Kari Kampakis - 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know

Praise for
10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know

Every young girl needs to read this book! But then again, these 10 ultimate truths arent just for girls! As the mother of three boys, Im so thankful for the wisdom packed into this book that I know will greatly benefit my boys. Kari isnt afraid to tackle our kids toughest challenges, and she does so with extraordinary grace and profound Biblical truth. I wish this book had been available when I was young!

JEANNIE CUNNION, MSW, AUTHOR OF PARENTING THE WHOLEHEARTED CHILD

Kari delves straight into the mind of todays teen and speaks truth into her soul. In 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, Kari equips girls with a spiritual roadmap to help navigate through the transitional years into womanhood. The relevant and engaging topics make 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know an ideal choice for small-group discussion.

ALLISON HENDRIXWRITER, THE HOUSE OF HENDRIX BLOG

Kari presents for her readers a dynamic and challenging book. God calls each of us to be the best version of ourselves. Kari presents to her readers a roadmap for that journey, for there can be no authentic spirituality without authentic development. Kari reminds us that we need to assess where we are in order to see where we need to grow and then to commit ourselves to take steps needed for development and continuous growth. Girls are reminded to see their relationship with God, themselves, and others as integral to their physical and spiritual development.

REVEREND ROBERT J. SULLIVAN, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Girls are wonderful! Girls are complicated! They are Gods special creation made specifically to bring honor and glory to Him. Kari Kampakis has so beautifully set forth TRUTH through stories and Scripture. Her wisdom and insight reach to the depths of the heart of adolescent young ladies. Each principle and chapter leads the reader to ponder her own identity with the hopes that she will more and more realize how deeply loved she is by Christ, and by accepting that love, the girl will be on her way to becoming the beautiful person God created her to be. This is a wonderful tool for students, youth leaders, and parents.

DONNA GREENE, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY MINISTRY FOR GIRLS, INC., AND AUTHOR OF GROWING GODLY WOMEN, LETTERS FROM CAMPUS, TWENTYSOMETHING GIRL, TO KNOT OR NOT, CELEBRATE IN SPITE OF CANCER, AND FOR NATALEE... A COMMUNITY OF LOVE.

This book is more than good advice. Rather, it is a journey for parents and daughters, indeed women of any age, through the minefields of childhood and adolescence, all guided by the timeless Truth of Jesus. Read this book, and share.

THE REVEREND RICHMOND WEBSTER, SAINT LUKES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

This is an excellent book! It provides great wisdom for young women who are growing up and trying to figure out how to live in this secular age. It is a great read!

RICHARD SIMMONS III, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE CENTER FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, AND ALSO AN AUTHOR OF FIVE BOOKS

Kari Kampakis writes with a warriors passion on a mission to capture young girls hearts. The best part of 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know is the reading connects with females of all ages. Kari uses practical remedies to not only ease the pain of these tumultuous years, but maybe even avoid the circumstances entirely. 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know is a must-read for women of all ages, but most importantly a necessity for mothers and their daughters.

CHRISTY K. TRUITT IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER OF SOUTHERN FICTION. HER LATEST NOVEL, THE FIRST DROP OF RAIN, RELEASES FALL 2014.

2014 by Kari Kampakis

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION. 1991 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

ISBN 978-0-7180-1935-8 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file.

ISBN 978-0-5291-1103-6

14 15 16 17 18 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Mom and Dad, for modeling Gods love every day of my life. I love you both.

To Harry, my soul mate and best friend, whose love, humility, and patience help me understand Christ better. I love you, and Im thankful to be your wife.

And to my daughters: Ella, Sophie, Marie Claire, and Camille. You girls are my angels, living reminders that there is, indeed, a heaven. This book is for you, written as encouragement for the road ahead. Be bold and brave as you serve God, remembering that whatever happens, Ill always love you.

Contents

Introduction

Conclusion

The 10 Ultimate Truths

Truth #10: KINDNESS is more important than POPULARITY.

Truth #9: You were born to fly.

Truth #8: Todays choices set the stage for your reputation.

Truth #7: Chasing boys doesnt make you cool. It makes you a nuisance.

Truth #6: You werent made to worship yourself.

Truth #5: People peak at different times in life. Trust Gods plan for you.

Truth #4: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Otherwise youll never stick to your guns.

Truth #3: Boys are visual creatures. The clothing choices you make affect the way they see you.

Truth #2: Pretty girls are a dime a dozen. Outer beauty attracts attention, but inner beauty is what holds it.

Truth #1: The source of all peace and happiness lives inside you. Learn to listen to the whispers of God over the megaphone of public opinion.

Is it joy you want? What if I told you about a joy that longs to wrap its arms around you, hold you close, and tell you how unconditionally loved you are?

T here are two things no one can prepare you for. One is how fun it is to be a girl.

The other is how hard it is to be a girl.

Lets start with the fun side. Isnt it great to be part of the gender that finds it perfectly acceptable to sing at the top of your lungs, dance in the kitchen, and jump up and down squealing with your best friend because you both bought the same bathing suit?

What about slumber parties, girls nights, and deep conversations in the dark, where you pour out your heart until three oclock in the morning? Can you even imagine life without these joys?

On the flip side, there is a dark underbelly to being female that makes some days tough. The mean girls who criticize your singing and dancing, for instance. The best friend who accuses you of copying her when you show up in the same bathing suit. The slumber parties you arent invited to. The girls night that leads to drama. The secrets you share with a trusted soul on Saturday nightonly to have them broadcast at school Monday morning.