That our daughters may be as corner stones...

A Very Enjoyable & Helpful Ladies' Blog

2006-09-27T13:20:00.000-04:00

A blog I've been reading and enjoying immensely has been Biblical Womanhood Online. Crystal is always offering tips on homemaking, frugality, and young ladies' home businesses! Her articles and posts have definitely been an encouragement to me! Take a few minutes to check it out!

This link will take you to some of the best of Crystal's blog!

Also, stay tuned for some new posts here at As Corner Stones...we have some new posts planned!

The Return of Covenental Marriage

2006-09-04T07:16:00.000-04:00

Doug Phillips of Vision Forum Ministries recently posted a beautiful wedding story of Kelly Brown to Peter Bradrick. I am so blessed to have family that shares this vision, and that Luke's family also shares this vision.

The Bible teaches that men reap what they sow. Covenant keepers reap blessings. Covenant breakers reap judgment. This couple reaped not only great blessings, but they inaugurated their life together by proclaiming to the world that their marriage is about more than themselves. It is about a joint dominion mission for the glory of God. It is about children and grandchildren yet to be born. It is about an unfolding generational vision which they will share together, as together they spend their life in the service of Christ.

And it is about the richness and permanence of the marriage covenant.

~Doug Phillips

You can read the rest of the article here.

A Little Lesson in Punctuality

2006-08-30T19:40:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been looking over some of the books that my mother has bought for my brother to read. I have been enjoying many of them (even though many of them cater more to young men). I was reading through Anecdotes for Boys: Narratives Illustrative of Principles and Character by Harvey Newcomb (1851) and this paragraph jumped out at me.

Section VII. - Punctuality.

Example of Washington

"When Washington appointed the hour of twelve to meet Congress, he never failed to be passing the door of the hall while the clock was striking twelve. His dinner hour was four o'clock. If his guests were not there at the time, he never waited for them. New members of Congress, who were invited to dine with him, would frequently come in when dinner was half over; and would say to them, "Gentlemen, we are punctual here. My cook never asks whether the company has arrived, but whether the hour has." In 1799, when on a visit to Boston, he appointed eight o'clock in the morning as the hour when he would set out for Salem. While the Old South clock was striking eight, he was mounting his horse. The company of cavalry, who had volunteered to escort him, was parading in Tremont street, and did not over take him till he had reached Charles River Bridge. On their arrival, the General said, "Major, I thought you had been too long in my family not to know when it was eight o'clock. "

Now, I don't feel so badly about my drive to be punctual and on time. Now knowing that the General was far more precise about being punctual.....I would hope now that my family will be easier on me.

For us young ladies, we can not escape from this lesson even though it was in a book for boys. We must consider being punctual as well. I love this quote in the book called Personal Help for Girls.... "The world will sometimes give the excuse that it is "in style" to be a little bit late....To make one's "appearance". Did you not know that there is no such thing as being "fashionably late"? There is only such thing as being unfashionably rude...!"
As young women training to be godly wives and mothers, we first must be capable godly daughters at home. We must train ourselves to obediently and willingly serve our Heavenly Father and our earthly fathers.

Parting thought.... "Sometimes we are late because we have too much on our plate."

Wait For Me

2006-08-22T07:40:00.000-04:00

Darling did you know that I,
I dream about you,
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time?
Darling did you know that I,
I pray about you,
Praying that you will hold on,
And keep your loving eyes only for me?

Cause I am waiting for,
Praying for you darling,
Wait for me too,
Wait for me as I wait for you…
Darling, wait…
~”Wait for Me,” Rebecca St. James~

Wait. That’s a word we really don’t like to hear. We don’t like waiting anywhere, not even in the grocery store check-out line. How much more do we not like waiting for our prince to come riding up?!

This isn’t just a matter of waiting – it’s also a matter of saving ourselves for the one we are waiting for.

That in itself doesn’t sound too awfully hard, although sometimes we get impatient. But this type of waiting is not only about physical purity. It’s about a state of mind, almost, a mindset that we will wait and save not only our body, but our love for just one person. To be able to say to the one you will marry, “I’ve never said ‘I love you’ to any other man but you,” is quite an incredible thing. To know that you have not given pieces of your heart away to many different guys but that you have saved all of your heart for the one you will marry is a freeing thought (and feeling!). There is a verse that says to not awaken love until the groom is to come (Song of Solomon 2:7), basically God is instructing us to wait for our husband. We should heed God’s instruction! Believe me, it’s worth the wait!

The hardest part about waiting is figuring out what to do in the mean-time. Everyone has different ideas, although I think one of the best things you can do is begin preparing yourself to be a wife and mother, whether that is through learning about cooking, or learning about teaching your children someday, or a multitude of other things. Something that helped me was to set goals and strive towards those goals. Pray for your future husband and his family, that they will raise him up as you’ve been raised. Just remember that this time is special too. You’re not just “marking time” until your prince shows up, do something worthwhile for God!

What are some things you have done while you’ve been waiting? We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so leave a comment!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of posts lately... it's been pretty crazy around here! Hopefully we can get back into the swing of things here and get posting more regularly again!

A New Member!

2006-07-17T09:48:00.000-04:00

Our dear friend Elisabeth has joined us here at As Corner Stones! Keep an eye out for posts by her in the future! We're very glad to have you writing with us Elisabeth!

Homemaking by J.R. Miller...

2006-07-13T21:14:00.000-04:00

Sometimes a book can surprise me. I expect it to be one sort of book, and then it turns out that it’s a completely different sort of book. “Daughters of Destiny” by Noelle Wheeler Goforth is one such book that comes to mind… we girls thought it would be a sweet bedtime read full of gentle character building stories, but it turned out to be about fearless pioneer women that lopped off the heads of attacking natives and loyal Christian woman that stood by their values and beliefs and often lost their lives in the process. We girls loved that book even though it was not what we originally expected… however, we decided to read it during school hours instead of right before bedtime! I’ve recently been surprised by another book that’s been on our bookshelf since Christmas… “Homemaking” by J.R. Miller.

“Homemaking” was one of Kate’s Christmas presents last year. She read it in just a couple of days, and has been after me to read it ever since. I finally had some time a couple of weeks ago to be still and read a little and thought I’d zip through this book. After all, it was just another uplifting book on housekeeping and the home atmosphere, written for ladies a hundred or so years ago, right? Here’s the surprise… it is a heavy duty book on the meaning of family, the roles of each member of the family, and the blessing and heritage of a godly Christian home. This is one packed-full-of-wisdom book! Needless to say, I haven’t zipped through it at all. I’ve taken my time and read slowly, like one does when they want to remember the details. I’ve re-read paragraphs to make sure I got it the way the author intended. And now I’m after my husband to read it! (Actually… he’s started it, after hearing such rave reviews at the dinner table!)

As soon as I was a few pages into the first chapter, “The Wedded Life,” I knew there was going to be quite a bit of meat in the book. As I read, I wondered why none of the “marriage help” books we bought as newlyweds didn’t tell us this stuff. Why didn’t the pastor that married us impart this wisdom before we walked down the aisle? How would it have made a difference in our family over the years? Most of it we know now, after years of living together, studying God’s Word together, and picking up bits of wisdom here and there. But there was most of our family’s philosophy in one neat package.

Chapter two is titled “The Husband’s Part,” and that was when it suddenly dawned on me to look on the book jacket to see who J.R. Miller was. Miller was pretty tough on the men, so I didn’t think it could be a woman who wrote it… especially in 1882! The jacket confirmed my suspicion that J.R. was indeed a man, and a little bit of internet research at home brought me to an “archive” of his works. He was a well-loved minister, and his books sold millions of copies by the turn of the century. Many families had this treasure in their home a century ago, full of biblical wisdom, while today young families are continually confused by trying to balance the pop psychology they get from books, magazines, and talk shows with the occasional family sermons and series they hear in church. When I reached chapter three, “The Wife’s Part,” I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what Miller had to say to me, but like a true gentleman of the 1800’s, he chose his words carefully for us ladies and was very encouraging. However, I still came away with many areas in which I saw a need for a change of heart on my part. Chapter four, “The Parents’ Part,” continued to be just as uplifting and educational. Then he talks to the children, and reinforces their importance in the family. “Religion in the Home” is one of the later chapters, and even though Christianity is a theme throughout the entire book, Miller encourages families to keep the Lord as the center of family life through family devotions and worship.

This book would be a great family read-aloud for those with older children and teens, and I’d definitely recommend it to young couples and new parents. (Guys, don’t be put off by the title, or even by the feminine-looking cover. Take the dust jacket off if there’s danger of being teased!) “Homemaking” is quite the treasure, and I’m very glad that it was discovered and brought back into print.

P.S.… Kate found another of his works in an antiques shop this week, and we’re hoping it’s just as inspiring!

Modesty, Part 2

2006-06-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

In Part 1 of this series on modesty, I talked about how glorifying God was one of two main reasons for being modest. The second reason I found for dressing modestly was to guard the hearts and minds of our brothers in Christ.

Many throw this problem right back on the guys, saying “It’s their problem! They just shouldn’t look!” But girls, the responsibility for what we wear is ours right from the minute we drag those clothes out of the store. My dad says guys are visual, so why should we make it any harder for them to resist temptation? They are constantly under barrage from the world and the way the average girl dresses. As Christian ladies, we should seek to give them a safe haven from the world and not be a stumbling block. They shouldn’t have to look at their feet around their sisters in Christ.

The Christian young men I know do excuse girls and put the responsibility for remaining pure back on themselves; they take the position that they just shouldn’t look. Yet, as Christian young ladies seeking to serve Christ, we should think about the way we present ourselves to the world. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22 we are told to “abstain from all appearance of evil.” We should refrain from dressing like the world not only to glorify God, but also to protect our brothers in Christ. And by doing this, we’re glorifying God at the same time.

Sometimes as girls we don’t know exactly what effect a particular outfit will have on a guy. But instead of waiting for the guys’ reactions, ask your father. Most times, my outfits pass the “Dad Test,” but on a few occasions Dad has asked me to change outfits. No, he is not being legalistic, and no, he is not dictating to me what I can and cannot wear. He is helping me to think about the effect my clothing will have on gentlemen, and I am grateful he takes the time to care about what I wear. My parents don’t measure my hem length, instead they have given me basic guidelines about what is appropriate.

Each family has their own standards, and I won’t go into that because that is for you and your family to decide. For my family, we keep skirts below our knees and stick to a basic “not too tight, not too short, not too low” rule. And I’ve been reminded time and time again that attitude is everything. A long skirt worn with a wrong attitude can be 10 times more provocative than a knee-length skirt worn with a modest attitude. Sometimes the activity you’re doing dictates whether or not an outfit is modest. “Purity of mind” is the attitude we should have, in everything we do, and with everything we wear!

Links

Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 6
A Candle Among the Straw
Modesty on Your Wedding Day
A Godly Woman’s Fashion Statement
Guys to Girls
Purity Girls.com’s Modesty Survey: Click on the clothes hanger icon to see the survey. I recommend this for older ladies and mothers, as the guys were often very blunt in their answers. This survey was given to young Christian guys about various articles of clothing girls wear and they answered why or why not these should or should not be worn. It is VERY eye opening!

Modesty, Part 1

2006-06-21T08:48:00.001-04:00

Finally, without further ado, here is the first part of the articles I've been promising for a while. I'm sorry it's took me so long but I won't make excuses. I hope you enjoy them!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided to compile all my thoughts on modesty into two posts. There are already so many posts and articles on it that I don’t want to be redundant. However, I wanted to get my thoughts out there, possibly more for me than anyone else, but I pray this is a blessing to you all as well.

As Spring comes around and us ladies go through our wardrobes (I can’t speak for guys as to whether or not they go through their wardrobes in Spring or not… ), we come across a dilemma… what on earth are we going to wear?! So then comes getting new clothes, but the problem gets worse. Oh, the stores have no lack of clothing… although I’m not sure that term can be properly applied to what is sold in stores today. Finding modest clothing is really hard to do, trust me.

Why don’t we just buy what’s easily available though? Why agonize and travel store to store or spend hours on the Internet trying to find a skirt that goes at least past the knees (my family’s rule for skirt length) or for a shirt that completely covers my entire stomach and the top of my jeans too? Why try on 6 million pairs of jeans (ok, so I’m exaggerating a little) before finding a “decent” pair, even though 4 million of them did go on and “fit”?

One simple word: modesty.

What is “modesty”? Why do I even worry about it? What’s the big deal? Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines modesty as:

That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one’s own worth and importance. …In females, modesty has the like character as in males; but the word is used also as synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind… . Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.

“Purity of mind.” That’s the whole “big deal,” right there. I see two main reasons for dressing modestly:

(1) Glorifying God, and
(2) Guarding the hearts and minds of our brothers in Christ.

I’m going to deal with my first point in this post. The first passage in the Bible that come to mind is 1 Timothy 2:9-10:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

Why do we dress modestly? Because “this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” (1 Tim. 2:3) These verses, though maybe it looks that way, are not being legalistic. Paul was instructing the women to dress for God’s glory, not their own. The ladies of GirlTalk did a series on “Fashion and Following the Savior.” In Part 3 of the series, they identified three motives of pride in our dressing: A desire to be selfish, a desire to show off, and a desire to seduce. (I’ve linked the relevant posts at the end of my post.) These motives are most definitely NOT God’s motives.

Does modesty mean we have to be “frumpy” or “dowdy”? Absolutely not! Just read Proverbs 31:22, Song of Solomon 1:10, and Esther 2:12! Again, the ladies at GirlTalk write:

God is the creator of beauty. God delights in beauty. All we need to verify this fact is to consider the beauty He created all around us. … we can’t help but be convinced that He delights in beauty! (Part 4)

We can glorify God by the way we dress.

This is a heart issue. Are our hearts in the right place? Are we dressing for the three reasons mentioned earlier? Or are we glorifying God? I’m not getting into hemlines here. This is a matter of having your heart right with God, and having “purity of mind.” This definiton of modesty is definitely going to extend into the next part of my post.

Instead of repeating what other have put so well, I’d encourage you to check out these links. Part 2 will be coming soon…

Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 1
Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 2
Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 3
Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 4
Fashion & Following the Savior, Part 5

I Cannot Live Without Books...

2006-06-19T14:55:00.000-04:00

When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
~Erasmus~

How true can that be! What can I say, I love books. I have scads of books. Our house is full of books. Mom and dad will probably be glad when I leave with all my books so they can add more of their own. Yep, they love books too.

I thought I'd share some of my favorites, my currently reading, and those on my reading list... this is kind of an updating post, so I'll end up linking it in the sidebar so y'all can check back if you'd like. Mom and Kate might do this too, so you can see the wide range (and overlap) of what we all love to read. If you wish to see reviews of any of these books once I'm done with them, or want to suggest any for me to add to my list, leave a comment!

Last Updated: 9.15.06

...Currently Reading...

Back To Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith, ed., David Hagopian
I've enjoyed this book so much! It has been a very good refresher as to what I believe and also covers doctrines I've never looked into that much... I'm definitely looking forward to finishing this one!

American Gospel, by Jon Meacham

For the Family's Sake: The Value of Home in Everyone's Life, by Susan Schaeffer MacAulay

...Recently Read...

The Birkenhead Drill, by Douglas Phillips
This was a neat book, and a quick read. The idea of "women and children first" always seems to come from the Titanic, but many don't know (and I didn't either!) that this wreck came before the Titanic, and set the precedence for "women and children first." I only wish there had been more about the principle, rather than a simple narration. I did like reading the original and first-hand accounts of the wreck.

Passion and Purity, by Elisabeth Elliot
I read this book pretty quickly, and I enjoyed reading Elisabeth and Jim Elliot's story. However, something struck me as odd with the way they handled their courtship, and I couldn't figure it out until later. Two things, actually: one is that there was virtually NO parental involvement mentioned, and two, that she only advocates physical purity, yet not emotional purity.

Her Hand in Marriage, by Douglas Wilson
Luke and I read this book together, and wow, I really enjoyed it! This book is the absolute best book I've ever read on courtship, hands down. He concentrates on principle, and on raising your children to be courtship-committed, and to have the characteristics for a Godly wife/husband. I would actually recommend this book for new parents, as it would be a good guide for raising children.

When You Rise Up: A Covenental Approach to Homeschooling, by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
This has been one of the best books I ever read...a full review is coming soon!

...All-Time Favorites...

I Kissed Dating Goodbye, by Joshua Harris
This is a book I'd recommend if someone has ever dated before. It was the first courtship-minded book I read, and though it didn't apply to me much, the principles within definitely did. It's a good reminder why dating isn't the best method, and has some good questions to ask yourself as to whether or not you're ready for a relationship.

Boy Meets Girl, by Joshua Harris
This book has a little more of Joshua Harris' view of how to set a courtship in motion, and has some great questions to ask, as well as heart and attitude checks for along the way. He tells the story of his and his bride's courtship, not so that others may copy it exactly but so that readers can see the principles in action.
Note: This book has a chapter that parents definitely need to read first.

Beloved Bride, by William Potter
I love to read about Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson from the Civil War, and I've read this book several times. It is filled with letters to and from Jackson and his beloved wife, Anna, and is a true testimony to his love for not only Anna, but his Lord and Savior as well. This one is definitely worth a second (and third and forth...) read!

Her Hand in Marriage, by Douglas Wilson
Luke and I read this book together, and wow, I really enjoyed it! This book is the absolute best book I've ever read on courtship, hands down. He concentrates on principle, and on raising your children to be courtship-committed, and to have the characteristics for a Godly wife/husband. I would actually recommend this book for new parents, as it would be a good guide for raising children.

...On the List...

The Fallacy Detective, by Nathaniel & Hans Bluedorn

Praise Her in the Gates, by Nancy Wilson

The Joshua Generation, by Michael Farris

The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas

1776, by David McCullough

A Tale of Two Cities

Homemaking, by J.R. Miller
Mom did a review of this book, which you can find here.

Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America, by Jeff Pollard

Perfectly Suited...

2006-06-12T11:26:00.000-04:00

As a mother of courtship-minded daughters watching young couples begin to pair up, it is so interesting to see the uniqueness of each situation, and the “perfect matches” that are being formed! It is also very encouraging to our girls and to us as parents to see that this courtship thing actually works. As we protect our daughters and guard their hearts, taking a path that’s not followed by most, we often wonder if we’re doing the right thing, but God is faithful to provide for our needs and He has a great plan for our lives, so we need to learn to rest in that knowledge. I think one of the most encouraging things I’m seeing in the courtship arena is the amazing pairing up of abilities, strengths, vocations, direction, family vision, and even hobbies in these young couples! Even areas of weakness are being complemented. It is amazing that God has made a perfect match for each person, and even more amazing how He brings them together.

With that thought, ladies, I encourage you to develop your talents and skills, because the Lord gave them to you for a reason… you are designed to be the helpmeet for your future husband! Whatever it is that makes you YOU, is not something to be repressed or pushed aside… it may very well be the thing that brings you and your future spouse together, and something you will share together your entire life. We’re often pushed toward a career in our areas of interest, yet if we think about it, just about every God-given talent and every learned skill can also be an important support to your husband’s vision. Even just an understanding of what is involved with a vocation can be a help for your future husband… it takes a special woman to be the wife of a doctor or minister or politician or carpenter or musician or teacher or small business owner or… whatever occupation the Lord has directed him to work.

A lot of girls wrote lists of “important things I want in a husband” when they were around 12 years old, and now might be a good time to go back and look at those lists if you can find them! Many things you wrote back then may seem a little silly now, but there are probably quite a few insights that you’ve forgotten now that boys are a little more interesting. And ladies, it’s no fair to write the list once a gentleman has caught your eye or is trying to win your heart! I don’t think it would be very objective. ;-) Those lists of “important things” say a lot about what makes you the person you are!

Prayer is also a very necessary element in courtship. It’s even more important than lists, since the Lord knows our inward being better than we do ourselves! He knows our strengths and weaknesses and our goals and desires. He has a plan and purpose for His children, and we need to pray that we are staying within His Will for our lives. Tell the Lord your concerns, your needs, and your heart’s desires. He’ll take care of the rest!

Finally, bloom where you’re planted! We don’t need to go searching for suitors or try to arrange circumstances so they work out our way. Live each day fully and take care of the things that are placed in your path. Use your talents for the Lord and to bless those around you, and God will work out the details of your life and bring you your perfect match. He is able.

School's Out!

2006-05-20T13:36:00.000-04:00

That time of the year is here, school is finally out for me (although I'm going to continue reading/studying over the Summer). All three of us are hoping that less school means that we'll be able to post here a bit more often. I've got that set of modesty articles on its way, half has been written... so stay tuned!

That we may be as corner stones...

2006-05-08T18:40:00.000-04:00

“… that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:”

Isn’t that a rather strange that we daughters are compared to corner stones? What is a corner stone, exactly, that would make it so special? To be quite honest, I thought that it sounded weird when I heard that I was supposed to “be as a corner-stone.” But then, I opened up the dictionary!

“The stone which lies at the corner of two walls, and unites them; the principle stone, and especially the stone which forms the corner of the foundation of a edifice.” (Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary)

That’s a lot of information in just one definition! I’m going to try and talk about a few things in the definition and verse that were really thought-provoking to me.

1. The corner stone is the principle stone, it unites and holds the other walls. How can we unite and hold up the others in our family as daughters? First, we can help maintain family unity by helping our mothers and fathers around the household. We can help our mothers by keeping the younger siblings cheerful, and by solving arguments between them in the best way possible. We can do everything in our power to ease extra chores off of our parents, so they have more time to relax! In doing this, we are helping to “hold” the walls up!

2. We are the “stone” which forms the corner of the foundation. Now, you may not think that a daughter has much of a part in the family… but if we are supposed to be that corner stone, we are a stone that forms the corner of the foundation, and we have a part in our family. Our role is important, and we must remember that! The littlest things that we can do will often cheer up someone who isn’t feeling good, or who has had a bad day. We may not think that doing the dishes or laundry counts for much, but it is one less thing your Mom has to do. Every little thing makes a difference!

3. We are also supposed to be polished after the similitude of a palace. A while back, I read somewhere that the polished corner stone on a palace would be so shiny that it looked like gold! As young women, we should be polished like gold! Not that we must be beautiful, but our characters should be polished. We should shine out in the world, so that others notice that there is something different about us!

How can you apply these things to your life? I know I still have a lot of work to do! Let us always remember that we are corner stones! We must help hold up the walls of our family, and let Christ’s self-sacrificing love show through us. Remember that we our strength isn’t our own, it is our heavenly Father’s, and through Christ, we can do all things!

Raising the Bar

2006-05-03T19:36:00.000-04:00

I read a post on The Rebelution this morning by Brett Harris that really challenged me. (You can find it here, and I’d suggest reading it before going any further in my post.) It made me think… am I giving in to what I don’t think I can do? Am I falling to low expectations?

Well as I thought about it I realized many times I have risen above challenges and gotten past the world’s low expectations. I’ve not given in to just accepting the expectation the world has… “Oh well, you’re that way and you’re that kind of person, so don’t worry about working on that area in your life.” Maybe I’m not a “math person” (I can tell you for sure that math is NOT my thing) but I didn’t let that stop me from finishing Algebra so I could graduate. I’m not fond of social settings, but that didn’t stop me from traveling several states over the past 5 years, speaking on ladies in the American Civil War. In these areas and other similar ones, I’ve been able to, with God’s help in overcoming my weaknesses, rise to the challenge.

But are there other areas that still need work? You can be sure of it. What I’d like to point out here though, are challenges that specifically apply to ladies, and where we can raise the bar on low standards. I’ve picked three things that we could raise the bar on.

Cooking: Yes, that’s right ladies, cooking! I know, maybe it does happen that you just manage to burn something every single time, but is that an excuse to give up? I found that this is one thing that just takes practice. Plus, there are so many methods to get good meals, there is bound to be one that will work for you. Whether you like cookbooks, or like experimentation, you can get over this hurdle. Just think of who you’re blessing by your cooking… maybe your brothers or sisters or parents now, but someday, your husband and children. Even learning just a basic variety of meals will help you in your future home, after all, macaroni and cheese might get a little repetitive after a while. ;)

Sewing: This isn’t a very common skill today, but while it usually is more economical to purchase your own clothing, you may need to sew on buttons, repair a ripped seam, or hem either your or your family’s clothing. Maybe sewing ballgowns isn’t your area of talent, but consider raising the bar and learning how to sew on your own buttons!

Modesty: I’m going to be doing some more extensive posts about this, but I wanted to point it out in this list. This is an area where the bar could without a doubt be raised. There are quite a few reasons for being modest, the main one being for God’s glory, but a close second is guarding the hearts and minds of our brothers in Christ. As I said, however, I’ll be covering this much more in-depth in some future posts.

With God’s help, we can overcome these, and so many other mountains. And by doing this, we’re at the same time raising the bar, surpassing the world’s standards and replacing them with God’s standards… that of striving to higher ground.

Just Us Chickens

2006-04-27T19:09:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, our backyard poultry flock had two major threats. Early in the morning, three of our “minimum-security” hens (the ones that live with the goats and know how to squeeze through the fence to free range in the back yard) were close to our back door. They made a funny sound, and I stepped out the door to see what was going on, expecting to see them fighting over a worm or some other find. As I stepped onto the deck, I saw Sweetie, Pepper, and Dusty running for the protection of the fence and “their” rooster, Salt. I turned to the left, and there was a very large red fox, maybe ten feet max from the deck (and me!). We surprised each other, and the only thing I could think to say was “hello!” It took the fox a couple of seconds to decide whether or not to continue the chase or head for the woods. He chose the woods. Smart fox. Later on in the day, as we were eating dinner, Chris jumped up because something had caught his attention. The combination of all the hens in the main pen running for cover, a swooping shadow, and the sound of our other rooster, Sampson, sounding his “warning cry” meant something was up. Sure enough, a small hawk had tried to swoop down and catch a hen, but his attempt had been foiled by the alertness of the flock. He flew into a nearby tree and waited to see if they’d forget about him.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
~ I Peter 5:8

I wonder how many times a day our hens are threatened by various predators that we don’t even notice? How many times a day does a critter sneak out of the woods or swoop down from the sky? That thought brings to mind the safety that our Lord provides for us as His daughters, both in His protection of us, and in the “safe havens” He has provided for us. We have the knowledge that our God is stronger than any enemy that can threaten us, and we also have the instruction to remain within His safety. As Christians, we know that nothing can pluck us out of His hand (John 10:29), yet we are also admonished numerous times in His Word to remain in the protected areas He has provided by obeying our parents, choosing our friends wisely, fleeing youthful lusts, fellowshipping with the saints, and resting in Him. In His Providence, He has given us an active role in our safety.

Those loose chickens remind me of us, ladies! We always want to be where the grass is greener and the bugs are juicier. (That’s a lovely thought!) However, out in the world, there are foxes. When we leave the fence of safety and wander out unattended, are we putting ourselves in unnecessary danger? That fox knew his only chance of getting one of those fat hens was to catch them outside the string of electric, absorbed with the thrill of scratching for grubs, totally oblivious to the dangers around them… in his territory! We, like those hens, love our freedom, but let’s be careful not to throw caution to the wind and go way beyond the boundaries that God has placed in our lives for our own safety.

Even within the safety zone, dangers can come swooping down, like the hawk that thought he’d snatch up a chicken. When living our daily lives, snares and temptations come along. Sometimes even wolves in sheeps’ clothing can try to mingle in the flock and devour us. For this, we need to always be alert, wise, and discerning. We need to be on our guard at all times, ready to quickly respond to danger. If there’s a warning sound, we need to run for the cover of God and His Word, not continue to scratch in the dirt thinking we’re safe just because we’re in the fence.

Finally, those roosters remind me of another protection the Lord has given us as Christians women… our husbands and fathers! Sampson, the barnyard rooster, protects his hens before anything else. If we give a scrap of bread directly to him, he will drop it for the hens around him. If he thinks they should be drinking water on a hot day, he makes a certain sound, and they come running. In the morning, when food is offered, he won’t eat until all his girls are eating. And, he is constantly aware of what’s going on in the surrounding area, sky included, and makes a very distinct warning sound when danger approaches. Salt, the backyard rooster, also protects his small group of hens, and if they wait for him to come through the fence with them, they are much safer. He gives the same warning sounds and has some pretty fierce talons should something try to threaten them. He’s a lot younger than Sampson, and has a lot of maturing to do yet, but he’s learning to be a “protector.” What’s even more interesting, is even though the two roosters are not exactly “friends,” (you should see the commotion when they meet up on opposite sides of the fence!) when there is danger, such as a hawk or a fox, they both go into alarm mode and work together to get the hens to pay attention.

So, girls, what can we learn from the chickens? Maybe a pecking order isn’t such a bad thing! Maybe fences and boundaries are for our own good. Maybe wandering away from the safety of home and family puts us in more danger than we realize. That’s not to say we can’t go places or try new things, but we should always be in a position of being under the protection that God has given us. Instead of sneaking through the fence, we should be thankful for it and rest in it. Our enemy, the devil, wants to destroy us, and he often goes after the ones that are unprotected… they’re the easiest targets. Let’s not make his task easy and be open prey for him!

Happiness!

2006-04-25T21:25:00.000-04:00

The quote on my wall calendar for the month of April has been an inspiration to me every time I walk by it:

“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.”
~Elbert Hubbard~

How true that is! As a stay-at-home-daughter, I must confess that it doesn’t take much to make me grumble and complain. One look at a pile of laundry to be folded, and I’m a grumpy mess! I know I’m not the only one, everybody has their “pet peeves.” I’m sure somewhere in the world, there is a stay-at-home wife who never wants to see another clump of dirt on her linoleum floor caused by a pair of dirty work boots. I’m sure there is a stay-at-home mom who really doesn’t feel like changing one more diaper! So how do we cultivate happiness while doing the day-to-day tasks and jobs that will never go away? I’d like to share a few ideas for cultivating happiness that I’ve learned!

~ Remember who you are serving! While you are folding your husband/father’s laundry, remind yourself that it will be a blessing to him. Ultimately, you are serving the Lord!

~ Remember why you are serving this person! You are being obedient to the Lord by serving this person. If you are a stay-at-home-daughter, you are serving your father so that you may also one day better serve your husband!

~ Don’t stress over messed up schedules! Let’s face it; not every day will run according to plan! No matter if you sleep in, have a sudden change in plans, or you forget to set dinner out to thaw, your day is still not ruined. Consecrate it to the Lord, remember that you are serving Him, and keep going!

~ Don’t feel guilty over “wasted” time! If you spend a little more time than you should have working on a project, it’s okay! Not every minute of your day needs to be full of housework!

~ Take time to smell the roses! When I find myself feeling discouraged, I’ve found one of the most relaxing things is to go outside for a quick walk. Even if it’s just to get the mail, take your time. Listen to the birds singing, look at the wildflowers, and don’t forget to thank God for the beautiful creations He has made!

~ Sing a song, or put on some good music! Music is a big stress-reliever for me. It’s okay to dance to some fun music while washing dishes!

~ Take a break! Sometimes even a 15 or 30 minute breather is a good relaxer! Have a cup of coffee or tea, read a book or an uplifting article.

~ Count your blessings, name them one by one! Doing this is a BIG eye-opener!

~ Remember that you’re not perfect! You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses to be a good wife, mother, or daughter. If you make a mistake, remember that you have a brand new minute, hour, or day ahead of you, with no mistakes in it!

~ Finally, ladies, never forget why you have chosen to stay-at-home! It is a woman’s highest calling to care for her family and home, and the effort and care we put into them is never wasted. And a special note to all the unmarried young ladies: never EVER forget that what you do now will affect your future!

Let us fight the good fight, and run the race set before us!

It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day, It's a New Blog...

2006-04-24T22:19:00.000-04:00

First of all, an introduction! We are the Frey ladies, Jordan (Jo) and Kate, and our mom, Kim. Kate and I have been homeschooled our whole lives, and raised with the idea that ladies are to be "as polished cornerstones," fit to be the King's daughters and adorning His palace. We have a vision for home and family, and hope to spread that vision and share our thoughts and ideas and commentaries with you all. :)

Gentlemen, we may occasionally post on things either relevant or of interest to you as well. :) Although this blog is mainly for ladies, we may occasionally offer our thoughts on history, politics, or whatever strikes our fancy.

We hope you enjoy our endeavor! :)

~Jo~