The Old Rugged Cross

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.~Romans 6:11

...so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.~Hebrews 9:28

New

New is a word our family has been using frequently.

New State.

New Home.

New Job.

New Baby.

New Friends.

New Church.

 

I have a "new" vision for Pure Modesty as well. After looking over my stats, I was able to see what my dear readers are interested in. Give-aways, The Clothing Directory, DIY and How-to's will still remain on Pure Modesty.

 

There is a common theme I have noticed amongst some of my favorite blogs.

It is of course no coincidence, however  it seems to be "Home."

Re-newing our homes, nurturing our homes, returning our hearts to our homes....

 

So what's new?

 

I will be adding more posts to this very important area of our lives that I pray will inspire you to Cultivate a Life-Giving Home.

 

I don't wish for Pure Modesty to be exclusively about dressing modestly. Biblical femininity encompasses so much more. Caring for our homes and the people within it's walls is domestically feminine and honoring. What could be more feminine than to serve our families?

 

How about you? What's "new" for you this year?

 

^"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."~Revelation 21:5

ps...I tip my hat to "real" web designers because this was an experience I hope to never repeat. There are still a few items left unfinished but I'm not too worried. I have pals like my sweet friend Courtney, Musings of a Ministers Wife, Raising Mighty Arrows and Growing Home who are willing to share bloggy secrets.

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

The Plan Is...

I know we haven't even celebrated Christmas yet, however I am pressed to get this post out. After this weekend I will be media-free, spending the next few weeks reflecting on the birth of our King and Savior, creating memories with my family and enjoying this beautiful season of festivities!

The New Year is quickly approaching and I have so many things on my heart and on my mind I hope to accomplish in the up coming year, I pray through His grace I am able.

The Blog

Pure Modesty is so much fun for me! I never thought that when I began this site, I would reach so many people. I truly wanted to create a place for women who were looking for Biblical feminine resources to help them along in their journey through modesty. I hope you have been encouraged too!  Sooo, I plan on making a few changes to Pure Modesty over the next month or so. First on the list is to move from Word Press to Blogger. To be honest, I pray this goes well. I am no "techy" and so I am constantly asking my sweet friend Courtney at Simply Nurtured for "HELP!" with all things relating to computer lingo. I also want to change the format a bit as far as design and content. My Modest Shop will be filled with goodies for you to shop from as well.

When I stared this blog, I had every intention of monetizing from it. Quickly, the Lord changed the direction of my heart and quietly said "wait" so I obeyed. However, our family dynamics are changing and I am now praying again if I should seek to make money off this resource. We moved to an area that has a higher cost of living ($4 a gallon for milk! Yikes!) and soon we will need a larger vehicle to fit the eight of in. Is it even bloggy to talk about this with you? I may be breaking some blogging etiquette rule but I thought you should know. The Lord has never ceased to supply our daily provisions so there is no doubt He will continue to do so.

This blog does not belong to me, it belongs to the Lord and I want to be a good steward of it in all things. Which leads me to my Mission Statement. After going through this series, I wanted to add a mission statement to Pure Modesty. I have been reflecting on what this blog is for, what do I want to share and who will be blessed by it.

Books

I love books! I simply don't make enough time to read them. This year I plan on changing that. Have you read the Bible all the way through? I am working on my 87 th attempt. Last year I tried a 90 day Bible Reading Challenge. I failed.  So I am going to try out this historical schedule instead and pray for success! I also plan on reading 24 new books this year equating to two books per month! I will share with you my reading choices after the switch. And because I have so much spare time, (sarcasm) I am writing a book. A real book. One that is published and sold in stores! I can't reveal too much, however it's my prayer this book will help young girls and bring Glory to His name!

12 New Things

I want to learn twelve new things this year, one new skill each month. I'm still working on my list but so far I would love to learn to crochet or knit and bake bread well, not make bricks. As well as study Herbs and the benefits of eating more raw foods.  Our daughters take violin and our son would like to start piano again so I think I'll join the band by taking cello lessons. I truly enjoy a cup of hot herbal tea once and a while but I'm spoiled. I warm the water and place the bag in the cup to seep. I want to learn more about teas and the proper ways to serve them. I also would like to make something creative to sell on Etsy...

Marriage

For the seven plus years my husband and I have been married, we have been on four dates. Maybe seven if you include taking a nursing baby with us. I hope to plan dates with my husband (alone) at least once a month. I also pray we can make it to a marriage retreat similar to this one.

Children

I used to be a super fun mom...I pulled out the glitter and glue and would make huge messes, play dress-up, jump rope and be just be fun. Now it seems I'm all about business...laundry, dishes, checking off the home work list...bleh. Some how I lost my "fun." I think it's still in me, way deep and she needs to come back. I miss fun. So I plan on doing at least once craft a week and at least one field trip once a month. My biggest goal is to have a "date" with each of my children at least once a month. Even if it's grocery shopping or a trip to the post office. I want to be able to connect with my children individually and lovingly. My husband and I decided we want to instill in our children a love for good literature, fine music and a hunger for the Lord and all his goodness when it comes to educating them at home. We wan to focus on and identify their God given gifts so we can nurture them whole-heartily.

 

Being a daughter of the King is always at the top of my list. If I loose sight of that and only focus on my to-do list, I have missed the mark. I want to love Him more. Seek Him often and thank Him daily.

How about you? Any plans for next year?

Commit your work to the LORD,and your plans will be established.~Proverbs 16:3

Do Our Children Have Our Hearts?~Guest Post

I am blessed to be a stay-at-home-mama.

No one would ever accuse me of neglecting my children.

I am at home with them all the time, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Yet, I have collapsed into bed at the end of many a busy day with a guilt complex.

I didn't even stop and take the time to play with my kids today.

How long HAS it been since I had a tea party with my girls?? Or made homemade playdough? Or spent the afternoon playing outside with my little people?

Our children are generally sweet and pleasant (barring the usual "human" moments).

On fussy days, I've realized (after the lights are out) that maybe my sons' whining or my girls' sour attitudes had something to do with needing some more mommy time.

Don't get me wrong; my children are in the middle of most everything I do. From cooking meals to cleaning house and pulling weeds in the flower bed. They are always right beside me.

But there is just something extra special about Mama taking time to get down on the floor and color. Or play dolls. Or set up the Little People farm.  Or look my child in the eyes and smile with enthusiasm while he or she relates a story.

Debi Pearl says it this way, in her book Created to Be His Help Meet:

"Some mothers treat their children as I treat my cows. I make sure they have good things to eat, clean water, and a place to exercise. If they show any signs of sickness, I attend to them immediately... Unlike your care of the cows, the training of your children is the deepest expression of your love for them. To love children is to devote ourselves fully to their training... There are no neutral moments in a child's life. Every moment is a time of continuous need and development."

As Debi Pearl so candidaly put it, being “at home” with our children is not the same as giving our hearts to our family. Our children need more than healthy meals, clean clothes, and exercise.

They need us.

Our attention.  Our smiles.  Our laughter. Our empathy.  Our creativity. Our hearts.

 Do our children know that their mama is interested in their play, their needs, their fears?

 Do our husband know that our hearts are in our home?

That we are not pining away and withering inside by perceived "unmet needs"?

 Now, I am not talking about raising children who think their mama owes them every waking moment. A child-centered home is a recipe for disaster.

 A Christ-centered home, in which a mother devotes herself unselfishly to nurturing and training her children, creates a secure haven for growth and training.

 I want to  leave you with a challenge from Loving the Little Years, by Rachel Jankovic:

"It is no abstract thing- the state of your heart is the state of your home.  You cannot harbor resentment secretly toward your children and expect their hearts to be submissive and tender.  You cannot be greedy with your time and expect them to share their toys... God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace.  We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God."

 Ladies, I encourage you to ask yourself: Where is my heart?

 If your honest answer is that you are in need of a new focus, set some time aside this week (beginning today!) to seek God's heart for your family. Nothing in this world compares to time spent in God's presence for renewing and rekindling a mother's heart.

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 Bibically 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.

Photo Credit

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.

 Photo Credit

Dressing On A Dime~Guest Post

Photo Credit

I rarely purchase clothing. We don't even budget for the expense because left-over grocery money is usually enough to cover what we don't receive from family and friends. In God's good providence, He's blessed us with a community who has a light hand on their material possessions and often pass along their unused clothing to us. Additionally, we both grew up in large families where living on a dime was the name of the game for a significant part of our childhood. The following 13 principles still guide our decisions about clothing purchases:

~Invest in good quality, classic clothing. By choosing well-made, timeless items like skirts, tailored jackets, a good pair of jeans or slacks in neutral colors, you can wear them for multiple seasons without feeling "dated."

~Use cheaper accessories like scarves (which help keep you warm, stylish, and ensures your cleavage stays covered!), belts, and necklaces to dress up a plain shirt instead of buying a new one.

~Buy your clothes off season when they are on sale. Stock up on commonly worn clothing like underwear or t-shirts when they're on clearance.

~Avoid buying clothing you love in the wrong size. You'll get more use out of it if you feel good in it.

~If you're not sure whether it really "suits" you, don't buy it. It will end up having a lonely life in the back of your closet.

~Swap clothing. Growing up, my three sisters did this all the time. Between us, we had oodles of clothes to choose from.

~Hand it down. With the exception of birthday presents, my children live in hand-me downs. They don't know the difference, and to my knowledge, no one else does either (until now...the secret's out!). Find a friend or two who have children slightly older and/or younger than yours and share clothes back and forth. It takes a little organization and frequent purging, but it can work!

~Recycle clothing. My 2-year-old has just gone through another growth spurt which left a few of her pants looking like floods! Since the waistband still fits perfectly, I'll be cutting them up and turning them into skirts which will hopefully fit her for a few more months. (Tutorial coming soon on Growing Home.)

~Try selling clothing you no longer wear (and would be too embarrassed to pass along) at a garage sale or consignment shop. It surprised me when a local consignment shop gave me a couple bucks for clothing I thought was terribly dated.

~Shop at outlet malls, discount warehouses, and thrift shops to get the best bargains. You may have to do some digging around, but you're bound to find a steal.

~Visit a clothing department's website before you go. Often you'll find a $5.00 off coupon just for visiting! Keep your eye out for promotional codes.

~Pick clothing with labels printed on the inside. All the big names are plastered on the outside, but if you're looking to spend half of what it costs to buy lables like Dooney & Bourke, skip the lettering.

~If you're the trendy sort, purchase just one or two knock-off versions to keep yourself from feeling ripped off when they go out of style two months later.

Do you have any other frugal clothing shopping tips? I'd love to hear your savvy ideas!

Jacinda is a sinner, saved by grace, the cherished wife to her best friend Brad, the mother of two precious children so far - Charity Sofia (2) and Judah Paul (6 months), and a passionate homemaker who enjoys blogging about it all at Growing Home!

Why get dressed?

Photo credit 

Good Morning Sweet Friends!

Today I am linking up with Sarah Mae for the Get Dressed Challenge. As much as I would love to participate in all the challenges for the next 22 days, my plate is full.

However, today I wanted to briefly share with you why I get dressed.

I few years ago I read somewhere that we shouldn't save our "Sunday Best" just for Sunday.

(disclaimer: I am suffering from preger-citis: A short moment in time where pregnant women have no memory and therefore can not remember where they read something or what they were going to say. Walking into a room and forgetting why she was going into that room is also a common symptom of preger-citis)

"If"  I remember correctly, the idea is that God deserves our best everyday, not just Sundays. Does that mean I dress-up in suit and nylons every-day? Hardly. Have you seen my Wardrobe?

I want to look my best for Him, not for show and not for conceit but for thankfulness.

Gratitude for the blessings of clothing.

Practical clothing.

Comfortable clothing.

Beautiful for Him clothing.

"I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the
clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness." Isaiah 61:10

Monday, Thursday or any day I want look my "best" for my Lord.

So how about it? Are you keeping your Sunday best just for Sunday? Would you be willing to challenge yourself to look your best for the Lord everyday?