Did you know?

Dawna Ray, a member of Friends Into Serving Him at Zion Lutheran Church, Nampa, Idaho, was selected to design the banner representing the Utah-Idaho District at the LWML Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Congratulations, Dawna!

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Teen Talk

Q: High school is so exciting but scary too. All my friends and I are in different classes, and it’s so big that I sometimes get lost. What can I do to be less nervous about my new school?

A: High school can be a great time of growing up and preparing
for adulthood. However, high school carries with it more responsibility, more study time, and higher expectations. These
can sometimes be scary. Pray to God to help you with your
nervousness. Remember, He is always with you. Try to see each
day as a day to itself. Plan out your activities for the day: the
homework and studying you will need to do, and, of course, something fun to do with your friends. Look for new opportunities in extracurricular activities and be open to making new friends in
your classes. Above all, be sure to stay involved in your church:
worship and youth activities, devotions, and prayer. Staying
connected to God through His Word will give you confidence
and peace throughout your life.

Q: My birthday is coming up soon and I want to do something different than the regular dinner out with the family and opening gifts. I want to do something fun with my friends without any adults around. How can I talk to my parents about what I really want?

A: Be honest with your parents. Remember that they love you and
want you to be happy, though some of your ideas may not be
acceptable to them. They are looking out for your safety and well-being. Find a time you can talk to them without distractions. Present a list of ideas for activities on your birthday. Ask for
suggestions from them. Perhaps propose having a family breakfast
rather than dinner. Be willing to compromise.

Topic: Abstinence

Bible verse: How can those who are young keep their way pure?
By living according to your word (Psalm 119:9 TNIV).

Journal Entry: I went camping this weekend with my best friend’s family. Her two-year-old brother, Stevie, tried something very dangerous when we were making S’mores one night. He reached into the campfire for one of the redhot glowing rocks. His mom said, “No! Hot!” When he reached for it again, his mom said a little louder, “No, Stevie! It’s hot!” “But I want it!” he yelled. The rest of us knew he would get hurt if he touched the rock, but it was something pretty to Stevie and he wanted it.

As his mom carried him away from the fire, kicking and screaming, she said something that made me think. She said, “I’d rather he be mad at me a little while now than carry a scar with him for the rest of his life.”

My mom had said something similar when we were arguing about whether or not sex before marriage is a sin. I said it couldn’t be because so many people were doing it. She said that God tells us to wait until marriage, even though we want it right now. She said God is not trying to take away our fun, but He knows if we experience it before marriage, we will carry a scar that would affect the marriage we may one day have.

Stevie’s incident reminded me whatmy mother had said and helped me understand it better. Of course, you should NEVER touch a red-hot rock, but there will be a time when sex is safe and right. Like God says, that time is marriage. It may be hard to wait that long, but the God-given celebration will be worth it.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving me and wanting the best for me. Help me to understand waiting is worthwhile. Through your Word and Sacrament, strengthen my faith to resist impure thoughts and to stay sexually pure. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Questions for consideration: We are all tempted by sexual sin. What can you do to “keep your way pure”? (Look at Luke 12:31; John 10:10; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 6:9; and 1 Corinthians 10:13.) Is there someone you can talk to when you’re tempted who will remind you that God wants you to be safe and have the best life possible?

Do you have ideas you want to share? Do you know what LWML teen groups are doing in your district? Please write us and send original or electronic photos to: LWQ - Teen LWML, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993 readersrespond@lwml.org