Simply Handmaiden

"Handmaidens of the Lord"

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (New International Version)

 I don't know about ya'll, but I love reading books. A while back Mom got me a book called "Handmaidens of the Lord" by Crystal Paine. I love this book because it teaches me what to do to serve my family until I have my own family.  

 Here's a bit about the author of this book...

 Crystal, a homeschool graduate, has been married to her husband for 5 years. They have two girls, although they only had one when she wrote this book. Crystal and her husband own and operate Biblical Womanhood. Crystal has also written "The Merchant Maiden", "A Maiden in Training", "Homegrown Business", "How to Start Your Own Business", and "Simply Centsible Suppers".

 In this book she said that you should help your family out. By reading to your little siblings, cooking meals, helping do chores without being asked, and doing things to honor my father. Since my father works in a business and wears uniforms all week I honor him by keeping his shirts and pants clean and ready to wear. Every night I go in his closet and check to see if he has any clean uniforms before I go to bed.

 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 (New International Version)

 I try to help cook dinner as much as possible. I helped mom make chicken noodle soup made with left-over chicken, carrots, onion, herbs and spices, and wide egg noodles. We have not yet tryed growing our own carrots.

 Mom said she often sees me doing house chores without being asked. Usually when she goes to church on Mondays to attend to her volunteer secretary duties I start doing laundry and cleaning the kitchen so the kitchen will be clean when she gets home.

 "Handmaidens of the Lord" taught me to find things like this to do to honor my parents and prepare me to one day run my own home. I recommend this book to all of you who are wondering how to be "Handmaidens of the Lord".

Dressing Modest

9I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.  1 Timothy 2:9-10 (New International Version)

Daddy gave me this booklet earlier this week called "Modesty Heart Check" by Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, Janelle Bradshaw. I am glad he gave me this booklet, because I've been thinking about dressing modestly and wondering where to get tips from. So I thought that you may want to take a look.

Here are some excerpts from the booklet:

 "Start with a Heart check ...

How does a women discern the sometimes fine line between proper dress and dressing to be the center of attention? The answer starts in the intent of the heart. A woman should examine her motives and goals for the way she dresses. Is her intent to show grace and beauty of womanhood? Is it to reveal a humble heart devoted to worshipping God? Or is it to call attention to herself and flaunt her beauty? Or worse, to attempt to lure men sexually? A woman who focuses on worshipping God will consider carefully how she is dressed, because her heart will dictate her wardrobe and appearence. - John MarArthur [emphasis added]"

• "What statement do my clothes make about my heart?"
• "In choosing what clothes to wear today, whose attention do I desire and whose approval do I crave? Am I seeking to please God or impress others?"
• "Is what I wear consistent with Biblical values of modesty, self-control and respectable apparel, or does my dress reveal an inordinate identification and fascination with sinful cultural values?"
• "Who am I trying to identify with through my dress? Is the Word of God my standard or is the latest fashion?"
• "Have I asked other godly individuals to evaluate my wardrobe?"
• "Does my clothing reveal and allegiance ot the gospel or is there any contradiction between my profession of faith and my practice of godliness?"

 "Before you leave the house, do a modesty check.(What are some things you should look for as you stand in front of your mirror?)"

"From the top..."

• " When I am wearing a loose-fitting blouse or scoop-neck, can I see anything when I lean over? If so, I need to remember to place my hand against my neckline when I bend over."
• " If I am wearing a button-down top, I need to turn sideways and move around to see if there are any gaping holes that expose my chest. If there are any, I've got to grab my sewing box and pin between buttons."
• " The same check is needed if I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt. When I move around, can I see my bra? If I do, I need to grab those pins again."
• " Am I wearing a spaghetti-strap, halter, or sheer blouse? Not even pins would fix this problem! Most guys find these a hindrance in their struggle with lust. It's time to go back to the closet."
• " Can I see the lace or seam of my bra through my shirt? In this case, seamless bras are a better option."
• " More key questions: Does my shirt reveal any part of my cleavage? Does my midriff show when I raise my hands above my head? Is my shirt just plain too tight? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I need to change my outfit?"

"Moving on down..."

• "Does my midriff (or my underwear) show when I bend over or lift my hands? If so, is it because my skirt or pants are too low? Either my shirt needs to be longer or I need to find a skirt or pants that sit higher."
• " I also have to turn around to see if what I'm wearing is too tight around my backside, or if the outline of my underwear shows. If so, I know what to do!"
• " And as for my shorts - I can't just check them standing up. I need to see how much they reveal when I sit down. If I see too much leg, I need a longer pair."
• " The "sit-down" check applies to my skirt  or dress as well. And I must remember to keep my skirt pulled down and my knees together when I'm seated."
• " And speaking of skirts, watch out for those slits! Does it reveal too much when I walk? If so, I need a slip."
• " Before I leave, I need to give my skirt a sunlight check. Is it see through? If so, I need a slip."
• " Finally, I must remember to do this modesty check with my shoes on. High-heels make my dress or skirt appear shorter."
• " And don't forget-this applies wo formal wear as well."
• " A note on swimwear: It's not easy but you can still strive to be modest at a pool or beach. Look for one-piece bathing suits that aren't cut high on the leg and don't have low necklines."

 I am making a commitment to dress modestly, and to dress to impress God - not guys. Care to join me?

Count your blessings, not your troubles

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

It's been awhile since I've done this. But everyone should count their blessings instead of their troubles. Every night when I go to bed, I lay there and think about what happened that day and what other people are going through and pray for them.

1. I'm grateful for God. I realized at age 13 that I could not go through life without Him.

 2. I'm grateful for parents who support me, take care of me and most of all LOVE me. Many teens don't have parents who actually care about their kids.  Love you Momma and Daddy!

 3. I'm grateful for clothing that makes me feel feminine.

 4. I'm grateful for education and being homeschooled. I had a hard time studying in public school. The lessons were really hard. But the way Mom teachs me I really understand her. I stay on one subject until I get it right.

 5. I'm grateful for a roof over my head to keep me safe.

 6. I'm grateful for my instruction book for life, the Bible.

 7. I'm grateful for church, where I can learn more about Him.

 8.  I'm grateful for good health.

 9.  I'm grateful for my glasses that I put on every morning to help me see.

 10. I'm grateful for food that fills my hunger.

 11. I'm grateful for drinks to quench my thirst.

 12. I'me grateful for doctors, police, and firefighters who help us.

 13. I'm grateful for such great friends. I have a best friend named Sarah. We've known each other since middle school. I was the one who invited her to my church and I trust her. Most of all I love her like a sister.

 14. I'm grateful for colors. Without colors our world would just be black and white.

 15. I'm grateful for plants to make our world beautiful.

 16. I'm grateful for weather like rain. I don't know about the other states but our state is under a drought.

 So when you go to bed don't count your troubles, count your blessings.

 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (NIV) 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Friends from SC

This past weekend some close friends of ours came up here to visit. My mom and her friend "Southern Blessings" went to a chicken fair. I babysat Southern Blessings' little one. Her older son played with my brothers and her husband went fishing that afternoon with my dad. This is her little one, Hunter.

I had fun watching Southern Blessings' baby. He mostly crawled and chewed on Adam's (5) little plastic animals. He doesn't like having his diaper changed. I think he thought that I was laying him down for a nap.

Southern Blessings' husband went fishing with Daddy at a big catfish pond. They didn't catch anything but they had a good time. Daddy said in a couple weeks or days, he is going to take my brothers and I fishing. While we are fishing he says he going to make a video.

Southern Blessings and Mom love to hang out a lot. They usually go to CVS or somewhere else. But since the chicken fair was last weekend they decided to go to it because they both have chickens. This is Simone, she is the chick in the new flock we ordered for Murray Mcmurray Hatchery.

 When they can't see each other they IM, email, or talk on the phone with each other. We are about an hour and 30 away from their house.

Every now and then we go down to their house and stay with them for two days. Southern Blessings and her family live on a big piece of land in SC.

If one falls down, his friend can helphim up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIV)

Is He really there?