Writing is not a popular activity in our house. Our oldest daughter wants to write, but then finds herself not sure of what to write or just not feeling creative. But Marcy Crabtree has created a very fun journal that allows girls to really think about themselves and search deep inside, all while having fun. We recently had the opportunity to her, Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus.

Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus, gives your teenager a place to safely put their thoughts and emotions on paper. But also reminds them about the importance of keeping God in their lives. Along with the journal pages are 28 various Bible verses that your teenager can commit to memory by reading the verse and encouraging them to answer questions to go along with each verse.

Along with each daily pondering, there is also a beautiful coloring pages featuring flowers, patterns, or animals. These are not just typical coloring pages from little kid coloring books. But pages similar to the popular adult coloring books that are so popular now. Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus has definitely been written thinking about teenage girls struggling in that time period between being a little girl and not quite yet an adult. 

Marcy has done a wonderful job with her scripture selections. She has chosen scriptures that encourage discussions about being courageous, respectful, stewardship, kindness, humility, and even handling situations that could bring about vengefulness. Each of these topics are covered beautifully through a brief scripture and just a few questions that really allows your child to think about how to apply this in their lives. 

Your child can continue after this scriptural application to write either more thoughts on the subject or what is happening in their lives. It’s really up to them. But as they are pondering, they can doodle and color the pictures also. 

I really thought this was very close to early Bible journaling that has become so popular to go with personal bible studies. We have been using Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus with our oldest daughter, who is almost 12. She is not a huge fan of physically writing, partially because of a hand tremor she struggles with. But she has really enjoyed using Marcy’s journal. 

We actually read each scripture together. So that I see she understands the information that is provided, and to also see what her thoughts are on that scripture. Then she and I have a small discussion and talk about each question that has been posed. It’s pretty interesting to see how she may interpret a point different from my own. But I’m available to help her if she doesn’t understand how a scripture could apply in our lives. She is then free to write as little or as much as she wants in the rest of the journal page. Some days it’s more than others. But the coloring is always fun. She and I usually start that page while we are discussing the scriptural verse.

You could easily use this journal daily, if you would like. Or we do one once a week, and also use the scripture cards that are provided at the back of the Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus for copywork throughout the week. This allows her to practice memorizing the verses, and continue to apply them in her life.

The cost of the digital download for Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus is only $9.95. It’s a great bargain for families. It was super easy to download, and uses minimal ink to print the 68-page journal. I can’t wait to keep going with Lydia and use, Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus, with our youngest daughter. The Fine Linen and Purple: A Coloring Journal for Teen Girls Who Love Jesus would also make a great e-gift to send out to that special niece, granddaughter or other family friend. 

-Product review by Renita Kuehner, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, April, 2017