Appearance - Emily

Ahh, what a refreshing read this chapter was! God in His great grace has really reshaped my thinking (and dressing) in this area of the last 6ish years. All praise to Him!

I really love how Mary draws out that our need for covering is because of our original sin and a picture of Christ covering us. And all the mental checklist questions are so great to keep in mind. I would say that all 3 of us are pretty 'safe' in this area - I can't recall much extravagance from you two.

I certainly want to be mindful of all this as I am teaching my girls about modesty and proper dress (and any other young women He might put in my path). Pointing everything back to Jesus gives it much more gravity and importance that just having to tell them "because I said so"
My wardrobe has undergone many edits thanks to heart changes (and having 2 kids). I now have a much greater respect for tasteful clothing and appearances. I would almost have to say that she kind of struck a cord when she talked about slobbish dressing being equally as 'off track'.... Not saying I'm a slob but unless I have to go somewhere I generally don't put much effort into my appearance when I'm at home. The neighbors have seen the full range of me, fresh-outta-bed-and-haven't-even-looked-in-the-mirror-yet to being all gussied up for a date night. But I'm comfortable in who I am so it doesn't bother me. Yes, more than once I've gone to WalMart and realized on the way home that I hadn't even looked in the mirror yet, hope I disn't have a huge zit on my face!
 Also in the area of makeup.... Even before Joe and I were married it was a huge area of frustration between us. He strongly dislikes colored eye shadow and flaunty make-up. I thought my face was a canvas that was fun to decorate to coordinate with my outfits so I had a wide variety of colors and such. Well his constant talk of how much he disliked it and I didn't need it won out and I gave all my color to a friend at work.... believe me, I let him know it was a big deal and that was a lot of $$ in that bag. [My friend said she would hold onto it in case I decided to want it back] Fast forward to now and I am totally THANKFUL that we went through that! I have a very simple makeup 'set' now and it works wonderfully for me. I don't have a bunch of spare time to spend primping myself for the day or event, now I can get ready in about 5min or less. Yes, this does mean I look the same all the time but it also means that more of my inner self can shine out. **In no way am I opposed to colored make up on others... just doesn't fit for me anymore.
Some of this is largely due to our current life situation of hubby working nights. I don't spend a ton of time making noise in the bathroom each morning (think blow dryer) and I can't be rummaging through my dresser drawers while he's sleeping. If I know I need something specific I set it out the night before, otherwise I have a drawer for shorts and one for tees.

Love you ladies! Hope your weeks have been blessed - ours has been busy, lots of family in town. Blessings!!

Focus - Emily

Sometimes as I read each chapter I am amazed at how much of a Wild Girl I really was, not necessarily intentionally but just out of ignorance and having little regard for His Word and Truth. (In high school and college). So my praise to Him abounds that He doesn't leave us where we are but desires to continually make us new! I can't go back and do anything about the past but I can purpose to change my current self/behavior and to be mindful of these things as our girls grow and need guidance.
Trying not to be too hard on myself this week (thanks Hannah for the verbal encouragement there). I don't have a ton of insight to share this week so I'll tell you a few things I underlined in my book.
Pg 87 she says "... Many women spend their whole lives lying in wait. They perpetually wait and watch for their next big catch hoping it will bring them the fulfillment they so desperately desire. Predators 'lie in wait' because they rely on others to satisfy their desires. They are greedy at heart." **Is Jesus enough for me? Am I resting content in Him and Him alone. I may not be 'lying in wait' for a guy anymore but it could be a house, new clothes, new shoes, whatever I think might give satisfaction. Jesus is the ONLY One who satisfies!
Pg 88-89 shares "She has a kingdom-focus instead of a me-focus....The Wise woman's life is all about enjoying God and making Him famous... In everything she does - from the way she dresses to the way she orders her day - she seeks to delight in Christ and put His beauty and excellence on display..... she focuses on building His kingdom - not on building her own... She has a profound sense of mission" **Oofta! Is He the central point in my life and day? Am I seeking to make Him famous in my attitudes and actions? People are watching me (us). Do we represent Christ and intentionally give Him the credit and glory for all things good in our lives?
I was really encouraged by the story shared of the young girl with a desire and drive to make quilts for 9-11 victims. God is so good. Though I don't really feel like it's the season for my to start anything big like that I know I have areas that I can improve on as far as putting others first and giving my day to God. My time and energies are pretty focused on loving and serving my family but if God puts someone on my heart, I certainly take the time to pray for them and generally try to reach out (via text, email, snail mail, etc) to let them know they are loved. I know God is growing me to be able to pour into and come alongside other young women, just not real sure what He'll have that look like yet. I'm open to His leading.
Love you two ladies!! Thanks for your willingness and openness to share as we read through this together. It's definitely good to be reading through this together so we can offer each other good perspective.

Focus - Hannah

Hey!!!! Can you believe it..it is Thursday night and I'm submitting my thoughts :) AND I didn't even read Ann's yet...
I thought this chapter was good -it had good reminders..after reading and analyzing I don't think I was ever too wild in this sense..I'm not going to say I didn't lie in wait and want for a guy, I did. But I recognize that the good guys came around when I was less focused on guys and more focused on God.
So, I didn't relate a ton to some of her thoughts, but just the same-- always a good reminder that life is bigger then me..God knows what He is doing..He has a plan and a purpose for me. There is a reason we are here-- God isn't done with us yet :). SO, making sure He is our focus means we will reap the rewards from that..we become closer to him and anything else we may have been lying wait over.
It was great to have lunch together this week :). I sure am blessed by you both-- in so many different ways...I love that God brought us together!! :). Hope you both have a great weekend!!
May we seek to wholeheartedly seek Him.

Focus - Anne

Hey Ladies!

As I read the first part of the chapter where Mary talks about the woman on the prowl looking to hunt and trap a man, I felt that it did not apply to me. 

My thoughts while reading it I were  that I am not at that stage in my life and even before Brian and I were married I can honestly say that I did not struggle with being a prowler or a woman who hunted and tried to trap men. I was my boring ole self, and my older brothers' friend, whom I found attractive and quite interesting, ended up thinking the same about me and the rest is history........how boring I know : )

Then, I got to the part where Mary says that the "Lying-in-wait behavior isn't restricted to getting a guy , the Wild Thing may turn her attention to getting the house, getting the furniture, getting a car, getting new clothes, getting a job, getting some kids, getting a break, getting her husband to change......get, get, get....and there we go again Mary made me stop and think!

At first it made me think of a passage in another book I am reading and the author mentions that in our current society people are largely influenced and live by the practical philosophy of Individualism where the motto is "Whats in it for me?".  The fruits of Individualism are "greed selfishness and exploitation".....yuck!

Then, of course I had to think what my focus is personally........I would say that for the most part I am not a selfish person but in the same breath I will say that I do feel I am quite selfish in my marriage....I think that I sometimes forget that I got married to give of myself and do for my husband....I do lots of things for Brian but at the same time I want him to notice and give me praise.....and I usually expect things in return...I expect him to do his part too.......I do good and loving things but at the same time I think of what I will get out of it as I'm doing it.

And I can't say "that in everything that I do from the way I dress to the way that I order my day seeks" to glorify God, but I can say that this is what I strive for! I definitely have a ways to go!

I will also say that having infertility issues all while feeling like God has called me to be a mother has been a huge struggle for me causing me to feel like a very selfish girl who is not getting her way.....having feelings at times like I do not have purpose in life.......just being caught up in my selfish ways and pitying myself.....yes, I get very down on myself......, but, as time has gone on I have been working on having a better outlook on life and God has helped me see the bigger picture and my simple purpose of just being the best person I can be in every role that I do currently play at this stage in my life. 

As Mary reminds us this week: "Don't squander your life. Don't waste your time lying in wait. Christ is too important. Time is too precious......busy yourself with your mission, trust in the Lord to take care of the rest! I would like to say a big AMEN to that! 

Thank you Lord for all you have done for me and for the many blessings you have bestowed upon me! Help me Lord to always keep my eyes focused on you, please grant me a giving and selfless heart and attitude, and help me to trust you more!

Many Blessings!