My Journey to Femininity

This is an account, told by Laura C., about her journey to femininity. I am sure you will be encouraged and helped by her story.

As a young teenager, I thought that if I were tall and thin and beautiful that I would act like a lady, but since I was short and stout, I decided that I didn’t fit into the feminine lady category. So I took pride in my athletic abilities (after all, I did take after my muscular Daddy’s build). I often challenged other teenage girls—and boys—to races, and I always won. I exercised a full hour each day, including executing a set of twenty perfect pushups. Even though I knew I never would join, I liked to imagine myself in the military, physically fit to challenge the best.

I preferred the things my brothers did, such as camo, guns, and war movies, while Sarah enjoyed spending ‘girl’ time with Momma--going shopping and talking for hours on end. I was also more emotionally stable than Sarah, and so saw myself as well-balanced and emotionally strong; something, I thought, guys liked better. I noted that there were two ways to get boys’ attention: be totally beautiful (I was out on that one), or compete with them… and be better! I didn’t know it at the time, but feminism had its hold on me.

Things changed a bit when I started having facial and throat swelling for several months. For those who have never experienced that, I can tell you that it’s scary!! Thinking it was a food allergy, I went off basically everything, and lived on rice cakes and Benadryl. I lost a lot of weight, becoming very weak, and started having trouble with my thyroid, being freezing cold and excessively tired all day long (I would take a 3-4 hour nap over dinner, and fall asleep with no problem at bedtime!) The Lord eventually brought me out that, as a slightly different person; I was no longer as physically strong as I was, but I still felt self-sufficient. If femininity meant being wimpy and delicate and in love with pink, I still wasn’t going to have any part of it!

I then wanted to go into law and politics, thinking that I was God’s balanced and conservative gift for the liberality of mankind. I started studying all I could, wistfully thinking that I would be the most outstanding and capable lawyer’s assistant in the office. But again, just dreaming, and not really believing it would happen.

The Lord then led us to Vision Forum ministries. Every week as we drove to and from church (about an hour’s time) and as we went on any trips, we were literally held captive together as a family as we listened over and over again to Doug Phillip’s messages. Even though I started out eagerly listening to the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy CDs, I soon didn’t have the time to continue. Quite unknown to me, though, the Lord was beginning a subtle work in my heart, which I can’t really describe as I wasn’t aware that any heart change was going on!

Soon after that, I was helping teach at a week-long children’s program in Vancouver, B.C., as we had done for years. Two girls were helping who had just gotten back from a Christian girls’ program that was a replica of their men’s military-like boot camp. I had always dreamed of going there!! My best friend and I excitedly questioned them about it. After we finished talking with them, though, we turned around, a little doubtful. Those two girls were further down the road where I wanted to go. But it was not a pretty sight. They were hard, and acted disgustingly manly and proud. Did I really want to be like that?? The answer was a resounding NO! On the way home that evening, others in the van were talking positively about the program those girls had just returned from. Then our driver, a single godly young man several years older than me, asked my friend and me what we thought of it. I was sure he thought it was great, and respecting him, I wanted his approval, but then and there I decided I was certain that I could not give him a positive answer. “Well, it sounds neat and all,” I timidly began, “but I think that I want to be a feminine lady.” I had never really thought of what I had just said, so cringing, I waited for his response. “Exactly my thoughts!!” he stated with strong conviction. “I would never marry a girl who had gone there!” Wow!! I was encouraged, to say the least! He was the first young man I had come across who didn’t expect-- and enjoy-- girls competing with men and following the world’s standards of feminism.

I think the Lord used that incident to finally and fully open my eyes to the pure and simple beauty of His design of manhood and womanhood. I started eagerly taking in what I heard and read and saw about godly femininity. Before, I had purposefully and determinedly avoided that which was ladylike. Praise be to God, I now love and embrace being feminine!! Once I allowed the Lord to cleanse me of my bitterness and pride in this area, I discovered that I loved the things I had previously resisted. Things like pink and pearls and girlyness :-) Now when I hear a girl attacking ‘pink,’ I know the issue is bigger than it appears.

And does femininity mean being wimpy and delicate? Far from it! That is the world’s definition of femininity. There is a difference between being tough and being strong; between having high self-esteem and pride, and being bold and confident. I love picking up Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler and delving into the stories of our pioneer mothers. Their adventurous strength and feminine beauty was unmatched! Real guys are looking for feminine girls… sturdy girls who can gut a chicken, help build his home and raise his children, and who shine with womanly beauty! (And they are looking for girls who bravely and cheerfully live in reality, rather than in the easy, but dangerous, dream world of fake Hollywood people!) And please know that I have not, by any means, arrived!! My sisters and I are still learning together, and often see an ideology of ours blown to pieces! :-)

The men in our home, especially our brothers, have so encouraged us girls by standing behind us in our femininity, becoming more manly and protective as we become more feminine and appreciative to them. We say that though the world be against us, we have God’s truth, and we have our brothers who stand with us, so we are strengthened in our battle against feminism!


By: Laura C.

Friday, Tea with Michelle

Dear Ladies,

This coming Friday, March, 4th 2011, is our Mothers and Maidens Meeting. We will be holding it at Mindy Weese's house, 9147 Benson RD, Lynden WA 98264. If you need help with directions please call her at: (360)-318-9031.
We will be watching Tea With Michelle Duggar.

"Few women exude such enthusiastic joy and contentment as Michelle Duggar. As a faithful mother of nineteen children, she has encouraged women around the world to rejoice in the fruit of the womb, thanks to the broad reach of the popular reality show, 19 Kids and Counting. In this uplifting video narrated by Beall Phillips, join Michelle as she shares her testimony as part of a special ladies’ tea, answers personal questions about how she tackles different challenges as a busy mom, and receives a special “Mother of the Year” award. Learn how Michelle overcame the challenge of the premature birth of her newest blessing, little Josie, and see how she winsomely responds to critics in this joyful celebration of life with America’s most inspiring mother."

 Please bring a dessert, veggies and handwork.

Hope to see you there!

The storms of life won't harm you if you have deep roots in God.

In Matthew 13:3-6, Jesus told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." One point Jesus makes in this parable is that people without deep roots in God will fall away from faith whenever persecution or trials come on account of the word (see Matthew 13:20-21).

Similarly, Jesus encourages his followers to build their house (i.e. their life) on "the rock" (see Matthew 7:24-27). Even though the wind and storms beat against that house, it did not crumble because it was founded on the rock. If you have deep roots in God, your life will be built on the Rock—Christ. As one hymn says, "On Christ alone I stand, all else is sinking sand."

It is no surprise, then, that Paul encourages believers to be rooted and built up in Christ, strengthened in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7). If you are strengthened in faith, then you won't crack under the pressure of difficult situations because you will be able to dig deeply into the word of God on which you are firmly grounded. Unfortunately, too many Christians have a cracked foundation.
Make it a priority to have deep roots in God so that you will not wither under the heat of life. Invest time into reading and memorizing God's word, praying, and communing with God. Be rooted in God.

From: Christ Notes

Submitted by: Krista J. 

Modesty

"Be asking yourself three or four questions, whenever you think of purchasing a new article of dress, you may very easily decided upon the path of duty--"Do I need this? Is it necessary for my comfort, or my decent appearance in society? Would my father/husband approve of me wearing this? Can I glorify God in wearing it?"

From: "The Young Ladies Guide, to the harmonious development of Christian character"

Submitted by: Krista J. 

Anything you have to hide to do is probably something you shouldn't be doing at all.

It can be difficult to find people of integrity, because so many people make mediocre compromises. At work, such people take every shortcut possible in order to finish the task as quickly as possible, even though they do a terrible job in the process. At school, mediocre people copy homework from friends and copy essays from the Internet just in order to avoid work while hoping to get a good grade, even though they're cheating and don't learn the material.

Unfortunately, many of the people who lack integrity are Christians. Yet, this is clearly not how God wants us to live. He desires that we be people of integrity.

Integrity means doing what is right when no one is looking, and it means going the extra mile, knowing that God sees everything and that what he sees in secret he will reward in the open (Matthew 6:4,6,18). Jesus told his disciples, "What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs" (Luke 12:3).

Whatever you do now, even if it is hidden from others, will be brought out into the open and made public. If you are wondering whether or not to do something, consider whether or not you'd be willing to do it in front of your boss, your teacher, your parents, or your pastor. If you have to hide what you're doing to feel comfortable, then there's a good chance you shouldn't be doing it at all.

From: Christ Notes

Submitted by: Krista J.

It's not our circumstances that steal our joy; it's our attitude during our circumstances.

It is easy to think "If I could just get a new car, a bigger house, a better job, or more money, then I'll be happy." We tend to view happiness as a commodity attainable by wealth. However, as the old saying goes, "money cannot buy happiness."

Indeed, no amount of money or things will ever give you lasting joy or contentment; that's because joy and contentment are not based on circumstances. Therefore, if you're not content with what you have, you won't be content with what you want.

Although at first it may seem difficult, it is very possible to be content even during harsh circumstances. Paul said, in Philippians 4:11-12, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

In those two verses, Paul is saying that he could be content—that is, have joy—regardless of his circumstances. Joy should not be dependent on circumstances; it should be present regardless of them.

When Paul said that he could be content "in any and every situation," he truly meant everything—even the tough times of testing. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, he lists some of the tough times that he has endured: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."

Even in all these things, Paul had "learned to be content." Clearly, it's not our circumstances that steal our joy. You, too, can learn "to be content whatever the circumstances."

Stop thinking that you will have joy after you buy a new house, after you get married, after you buy a better car, after your in-laws treat you right. Don't put off joy until after everything goes your way; decide to have joy now! For you can have joy whatever the circumstances!

From: Christ Notes

Submitted by: Victoria S.

Life transformation is rooted in mind transformation.

Where your mind goes, your actions follow. Whatever you think about will dictate your behavior, your attitude, and (ultimately) your direction in life. Your thoughts are sort of like a rudder—they steer the rest of your body.

Considering the influence of your mind on your life, it's no surprise Paul emphasizes that in order for our lives to be changed by Christ our thoughts must first be changed by Him: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). How are we to be transformed? By renewing (changing, refocusing) our minds so that they reflect the mind of Christ.

If our minds are so important, then it's quite understandable that the devil would fight to gain a foothold in our thoughts. Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

What better place for the devil to attack people than in their minds? As thunder follows lighting, so actions follow thoughts. And if Satan can turn your thoughts against God, your actions will assuredly follow.

Therefore, it's imperative that you set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). And when you focus your mind on God, it's only a matter of time before your actions, your passions, your attitudes—your whole life—become focused on God.

From: Christ Notes

Posted by: Krista J.

Mothers and Maidens Meeting

Hello, Dear Friends,

We would love it if you would be able to attend at this months Mothers and Maidens meeting. Please arrive at the Lynden Library between 1:30 and 2:00, on September the 3rd! Also, please bring your Bibles, notebook, finger-food, and hand work! (Hand work optional) Please bring tea cups, plates and napkins for your family. We will provide Plates, napkins and cups for those who are unable to bring.

We will be watching "The Art Of Cooking." With the West ladies!

Put on your apron, warm up the oven and savor The Art of Cooking. With years of experience preparing delectable southern recipes, the West Ladies — Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah, and CeCe — teach a wealth of fun and helpful kitchen essentials that will make your culinary adventures richly memorable.

Hope to see you there!

Blessings,
Krista J.

Mothers and Maidens Meeting is coming up!

We hope you will be able to join us at the Lynden Library meeting room, arriving between 1:30 and 2:00, on Friday, August 6th.

Please bring your Bible, notebook and pen. You may also like to bring your handwork.

We will be having a refreshment time and you are welcome to bring a plate of finger foods. You may also bring a teapot, teacups and plates for the ladies in your family.

We will be watching Homestead Blessings "The Art of Canning".

 From basic skills to more advanced techniques and tricks that come from years of experience, The Art of Canning is sure to provide you with the skill-sets you need to can a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Learn about:

~Equipment

~Cleaning

~Sealing

~Storage

~Water-bath method

~Pressure method

~Tomatoes

~Green Beans

~Jams

~Eggs

...and much more!

It would be nice to post on the Mothers and Maidens of Virtue blog at least once a week. If you have anything that you would like to be posted, please send it to mothersandmaidensofvirtue@gmail.com. If you would like to sign up to give a testimony of how God has worked in your life, (especially in the area of being a Titus 2 'keeper at home'), please send an e-mail to the above address.

We hope you will attend!

Love in Christ,
Krista Joy

Mother's and Maiden's Meeting

Dear Mothers and Maidens,

We hope you will be able to join us at the Lynden Library meeting room, arriving between 1:30 and 2:00, on Friday, July 2.

Please bring your Bible, notebook and pen. You may also like to bring your handwork.

We will be having a refreshment time and you are welcome to bring a plate of finger foods. You may also bring a teapot, teacups and plates for the ladies in your family.

We will be watching: The Art of Dairy Delights with the West Ladies—Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah, and CeCe—teaching a wide range of helpful instruction in making wonderful dairy dishes. Explore fun and practical creations that are sure to greatly enrich many cooking endeavors, and in the process learn a wealth of important skills that will lead to nutritional, economical, and delicious benefits that come from making your own dairy products.

The film includes instruction in the processes of making scrumptious ice creams, smooth and tasty butters, rich and creamy yogurts, and delectable cheeses.

From simple tasks such as basic equipment needs, to the perfect ingredient combinations, The Art of Dairy Delights is an outstanding resource for cultivating dairy in the kitchen.

It would be nice to post on the Mothers and Maidens of Virtue blog at least once a week. If you have anything that you would like to be posted, please send it to mothersandmaidensofvirtue@gmail.com. If you would like to sign up to give a testimony of how God has worked in your life, (especially in the area of being a Titus 2 'keeper at home'), please send an e-mail to the above address.

We hope to see you on Friday!

Blessings,
Cynthia and Krista for Mothers and Maidens of Virtue

Mothers and Maidens Meeting!

Dear Mothers and maidens of Virtue,

We look forward to seeing you on Friday the 4th of June. Bring your Bibles along with hand work. Arive between 1:30 and 2:00 PM.

The West ladies are back — Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah, and CeCe — in “The Art of Sewing.” This inspiring and educational DVD teaches a wide range of fun and useful sewing skills.

Expand your knowledge of sewing with the helpful and down-to-earth instruction The West Ladies are known for, and develop a wide assortment of useful skills that will assist in making wonderful sewing creations.

This program is full of useful sewing instruction and tips that will inspire and teach seamstresses of all levels. From pillow cases, to baby blankets, to blouses, skirts and rag quilts, viewers will learn a host of techniques. If you are just starting out, or expanding your skills with new tips and ideas, “The Art of Sewing” is the perfect tool.

M&M will be at the Weese Home 9147 Benson RD Lynden WA.

This will be Sarah Criss' last M&M with us, as an unmarried lady!

Hope to see you there!

Joyful and Fulfilled Daughters

Joyful and Fulfilled Daughters

by Laura C June 2, 2008


In the twenty-first century, it is very difficult to be a young woman. Militant feminism is normal, even expected and encouraged, and girls are confused about their role. For six millennia, daughters have stayed at home until marriage. This generation is the aberration. Unlike any other time in history, girls now face prolonged singleness—a bleak and worrisome gap between high school graduation and marriage. Most girls look to the culture around them for answers, and as a result, end up embracing the demands of a polluted and dying people. What would happen if girls were to ignore the demands of culture and listen only to God’s word? If they were to come back home, forsaking jobs, colleges, and independence, and purposefully lead productive lives in their father’s home until marriage? A precious and blessed revival of the dynamic family unit and of purposeful and fulfilled daughters would arise. For the Lord calls every young lady to delight in being a contented keeper at home.

“Oh honey, you need higher education; I don’t want you to be a dumb wit!

”The passengers on the ferry duly observed a loud and forward mother croon these great words of wisdom to her careless 11-year-old daughter. If a girl doesn’t go to college, is she a dumb wit? Does college somehow transform girls that would otherwise end up as nothing better than mindless housewives into independent and successful career women? The world says that a girl has failed if she does not have a college education, a job, and her independence by a certain age. But whom is she trying to please? Wise daughters will refuse to sacrifice themselves on the altar of pleasing men. They have a duty to the Lord alone. A girl has freedom to continue her education from the home, as she has access to so much that can broaden her horizons. What if God has gifted a girl with talents and special abilities? Shouldn’t these gifts, such as writing, music, and art, be developed for use? A daughter should most certainly develop her gifts, and they can be expanded brilliantly from home, to be used first and foremost in her family, and then in the church and the community. God gave her gifts that will best compliment the gifts of those in her family, thus increasing the vibrancy and power of the family unit. When a girl submits, stays at home, and helps further her father’s vision, she is fulfilled, passionate, purposeful, intellectually stimulated, emotional stable, and blessed by God. The Bible commands women to be submissive because they are naturally prone to independence. Why should a girl foster the same sin that brought Eve down? The world tries to force daughters into its mold, and tells them that to build the business of a stranger is a commendable thing, but to help build and further her father’s vision and goals is somehow a bad thing. This contradiction seems absurd! Why should a girl pour herself out for another man and make him successful, when a daughter can work with her father and make him successful? Freedom thrives under the tender protection of a father; daughters flourish in God-appointed spheres. A girl isn’t “bound” to the home, but it is her little world of influence and care. A woman flourishes in the home under the submission of a man, which, for a girl, is now under her father, and in the future, under her husband. It is a precious thing when a daughter under her father’s protection cherishes her dependence on her father, who tenderly guards and guides her. She has vision and purpose.

What will girls do if they stay home? How does this family unit work anyway? In Psalm 144:12, daughters are described in as pillars in the home. Pillars have both a supporting and a beautifying role in the structure of a building. Girls should delight in embracing their high calling as daughters who are joyfully and deliberately living in their father’s home. The Lord distinctively created the woman to fit the role of helpmeet to her husband/father and to be a keeper of the home. This is where she blossoms! The woman’s role is essential; it is not inferior. This time of waiting until marriage is not to be used to indulge in selfishness or just to sit around waiting. Dull moments never exist around the home, as a girl could be doing so much. Needs abound, and a daughter is indispensable in meeting the many necessities of her family and church. A daughter’s priority is to invest in her family, and then under her father’s direction to assist other families in her fellowship that may need extra help during a busy or hard time. Dynamic, submissive, godly young ladies are the secret weapon of the church. An unmarried girl is not a single; she is part of a dynamic unit, called her family. A family is not a set of individuals all looking out for themselves, but a vibrant organization where all work together under the headship of the father, and the father in submission under the headship of Christ. Each role in the family is unique and vitally important. The home should be a lively, stimulating place of hospitality, food, interaction, music, singing, and harmony. It should also be a peaceful place, where Christ is Lord of the home. The powerful family unit can bless and be a shining light to the church and the community. A daughter delights in giving of herself and treasures the relationships built within her family.

A daughter is content with waiting, yet during this time, she must fully prepare for marriage, and not shock the young man she is going to marry with a little girl that he would have to raise and teach. What better place and time to prepare for marriage than now, as an unmarried daughter in her father’s house? In times past, a girl would get married in her tender teen years. She would have prepared for wife and motherhood since a young child, and because she fully understood the role she would perform, the transition into marriage was a very easy and natural one. Unlike most teenagers of today, who are obsessed with themselves and their looks and are overcome with selfishness, these daughters had diligently trained since young childhood in the needed skills for the role of a wife and homemaker. She knew what was expected of her, and as a young married girl, would often ride off into the vast wilderness with her equally young and visionary husband, to start their life and family alone without any help. Everything she needed to know, such as knowledge about pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, medical care, and all that was necessary to expertly manage her little home, she had to have mastered by now. In view of that, a daughter should not sit around, but be fully invested in her family, in her relationship with God, and in her training for wife and motherhood. She should build her foundation now before the busyness of marriage crowds out any extra time. It is exceedingly important to note that if a girl is not content before marriage, she will not be content after marriage. So it is especially vital that a daughter learns to cultivate contentment in her heart now. If she wants to learn to follow her husband someday, it is essential that she learns to obey and submit to her father now. A daughter needs to look to her father for vision and direction as to what exactly he wants her doing now. As the future manager of her home, a girl can start now in being responsible for, among other things, helping manage the home, learning food preparation, planning the menu, shopping, keeping the home orderly, helping homeschooling siblings, figuring the finances, sewing, and knitting/crocheting. Her many God-given talents will help her nourish her children and husband physically and emotionally and help her bring life and peace to the home through her decorating, art, and music.

Young ladies should delight in being purposeful, feminine, and contented keepers at home under their father’s roof. The future is bright with hope for young women who cherish their role as helpmates and who will someday stand tall beside men of vision who together will raise the next generation of precious children for Christ. Home is the most exciting place in the world! There is liberty is Biblical principles, and families working together make sense. The high office of mother and womanhood is stimulating and engaging. Daughters can change history—not by going out and conquering the world, but by joyfully submitting to their fathers, and working to make their families a dynamic force for the glory and furtherance of God’s kingdom. And daughters will discover that as they follow God’s will for Biblical womanhood, they will be more joyful and fulfilled than they ever could have been if they had followed what the world demands of its young women.


We are so blessed that Laura wrote this and that she was willing to post it.