Y’all.

This week has been SUCH a blast.

First of all, the US Men’s Soccer Team played in Nashville and though it poured rain and the US team lost to Paraguay, we were all smiles. I heart soccer mucho.

And I don’t know what makes me think you are going to care about this AT ALL, but when I think about the highlights of my week, that soccer game and the Bloom Book Club are the top two.

[I also had an absolutely top notch soy chai latte on Wednesday, but that would in no way rank higher than #3.]

All that to say it’s been a really really good week.

This week here at (in)courage, we started off by just doing some basic introductions [nice to meet you, by the way], then I did a hard-hitting interview… with myself, then we got to give big internet hugs to the small group leaders out there. Also- don’t forget that there is an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from my book From Head To Foot available this week.

Whew… that was linky.

I love getting the chance to talk about young adults – writing for them, talking to them and about them, sharing life with them. Why? Because teenagers are awesome and confusing and they are equal part problems and solutions. And it gets more and more difficult to speak their language. There are a lot of factors to that-

• I’m [we’re] getting older, thus
• I’m [we’re] farther away from that mindset and every day life
• the world is getting louder and
• the world has lots to say to kids about how they should live

But here is the hope that we have-

God still speaks the language of young hearts. At the risk of being HIGHLY cheesy [I’m going for it…], I’m reminded of the Sandi Patti song, “Love In Any Language”. And I just want to encourage you that loving teenagers is the best way to speak their language.

We have a hope in Jesus. He is more relevant than any television show or website. And we have the honor/chance/opportunity to share that.

That’s another reason I wrote From Head To Foot. Because He is my hope and I can’t keep quiet about it.

I have gotten emails all week from the sweetest of women- those of you leading your own small groups [hope you downloaded the free leader’s guide], those of you raising little girls and wanting to be prepared, those of you with teenagers who are literally breaking your heart. And every email I’ve gotten has moved me to pray.

For the mom raising little ladies.

For the leader stepping into piles of teen-mess every week.

For the 45 year old single woman who still struggles to love herself the way God loves her.

For the college girl who just needs a little direction.

For every last one of you.

It’s been my honor.

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So even though my little week at Bloom Book Club is over [thanks so much to Jessica and Angie!], I hope we’ll all keep in touch. I feel like camp is ending and my parents’ station wagon is about to pull up and put me and my ALF sleeping bag in the backseat to head home.

But before we pull away, I’m gonna pass you a note so you know how to find me….

My blog – AnnieBlogs

Book stuff on the blog – http://annieblogs.com/books/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/annieblogs

Twitter – @annieblogs

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Thanks to each of you. What a beautiful thing we have here at (in)courage. I’m honored to be a part of it. Also… as a parting gift… I wanted to make sure you guys saw this….

Have a great weekend. Y’all are the coolest.

Sincerely,

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