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Certainty in Uncertain Times: Responding to COVID-19

Amid the uncertain circumstances we face today with the overwhelming difficulties of COVID-19, we can still be confident of this very thing—God is with us. He is our solid ground when it seems that all around us is shifting sand. He brings comfort to the weary and healing to the brokenhearted. The same God who walked the Israelites through the Red Sea, wilderness, and the Promise Land is watching over us with His protection and provision.

AHG wants to partner with families and provide resources that guide parents on how to holistically protect their families as they face uncertainty, encourage families through comfort in Christ, and connect families to a closer relationship with the Lord and each other in fun ways.

PROTECTING

Knowing how to protect your body, mind, and spirit is half the battle during any time of tragedy and uncertainty. Use the websites and resources below to gain knowledge and put into practical ways to keep your body, mind, and spirit healthy!

 

ENCOURAGING

Read through the Psalms

Remaining close to God in times like these is essential to our spiritual growth. David, the Psalmist, experienced an array of emotions as he fought against fear and uncertainty. He comes to the Lord with prayers and praises in response to who God is and what he believes about God’s promises. This calendar can be used as a Troop, as a family or individually to learn about how God taught David to view things from His point of view—which is comfort, not fear.

Remember the Lord’s Faithfulness in Song

Praise and worship songs give us opportunities to connect with God, personally and publicly. Many of these songs are based on Scriptures such as Isaiah 41:10, NKJV: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” When feeling anxious or fearful, it is essential to cling to these truths. Consider creating an uplifting playlist by searching for songs with themes of hope, peace, and love.

Turn to Scripture that Reminds You of God’s Promises

The Bible teaches us that through God, we do not have to fear. When anxiety or worry starts to creep into our minds, we can armor up with the Sword of the Spirit—the Scriptures. You can read, meditate, and/or memorize verses such as the examples below to help combat against anxious thoughts:

  • “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” –Psalm 56:3, NIV
  • “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” –Psalm 27:1, NIV
  • “Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” –Isaiah 35:4, NIV
  • “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” –Isaiah 43:1, NIV
  • “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –Matthew 6:34, NIV
  • “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:6-7, NIV
  • “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” –Romans 8:38-39, NIV

 

FOCUSING

God has given us His Word as the way to combat fear and shift your focus from circumstances to relationships. This shift in focus includes spending intentional time with God, connecting with family and friends in creative ways, and working on personal development.

Spending Intentional Time with God

Right Now Media

Right Now Media is an option of encouragement and fun. Every AHG Member is given free access to Right Now Media’s extensive library of streaming content that will inspire and encourage you, available on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. AHG Members, check your email for a link to create a FREE account today!

Connecting with family and friends in creative ways

Look for the helpers amidst the struggle.

People may experience fear, confusion, and isolation when social distancing occurs. If you are struggling during this time, identify those you can connect with to assist you. Reach out to family, peers, and close friends and talk through your emotions. Let them help you discern what is factual and true. Allow them to speak life into you through Scripture and conversation.

Do what you can do today.

Even when you are social distancing, try to stay connected to friends, family, and your community! Spend time caring for and encouraging others, as well as take time to refuel yourself!

  • Connect as a family:
    • Complete an AHG Badge together: The Together as a Family Badge would be a great place to start!
    • Serve one another: Serve your parents by listening and being a good helper. Serve your siblings by looking for ways to care for them and play with them.
    • Have fun together: Play games, build a blanket fort, have a dance party, enjoy being together. Click here for 100 Things to Do When Quarantined with Kids from ChristianParenting.org.
    • Grow closer to God together: Write a family mission statement, list goals, and plan for the future, pray together, read the Bible together.
    • Reach out: Connect with relatives who don’t live in your household by mailing letters or drawing pictures for them, or give them a call!

 

  • Connect with others:
    • Write to a friend: Write extra letters and draw additional pictures to send to your AHG Pen Pal! Or write to a friend that you miss seeing at school.
    • Connect with your Troop or Unit: Connect by writing letters or sending pictures through a temporary Troop pen pal program. Or have a virtual meeting!
    • Call someone: Call a friend, Troop Member, or trusted mentor. Encourage them and be encouraged!
    • Serve from afar: Look for food drop-off centers, send cards or letters to nursing homes or shut-ins, think of ways to support any medical care professionals in your life.
    • Adults need to stay connected, too: Volunteers are encouraged to stay connected and support each other during this time. Share ideas, resources, prayers, and devotionals.

 

  • Leverage the Jump:
    The Jump is a social platform that provides opportunities for authentic community in a safe environment. AHG encourages everyone to utilize this free social platform as a way to engage with the AHG Community. Your Troop Jump, State Jump, Area Team Jump, and Community Jump are great ways to maximize communication in a virtual environment providing:

    • Verification of AHG Members and Troops
    • Safe environment to allow two-deep leadership within Troop Jumps
    • Secure area to share resources such as videos, photos, and documents
    • For more information visit https://thejump.com/ahgcommunity/

Working on Personal Development 

Badges

Badges are full of fun, and many are well-suited for at-home work or virtual badge earning. AHG recommends starting with the Family Living Frontier Badges Together as a Family and Toys and Games. These badges can bring families together during tragedy and uncertain times. Modify family activities where Troop involvement is needed.

Listed below are other fun badge options to work on with your family:

Heritage Frontier:

  • Ancestor Detector
  • Living in the USA
  • Our Constitution

 

Family Living Frontier:

  • Cooking
  • Family Helper

 

Arts Frontier:

  • Artastic
  • Creative Crafts
  • Creative Writing
  • Pen & Paper Arts
  • Puppetry

 

Outdoors Frontier:

  • As a family, a girl could go for a walk (“hike”) or camp in their backyard depending on supplies

 

Personal Well-Being Frontier:

  • All God’s Children
  • Best Me I Can Be (some requirements go over healthy habits)
  • Bible Basics
  • Daughter of the King
  • Physical Fitness

 

Science & Technology Frontier:

  • Internet Adventure (if computer and internet access is available)

Information and Safety Pledge is on AHG’s online resource library > Advancement & Recognition > Girl Award & Advancement > under Documents

 

Patch Programs

Patch Programs are fun to do with families. AHG suggests altering any Troop-related activities to the family setting, or any actions to be done outside the home could be saved for a later date. All Patch Programs are on AHG’s online resource library > Patch Programs. Here are some suggested AHG Patch Programs you can do from home!

 

Alliance Resources

    • Veggie Tales: Watch a Veggie Tales video and check out their website for fun, downloadable activity guides: https://www.veggietales.com/activities
    • JellyTelly: Enjoy safe Christian entertainment that inspires kids, makes them laugh, and encourages their creativity. They encourage kids to pursue a life of faith, a relationship with God, and a redemptive mission in the world.
    • Moms in Prayer: COVID-19, Creativity, and Catch-Up—podcast discussing our “current normal,” creative prayer with our families, and how God is working in real-time: https://momsinprayer.org/covid-19-creativity-and-a-catchup/
    • P.R.A.Y.: Bible Basics series, a free and downloadable patch series. https://www.praypub.org/rp3
    • “Grounded” by Revive Our Hearts: Grounded will include a hope-filled look at the headlines, insightful interviews with women from around the globe, and an opportunity to open God’s Word with others. Hosts including Dannah Gresh (Founder of AHG Program Alliance, True Girl), Erin Davis, and more will go LIVE daily at 9am to give you an infusion of hope and perspective. https://www.youtube.com/user/reviveourhearts
    • Axis: When Your Teen’s Senior Year is Cut Short: A blog post offering ideas with “glimmers of joy and hope” during such a disappointing situation. https://info.axis.org/blog/when-your-teens-senior-year-is-cut-short
    • For Girls Like You Magazine: Click here to sign up to get FREE and FUN coloring pages featuring holiday designs and truth from God’s Word for girls like yours.
    • Growing Leaders: Home Chats: Click here for free, one-page conversation guides to Healthy Conversations During the Coronavirus Outbreak.
    • Axis: The Path to Teen Connection: Click here to start this free original video series that will help you to create deeper connections with your kids through meaningful conversation!
    • Moody Publishers: Click here for a curated collection of free resources including videos, e-books, podcasts, and more.

Alliance Offers

    • The Great Flip: For only $10, families may subscribe to the online self-defense videos. Use code tgf10. This offer is good through the end of March. There are fun solo-conditioning drills and simple self-defense skills for ages six and up. www.thegreatflip.com
    • Renata Bowers: FREE daily online storytime with Frieda B. Author Renata Bowers. Monday through Friday at 4pm EST. Beginning March 18, Renata will read a children’s story live.  Sometimes the story will be hers and sometimes someone else’s. facebook.com/FriedaBHerself
    • Adventures in Oddessy (Focus on the Family): A 4-week free trial of the Adventures in Odyssey Club for your family. Click here to get started with your free trial. 
    • Focus @ Home (Focus on the Family): A free, family-friendly streaming service. Click here to sign-up for free streaming.
    • Revelation Media: The Pilgrim’s Progress is free to families during this time of social distancing brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch online and share with your family, church, school, neighbors, and friends. This a free, limited-time offer, so do not wait! Click here to watch.

Recommended Booklist

Select titles are available for purchase in the AHGstore.

  • Habitudes for American Heritage Girls: The Art of the AHG Creed by Tim Elmore
  • Habitudes for American Heritage Girls: The Art of Engaging the Leader Within by Tim Elmore
  • Free to B. a Blessing by Renata Bowers
  • Frieda B. Meets Man in the Moon by Renata Bowers
  • Frieda B. and the Zillabeast by Renata Bowers
  • Frieda B. and the Finkledee Ink by Renata Bowers
  • Frieda B. A Great Day at the Dog Park by Renata Bowers
  • Shock & Awe
  • Reckless Faith by Beth Guckenberger
  • Relentless Hope by Beth Guckenberger
  • Tales of the Ones He Won’t Let Go by Beth Guckenberger
  • The Heart of Womanhood PORTRAITS Series: 31-lesson study through Proverbs 31.
  • Love Like Louie by Danise DiStasi
  • Lead Like Louie by Danise DiStasi
Fear

Comments

4 responses to “Certainty in Uncertain Times: Responding to COVID-19”

  2. What guidance is available for level award events — especially the multi-troop or community outreach events?

    Reply

    1. Hi Kathryn! Check out “AHG in a Virtual Setting” on AHGresource, the AHG online resource library. There’s a special addendum resource specifically written about service projects and activities!

      Reply

    2. Kathryn, thanks for asking. Troops should confer with their Charter Organizations for guidance on meeting during these uncertain times as each State has different regulations. Many Troops are finding success with virtual and other creative ways to meet for awards ceremonies. You can find some examples on the AHG Community Jump site.

      Reply

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About the Author

american-heritage-girls
American Heritage Girls

American Heritage Girls is the premier national character development organization for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.