Hadassah

I have had the honor for the past 5 years to take Holly and MaKenna to a mother/daughter conference called Hadassah.

Hadassah was the Hebrew name for the young girl who would become queen of Persia, despite (or maybe because of) her Jewish heritage.  In the book of Esther, we learn about this young girl, the circumstances surrounding her being chosen queen, her uncle (who had an obvious and outward love for the one true God and stood on the truths in His word, even at the risk of his own life), and an evil plot to kill of all of the Jews by a man blinded by greed and power.  In the midst of all of this, Mordecai, her uncle, makes the profound statement to Esther - "who knows if you were not brought into the kingdom 'for such a time as this.'"

Now, I was not on the planning team for the first (or any, for that matter!) Hadassah conferences, but knowing what I know of the story of Esther and what I have experienced at this conference every year, I have a pretty good idea of why it is what it is!  Christ-minded parents of girls are raising and training daughters who are prepared to meet the King one day.  We are guiding their paths, directly their steps and believing that they are in the kingdom "for such a time as this."  This conference affords us just another opportunity toward that end.

So, now that you know the "background" info, here's what we have to look forward to this week.  (Warning: this may create feelings of covetous attitudes in those of you with daughters who are not going and may create a need for a time of repentance!  Maybe you can come next year and share in the fun with us!)

We start the conference with a Royal Banquet for our Princesses - and it is formal to the max!  The girls and their moms or (chaperons!) get all fancied up in their fanciest of ball gowns, tiaras included.  It is so fun for us to get to be all girly, with no boys around!  After all, their first goal should be to impress the King of kings.  In fact, I read a quote a long time ago that a girl should love God so much that a boy has to seek Him to find her.   How true!  So, there we are, all dressed up and at the Royal Banquet - delicious food, entertainment, friends and fun make a perfect evening.

The next 2 days, during the day, the girls take two sets of classes - one on Personal confidence and one on Ministry.  The Personal Confidence classes include things like hair care, skin care, nail care, healthy habits, etc.  Basically, they learn about how to care for their body in a way that reflects God.  The Ministry classes involve things like Singing, Drama, Hospitality, Stix, etc.  In these classes, they learn how to use their talents for God and then get to use them in the evening services.

Thursday night is a church service - and these girls know how to worship!  There is always such a powerful presence of God in the service and lives are changed.  Following the service is the annual "Fuzzy Slipper Party" - music, crafts, motions, games, food, candy and fun reign until midnight!  This is the party to end all parties - and no boys allowed!!!

Friday night ends with a special ceremony called Coronation for 15 year olds.  It is a very special time for the girls and their parents as the parents commit to raise her according to God's ways and the girls commit to follow their parents and stay pure.  It is emotional, beautiful and powerful.

In the 5 years that we have been going, I never cease to be filled with thanksgiving for the opportunity, for all those who give of themselves to make it possible and for the amazing opportunities for my daughters to learn in multiple ways and places to live a life pleasing to God - because they love Him and He loves them.  Our walk with God should never be about rules, but always about relationship.  I am so looking forward to another chance to build my relationship with them, but more importantly, their relationship with their God.