What made it in, and why

One of the hardest things for me to decide was what to attempt to include. Devotionals, fiction stories, testimonies, Hard Q's, quizzes, a history of GGFG... we had always been quite diverse in our posts, so I had a hard time narrowing this down. At one point we had 50 active pages on our Web site!

I wanted to show off different authors, on different subjects. I wanted to show that no one was too young to serve God by sharing what God's done in their lives:

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

I wanted to dismiss what I call the # 1 lie girls believe - "You are alone; no one else has ever gone through what you are going through." 

I wanted to show what God has done in the lives of girls of all different backgrounds, in different places, to encourage girls that God is way bigger than themselves.

I remember one of the first times I looked a friend in the eye and said, "You think you're the only one who has to deal with that family issue? You don't even know my story. We are more the same than you think, and I'm here for you. I'll listen, I'm here for you, and I do understand!" We might have slightly different stories, but a lot of the same feelings, temptations, and struggles occurred in each of our lives. God could use us to encourage each other - there was a reason we were in each others' lives!

That is what happens online, a lot. People finally open up, and people realize they aren't the only one, and that others have overcome even more than they have to overcome. They realize that they aren't the only girl who's ever struggled with self-harm since the beginning of all time. They aren't the only girl who's struggled with an addiction to pornography. They aren't the only one who's lost someone, who's been bullied, who has a hard time with pressure about grades, who feels alone... and God sees it all. God didn't leave people to struggle on their own; He has a plan of redemption.

So the stories in this book show us some of those stories of redemption taking place, in real lives, and this inspires real hope. Our prayer over every writer for GGFG: "May God use your words to encourage others and bring them to Him, and to glorify God."

Second Book Event September

Last week I booked my 2nd event - a book signing September of this year at a church! I was very nervous because I wasn't sure how to arrange this, but God had already arranged everything. 

God often has given me a boost of confidence when I fully rely on Him. It is easy to worry and become discouraged. As Charles Stanley says,"Obey God and leave the consequences to him!"

Another time in this process that I was very indecisive and unorganized was in how I went about seeking a book designer. When I asked Kristy Adair, I had no idea what a perfect fit she was for this project! Her design with the butterfly, world, and hands was perfect symbolism for our ministry, as it is international, it is in God's hands, and each girl is united by her new life in Christ, which is what butterflies often symbolize for Christians. The purples used mad the book lovely and appealing to my audience of 11-24 year olds.

That had nothing to do with me. That was purely Kristy's talent, and God's inspiration to her as she designed.

I'm excited about further opportunities to share the gospel through the testimonies of God's love, faith, and hope in this book. I hope that when I leave Greenville, I've left with the knowledge that I've impacted many girls for Christ!

http://www.amzn.com/1300504730

First Book Event - June 15th

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

In November of 2011, I started saving some files to "back up" my Web site again - www.godlygirlsforgod.com - and I got an idea. 

I have lots of ideas, but it's rare that I finish most of them. It's truly God's will that drives them to the finish line when it does finally happen. GGFG was an idea itself that has lasted - started 9 years ago, we really could have been just another made by girls, for girls site that faded after 6 months... but we weren't. We have had ups and downs, but there's always that one email that comes in asking for advice that keeps me committed to making GGFG one of the best places for girls to go online for encouragement in their walk with God. So, that may have made my new idea less crazy. I turned to my husband and said, "I'm going to publish a book."

Holding it in my hands in April 2013, I thought back through the last year and a half. I had edited, and edited, and edited... I had recruited others who edited. I had re-written my introduction a million times, and didn't like half of what I'd said. It seemed messy, disorganized, and utterly impossible.

I will share more about that journey in this blog. But for now, I'd like to share one more idea: I wanted to get 20 books into the hands of the girls at a local group home, Pendleton Place. I didn't have the funds for that. One week and a half after that idea, 5 people made it possible. Now on June 15th, I'll get to give these books to these girls. I am still dancing around every time I think about how God has provided! I'm going to be able to speak to them briefly. This is my first speaking engagement, if you will - I've spoken to a youth group, I've spoken to young adults in Cru Bible studies, but this is new to me. I am excited to share what God's done in my life with these young ladies!!!

Have you gotten your copy of "Write for Him:The Story of GGFG," yet? Check it out on Amazon:
http://amzn.com/1300504730