Good morning, Mini-Women! I just realized I wrote this post a month ago but never posted it! If you want to help with this part of Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself But I Don't Know Who I Am (world's longest title!) -- comment away! What I need is here in red. These are easy because they're just fill-ins:
1. "I'm so ______________________" (this would be your favorite put-down of yourself, like "I'm so dumb in math" or "I'm so spastic in sports.")
2. "I can't ____________________________" (something you may not have tried very hard to do because you're scared to, like "talk in front of people" or "go to a party where I don't know anybody" or "do a cartwheel")
3. "If only ___________________" (something you want to be different because you think it would make everything perfect -- like "If only I were funnier," or "if only I didnt get my feelings hurt so easily")
Can't wait to see what you share, either here on in an email to me: nnrue@att.net.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! I just got back from Canada where in addition to doing a mother/daughter event last Saturday and visiting schools to talk about "The Rumor Tumor", I got to spend four days with our own Miss Crystal, who always helps us with our blog parties and about a dozen other things that help ME help YOU.
Anyway, while I was there, her husband made us some spectacular lattes, and here's one he did for me. While I'm getting my at-home life back together, I just thought it would be kinda fun to see what you come up with as you ponder what that design is. I have my own opinion, but I want to hear yours, so let's see those comments! This will be a cool way to get those imaginations primed for our summer topics, dontcha think?
Please know that I missed you while I was away and can't wait to read all your comments. That's always one of the best parts of coming home!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! Yay -- we're on our last set of questions for the new Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself Book. You have been WAY helpful and not only do I appreciate it, but your fellow tween girls will, too, when they read your quotes. Of course, they won't see your name, only your words of wisdom.
So if you'd like to help this last time, just answer these questions either in a comment here or in a private email to me at nnrue@att.net.
1. What's one thing you've learned from the Bible about being exactly who you are?
EXAMPLE: David's brothers told him he was nuts for trying to fight the giant, but he knew he was amazing with a slingshot and went for it anyway.
2. How could you use that Bible lesson to be more who YOU are?
EXAMPLE: My sister says I'm not going to be able to stay the Christian I am when I get to middle school but I know I can if I keep talking to God.
That's it, Mini-Women. We've done it! You've worked hard on all FOUR books, and I think it's time we did something really fun. Get ready for that next week and in the meantime, enjoy being your God-made self!
Blessings
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! We're almost finished putting together Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself, so if you're still up for answering some questions, here we go. Remember that you can comment right here or send me an email at nnrue@att.net. As always, I won't use your name, and I'll change details so you won't be recognized. Here we go!
1. Have you ever made a mistake that made you want to stop trying?
Examples:
* You made a big deal out of something and ruined a friendship. (yeah, being a drama queen can be a problem, right?)
* You blew a big test and you knew your dad was going to be disappointed.
* You hurt yourself playing your favorite sport because you weren't focused.
* You cheated on a book report because you wanted to impress your teacher.
2. How did you or could you become an even better YOU because of that mistake?
* Apologize to your friend and ask how you can make it up to her.
* Ask your dad for help getting ready for the next test.
* Ask your coach to help you do that move differently next time.
* Confess to your teacher and ask for a chance to do the report on your own this time.
This could be a hard one, so pray for each other and help one another out, okay? After all, all of us have 'fallen short' right? I love ya anyway!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! Today's questions for help with Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself are some of my faves. Your answers -- either in a comment here or a private email to me at nnrue@att.net -- are going to help not only your fellow tweens who read the book, but each other, too. Here we go:
1. What is something you normally do that just doesn't "fit" you any more? (Kind of like me realizing I wasn't a surfer!)
EXAMPLES:
"I'm sick of gossiping with my usual crowd at lunch."
"I don't want to fight with my brother over the TV remote any more."
"I've grown too tall for gymnastics."
2. How can you move on to something else that's more YOU?
EXAMPLES:
"I'm going to sit with my soccer friends instead and talk about the game."
"I'm going to let my brother watch what he wants to. I'd rather read anyway."
"I think I'll learn to play basketball."
Post as many times as you want to on this one -- because getting rid of the old to make room for the new can actually be fun. Can't wait to hear.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! Ready to continue helping with the new version of Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself But I Don't Know Who I Am? Then here we go with today's questions. Remember that you can comment right here or to me in a private email (nnrue@att.net)
1. What one new thing would you like to try today? It doesn't have to be big, it just has to be YOU.
EXAMPLES: Say hi to that girl at school that you've never spoken to before.
Use a new vocabulary word and see if anybody notices.
Smile at the bus driver even though nobody else ever does.
Do a cartwheel. Maybe two.
2. What one new thing could you try tomorrow?
3. How about the next day?
I can't wait to hear what you come up with, because you are a pretty interesting, unique group. After all, God doesn't make boring!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Good morning, Mini-Women! You've done a great job of suggesting ways to welcome our newcomers and new topics for us to play with this summer. So far it looks like talking about siblings will be on that list -- and I think it will helpful even for those of you who are only children.
First, though, let's finish up Everybody Tells Me To Be Myself. You've helped a ton already, and there's still more to go. If you'd like to participate in the new version of the Everybody book, just answer any of the questions you want to, either in a comment here or in a private email to me at nnrue@att.net. I won't use your name, and I'll change details if I need to so you won't be recognized. Okay, ready?
1. What's one thing you have to accept about yourself, even though you don't exactly like it?javascript:;
EXAMPLES: "I'm not naturally good at math."
"I'm shy like my mom."
2. What could you do today to make that a little better?
EXAMPLES: "I could spend more time on my math homework."
"If I asked that one girl about her horse, I bet she'd talk to me, and it would be okay if my face turned red."
If there's more than one thing you can think of, by all means feel free to post that too. The more examples I have for your fellow mini-women, the more I -- YOU! -- can help them.
And remember, God loves you JUST the way you are today!
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
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
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