In Pursuit of Holiness

Here we are on... Day Three/ Post Two!!!

2010-10-06T15:38:00.004-06:00

Hooray!!!
I actually took pictures today, and am feeling very proud that I have actually stuck to the challenge for three consecutive days.

Today was a little boring, so here's what I have--please forgive me for the utter hum-drumness and if I bore you, then you have no-one other than yourself to blame for still reading and looking.

Well, I really need to work on my picture-taking skills....

2010-10-05T16:05:00.005-06:00

....And so I decided, starting today, that I am going to do the 365 days challenge.
One "decent" picture every day.
I might not always post a picture every day, but I will try to post one every few days.
I started yesterday, and really liked the pics I took, so here is my best from yesterday. :)

learning to long for God alone on tuesday

2010-09-21T11:06:00.003-06:00

120 Years Ago, and My Favorite Fiction

2010-09-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

From my first encounter with Agatha Christie--ironically, the novel where Hercule Poirot dies halfway through :)--I have only enjoyed reading more of her work. Only once in my readings have I ever correctly guessed "whodunit," and even then I thought it was someone else in the end. I have read many Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot novels, as well as all of the ones with Hastings in them.
Yes, it is true, all of Dame Agatha Christie's novels are extremely similar to each other. But the ending is never as predictable as you think while reading it. Oddly enough, the feeling of superiority that you get from reading the novel is always deceptively untrue. I, personally, have learned not to be deceived by the simplicity and obviousness of her plots--nobody is EVER what you think they are!
Astonishingly, Christie wasn't just a really good murder novelist--her one work that was written only as a play has not stopped showing since October of 1952 when it debuted in West End. The play was also run in Ontario, beginning in August 1977, and running for 26 years! According to the terms of the contract, the play will not be released in book form in the United Kingdom until the show stops running. Also, until the play closes in West End, it will never be made into a film.

All of this to say, yesterday was Agatha Christie's 12oth birthday, and I am glad that she lived. :)

David Suchet makes a marvelous Poirot! (Poirot is definitely my favorite detective)

Zach Smith

2010-03-31T11:01:00.001-06:00

Facing Death-- from the Boundless e-mag.

Fishhook Ministries' reason to fight

2010-03-06T08:50:00.002-07:00

Sunday, February 21, 2010, 11am - Village Clinic

As I sat under a tree outside the small community building where the clinic was being held, children flocked around me to see my white ( and I do mean white!) face and arms. Dr. David was inside with two India doctors, and the line of villagers needing medical care stretched out at least 50 feet and never seemed to get any shorter. Meanwhile I rested in the shade and worked on international relations. Kumar was 15 and in 10th Standard. Like most Indian kids he was incredibly small for his age, maybe 18 inches smaller than my son Isaac who is a year younger. Kumar was one of those kids that struck me with the eagerness in his eyes, a friendly nature and English good enough for us to converse. He liked Math and said he wanted to be an engineer. I could tell he was a bright youngster, and he was a pleasure to be with. After we talked and I taught him to play thumb war, his dad came out from the clinic and walked over. He was in typical Indian lower caste garb with an open shirt and dhoti. Kumar told me he was a common laborer and worked on a nearby farm. Contrasting the father and son, it didn’t really seem like Kumar had much of a chance to fulfill the potential that God had placed in his life. It made me very sad. Then his dad spoke to me for a minute. When I asked Kumar what he had said, the boy looked down at the ground. I asked him again, and Kumar told me that his father had said he would sell Kumar to me if I would take him to America. I get tears in my eyes when I think about it.

--By Kim Turkington

Big News and Little Happenings

2010-02-26T08:59:00.004-07:00

Well, it happened.
And, since nobody has seen pictures yet, here they are. Rather nice, eh?

I had to post one with me in it to show that it's really real.

Today isn't Tomorrow, but That will Never Come

2010-02-16T09:53:00.004-07:00

Well, I didn't post Tomorrow--but you have to admit that now is better than never.
I have been thinking. And yes, I do know that that's a "dangerous activity."

I have been dangerously busy recently, trying to keep up with my life and all. What bothers me the most, though, is the way that when I get busy, I start to get jealous. Jealous of those girls that have "it all." And, although that "all" changes rather rapidly and never actually gets a definite description, I just know my life would be better if I had some of it. Poor, Poor me.;)

Self-pity is really pretty dangerous, you know. It's like a spiral that never ends and keeps getting larger and larger and all starts with the thought of "It's just not fair!" or something similar. But life isn't fair, and that, in essence, is really a pretty good thing.

I mean, do you WANT life to be fair? If life was fair, we'd all be in a pretty awful place right now, or, more probably, none of our universe would even exist. If life was fair, we sinners would have never been able to make it this far, and most of the people on earth would be dead or almost dead. Abraham, who wasn't righteous, but had the faith of a righteous man, would probably never have been given God's covenant. There are only two or three men that I know were described as righteous in the Bible--Noah and Enoch, I know, but can't find any scriptures for anybody else. Of course Jesus was righteous, but remember that in a just world that Jesus would never have come down to earth to give us a second chance, now would he?

Therefore, when I feel low, or in a mood of self-pity: I need to remember that life really isn't fair--and I definitely don't want it to be.

Thank you,
Sarah

Just a note to say that I won't be writing a note until tomorrow...............

2009-12-01T20:05:00.003-07:00

I am currently swamped and overwhelmed with being one night away from my last day of class.

That being so, I have decided to delay my regular Tuesday-post until I have a little time tomorrow--right now my brain is on overload and working rather hard on several disconnected subjects. :)

That's all,and good night.

Well, here comes Tuesday again, and with it some more incoherent, disconnected ramblings

2009-11-24T08:00:00.003-07:00

So, this week on the rantings and ramblings of a jumbled mind, I thought I would use absolutely no form and just write what comes to my mind as I write.
I like wooden spoons. Something about using wooden spoons, that someone has worked on with their two hands (and probably a sharp tool of some sort) makes cooking more enjoyable for me. speaking of which, I really enjoy cooking. Not just baking (cookies, cakes, scones, etc...) but real-food cooking. I LOVE pesto. If anyone in the world has never had pesto, they are immensely to be pitied. I like to take a regular recipe and twist it to make it taste the way I like it. Especially when my family doesn't know. (you can imagine my sneaky, evil laugh at this point)
So, what else do I like? triplets. Yes, and just for that terribly off-topic mention of you, I deserve two comments.
I like playing music as well, and although I can improvise on a studied pattern a little bit, I am sadly lacking in the inventive qualities of composing. I play a lot of celtic-style Kim Robertson, though, and am really enjoying her version of Greensleeves, which is my solo piece for this Christmas. I also feel absolutely awful about not being able to afford a pedal harp. The least expensive pedal harp I have ever seen is the new Lyon and Healy petite, but it retails around 10K. That's better than the dreamy Louis XIVs, though.
Picture! (click on the link, then click on the harp in the link) That thing, if you didn't see it on the page, starts at 179K.
I always whisper when I say that. Just imagine the tax on a harp like that! I actually don't even want something like that ridiculous thing, but it was fun to put it on here.
Lastly, I figure I might as well add a few pictures for those who may be interested. (or not)
I am rather bored with this now, so here are a few favorites:

Great Books and Life in General

2009-11-17T08:49:00.002-07:00

Well, it seems that I am effectively ignoring this blog again.
Because of this, and because I need somewhere to vent, I figured that I will ramble and rant on here for a moderately long enough time on Tuesdays.
Why Tuesdays?
Because I like Tuesdays, and so I will most likely be in a fair mood on Tuesdays. (and because it is literally the only day I regularly have free)
School is almost done, and I feel rather accomplished this year. I have learned to think logically, (and do some absolutely useless truth tables)I have learned how to evaluate great literature (which is not so hard as it sounds), I have learned to speak in front of a classroom (very useful class), and I have learned how to get things done when my instructor throws them at me the day before they are due (if you can't tell, I don't really think highly of my music appreciation instructor's teaching techniques).
I am very close to transferring to UCCS. I should be able to transfer next fall, going in for a Psychology degree. Hopefully, the transition will go smoothly (and I hope to enjoy classes there.)
Speaking of psychology, I think that I have learned more from Dostoevsky and his theories interwoven into his books than I have from any of my classes. I read the Brothers Karamazov a couple of years ago, and had a very hard time understanding it. It was great, but a little difficult. After picking Crime and Punishment up in September, I couldn't set it down. That book has more psychology and difficult theories--more deep philosophical subjects--than any textbook could introduce. To cut things short, I loved it. So then I decided to read The Idiot. Again, Dostoevsky can really add a lot of depth and theory to a lovely story. The ending was sad and disappointing, but I am still thinking about something the main character said. He said something to the effect that both atheism and communism are products of the catholic church. Now that is something to study and look into.
I have also learned a lot with my new job. Well, it's not quite new--I started halfway through September--but it is very challenging.
I work at a Wal-Mart pharmacy. While it may seem like a great job, it is very difficult to stay calm when people are irate and impatient. I never knew that so many people would act that way around strangers. It is completely understandable that some people, who have been waiting two and a half hours for their medication, would get upset. But my job is difficult because I never know who is going to get upset with me, and I haven't been taught enough to fix anyone's problems. A real big problem, though, is that Mother is convinced that I should become a pharmacist. That is never going to happen. It may be hard for me, but when you are a pharmacist all the little things pile up into one big problem that you are responsible for. I like my job right now, but I really can't see myself being yelled at for a regular job. Nope, I think I'll stick with Occupational Therapy.
Well, those are all the thoughts I can think of right now, and if anyone actually made it to this point without just skipping everything in the middle,
Thanks for Trying.
If, however, you actually read everything I wrote, you are astoundingly perseverant, and I applaud you for that.
Sorry for boring whoever reads this page,

The Blank Page....

2009-09-09T22:40:00.004-06:00

....or Why I Like to Write Long Posts and then Delete Them. (Yes, I do that a lot)

I love words. I love alliteration, flowery sentences, superfluous adjectives, and just everything about language in general. I like the way a word feels as it flows, bounces or springs from my mouth. I enjoy reading poetry aloud for the rhythm and meter it brings. Words, for me, are a panacea, just like tea is for some. :)

I could be the "soundkeeper" in the Phantom Tollbooth, who started hoarding the words she should have given to her people. (that probably made absolutely no sense to anyone who hasn't experienced the book)
I collect words, having favorites, and categorizing them based upon the way they make me feel when I think of them.
I sometimes have synesthesia with words. (i. e. I can taste or feel them)
Words to me are like music to some people. It relaxes me to think of my favorite words, and I am very picky about the words I like.
I am very picky about the words that I will listen to as well. I am picky about the way words look too.
And, for some strange reason, it took all that long post for me to say that I hate LOL. It always makes me think of lolling, which is not a pleasant-looking activity. So please, if anyone actually cares what I think, refrain from LOLing around me. ;)

For the love of Elsie....

2009-09-09T22:14:00.004-06:00

Or how to read a disgusting novel.

I love Elsie Dinsmore. I like the way she is cute, and sweet, and nice, and quiet, and long-suffering , and is the only person in her household to care about the slaves, and really longs for the love of her "dear father" who is a completely vile character. I would like to state that I do not believe everyone should read the Elsie books, but that I liked them when I was little, and then when I was older, and I still haven't gotten over the fact that I was never persecuted like little Elsie was. I would have made a remarkable heroine. (or so I thought when I first read the thing) I would also like to admit that I have never been able to get past the fourth book in the series. (there are twenty-eight, if I remember correctly) I admit that I consider it abhorrent that Elsie falls in love with and marries the man who once held her on his knee; a great friend of her father, from his school days. That is disgusting. But I still like the books.

There are many reasons most people hate the books. Whether it's the preachy language style, the sinless perfection of an eight-year-old girl, or the ridiculousness of a ten-year-old girl almost dying of a broken heart (over the mean, vile father guy), most people barely get past the first book. But there are plenty of reasons to like Elsie too. Most people don't care to read deeper than the obvious story, and while I could spend a lot of time on that, I would rather share a hilarious story with anybody who still actually reads my sadly neglected blog.

So why did I just write a lot about how people hate Elsie? Because the Elsie books are the perfect examples of an era. Children's books were moral and christian--that was their sole purpose. Until L. M. Alcott there were no frivolous tales for children; just try reading the original Grim's without seeing the morals! And so, while the story I share today is more technically an adult's tale, I must say that it is great satire on Margaret Finley and Isabella Arden's books.

And so I give you, by the Amazing Samuel Clemmens,

The Story of the Good Little Boy.

As the Group Blog Didn't work Out Quite So Ideally as Once Imagined....

2009-08-04T10:24:00.004-06:00

I am going to start posting on here again!
I took a long break from blogging (I blame facebook for that) and am now back full strength with nothing to blog about, but full of good intentions.
To start off on a light subject, here are some pictures I have taken recently:

Goodbye!

2009-01-02T09:59:00.003-07:00

I will no longer be neglecting this blog, as I am wont to do.
I simply have decided not to write here any more.
Mother, Anna and I are all going to share a blog, a much more commonsensical thing to do.
So, while I will leave this blog up for those who wish to read the archives, I am no longer posting here.

Looking back, and looking ahead

2009-01-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

She stands tall, looking out before her at the long, winding road. There are many twists and turns, but the way is well-lit by the bright sunshine streaming down.

She looks behind: her home, the safe-haven of childhood, beckons her back. It is so appealing as it sits serenely behind her, tempting her to return. She wishes to stay within the safe, sheltered walls, but knows that she must begin to walk on her own.

The melancholy of her irretrievable childhood comes to her as she looks back. The innocent joy of naivete, the simple troubles of inexperience are all remembered in bright, happy colors as she turns to again take in the road ahead.

The dull brown road before her seems even more blank in contrast to the bright memories of childhood, but the girl is determined as she straightens herself and picks up her long walking-stick.

She must make the memories to fill her blank path. She must believe that any place on the path can be peaceful and happy, as long as she is content with the path God has prepared for her. She must not wish to be on someone else's path, however flat and easy it looks. She must follow her path, even when she cannot see beyond the next bend in the road.

She must be determined to follow, and content with a slower pace than those she sees running before her. If she wishes to make it to the end, she must go slowly and steadily. She takes a deep breath before stepping out into the road. She must follow the road laid out before her.

And With His help, she will.

Another Tag

2008-12-19T08:48:00.004-07:00

I love tags, and so when I realized that Ivy had tagged me a few days ago, I was very happy. Two tags in one week!
Well, here goes.

I have to write seven interesting facts about myself. (They really might be quite dull to most of you, but I'll do my best not to bore you.)

1) I am obsessive about my closet being orderly. (Noah and I have a lot in common) My clothes are color-coordinated and sectionalized. (I don't have a usable dresser, so all my clothes are in my closet)

2) I hate talking on the phone.

3) Handel is my favorite composer.

4) I love reading timelines, especially those from the "Bible times" and the Roman rule.
This is getting really difficult.
5) I have a weakness for red clothing.

6) I like counting money. Or anything, for that matter: ceiling tiles, buttons on a person's shirt, lights in a room, et cetera.

7) I once had a Russian ballet teacher. I never understood his French

Don't you just love being tagged?

2008-12-16T21:16:00.006-07:00

So, Anika has tagged me with a book meme.
I am going to have a great deal of fun with this. The rules are as follows:
Take ten books and transcribe the fifth sentence from page fifty-six. In keeping with the five, fifty-six thing, make sure that at least five books are fiction, provide five hints, and pass the meme on to six other bloggers.

Okay, I just decided to grab a few of my current favorites, as well as whatever else I could lay my hands on. None of these books are on my post about books, so don't try to guess them. (I don't even own many of them)

Begin the books:

1) "Scattered were they, like flakes of snow, when the wind from the Northeast strikes aslant through the fogs that darken the banks of Newfoundland."

2) "'Oh, Polly," Susan's fingers gripped her arm, 'I've just got to go back with you!'"

3) "' For those that mingle reason with your passion must be content to think you old, and so-- but she knows what she does.'"

4) "'Never!' answered the girls, and all took great comfort in the idea that one mystery would not be cleared up, even at Christmas."

5) "A moment more she had crawled across the window-sill and was staring down at a street that looked at least a thousand miles distant."

6) "And so thou vile thing, to gratify a momentary passion, thou hast made one poor creature wretched for life, and polluted a family that had nothing but honour for their portion."

7) "We are far too complex in our thoughts of the mercy of God."

8) "But soon these new pleasant sensations passed into morbid irritability."

9) "Set boundary lines the people may not pass, and tell them: Beware!"

10) "If so, the gentleman who had pulled down his hat produced an effect entirely different from what he had desired."

For the Five hints:

1) I'm pretty sure that #9 is required reading for everyone who reads this blog.

2) #2 had only one printing.

3) Five of these books are classics, seven are vintage, and four are out of print.

4) #5 is by an author who's original surname was Brainerd. His/her pen name is very different.

5) #10 was originally written in French.

Lastly, I have to tag six people, the most difficult part.

1) Noah is tagged because he really needs to post some more.
2) Anna is tagged, because Anika wanted me to tag her.
3) Mother-she'll enjoy it
4)Bessinger Family blog-I'll enjoy reading it.
5) Miss Emmy-she will probably enjoy doing this as well
6) and last (but not least) Joybird- because she likes tags.

Well, that's it!
If you want to guess, just leave a comment.

The Snow keeps falling and falling and falling down.

2008-11-30T11:25:00.005-07:00

Yes, today is a beautifully snowy day. In honor of the immense fall, (we've got over a foot!) I'm going to share one of my favorite snowy-day hums, courtesy of Sir de Pooh.

The more it Snows (Tiddly Pom)

The more it Goes (Tiddly Pom)

On Snowing.

And nobody Knows (Tiddly Pom)

How cold my Toes (Tiddly Pom)

Are Growing.

Also, here are some pictures from my excursion down the road:

Give Thanks to the Lord, For He is Good.

2008-11-27T06:38:00.002-07:00

His Mercy endureth forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.

14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.

17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.

18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.

20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.

21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.

22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.

23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.

24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.

25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

Some Random Tag

2008-11-20T09:17:00.006-07:00

Well, according to the poll, I'm supposed to do some random tag, so here goes:

Five Things that Scare me:

1) Girls who blow really big bubbles with their gum. (reminiscent of Willy Wonka)

2) Parasites inside people. (see this gross article for an example)

3) Goths (as in the black-wearing, black fingernail-polish people)

4) Ted Dekker Books

5) Really big rottweilers

Five Things That Make me Happy:

1) Red shoes (really anything red)

2) Listening to Handel

3) Getting a good deal on anything (whether I need it or not)

4) Counting knitting stitches

5) Having time with my whole family together.

Five Things That Make me Sad:

1) Ruined knitting projects

2) Unwanted books

3) Daycare babies

4) Thinking of leaving my family

5) Watching my big brothers grow up

Five things That I enjoy doing:

1) Dancing to 40's music! (only when nobody's watching)

2) Writing out my thoughts

3) Knitting something new (like mittens!)

4) Practicing my harp

5) Quilling snowflakes (good thing it's almost December--I can start making them again)

Five Things I'm Thankful for:

1) My Mother

2) My Daddy

3) My bafflingly brilliant brother Joshua

4) My geniously gifted brother Noah

5) My Sweet little sister Anna

Five people to tag:

1) Bessinger Family blog

2) Joybird

3) Miss Emily

4) All my family

5) Everyone else who reads this

I thought everybody who reads this blog would like something new to think about

2008-11-06T17:55:00.006-07:00

Okay, from my poll, I have decided to post on something nobody has voted to have me do, just out of perversity. (and because I really wanted to do it)

I am going to start with a post of my top ten favorite books before I was fourteen.

Why fourteen? Because I started reading more grown-up boring books then. (and I am going to do another post on my current favorites someday)

1. An Old Fashioned Girl by L. M. Alcott. Her Eight Cousins is also wonderful. (She wrote Little Women, but I assume you understand that I like the famous ones as well as these other favorites)

2. Elsie Dinsmore and the second, Elsie's Holidays. None of the others are any good.

3. The All of a Kind family series by Sydney Taylor.

4. The Moffats series, by Eleanor Estes; especially Jane, the middle Moffat and the Moffat Museum.

5. Everything ever written by Noel Streatfield. I have great memories of all the books, but Apple Bough is by far the best. Other good ones are Magic Summer and Dancing Shoes.

6. The Maude Hart Lovelace books. Betsy, Tacy and Tibb is the first, starting when they are five. Some of the best are when Betsy is in highschool.

7. The Pat of Silver Bush series by L. M. Montgomery. Also, her Jane of Lantern Hill is simply wonderful.

8. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney is really good, as well as it's sequel: Five Little Peppers All Grown Up.

9. Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. The sequel is called Heidi Grows up.

10. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter is also a beautiful story. The sequel to this is called Pollyanna grows up.

This is just a few, but definitely favorites. I will post a review of each eventually, if I ever get around to it.

A Photoshoot

2008-10-31T14:28:00.008-06:00

Here are some pictures of Anna from the a few days ago when she looked especially pretty.

Which best personifies her?

Sense and Sensibility E-patterns!

2008-10-31T14:19:00.003-06:00

Sense and Sensibility now has e-patterns!
Just click the picture for a link to the new page.
It's patterns at the click of a button.

disclaimer: The patterns are so great that I had to post this for a free one.

Old Fashioned Feminism

2008-10-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

"'Can't you bear a little ridicule for the sake of a good cause? You said yesterday that you were going to make it a principle of your life, to help up your sex as far and as fast as you could. It did my heart good to hear you say it, for I was sure that in time you would keep your word. But, Polly, a principle that can't bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, isn't worthy of the name.'

'I want to be strong-minded in the real sense of the word, but I don't like to be called so by people who don't understand my meaning; and I shall be if I try to make the girls think soberly about anything sensible or philanthropic. They call me old-fashioned now, and I 'd rather be thought that, though it isn't pleasant, than be set down as a rampant woman's rights reformer,' said Polly, in whose memory many laughs, and snubs, and sarcasms still lingered, forgiven but not forgotten.

'This love and thought and care for those weaker, poorer, or worse than ourselves, which we call Christian charity, is a very old fashion, my dear. It began eighteen hundred years ago, and only those who honestly follow the beautiful example set us then, learn how to get genuine happiness out of life. I 'm not a 'rampant woman's rights reformer,'' added Miss Mills, with a smile at Polly's sober face; 'but I think that women can do a great deal for each other, if they will only stop fearing what 'people will think,' and take a hearty interest in whatever is going to fit their sisters and themselves to deserve and enjoy the rights God gave them. There are so many ways in which this can be done, that I wonder they don't see and improve them. I don't ask you to go and make speeches, only a few have the gift for that, but I do want every girl and woman to feel this duty, and make any little sacrifice of time or feeling that may be asked of them, because there is so much to do, and no one can do it as well as ourselves, if we only think so.'"

--from An Old Fashioned Girl, by L.M. Alcott

Happy Birthday!

2008-09-28T08:15:00.005-06:00

To the one who has shown me by example how to smile when I don't feel like it, to care for others when I don't want to, and to show God's love when it is the hardest. To the most beautiful woman in the world, not only because of her outward appearance, but also because of her amazing character.
Word are not good enough to explain how wonderful my mother is.

Ten Things I Love About Being a Young Lady

2008-09-08T15:28:00.004-06:00

Well, my Mother challenged me to do this at least three times this week. I can't remember ever being jealous of boys. I have always loved girly things and enjoyed being a girl, unlike a great deal of other young ladies. So, here's a list of ten things I like. (not necessarily in order)

1. I get to wear skirts and dresses. I have always enjoyed wearing skirts--they make me feel pretty.

2. I get to prepare meals for my family.

3. I get to knit.

4. I am able to spend a great deal of time in my home.

5. As a young lady, I get special treatment by gentlemen. (opening doors for me, pulling out my chair, shooting bad animals, etc.)

6. Shoes!!!

7. I can look forward to, Lord willing, being a mother someday.

8. I get to enjoy girl's books like Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables.

9. I don't have to be tough.

10. God has given me a time before marriage to grow closer to him. I, as an avid hater of change, am grateful for this in-between time of getting used to things.

A Beautiful Quote

2008-07-29T19:41:00.002-06:00

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes
All my own desires and hopes and accept Thy will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all
Utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.
Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit
Use me as Thou will, send me where Thou will
And work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost now
and forever."

--Elizabeth Scott Stam

This young woman of God was raised by her parents in China. She came to America to complete her missionary certification and degree. She met her Husband, John, at college. Both were called to the mission field in China, but Elizabeth completed her training a year before John. After his certification, he met Elizabeth in Shanghai and they married. Not two years later, both were martyred by hostile communists--leaving only their small daughter Helen.

Happy Independence Day!

2008-07-04T09:29:00.002-06:00

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.--The Declaration of Independence (NOT by Ben Franklin, by Thomas Jefferson)

Why do I Even Read the News Anymore?

2008-06-26T08:57:00.004-06:00

Well, I may have just posted yesterday, but I thought that this new post was needed.

The following isn't a joke--I thought it was when I first read it, but it isn't!

"Spain's parliament voiced its support on Wednesday for the rights of great apes to life and freedom in what will apparently be the first time any national legislature has called for such rights for non-humans."

My first reaction was to laugh. Then I read the whole article.

Here are a few more excerpts:

"'This is a historic day in the struggle for animal rights and in defense of our evolutionary comrades, which will doubtless go down in the history of humanity,' said Pedro Pozas, Spanish director of the Great Apes Project."

"Philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded the Great Ape Project in 1993, arguing that "non-human hominids" like chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans and bonobos should enjoy the right to life, freedom and not to be tortured."
(emphasis added)

What's a Hominid? The Britannica Online Encyclopedia says this:

"Formerly, humans alone (with their extinct forebears) were placed in Hominidae, and the great apes were placed in a different family, Pongidae."
It goes on to say that humans and great apes are now both classified as "hominids."

A Random Rant on the Lack of Biblical Theology in the Church

2008-06-24T07:46:00.002-06:00

Glancing over the front page of Foxnews, I saw this strange headline
"Americans: My Faith Isn't the Only Way to Heaven."

Wondering what that was all about, I clicked on the link and was taken to the article, with the sub-head of
"America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life — even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise."
I was completely amazed. What has been taught in the church, if more Christians are concerned with being "politically correct" than to live their faith?

"'The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep,' said D. Michael Lindsay" What a sad thing to be able to say!

"Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent)."
Apparently, either people have stopped listening to the basic truths taught in the church, or the church leadership has stopped teaching them.

Lastly, here is a very sad quote by Archbishop Chaput at the end of the article:
"...the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members."

I'm Back! and a new "Did you Know?"

2008-06-18T10:18:00.006-06:00

After a very long vacation in beautiful Virginia, I am finally back home. Here is a very interesting historical fact.

Flora Cooke Stuart, wife of General J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart CSA, is buried in the town where my Grandfather grew up. I have some pictures of the Stuart family plot,and of William Alexander Stuart's grave. (Jeb's brother) Also, I took a picture of Jeb's mother's headstone. Saltville is the name of the town where Jeb Stuart left his wife while fighting in the "War Between the States." There is a great amount of history around this region of Virginia where my parents grew up--they just didn't know it until they moved away from there. I only have time for this short post, so here are some pictures. Above are the headstones of William Alexander and his wife, Eleanor.

The Stuart family plot.

To the left is the backyard of "the cabin," where I've been staying. Below it is "the cabin," which my Dad built, with his brothers and Father.

My Thoughts on Heaven

2008-05-14T13:30:00.001-06:00

Well, I've been thinking about growing up. I have always hated change more than any other natural event. Could it be because it isn't natural? Moving every three years, meeting new people, taking on new responsibilities, learning to do new things (like drive), are all change. Growing up, however, is the worst of all changes. Nobody ever stops changing, whether getting old or learning to talk. Is it just me, or do others feel this as well?
I have been pondering the fact that heaven is Everlasting. It never has changed, never will change, and will always be.

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations." -Psalm 145:13

That is one of the comforts that I love to think of. I, like Pat of Silver Bush, love to cling to old things and traditions. Hate is probably an overly violent word, I ought to say that I used to hate change. I now have reconciled myself to the fact that it happens, and though I dislike it, I can bear it with a mournful heart.
In the garden, Adam and Eve were eternal beings. They had never changed, and never worked. I have come to the conclusion that it isn't natural for people--eternal souls--to change and die. Change brings many things, not the least of which is death to the old things. Death is so intertwined with change. Every year, the earth dies to beauty and life. It is cold, and unhappy with this unnatural change.

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" --Romans 8:20-23

Let us wait patiently for the renewing of our bodies into eternal beings. The Lord is so good to allow us to become His, ginving us the hope of an eternity with Him.

An Uproarious Guide for Disorganized Housewives (with neat solutions to sloppy problems)

2008-05-03T08:20:00.003-06:00

An excerpt:
"One trick to serving good meals is always to serve absolutely perfect coffee. You can even make your reputation as a cook if you are known for your perfect coffee.
'She is one miserable cook,' they'll say, 'even if she does make a good cup of coffee.'
The best way to insure delicious coffee every time is to use the finest Arabian mocha, flown direct to you, freshly roasted, freshly ground, and freshly brewed with fresh water in a fresh glass coffee maker. I you can't manage this, you can always buy instant coffee.
Then they'll say, 'She is one miserable cook.'"

This book, copyright 1956, is hilarious. It reminds me of the old "Pete Smith" shorts--"the short movie by a Smith named Pete." If you've never seen one of these, you are definitely missing out.

2008-05-01T12:41:00.000-06:00

Spring in Colorado!

This is probably my last hope of having a snow day--not much chance.

It's only two inches; the forecast was for one.

It is still coming down pretty hard.

Yesterday it was 76 degrees outside.

Hmm...I like to think

2008-04-23T07:50:00.003-06:00

Here is an article that I ran into today. It is very interesting to see a non-religious man's view of this topic.

By Henry Makow Ph.D.

"Slovenly" "Drab" Unkempt" "Slatternly" "Blowzy"-many adjectives
describe most women who wear jeans.

Since I noticed this trend, I am appalled by its pervasiveness. At
least half of the women I see are wearing jeans.

Occasionally they are with men also clad in blue denim, emphasizing
the unisex character of this proletarian garb.
Men, if you're tempted by such a woman, her jeans are a signal that
you may have to deal with her "GID"-"gender identity disorder." Her
jeans are saying: "I don't want to be a woman. I don't want to look
good for men. I fear and distrust men. I want male prerogatives."

Feminism which espoused "women's rights" actually has driven
femininity underground, torn the sexes asunder, and stripped woman of
recognition for being wives and mothers, roles essential to their own
fulfillment, to men, and to children and society.

Under the guise of defending homosexual rights, heterosexuals are
under ruthless and hateful psychological attack in the mass media and
from government. In the UK, Australia and California, the terms "mom
and dad" have been banned from schools and children are encouraged to
experiment with homosexuality. They want us to be homosexual in the
sense that gays usually have sex but don't marry and have families.

I imagine women would wear dresses and skirts if there wasn't a
Stalinist feminist stigma against looking feminine. Thus women can
make a statement by wearing a skirt or dress. They can show they
aren't afraid of men, and may actually like them. Christine, a Toronto
woman, does this and gets a very positive response:

"Several years ago, I gave up dressing like a man for religious
reasons (and no, I am not a Muslim, although it is rather peculiar to
see Muslim women in blue jeans and head scarves.) Since the
traditional garb of a Western woman is a skirt or dress... I try to
wear that. And I do try to dress neatly. When I made this decision, I
didn't think about how it would affect men. Nevertheless, its effect
on men has been most touching. It brings out the best in them and they
seem to like it.

Men should politely voice approval and support of women who are
dressed in a feminine way.

There is nothing more beautiful than a women wearing a summer dress. I
can still remember a young woman I saw five years ago wearing a
frock. That's how powerful femininity is. Let's not let highly-paid
pious feminist and lesbian "change agents" destroy it. It's time for
real women to relegate jeans to garden work.

St. Ambrose

2008-04-16T11:49:00.005-06:00

"Chastity will be lost where the distinction between the sexes is not observed."

-St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397AD)

Well, it seems that they knew some things back then after all. This wise Christian man is most known for his charity and kindness while accidentally settling a dispute between Arians and Trinitarians. As prefect of a certain province (kind of like a governor), he was responsible for keeping the peace. After the death of the bishop of Milan, Arians and Trinitarians were debating who should be the successor. Ambrose walked in to stop the fighting, and the cry "Ambrose for Bishop!" was raised as soon as he was seen. He became bishop after much persuasion, and the Arians and Trinitarians in Milan got along very well until he died.
He was definitely on to something when he wrote this. Remember-

"He that walks with wise men shall be wise"-Proverbs 13:20

Reading is a great way to "walk with wise men." The wisdom of 350 A.D. is still wise, and more easily accessed.

My Sevens

2008-03-27T09:45:00.004-06:00

It has been weeks since I last published a post, so I decided to do something interesting for this 51st post.

7 things I'd like to do before I die:

1)Visit the original poet's corner in Westminster Abbey
2)Get married
3)Learn to read Hebrew and Greek
4)Have at least 8 children
5)Have a house to take care of
6)Take a battle tour of the South (you know, follow the path of the W.B.S.otherwise known as the civil war)
7)Learn to take good photos

7 things I can't do well:

1)post on my blog regularly
2)juggle
3)ski
4)play the piano ( and I don't care!)
5)stand on my head
6)put a book down and not think about it until I pick it up again
7)stay away from chocolate

7 favorite movies

1)North and South (BBC)
2)Pride and Prejudice
3)Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
4)Singin' in the Rain
5)the Pink Submarine
6)Arsenic and Old Lace
7)the Taming of the Shrew

7 things I say often:

1) Gaaaawl-leee (Virginian exclamation)
2) Interesting
3) That stanks! (smells bad)
4) Oh really?
5) Well...
6) Gee Willikers (don't know where that comes from)
7) Please?

7 favorite books and authors:

1) The holy Bible
2) Charles Dickens
3) Elizabeth Gaskell
4) Jane Austen
5) Shakespeare (especially the comedies)
6) Alexandre Dumas
7) Robert Louis Stevenson

7 things I want to see:

1) the original Gutenberg Bible
2) the Taj Mahal
3) Australia
4) the arch of Titus on the Via Sacra, the Basilica, and the Pantheon in Rome
5) the fairy castles and the chapel of the underground city in Cappadocia
6) Nottingham Castle in Sherwood forest (yes, it's a real place!)
7) Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre in Paris

7 people I tag:

1) Anna (Lady Rebekah)
2) Noah
3) Joybird
4) Miss Emmy
5) Anika-q
6) Mrs. q (Anika's mom)
7) Hmm... I know! Daniel The-odor

The Death of Matthew

2008-03-13T16:53:00.003-06:00

Yes, I'm going to write about how Matthew, Jesus' oldest apostle, died. He is considered the oldest because he was already in business for himself as a tax collector before being called. There is a large void of historical writings about Matthew. People can only speculate as to how he died, but there is no doubt that he died a martyr. The only record we have of his death is in the Roman book of Martyrs. It says:
"S. Matthæi, qui in Æthiopia prædicans martyrium passus est".
which is the ancient Latin version for
"Saint Matthew, ran the race and was martyred in Ethiopia"
There is a lot of controversy over whether he was beheaded, stoned, or burned. He died approximately fifteen years after the death of Jesus.

The Death of Paul

2008-03-07T08:00:00.005-07:00

How many people know how Paul died? Everybody knows that he was imprisoned in Rome twice. Unknown to many, he died the second time. It is generally held that Paul was killed by the order of Nero, the most notorious Caesar. There is much undecidedness in the death of Paul. Some people hold that he went to Spain and ministered to the church there before being taken to Rome and killed. These people believe that he died around the year 67 AD. Others believe that he was taken by Nero in the year 64 AD, before he could get to Spain. While the year of his death is deliberated on, most scholars agree that he was beheaded. Being a Roman citizen, he could not get the sentence of crucifixion or torture, which is how Nero killed most of the Christians. The Roman Catholic church, in their "saint's day" tradition, celebrate Paul's death on the 29th of June. They also believe that Paul was buried in the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls of Rome. The last fact is probably not true.

P.S. the picture is of the statue of Paul outside the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls of Rome

Happy 188th Birthday!

2008-03-03T09:45:00.002-07:00

Today is the 188th Birthday of the Missouri Compromise! For those who haven't read a lot of American History, the Missouri Compromise was an important factor in the Civil War. On this day in 1820, congress passed a bill restricting the spread of slave states. The compromise basically said that any territory admitted into the union had to be within a certain latitude/longitude area to have slaves. This pacified the slave and free states for a while, but not well enough.

The Ugly Bug Ball

2008-03-01T18:33:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite Burl Ives song.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=c-vzp3PW_5w

New Blog! (another thing for nobody to ever check or comment on)

2008-03-01T12:28:00.002-07:00

There's a new photo blog! Noah and I are both administrators and it should be updated quite often. Hopefully more often than this thing is. Go check it out!

A Meaningful Psalm

2008-02-26T10:30:00.002-07:00

This is one of my favorite psalms.

Psalm 130, a psalm of degrees

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

My soul [waiteth] for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: [I say, more than] they that watch for the morning.

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

I just had to get the heart off

2008-02-22T08:04:00.004-07:00

Okay, you have to forgive me, 'cause yesterday I was sick and didn't realize what I was doing. I will not ever do that again. Here is a poem for Friday. (yes, I know that you have it down as Saturday, P.P.) Here is my favorite Tennyson.

Alfred Tennyson, Lord Tennyson. 1809–1892

The Lady of Shalott

PART I

ON either side the river lie

Long fields of barley and of rye,

That clothe the wold and meet the sky;

And thro' the field the road runs by

To many-tower'd Camelot;

And up and down the people go,

Gazing where the lilies blow

Round an island there below,

The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Thro' the wave that runs for ever

By the island in the river

Flowing down to Camelot.

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle imbowers

The Lady of Shalott.

By the margin, willow-veil'd,

Slide the heavy barges trail'd

By slow horses; and unhail'd

The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd

Skimming down to Camelot:

But who hath seen her wave her hand?

Or at the casement seen her stand?

Or is she known in all the land,

The Lady of Shalott?

Only reapers, reaping early

In among the bearded barley,

Hear a song that echoes cheerly

From the river winding clearly,

Down to tower'd Camelot:

And by the moon the reaper weary,

Piling sheaves in uplands airy,

Listening, whispers ''Tis the fairy

Lady of Shalott.'

PART II

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colours gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her if she stay

To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little other care hath she,

The Lady of Shalott.

And moving thro' a mirror clear

That hangs before her all the year,

Shadows of the world appear.

There she sees the highway near

Winding down to Camelot:

There the river eddy whirls,

And there the surly village-churls,

And the red cloaks of market girls,

Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,

An abbot on an ambling pad,

Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,

Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad,

Goes by to tower'd Camelot;

And sometimes thro' the mirror blue

The knights come riding two and two:

She hath no loyal knight and true,

The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights

To weave the mirror's magic sights,

For often thro' the silent nights

A funeral, with plumes and lights,

And music, went to Camelot:

Or when the moon was overhead,

Came two young lovers lately wed;

'I am half sick of shadows,' said

The Lady of Shalott.

PART III

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,

He rode between the barley-sheaves,

The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,

And flamed upon the brazen greaves

Of bold Sir Lancelot.

A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd

To a lady in his shield,

That sparkled on the yellow field,

Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,

Like to some branch of stars we see

Hung in the golden Galaxy.

The bridle bells rang merrily

As he rode down to Camelot:

And from his blazon'd baldric slung

A mighty silver bugle hung,

And as he rode his armour rung,

Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather

Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,

The helmet and the helmet-feather

Burn'd like one burning flame together,

As he rode down to Camelot.

As often thro' the purple night,

Below the starry clusters bright,

Some bearded meteor, trailing light,

Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;

On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;

From underneath his helmet flow'd

His coal-black curls as on he rode,

As he rode down to Camelot.

From the bank and from the river

He flash'd into the crystal mirror,

'Tirra lirra,' by the river

Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,

She made three paces thro' the room,

She saw the water-lily bloom,

She saw the helmet and the plume,

She look'd down to Camelot.

Out flew the web and floated wide;

The mirror crack'd from side to side;

'The curse is come upon me!' cried

The Lady of Shalott.

PART IV

In the stormy east-wind straining,

The pale yellow woods were waning,

The broad stream in his banks complaining,

Heavily the low sky raining

Over tower'd Camelot;

Down she came and found a boat

Beneath a willow left afloat,

And round about the prow she wrote

The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river's dim expanse—

Like some bold seer in a trance,

Seeing all his own mischance—

With a glassy countenance

Did she look to Camelot.

And at the closing of the day

She loosed the chain, and down she lay;

The broad stream bore her far away,

The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white

That loosely flew to left and right—

The leaves upon her falling light—

Thro' the noises of the night

She floated down to Camelot:

And as the boat-head wound along

The willowy hills and fields among,

They heard her singing her last song,

The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,

Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,

Till her blood was frozen slowly,

And her eyes were darken'd wholly,

Turn'd to tower'd Camelot;

For ere she reach'd upon the tide

The first house by the water-side,

Singing in her song she died,

The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,

By garden-wall and gallery,

A gleaming shape she floated by,

Dead-pale between the houses high,

Silent into Camelot.

Out upon the wharfs they came,

Knight and burgher, lord and dame,

And round the prow they read her name,

The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? and what is here?

And in the lighted palace near

Died the sound of royal cheer;

And they cross'd themselves for fear,

All the knights at Camelot:

But Lancelot mused a little space;

He said, 'She has a lovely face;

God in His mercy lend her grace,

The Lady of Shalott.'

The Amazing Heart

2008-02-21T10:55:00.008-07:00

This is on here for my friends in the the Philipines.

All others, please beware that this is a series of pictures of the disection of a cow's heart. I, myself, really, cut this thing up. I thought my funny friends would like to see what I do when I am sick with a virus. (Just kidding, I've only done this once-which is today, and yes, I am sick) For all the animal rights people who don't read my blog, yes, a real live cow was harmed in the cutting of this heart. (scroll down for the pics)

If you are completely grossed out now, here's a picture of my cute little dog to get your mind off this strange, unusual, awful, uncommonly weird post that I have absolutely no idea why I put on my otherwise calm, moderately interesting blog.

But If Not...

2008-02-15T08:37:00.002-07:00

This is an article that I received in the Ladies-inWaiting monthly newletter. It is definitely worth the wait. I was struck by this article in Volume 4, issue 2.

IF NOT
Written by Mrs. Hufstetler

Daniel 3 tells of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, making an image of gold and commanding all the people to fall down and worship it. Whoever did not fall down and worship it would be cast into a furnace of blazing fire. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused. They said that their God Whom they served was able to deliver them ...BUT IF NOT they will not serve or worship these gods.

In Daniel 6, Daniel distinguished himself and King Darius planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. The commissioners and satraps were jealous and tried to find some accusation against him. They could not, so knew they must find an accusation regard the law of his God. They persuaded the king to build a statue and command that no one should make a petition to any other god or man for 30 days or they would be cast into the lions' den. Yet Daniel openly prayed toward Jerusalem on his knees three times a day. He knew God was able to deliver him BUT IF NOT...

Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane is recorded in Matthew 26:39, "If it be possible let this cup pass from me, BUT IF NOT...

What are the IF NOTS in your life? I need a husband to go to the mission field, BUT IF NOT, am I willing to go alone? I desire good health, BUT IF NOT am I willing to be sickly all my life? I would like a good job BUT IF NOT am I willing to live by faith and trust God to provide my needs? I want a godly husband and children, BUT IF NOT will I be content and accept His will?

2008-02-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

Huzzah! This is post number 40! Just to inform anyone who likes to read my blog, I am giving up the internet, excluding e-mail, for forty-six days. My family is experimenting with lent this year, we will also try to go without meat. I just hope we make it so long without meat without dying :)

Well, goodbye until Easter!

Did you Know?

2008-01-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Setting: Suffragette movement during the Reconstruction era. (~1869)

Main characters: The two most celebrated speakers for the Suffragette movement- Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Place: Kansas debate for the former slave's vote

Did you know that both of my main character's were racist? Here is a quote from one of Mrs. Stanton's speaches:
"Shall American statesmen...make their wives and mothers the political inferiors of unlettered and unwashed ditch-diggers [and] bootblacks...fresh from the slave plantations of the South?...Think of Patrick(nickname for Irish immigrants) and Sambo...who do not know the difference between a monarchy and a republic, who cannot read the Declaration of Independence or Webster's spelling book, making laws for Lucretia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, and Anna E. Dickenson." (in the last example, she is degrading them, not only by saying they cannot read a very elementary book, but that they have no inclination to learn)

P. S. the sitting lady in the pic is Miss Stanton, the other is Miss Anthony.

Interesting...

2008-01-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have just heard about a very interesting book. The title is actually Get Married. Here is a link to an excerpt from the book, a new take on "the gift of singleness". Here is the link

It's Friday, So I'll Do Some Poetry

2008-01-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

I really like Robert Frost's poetry, and it is really snowy, so I'll put my favorite Frost on here.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

        -- Robert Frost

Did you Know?

2008-01-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Time: WWII
Place: France
Main Person: Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

Did you know that the well-beloved creator of Jeeves and Wooster, Tipton Plimsol, and Psmith (pronounced smith) spent time in a concentration camp? He was in France at the time of it's fall and was taken to several different alien internment camps before being released. He accidentally ruined his career in Great Britain by doing a series of broadcasts about his time in the camps. The title was "How to Be an Internee and Like It". If you're interested, here are the links to the transcripts of the funny broadcasts.

The First broadcast

The Second

Third

The Fourth

The Final Broadcast

Ha ha it is to Laugh

2008-01-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

here is a great video from the man who did "homeschool family"

Did You Know?

2008-01-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Setting: The War Between the States (Yanks call it the "Civil War")

Story:
The family of Wilmer McLean owned the field that the First Battle of Manassas (otherwise known as Bull Run) was fought in. Fearing that there was more of the same type of battle coming, he did the only reasonable thing-he moved further south. He bought a small home in Appomattox, sure that the Confederate States of America would win the war in a few months' time. He lived peaceably for three years, not worrying at all about the war. Then, on that fateful day of April 9, 1865, he saw Gen. R. E. Lee, CSA and Gen. Grant, USA sign the papers that ended the war.
They were in his front parlor.

If you liked this little-known fact, just read more about it here.

Now I Have to Catch Up

2008-01-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

For the past few days I have not posted the "catechism" thingy. To catch up: the thirtieth was the sixth day of Christmas.
The six Geese-a-laying represent the six days of creation.
Yesterday was the seventh day of Christmas.
The seven swans-a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which are Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, and Compassion.
Today is the Eighth day of Christmas.
The Eight maids-a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes, or Blesseds in Mattew 5:3-10:

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Just a Random Post

2008-01-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

I am not going to put the "twelve days of Christmas" thing on here today. It's my birthday, so I get to do whatever I want. I will put some poetry on here because I like poetry a lot.

I sat down, the pain
was too much
I felt dizzy and sick,
so sick
Like the flu, my stomach
rolling, my head
throbbing and my throat
aching, aching

All at once, I
remember no more
It is like a sleep
with no dream, all
is black
It is like a sleep
with no rest
There is nothing
I know nothing

I am swimming
in a pool of darkness
It holds on to me,
won't let me go
I struggle, I fight
let me out of this dark water
It weighs me down,
won't let me go
But I must win

Then I wake
a dizzy, confused
feeling I don't
understand Why
am I on the floor?
I see almost nothing;
all is a blur

Everyone runs and
yells Loud voices
Why does everyone
scream and run?
Why don't
they leave me
alone?

Then I see
Mother
My Mother
is here for me
I can rest
for she is here.

That's pretty long!

I Interrupt the Normal Chain of Blogs to Introduce "My Vision"!

2007-12-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Over at A wise woman builds her home, the most recent post is on a vision for the next year. I really liked the idea of having a vision, not just resolutions. Below I am taking the main areas and posting my personal visions for next year.

Spiritual Life-- Pride is a problem with me.
I would like to become more humble.

Family Life--I want to simply enjoy our last few years together- no wishing for something else.

Home Life-- I want to help keep my home peaceful- a place of rest.

Church Life-- I want to find some useful task each week- not just sit around and talk.

Physical Life-- I hate this! I want to become content with the way God has made me (and exercise regularly)

Social Life-- I want to have more meaningful conversations with my friends.

Mental Life-- Strive to keep every thought captive- not just sometimes.

Blog-- I hope to write a post every day. If, however, I cannot write something useful or interesting, I will not burden others with my silly thoughts.

The Fifth Day

2007-12-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

The fifth day of Christmas "five golden rings" is representative of the five books of the Torah. They are the books of law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

White Christmas!

2007-12-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas. It's not a dream for us, we are really having a "white christmas".

Fun Today

2007-12-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

I don't have school this week, so I am having fun deciding what to post about. I finally decided that knitting, as it is my favorite hobby, would be a good way to start. At the moment, I am working on a top-down sweater, and it is coming along a lot better than I hoped it would. For my friend Joybird, and her sister Miss Emmie, I will write the most convincing argument possible. ( although they are inabsentia, I am trying to make them want to knit)

BEGIN ARGUMENT

Did you know that knitting classes used to be part of school? My Grandmother can remember learning to knit one year for her art class.

1. Knitting calms a person down and keeps people out of trouble (idle hands are the devil's tool)

2. Knitting is amazingly easy

3. Knitting patterns are everywhere for free, especially the old ones (see vintagepurls.net)

4. You can make really cool things when you knit ( i.e. hats, clothes, doll clothes, baby toys, dolls, stuffed animals, and, of course, scarves)

5. Knitting becomes second nature after you have done it for a while ( I can knit in the dark, while watching a movie, or with my eyes closed)

6. It is really easy to learn. I recommend KnittingHelp.com and Knitting Pretty ( the second is a book-yes, I own it)

7. To begin it is really inexpensive ( after a while of knitting, you start to want to make more things, which require more complicated needles, more interesting tools, and strange-looking gauge marker thingamajigs. However, it is still relatively inexxpensive)

8. Everybody knows what to get you for Christmas after you become a KNITTING KNUT ( yes, it is a term for someone who is crazy for knitting)

More From Longfellow!

2007-12-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is my favorite poet. Well, it's a tie between him and Frost.
Here is a poem that has been made into a Christmas Carol. Yes, it's another Longfellow.

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

This was written during the War Between the States (Northern term:Civil War) Longfellow's son was fighting, and he was worrying that his son would never come back home. I like the way Longfellow's poems are so despairing in the middle, but give hope in the end

2007-12-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

“I love keeping house…it’s really a lovely phrase, isn’t it? Keeping it…holding
it fast against the world… against all the forces trying to tear it open.” -Suzanne

This is so pretty that I had to share it. I found it while re-re-re-reading Pat of Silver Bush, one of my favorite L. M. Montgomery books. I think I have read all except a few of her books and all the published short stories.

Oh Dear! It's another Monday

2007-12-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Witty Weekday-

"one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated—or two things moderately clever—or three things very dull indeed"

-Frank Churchhill, Emma

I can't think of a single clever thing to say, so , for my "Witty Weekday" I will write three dull things about myself.

1. I don't like to hear the microwave, it gets on my nerves

2. I want a harp of my own (everybody probably already knows that)

3. I LOVE nativity scenes ( did you know that "nativity" comes from the Latin for "birth"? Thus, the word is referring to the birth of Jesus, not the figurines.)

Today is for poems

2007-12-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

I love poetry! Here is one of my "other favorite" poems. I try to quote it on days like today. It's a Longfellow.

The Rainy Day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

How are you today?

2007-12-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Just wondering who reads my blog. If you do, please leave a comment and tell me so. How are you Joybird? How about you, Miss Emmy? If you don't leave a comment, I will be angry! Also, an extremely random, funny video.

Witty Weekday

2007-11-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

NEW FEATURE!!!!!
On Monday, the dullest day of the week, I will write

"one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated—or two things moderately clever—or three things very dull indeed"

-Frank Churchhill, Emma

Today, it is one thing very clever.

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.

-Oscar Wilde, Lady Windemere's Fan

A Real Lady

2007-11-26T08:07:00.001-07:00

I've been pondering a question in my mind- what is a real lady? Is it someone who is graceful? Maybe someone who is feminine? What characteristics really make a lady? The dictionary's definition is: A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior. A woman regarded as proper and virtuous
So, if you have high standards of proper behavior, you're a lady? That doesn't say that a woman follows high standards of proper behavior, just has high standards. What truly makes a woman a lady?

Second-Life?

2007-11-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

There are some strange, weird, unusual games on the internet. I just read an article about SecondLife.com on the Wall Street Journal. It is sad, strange, and even scary. The journalist interviewed a family that has been torn apart by the virtual world of Second life. Mrs. Hoogestraar said, when interviewed, "This other life is so wonderful; it's better than real life. Nobody gets fat, nobody gets gray. The person that's left can't compete with that." In the virtual world of second life, people can create their person, buying different body parts that they want. They have a whole second life,their "avatars" marry, have jobs, buy houses, go shopping, literally everything that real people do. The man and woman interviewed had two very different views of the virtual world. Mr. Hoogestraar doesn't see a problem with having two wives, one real and one virtual. His wife, however, sees it as a problem. She even joined a wife of game-addicts support group online. Real people are starting to have problems distinguishing between the two worlds. This is a growing problem, which is scary.

Treat Animals Humanely!

2007-11-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's silly, but I couldn't help myself. Here goes:

Why do people use the word humane when they talk about treating animals nicely? Animals are not human, so they should not ever be treated as such. It's hilarious how very overboard people will go for animals. Here is a quote from the Virginia PETA website:

As an advocate of animal rights philosophy, PETA has agitated to:

eliminate the meat industry ("we’re absolutely opposed to breeding animals for humans");

abolish the use of furs from fur farms or wild animals;

stop all hunting ("there’s something fundamentally wrong with a person who feels that it’s acceptable to go out into the woods, and for fun, slaughter")

and fishing ("fishes suffocate");

eliminate the use of animals in entertainment, medical research and military research;

prevent the use of all animal products such as wool ("we don’t need wool") and silk ("silkworms can feel pain");

and stop the ownership of animals as pets

Why do people care so much more for animals than humans?

Finding Loveliness

2007-11-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked in the mirror, just to get disgusted? You've been trying on clothes for an hour, trying to find something that is pretty and modest. You just can't find anything that is both. This is when I start asking myself the questions. If you understand the situation, you know the questions.

"Why do I even try to be different? Why can't I just fit in? What is so different between me and other girls? Why do I have to think differently? Can't I be a Christian and do things like them? Other girls seem to have so much more fun than me!"

But I know the answer, I have known it all along. I just ask those silly questions because I'm aggravated.

What is the answer? It is simply this: I am different because I am a Christian. I am different because I love the Lord. I am different because I don't want to be "of the world". I really like being different, and I am thankful to the Lord for giving me parents who are dedicated to a different way of living.

Just Be Yourself!

2007-11-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Beware! There are tons of Feminists out in the world. They are trying to secretly infiltrate your mind, change your way of thinking, and make women more like men. Have you ever heard these sayings?
"Listen to your heart"
"Follow your heart"
"You will know what's right if you look inside yourself"
It really bothers me at how much the Christian culture has taken this and used it.
NEVER, EVER "listen to your heart". Jerimiah 17:9 tells us the exact opposite of what the world wants us to think. It says: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" If you listen to your heart, then you are listening to a liar, something which, in KJV words, is an ear tickler.(I really liked that one) Your heart(soul) is the thing that reveals who you are. In it is everything you think and say and do. Why would someone want to listen to it's selfish answers?
Nobody likes being themselves(I don't have a clue why). If you like the way you are, and have never been disatisfied, please post on here and tell me. I think that God has put it in us to be unsatisfied with who we are. If we don't like what we are, then we will want to change it. That is a good thing (sometimes not, but I'm not talking about that). I know that a person cannot change themself, I've tried many times and it never seems to work, but I still want change very badly. That is where God comes in. If a person is willing to let him, he will change what is needed. If you try to be someone other than yourself, everyone knows. You can't hold out for long if you are trying to be someone else. If you let God in, he will slowly change the way you act, making you more like the Son.(of course you have to do some work too, but God does the heart-changing)

The Return of the Daughters

2007-11-01T12:14:00.000-06:00

Today I will post a review of the new documentary by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin, entitled The Return of the Daughters.

It was wonderful. I watched the movie with a sense of awe that there really were people out there that were different. I've known a few myself, not too many though. It was the most encouraging film I have ever watched. WOW. COOL. AWESOME. WOW. WOW. WOW. Okay, now for the real review.

When we ordered the movie, I was ready for something pretty corny. Yes, as in some cheap-budget christian home video type movie such as One Day in May, the Left Behind Series(worst actors ever discovered), etc. What I got was a documentary that was very professionally done. What really surprised me was how much the movie was geared for Fathers. The Fathers spoke almost more than the young ladies!
I really liked how all of the young ladies interviewed showed a confidence and poise that showed how much they believed in what they were doing. If you believe that every girl should go to college, you need to watch this video. If you believe that no girl should ever go to college, you need to watch this video. Instead of making someone who plans on attending college feel guilty, this video is shows people that there is another choice. I don't know yet whether I will attend college, but I know that this video has helped me understand what staying at home is all about.

Whatever Happened to the Human Race?

2007-10-30T09:29:00.001-06:00

We just got the documentary by Francis A. Shaeffer. The first episode is entitled "Abortion of the Human Race". Shaeffer makes the point that people, in removing God from the picture, remove also the uniqueness of the Human. If, as they say, we evolved from apes, we are not any more important than animals. We are not more important than our "animal ancestors" because we are just them in a glorified form. Man gets his uniqueness from being made in the image of God. If there is no God, then why are we more special than other animals?

Abortion Museum?

2007-10-29T17:43:00.000-06:00

This is an interesting article I found today. The author brings up some interesting questions. I think he has some very good points.

Okay, I couldn't let Friday pass without posting a poem for the weekend

2007-10-26T16:45:00.001-06:00

My favorite short poem (it's by Robert Frost and is very popular)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Fun stuff, yes, I know it's poetry day, but I wanted to put this on here first(next time I'll put all this in the post)

2007-10-26T08:22:00.000-06:00

Has anyone who visits LAF seen the negative feedback section? It is hilarious!!! I think it is so funny when the ill-informed people who can't write send a letter on how they can't believe how we want to be stupid. I don't think I'm stupid, and I want to be a mother. It's also very sad what some people believe. Did you know that there is also a feminist.com? It is really sad, because some people really believe that men were evil to women and will be if they don't take control.

Feminine Dress

2007-10-24T08:08:00.000-06:00

Here is a very good article on Dressing for the Lord by Elizabeth Eliot. Remember: You represent God when you go anywhere, are your clothes reflecting that?

The Influence of the social state

2007-10-23T19:58:00.000-06:00

"Once [the social state] exists, one can consider it as the first cause of most of the laws, customs, and ideas that regulate the conduct of nations; what it does not produce, it modifies."
-From Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville.

Okay, so I've been reading Democracy in America. Unsurprisingly, it has some really good stuff in it. It also has some weird stuff in it, like "America rules tranquilly over ruins." what's that about? But, so far, the sentence at the top of this page is my favorite quote. Be prepared, I am now going to rant about the above quote.
So, if the social state regulates every aspect of the laws, customs and ideas of the nation, I am not surprised at where the world is going. If it is the state of society that regulates what is happening at the moment, then I personally want to change the social state. This country was founded by a Calvinistic Christian society, and, as such, the laws the founding fathers wrote reflect that. People in the courts are modifying the laws of our country regularly, according to the social state of our nation. If, in trying to change the laws of our nation, a person doesn't go deeper and try to change the social state that caused those laws, what has he changed?
You can't say I didn't warn you, now go and think about it!!!

Words

2007-10-22T08:08:00.000-06:00

I love words almost as much as books. I love the sound and taste (yes, I said taste) the rhythm and wonderful meanings. If you know what I mean by taste, then you also must be a word lover. I think that the reason I love books so much has to be because I love the words. The wonderful, wondrous word for today is (drum roll)........

bom·bous
Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation [bom-buhs]
–adjective meaning: convex; spherical
It's like a rhombus, only round!!!!

above is Bombora, below is bombproof

Friday is Poetry day!!!

2007-10-19T08:56:00.000-06:00

Here is a poem I wrote not too long ago, it is in blank verse.

I sat down, the pain
Was too much.
I felt dizzy and sick,
So sick.
Like the flu, my stomach
Rolling, my head
Throbbing, and my throat
Aching, aching.
All at once, I
Remember no more.
It is like a sleep
With no dream,all
Is black
It is like a sleep
With no rest,
There is nothing
I know nothing
Then, I wake
A dizzy confused
Feeling. I don't
Understand. Why
Am I on the
Floor? I see
Almost nothing;
All is a blur
Everyone runs and
Yells. Loud voices
Why does everyone
Scream and run?
Why don't
They leave me
Alone?
Then I see mother,
My mother
Is here.
I am all right
She is here.

A Beautiful Story

2007-10-18T09:49:00.000-06:00

If you're parents are at all like mine, you have grown up on courtship stories. People waiting to kiss until their wedding day. Getting to know each other very well before committing to marriage. If you, like me, have grown up on these stories, you probably have started getting tired of them. "They're all the same!" you may wail after reading one of the Mclean stories. I, too am tired of millions of stereotypical "I waited" stories, but this one is different. It is a beautiful courtship story that is extremely unique. Many times, as a girl, I want to imagine my wedding and other details of my future, this true story has showed me what truly matters: my relationship with God.
Here is my favorite part of it:
"Being in love is when I trust him completely to handle my very life, my very existence and my whole future until I die. When I can put my self, my life, and my future under his authority, and under his leading. When I know that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him. When I entrust myself to him completely, knowing that he listens to God. That I can submit to him, because he submits to God, and it's like I submit to God through him. To me that's being in love, and I don't feel that way about him yet. The courtship will give him the opportunity to prove himself to me." What a wise young lady!

A Beautiful Prayer

2007-10-16T09:41:00.000-06:00

Dear Lord...
Please grant to me……
the willingness of Mary…
the obedience Ruth…
the devotion of Esther…
the serving spirit of Martha…
the listening ear of Mary…
the hospitality of Lydia…
the faithfulness of Lois and Eunice…
the leadership of Deborah…
the trust of Hannah…
the searching heart of the Queen of Sheba…
the boldness of Priscilla…
the faith of Rahab…
the patience of Rachel
I want You, Lord, to be the perfume that I wear, the thoughts that I think, the song that I sing, I am willing, even wanting, to be broken, if only You might be glorified.
I am your daughter and You are my King, my Life, my Sustainer, my All!
Please, Lord, make me worthy of the honor of being known as your Princess!

by Elysse Barrett

13-year-old Model

2007-10-15T09:55:00.000-06:00

"But seriously--I cannot stress enough how important Barbie was to me when I was growing up. Mum bought me a new Barbie every birthday (I have thirteen!). Barbie is such an example to me and inspiration."-Maddison Gabriel

"My two favorite Australian fashion models and why: Alice Burdeu, because she’s from Melbourne, won “Australia’s Next Top Model,” and she proves that the skinnier you are the more successful you can become."-Maddison Gabriel

"I have this nightmare where I am standing in front of a distorting mirror at the carnival and I look so fat. Then when I walk away from the mirror I still look fat. When I wake up I am so relieved, and I feel my thin arms and pinch my thin legs to make sure I am awake and that it was only a nightmare."-Maddison Gabriel

"To be honest, my nose is too big, for one thing. I wonder if I should get my nose changed. If it were more slender like my body, I think I would look much prettier."-Maddison Gabriel

I'm sure everyone has heard about Maddison Gabriel. How she is the new "face" of a fashion company. I found her blog and the above are some quotes from it. I think it is truly tragic that a 13-year old girl is so unsure of herself. She is just preparing herself for anorexia or bulemia.

Modesty- it's more than what you wear.

2007-10-13T10:20:00.000-06:00

mod·es·ty
1. the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.
2. regard for decency of behavior, speech, etc.
3. simplicity; moderation. -from dictionary.com

My family has, for many months, been talking about modesty. I would like to say that, as my brother pointed out, modesty has very little to do with how someone dresses. It is, rather, how someone acts.
I prefer the third description= "simplicity, moderation" My brother has also pointed out that immodesty is not only showing too much when you dress, it is drawing attention to yourself. I know two wonderful girls who are exact opposites of each other. One dresses very modestly, while talking loudly and acting extremely immodest. The other young lady cannot afford to dress modestly, she has to wear clothes that are too tight because she has grown. Her behavior is by far more modest than the other girl's. They are both the same age, but one is a young lady while the other is a girl.
In all the old etiquette books, the issue of dressing modestly is covered. In many, dressing to please others and not bring attention to oneself is the top priority. I do not wear dresses all the time. Wearing dresses is not a conviction that I or my family has. I know many modest young ladies who do. There are also those who wear dresses all the time and are immodest. In closing, I would like to use a quote from John MacArthur.

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

My Ideas for the Future

2007-10-12T14:27:00.001-06:00

In the future, I would like to be more outgoing. I am a very introverted person.
In the future, I would like to enjoy life as it comes, not worry over every little thing.
In the Future, I would like to post on this journal/blog regularly.
In the future, I would like to find a new word every day, and use it.
In the future, I would like to work on the all-over betterment of my person.

And I will.