Why I don't wear pants.

I've been asked this question a lot lately. At work I'm constantly asked why I'm wearing a skirt since its freezing out side. Even friends at church have questioned the change, so I'm going to address the issue and share my journey into wearing skirts.
This is going to be a somewhat hard thing to write mainly because so many people dear to me don't share the same view so I'm going to try my best to not offend anyone but chances are I will, so before warned.


I've been wearing just skirts for about three or four months now except for bed time. I found the feelin' feminine challenge and took it for a spin. at the end of the week I felt very feminine and just plain lady like. I started wearing skirts more then but it was a ways later that I started wearing just skirts. I used to love jeans, they were comfy and to me practical. I used the excuse that they could be modest even though, at times, I wore them tighter than I should have! When any one would mention wearing skirts instead I would blow them off and give the whole spill about "that being a thing of the past" and that pants are just more practical. Yeah right, so far I've been able to do every thing that I was able to do in pants in a skirt and still be modest.

One of the largest arguments I had for wearing pants was also the lamest of all. "some pants are more modest then some skirts. Skirts can be immodest to!" Looking back I see how completely lame this was. Yes skirts can be immodest, but just because a skirt can be immodest why does that mean that pants are acceptable? I've heard "well if you compare a mini skirt or a long full skirt with a thigh high slit to a pair of loose jeans then the jeans are more modest". OK, this is a huge cop out! You don't say well candy is better for you then a rotten apple! Thus candy is better for you! Another excuse is some things can't be done in skirts! Well, the pioneer women wore skirts all the time and they rode horse, drove wagons, and walked for miles over rough land all in skirts. Simply lengthening the skirt can fix a lot of problems with modesty, but I'll get to that later. Another thing I hear and use to use was "I'll freeze!" dear madam may I introduce you to the microfiber tights! I wore these for the first time last night and I stayed as nice and warm as if I was wearing blue jeans.

So lets debunk each of these myths one by one. The first one I've already taken care of.

Second myth: Some things just need pants. If you wear a knee length skirt out hiking things are gonna show, that's the long and short of it. If you wear a long skirt, mid calf or longer, then you should be able to walk and do moderate climbing with out showing it all. If this is still a fear wear long walking shorts under your skirts! How about skirted culottes? These are wonderful creations. They are like walking shorts that have a built in skirt over them! Like skorts but the skirt goes all the way around. Unlike normal culottes these aren't insanely full so they don't balloon out and fly up when you run.

Third myth or excuse: I'll freeze!
Again let me intrude you to microfiber tights! These are so warm and stylish! Don't like tights? How about knee length socks? Or layering? The day after thanksgiving we went out to a homestead farm and let me tell ya it was cold! I wore an ankle length jean skirt and two under skirts and I was warm! To my delight there where a lot of ladies in long modest skirts! For once I didn't feel like I was a minority but back to the subject at hand. It is possible to stay warm in skirts it just takes some creativity. Here's a set of links to different blog post on staying warm in skirts:
http://krisantecountrymom.blogspot.com/2008/10/skirts-and-staying-warm_25.html
http://buriedtreasurebooks.com/weblog/?p=1189 this one is just about staying unfrumpy.
http://susangodfrey.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/keeping-warm-in-dressesskirts/

I'm not going to get into the legality of pants and skirts but here are some links for your own reading.
http://plainhomesteading.blogspot.com/2008/09/pants-are-not-for-woman.html
http://lilyamongthorns16.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/why-skirtsdresses-only
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OldPathsMom/589071/
http://www.tanbooks.com/doct/dressing.htm


For the record I do NOT look down on those who wear pants. I do NOT think this is a matter of salvation merely an issue of obedience.

Headcoverings

I feel like I've abandoned my poor little blog the last few weeks but I've been reeeeeeeally busy! So heres a little peek into whats been on my mind.

What I'm about to write it not to change anyone’s ideas or to try to make y'all see this my way but simply to let y'all know what’s going on and to know what I've personally decided to do.

The past few months I've been having a really hard time doing my personal devotions because every time I did I would stumble upon First Corinthians 11 and would be so confused that I simply did not want to read anything else. So this past month I've gone all out studying about head coverings and I doubt my concordance has ever been used that much. Website after website, article after article just confirmed what I had been feeling; I needed to be wearing a head covering in church. I spent a week just praying, and then I spent some time doing a semi-deep study on the topic. I then came to the conclusion that I should be covering my hair at least in church services at this point.

As I said in the beginning I'm not trying to convince any one that they should do they same but I do want to share why I'm doing this. First let’s look at the passage in question.

1Cr 11:1 be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.
1Cr 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered [them] to you.
1Cr 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
1Cr 11:4 every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1Cr 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Cr 11:6 for if the woman be not covered let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Cr 11:7 for a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Cr 11:8 for the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Cr 11:9 neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Cr 11:10 for this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels.
1Cr 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Cr 11:12 for as the woman [is] of the man, even so [is] the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Cr 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Cr 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Cr 11:15 but if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.

When I first started studying this I, like most people I know, thought it to be only for those women in that day. But when I looked at the word "every woman" in the Greek it means "with out exclusions" "every virgin, married woman, or widow". Since I happen to fall into that group thus the passage is a command to me.
Then I started wondering is the hair a covering? Yes, it is "a" covering but not "the covering". If we where to use the word hair in place of covering, the passage would not make much since. It would sound something like "if a woman has short hair let her hair be cut short".
It would also mean that men would have to be bald. The word Covered means to let something hand down and to cover thoroughly. The verses also implies that it is it be something that we can take off and put on as we please, I don’t know bout y'all but I can't take my hair on and off at will.

Another verse that speaks of the covering of the hair is Isaiah 47:1-2

Isa 47:1Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Isa 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, and pass over the rivers.
Isa 47:3 Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen...

In this passage God is referring to the daughters of Babylon and their nakedness. He tells Babylon to sit on in the dust and to leave her high position of being a virgin and to show her nakedness to the entire world by uncovering her hair and by exposing her thighs. Her shame is to show her hair and thighs, both of which should be covered.

I've only told my family and 3 friends about this decision so far and almost every was very supportive of me even if they did not agree. I had one friend look at me very funny as was like "...why?", One who also covers her head was praying for me and was very supportive the whole time and I know she won't ever read this but I do want to thank her! So am I nervous about my first time to go to church covered? YES! Very much so. I know that it will rock the boat a bit and that people are going to laugh, but I also know that I must do what I feel the Lord is calling me to do, even if that means going against what people expect me to do and what the consider normal. If you would like to read more about this subject please vist Miss Lacy’s blog.
She and I have e-mail back and forth a few times about head covering and I found her to be a great encouragement!

I haven't gotten my first covering yet but it should be here any day! I order it from Garlands Of Grace!

When I get it I'll be sure to post some pictures and tell y'all how my first day of wearing it goes!

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day Two

Yesterday was a very busy day, or so it felt. In reality I didn't do that much but it just felt rushed for some reason. It was rainy all night which means that I slept really well and deep, it also means that I slept in!
I woke up and after basic morning stuff (eating, dressing,brushing my teeth, Devtions ect.) I started my morning with Physics. I'm only three days into it, so far I am enjoying it greatly, check back with me in a few months and see if I'm still saying that.

As for what I wore, I wore my choir uniform to choir (go figure) and then I also wore it to work I just threw my "fashionable" apron over it!
(no that is not a bad spot on my shirt I just blurred the choirs name on it! The wonder of ADOBE PHOTOSHOP!)
Over all it was a very quiet night but I sure was glad when I called my mom and told her that I was done at work and she could pick me up.
Tonight is church and since I help teach one of the chrildrens class we have to be there early so I wont have time to post todays pictures until tomorrow, So I'm thinking that I'll be posting my pictures a day behind.

I hope all y'all have a great night a church/Bible study or w/e you will be doing tonight!

When others laugh

Laughter often is a good thing and mainly makes me smile but last week it almost made me cry.
Its been awhile since I've been teased for my standards and when I was it was mostly from my "back sliding" friends who didn't care that I had standard's but just teased for something to do in a light manner; but the other night at work a lady in her late 40's said something that really just made me want to cry a little. We were talking about sewing and she asked if I had sewn my skirt, I replied that yes I had and she then asked why I made it so long (mid-calf). I told her that I didn't wear anything that came above my knees. She looked stunned but only for a second, she then proceed to ask me if I was ashamed of my body, I blushed a little and told her that I try my best to dress modestly. She then asked me if I thought my self so tempting that I had to hide my body lest I tempt a man into the "scarlet sin". She carried on by asking me if I was a Christian, I told her that yes I was hoping that I'd be able to plant a seed of the gospel in her heart but she quickly shut that door. She, in a very loud jeering voice, began to interrogate me further but asking if I was one of those "holier than thou Baptist" who looks down on women who know that their good looking and show what they got. This went on for about 15 minutes before I finally left. I was biting my tongue so hard to keep from ruining my testimony and from running my mouth back at her. Thankfully God helped me control my self and I was able to leave the lady with no ill thing to say of me.

Her laughter when she asked if I thought I was to hot to dress in nice clothes, cut deep. I've always tried to keep from looking frump and still look modest and I think (most of the time) that I’ve managed that; but that lady who so brazenly mocked my standards did leave some doubt in my mind. All that night I was slightly embarrassed by my long skirt and the fact that my shirt was buttoned almost all the way up, thankfully this did not last long. Then something came to mind that my last pastor’s wife had once told me, prayer for the people who laugh at you because they need it more than your hurt pride needs it. So I started praying for that lady at first I wasn't to kind in my prayers simply referring to her as "that rude lady" then I got convicted by the hold spirit and began to see her as what I once was. A sinner in need of a Savoir, so instead of being hurt and angry I began to pray for her soul.
I know that it’s not easy to blow of hateful comments but in the end it’s more damaging to harbor bitterness than the comment was its self! Here are some things to keep in mind when people mock and are just plain down right mean about your standards or anything else you might get teased about.

1. Chances are that the person in question is not saved or if they are they are not living the life that they should be, so pray for them, yes easier said then done I know!

2. What truly matters is not what man thinks but what God thinks about our life. We're here to please God not man! Yes, it is nice to have mans approval but some times it is impossible to please God and man.

3. One thing that’s helpful to look back on is the day you made the decision to, in my case, dress modestly and remember why you made that choice to do what ever you committed to do.

4. The best thing to do is smile; nothing throws a person off like a smile! When some one starts to mess with ya just smile and politely say, "I'm sorry you feel that way, I wish that you had the same Peace I have from Christ". I wish I had said that, instead simply just excused my self and left the lady standing.

What do you find helpful when in a situation like this? Have you ever been mocked for your Christian life? What did ya do?

Walking along the river

Howdy everyone!

It’s been nearly a week since I've last posted and I have a LOT to say. Wednesday I got my hair cut for my birthday, I didn't have any length taken off just some layers put it. The lady did a very good job and for once didn't try to sell me any product! It did hurt having the lady try to comb out the curls but she took her time and like always I got told that I have a lot of hair. Thursday went wonderful I had a great Birthday; I went out to eat with my grandmother and then had a great dinner of home made enchiladas! YUMMY!! After dinner we had my favorite ice-cream CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH!! Friday and Saturday where spent in San Antonio, We had a great time. We ate at the mall the for dinner Friday and it really made me remember how that as Christians
we are in the world but not of it. With every passing teen I felt more normal or should I say less normal. It truly broke my heart to see how my "peers" are dressing. It was a sea of thighs and cleavage; it truly made me thankful of my standards. When we where leaving the mall we passed by a hooters, I happened to get a glimpse inside from the huge window, what I saw made me blush and feel ashamed. I honestly wanted to grab a towel and throw it around the waitress. Later on down at the river walk a group of teens where wearing paper hats with differnt things on them, I was horrified at what some of them said. Teens my age and younger with vulgar and provocative things sprawled across their hats. I can't even quote the cleanest of them. People all along the river where dressed in low cut shirt, High slitted skirts and clothes so tight that you could almost read the date of the dime in their pocket. Tattoos, strange piercing, and just about every other "normality" of the world was there. I'm not saying that every body was like this just about half maybe more. I was shocked, broken hearted, and humbled. I know that the only thing that prevented me from turning out like that was the blood of my Savior and that with out him I'd be in the muck and filth of the world just like the people I saw. That night when I went to bed I started to pray for the people I had seen that day. I was broken hearted to think that so many people are living their lives like that and that they will keep doing so with out the blood of the Lamb. I am truly blessed that my Lord saved me from all that four years ago.

Two hours before this post is late!

Day six and loving it. I honestly can say I love wearing skirts. I'm somewhat sad that this week is almost over, I've had fun trying to come up with different outfits and hairstyles (I've failed terribly with the hair part). So far I've been able to do all my normal stuff in skirts, even though I did get my skirt caught in the car door the other day. (have I mentioned how clumsy I can be?)
I've finished my bag and all I have left to do is put straps on my camera case. I made a new Ironing board cover using hot pink beach-y fabric,I think I made a beach board, hehe. =)Tomorrow I WILL post pictures! I promise! I pray you all have a beautiful day. Let me end by saying that sometimes we have to look for the beauty but its always there, be sure to look for the little ways the Heavenly Father shows His love to you.

Day one

Today was my first day of the feelin' femmine challenge and much to my horror when I woke up it was cold. I wore a skirt anyway, by the time we went out shopping it wasn't cold any more, just slightly chilly, by three or so it was pretty nice out, perfect skirt weather. I didn't have many chances to take pictures of my normal daily activities but my mom did snap on while I was helping her cook, well I was trying to help cook, I dropped the taco shells and cracked all but four of them. The only reason four survived was because I had already placed them on the tray.
We have a concert at 8:30 tomorrow but luckily it’s really close to where I live so I won’t have to wake up really early. This Sunday is the finally concert before choir tour. Its been kind of depressing listening to all my friends prepare for choir tour and listen to all the plans but I know there is a reason I'm staying home this time, I just don’t know what the reason is yet. The choir will be heading out Wednesday, please keep the choir in your prayers the second of April though the twelfth for safe travel and good health.
The concert this Sunday is going to place me in an uncomfortable situation. I will be seeing old friends that I have not seen in some time, I have changed greatly since I last saw these people and I am extremely nervous about seeing them again. Please pray that I will respond in the way that I should and that I will be able to focus on praising my Lord and not worry about the people I will be seeing.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Modesty: Whats the big deal?

On Monday my mother, my brothers and I went shopping for clothes. Shopping can truly be an eye opener to how we throw aside modesty when it’s inconvenient. While I was looking for skirts I found a beautiful skirt, it was pink and green very springy and super girly. I held it up to me and it was to short, for a moment I wondered if I could get away with wearing it; Then my conscience started talking to me, well more like arguing with me, Think about your brothers in Christ do you want to be a stumbling block? no of course I don’t but they shouldn't be looking. No they shouldn't but you shouldn't put them in a place where they will have to fight looking. But it’s so cute. so what? You know that it might cause some one to stumble. I sighed and put it back slightly annoyed. Then I saw a nice shirt and it was to low .I put it back starting to getting frustrated with the lack of clothes my size. I then found an awesome skirt that was just the right size it came a good 3-4 inches below the off limit length and fitted perfectly every where else! By the end of the trip I had found two skirts and a shirt.
As spring rolls around there is going to be more and more chances to cause our Christian brothers (and other men) to stumble. We must strive and make sure that our clothes are not only long enough to cover what they need to but also that they are not too tight. I personally see nothing wrong with girls wear pants if they are not tight. Many jeans bring emphasis to the rear and to the thighs, If you think this is not a stumbling block to guys I highly suggest you check out the rebelution's modesty survey, Real guys answer wither or not something is a stumbling block I think it would a real eye opener to many young ladies. Also a great way to find out if an outfit is going to be a problem is ask you dad, my dad is very honest some times to the point where nerve racking to ask him but when ever I'm not sure about something I can count on him to give me an honest answer. Here is a link that has a check list for clothing.
Apart from our clothes the way we act must be modest as well. I'm sure you've all been told before sit with you legs together; well many ladies forget to do that! When you bend down to get something make sure your shirt covers your back when you bend, I try to make a habit of placing my hand on my lower back when I bend just to be sure that my shirt stays down. Button up shirts can be a huge problem! It is a good idea to wear a tank top under them, because then you move you can some times see inside. I know y'all have tips and idea on keeping modest so please share them!

There are no better cosmetics than a severe temperance and purity, modesty and humility, a gracious temper and calmness of spirit; and there is no true beauty without the signatures of these graces in the very countenance.
Arthur Helps