Dear Sis,

Your phone call last night was so thrilling! We've all been talking about your news over and over again. You wouldn't believe how proudly Mom and Dad tell everyone they're going to be grandparents. I can't really imagine being an aunt, but I look forward to spoiling my niece or nephew! Besides all the "new baby" hubbub, there's something going on that I can't wait to tell you about. We were at our home-school meeting the other day, and I accidentally dropped one of your letters, which I've been stashing in a notebook. A girl I'd seen a few times but never really talked to saw me drop it and brought it back. I thanked her for returning it, and we started chatting. Turns out she has been home schooling for a couple of years now, but her family has never formally joined our group. Her name is Jean.

She asked if I had any brothers or sisters, and I immediately told her about you, since I had your letter in my hand. Somehow or other I got to telling her what you and I have been writing about, and Jean was really interested. She said she's been asking her mom and older sisters the same kinds of questions. Well, we decided that, since "two heads are better than one," it would be a good idea to get together regularly to talk about some of the ideas you shared in your last letter. Isn't that great?

Write soon and tell me what's new with you!

 

Beth,

I sure am glad ya'll are so excited about this baby. Believe me, we still haven't quite touched earth since we found out! God has truly blessed us.

Thanks for sending the news about Jean. Sounds like you've found a kindred spirit, Sis! It always helps to have another gal around to share with. Your idea for getting together is a good one, but what do you plan to do at these meetings? Will you and Jean actually pursue some activities together? That might be a lot of fun and get you working on some of those ideas.

Are there any other girls who could join you? I know the home-school group is pretty big there, so there are probably others interested in the same kinds of things. Not that you and Jean wouldn't enjoy meeting one-on-one, but when I read of your plan, I immediately envisioned one of those "Ladies Aid Societies." You know, those groups where young women get together and do things for the church or community, like sewing or something.   Yep, I'm still old-fashioned!

Just something for you to toss around. Let me know what comes of your friendship with Jean!

 

Dear Sis,

Patches sends her furriest greetings to you. As you can see, she decided to walk over this page after coming in from the rain. I'm sure you're thrilled. Ha!

Boy, am I ever one step ahead of you this time! Excuse me for a moment while I gloat… Okay, that should do it. Your idea about the young ladies society isn't far off base at all. At our home-school meeting last week, Jean and I started talking about getting together to work on some projects. At the same time, Jean introduced me to two of her friends, Kristen and Elisabeth. They both want to join in on the fun. I also invited Heather, Alice, and Ruth (I think you know all of them). That makes seven in our group so far, ranging in age from fourteen to seventeen.

I couldn't believe it when we started sharing ideas for this new group. Talk about "clicking!" It was really amazing. When I wrote you those first letters, I was beginning to think I was the only girl on earth who didn't want to talk about courtship and hoped to find something productive to do! I'm glad I was wrong. Our first gathering is next Monday evening, and we plan to make a list of projects each of us is interested in and can do together or just help each other with. I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I hope you're doing well and eating right! Mom and Dad send their love.

 

Beth,

Kindly keep the cat off our personal correspondence, will you? Ugh. What's she doing on the table anyway? Has Mom relaxed the rules since I left? You spoiled younger children... Just kidding!

I'm really excited about the new plan you're shaping up, and I'm so glad there are others who want to share your project. I'm dying to hear how the first meeting went and what you plan to do. Maybe you'll be able to write an idea book for other "in-between" girls. Keep me posted!

Sorry this is so short, but I've got to run a bunch of errands before my appointment with the midwife. Hello to everyone there (except Patches).

 

Dear Sis,

The pressed rose leaves I've enclosed are from Kristen. She and her mother dry flowers and herbs, and I knew you'd enjoy a sweet-smelling treat in the middle of winter.

Our first meeting was a huge success. I sure wish you could have been there. The girls say they'd love to meet you, especially after all I've told them about you! This is going to be a fun group. Each of the girls has a completely different area of interest, so we can already see we'll have lots of variety in our programs. Each week two girls will give a short talk on what they are interested in and how they study it or work in a field related to it. After that, we'll work on a project together for the church or home-school group. Here's a list of ideas we came up with at the first gathering:

• Teaching each other skills we have (sewing, writing, flower arranging, etc.)

•  Group babysitting so moms can get together for an afternoon

• Tutoring younger students in various subject areas

• Preparing meals or baking for new moms or sick folks

•  Designing field trips for the home-school group

This is just a starter list. I'm sure we'll come up with more things we can do together. I'll write again soon to tell you what the girls share at meetings. I can't wait to find out what everyone is interested in doing!

 

Beth,

The dried roses are simply beautiful. Please thank Kristen for me. Sounds like you're  making some talented new friends! I am eager to hear what they have to share.

I'm doing well, though I've felt pretty tired lately. I guess I'll just have to sacrifice and sleep late. I know, I know...so noble of me.  Think of me when you 're getting up at 6:30 a.m.

Tell Mom I've tried to return her calls, but the phone line is giving me those wacky "not in service" messages again. Let me hear from you soon. Right now I'm off to take a nap.

 

Dear Sis,

Do try to keep your eyes open through this if you can. This isn't something to snore over! Hope you're feeling less sluggish these days.

Sorry for taking so long to write back, but we've been busy around here. Our meetings have been so much fun, and you're going to love all the ideas we're hearing from each other. Ruth is training to be a midwife! Can you believe it? She's working with two midwives in our county, attending births and learning "on the job." I don't know if I'd have the stomach for that, but she really loves it. Originally, she wanted to go into nursing, but then she realized she'd most enjoy working with babies. This gives her the opportunity to do that in a really special way.

Elisabeth (the seventeen-year-old) is teaching a once-a-month etiquette class for girls ages eight to thirteen. She has a real tea party in her home, teaching the girls how to make polite conversation and eat daintily. Then they study something like setting the table or introducing people to each other. The girls and their moms love it, and Elisabeth says she's having a blast.

I'm pretty sure you know that Alice draws and paints beautifully. Well, she has started giving art lessons to younger children and to anyone in the group who wants to join in. Kristen has also started teaching flower drying and arranging, and her mom offered to let us spend a day helping out in their shop.

Heather, Jean and I are the only ones who don't really have a specialty yet, but we're learning a lot and enjoying helping out with anything we can. All our moms have gotten involved with the group, hosting us in their homes and giving us more ideas than we can handle. I never knew there would be so much to do and think about!

Write soon and tell me what's up and what you think.

 

Beth,

Thanks for your long, newsy letter. These girls amaze me! Next time anyone complains that there is nothing for teenage girls to do, I will pull out your note. What is so wonderful is that every girl has such different interests and gifts and is able to share those with others.

Now, as for you not having a specialty, I really must protest. You play piano and violin beautifully! Don't you think you could teach kids or at least share your music with folks? I know you tend to shy away from public performance, but just think of what you could do with that skill. You might even get paid to play in weddings!

Do remember the true focus of your gatherings, though. You wanted to start this group so that ya'll could share ideas for serving Christ as young women, not just learn how to make money (though that can be nice) and compliment each other. All of your talents combined make for a really impressive group, especially if you serve fellow believers and seek to grow more firmly into the Head, which is Christ.

Give my love to the family, and tell your friends I look forward to hearing more about what they (and you) accomplish!

 

Dear Sis,

Dad made me finish all my math before I could write you, so if I seem to have a brain lapse in this letter, you'll know why. Argh!

Thanks for the reminder. In all the excitement, I think we did kind of forget about our focal point. Now we've asked each of the "host moms" to lead us in a short Bible study on godly women at the beginning of each meeting. Ruth's mom led last week, and it was really thought-provoking.

I sure do miss you and wish you could join us. Keep giving me input! Mom has been a great source, too, and I really appreciate both of you. Maybe when you're down here next time, you can meet the girls and see some of what we've worked on!

Gotta go do the dishes. Have a great week!

 

Beth

I must confess that I've been bragging about you to the home-schooling moms in our church. They are quite jealous of your group and wish they had some teen girls interested in starting one here. I told them there might be some right under their noses! I've also volunteered to teach an etiquette class (thank Elisabeth for the inspiration) and have twelve girls signed up already.

Keep up the good work, girl, and keep sending me progress reports. What a joy to watch you grow in the Lord and serve Him practically! I know He will "complete the work He has begun in you." Love to everyone there.

 

Jennie Chancey lives in Winchester, Virginia, where she is married to Matt and is expecting their first baby at the end of May. She enjoys working at home, writing, sewing, teaching English literature and having afternoon tea.