Hi friends! I had the blessing of getting to give a talk at a study for teenage girls based on the book, Reaching Beyond Myself. So I’m excited to get to share the recording of that talk on my blog today! -Julianna

The following is a transcript of a talk I gave recently to the “Reaching Beyond Yourself” Bible study for middle-school girls. Today, we’re not going to talk about a 5-step system for how to build a friendship with a younger girl, or take them through a program. Let me explain by telling you two stories….

It was Thursday evening, the 30th of May, 1940. The coastline of the English channel was littered with small boats … “fishing smacks … drifters … excursion boats … glittering white yachts… mud-spattered hoppers… open motor launches… tugs towing ship’s lifeboats.” Businessmen with hobby vessels were hurrying about on deck, trying to figure out how…

There’s something – indefinable but almost tangible – about certain people that just radiates Christ. It’s as if you can almost sense you’re in the presence of someone who knows God, and you come away with a yearning desire to know Him better too. That’s how I felt when I met Mr. and Mrs. Doty….

I swing open the door only to be bombarded by an onslaught of bouncing curls and scampering feet rushing headlong from around the corner. I set down my bags and prepare to fend off the attack with a resistance of quick hugs, all the while expecting her to come around the corner. Nine-months pregnant or…