MODESTY, PURITY, AND A THANKFUL HEART

Just as we are to “put on” the armor of God, we are to “put on” our clothes as protection for us and others. Clothing ourselves with modest dress and modest actions—mercy, kindness, humility, patience, and charity—will invite the companionship of the Spirit and will positively affect those around us (see Colossians 3:12, 14).

-Robert D. Hales, “Modesty: Reverence for the Lord,” Liahona, Aug 2008, 18–23, as copied from Emily's blog...



I am FAR from the perfect model of modesty, but I do endear it and the feelings which it invokes…



Modesty manifests itself in different forms…An appropriate yet beautiful wedding dress...



A gathering of friends on a reverent Sabbath...



A homemaker...Or perhaps housekeeper...Going about her daily duties with a sense of pride and modesty...



The making of a covering...P. Buckley Moss artist





How is this young woman any less beautiful than her counterparts who choose to dress in clothing that reveals? In deed, she is MORE beautiful.







PURITY…



Have you ever noticed how pure little children are?

They just come that way…

A fresh little spirit...

Full of love and goodness…



They really don’t care WHAT they’re doing…



What OTHERS may think…



Or HOW they may look…



They just are.



Like the beauty of the season…



And the bounty of the Harvest…



Their sweet little souls bring love and joy to all around…









Apparently little Christian's truck was thirsty, as he told me here that he was giving it a drink…;)



Fall is a time of BEAUTY…



A time to GIVE THANKS…



A time to REFLECT…





Fall is a time for a HARVEST HOME…



Whatever that may be…



The WARMTH of the kitchen…



The light from HIS WORD…



And…Of course…Fall is a time for FAMILY…



I pray that we all may have a thankful heart for the many blessings which we do enjoy…



And, Yes...There are many…;)

A GOSPEL-ONLY MEDIA DAY

Tomorrow, Wednesday, DH and I are going to have a gospel-only media day. So, no TV other than the BYU channel, no CDs other than those preaching the Gospel, and no magazines or books other than the scriptures or the Ensign, etc. I think that this will help us spiritually as individuals, as well as a couple. It is also a lesson in self-denial.



It’s funny, because I am not a big TV watcher and generally only spend my fun online time (am on for work as well) in various wholesome blogs that I visit. But…I am having a little anxiety attack already! Ha! Is that pathetic, or what?! Well, that’s okay; I need to grow, but more than that, I WANT my Heavenly Father’s guidance in my life, and the more I turn to Him, the more I will be able to feel and hear that still small voice.



So, blessings to you this Wednesday; may you find peace in your day as you seek Him who gives it.

SMALL VICTORIES (PART TWO), CLOTHES PINS, AND AN EASTER STORY

It seems like the longer we put things off, the more daunting they seem…

I had made such a big deal of the insurance paper work that I put it off for…well, a very long time. Once I finally did it yesterday, I chastised myself, as it was really quite simple. My husband, on the other hand, is ultra efficient. I am STILL learning from him…It’s just too bad that it’s taking so long!

One thing that I absolutely love about this new Organizational Goal that I have is that it makes life so much simpler! For instance, tonight, DD and I hosted a Lia Sophia jewelry party. Generally, whenever I have something at my house, I dread the getting-ready part. You know…the cleaning and setting up, etc.





Well, since I have been following my program, my living room was already clean, my bathroom was already clean, and all I had to do was to set up some extra chairs, which Hubby had gotten down from the attic for me. It really was a snap!

My cute niece, Ryanne, showing the jewelry...





My beautiful mother (left) and mother-in-law (right)...



Nieces Ryanne and Shannda...



Lovely niece Kylie...



So…Hard work really does pay off, and small victories really turn into large accomplishments! I still struggle with keeping up, but I am getting better and better, and by the end of the year (or sooner), I will be quite efficient.



As I love to hang out my laundry, I have wanted a clothes line for a long time…

And…Since I haven’t had one in years, my clothes pin supply was gone…

I decided to make due for now with a cable we had originally strung for the dog…It can’t hold much, but a little is better than nothing…

So, without pins, I tucked the ends of the two sheets under the blanket on either side…We had such strong winds that day that by the evening when I went out to get the laundry, I was down to ONE sheet and the blanket…

The other sheet has never been found! :/

Needless to say, among today’s purchases was a package of clothes pins… ;)





I had the little people over the other day and wanted to combine some fun with the real reason for Easter…

I had some little eggs, which when opened, contained a little chick…



When put in water over a couple of days...



They will grow…



While they were playing with the chicks, I read them this book…

Let’s Celebrate Jesus on Easter…



It is sad to me that Easter is just one more commercialized holiday where baskets, candy, and now even gifts are bought…

We do the baskets and the egg hunt, but I really like to teach the little people the real reason for Easter…

After the story, we went down and watched He is Risen…

This was put out by Living Scriptures…They have a wonderful way of telling the scriptures that keep the children's attention...When my children were young, I collected all of these animated videos...







Little people are so very very special that we HAVE to teach them and we need to love them…

May we all realize the blessings of Easter this weekend...