Teaching Teenagers

The lady in my church who was teaching the teens on wednesday nights gave the class to me a couple of weeks ago.  I was already teaching it a lot because she has been sick...  Teaching teenagers is a real challange.  I'm never sure what to do with them.  First, I have to decide what I need to be teaching them (they don't supply lesson materials for wednesdays).  Then I have to decide if I'm going to be a nice teacher or a mean teacher.  So far I've been pretty nice.  I only stare at them when they talk while I'm reading usually.  Last night, after I read something (and people were talking) and I asked a question and no one was answering.  ( I was getting frustrated.)  I said, "Do I need to read that again?"  Then they assured me that they were all listening and  I didn't need to read it again.  It's so annoying to me that something that matters so much to me is treated like such a bore when I teach it to them.  Are teenagers always going to be like this?  Am I a boring teacher?  Should I be meaner?  In any case, keep me in your prayers.

Summer

An Introducation to Natural Family Planning

    Before I got married to my wonderful husband, I decided to use a natural family planning system of birth control rather than the normal pill, condom, ect...  I think I'm ready now to present it to the world since it's worked for me for 21 months (my goal was 2 years, almost there, watch me be pregnant next month :)  I really wouldn't mid too much :))

Note to reader: this is a simple introduction to natural family planning written by a 23 year old girl who has only used it for 21 months.  If you plan to use natural family planning, please read at least one book (I recommend The new no risk, no pill birth control...That's what I read.)  Also, going to a natural family planning class is highly recommended, which I didn't do....shame, shame...)

So, about 6 or 7 months before I got married, I started charting my temperature at the same time each morning (this is actually the hardest part of the plan for me).  I used a chart kind of like this:

As you can see, based on your basal body temperature (a basal body temp thermometer is different than a regular thermometer, they have them at walmart and walgreens) you can see exactly when you are infertile, pretty cool I think.  Before I read the book, I had NO IDEA my body was doing this!

Actually, a woman can only get pregnant during about a 4 day period, three days before she ovulates and the day she ovulates.  This is because sperm can live in the system for three days (a little help from mother nature :) jk, I don't really believe in mother nature...)

This may be rather confusing, since I am not such a good explainer, sorry :(

Anyhow, the drawbacks:
Obviously, you must practice abstinence in your marriage.  You may be thinking "that's pretty stupid, why do you think I'm getting married/got married in the first place?  so I can STOP abstaining.  Well, actually it is not as bad as you are imagining.  Times of abstaining can actually be helpful to your marriage.  They make you look forward to those 8 to 10 days that you can.. you know.... be together...

Anyhow, the library is closing in 15 min and so I need to wrap this up.
If you have any questions about natural family planning, please ask.  I recommend it.

Oh yeah! Pluses
NO PILL
NO CONDOM or whatever you may use
NO WONDERING IF YOU ARE FERTILE
YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF GET PREGNANT WHEN YOU DECIDE THE TIME IS RIGHT
YOUR HUSBAND WILL WANT YOU MORE (Okay, so I probably would not have added that except for the fact that it is 12:50 pm and I have the flu... it's affecting my mind.... but the statement is true....)

Yours Truly,
Summer :)

Hey there :)