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Kegel.
You will never regret doing these pelvic exercises---but you will
regret it if you don't.
Drink H20
sleep well and
walk whenever possible
click to Read each day's entry
My Utmost For His Highest
My blog entries are, hopefully, like my life... sort
of an ellipsis. That things would be understood as much by what is
not said as what is said. I often pray that my life would
demonstrate and convey the Truth... even if some words are left out.
My blography is simply personal thoughts; this blog is
just a small part or purpose of this website. The chief aim of this site
is to bring glory to God and good food of His Word to families.
May each visit fill you with fresh bread and lingering words to savor.
Someday maybe my children will read "mama's blog" and
catch a glimpse of some of what was "important" to me each
day, some "snap - shots" of the day, what was going on in the world and
what really stirred up some of my thoughts. Whatever is
"documented" here will pale in comparison to the importance of their
lives to me: really, my husband, my children —they are my story —
they are my legacy.
So... I'm a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, my
LORD and because of Him, I'm a help-meet for my husband, the mother of
eleven children and a daughter-in-law and happy gramma to three. I
share slices of life because of what God is doing and has done --- and
with the hope of being an encouragement to others to press on toward the
mark (Philippians 3.14)
Some days I find it difficult to escape to the quiet area to write.
But, it is on those days I am most likely perfecting domestic skills or
the craft of being a keeper at home.
But that's one of my life goals after all... that of being a
quintessential keeper at home and all it connotes.
Would that it be said of me in my home and of you in yours:
Proverbs 31.28-30
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a
woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
I've not "arrived," but in the course of following and serving the LORD
Jesus, and being a help meet for my husband, that's where I'm headed.
Dear-to-me
Blogs
I try to read at least every
couple of days: in no particular order no particular agenda; some
thoughts might surprise the reader, some might astonish; but all
inform and each one: a blessing in many ways.
Joys
In The Journey
The
Simple Life
Mommy Life
(Barbara Curtis)
Mrs. Catherine
Making It
Home
Spending Time With Glenys
Camp On This
Steve Camp
Audience One Ministries
Homemaking on the Homestead
House Church
Carmon Buried
Treasure
Spunky's Blog
and
Spunky Homeschool
Slice of Laodicea
Doug Phillips
Amy's Humble Musings
Stayin Home Mom
Praise Her In The Gates
Coffee Swirls
Judicial Forum
Choosing Home
Adventures at McLean's
homeschoolblogger
Biblical Womanhood
Jollyblogger
Marla Swoffer
Coffee and a Muffin
change of address
World Mag
Ray Comfort
Roger Bennett
Everyday Musings
beyond the rim
James White
Emilee's
pen stripes...
Words of Simplicity
Do you know that there's like a gazillion (really!) other great blogs?
Be careful... you'll end up like this: at your computer all day---and
then you'll wonder why you never have time for anything or how come the
children are naughty or why your housework is never really done.
Do you think I am kidding??!!
top
I'd probably link to Phil Johnson's stuff but... which
would I choose to post here?
(as always... my disclaimer:
As with any link on our site: we don't necessarily endorse
everything that's said and, of course we don't endorse every link that
may be posted on a site.
As Sarg (hillstreetblues)
used to say: Be careful out there!
Political and things related to
"the Church."
♥
Free Republic bloggers
♥
Slice of Laodicea
These are a few of the places we regularly visit
on the Net!
♥
eBay
♥
WorldNet
Daily
♥
Drudge Report
A few websites...
(I have more to add when
time allows)
Verse For Loving Hearts
Glenys Robyn Hicks writes quality Christian verse for all occasions.
'Verse For Loving Hearts' is a home-based business in Melbourne
Australia, offering a compassionate and confidential service for
expressions of heartfelt emotion... personalized house plaques, words
for greeting cards, in fact, anything at all that you need to express..
examples of glenys work
♥
cmomb.com
Christian Moms of Many Blessings
♥
parentingwithpurpose
♥
The Hope Chest
♥
Our Favourite Websites
♥
SeanK's
♥
choosing home
♥
Washington Weather
In the
March/April 2006 Issue Feature Article:
50 Ways We Paid Off Our House on One Income
In a special "Laine’s Letters", Laine Amavizca shares
some of the journey that she and her husband Art took to become debt
free while raising a family on a single income in California.
In addition to our feature article, you’ll find over 2
dozen other columns written by women from around the country, from
Florida to Alaska. Stories, recipes, inspiration, advice, poetry,
self-discovery; even a little humor.
-cs
Making It Home
Rediscovering the power of Homemaking
A magazine for homemakers
and families, Making It Home
is not a "professional" or corporate magazine,
does not have a
'commercial' feel or look.
It's a magazine written by brothers and sisters in Christ
for encouragement and edification.
Subscribe to:
Making It Home
magazine
Titus 2.3-5
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness,
not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own
husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
oikourov
oikouros, oy-koo-ros'
from 3624 and ouros (a guard; be "ware"); a stayer at
home, i.e. domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper"):--a keeper at
home.
Hence this blog:
Views and slices of life; and thoughts,
between sips of coffee,
of a quintessential keeper at home
Those who know me better, know that I tend to remember things by how the
moon looked at the time of the event...
or that wherever my loved ones happen to be, we can look up and see the
same moon... the same moon smiling at them is smiling at me.
I'll be Seeing You
I'll be seeing you
in all the old
familiar places
That this heart
of mine embraces
all day through
In that small café,
the park
across the way
The children's carousel,
the chestnut trees,
the wishing well
I'll be seeing you in
every lovely
summer's day
In everything
that's light and gay
I'll always think of you
that way
I'll find you in
the mornin' sun
And when
the night is new
I'll be looking
at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
My VOCABULARY and stuff
Yes, I do use an inordinate amount of olde English spelling. (I use the
KJV, too)
bcz
= because
I use bcz, bcz because is longer to type.
Truthiness
= using concepts or facts one wishes to be true, rather
than concepts or facts that are true.
It's noon!
This pink
robe is code for: I should be working, cleaning, teaching or gardening
or doing something other than blogging (and it's also a pretty fair
indicator that it's also still my attire on any given morning)
Big Jar Mayonnaise Mama
refers to Barbara's
blog comment
on moms who shop at Costco
Are you a
Big Jar Mayonnaise Mama?
grab your award on my
Tchotchke Graphics
page!
Kegel.
You will never regret doing these pelvic exercises---but you will regret
it if you don't.
Who
links to me?
with my
Thanks
to Carmon
at Buried Treasure
|
|
The blessing of a faithful son
|
March
14,
2006
|
|
Today's our son Timothy's birthday.
I smile as I type this because of the
great joy and blessing this boy is and
has been throughout his life. I
smile bcz it's been such a joy...
and to this son, I just want to say,
thanks for the ride... it's been sweet.
I looked at him this evening and
thought: where did the years go? I
thought of all the things I was going to
do, all the stuff that never got done,
things that were never made or never
finished. I sort of mulled over
things I'd meant to say and so I told
him what a treasure and blessing he is
and I thanked him for making it nice.
So often you hear
kids say that their parents wrecked their childhood (and yeah, some do,
or did, I suppose). But every now and then I think of kids I've
known... kids who wrecked their parents' parenthood. Parents who
were going along gathering the materials, reading the books, buying the
right stuff, going to the right places, praying and working and slogging
through the trenches, getting a little beat up now and then, but
sticking to the course. And then---though there are always
numerous reasons (and faults on the part of the parents, too, for it
happening), for one reason or a lot of reasons, a child rebels----Makes
life practically unbearable and days become drudgery. To
those parents I always want to say, hang on... don't lose heart and
don't give up. To those kids I want to say: quit wrecking your
mother's parenthood---quit wrecking your father's dreams for you---quit
wrecking their parenthood. Yeah, so you think they wrecked your
childhood---what about their parenthood.
We had a time
with one of ours... that's why I can say all this almost effortlessly.
This ability did not come without a mountain of heartache and an ocean
of tears. However... by no means am I comparing that son with the
one who celebrates a birthday today. I just see a
contrast---that's all---where one was at this age and where the other
one is now.
So, Timothy...
our boy who was born early, the boy with the complete knot in his
umbilical cord and the cord was wrapped around his little neck---this
boy who the doctors said was so "lucky!" O, no, I told
them... not lucky---very blessed. And I knew it then---I knew God
had His Hand on Timothy from the day he was born---and I so know it now.
This boy is different---this one's made parenthood easy---more than
easy: pleasant; he's the sort you'd want in your boat on a stormy sea.
He's the sort of boy you'd want on your team if you were in the bottom
of the ninth with a tied score and two outs. You'd want him to
bat. You know you'd win.
Happy Birthday to Timothy...
We have lots of fun plans in the hopper for today....
I'd tell ya about 'em but then I'd have to...
Late
added Note: We surprised Timothy
by taking him to the Space Needle in
Seattle and since (oldest son) Daniel
works at
Washington Mutual downtown Seattle, we
gave him a call and asked him to join us
for lunch as well.
What a treasured blessing that day was!!
Pics
later... really!
The only thing I'm sure about is...
faith
|
March
13,
2006
|
|
And faith has been tested and strengthened over and
over during the last three weeks. I realized this morning that I
am greatly missing something. Really---I am missing *work!*
I love to work---and I forgot how much I love to work until I couldn't
and so long to do so. I look around at all I cannot do and realize
that, yes, things are being taken care of and yes, it will get done and
no one's lacking or anything like that, but I like to work---I like
keeping house and making this *home.* The daffodils remind me of
what I long for as well: Spring! O, glorious Spring!
I continue to meditate on the Word---particularly
impressive to me in this past week: Hebrews 12. Every day I think
of something different about that passage. What a blessing it is:
Looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him...
O, the joys and misery of ignorance. I say,
joys, bcz there are times when ignorance is blessed
bliss. and I say misery, bcz there are times when ignorance is
miserably paralyzing. That's how I feel today with the *vista!*
ahead and my new blog that's being set up "as we speak!" or as we
mutter. In an attempt to have a more streamlined process for
blogging and for keeping this website orderly---okay, an attempt at it,
anyway, our friend, Sean, is helping us set up the new blog platform.
'Course, in the two steps forward, one step back (or is it one step
forward and *two* steps back---I don't know, I never get that one right)
we ran into some snags. Well, a big snag, really. Thank you
to those who wrote noticing that for a short time this whole website
looked like it was gone. And... it was for that time---but thanks
to my dear husband and to Sean, it's all coming together. Problem
is, that every link that used to end in .htm, now needs to end with
.html-----and when you do that throughout the site, using a remote
computer, to *all* the links, you sort of get a mixed blessing---or a
blixed messing, depending on how you look at it.
So... pretty soon I will figure out my new blog and
maybe even USE it! Thank you to my dear precious Wes and to Sean,
our dear brother in the LORD, for their *tireless* efforts on my behalf.
Looks like there are two days till the launch of
Regenerate Our Culture
---I am so looking forward to reading what they've got to say, the ideas
and hopes they'll be sharing bcz from what I've read thus far, these are
some outstanding young people with a strong resolve to promote Truth and
to live in light of the Word of God.
blessings....
blog comments
The Social Agenda vs. Regeneration
|
March
10,
2006
|
|
Whenever I see George Clooney patting
promoting himself anything, I can't help but think of
his uncanny resemblance to the younger self of my long-time-ago
stepfather. But, I digress---a pathetic story for another day.
Seriously, George Clooney's encouragements seem to be not-so-veiled
promotions of left-wing radical agenda/politics. So it goes with
his promotion of FYI or
Film Your Issue
and its invitation or solicitation to millions of college and university
students on national campuses. Most (all?) of which, I'd hazard to
assert are mills for liberal or left wing agenda. Why do I think
it's a left wing promotion? Read:
"Students
may also choose from four suggested subcategories: Global issues/ U.N.
Millennium Development Goals; Animal Welfare; Arts as a Global Diplomat
and Cultural Bridge;"
That's why. But do I think there's no hope or that every entry
will be a left-wing hemorrhage-the-country or destroy the foundations
entry? No... No, I have hope. I have great hope. Not
necessarily because of any particular thing I think people will say but
because I trust in God.
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be
thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut
down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD,
and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be
fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the
desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also
in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37.1-5
But then, also, there are some capable young
people who're seeking to present ideas and promote change are doing so
in a very wise way. They're seeking an about face---they're
talking about a right focus---a turning back to God. Such a
focus likely would cause liberals to scream and rent their clothes.
"Regenerate Our Culture is an organization with the
goal of regenerating our nation’s worldview away from the
post-modernism holding it and back to the Christian worldview it was
first built on. We believe that America is the most Godly nation on the
face of the earth, but it can’t be denied that many in our nation have
turned away from God in politics, religion, and their everyday lives.
Our vision is to help bring about a positive change in these three
important areas, and equip others to do the same."
Just read some of the blog entries made by some of the
founders of
Regenerate Our Culture
and you'll see what I mean. No dummies, they. And another
reason I have hope is that they're launching the site and their work in
a manner that indicates they're serious about the mandate they've been
given. God is at work in the hearts and minds of His people.
Here are blogs of a few of the members contributing to
Regenerate our Culture:
http://smarthomeschool.com/
or
http://www.spunkyjunior.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.mission36teen.com/
Ephesians 4.11-15 "And he gave some,
apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:
This, from their site: "Edmund Burke famously said
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing" – and this is the root of much of the evil in our culture
today."
[that good men have stood idly by and done nothing.]
Even so then at this present time also
there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11.5
blessings....
blog comments
In the Schoolroom
|
March
9, 2006
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Another
reflective day... as I've had lots of time to reflect on the Word
of the LORD, the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, I've been seeing the
LORD in a new light----I don't mean new-age contemplation, I mean
reading the Word in light of my current situation of waiting---of
healing---of not being able to do much of anything at all except
wait---read, listen, watch and wait. When I question the length or
the value of this time, I am mindful of my schoolmaster. I am
mindful of the value I am beginning to see in this affliction. I
ask the LORD to show me His way. I think of the Psalms:
119.67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy
word." and Psalm 119.71 "It is good for me that I have been
afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." And when I think of
these and other Psalms and Scriptures, I pray, O, God, please do not let
me waste a day of Your teaching and please do not let me allow Your
Words to fall to the ground. This is a long and expensive lesson
and I so do not want to waste it. O, let me not be in need of the
schoolmaster to bring me to repentance but rather, let me know the Truth
of Your Word and let me follow You in right paths.
Galatians 3.24-25 Wherefore the law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by
faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster. I'm thinking about this quite a bit... our condition
under the law before we were saved and our standing before God now that
we are saved. No longer under the schoolmaster of the
law----because we are justified by faith. Christ is our Master,
our Teacher, our Shepherd.
I don't think we realize the value of the lessons
we're being taught in God's schoolroom at the time of the lessons.
In fact, I think we often don't realize that situations we face were
lessons designed by the LORD to draw us to Himself, to remove scales
from our eyes, to conform us to His image or to reveal more of Himself
to us. What a privilege, then, it is to be in God's schoolroom.
I sometimes liken it to being on the easel after a repentance of sin or
failure. It's as if God sets my life back on the easel to repaint
an area I've allowed to be spotted or marred by sin. Only His
expertly capable Hand can remake the image so marvelously---so
completely. So it is in the waiting room or the schoolroom of the LORD.
It's sort of as if several dramatic events of family
and friends are occurring at this time and they've all sort of
collided. No doubt that these kinds of things or similar
things are happening with you or whoever is reading this blog. One
ministers to one facing death, another has faced the loss of an unborn
child, another plans a wedding, another heals from a grave sickness,
while another lies in a hospital bed recovering from major surgery,
while still another makes plans for the last days of a dying family
member. A friend faces a surgery whose outcome is uncertain and
still another awaits the results of the latest test for cancer-cells
and another faces new freedom from a completed prison sentence.
Pregnancies, births, sickness and death, job loss or promotion, housing
situations and relocations, traffic and taxes... all of these
things a concerns all around us. God's schoolroom. We do not
face these situations alone, they do not escape the gaze of the LORD nor
do they happen in a vacuum. And as I just talked over with a
friend on the phone, everything that's happening to anyone at a given
moment is a "big-deal" for that person---everyone's got things to bear
and they're all significant individually. There's no qualifying or
quantifying pain, suffering or grief.
God, the able and skillful, omniscient and
all-powerful LORD has marvelously planned for and provided for all that
is needed pertaining to anything and everything that concerns us---and
everything concerning all those that concern us... the number or size of
expanding and overlapping circles is inconsequential, for---
"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it
cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"
Isaiah 59.1
Home
|
March
9,
2006
|
|
So,
I'm reading through my
Making it Home magazine
and it came to me why I enjoy it so much---it's essentially like the old
Gentle Spirit magazine I've referred to here a number of times.
The articles in this issue are especially good---and the feature
article: Fifty Ways We Paid Off Our House On One Income by Laine
Amavizca, is especially inspiring. Many of her ideas are ones you
might automatically think of---however, how she implemented the ideas
might surprise you.
The ideas are great---many are not for the faint of
heart or the faithless, I must say. It would require the utmost in
diligence and dedication to hold to the course to accomplish that goal
in the manner she did/they did. But---as you can read from her
experience, it was "do-able" and the achievement was thrilling and
commendable. One thing that stood out to me was the absolute
dependence upon the LORD, His strength and His provision. Laine,
through her well documented experience and determination to eliminate
and et out of debt, gives solid hope for other women who'd like to do
the same. In addition to her article, editor, Blaine
Staat has an article entitled Consider This... Goal Setting for
Financial Freedom (or anything else). It's a great encouragement
as well. What's grabbing my attention is to be wise concerning
what God has entrusted to us and careful with His previsions. I
think Laine's "real -life" experiences will be encouraging.
This is one "stay-at-home" mom who is clearly the
antithesis of feminists characterization of women who choose to stay
home. Laine is without a doubt a quintessential wife and
homemaker. Just take a look at her extensive writings (Laine's
Letters) and marvelous
recipes and homemaking ideas. Laine is just the sort of woman who
shoots down the vain philosophies of the feminist movement and
contradicts their (false) assumptions about women wasting their lives
and education by staying home (and out of the rat race
work place). In order to dull their senses and deaden their hearts
for home, Feminist's and the feminist agenda have to discredit those who
really make a difference. To promote and perpetuate their agenda,
they must continue to invalidate those who do the most important work of
all. Those who stay home to *keep* the home, train up responsible,
happy and wise children, those who provide a safe haven of rest---the
canvas where life stories are painted, those are the real contributors
to a healthy and strong society. For too long,
feminists have promulgated lies
and spread a false "doctrine" and society is paying a hefty price for
those lies. No wonder so many women can't find their way home.
They never really learned what one was. The marvelous skills of
homemaking, so degraded by feminists who seem to hate womanhood, are to
many as foreign as can be. But the lies can be washed away by the Truth
and women really can see the way and really make it home. I guess
that's why I so highly recommend a
myriad of websites,
good books and magazines that demonstrate, and show---really
show---women the way home.
O, Online!
|
March
8,
2006
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I remember my first weeks being "online!" I
loved the sound of that dial-up and connection! And, O, how I
loved the emails. Then came, "Ask Jeeves." Well, I was like
a voracious reader with a bicycle and a library card---and---permission
to travel to the library! I could find answers to questions almost
instantly. And then.... and then, OneList! O, that OneList
was an incredible thing! I signed up to be on a few groups and then it
happened. Seemingly overnight, I became an internet junkie.
O, the thrill of the mail---wait! O, the thrill of the conversations,
what pandemonium some days, what exhilaration other days, what joy, what
sorrow! Then OneList became eGroups and eGroups became whatever
Yahoo groups are today. Some lists have ridden the storms, some
lists split and splinter groups formed. Sort of like churches...
things go great for a while and then it's time to move on---sometimes
bcz of offences, sometimes bcz of apathy or lack of interest or content.
I went through a time where I was saying, "Shhhhhh...."
or "Justa sec..." or "Justa minute---what?---o, just a sec." way too
often and I knew it was time to go "no-mail" or leave off receiving mail
entirely. Though I don't participate in the dialogue, I
still receive digests of some lists and read through them sort of
regularly---not as much as I used to, though. And then in the last
couple of years: Blogs! Now, years later, new blogs are springing
up by the day and there are just too many great blogs to mention.
The hard part of this is that it's really true: So many blogs, so little
time!
No time for blogging... the latest issue of
Making
It Home magazine just
arrived! It's time for tea! So, this 'bed-rest' recuperation
isn't going to be so bad today after all! So, I opened my
Making it Home mag
and see that it's packed full of wonderful titles of articles I can't
wait to read. And then, as if that weren't enough---the latest
whistleblower
magazine arrived, too! Can you tell I'm so thrilled?? Could I
convey more enthusiastically my endorsement of these two publications?
And I don't even have an article in the Whistleblower! ~wink~
Hmmm.
|
March
8,
2006
|
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And the grief goes
on... Do you sometimes sit sort of
numbed by the words you read and
concepts you attempt to grasp? Do
you sometimes gasp as you read the
latest measures taken in some churches
around the nation? Do you wonder:
how long, Lord, how long? I do.
And then I pray---please send a declarer
of Truth. Please send a bastion of
faith to condemn the unrighteous acts of
those who proclaim the Name of Jesus and
yet promote unrighteousness and heresy.
Such is the case with a "Lesbian
Evangelist" (is that not an incredibly
oxymoronic phrase!?!?!?) who has been
acquitted by a church judicial
commission for performing marriage
ceremonies for same-sex couples.
It was decided that she was acting
"within her right of conscience."
Her right of conscience? We know
that the secular community refuses to be
bound by moral absolutes---but the
PC-USA? What a plunge into the
abyss.
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jeremiah 17.9
I was reading the news and decided once again that
there's nothing new under the sun... except when it comes to great blog
entries and contests!! So, I just *had* to go and see what's new
with Barbara's ongoing " Laundry
Room contest" and I was
surely not disappointed. Did I mention how *young* the moms look?
O, did I already do that yesterday? Well, let me just say... wow,
the moms look so young! I'm thinking there really ought to be some
disclaimer captions beneath a couple of the pics. Something like
"Do not try this in your own home." That, or "be sure you *know* you'll
get out of there without having to have someone call the aid car!"
Imagine the look on a medic's face when you attempt to explain why you
climbed into the dryer or were stuck standing in the washer. "O,
Yeah... I see..." he'll be saying. 'Course, you just might
land yourself in a special padded room.
Speaking of Musings... congratulations to Amy (of
Amy's Humble Musings)
for the birth of her baby
son, Charles, born March 4. Around here, we're anxiously
awaiting the birth of our friend Amy's baby. She's a remarkable
mom of seven children thus far and the eight blessing is imminent!
A new to me blog------with a gazillion ---okay, maybe not a gazillion--
links on her side-bar.
The up-to-date-up-to-speed-in-the-know mother with the blog called:
Tulip Girl.
New Prayer Request
The Laundry Room |
March
7,
2006
|
|
I've been enjoying the amusing stories and pictures
posted in Barbara's
Laundry Room contest.
And you know what I keep thinking? Omy, those moms look *so*
young. Hmmm.... they are so young! Of course, they might not
feel very young some days... but, they are, nonetheless so young
looking. And agile. I don't know which I'd rather be today
young looking or agile? O---it would be too vain to say young
looking, so I guess I'll say: agile. I mean, agile can do a lot to
make *anyone* look young. So, I'd like to be as darling as
Carrie in the dryer
(and a young looking, too). She really gives new meaning to having
a cup of coffee in the laundry room!
I'll never forget yeas ago when I was doing the
laundry my boys would do things that really spiced up my life.
Those were in the days I still had long dark hair (and probably why I
don't today). I'll share a couple of occasions that really
energized or nearly killed me, I'm not just sure which.
On one occasion, when I reached into the laundry
barrel (Yes, it was a 35 gallon barrel with wheels and handles on the
top sides to make laundry gathering and toting easier), and much to my
surprise, I grabbed a rubber snake---and *screamed* and ran out of the
laundry room and into the laughter of the two oldest boys who were
presently falling down with grabbing their splitting sides... I think I
fell down with them---laughing by that point. Imagine their
delight when *the very next day* the same scene was repeated. Not
wishing to push their luck, that incident didn't happen again.
And then there was that time (and it happened a few
more times with different children in subsequent years) that I was
gathering the laundry to drop into the washer and out jumped the second
born son and I practically jumped through the ceiling. And
screamed. I love those boys---they seemed to know where the limit
was---and though they came close, they never pushed the limit too far.
Now, if they had put a *cat* in the barrel, I think they probably knew
that that would be the end of my laundry career----that, or the PETA
people would've been knocking at my door. I don't know how I would
have explained the demise of the cat. I never did consider paying
them back. And now that I am a grandmother, I don't have to worry
a bit about their naughty antics as children. They have children
of their own now. Stuff always works out.
A
pile of stuff to read
|
March
7,
2006
|
|
Hope you're following the links to the
Regenerate Our Culture
website. The enthusiasm
they're generating is inspiring.
Then, (thanks to
friend Sean
who is pioneering my migration from this antiquated way of blogging to a
better/simpler format) I got up to speed with Barbara's fun
Laundry Room contest.
I am behind on a bunch of stuff. I don't know if I've been
over-pained and under-medicated or if I've been over-medicated and
under-pained---or both. Anyway... so the contest that Barbara
Curtis is hosting. She thinks of the coolest stuff to capture and
retain attention and enthusiasm! That's what makes her site, her
Mommy Life
blog. her mothering and her
books so great----she knows the key to keeping interest and fueling it
with relevant and inspiring words--ideas, experiences, and
encouragement. Her books will turn aimless mothering into
meaningful motherhood. Really---I'm not just saying this bcz she
pays me millions of dollars to do so---her books have been used of the
LORD to turn around some long ignored activities and habits and have
infused life into some areas I allowed the monotony of repetition to
dull.
So get her books---The Mommy Manual,
especially--- buy them,
win them, borrow them... whatever---but read them---keeping a
highlighter pen handy to highlight the ideas that will inspire changes
you want to implement in your own home/mothering. While she is an
entertaining writer, what she writes is not for entertainment--learn
what she has to say and apply the wisdom in your daily life.
You'll be glad.
Well...
Some glad morning's
come!!
Like a bird from prison bars has flown....
This morning, our friend, Andrew,
walked out the gates of the prison: a free man. We pray the LORD
will go before him, walk beside him, guide his steps, pave his path and
carry him through.
Wes was up early this morning to go to the restaurant
to leave a gift to be waiting where Andrew would eat his "first meal" on
the outside---A meal he's looked forward to for a long time---a meal
that would include pork! ~smile~ You might remember that in
the prison, pork is not served bcz of the offence to the muslim
population there. Yes, I am cynical about that one. But I guess we
all capitulate to something, don't we? ---seems bizarre that this
would be one thing the prison food-services would compensate or
accommodate, given our country's at war... But then I guess it's a
small thing---courtesy is a small painless thing. We can all be a
bit more courteous, I suppose. Here's an example of how (at World
mag)
courtesy won over vanity.
Andrew called wes on the phone... what a sweet day.
So, Welcome Home, Andrew! Lottsa Mexican food
here tomorrow night!
Ten hours and
counting... |
March
6,
2006
|
|
We praise the LORD for Andrew... Our dear friend
Andrew spends his final night in prison tonight. O, the things the
LORD has taught us through Andrew! Four long years ago, then
eighteen years old, Andrew entered prison to serve time on drug related
charges. In prison, the LORD became Andrew's Saviour and Lord of
his life. Through the testimony of God's Word---the only item in his
cell that first night was that Bible---through the prayers and
encouragement of many, Andrew gave his life to the LORD and became a
changed man---truly a gloriously changed man. Through the years,
many would influence and spur Andrew on in his faith and walk with the
LORD. He would, by the grace of God, have wonderful materials sent
to him, Bible courses and countless other materials to add to
instruction in righteousness. Competently and humbly,
Andrew began to minister to many other inmates and has become well
respected for the man he is in Jesus. He leads church services in
the prison and has a heart to reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus
Christ.
Support Gideon's International
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper
than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
So tonight... I have been praying Psalm 121 for
Andrew---I've been praying that the LORD would complete the Good work
He's begun; that the LORD would indeed preserve his going out, that the
LORD would preserve Andrew and keep him from falling, that Andrew would
keep his eyes on the LORD.
Wes told our family of a young woman at the place he
used to go pick up a donut and coffee. He told us of how he felt
we should pray for her, her family and friends. He took her a
booklet he leaves with as many people as he can----a booklet that gives
the Way of hope and salvation in Jesus. A great deal of time
passed and we prayed for her, her family and friends and then finally,
she agreed to come to our home for weekly Bible study. When she
would speak of her fiancée, I wondered why he would not also come to
dinner and Bible study. I will never forget when Wes told me that
her fiancé was in prison---a well of fear washed over me. But that
was not of God and I soon knew that this whole situation was of the
LORD. Soon (when paperwork was completed and security clearances
were obtained) Wes and I met the gentlemanly and cordial Andrew, all my
concerns and fears completely vanished.
Little did I know that night that Andrew would become
to me a dear brother---one I would cry for and one to whom I would feel
a debt of gratitude. I feel that Andrew, a long time ago, paid his
dues for the crimes he committed and I feel that for a long time now
he's been paying dues for another who was never caught in the same
activity. And yet, Andrew seems to have served joyfully.
I'll always be grateful for the great privilege it has been to have our
friend (and others) here each week for Bible study, to know
Andrew, and to look forward to the days ahead---so thankful for the
opportunity to be a part of this story and to watch it unfold.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to have been able to
make an occasional visit to the prison and to see---really see some of
the changed lives of the residents there. I am so thankful for the
opportunity Wes had week after week to go see him. And we're
blessed by our friend's commitment and selfless dedication to Andrew as
she went to visit every available opportunity for forty-eight months.
The LORD has blessed them and we pray for His continued blessing and
wisdom as they plan for marriage and their future together.
As Andrew has said, the walls and the bars do not keep
God out of the prison. God works in amazing situations in amazing
ways. He is in the business of changing hearts, washing the filth
away and creating new men of sin ravaged lives. I cry with
joyfulness at the anticipation of what God has ahead. May the LORD
God bless Andrew and Genevieve. Though the Truth has already
set him free... One more night and a morning... at seven a.m. he walks
out a free man.
It seems impossible that it's
already been 100 days since our kids all got together to make a one
hundred link chain to give to Gen for her to read Bible verses and tear
them off, a day at a time, to give inspiration for the one hundred days
prior to Andrew's release. God is only good.
I received a very, very encouraging mail today and
was so thankful for all different families continuing on the path.
This led to some reviewing of a few websites. The different
websites have different looks and flavours, but the message is
consistent: Jesus *is* LORD. I was so glad to see this "continuing
on" in the next generation and was boosted in my spirit as I read the
comments of ambitious young people seeking to make a difference in this
nation. What a stark contrast to those who seem bent on destroying
every vestige of righteousness, Christian heritage or morality in this
nation. Young people whose hearts are set on following Christ.
This, from the Regenerate Our Culture
|
Regenerate Our Culture is an
organization with the goal of regenerating our
nation’s worldview away from the post-modernism holding it
and back to the Christian worldview it was first built on.
We believe that America is the most Godly nation on the face
of the earth, but it can’t be denied that many in our nation
have turned away from God in politics, religion, and their
everyday lives. Our vision is to help bring about a positive
change in these three important areas, and equip others to
do the same |
|
Read a bit more of what they have to say at
Regenerate Our Culture.
No small minds, these. They're a credit to their families and
those they represent---consider the great work of Karen Braun of
Spunky's Blog
and
Spunky Homeschool
and Vision Forum, for example.
Take a look at
Regenerate Our Culture.
and see what these bright minds are up to!
Who are these bright minds?
Alex King,
SmartHomeschool.com
Kristin Braun,
Spunky Jr
Jake Smith,
Mission36Teen.com
Tim Sweetman,
http://www.agenttimonline.com
And, they're looking for a "a few good men" so to speak
to build a broader platform for their project and their influence.
So regenerate! The answer to today's degenerate culture.
Living
Faith
|
March
6,
2006
|
|
But first, a funny... Andrew said to me as he
was looking at a picture of our whole extended family at a wedding and
he asked, "Mama, did you grow all these people?" I smiled,
and said, no... just these (pointing at another picture of just our
children). If I *had* grown all those people... wow.
So, I wrote yesterday a bit about disturbing or
grievous things. I'm sure it gets quite old to hear the same
mantra over and over. And yet. And yet, things are sort of
mind consuming sometimes and as things unfold, they're even more so, I
suppose. And then something will happen that brings the whole mess
into the Light. The whole mess begins to make sense in light of
the Word of God and in light of fallen man.
A brother will share what the LORD is doing.
Another will teach from the Word. Another will expound on a
passage relevant to the day and to the previous teaching and so on.
Another will request a hymn that ties all the thoughts and Scriptures
together... and we have evidence of the promise of the LORD: that where
two or three are gathered, there He is in the midst. So the LORD
is surely living, His Word is relevant for these days and His promises
are eternal. When I see these sorts of things come to pass----how
the LORD is working in remarkably similar ways in distinctly different
situations, I see His signature.
These are situations that force a bit of lively spiritual inspiration or
contradiction to my otherwise firm Calvinistic stand. While I
might, in some circles, be considered a staunch Calvinist, I do not
believe in the cessation of the gifts as do most Calvinists. I so
believe that God is *alive* and working in and through His church and is
gifting believers personally and uniquely to do His work and to bring
Himself glory. O, and then there's that little :-) matter of
infant baptism, or paedobaptism, which I don't believe is Biblical.
Dedicating an infant to the LORD is certainly sincere and appropriate,
but infant or passive baptism, no.
Acts 2.37 Now when they heard this, they were
pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to
all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
I suppose the most amusing part of all this
contemplation is that my husband and I have wonderful conversations
about the age old Calvinist / Arminian debate and he fairly firmly
refuses to be bound by either label, or tangle in that particular
debate, preferring instead to simply say he's a redeemed and thankful
follower of the LORD Jesus, not a religion or a man-set doctrine.
I just smile and tell him I am so thankful that the LORD's done all the
work, that the LORD chose him, that he's eternally secure, that the LORD
will sustain him, and that I am so grateful that because of all that:
he will persevere to the end. ~wink~
Psalm 121
March
5, 2006
I didn't think I'd make some time to blog today...
but my heart is heavy with the things transpiring all around us. I
grieve over the condition of our society---yes... I know the world is
dark and ugly. I know that it's fallen man and the consequences of
man's turning his back on God. And yet... yet I grieve over the
depravity of man. I grieve over the celebration of sin---the
increase of admiration of debauchery. From Mardi Gras to the
Academy Awards to... I know I read too much in news. I
don't watch television and so I know I am, in small measure, shielded
from some of the visual of the severity of sin. I can't help but
notice the bombardment of news concerning tonight's Academy Awards---and
the barrage of back breaking hype. I mull over this and consider
that those who attend, those who are nominated, and those who win
awards, do so sort of within a bubble. They're all peers.
They do not reflect the collective thinking of all of society---though
in their conceit, they think they do. I never want to forget that.
I never want to forget that they, on the whole, are as alive as the
statues they covet to win. God is not in all their ways.
He hands out no awards there, He is not impressed with all of their
actions, their gloating, their flaunting of sin and immorality, their
appearance, their money, and most importantly: their acceptance and
endorsement and marketing of sin. *They* are impressed with
themselves. *They* are the ones creating, nominating and handing
out awards among themselves.
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy
memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. For the LORD will
judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his
servants.The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work
of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have
they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not;
neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that
make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in
them.
Psalm 135:13-18
I grieve over the assault on God and purity. I
grieve over the raping of innocence and propriety. Those who
flaunt and demand acceptance of their nastiness by calling those in
opposition: radical extremists---oppressors, tyrants, etc., etc.
Because moral absolutes present a boundary they refuse to accept
(because in that boundary sin is defined) and they refuse to yield to
God.
Parallel to this and probably even more grievous is the carrying away of
the church by those who sort of dance alongside affluent, self-centered,
self-righteous entertainers. The intrusion---sort of a silent
tornado, is subtly happening by those who have sort of silently drifted
in the back doors of the church unawares. Those who come in
with a new, almost sensual, provocative style... a form of 'religion'
and arrogantly mock what they consider to be the old paths. The
more I read of these 'changes' and the shifting, sifting agenda of
what's known as the Emergent Conversation or the Emergent Church-----O,
so chic sounding, isn't it. It sort of reminds me of a phenomena
that swept through some years ago... marriages that were "enlightened"
embraced "Swinging" and accepted many sorts of immoral activities into
their marriage---thinking they advanced and open-minded. God is in
none of their thoughts. *They* are alone in their thoughts and
conceited in their ways. So all these things just keep cropping up
and colliding. All the while, it seems we stand on the sidelines swaying
with the music and the winds of changes blow through our hair and minds.
O---let us not become mesmerized and fascinated with these dainties
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider
diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Proverbs 23.1-3
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not
slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore.
psalm 121
Just a Slice
|
March
3,
2006
|
|
While
I was in the hospital, one of sweetest
gifts I received was the gift of
moonlight. Yes, it was a gift.
During the wakeful nights there, I
looked out my window through the pine
trees that densely surround the
hospital, I saw the brilliance of the
nearly full moon (it was waning, but
still brilliant) and enjoyed that glory
of the LORD for a few hours until it
passed beyond my view. The next
evening I anticipated the same gift and
was not disappointed when, at about
1a.m., the moon was there once again,
seeming to smile into the glass.
Couldda been the morphine, but I don't
think so... I couldn't help but
praise the LORD... how He met me there
and lingered. I was thinking of
Psalm 148...
"Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the
heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels:
praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise
him, all ye stars of light.
And then, Psalm 121.6 "The sun shall not
smite thee by day, nor the moon by night." And again,
Psalm 136.9: "The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy
endureth for ever."
Behold, what manner of love
the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God:
1John 3.1
Of His mercy there is no end. How I praise Him
for that today.
What in the world is happening to
the church?
|
March
2,
2006
|
|
I don't often write about house-church in this blog
bcz of the sort of volatile nature of home vs. institutional or
traditional church. A couple of situations have sort of collided
and have brought me to the keyboard today. A Time mag article and
a series of articles keep swirling around in my thoughts. So...
this blog's about the church---what's happening to the church? To
me, it's not so much about where or when believers gather as why they do
and how they do... and who is the head of the church.
Earlier this week I read a multi-part series on how
to change the purpose of a church. Gripping, really and sickening,
too. I say sickening advisedly and with caution, too, bcz I
hate to sound brash and vulgar and I also know these comments or this
topic will throw up a blazing red flag. I read the series of
articles on
Pastors.com
and was left with a sickened or grief stricken feeling bcz of determined
and deliberate manipulation of people who are treated as pawns in a
person's (often the pastor's) hand. I am not saying this is
occurring in every 'church' certainly, or that this is the action or
intention of every pastor---no, no, no. I am, however,
saying that this *is* going on---and it must be going on in a whole
lotta churches and it is appalling.
Think you're not being moved like a chess piece in a
well "strategized" (I know... it's a word in *my* vocabulary) game???
Hmmm.
These quotes, from a multi part series of articles by
Chuck McAlister,
How to Transition an Established
Church:
" Become
an Expert on the Process of Change (Hebrews 6:1-3;
Psalm 48:14; Isaiah 42:16; John 16:13; Psalm 27:11)
Read
everything you can get your hands on about leading an
organization through change. Use the knowledge you gain to keep
evaluating, not only the stages of your process, but also the
methods you're using to implement change."
Take the time to read the
articles---really, let them sink in. What do you think of what
he's saying? Then... perhaps dare to ask yourself: Am I being
manipulated? When you're sitting there listening to a message, are
you being targeted for a particular response or action and is the
message a part of a series of messages on a well determined track that
is designed to assuage your doubts and manipulate your reactions?
I know, I know, this sounds like a hyper-sensitive, conspiracy laced
hyperbole.
This, from
part three:
"For that reason, you must
wait to construct the new facility only after you have
sufficiently transitioned the church, so that it is a
new church occupying a new facility. It does no good to build a
new facility if you're still doing church as usual. You will not
be able to retain the people who come to check out the new
building."
Then, from
part four:
"Simultaneously Transition
Your Worship Style as you change(Psalm 150; Psalm
100; Psalm 96:1-3) This will be, by far, the most
controversial part of the transition process. People have strong
preferences in regard to worship styles to which they assign
spiritual significance. This part of the transition process must
be handled delicately over an extended period of time or you
could sabotage the whole process."
And this:
"Introduce Drama, Video Illustrations, and
Testimonies into the Service - This transition will be
easy for the church family and tougher on the pastor and worship
planning team. At this step, the pastor must prepare
sermons far enough in advance to allow the worship
planning team more time to prepare dramas, find video
illustrations or enlist testimonies. At this point, additional
ministries can be birthed that offer direct input into the
worship service, for example, a drama ministry."
"Start Praise Teams and Worship Training with
Your Children and Youth - This will ensure that the
worship legacy continues in your church. We have children praise
teams, as well as junior high and senior high praise teams and
praise bands."
Throughout that whole series of articles,
there *are* definite admonitions to stay in line with God, to
pray for God's wisdom, to not go it alone---but then,
there's still the disturbing current throughout. Like
this, for example:
"Preaching Change - Begin the
transition with your preaching. Preach the Bible in such a way
as to demonstrate how the Scriptures can meet people's needs.
Stay at this step for one year before moving to the next step to
allow for an influx of new people who are drawn by the relevant
teaching."
Or this:
"We are currently engaged in the construction
of a church facility that, honestly, will require God to
complete. If God doesn't come through on this, we are sunk. This
is the largest risk that our church has ever undertaken. Believe
me; it is being approached with much prayer."
I dunno... it just might be residual medication...
too much morphine; or it might just be my new sedentary lifestyle... but
something's just not right here... and I can't help but be certain that
I'm not the only one who sees that the Emperor Has No Clothes.
Then, this week's Time Magazine features an article
about the "house-church" or "simple church" movement and why people are
leaving "traditional churches" to gather in homes with other believers.
It's an interesting article---even has some very accurate points.
The article is entitled: " There's
No Pulpit Like Home" and
points to a few of the reasons people leave conventional churches.
I am beginning to wonder... are people not also
leaving bcz of the big biz of the church industry---the
mega-church-machine? Will the rejection that some are expressing
regarding the big box stores like Home Depot or Walmart happen to the
big box churches? It ought to be sobering to every believer:
what's going on in the 'church' today and it ought to be cause for some
reflection: what're we doing here and why? I don't mean the
PDL "What on Earth am I Here For" question, I mean the bigger question
about the whole shift... the whole "conversation" movement, the whole
contemplation and emergent movement. Is this *really* in line with
the Word of God? Will people just start reading the Word again and
start saying, hey, the Bible says that it's the work of the LORD to
build His church.
It's very simple, really. The church---Jesus is
the Head of His church; He will build His church.
Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers."
46 "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved."
Well, so there's a slice from this day... such that it
is. blessings....
A
couple of slices
|
March
1,
2006
|
|
If I could adequately convey my sincere love and
thanks to my family and if I could possibly express my thankfulness for
their tender care and attention to everything that pertains to me and to
our home... I'd proclaim it from the housetop and in every
publication... My husband, especially, for his tireless care and concern
for even the smallest details. I could not have received better
care anywhere---and I am so grateful to them all: from the tallest to
the smallest.
And then, for the rest of the family and friends who
have visited, emailed, called, brought flowers, sent cards, brought
meals, etc., I am so very grateful. There were days I had many
bouquets around our room that I would lie back in our bed and fold my
hands across my chest so that whoever entered our room would see I was
prepared to see the LORD ;o) And, on some of those days, I
hoped it would happen sooner than later. But... today's a breezy,
sunny day and I am so glad for the LORD sustaining me. Truly, He
is my strength---the glory of the LORD is my salvation.
My recent surgery went well---but the healing time
feels sort of slow in my guesstimation of how this ought to go---the
stated three month recovery time seems excessive to me, though.
So, that, and restless legs and probably the usual myriad of aches and
pains people experience persist. I suppose if I were only dealing with
healing from surgery, I'd be feeling on-the-mend okay. But 'seems
that the site of my IV has caused greater pain, in that my vein must've
been perforated a bit, and so my forearm is numb---I think they shot it
with gin! ---and when I attempt to (or accidentally) extend it, an
incredible pain like an electric jolt shoots up my arm. I
mentioned this initially and then to numerous nurses while at the
hospital---I was told that the So... there's that. I still plan to
chronicle the surgery and post it in the "medical" pages here on our
site---just as a help and info for mothers of many children who my be
experiencing/enduring complete pelvic prolapse and are wondering just
what to do about it and just what helpful options are available.
I receive quite a few letters regarding modesty and
modest clothing---not surprising to me, are all the comments regarding
the lack of selection or even availability of modest clothes---that, or
there are modest clothes available but the price is too exorbitant or
the style is not very feminine or pleasant. Some of the dresses
are about as attractive or feminine as
Carhardt
clothing. Over the years, I've had the privilege to
highlight different sites and businesses that seem to offer modest and
feminine clothing at reasonable prices; I've gathered links and posted
them on the page for
Modesty and Feminine Dress.
I personally know some of the owners of the sites I post and so those, I
highly recommend. The others, though I don't know them personally,
I've corresponded or have ordered from them or they've come highly
recommended.
It's obvious, by the links I do not post, that I only post "Christian
links" and a few others that offer modest and feminine clothing. I
do not post links for special coverings that some religions consider
modest clothing, And, I am often asked to link to sites that
present alternatives to the clothing offered to young ladies in retail
stores, after looking the sites over, I often see that the owners of the
sites have a different standard of "modesty" than I do. And for
many reasons, I don't link to the prominent sites that are known for
modest prom dresses and modest wedding dresses----
The sites are out there... easy to spot and seem to
be popular... just a quick
Google
and they're right up there. The sites I "represent" or post are,
for the most part, small ventures, Christian families seeking to build
and expand cottage industry---women working in their homes after the
manner of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31----women who seek to provide modest
clothes for families at reasonable prices. I'd hazard to
guess that there's hardly a retail store out there that actually sells
only modest-feminine clothing. We keep searching... but until
then, we tend to make our own or locate items that we like or remake
from dresses and skirts found at thrift stores. Here's a
condensed page
of just the modest dresses and patterns.
But before any shopping or any other outing, for that
matter, I have lots of replies to attend to.
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