Deeper Retreat

This past weekend a group of the older girls from both this group and the other group I lead in Belleville, gathered for a time of seeking the Lord, encouraging one another & growing intentional relationships with one another. Unfortunately, we were so busy enjoying our time with the Lord & each other that we forgot to take very many pictures! However, I've asked the girls to share a few testimonies about what God did or taught them through the retreat.

"I had such a blast at the Bright Lights retreat! Not only did it give me the opportunity to dig deeper into the relationship I have with my Lord and Savior but also with the girls around me. It was such an encouragement to spend time with other believers and learn that I'm not the only one who struggles with spending as much time with God as I should. I was challenged as we spent time learning new ways to spend time with God." - 17 year old

"I was so encouraged by the videos, encouragement groups and prayer time. I loved spending time getting to know the other girls, just knowing that we are all struggling and that we can all help each other is cool. I loved being able to spend a whole weekend in prayer and talking with or about the Lord, and also finding new ways to have a deeper relationship with Him. I was really convicted by the fact that I need to surrender my entire life to Him and let Him write my story. Also, that I need to be spending more scheduled times in prayer. I really appreciated all the times we spent in prayer in our encouragement groups. It was really cool to share different thoughts, stories, verses and struggles. I know the Lord was working in each of us, and I'm so thankful for this opportunity." - 15 year old

"I had one of the most amazing times at the Deeper Retreat. At first, I didn't want to go because I didn't feel 'good enough.' However, I grew so much closer to the girls and realized they struggle with the same problems I do (even Allison! Shocking, I know! ;), which means we can pray all the more sincerely for each other. The Holy Spirit convicted me of many things - like how I wasn't surrendering my whole life to Jesus - and the retreat pushed me to answer those questions which sit in the back of your mind that you don't want to deal with. After the retreat, I felt so refreshed, encouraged and close to my Lord." - 16 year old

"God further instilled in me a fervor to fear Him and obey His calling no matter what other people think or say. To possess Chazak and Amats! RAK CHAZAK  people of God!!" - 18 year old

Christmas Party!

Last week, we gathered at Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain & Grille for a few games, Christmas carols & fellowship! Here are a few pictures from our annual Christmas party!

Thanks for the lovely evening, ladies! See you next year! ;)

Making a Wise Comment

On Monday night we gathered for our last Bright Lights meeting of the semester! Our topic was on "making a wise comment." I encouraged the girls that young ladies who choose to use their words wisely will have an incredible testimony for God's kingdom. We discussed 4 aspects of making a wise comment: being concise, worthwhile, relevant & appropriate.

I encouraged the girls that our goal in speaking to others is not to draw attention to ourselves but rather, to benefit and encourage the listener. It shows great wisdom when we can discern when to speak, what to say and how to say it.

After the lesson, we spent time in groups of 2 or 3 practicing using our words wisely by writing letters of testimony & encouragement to others.

We ended, as always, with small group discussion & then tea!

I look forward to seeing most of you next week for our Christmas party!

Gratefulness Banquet

Last night we ended the year with a banquet for the families in our Bright Lights group. It was a blessed time of celebrating what the Lord had done in our group over the past year.

We started out with eating supper together..

The mothers taking care of the yummy food. :)

Then the girls sang & presented Scripture they had memorized with their small groups.

And after a video of gratefulness to the parents, a slideshow & awards.. everyone enjoyed fellowship together.

Future Bright Lights! :)

It was a wonderful evening & a great opportunity to celebrate all God has done in our group this year! I'm already looking forward to next fall and all He has in store for us in the future!

Upcoming Conferences!

 We are excited to announce that Bright Lights Conferences have been scheduled in Topeka, Kansas and Cedar Rapids, Iowa this summer. Taught by Sarah Mally and the Bright Lights staff, these conferences are designed to encourage young ladies to be strong for the Lord in their youth and shine radiantly as bright lights for Him!

Strong in the Lord Conference 

Age: 8-14

Topics:

• How to be Strong for the Lord in Your Youth

• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

• How to Turn Your Heart to Your Parents

• How to Be a Bright Light in the World

• Keeping Yourself Pure from Polluting Influences

• Seeking the Lord with All of Your Heart

• Developing a Disciplined Walk with God

Includes insightful testimonies by godly young ladies, humorous skits, a chalk talk, harp music, singing, small group times with sharing and interaction, hands-on activities, and practical teaching that will challenge and prepare young ladies to remain strong for the Lord through their teen years.

Parents are encouraged to attend the conference in order to hear what their daughters are learning and reinforce it at home. While the girls are meeting in small groups, sessions will be offered for fathers and mothers. Sessions will cover topics such as the importance of protecting your children, how fathers can set a godly pace for their family, how to win the hearts of your daughters, and building strong mother/daughter relationships.

Schedule: Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Wednesday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Dates:

July 17^th-18^th, 2012: Topeka, Kansas

August 7^th-8^th, 2012: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

           

Location:

Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene
3501 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66614

Cedar Valley Bible Church 3636 Cottage Grove Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Cost:

Early Bird Registration (two months early): $10 per girl / $5 per parent

Regular Registration $15 per girl / $10 per parent

Late Registration (after July 3^rd): $18 per girl / $12 per parent

To Register:

To register online, click here.

Visit the Bright Lights Website to learn more about the conferences.

For questions, feel free to e-mail the Bright Lights staff at conference@brightlightsministry.com  

Radiant Purity Conference

Age: 12-22+

Topics:

• Waiting for God’s Very Best

• Giving Your Heart to Your Parents

• Avoiding the Dangers of the World’s Thinking

• How to Delight in Jesus, Our Heavenly Prince

• Using Your Years of Singleness for God

• What the Lord Says About Modesty

• How to Guard Your Heart When You Have a Crush

• Living for God’s Purposes

• Being Wise in Internet Usage

A young lady who is pure shines with a radiant brightness in this world of darkness. How can a young lady stay physically and emotionally pure as she waits for God’s best in marriage? How can parents protect and guide? Creatively presented through stories and testimonies, practical instruction, skits, and real-life examples, this conference gives Biblical answers to everyday questions and deep life struggles. The material is discreet and appropriate for twelve year olds, yet relevant to all ages. Includes testimonies from young ladies who serve as Bright Lights staff, chalk drawings, and harp music.

                         

Click here to see a 2 minute video clip of Sarah Mally teaching at a Radiant Purity Conference in 2009.

                                                                                             

Fathers & Mothers are encouraged to attend. Parents' sessions will include: Every Mother's Example, 40 Ways to Protect the Hearts of Your Daughters, and Talking to Young Men who Express Interest in Your Daughters.

Schedule: Friday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 PM; Saturday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Dates:

July 20^th-21^st, 2012: Topeka, Kansas

August 10^th-11^th, 2012: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Location:

Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene
3501 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66614

Cedar Valley Bible Church 3636 Cottage Grove Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Cost:

Early Bird Registration (two months early): $10 per girl / $5 per parent

Regular Registration $15 per girl / $10 per parent

Late Registration (after July 3^rd): $18 per girl / $12 per parent

To Register:

To register online, click here.

Visit the Bright Lights Website to learn more about the conferences.

For questions, feel free to e-mail the Bright Lights staff at conference@brightlightsministry.com  

About Bright Lights

In 1996, Sarah Mally started a discipleship ministry in her living room with the goal of challenging other young ladies to be strong for the Lord in their youth. We have been excited to see how the Lord has allowed Bright Lights to grow, and now there are about 500 Bright Lights groups that have started around the country and internationally. Bright Lights continues to train leaders, host mother / daughter conferences, and provide discipleship materials for young ladies. Sarah Mally is also the author of “Before You Meet Prince Charming,” published in 2006, and co-author of the book “Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends” which she and her brother and sister published in 2002.

Bright Lights

PO Box 11451

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410

319-377-6728

www.brightlightsministry.com

www.mallyjournal.com 

4:12 Discipleship

This semester about 12 young ladies in our group are meeting together a few times a month for one on one discipleship. Each younger girl is paired with an older partner and together they work through a discipleship lesson, set accountability goals and pray for each other throughout the week. It's exciting to have this opportunity set aside for intentional, meaningful fellowship. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing of the fruit that results in each young lady's life because of our time together.

This evening we took pictures of four of the six pairs. (We'll have to get pictures of the other 2 pairs next time around)

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the works of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:12

"...Always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12

Christmas Party!

What a great time of celebration, fellowship & laughter we shared together at our Christmas party this evening! The K. family graciously allowed us to have our party at their restaurant, Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain & Grille.

We began the party with a snack of soda & yummy french fries while teams planned a music presentation. Each group was assigned a style in which they had to present the song "Jingle Bells" in.

These performances were quite entertaining and gained quite a few laughs. :)

After the game, different girls took turns reading portions of the Christmas story to the group.

In between each reading, we sang a selection of Christmas carols.

After that, various girls volunteered to come to the front and share testimonies they had written about this past semester of Bright Lights.

It was wonderful to hear some of the ways the Lord has been working in our group this year and all the commitments that were made.

We ended the party with an hour of ice cream sundaes & fellowship!

It's amazing the silly effect sugar has on young ladies at night. ;-)

It was a great evening of celebrating Christmas together & enjoying spending time with new and old friends. Have a very Merry Christmas! I'll see you all in January!