Rethinking Femininity

If you haven't already guessed by the title, I've been thinking about what it means to be feminine today. I know, I know. This is my first "deep" post in a while. Earth shattering isn't it? But I have my reasons for it today. 


Today (as I have for almost every day this summer), I wore a skirt. However, when I took my brothers on a Starbucks run today, I got some strange looks from two ladies who were sitting inside. Both ladies were in suits and heels, short cropped hair, very professional looking and they looked me over with their unreadable faces like I was some exotic animal at a zoo. It made me think, is femininity really that rare? I mean, really! Do girls have no more desire to wear pink frills and bows and skirts that flair when you twirl (which are quite fun actually)? Why stifle our God given beauty! Instead, why don't we modestly accentuate it to God's glory! 


This of course led me to think about not just the outward appearance of femininity but, more importantly, how we girls can be inwardly feminine as well. And what better place to look for the definition of inward femininity than the Bible! Of course my search led me to Proverbs 31 but to a few other places as well. Here are the traits I found and the corresponding verses:


-Virtue (Prov. 31:10)
- Loyalty (Prov. 31:11-12)
- Industry (Prov. 31:13-16)
- Strength (Prov. 31:17)
- Charity (Prov. 31:20)
- Wisdom (Prov. 31:26)
- Fear of the Lord (Prov. 31:30)
- Submission (Eph. 5:22)
- Self-controlled, Pure, Loving her husband and children, A keeper at home (Titus 2:4-5)


Those are some pretty big heels to fill! And I know that no one is perfect. I'm never going to completely be all those things perfectly. But with God's help, hopefully I can achieve some of them and work on the rest! I also realize that I'm still single so the "Loving her husband and children" part doesn't apply yet. But I can take that and practice on my family right now! Use my time to serve my parents and siblings, those whom I love unconditionally, and someday, hopefully serve my husband and children with the same unconditional love. 


So there's my ramblings for today. And since we're talking about femininity, why not give you a song that actually applies! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyLYf2G3n8

Until next time!

Heat, Goals and Peach Cobbler

"What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance." as Jane Austen put it so well. Today was a scorcher! Thankfully I was inside for the majority of it. 

We had my cousin over for dinner this evening so, having official company, my mom wanted the house to look perfect. Spotless from top to bottom. Between you and me, I think she was just using having company as an excuse to get us to clean the house. But anyway, we did. 

Also, I started on my two goals for the next two weeks. One is to ride every day, even if it's just a little bit. Well , Garrett and I decided to brave the heat today and rode a full 11 miles in about an hour! Oh happy day! However, next time, we need to take water. Goal number two is to finish reading 'Boy Meets Girl' by Joshua Harris. I also started on that today and read two chapters in between helping my mom clean and cook. So, I want to finish this book and ride every day until college starts. Only two weeks. Oh boy. 

Did I mention that dinner was splendid? We had a lovely conversation with my cousin and she told us all about her missions trip to Russia this summer. Makes me want to go on a missions trip again! Oh how I love sharing God's love with people who have never heard it before and in other countries, it seems that people accept it easier than here. Anyway, we had a good time sitting around the table eating dinner and peach cobbler for dessert. :) It was fun! She and I even decided that we might kinda be study buddies this semester (since she lives at my grandma's next door which is so much more quiet than my house). A little exciting? I think so! 

Now then, on to the music. Please enjoy some of the famous Mozart! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lC1lRz5Z_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcUh-ggBfzI

Until next time!

Lazy Sunday

On a beautiful day like today was, it was nice to have nothing to do! Church was great this morning! My Dad is really on fire with this Revelation study. How I wish I could share every bit with you!! Today he preached on Revelation 10 so just in case you're curious, read up! :) 


When we got home, we got Chinese for lunch. Yum! After we ate, I hid away in my room to read. However, I ended up dozing off in the middle of a paragraph and slept for about two hours. If you think I might be up for a while, you're right. My parents and little sisters were leaving for a birthday party when I awoke so the boys and I went to get ice cream! After a dinner of our habitual Sunday night frozen pizza, the ice cream made a pleasant dessert. Then we all just hung out, doing our own separate things. Actually... I think we were all on a computer. That's kinda sad. Oh well. 


So yesterday, you heard the amazing Tchaikovsky! Today, I'm going to give you some more Strauss! Will you waltz with me? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R4yTfUsy0k

Until next time!

Got Shine?

Today I heard this song on the radio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUykOG0xhEk

I really liked it and it made me think. In life, when two people are in love, it's OBVIOUS (most of the time)! You can see their bloom and sparkling eyes from a mile away. So to better shine Christ into a dark world, I need to be in love with Him. And it made me question, am I? Do I try to do the right thing because I want to please Him or because I know I should? When people look at me, do they see Him? I know that in my present circumstances, it's very easy to be faithful to Christ. Everyone I know encourages me to follow Him because they believe the same as I do. However, very soon I'll be going into some very dark places (namely, college) and I know that my faith will be challenged. It's going to be a real test and I only pray that God will shine through me and use me for His glory. I know that I may only play a tiny part in the big scheme of things, barely enough edge in the water to call it a ripple, but if I can shine in any way possible, I want to! I want to fall more deeply in love with my Savior than I've ever been before. Dare I say, I'm looking forward to this challenge and I sincerely hope that I will have some success stories to tell you! But we'll see how He decides to use me. 


Now then, as for my music for today, I have a few things for you to listen to. I've been kinda stuck on Tchaikovsky today (my favorite composer) and I figured I'd share some of my favorites with you! So, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWerj8FcprM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz7JREul22g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_oP2ltuNyk

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W1Wi2U9sQ(This song was used as the background music for the best explosion scene ever in 'V For Vendetta'.)


Until next time!

A Different Life

Have you ever wished you lived in another place, another time, other circumstances, etc.? I have/currently am. 


Last night, I watched 'The Young Victoria', set in the 1800's. Being that particular time period, there were many many beautiful dresses and sparkling jewels and much dancing and music (and lots of politics too but we won't go into that). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Mwa23WCIA


How I would love to be able to wear those kinds of dresses every day! All that material swishing around my legs and the delicate and feminine designs. To spend my time playing the piano and sewing and reading and taking walks with my lace parasol and learning to be a good wife. To go to grand balls and waltz the night away with the most gentlemanly partners. To be in a society where femininity is appreciated and the effort to look beautiful is applauded, even noticed. *wistful sigh* Oh well. I'm trusting that God has a purpose for me to be where He put me. So I shall have to be content. 


On to the days events! Yesterday was wonderful! I slept in and made brownies and spent way too long at Frosty Boy with Zach, Joe and Carl. But we had great fun and I quite enjoyed myself! Today, I again slept in and then spent the afternoon with my adopted sister, Rachel! All we did was sit in her room and talk and laugh but it was sooooo good to spend time with her!!! When I got home, I had a little girl's night with my little sisters. We folded laundry and watched movies. :) Good times. 


So there you have it! All I can say is, that's life. Until next time!

A Day For Air Conditioning.... And Bike Rides

I'm sure you probably heard the contented sigh that just escaped my lips. Today was a wonderful day. One where I can honestly say that I wouldn't have traded it for another day. 


First of all, today was my last day of summer babysitting! It was a little bit sad but we had a really good day! Thankfully, the boys had enough sense to stay inside today while we were home since it was SO HOT. We also went get candy and see a movie (How To Train Your Dragon). It was a good day! 


But of course I couldn't stay in the air conditioning all day. Oh no! That would be too easy! Carl kindly offered to go with me on a bike ride (since Garrett is gone this week) and I took him up on it. We rode 10 miles (well, farther for him) and had a very pleasant hour spent talking and laughing and riding! It was very fun! And much of our conversation wasn't spoken in the language of technology (which he speaks fluently)! ;) 


So, you know my plans for the rest of the week. Now I have two more weeks of I'm not sure what and then school starts. I'm a tiny bit excited about it actually! But don't tell my parents. lol


Now for a song from one of my new favorite soundtracks, Leap Year. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxpLYXl3j9w

Until next time!

August

20 days until school starts. Isn't that weird? I think I've finally come to terms with the whole college thing though. I'm not sure why but I have this new determination to work hard and do well. I realize that I probably won't like it but I WILL get through it and I WILL survive. I will! Just you watch me! 


As for today's events, nothing special. Babysat Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey, came home, hung out with the siblings, baked cookies, watched part of the first Harry Potter. Oh, did I mention I talked to my best friend almost all day? :D That always puts me in a good mood! 


As for my social life, I have no plans tomorrow but I get to hang out with Zach, Joe and hopefully Carl on Thursday and then have lunch with my bestest adopted sister, Rachel, on Friday!! It's gonna be a good week! And such amazing plans make me feel quite happy! Why, it feels almost like bein' in love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57rewsYsIHM

I hope your day went well, my dear reader. Until next time!

Monsters, More Paint and Music

I'm sure you just read the title and thought "Monsters? What? I think she's finally lost it..." Well, fear not my dear reader! I still have all my sanity........ or...... at least as much as I did before. But we won't go into that. Anyway! I watched 'Monsters Inc.' today with the boys so that attributes to that part of the title. It was great! It's been forever since I've seen it and the boys and I enjoyed the laughs it provided. One thing I never noticed before was during the credits, up rolled "No monsters were harmed in the making of this film." Phew! I'm glad they put that in there because I was really concerned. ;) 

When I got home from work, I was again recruited to help paint. But guess what! It's finished! I now have a red shed in my backyard, ladies and gentleman. Imagine that if you will! 

My last bit could take a while because it involves lots of music. I think most of you know that when I cook, I dance around the kitchen (and if you didn't know, well, there it is). And really, it doesn't matter who's kitchen it is. But anyway, as you know this, I thought I'd give you a taste of what kind of music plays during these episodes. So, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGK9BPYVs_c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHKjDKY_O8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkb6Xmhp_XE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKh0dLIuIu8

And there you have it! Just a glimpse of what me and my siblings craziness looks like. Until next time!

Bikes, Paint and the End of the World

Hello once again! Here I sit, all painty, sweaty and quite content. :) Today was pretty good! 


First was church this morning. I slept in a little bit and went to just second service! Haven't done that in a long while. My dad preached on Rev. 8 and 9 and let me tell you, the end of the world is gonna be pretty ugly. It was a really good message though and I hope to share it with you as soon as he gets the recording online. 


After church, I spent a few hours reading and then took a pleasant bike ride with Garrett! When we got back, my dad stuck a paint brush in my hand and set me to work on the shed. Maisy and I had a good time helping each other though. Our line: "I am the paint monster!" I love that girl!


Now for a little Beach Boys! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALaajR2Wcjk

Until next time!