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Melanie - October 8, 2008

I am so sorry I haven't filled y'all in on more behind the scenes DVD taping. I was suffering from a head cold and/or pneumonia while I was in Nashville that turned into full blown misery by the time I got home.

I even lost my voice at one point.

Which doesn't really explain why I couldn't write a post, since my husband would tell you I was able to write him plenty of notes telling him what I needed him to do.

Anyway, I'm back with a full report.

After last week I will never watch a DVD Bible study the same way. I had NO IDEA how much work goes into making sure the whole thing looks effortless and like a few women just gathered around a living room to have a nice visit.

When we pulled up to the house on Wednesday morning, there was a HUGE team of people doing all sorts of interesting things. Sheila was walking around making sure that the set looked good. She arranged books, pulled in furniture at different angles, and, best of all, gave a few of us brand new journals to write in during the shoot because, apparently, HOT PINK FLOWERS didn't send the message they were trying to convey.

That's my new journal. I got to take it home with me. SCORE.

While the camera crew and lighting people were making last minute adjustments, they told us to go to the RV across the street where the stylist was waiting to pick out our wardrobe. Am I in heaven?

Heather was the stylist and she was amazing. She picked from the things that each of the women had brought with them, but knew exactly how to coordinate all the various accessories. It was so interesting because she had a strategy as far as making us all seem color-coordinated, but not matchy-matchy.

I'll tell you this, it was a far cry from the faded yoga pants and "vintage" UCLA baseball t-shirt I normally wear to Bible study.

Here are a few more pictures.

This is Karen and Chris who were part of the study group.

This is me with Chris, after hair and makeup of course.

Here are the cameras that were focused on us.

This is Melissa, she was also part of the group.

Here is Vicki, ready to bring the Word.

This is sweet Julie. I don't think she was at all tired of me taking pictures.

Here we are at lunch. It was just like on a real movie set.

And this is where April took a self-portrait of us and totally cut out Vicki. Never mind that Vicki was the reason we were all there.

I'm really thinking that shot should be the cover of the "Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter" DVD.

And here is the whole group.

Here's what I loved about the whole thing and seeing everything that went on behind the scenes. With all the coordination of wardrobe, journals, and living room sets, once the camera started rolling it was just Vicki being Vicki and sharing the words that God had laid on her heart.

She shared so much wisdom with the group about the importance of sharing essential truths with our daughters and did it with such a genuine, heartfelt spirit. I honestly felt like I walked away with a better grasp on how to be the mother of a daughter.

I think the thing that is so frightening for those of us raising girls is that we are girls. We know all to well the challenges and insecurities they will face as they grow up. We know the mistakes they will make and be tempted to make. We just want to protect them for as long as we can.

Vicki's study is full of practical, Godly wisdom about how we can do just that. I can't wait until y'all can see it for yourselves.

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