Good morning, Ladies! I don't even know how to begin to tell you what your letters to Baby Maeryn have meant to my family and me. They'll mean a great deal to Maeryn someday too, so I'm keeping all of them to put in a special album for, along with the snippets of mini-women wisdom from the tweens. You are all fabulous.
And the thing is -- it's not only Maeryn who's going to benefit from the thoughts you've expressed. I think all of us can learn from the insights that surface when a new little person joins the world. So I've decided to start a new series with you here on this blog, called New Real Life: Learning from Maeryn. I'd like for it to be a way to take those insights and weave them in real ways into our lives (mine, too!) A lot of comments about jealousy and uncertainty about the future and confusing boy-thoughts have been coming up, and I think this series can address all of that and more.
So how does that sound to you? I'll start posting tomorrow (I switched you and the tweens this week because they tend to get more restless in my absence! I hope you're not as bummed out as Geneveve -- above -- gets when my attention goes elsewhere!). If you want to post a comment today, tell us what you think -- what do you currently need help with? what topics would you love to have insights on? where would you like to basically start over? I'm excited about this -- but do let me know if it just doesn't resonate with you. After all, this blog's for you.
Speaking of YOUR blogs -- anybody have any new posts for "The Resolution Solution" and "The Blessing Pool?" If you've sent me one and I haven't posted it yet, would you shoot me an email at nnrue@att.net?
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Awesome!! Thank you so much!!
Let's see currently I'm struggling with hm.. Well like, recently I've become really popular and it's so horrible in some ways. Like, everything I do is watched by people, and I'm analyzed in EVERYTHING I do. It drives me insane. So like, I'm having a hard time thinking before I say things, and watching what I do say. Yeah.
I love the idea of the series :D
Posted by: Paige | 01/31/2011 at 09:24 AM
I love the idea for the series!
What I'm struggling with our the 3 things you said in the post! Jealously, uncertainty about the future, and that guy.
A lot of times I'm jealous of my sister because she's closer to my mom and she seems to always be happier than me and have more friends, guys and girls. That second part isn't actually very logical, cause I do have friends and the people who know both me and my sister generally say they could see me married first and they like me better. (wow that sounds really bad actually, but I am still jealous of my sister)
The future scares me. I'm a junior this year and I'm starting visiting colleges and stuff and for the first time this summer I'm going away to a dance intensive for 4 weeks. I know plenty of people who've been going to intensives since they were in like 7th grade, but I've never been to one.
I already explained about the guy in the last post, but to add onto that general thought I lot of times I really wish I had a boyfriend. One of my best friends has been dating a guy from her school for over a year. They love each other. He's a couple years older than her, but they've been together for over a year with no problems, at least none I've heard about. This guy was her first real boyfriend, and only her second boyfriend at all. So yeah I guess I'm jealous of her also, but sometimes I really really want a boyfriend.
Sorry this is so long!
Posted by: Melody | 01/31/2011 at 12:00 PM
I think what I'm struggling with the most right now is both the future and the past. I think everyone knows that my family and I moved at the beginning of December. Anyway, I'm struggling with the past because I really miss EVERYTHING I left behind in NC. I miss my church, my friends (especially my best friend), my piano teacher, everything! I know I need to accept the fact that we don't live there any more and probably never will again but it's SO hard! The other day I changed my "current city" on Facebook and I cried when I did. It was like admitting that we weren't going back.
I'm also struggling with the future because of school (I feel like there's SO much that I have to get done so that I can graduate in May 2012) and also because my parents are putting a lot of pressure on me to find a job. I know I need one because I have to pay my drivers/car insurance and so I can start saving for college but not a lot of places are hiring right now. So it's just really hard and totally stressing me out. By the way, if anyone's wondering, I still haven't heard anything back from the place where I had my interview...hopefully I will soon!
Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth | 01/31/2011 at 01:09 PM
Awesome idea! What I'm dealing with? -Feeling like I'm not good enough because people have slightly dumb ideas about how I should be right away without giving me time -the future makes me nervous- making new friends
I'm working on a post for ResoSul!
Posted by: Kate | 01/31/2011 at 03:35 PM
Congrats Mrs. Rue!!!!
She's sooo adorable.
Ra
Posted by: Ra | 01/31/2011 at 03:48 PM
Things I'm dealing with...probably not giving up on things. I started writing a novel yesterday. It's got the same basicness as the one I wrote for NaNo 2009 -- but I'm two years older (almost!) and at least I'm headed the right direction. But then I just get, like... uhhhh can't be bothered.
And year 9 this year -- I don't know if I explained all that? They split us year 8's into two groups -- and halfed me and my friends. For half the year, one group does the outback program, and the other group does normal school. The outback program includes lots of running, walking... even two weeks away on a HIKE!!! And another two weeks travelling around the state.
Even though I'm looking forward to it, there's a tiny piece of me afraid to trust God that He's in control...
Posted by: Emii | 01/31/2011 at 03:55 PM
Great Idea!!
The thing I think I currently need help with would be that whole boy issue, and everything that involves.
Posted by: Alisha | 01/31/2011 at 04:06 PM
Hey girls! A problem I have been having lately is total opposite of Paiges, not that I want to be popular, but it would be nice to have some friends to count on. I thought I had friends, but lately I am not sure if they are real...I also have this problem with jelousy/boys. I am only in 8th grade and I don't think I need a boyfriend, or want one for that matter, but i do like a guy in my class and sometimes I get jelous of other girls he flirts with and stuff...I know that it does not sound good at all, but I just needed to tell someone. Thanks for listening, sorry to bore you with this.
Posted by: Megan | 01/31/2011 at 05:51 PM
Melody: Really?? Me too- I'm also going to a dance intensive this summer. I have to raise a lot of money first, though.
Sarah Elizabeth: It's okay to cry. I'd be sort of odd if you didn't miss your old town. Know that's it's perfectly normal to feel this way. I just prayed for you! I hope you meet some new great best friends.
Megan: That's what we're here for! You don't bore us- we're all in this together.
What I struggle with... The usual: Self confidence, family relationships, you know the drill. Although, one new thing I've met up with is apprehension of the future. I've always been very confident about my future, not second guessing myself too much, just making what I know were solid decisions and sticking with them. Next year is my junior year, and I need to go ahead and start making decisions about classes that will affect me in college. Freshman and sophomore years were pretty much basics, but junior and senior classes start to narrow down on your college/carrer interests. They'll affect my future and prepare me for what I want to major in (which I haven't decided yet). So, yep. Sorry if this was hard to follow. I've been a little out of it, I'm sick *again*.
Posted by: Tori Tj | 01/31/2011 at 08:00 PM
This is random but... high school names of your grade in America sound like more fun:P
I mean here we have... year 9, year 10, year 11 and year 12.
You guys have Freshman, sophomore,junior and senior. Insanely random.
Sorry for wasting a moment of your life ;)
Posted by: Emii | 01/31/2011 at 08:42 PM
Emii, our high school names might sound better, but your highschool in Australia sound better! Seriously - a school that actually cares about your health and excerise and seeing your country/state?? That's, like, unheard of in the USA. Except that highschools or middle schools usually go on a field trip to D.C. Other than that, not much. =D
This is gonna be an awesome series, Mrs. Rue!! I had a feeling we were gonna do something like this. :)
Oh, and trust me, I know about 'uncertainty about the future'. Ha! Isn't that exactly what my whole family is going through right now?!
For those of you who don't know, my family of three brothers and my mom and dad are on a year-long road trip. We came back to our hometown for the holidays, but we're here, and going to be here, longer than we thought. Because of circumstances - finances, to be exact - we just can't afford to go back on the road. We thought we'd be heading out west earlier this month, but that obviously didn't happen, and it's very possible that we'll be stuck here until March, at least!
Stuck. Yeah, stuck. We can't go anywhere until my dad earns more money at his job. We're stuck. I know I'm sounding bitter...but I don't really feel bitter. Just confused. I don't understand what God's doing with us. It's hard to trust His guidance when we don't know where He's guiding us.
Please look at my last blog for more on this - I had an awesome message from God in His Word, about the Israelites in Egypt.
Megan, you didn't bore me! You know, as girls, we pretty much just have feelings like that. Jealousy of boys (or girls, if they get the boys and the attention). WE can't change that. But GOD can. I'll be praying for you...
And I'll be praying for everyone else, too!!
Last thing: I'm reading this little book by Max Lucado (LOVE him!) called 'A Heart Like Jesus'. I've only read the first chapter, and I'm already so encouraged and inspired by it! It's really good.
Oh - last thing, now! - I might be writing a post for TBP if I have time. My pastor did an AMAZING sermon on prayer a few weeks ago, and I still have the notes from it.
Posted by: Nicole | 01/31/2011 at 09:19 PM
Yay! I think this series is gonna be awesome. Look at little Maeryn, already changing lives. :)
My main struggles right now seem to be pretty consistent with you girls': my future and guys. Mainly my future. Next year I start high school, and the pressure's already on to pick the right classes and extracurriculars. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I want to play soccer in college, and scouting is primarily sophomore and junior year. So if I get offers, I kind of have to know what I want to go into for a career so that I declare for the right college senior year. I dunno, I guess I'm being a little dramatic, but my mom has already been doing some research on colleges I might want to go to (I'm thinking of something in liberal arts, writing, communications, stuff like that). The reality of an actual life outside of school is just looming closer and closer, and the stress is starting to set in.
Then there's that whole boy thing. What is with them at this age? One minute, I'm just blown away at their maturity and the amazing things that come out of their mouths, or their reactions to things. But then the next, all I can see is the ALC that's always been there, and I'm about ready to slap him across the face! I don't know, sometimes it seems like boys are finally growing up and I can totally picture myself in a relationship with one of them. Nothing serious (no duh!), but that desire for some male company is definitely making itself known.
Can't wait for the next post! Love love love all you girls, and praying always! :)
Love and Blessings,
Rachel
Posted by: *Rachel* | 01/31/2011 at 10:28 PM
I totally know the feeling, Melody. I want a boyfriend right now too. I just think it would be really amazing to have someone love you like that. so I met this guy, let's call him John. I REALLY like him, but he lives a ways away from me, and he's a few years older then me. We chat a lot, and he seems like a really nice guy. I met him over a site for sick kids. I'm just not really sure what to do about any of it. I mean, I really like him, but he lives so far away... I'm just not sure what to do. I'm just really confused about everything. I'm sorry I can't explain everything better, I just realized the way I did explain it kind of sucked. anyway, I would really appreciate your prayers
LYALS
Posted by: Alisha | 01/31/2011 at 10:57 PM
I was looking for books on Word, a Christian bookstore website -- and I clicked on "about the author" or whatever it is -- and is it just me, or is this info on Nancy a little old?
"With a passion for children of all ages, Nancy Rue has a unique ability to tell a story that captures a child's imagination. She is the author of The Janis Project, which won a C.S. Lewis Honor Book Award, and Row This Boat Ashore, a Campus Life Book of the Year Competition Award of Merit winner, as well as many others.
In addition to her many books, Rue has written a variety of award-winning articles and short stories that have been published in numerous magazines, including Clubhouse, Brio, Campus Life and Teens Today.
Rue holds a masters of arts degree in education from the College of William and Mary, a bachelor of arts degree in drama from the University of Nevada, and a bachelors of arts degree in English from John. B. Stetson University.
Rue recently retired from teaching high school English and drama to focus all of her attention on writing and speaking for the Young Writer's Institute. She spends several hundred hours researching historical facts for each CHRISTIAN HERITAGE subseries."
I mean, I've heard of the "christian heritage" series before but... aren't they like, old?! And teaching was a looong time ago? Maybe they need to update their author reviews:P
Anyway, I better get back to my book hunting, I got a voucher for Christmas :D
Posted by: Emii | 02/01/2011 at 12:07 AM
Hey, Emii - I don't know if you have the Word will have them, but the 'Christy Miller' series is really good. :) And, yeah, they could update the info a little.
Rachel, totally know what you mean about boys!! :) I've got three brothers, and my oldest one (by 60 seconds) often hangs out with older guys, and I tag along, so yeah - I know what you mean. Immature but mature at the same time.
Posted by: Nicole | 02/01/2011 at 01:07 PM