Passport to Purity

My little girl is growing up.  She is about to turn 10 and is a preteen heading into her teens.  I had heard about a great adventure for a mom or dad to do with a young preteen. 

 Passport to Purity is a program designed to introduce your daughter (or son) to traps that they will be facing in their teenage years.  They talk about what the traps are: lying to parents, peer pressure, loosing your purity, sex and dating.  Then they challenge your child to make a decision about how they are going to respond when faced with the trap.  There is time to talk to your child about what they will do and to help them make good choices.  I loved the cd's we listened to together and the journal for the child to fill out that helps them to understand and record what they are learning.  

There were 5 projects to do with your child.  They were simple projects that help your child understand the point that they were making.  

I took Bekah to Menchies and we had a big fro yo sundae!  Her daddy and I wrote her a note in her journal talking about the milestones that were coming and how we are there for her.  It was a "sweet" moment.  

On the way to the beach, we stopped to work on the journal and talk about what we had listened to.

I really loved spending time with my sweet girl and to have one on one time with her.  This brought us much closer together and opened up so much dialogue between us.

Bekah loves the beach, so I booked a campsite at Doran Beach Campground.  It was beautiful (but freezing cold).  This is the view from our campsite.

We took time to play in the ocean and look for shells.  Bekah wanted more play time but the two days we had were very packed full of listening to the CD's, doing the projects and working through the questions.

Nothing like listening to the CD's while lying in the sun in the dunes.

Our project involved some creative playtime. 

It was cold out, so we listened to many of the CDs in our tent all snuggled up in our sleeping bags.

Some one likes to light fires and is getting good at it too!

Another project: Purity is lost drop by drop until it becomes a stream and it is all gone.  Then you can't get it back.  Girls are challenged to protect their purity and save it for their husband.

Part of the Passport to Purity program asks that you take your child and do something special and memorable with them.  I choose to take Bekah to the Sonoma Canopy Tours in Occidental. We spent 2 1/2 hours zip lining.  My time with Bekah flying through the air 200 feet above the earth was very special.

After the last CD was finished and the questions answered we stopped for ice cream.  (This is definitely my weakness)  I gave Bekah a special necklace that would be a momento of our trip.

This is one of the best things that I have done with my girl.  We talked about a lot of hard stuff and uncomfortable things but it was good.  She was free to ask questions and to have open discussion.  I love that they encourage each child to decide what to do before they are placed in a difficult situation.  They have the opportunity to talk to their guide (mom or dad) and figure out what will be the best response to a trap that is in front of them.  It is a time to discuss their purity and how to protect that.  We had a very sweet time together and I can not express how glad I am that I took the time to talk to my girl about all that we did.  Bekah asked me tonight after we came home if we can have more time to talk. She still has questions and is asking me to set aside one on one time to answer her questions.  

This made my heart glad.  I always want her to be open with me and come to me for advice.  

Changing the World One Family at a Time

Our family decided to really focus on Jesus this year.

  Christmas is all about Jesus, but sometimes we get caught up in the lights and trees and presents for others and lists for ourselves.  Jesus gets placed to the side and we remember Him on Sunday morning for an hour in church.  And then life goes on and it is busy, busy, busy.  

So this year I was challenged to really do something special for Jesus.  Something that would help our family look outside our own little world and give to our Savior this year for Christmas.  

I brought this challenge that had grown in my heart to my family.  The kids embraced the idea whole heartedly.  They wanted to find a gift to give to Jesus.  I suggested that they raise money to buy an animal for a family through a program that World  Vision offers.  I knew that my kids could make a difference, but had no idea what an impact they could have.  My 5 and 7 year old little girls wanted to raise $200 to buy a sheep and a goat.  I tried to talk them out of it.  That was a lot of money for two little ones to raise.  But they were determined and Daddy and I supported them $100.  I wanted them to see what God could do through them when they gave their all to Him. 

So the girls made brownies.  Lot and lots of brownies.  The girls made these treats all by themselves (with lots of supervision) and they loved every minute of it.

Of course they had to taste test the batter.

Measuring out the ingredients.

The girls also made cinnamon ornaments to sell.  Our home smelled like cinnamon for many days.  They had fun mixing up the dough, rolling it out and cutting out the ornaments.

Last week, they raised $200.  I told the girls that we could be done selling things since they made enough for their gift for Jesus.  Hannah looked up at me and asked if they could keep going.  Then they could give Jesus another present for His birthday.  What could I say, but YES!!!  I was so proud of them for working so hard to make a difference.  They ended up raising $240 in just over three weeks.  I was blown away by what two determined little girls ended up doing.  I love that God can take the least of these to make a difference in a few families lives.   Today we were able to buy a goat, a sheep, a family mosquito net, vegetable seeds and medicine for families through World Vision.  Every one that bought a brownie or an ornament, thank-you so much!!!

Here is the mosquito net.

A goat!

Vegetable seeds for a family.

Bekah is Seven!!

My Dearest, Sweetest Girl,

These last seven years of my life have been such a blessing because I shared them with you.  I prayed for you and dreamed about you.  When I knew that you were coming into my life, I was super excited.  You arrived on October 15, 2006 at 11:16 am.  Daddy and I couldn't stop smiling and looking at your beautiful face.  Now you are ever so much more than your 6 lbs 6 oz you were on your first birthday.  It is wonderful to see you growing up and doing new things everyday.

Bekah, you are so full of life and smiles and sunshine.  You are a sweet girl and I love you so much!  This last year has been a great one.  You have learned how to read and you love it.  It is so fun to cuddle next to you on the couch and have you read stories to us.  Each day you are writing more and more.  I enjoy reading the little notes that you write to me and everyone else.  You love to color intricate patterns with lots of colors.  Chocolate and ice cream are your favorite things to eat (and you would enjoy them every day if you could.)  I am so grateful for all the time that I get to spend with you:  time playing at the park, cooking with you, reading to you and every other moment I have.  They are precious moments and I thank God each day that I get a chance to spend them with you.  

You are loved and will be forever.

We had a fun time celebrating your birthday. 

 It was a super fun day and I'm glad we all celebrated together.

                                                  Happy Birthday, my sweet Bekah!!!