Hadassah Day 3

It is always with much anticipation that we wait for Hadassah each year and then, suddenly, it is over. And so it was again this year! Already, we were at the last day of the conference - tired, sugar/caffeine induced highs waning, full of memories, uplifted and encouraged to stay on the path reaching for God. Here are the events of the last day.

The day started the same as Thursday - waiting in line for classes, hoping to get your first choice but excited about the second choice if it comes to that. The girls chose Hair Care for Personal Confidence and Sign Language for their Ministry class. After choosing classes, we went to Hadassah Hall (AKA - the gym!) for Wake Up call. Sister Denee interviewed Donna Linville, the guest speaker. We learned so much more about her burden, her ministry and how God has used her, in spite of her weaknesses and the many obstacles in her life - what a testimony to give this group of young, impressionable girls who are often lacking in self-confidence to become who God wants them to be.

Waiting for Wake Up Call to begin - yes, Holly is in curlers!


Lunch followed with another 15U class for Holly and I. Sister Angel spoke to us from her heart and I found a kindred spirit in her testimony. Sister Sears taught an awesome lesson using, of all things, white water rafting as a word picture about life. She did an amazing job helping the girls see the big picture and reminding them to keep their eyes on Jesus, obey Him and stay in the boat - then, when the storms of life come, we are protected.

After lunch the girls went to their Personal Confidence classes. I went with Holly and MaKenna to Hair Care - taught by my friend Melissa - we go waaaaayyyyyy back to when she used to cut my husband's hair when we were new converts! She reminded the girls of the scripture verses about hair and how to take care of our hair. She gave them lots of ideas about how to take care of their hair type and then gave them the recipe and supplies to make their own organic shampoo.



Infusing the herbs:


Their take home bags and completed bottles of shampoo:


Ministry classes followed the Personal Confidence class. I forgot to mention on the last post that during the Ministry classes, the moms and chaperones gather in the prayer room for instruction of their own. On Thursday, Denee Richardson spoke and Friday, Sister Varnum spoke - 2 anointed, passionate and REAL women of God with a testimony, experience and wisdom. They ministered to me (and many others, I'm sure) in a way that they may never truly understand.

The girls and I then enjoyed a small amount of down time before getting ready for the main event - at least for us this year - Coronation.



Coronation - I will do my best to convey the awesomeness of this part of Hadassah. Each year, any girl who is 15 can be coronated. The purpose of the ceremony is, for one, to signify their entry into a new stage of life. The young lady also to makes a public commitment to her parents to follow God and, although still under her parent's authority, she realizes that she is also responsible for her own actions and accepts that responsibility and pledges to keep herself pure. It is a beautiful and emotional time for the parents and the daughters. In a sense, it is a transition from girlhood to the road to being an adult. Even on here, it is hard to realize that that is where I am with Holly! Where did the years go??? OK, before I get emotional, I will move on!

The evening is very formal for the girls. This is Holly, ready to go. I know that I am biased, but isn't she beautiful??!! I've always told her that, 1. "Pretty is as pretty does" and 2. It is better to be pretty on the inside than the outside. I am thankful that she is both - what a blessing.


All of the girls who were coronated:


In the prayer room before the ceremony - elder women from the church came and prayed with and for the girls and their moms. It was a powerful experience to be a part of and God truly moved in that room:


11 year old girls walked in before the 15 year olds carrying a Bible and dropping rose petals on the floor - The Bible signifying that the Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The rose petals are a reminder that women of God have gone before them, preparing the way of the Lord.


Sister Linville spoke to the girls:


The moms presented their daughters with a Calla Lilly to represent a commitment to purity:


The dads then placed a tiara on their daughter's head - acknowledging that she is a daughter of Jesus Christ - the King of kings.


There is a time for the families to pray together, a minister prays and members of the Hadassah staff come and pray with the families as well. Friends and family who are there are also welcome to pray with the family.


This is all of us after the ceremony - hence, the tear stained faces!


Holly and her daddy:


Siblings:


Delaney, my good friend's daughter and Holly - she loves our girls and we love her! Such a sweetie!


So, that about wraps up Hadassah 2009. To say that we love it does not do it justice - truly, words are hard to find that express all that we feel about this wonderful ministry for our girls. There are so many things in this world telling our daughters what they should look like, how they should act and dress, what kind of friends they should have, etc. And all of these things will only lead them down paths of sorrow, heartache and rejection - there is no happiness or fulfillment outside of Jesus! How important is it to reach our girls just as hard - no, harder - than the world is reaching for them?! I think that my girls are worth it - whatever it takes - to help them stay on the straight and narrow path. Thanks to all of the Belleview people who make it possible each year and may God richly bless you all for your efforts!