"Changes & Choices"

Day 2 went well, and we were especially happy to have Shyann join us! The other 8 girls came back too and they all got to participate in a very in depth discussion about their bodies and the changes they are going through. We use The Body Book as a guide and walk the girls through everything! We discuss puberty and hormones, and spend a lot of time teaching about their period. The giggles are always great during this, but they get really great when we pass out the goodies...a baggie filled with different sorts of pads and a tampon! We open them all up and talk about how and when to use them, and enjoy a great time of learning and giggling!

We also talk with the girls about good hygiene and taking care of themselves. The girls each got to go "shopping" and picked out deodorant, body wash, a body sponge (and travel set), and flavored chapstick. They obviously enjoy getting new stuff and it is a fun way to emphasize the importance of taking care of ourselves.

The girls completed 2 surveys today, which we do anonymously, using a "privacy box"

The first was a survey called "My Changing Body" and the second, "My Choices." After our body discussion, we led into the discussion about the choices they make: language, music, tv, internet, friends, magazines, drugs, alcohol, etc. We spent a majority of our time during that segment talking about friends. One of the girls participating this year actually admitted that SHE was a bad influence on her friends. I was so happy to hear her say it out loud, because it happened to be something we already knew and had heard tons about from other girls. We are SO thankful God led her to God's Girls and are praying for the changes she will hopefully make after this week.

We learned 2 new songs, "Stand Out" by Jessie Daniels, and "Beauty" by Ayiehsa Woods, both new songs this year.

We are anticipating our sleepover on Friday night, which will conclude our week with the girls. We will be teaching all about sex, purity, boys, dating, and their future husbands! it is always a fun, intense and exhausting night for all, so please pray for us! We will also take their portraits on Friday, which is always SO much fun!!