Who says that you
have to be lewd, rude, and worldly-wise to have fun? My summer trip is proof
that a few girls with spunk, imagination, and a big sense of humor can have a
blast without resorting to gossip, trashy talk, coarse programming, or any real
naughtiness beyond one-too-many cups of tea.
The adventure began with my first ever flight on an airplane (It was definitely something
special!). I flew down to Austin, TX to meet one of my best friends, Aubrey,
who then drove with me to San Antonio where we spent several glorious days with
two of the sweetest, fun-est girls ever, Brittany and Victoria. All of us have something
wonderful in common—we are all Christian homeschool girls.
You have probably read and heard people talk about how “sheltered”
girls are no fun at all. They’re naïve, clueless, and utterly dull. We know
that this is so far from the truth! However, if you’re like me you’ve probably
wondered how the other half lives…maybe you’ve been tempted to do something
that went against your conscience because you wondered if you were missing out
on something really wonderful.
Because we do miss out on things, right? There are movies
we can’t see, books we can’t read, music we can’t listen to, places we can’t
go, people we can’t befriend, experiences we can’t have, all because we love
the Lord and want to please him. And, to be honest, sometimes that feels
incredibly limiting. Even if we don’t respect the “bad girls,” even if we know
the consequences of their actions, isn’t it hard not to go there ourselves, if
only in our minds?
 |
| Tea, scarves, and friends—what could be better? |
Some people would probably say that it’s impossible to
keep oneself separate from the things of the world. They argue that evil is too
pervasive, and if we truly cut ourselves off from everything that didn’t honor
God then we would be living in a cardboard box in the middle of the desert.
But do you know what I learned from my trip to Texas? That girls like Brittany
and Victoria can dress modestly and be cute. They can watch movies and avoid
profanity and innuendo. They can show their girlfriends a good time without
resorting to cheap entertainment like alcohol or seedy nightclubs.
Tell me if this sounds
like fun:
·
Shopping for teaspoons at a quirky little
antique shop
·
Trying weird new foods like kippers, Marmite,
and Fevertree ginger beer
·
Laughing over our celebrity crushes (most of my
friends’ would be over 100 years old if they weren’t already dead)
·
Watching hilarious YouTube videos late into the
night
·
Talking in British accents—constantly
·
Having afternoon tea once or twice a day
(complete with jammy biscuits and scrummy muffins)
·
Singing along to Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, and The
Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre
·
Doing the Happy Dance in front of the Alamo (I
have provided a video for your enlightenment)
People can call us sheltered. They can say we’re missing
out. But do you know what I say? Good girls really do have more fun.
