You Make a Difference!

Six Reasons to Quit

"Mommy, can I change my dress?"

 "No, why?"

"Jenny, (the neighbor-girl accross the street) said she didn't like my dress."

"She said that?"

"Well no, but she said she liked Anabelle's and didn't say anything about mine." 

Tears starting to swell in her beautiful brown eyes...

My four year old is worried about her clothes.

I have work to do, and it's surely not here.

When I began Pure Modesty, I had no idea I would end up with over 1500 fans and friends! (I'm seriously amazed!) 

Because we are all given the same amount of time in which to use our day, I need to be a good steward of every minute I am blessed with. I want my Heavenly Father to say to me,"Well done..."

With prayer and counsel from my husband, this season of blogging for me has come to an end.

It has been my prayer from the beginning, you would find encouragement and resources to help you along in your journey, where ever it may be, to glorify the Lord through feminine dress, and homemaking by breathing life into your home.

Even though I will no longer write post or share other wonderful links, this site will remain open as a resource for you.

If you notice, there is a new tab titled, "31:24 & More" If you have a cottage industry, web-site, ebook, Etsy store, or you are a "consultant" working from your home, I would love to have you listed under this tab. I created this tab to help women who are contributing from home to aid in their "home economy" Please email me at puremodesty info at gmail dot com. If you would like to be listed.

I will also be removing my Facebook account, as it is one less responsibility to look over.

Just as I began this blog with a giveaway, I would love to end it with one as well! Stay in touch this week to see what the prize will be!

Thank you for your loving support!

In His service,

How to Grow Your Blog Review & Weekend Links

Here are a couple of  links I wanted to pass along, but first I want to share with you my review of, "How to Grow Your Blog, and Manage Your Home" by Jacinda from Growing Home.

When I began blogging three years ago, I had no clue what I was doing, I just wanted a place to write. Write what? I had no idea, but everyone was doing it and I wanted to as well. Big mistake!

Once I figured out what I wanted to write about, I still did it poorly, and what I did learn, I  learned the hard way!

How to Grow Your Blog, and Manage Your Home is perfect for women who want their blogs to thrive without compromising the well being of their homes and families.

First thing first: Should You Blog? This is the first and most important chapter in her book. I don't think this is a chapter written solely for the newbie blogger. Every blogger needs a heart-check from time to time. The truth of this chapter is convicting and loving all at the same time!

Jacinda writing is easy to read! I will be the first to admit, I am a computer nerd but in the wrong sense of the word. I'm not techy at all, so I am thankful when I have something in front of me I can easily understand and follow through with. From your blog layout and design, to making money blogging, Jacinda walks you through each step to having a better blog.
I wash I had this book three years ago!


If you are considering starting a blog, or want to give your current blog a fresh look,  I would recommend you also purchase Jacinda's other ebook, "How to Design a Blog for FREE." Again, Jacinda breaks down all the computer lingo into easy to understand how-to instructions.

Easy-peasy, I promise!

p.s., Jacinda gave me a free copy, but all opinions are my own. :0)

Now for the links...

If you scroll down my sidebar to "Kindred Spirits" you will see "Heroines of the Faith"
JES is so lovely and delightful and encouraging and I simply hope that you will subscribe to her blog. My daughters and I have been working through the Bible very slowly so we can soak in as much detail as possible when it comes to the places and people we are reading about. JES has a wonderful post about Why Noah's Flood is Important for Mothers and Maidens. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  You should also consider reading through her Godly Princess Unit Study!

Visit Life With jack for some encouraging words for mom's from 1 Corinthians 13. I really enjoyed this!

Last night our family was able to listen to some beautiful Bluegrass music downtown. I am still in awe that the Lord has brought us here! Isn't this beautiful!?

Whatever your plans are, I pray you have a great weekend!

Be sure to visit my lovely sponsors, Joyfully Sewn Designs and  Sunny Patch Cottage! Modest clothing for the little girls in your life!

Almost is still good, right?

I may not be there yet but I’m closer than I was yesterday – Natalia Campbell

Sometimes I give myself a big fat, Sharpie red, letter "F" for failure.

Do I set myself up to fail? 

Or maybe I expect too much of myself.

I am a visionary. I have a whole lot of ideas floating around my head  with no outlet. What is dangerous about being a visionary, is having the vision then for whatever circumstance, the vision is blurred. (No outlet.) Each month I am supposed to read two new books and learn one new skill. Then I changed it  to one new book and one new skill. Now it's just one new book. 

But it doesn't stop there...

I still haven't ordered my book for this month and the skill I had hoped to learn 

is still in the packaging on my nightstand!

{sigh}

Almost counts, because in all things I want to please Him. Because in all ways, He directs my paths.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.~Proverbs 19:21

I am one step closer to a greater prize!

That of understanding Jesus and this faith walk He is guiding me on.

And for that I am thankful!

(A+ with a gold star.)

Be sure to visit my lovely sponsors, Joyfully Sewn Designs, Sunny Patch Cottage, and Craving's!

Happy Independence Day!

image credit

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Cravings Giveaway!

What can be better than a cupcake?

The Word of God and a cupcake, of course!

I recently stumbled upon another website hosting a "scrumptious" giveaway for Cravings, the Devotional and I had to have one of my own!

This is so brilliant for busy mom's!

Craving's, the Devotional is a collection of 40 cards, written by a mom, based on the Psalms to encourage and nurture our relationship with the Lord when we crave Him, but somehow life get's ahead.

Let me explain where I am, and why I love this idea.

I have six children, three of whom I am teaching.

I have an infant who I nurse on demand, and two other toddlers. One who is still in diapers, so that is two in diapers, and all three nap, all at different times of the day.

Add in houseworks, meals, swim lessons and other various play and crafts.

Also, my husband works twelve hour days.

Please don't get me wrong, I am blessed beyond measure and LOVE the life I have be given!

I pray throughout the day. For my husband, my children, family and friends. 

I have tried to get into some routine of fitting in the Word, but for me, it doesn't always happen.

It's a challenge to get up at six in the morning to have some quiet time when I was already up three other times for nursing the baby or someone wet the bed or had a nightmare. 

I cherish the moments I have with my children when I read the Bible to them each day before we begin our lessons, however I crave time alone with God.

Craving's the Devotional is just that for me. 

Because even when I'm not constant,  He is!

Little morsels of the Word, resting on top of a cupcake, sitting next to the sink while I do dishes. The funny thing is, no one interrupts me while I'm doing the dishes!

Craving's, the Devotional is a great way to supplement your daily reading for a season if you need it. 

This sweet little cupcake would also make a wonderful gift!

 I was given a free cupcake in exchange for my honest review of Craving's. If you would like to purchase your own delightful cupcake, you may do so by going here. 

Or you have a chance to win one of your very own!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus~ Thessalonians 5:16-18

Things to do this weekend

Watch this trailer then buy the movie.

Read Doug's Blog
Understand what Secular Humanism is and why it is so important:
"If you pay attention, you might notice there is a war against biblical marriage. We keep seeing the courts trying to redefine words, especially when it comes to family. We saw this when the word "baby" became "fetus". When we use this definition, it is easier to make people believe a baby is not a real, living soul, but only a clump of cells. 
This is the same reason people are trying so hard to change the meaning of the word "marriage." Since marriage is a biblical concept and the method through which God builds societies, people who reject God need to separate the word from it's religious source. They need to replace it with their own "modern" definition so they don't have to be accountable to anyone. They want to do their own things.
The courts also keep trying to change the meaning of other family definitions like "mother," "father," "boy" and girl." We are seeing this take place more and more in schools in America.
In reality, this type of maneuver seeks to destroy God's pre-ordained order. When we pass laws saying every public school child will learn that gay, lesbian and transgender lifestyles are "normal" and appropriate ways of defining "family," this is the work of something evil. The issue is not "human rights"... it is more insidious than that. In a general sense, the Bible calls it rebellion against God. More specifically it is a philosophy called "Secular Humanism""~Leah D. Smith, "Diapers, Dishes & Dominion. How Housewives Can Change the World."
Pray fervently for our fallen world. That the Creator of the Universe will bestow His Mercy upon us.
Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?~ Psalm 94:16

Give Me Jesus

And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance,
so that richly enjoying allsufficiency at all times, you may have ample means..~2 Corinthians 9:8 
For he satisfiess the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.~Psalm 107:9 

In the Garden

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.~Song of Solomon 2:12

His Hem

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.~Matthew 9:20-22

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.~Psalm 34:18

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.~Psalm 147:3

Clay

But now, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand. ~ Isaiah 68:8

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  ~2 Corinthians 3:5

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

I am Blessed

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it~Proverbs 10:22

May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised.~Deuteronomy 1:11

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee.~Numbers 6:24

Down to the River...

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells."~Psalm 46:4

Reversals

While I was gathering posts together to celebrate my "Baby Shower" the Lord pressed my heart on an issue I have no experience with. 

Many readers have asked me questions on how I can have so many c-sections almost in a state of confusion and disbelief. Some women have had two or three C-Sections and at the advice of their doctors had their "tubes tied" or their husband had vasectomies. I am not their doctor and will not state they should or should  not have listened. I don't know their personal history and have no authority to make any judgment.

What I hear through these questions to me is, "Could I have had more children?" I'm not writing to answer that question either.

I do want to share with you testimonies of  families who have had a reversal. 

I know there is someone reading this who may have questions. 

If this testimony gives you any hope, then pray and seek Him and His wisdom.

photo credit

We are Jonathan and Jessica P. We met at church in July 2003, married in December 2003 and welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Julianna, into our family in January 2005. We loved being parents so much that we decided we would try for #2 when she was only 6 months old. We got pregnant the first month trying and we were so excited! When I was 11 ½ weeks pregnant I went in for my first prenatal appointment but Jonathan wasn’t able to come with me. The midwife came in and felt around and checked for the heartbeat, but there was none. I didn’t know what was going on but they said we were going to do an ultrasound. At that point I was excited that I was going to see our precious baby! When the ultrasound started I saw our sweet baby…but there was no flicker. Our baby had went to be with the Lord. We were so heartbroken. 


After we lost our little baby, we decided we would try again and thankfully we were blessed. This baby grew healthy and strong and our first son, Justen, was born in August 2006. We were pretty sure we wanted to have four children total, but we were thinking we wanted a break between after having our son. When he was 5 months old, we found out we were expecting again. We were surprised because we were taking precautions, but the Lord had a plan that was much greater than ours! In September 2007, our second daughter, Jillian, was born. 


A few days after Jillian was born, I started to have what is referred to as ocular migraines. I saw flashing, jagged lights that weren’t really there. After a couple weeks I went to see my doctor. They did MRI's and CT scans and they found I had a small brain hemorrhage. Their best guess was that it happened during labor with Jillian. I met with a neurologist and they said that my body would absorb the blood and that I should be fine. He said I could have more children, possibly even vaginally with no complications. We weren't sure we wanted to chance it. We decided that we were going to be content with the children we had and that Jonathan would get a vasectomy. In June 2008, he did just that. We didn’t second guess our decision or feel like we made the wrong choice. We just felt like that chapter of our lives was over. 


In January 2010, God started to work on my heart. I began to have dreams of being pregnant again with our older three children kissing and rubbing my belly, dreams of nursing a new baby with the older children sitting on my lap or next to me. I thought I was complete. I was sure that we were done having children. However, the Lord had shown me that He wasn't done yet. He put a desire in me for more children that was stronger than before if not stronger! I knew in my heart what the Lord wanted but I was very nervous to talk to Jonathan about it. I sat Jonathan down and told him about my dreams. He listened patiently, but when I was finished he told me that he really felt like we were complete. we agreed to pray about it. A couple days later he came home and said, “I think there may be more than one missing! I think we might end up with two or three more!” We discussed adoption and we also looked into reversals. I felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to be pregnant again because most of the dreams revolved around either me being pregnant or nursing. 


When we started checking into everything, we got major sticker shock. We didn't know what to do or what direction the Lord wanted us to take. We checked more into reversals that next week and in one of our searches an organization named Blessed Arrows popped up. I clicked on it and I couldn't believe my eyes when I read what they are all about. They fund reversals!


We applied in April 2010, we were approved and put on the funding list in July 2010. In August 2010 our fund was complete! Jonathan had his reversal with Dr. David Wilson on October 19, 2010 however, things didn't look very optimistic. Dr. Wilson gave us a 70% chance of ever conceiving. We knew that we had to keep our eyes on the Lord because He was the one that had brought us to this point. If He desired us to have more children, it wouldn't matter what odds were stacked against us...


On September 7, 2011, Jackson Randall was born weighing in at 5lb 10oz and 17 ½ inches long. We are so in awe of what the Lord has done! We are more excited than ever to see what else He has in store for us. We will gladly welcome with open arms and hearts more blessings if the Lord desires. ~Thank you for reading and God’s blessings to you all!

Bambi from In the Nursery of the Nation shares her reversal testimony here.

As well as another reversal testimony from a dear reader Amy, here!

Quiver Full

Caveat... I won't pretend to know everything...I understand I am leaving myself vulnerable with the mere mention of the the words "Quiver Full." Please understand that I am writing from my heart as my husband and I are still seeking wisdom, knowledge and understanding in this area of our lives.

photo credit

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…” ~Psalm 127:3-5

What does this passage mean?
What if I only had one child?
Does the amount of children you have make your quiver "full?"

Stacy McDonald, co-author of Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God wrote this (and I agree.)


“As long as someone has a lot of children, they may appear to embrace the call to train up more children for the Lord; we assume that they are “quiverfull.” But by doing so, we are looking at outward expressions (which can be deceptive) and assuming deeper, spiritual attitudes. Just because a woman has given birth to many children doesn't mean she’s quiverfull. Likewise, there is no way we can assume that a couple is not quiverfull, simply because they have no children; and we should not make any such assumption.

We believe that a couple can be quiverfull with no children at all! In fact, a single person can be quiverfull! It is a Scriptural mindset. When we welcome children into our families; when we are grateful for the precious gift of life, then we are quiverfull! Perhaps we should define quiverfull as having a sovereign view of God’s gift of children. That being said, I think we can prove ourselves to be NOT quiverfull by being obsessed with having MORE children, when God has closed the door.”

A brief history...

When my husband and I married, we never discussed how many children we would have. We also never thought that we would simply leave it up to the Lord as to the timing and amount of children we would have. In our unsaved and naive state of thinking, we simply didn't want to use birth control. No rhyme or reason, we just didn't think we needed to.

Thirteen years ago when I had my first baby, I required an emergency c-section. Seven years later when I was expecting our daughter we were all ago for a natural delivery. Because I had already had one surgery, we decided to deliver at the hospital instead of home. Seven months into my pregnancy, the hospital changed its policy and no longer allowed V-BAC's to take place. C-section number two followed at the advice of our doctor as did the next three.

When my third daughter was six weeks old she developed RSV and one early, terrifying morning, she stopped breathing in my arms. It was at this point in our lives that the Lord showed His mercy to us by both allowing our daughter to live and more importantly he displayed so clearly that he is the author of life.

We still do not use any form of birth control but our mind set on why not, has changed. Here is where it gets complicated for us.

Our hearts have a quiver full mind-set. My body, however may not.
Surgeries coupled with my personal health history of kidney problems may limit birthing more children. I know there are women out there who have had ten c-sections! Praise the Lord! Will I be one of them? I don't know...

I am thankful for the Author who does know. He has placed an wonderful OB in our lives who is a believer yet knows the risks involved with my health history. So many questions danced around my head that I have to place at the alter.

At the end of the day two words come to mind.

Fear & Prayer.

I am fearful of making an emotional, possibly irreversible decision. Living with regret that there are people missing from my life. So I simply must pray!

Children are a gift and a blessing from the Lord. I am thankful for each one of my babes He has given me and pray I am blessed with more!

Here is a short clip from 18 Kids and counting. You may view the entire clip or fast forward to about the 4:40 minute mark. Enjoy!

"It is in the hands of God as far as we are concerned. By His Grace, I will carry a baby. And by His grace I'll give birth to the baby and by His grace we will be able to take care of  that child, however that works out."~ Michelle Duggar

As we anticipate the birth of our sixth blessing, I have decided to throw myself a baby shower and your invited! Please join as I post all about "Baby Love" and share some fabulous giveaways each day next week!

Tending Your Garden

photo credit

Here are some lovely quotes taken from Tending Your Garden by Denise Sproul.
This is one of the books I purposed to read this month and I am so thankful I did!

"It is necessary for women to fight the temptation to want to make a name for themselves, even if it is only in cyberspace. And women should be very careful not to justify the time and energy they spend in such pursuits by saying that they are just helping their husbands and are only doing so under his authority...So we are to play supporting roles to our husbands lead. We should do this joyfully, as unto our Heavenly Husband, knowing that we support the greatest story ever told. This is not only enough, but more than enough. What glory and delight! We help model the Star and together we make known His glory in our life stories."

"We sometimes are tempted to mold our daughters into our own image, rather that the image of Christ. There is nothing wrong with our daughters enjoying the same things we do, whether it's music or cross-stitch, art or cooking. However, this should not be our goal. We shouldn't be striving to make them into a junior "us." We want to see our daughters become women of God and our sons men of God-mighty warriors for his kingdom, more righteous than we. The means to the end of raising godly seed is the application of the Word to our children's lives."

"Immersing our children in God's Word means there are plenty of formal means of "taking baths." That is, our homeschooling studies should be suffused with teaching from the Bible. We should be constantly bringing in Scripture references as they relate to whatever we are currently studying. Bathing them in God's Word also helps us establish our children's own faithful habits of bible reading. We should teach them to love the Word of God and to regularly read it."

Joy in Rest

Today I woke, feeling some pity as I am on day 17 of bed-rest. Still, I am grateful for my God who is so big and so caring.

After a delicious breakfast prepared by my husband and served by my four year old, I reached for my phone and checked my emails.

Lately, I have been looking forward to one email in particular.

Each Saturday I am greeted by Amy at Raising Arrows.

She has a fabulous series entitled "Weekends in the Word" for mama's who for what ever reason can't make it to church but can still find encouragement with a few Scripture verses and words of love sent from Amy.

I love this idea. I love that Amy's Blog is a vessel to me during this season of rest.

After breakfast, my husband took all the children out to run errands, breathe in some much needed fresh, crisp air which would allow for me some quiet time.

Quiet is good, but I miss the noise of my family. I realized it had been a while since I had played some music in the house so I popped in Kari Jobe and worshiped.

I danced (sort of), lifted my hands and soaked in His Goodness!  Reflecting on the Scripture Amy chose and the music played, filled me where I was empty. Even though it was only for a moment, it was glorious!

In the same spirit and inspired by Amy, I will have a new series on Pure Modesty entitled Weekend Worship.

I will post Scripture along with a complimenting song or Hymn for you to enjoy and use for worship should you not be able to make it to church as well. (Or for anytime!)

I pray this series will glorify the Lord and bless you at home!
Thank you, Dear Amy!





"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.:~Psalm 5:11

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."~John 15:11

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."~51:12

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ~Psalm 23

Side effects

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A byproduct is defined as "Something produced in the making of something else. A secondary result; a side effect."

Lately I have been feeling like I am a byproduct of feminism. What is considered a grand design for a woman's "freedom" and a hope for multi-generational success, I have chosen to live counter-cultural to it's views on womanhood and motherhood.

I am the side-effect in it's ideology.

And "they" don't like it.

"They" are the ones who ask "Do you work?" 

"They" are the ones who wonder about how I get my 'me time' with "all those kids"

"They" are the ones who assume I can "do it all"

But isn't that what "they" wanted?

To do it all?

What is the "it all" and why does mine have to match theirs?

I'm not sure.

I am sure that I do work and that my job carries a great responsibility.
"he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you-they are your life..."~Deuteronomy 32:46-47

I am sure that I get me me time with the One who deserves it the most.
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long."~Psalm 119:97

I am most assured I can't do it all, however, because my strength is not my own.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."~2 Corinthians 12:9 

My side-effect-ness is frowned upon with each book read to my babes, each meal I prepare and every laundry load I wash. I hear "tisk-tisk" whispered for encouraging my girls to dress like girls so they can define femininity not androgyny. It is most criticized for willfully submitting to my husband and for honoring his vision.

And so I must always remember, "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of God."~Galatians 1:10

Do you have a side effect? How does it show?

I Resolve...

I am resolved, by the grace of God assisting me, to keep these resolutions
which I have frequently made and do now again renew.

"I am resolved to believe in God, that he is and is a rewarder of all that diligently seek him, to
believe firmly and constantly in all his attributes. I am resolved to fear him
and love him with all the powers and faculties of my soul, and to keep a steady
eye to his commands, and to govern myself in every circumstance of life by the
rules of the gospel of Christ, whose disciple I profess myself and as such will
live and die.

"I am resolved by the divine will not to be anxious or
doubtful, nor to be fearful of any accident or misfortune that may happen to me
or mine, not to regard the frowns of the world, but to keep a steady upright
conduct before my God and before man, doing my duty, and contented to leave the
event to God’s providence.

"I am resolved by the same grace, to govern my
passions, to endeavor constantly to subdue every vice and improve in every
virtue and in order to this I will not give way to any of the least notions of
pride, haughtiness, ambition, ostentation, or contempt of others. I will not
give way to envy, ill-will, evil speaking, in-gratitude, or uncharitableness in
word, in thought, or in deed, or to passion or peevishness, nor to sloth, or
idleness, but will endeavor after all the contrary virtues, humility and
charity, and to always be usefully or innocently employed.

"I am resolved not to be luxurious or extravagant in the management of my table and
family on the one hand, nor niggardly and covetous or too anxiously concerned
about it on the other, but to endeavor after a due medium and manage with
hospitality and generosity as much as is in our power; to have always plenty
with frugality and good economy, to be decent but frugal in my own expenses, to
be charitably disposed to all mankind.

"I am resolved, by the divine assistance, to fill the several stations wherein providence has placed me, to the best advantage, to make a good wife to my dear husband in all its several
branches and to make all my actions correspond with that sincere love and duty I
bear him, to pray for him, to contribute in all my power to the good of his
soul, and to the peace and satisfaction of his mind, to be careful of his health
and of his interests, of his children and his reputation, to do him all the good
in my power, and next to pleasing God, to make it my study to please
him.

"I am resolved to be a good mother to my children, to pray for them,
to set them good examples, to give them good advice, to be careful both of their
souls and bodies, to watch over their tender minds, to carefully root out the
first appearing and buddings of vice, and to instill piety, virtue, and true
religion into them, to spare no pains or trouble to do them good, to correct
their errors, whatever uneasiness it may give myself, and never omit to
encourage every virtue I may see dawning in them.

"I am resolved to make a good sister, both to my own and my husband’s brothers and sisters, to treat
them with affection, kindness, and good manners, and to do them all the good I can.

"I am resolved to make a good mistress to my servants, to treat them

with humanity and good nature, to give them sufficient and comfortable clothing

and provisions, and all things necessary for them, to be careful and tender of

them in their sickness, to reprove them for their faults, to encourage them when

they do well, and pass over small faults, not to be tyrannical, peevish, or

impatient towards them, but to make their lives as comfortable as I

can.

"I am resolved to be a sincere and faithful friend wherever I
profess it, and as much as in me lies as an agreeable and innocent companion and a universal lover of all mankind.

"All these resolutions by God’s assistance I will keep to my life’s end, so help me, oh my God, Amen"

"Memorandum: Read over this daily to assist my memory as to every
particular contained in this paper, before I leave my chamber, recollect in
general the business to be done that day."

~Eliza Lucas Pinckney

I Have A Little Mirror~Guest Post

I have a little mirror.

My mirror does not lie.

Does not pretend.

Does not soften reality.

My mirror is seven years old.

My daughter. My protege.

I can hide in church.

I can hide with my friends.

I can hide in this blog.

But my mirror faithfully reflects the state of my heart.

My dear friends and family know my faults.

They overlook. They forgive.

My mirror forgives, but she does not cease to reflect.

Sometimes I am angry at my mirror. I dislike the ugly image
she reveals.

I blame the mirror when I should blame myself.

I know that someday my little mirror will grow up, and she
might have little mirrors of her own.

Then she will understand my frustration, my struggles, my
inconsistencies.

Today, she does not understand.

She simply reflects.

I resist the urge to shut my eyes against the reflection,
pretending it is just a mar on my mirror.

I ask my Lord for strength to change, to grow, to yield, to
overcome.

His abundant grace is there, for the taking.

For me.

Kristy Howard is a believer in Jesus Christ, a pastor's wife, and homeschooling mother of four.  She is passionate about living simply, naturally, and Biblically for the glory of God. Kristy is the owner of LittleNaturalCottage, where she furiously writes about her loves during nap time. She and her husband, Jeremy, make their home in North Texas, where they enjoy their growing family, their church, and their pursuit of a debt free life.

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