old and my dreams had become reality. God had blessed me with a wonderful Christian husband and given us the children He wanted us to have. On that wonderful morning I was once more labouring to give birth. This was my twelfth pregnancy and the ninth baby to make it into the world. I was birthing at home for the first time and Kathleen was born into John's arms and then into mine. As she was born, a cheer went up around the room and the joy was overwhelming.

As I cuddled my baby that day I dreamed of always being with her through her childhood, of sharing every step of her life. That dream became reality as we homeschooled and did everything together. Now all too quickly, the 13 years had gone by.

Because of my involvement with Above Rubies, my daughter, Kathleen, and Calais (Val Stares’ eldest granddaughter) have been special friends. Therefore, when Calais celebrated her 13th birthday, we were among the honoured guests to be invited. It was such a special night and Kathleen was very blessed. As we drove home she asked me if she could have a dinner like Calais' at her 13th birthday which was nine months later. She asked for it to be a surprise, too.  How could I give her a surprise dinner that she was already expecting!

As the months progressed, I convinced Kathleen that I was unable to give her a dinner. My friend, Kay, who lives beside me, bought the food and created beautiful decorations at her home. The night before the party Kathleen stayed with her sister, Carmel, who had invited her to a concert the next night. As soon as Kathleen left, our team went into action. Within 24 hours our home was transformed and the food was prepared.

This party was for ladies only--those who had sowed into Kathleen's life, as well as 15 of her friends. We were not only celebrating Kathleen's birthday, but also her transition from childhood to womanhood and our goal was to encourage her to live God's Way. Calais' family blessed Kathleen with her Glory Box and each guest was asked to put something in it and to write an encouraging message to Kathleen. We exhorted her to walk with God through her teenage years, to hold fast her dream to be a woman of God, a wife and a mother and to wait for the man God is preparing for her.

Because this was a ladies' party, Kathleen's Dad and Kay's husband, Ray were in charge of the kitchen (under close supervision from Kay). Kathleen's brother, Mark and her nephew, Dean (who is ten days older than her) were the waiters. Throughout the night her friends took turns at performing items. The evening finished with the older women gathering around the girls and praying for God to bless their lives.

Today the forces coming against our daughters are very much stronger than they were when we were young. Let us take every opportunity to build God's ways into these precious young lives.

“Lord, let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done in our daughters' lives as it is in Heaven! Amen.”

PAT TWOMEY

Narangba, Queensland, Australia

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Young Adults or Teenagers?

Historically, people my age have been referred to as young adults. However, in our modern culture, we have been termed "teenagers." The world allows "teenagers" to live lives separate from intimate relationships with their families, as the people they primarily live life with and are most influenced by are their friends, rather than their parents and siblings.

Calling me a teenager identifies me with a group of young people that tends to be wild and free from parental guidance and supervision. I personally don't like to be unsupervised with people my age because I honestly don't trust myself to maintain the things I have downloaded from my parents' teaching. I don't say this in a religious way. I'm still growing and maturing into the woman my parents are rearing me to be.

Calling a young adult a teenager is like calling a child a "kid." The meaning of the word "kid" is "rebellious goat." Why would we speak that over children we want to be obedient, submitted lambs? It feels the same when we call young adults teenagers. Referring to us as teenagers puts a label of immaturity, childishness, and sometimes even rebellion, on us. I don't want my reputation to be based on the qualities often displayed by many lost or deceived young people our culture groups into the category of teenagers.

In our society, teenagers, as well as younger children, are often seen as an irresponsible bother that get in the way of the success of adults. If the majority of parents were asked to describe their teenage son or daughter's level of responsibility, most would not have positive responses. The young adults I want to be like go above and beyond the expectations of their parents' authority. God is teaching me, one day at a time, how to avoid anything less than God's best.

We were made by a perfect God in His perfect image to reveal His beauty and character. Part of our responsibility in this calling is to act the way He acts, talk the way He talks, respond the way He responds. If we as young people strive to do these things, but are labeled by society as "teenagers" who don't typically represent the nature of God well, it can sometimes damage the confidence we're building as we diligently serve the King.

For example, a small child creates a masterpiece of blocks and runs to get his mother so she can praise his marvelous work. However, he returns with her to find that someone is tearing it down before his very eyes. Of course, his confidence would go, right along with the blocks. We're just like the child. We act the way the Lord has called us to and run to show Him our work! But when we return someone slaps us in the face by lowering us down to less than we have faithfully attempted to be. I am not implying that we are as mature and as wise as adults, but we are trying to be more than our culture expects us to be. So when people speak to us as though we're no different from the young adults that aren't trying, it's degrading.

I believe that from the beginning of time God intended for this generation of young people to rise up beyond the norm. Why would lost people want to listen to us if we're the same as them? We need to be in this world, but not of it. God smiles when we speak about a different way of life, yet in a way that draws people in, when we dress in a modest, yet stylish way, and when we serve our families with a happy heart. These counter-cultural qualities, when spoken about in ways they can relate to, are intriguing, and model God's design for His children.

ABBIE SIMMONS (15 years)

Waxahachie, Texas, USA

Let Girls be Girls!

“Girls, let’s pray before we eat,” I say with a smile. Seven heads of curls, buns and half-up-half-downs, in shades of brown, blonde and brunette bow as I bless our meal. After offering a short prayer of thanks, the girls begin to fix their plates. We quickly snuggle up on the big bed and continue to watch the on-going drama of Anne of Green Gables. Only in a room full of girls could you ever experience the delightful oohhs and aahs as the story unfolds. Cheers and clapping accompanied by sighs ring out as Gilbert comes on the screen. Peals of laughter break out when Anne finds “Dolly” in Mrs. Lynde’s cabbage patch again, and attended by Diana, tries in vain to chase the rebellious cow out of the field in the mud! I look at the faces around me, all radiant with smiles and giggles. This is what girls are made of. The unique scene I just described to you is a glimpse of Kamp Kristi.

I am the firstborn and only girl in my family and have three wonderful younger brothers. Sports and legos were much more fun with my brothers than playing dolls and dress-up by myself. As I have grown older I have become an elder sister to many younger girls. I call them my “adopted younger sisters,” or “my girls.”

I created Kamp Kristi from the idea of a sleep-over, where my girls could enjoy styling hair, painting nails, watching all six hours of Anne of Green Gables and take pleasure in being with each other. However, I also had another secret motive behind Kamp Kristi! I thought of it as an opportunity to be an example of a godly young woman and to give each girl a chance to feel cherished and treasured. I desired to be a lady-in-waiting and serve each “princess” in any way I could.

While thinking of ideas for Kamp Kristi, I felt the Lord telling me that He wanted this sleep-over to be something different, to be “set-apart” from the world’s idea of a girlfriend-sleep over. Instead of devoting all our time to idle gossip of subjects which can cause heart ache later, (e.g. boys... need I say more?) and spending hours watching things which only arouse a desire for something which is not meant to be awakened yet, I knew that our time should be occupied with things that would be in accordance with Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers (sisters) whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think on such things.”

With this in mind I planned card making and styling hair to keep our hands busy while watching fun-loving Anne of Green Gables. After a “decent” night’s sleep, we wake up early to make breakfast and then finish watching the conclusion of Anne’s story. Then the sponge curlers come out and up-dos, buns, and curls begin. Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella plays in the background and we talk about dresses, balls, and dancing.

Once every girl’s hair has been “bobby pinned to perfection” they all don their most elegant tea party dresses. The room is filled with lace, ruffles, full skirts, gloves, and hats. We walk outside and the procession of pink, purple, whit and maroon dresses stroll down to the creek on our property. There on the “walk bridge” these innocent, beautiful young girls pose for pictures for nearly two hours! Their eyes sparkle with the delights of simply being a girl. I am sure the Lord was smiling down on each of us.

After picture posing, we go back inside to make ice-cream sundaes and sip lemonade for our summer tea party. Then off with the lace and ruffles and on with kitchen clothes for Kamp Kristi closes with a dinner prepared for the families by the girls. We sing along with great enthusiasm to The Sound of Music soundtrack as we work together.

What a refreshing picture. Girls are so special and to see them excited about doing what they do best is an experience only the Lord could create! In the classic book, Little Women, Marmee tells Meg, “I would have my girls be girls as long as they can.” Marmee was wise. Their innocence is a precious thing and the temptations of the world to snatch it away will come soon enough.

Girl time is something that is a must for everyone, even mothers and elderly women. My mother and I often go shopping and for lunch to have an opportunity to be together and have a heart-to-heart talk. It is important to take little breaks in a busy life to have that innocent young girl-feeling again. It need not be extravagant! Something as simple as baking cookies and listening to fun music that you can sing to brings a smile! I have made a list of several ideas that are time efficient and cost effective:

♥ Go for a nature walk! Wear big, funny hats you would not wear elsewhere and big skirts or dresses. Bring your sketchbook and drawing pencils and draw together.

♥ Have a picnic! Whether it is in the woods, at a park or in your back yard, a picnic is a lovely thing! Have each girl bring their favorite storybook from when they were young and take turns reading them aloud.

♥ Go thrift shopping! You will feel so good when you come home with bags of things that cost only $10! If you don’t find anything practical, try on some bride’s maids or evening dresses!

♥ Bake a lovely dessert! Take a few hours and bake a cake or something special and elegant that you have always longed to make, but thought only Betty Crocker could perform! Your family will be surprised and you will feel like you have made a great accomplishment... because you have!

♥ Have a tea party! This is something even my brothers like to do. We always try to make something special about the tea such as candies or cookies. Sometimes, if we are extra hungry, we will make little chicken or tuna salad sandwiches, or even cheese with crackers make a good snack. Even the smallest touch can make tea time into something extra special!

♥ Watch a girl movie! GIRLS ONLY! Borrow a movie from the library. Grab some blankets and snuggle up! Or, you can be extravagant and make ice cream sundaes, do hair, etc. Here are some lovely girl movies which are very clean:

All ages:
“Sound of Music”
“Anne of Green Gables”
“Anne of Avonlea” (The sequel)
“Black Beauty”
“Ever After”
“Little Women”
Older girls, 15 and up:
“Sense and Sensibility”
“Pride and Prejudice”

♥ Dress up! Moms, you can too! Find your old prom dresses or even clothes you got from Grandma and dress up. For a special touch, put on makeup. Wear big necklaces and high heels shoes! Take pictures!

These ideas are just the beginning of lovely memories you can create by taking a little time out of your schedule! In a world where girlish hopes and dreams are often dashed by un-daunting evil, time together with your daughter, mother, sister or friend can make her feel like a priceless treasure ... because she is!

My very favorite author, Louisa May Alcott wrote, “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”
So let girls be girls and take advantage of this lovely gift the Lord has given to each and every women He has created! Have fun!

KRISTI WITEK
Greenfield, Indiana, USA
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

P.S. I am 18 years old and have been home schooled all my life by my dearly loved parents. Homeschooling is wonderful because it has allowed me to expand my learning in areas I excel. In free time, I enjoy playing piano, singing, drama, historical re-enacting, horse back riding, square dancing, scrapbooking, card making, sign language, writing, and reading anything that has to do with American history! I am an active patriot and encourage others to do their duties as American citizens. During the summer I work at the KOA Campground, (which is my parents’ family business), as a manager and secretary. One of my goals in life is to become a historical re-enactor, to portray godly women in history although my ultimate goal in life is to inspire others to a closer relationship with Jesus, and to encourage the young to a life of sweetness and purity.