This is Anna's second year in an organization called American Heritage Girls.  This group is a Christian alternative to the Girl Scouts and is relatively new.

http://web.me.com/jbishop67/American_Heritage_Girls_TN0215/Welcome.html

From our site, here is a statement about AHG:

Who Are We?

The American Heritage Girls Organization is a scouting program for girls that supports the traditional values of God, Family and Country. AHG's programming promotes the Judeo-Christian values upon which our country was founded and strives to enhance the girls life experiences with fun filled activities supervised by trained adults, supported by family members and implemented by members. AHG's programming provides life skills, leadership skills and character building through a traditional troop setting.

The members of troop TN0215 are homeschooling families in our area and participate in a variety of activities, including earning badges and religious awards. They may go camping, do crafts and enjoy typical scout activities.

Anna has the opportunity as a Tenderfoot this year to earn many service and activity badges in all areas of life skills.  The group is centered on God's word and in building character in each girl.  It's an amazing group of troop leaders and little girls.  This just happens to be a homeschool unit so Anna has much in common with her friends and is a great place of fellowship for mom also.

 For the first meeting Anna's Tenderfoot unit did an icebreaker for new girls where everyone had several M&Ms and the troop leader asked various personal questions corresponding to the color of the candy.  One of the questions Anna was asked was "what is your favorite color and why"...to which she replied "red, because it reminds me of the blood of Jesus".  A hush fell over the group and all the leaders seemed taken back...one leader finally said "wow, that was profound".  I felt the same way, as I never would have guessed she would thought that, much less said that.  I was so very proud and relieved to know that everything Joe and I teach her and the way we try to live our life for God is making a difference in her life.  This photo captures her expression as she thinks about her question.

Anna's friend Kate...very cute!