What is it about Swimsuits?

It always amazes me when I hear a girl talk about modesty (and seem very sincere) but the next day I would see her at the pool, fitness center, or beach in a scandalous outfit that is equivalent to our undergarments.  What is it about the swim suit (and even some other exercise clothing) that make us ladies (and men, while we are at it) think that it is okay to bare more skin publicly than we would at any other point?

For some reason it is okay to look “sexy” and flaunt skin off to everyone who sees you when you are exercising and swimming.   Unfortunately, it is incredibly immodest and I cannot believe that it is anywhere near pleasing to the Lord.  Now, I understand that you may want to look nice even when exercising and swimming.  And that’s great and totally doable!  It might be a little bit more expensive, but these options will last you for a long time if you simply take care of your clothes.  Here are some options for swimming modest! I hope you will use them and dress modestly during all activities in life – including exercising and swimming! And if you have other resources, please do share them!

SwimModest - SwimModest is my favorite place to get modest one-piece suits.  They are AWESOME.  I've owned three throughout a period of about 7-8 years and I've never been disappointed!

WholesomeWear - WholesomeWear has other VERY modest one-piece suits. They personally have to much cloth for me and are a little too cumbersome, but they are completely and totally modest.  I have heard some people say that they look frumpy and "legalistic" (whatever that means in this scenario?) but I like them and still very much consider them an option.

BeachTrading - BeachTrading has some very modest shorts and rash guards.  (They also have some very immodest outfits as well, however.)

Tuga - Like BeachTrading, Tuga has some very modest two piece options, as well as their fair share of immodest options.

Athleta - Similar in description to Tuga and BeachTrading

I've found that, when going in the two-piece route...it is much simpler to find rash guards and tops that are modest then long shorts that are modest.  Here are two board shorts that I like because they go almost all the way to the knee (instead of being very close to the thigh).

KneeShorts Option - This one is slightly prettier

Lands' End Option - This one is a simple, standard black

Photo Courtesy

Self-Talk, Soul-Talk

“My friend, you are a reflection of the way you think.  Wise King Solomon hit the nail on the head when he said, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is”  (Proverbs 23:7 NASB)


“The thoughts that run through our minds become the inventory we store away in our thought closets.  And out of that inventory we daily draw truth or error -- powerful, life-shaping beliefs that go on to influence  both our feelings and our actions.”


Jennifer Rothschild is a well-known speaker, author, and is also a gifted recording artist.  She is an inspiration to thousands of women not only because of her talents, but because her of her blindness which she has had to learn to over come since the age of 15.

The quotes above are both from Jennifer’s book, “Self Talk, Soul Talk.”  This book was written to help people replace destructive self talk with constructive soul talk from God’s word.


I hope that you will read this book, enjoy it, and learn to speak truth to your soul.

Let the words of my mouth

And the meditation of my heart

Be pleasing in your site,

Oh Lord, my rock, and my redeemer 

Psalm 19:14

Boards Books for Babies!

Soo...when my baby was born I KNEW I wanted certain board books.  The question was...how do I get them???  And I am thrilled to say, I figured out how! :) I first found this site:  http://www.blankslatebooks.com/create-a-book.  They have great deals on board books and I bought their pack of four.  These books are about 5"x7" (estimating) and are a GREAT size.  They come with pre-set-up software to print the pictures or words or story or whatever on...but it is simple enough that everyone can use it.  (It is just powerpoint or word.) Then they send the labels to print on.  At first I was a little nervous about using all of this, but I figured it was my best shot for the price.  

When I received my books the other day, I decided I wanted a practice book.  This became my "Book of Shapes." 

 

 

At a young age it is said that babies focus best on simple shapes with black and white colors.  So that is what we did. :)  We meaning my brother and me.  He was a terrific help.  As I put together the book, I was really happy I made a practice one as I got a lot of flaws worked out (although there are still some I am actively working on!). 

First step was I set up my powerpoint with my black and white shapes.  Then I printed them on a test sheet of paper to make sure I had the proper layout.  When I found that I did, I printed them on the labels that Blank Slate Books sent to me.  From there, I took those labels and stuck each label on a page.  I found I needed to be careful not to smudge the ink while putting them on and not to crinkle the stickers as I laid them down.  

However, I realized that this is a boardbook for a baby.  It is going to get sucked, chewed, drooled, and spit-up on - among other things, I am sure.  And my printer is ink...that smears.  These books weren't going to work as just a sticker with ink slapped on the book.  So I found some one-sided self-laminating sheets.  I cut them to appropriate sizes (or rather, my brother did) and then we covered each sticker with those.  Now they are more "baby-proof!" I was thrilled.  The "My Book of Shapes" has its flaws, for sure - crinkled stickers, some smeared ink, and crinkled laminating sheets...  But all around, I think it is a great "first-made board book" and I still plan on using it for my little boy.

 

 

Then I started working on the ones I REALLY wanted.  The one I wanted to share with you all today is the "Daddy & Me" book.  Since my husband is gone so much, I wanted to have a book that I could read to our little guy every evening about him and his daddy on the nights that daddy cannot be there to tuck him in to bed.  So I made one.  I haven't finished it, as I wanted to save some space for upcoming times.  Because of this, I left three blank pages and the back of the board book for new events that I am sure will happen shortly.  :)  The first 7 pages and the front of the boardbook I completed.  There are some flaws, for sure.  Still some crinkled stickers and laminating sheets -- but definitely NOT as many as the shapes book.  And all around -- I LOVE it.  I thought you would like to see it, too.  

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy it!  I am in the process of making a "My Family" book for our little one now - featuring a page for us (my husband and I), and then one page for each of his grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  I am excited to see how it turns out! :)

Corn Packs

Here in Oregon it is ... well, freezing in the winter.  Being a Colorado-girl from the Rocky Mountains you'd think I could handle cold.  But I've learned a valuable lesson -- the humidity in Oregon makes the cold way worse than the dry cold in Colorado!

Our house was built in 1918...  Let's just say...no insulation, inefficient furnace, etc.  You get the point.  And if you didn't, the point is -- it's COLD.  So we've come up with very creative ways to stay warm.  The most common one is to simply make a Corn Pack...actually, we make Rice Packs as it is easier to find rice than it is to find non-popping-corn. (At least, that's my opinion.)

If you want to make one though, this website has a great step-by-step instruction to make a very easy one! :)  Hope you stay warm as we finish out the winter -- and maybe these Rice or Corn Packs will make it a more pleasant task!

Institute for Creation Resource

Does anyone like to start out their day with neat thoughts about our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ?  I know I do!  And the Institute for Creation Resource (ICR) has a very neat daily mailing that comes straight to your inbox with incredibly neat thoughts.  I know I have been very encouraged by them for nearly a month now, and always look forward to seeing what they have to say in the morning!  True, it is still written by a fallible man, but their thoughts are very insightful and full of Scripture -- but always check what they say with what your whole Bible says!

If you are interested, feel free to sign up -- it is free!  Just go to this link here: http://www.icr.org/subscriptions/ and enter the required information. The next morning, you will begin receiving their very encouraging daily email updates!  I hope you will be blessed as I have! 

Facebook

Facebook

by Lisa

I’ve had lots of people ask me what I think about Facebook and it always leads to an interesting conversation.

As I’ve watch Facebook, Twitter, and many other websites, I have become more and more disgusted with the actions on Facebook and other such sites.  While Facebook makes me wary because of the amount of information people put online, that is nothing

Quality Christian Books

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

A girl who is troubled by this world learns how to follow her Shepherd through many dangers and tribulations, but all the more learning to be His little hand-maiden who follows Him no matter what.  ~ Lisa

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 If by Amy Carmichael

Ever find yourself having a bad day, and needing something to right your attitude or encourage you to do the right thing?  If you want a little book that has encouraging thoughts for the day that will make your focus toward Christ, this book would be perfect you!  I love reading the little nuggets of wisdom from Amy Carmichael! ~Lisa

Resources

Rapunzel's Resource

The topic is hair!  If you are looking for a few great hairstyles, I highly recommend visiting "Rapunzel's Resource"!  I have long hair and have found many helpful hairstyles on this blog.  ~ Missy

Rapunzel's Resource

http://rapunzelsresource.wordpress.com/

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Missy's Photography

Missy’s Photography is a Christian based business that strives to live out Biblical principles in a modern day world.

http://www.missysphotography.org/

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Chipmunk's Corner

It's our very own writer, Chip!  Chipmunk's Corner is a fun place if you like costumes, beauty secrets and many other fun tips!  ~ Missy

Chipmunk's Corner

http://chipmunkscorner.blogspot.com/

Books for Girls!

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

 A story of a girl who starts out as a non-believer and struggles in many petty feminine issues, this book covers the transformation of a non-believing girl to a Christian woman.  A beautiful story of understanding growth in Christ and true Christian beauty, this is a wonderful book for any Christian girl who loves to read! ~Lisa

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Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

Most literature today for girls is not centered on purity and godliness.  So a wonderful book for young girls and ladies alike is Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola.  It talks about a variety of topics from clothing, purity, boys, books, parents, siblings, and more!  Pick it up today, and you might not be able to put it down!  ~Lisa