Good morning, Mini-Women! Yes, AMELIA, it HAS taken me a while to get this next post out for you. Last week I was in San Antonio, Texas, for my final week at the Academy for Spiritual Formation where I've been going for five days every three months for the last two years. While I was there I had to pretty much separate myself from my usual life and focus on God and the community I was in. I did miss you, though, and now I'm B-A-A-A-ck, with more opportunities for you to help with the new version of Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself, But I Don't Know Who I Am. But that's for tomorrow's post. Today, we just need to take care of a few orders of housekeeping:
We have some new mini-women to welcome into our Tween You and Me family. Right now I know of ERICA, AUTUMN, BETH, and GRACE ANNE. If I've missed anyone, please let me know, okay? If you want to comment today, you can make a suggestion for how to officially welcome newcomers in the future. Is there a special question we want to ask maybe? See what you can come up with so we can make Tween You and Me an even more welcoming place.,
You did a great job while I was gone. Yes, as ABBY pointed out, prayer requests are always welcomed here, as long as you don't go into a lot of detail about the person you want us to pray for. Just, "My grandpa is sick" is sufficient -- it's more respectful to Grandpa if you don't share all the ins and outs of his surgery, you know? Mostly we're here to pray for each other, just as you did for BETH and ABBY. Sometimes when we get into too much, "I know this boy who does blah blah blah and he needs prayer," it turns into a discussion about blah blah blah, you know? That's especially important when I'm away. I know it's hard when you don't get a post from me for a week, because then you run out of things to comment on, right? What are some questions you could post in a comment when you see people getting off topic? Things like, "What's your fave Bible story ever?" or "What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you in church?" If you'll post some, I'll make a list you can all refer to if you need it. Sound fun?
Next, you are all welcome to be on this blog even when you turn thirteen and start reading the teen blog, too. My only "rule" about this is that girls under 13 don't go on the teen blog. We had some issues with that at one point, and really, on In Real Life we discuss topics you really don't need to get all concerned about yet. Sound like a good plan to you?Speaking of topics, what are some things you would like to talk about this summer on our blog? We usually do a series, and I would love some ideas.
Another little guideline reminder: since I can't read every book and listen to every song and see every movie and watch every uTube video, it's really better if we avoid comments about all of those. I'm responsible for the kind of information you get here, so you can see my problem, right? Usually we have plenty to talk about. Whatever I put in red in my posts is an invitation for a comment.
Next -- all of you budding novelists like SARAH and SULLY, did you know there are writing tips on my website? You might want to check those out.
Speaking of writing, it's never a problem when you write a "long comment" in response to a question I post. The more you tell me, and us, the more helpful it is. So thank you, GRACE HEATHER, and others for giving me lots to work with.
Now, about the free books you'll be getting. So far many of you have helped with The Beauty Book, The Body Book, and Girl Politics, and now you're chiming in on Everybody Tells Me. Those books will start coming out in the fall, and when they do, yours will be coming your way. Miss Crystal is helping me keep a list so I don't miss anybody.
One final thing, and then we'll move on to fun God-stuff! If you have a really serious problem, something that's causing you to feel helpless and hopeless and you want to comment about it, the best thing to do is to, first of all, find someone you can talk to face to face, right where you are. If that's not possible, or you want to talk to US about it, too, then email me personally at nnrue@att.net first, okay? Since most of the family here on Tween You and Me is between the ages of 8 and 12, the group isn't able to help in the way that you need. Does that make sense? We care deeply, of course, so it's okay to say, "'I'm having a pretty hard struggle, will you pray for me?" here on the blog. If you want to say, "I'm so depressed I don't want to be here any more," send that to me in an email instead and put URGENT in the subject line. Does that make sense?
All righty then! That's a lot to take in, and there are several things in red for you to comment on. I'll post again tomorrow with the next set of questions you can answer to help me with the Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself book. You are the best, Mini-Women. Don't forget how much God loves you.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue