Girls Extravaganza Recap

Thank you so much for praying for the Girls Extravaganza this past weekend. 

The outpouring of love and support and encouragement 

made such a huge difference, and I am so grateful to each and every one of you! 

The event well so well! It was more than evident that it had been 

covered in prayer by the way all of the elements came together. 

The volunteer force that helped throughout the day 

made everything run smoothly, and got everything shut down 

in a timely manner at the end of the day.

The color scheme for the Girls Event was pink, black and white so we incorporated that into signs for the registration table, restrooms, breakout session rooms, and food labels. 

I also painted some signs with scriptures that corresponded to our theme.

[I totally could have been a cheerleader.]

We also strung a pennant banner with cardstock triangles 

in different shades of pink, purple, black and white. 

As the girls came in, they registered at the table

and picked out a super swanky swag bag

Unfortunately, I was running around like a crazy woman 

and did not get a picture of all of the beautiful bags. 

But here's a picture of the one I ended up getting to take home!

[other bags included an additional accessory]

Then the girls grabbed a snack from our 

variety of delicious [and some healthy] selections.

We had a beautiful time of worship

And broke into small groups to rotate through breakout sessions.

Lindsey's session discussed how God can make all things new

and she showed them how to make a no-sew vest 

and two different kinds of scarves from T shirts

Tia's session discussed true beauty

and letting God define what's beautiful about us

Jessica's group looked at Biblical instruction for conflict resolution

and the importance of being a peacemaker.

I didn't get a picture of her group, 

but Emily's group discussed having healthy relationships,

and looked at warning signs of abusive ones.

I got to share some insight from my walk with Christ,

as well as some tips on how to dress modestly and fashionably

citing lots of examples from Much Love, Illy

[clearly not imposing my own style ;) ]

Now, unfortunately, I was again running around like a crazy person

so I didn't get a picture of our swap shop

where we released everyone to shop away

But Friday, David and I built this special structure to hang clothes on

It was kind of a pain, but it totally served its purpose!

I ended up with some cutesy new items

including a colorful dress from Target

a lavender cardigan 

and striped top 

God used the music 

the breakout sessions

a special video from Jackie

gifts

the swap

prayers from volunteers

to speak to everyone there

We didn't have fifty girls

but that was totally okay.

I continue to hear stories from ladies

[students, volunteers, and speakers]

on how God spoke to them

or how one specific thing affected them

and I know that God orchestrated every detail

He designed each piece

to teach and show love to His daughters.

And I am deeply impacted

encouraged 

and motivated 

to trade materialism for generosity

self preservation for His provision

ashes for beauty.

Girls Extravaganza and Prayer Request

I  know a lot of you awesome readers expressed how much you loved the idea of praying for my youth group with me; 
so I've got a specific event you can pray for!

This Saturday, we're hosting the first ever Girls Extravaganza! 
I've been planning, preparing and praying for this for a long time, 
ever since God started nudging my heart in this direction 
after I attended an awesome clothing swap with my friend Becky. 

In the beginning I was just thinking of holding a clothing swap for my girls, but then I realized that there is rarely a time when I have audience with just the girls in our youth group. God began placing subjects and ideas in my heart. What started out as a good idea has matured into an event that I hope will deeply affect the hearts of these girls. We've invited several churches across Austin and are praying for fifty girls to attend. We are incorporating: worship through song with a female-led worship band; breakout sessions with topics very relevant to teen girls including true beauty, biblical conflict resolution, and healthy relationships; and a massive clothing swap which will encourage girls to focus less on materialism and consumerism. God has provided over and over again as I've prayed about and planned this event... everything from cupcake donations from my favorite bakery to speakers just hearing about it through the grapevine and wanting to come volunteer their time to pour into girls' lives. 

One of the biggest ways that God has confirmed His work in this event has been through the outrageous outpouring of generosity from the Etsy and blogging communities. Because of the donations from some sweet, sweet ladies, each girl who attend the event will receive a swag bag stocked with goodies to remind her that God deeply loves her. I've received everything from scripture prints to love letters to accessories and hygiene products. I will be writing some specific posts over the next week about the wonderful ladies who have donated, but for now thank you so much to:

Natalie at NS Pottery

Erika at Rouge and Whimsy

Amanda at moxiemandie

Lauren at Seek First

Amy at Amy Cornwell Designs

Andee at Bearing Fruit

Jessi at Naptime Diaries

Jackie at Willow of Wonder 

Becky at Petals, Lace and Pearls

The support of these women has not only provided 
some awesome goodies for the girls to take home with them, 
but also confirmation that God is at work here.

The theme of the Girls Extravaganza is

Trading Materialism for Generosity

Trading Self Preservation for His Provision

Trading Ashes for Beauty

Aren't those such beautiful and important things to pursue?

I'm excited and overwhelmed and in much need of prayer 
as this event draws close.

Pray for:

• fifty girls to attend
• that God would abolish stress and second-guessing from myself, speakers, and worship leaders
• that all of the electronics would work- sound equipment, tvs, projectors, etc
• that there will be clothes for every size girl at the swap
• that the event would transition smoothly
• that God would work in awesome and mighty ways to transform the hearts and minds of girls to be like His. 

Thank you so much, y'all!