Last August I decided to put together a book for middle school girls. I talked about it excitedly at first and then things like laundry, and working, and cooking...and Christmas, and 2017 got in the way. 

The good news is I didn't totally ditch the project, the work has just been slow and steady like a stream of cold molasses (Maybe the work has been more gloppy-like in small plops.) 

I won't bore you with the details. (Oh yes I will! But not all of them.)
If it's been so long that you've forgotten, or you somehow missed my constant chatter about it last fall, here's a rundown on the what's and the why's regarding the book. 

• Rylie, our youngest, started middle school this past August and I trembled remembering how it was a difficult time for me when our oldest daughter (Hallie) was in middle school. (Oh yeah, it was hard for Hallie too.)
• After seeing Rylie struggle through a social situation with peers, Hallie and I decided to make a Handbook of sorts for Rylie with letters of advice and encouragement from both us and other loved ones. 

• She thought we were the smartest and best people ever (the day we gave it to her), so we decided a book should be made for other middle school-aged girls. 

• The book's title will be The Village Girl Handbook.
• It will focus on struggles and experiences common to girls in sections titled 

1. You
2. Your Hut
3. Your Tribe
4. Your Village
5. Bigger Than That

• Both people I know and people I've never met have written contributions on subjects ranging from Being Adopted to Bullying. The submissions are tip-top!
• The Village Girl Handbook is also devotional in style, with quizzes, devotion questions and challenge questions. It also has interviews.  The book owner will seek out older girls and women for interviews; forging healthy relationships that promote understanding and inspiration. 

Here's where I'd appreciate prayer. 

1. Figuring out the foreign nature of self-publishing and adding illustrations. (I have a low tech IQ). 
2. Pray that I will remember to seek God at every turn; to the completion of this book and beyond. 
3. Pray for middle school girls. It's an important, and often difficult time, where identity is ill-informed. Girls look to their peers to find security. Unfortunately, they're typically looking to others who are insecure. 
4. Pray that this book will make it into hands that can benefit from it. 
5. Pray that this book might be a tool that allows girls to see their need for women (who've been girls before) and their need for God. 
6. Pray about what God would have you do regarding being a village member who helps raise up godly girls.