For most of my adult life, I have worked with the young women ages 12-18 at my church. It can be drama-filled, teenage-angsty and maddening at times. But for the most part, it is rewarding to watch the girls develop into the incredible people that their Father in Heaven intended them to be. Regardless of which way it is going, angsty or fulfilling, it is always busy busy busy.
Each year we have a special night for the girls turning twelve. We introduce the Young Women's Personal Progress program to them, spotlight the girls and just welcome them to our group. It is aptly called New Beginnings. Of course it is a new beginning because they are starting this new program at church, but more profoundly, a new beginning in their life. The age of twelve is just the beginning of a big change in their lives. The beginning of that wobbly path they tred between childhood and adulthood.
Last night was a very special New Beginnings for me, because for the first time ever I had a little skin in the game. It was my Samantha's year for New Beginnings. She was super excited about it, even agreed to go shopping for a new dress. That was a disaster (but that is a story for another day). We did find this adorable chevron dress at Dillard's, in which she looks pretty grown up. All ready for a new beginning.