Conduct is defined as "personal behavior; way of acting".
As I stated in my first post in this series, modesty is a crucial aspect of biblical femininity; but what is the point of dressing modestly if your conduct does not match your dress?
Let's say there's a girl.
Let's call her 'Olga'.
Ok, so Olga concludes that she doesn't want to offend anyone by dressing provocatively. She also wants to bring glory to God in what she wears and she desires to set an example to non-believers,
Yet what is the use of going to all that trouble if your behavior does not also reflect Christ?
Sure, she can cover everything that needs to be covered with her clothes and truly desire to please the Lord, but what kind of example is that if she does not couple it with godly behavior?
What if Olga was wearing a long skirt and a modest blouse to the grocery store but then yelled at the cashier because her coffee didn't ring up as Buy One, Get One Free?
Confusion would ensue.
Te cashier would most likely wonder what strange religion she was a part of that promoted modest dress but had no limits on conduct.
Our behavior should serve as a testimony of our faith.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
So what exactly is godly behavior?
In 1 Timothy 5:13, we see an example of a woman with ungodly and unfeminine characteristics.
"And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
Ideleness, gossip, tattle tales, snoops, and those who do not think before they speak- the essence of the women we should avoid becoming and also avoid forming close friendships with.
Jezebel is a crystal clear example of the corrupting women.
Her complete disregard of the Lord and her display of evil behavior caused her to influence the others around her in the worst way possible.
She caused her husband, King Ahab, and much of the kingdom to fall to pagan worship and wicked ways, by acting in ungodly conduct.
So know we know what a woman of ungodly behavior consists of.... but what defines a godly woman who fears the Lord?
Titus 2:3-5 says,"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
A girl may be beautiful on the outside, but if her true desire is not to please the Lord but to please the world, when someone sees her true self, those who desire to please the Lord will flee at the grotesqueness of her heart.
In summary,
Ladies your conduct defines you!
It doesn't matter what you look like or if you're wearing the latest fashion. As long as you act rude, loud, or gossipy, you will come across as someone who isn't worth associating with.
What kind of example is that to non-believers you come in contact with every day?
Our conduct should be pleasing to the Lord.
Your conduct also determine who you attract.
If you are a obnoxious flirt, than be prepared to have the wrong kind of guys after you.
"Why do I always grab the attention of the weirdos?" I've had girls ask me.
Try examining your own behavior before excusing the men of doing all the wrong.
Conduct is the essence of a human being. How you act is what is truly in your heart.
Our behavior should reflect the Savior
Never forget that.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Patience Is A Virtue
It's about time I write, again.
This hiatus has been far too long.
I must say, I missed this little blog, whether anyone reads it or not. I had decided the best place to start would be to continue my biblical femininity series. (A few months ago I wrote my first post in the series about modesty.)
But, sometimes the Lord has other plans.
I felt prompted to share something that I am struggling with personally.
Who knows? Someone could be reading this and be going through the same issue. If you are, I pray I will be an encouragement to you!
Right now is a time in my life where I feel like I have hit a dead end. Sure, I'm doing new things... going to college, meeting new people, writing my first novel. But I still am wrestling with a feeling of complete impatience.
I'm going to get real, here.
I'm 17 years old. That "in-between age" where you're so close to being a 'legal adult', yet so far away. That age where I know I'm too young to begin a relationship, yet still wishing it could happen.
"Well why don't you go ahead and date, then?" You ask.
To which I respond, "What's the point of dating, if I'm not ready for marriage?"
"True. But why all the complaining, Savannah?"
To put it plainly... I'm sick of waiting.
I feel like my life can't begin until I'm 18. It sounds crazy, I know.
The Solution: I need to get a grip and focus on the present!
I need to get busy, stay active, and do something productive with this time I have now!
I need to take advantage of the fact that I don't have a boyfriend or a husband to consume my hours or children to keep an eye on 24/7 or bills that need to be paid by the end of the month.
This is an opportunity for me to branch out and try new things. Complete tasks that I have already begun. Focus on school and building godly friendships. Work on finishing my first novel.
Of course while doing all of this, I still have to deal with guys and my relationships with them.
The best thing you can do at this age is maintain healthy friendships with the guys you know. Get to know them and their beliefs.
Are they a Christian? What are their character flaws? Do we share the same standards and convictions? Could I consider them as a future spouse?
There are many things to take into consideration at this stage of "observation" as my Pastor dubs it.
While there are many ways you can get to know someone of the opposite gender while in a group, there is one problem I have with it...
I'm never fully myself in groups.
For me, personally, I feel out of place in a circle of three or more people. It can get overwhelming and I feel like I have to be less talkative just in case I say something stupid.
Call me sensitive, but it's reality.
Another reason I believe it isn't the best idea to "get to know someone" in a large group is I almost never have the courage to talk to someone I might be observing specifically.
Sure, we might be friends and talk other times, but when there are more than just a few of our peers around, I get intimidated and chicken out.
I feel like if I talk to someone I have feelings for then the people with us will be watching and assume I like so and so. I've been the victim of gossip in this area so many times before that I am overly cautious that it doesn't happen again.
Therefore in groups I can't always comfortably communicate with someone I would like to "get to know" before we pursue a romantic relationship.
By "getting to know", I mean observing the said person by learning their standards, beliefs, likes, dislikes; how do they respond in certain situations? How are they handling their finances? Do they have a steady income? How do they treat their parents? So on and so forth.
It is, in other words, becoming good friends with someone of the opposite gender and in the process finding out if they would possibly make a suitable mate, if our friendship ever lead to that.
In conclusion, if you feel yourself becoming sort of antsy with your current situation, learn to take advantage of your time as a single young person.
Be productive and don't just sit around at home waiting for a tall, dark, handsome stranger to come knocking on your door.
Don't be pining away for a certain someone counting down the days until you reach the "golden age of courtship", whatever that may be.
Pray for wisdom and patience. Remember that although the waiting seems difficult, now, it will all be worth it in the end!
I should probably wrap this post up as I'm noticing that I'm going off in a hundred different rabbit trails. I promise next time my thoughts will be more organized! Maybe I will even write the next article in my Femininity Series.
Thanks for reading and have a lovely day. :-)
Don't forget to comment down below and let me know if this post helped you in any way! (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge)
This hiatus has been far too long.
I must say, I missed this little blog, whether anyone reads it or not. I had decided the best place to start would be to continue my biblical femininity series. (A few months ago I wrote my first post in the series about modesty.)
But, sometimes the Lord has other plans.
I felt prompted to share something that I am struggling with personally.
Who knows? Someone could be reading this and be going through the same issue. If you are, I pray I will be an encouragement to you!
Right now is a time in my life where I feel like I have hit a dead end. Sure, I'm doing new things... going to college, meeting new people, writing my first novel. But I still am wrestling with a feeling of complete impatience.
I'm going to get real, here.
I'm 17 years old. That "in-between age" where you're so close to being a 'legal adult', yet so far away. That age where I know I'm too young to begin a relationship, yet still wishing it could happen.
"Well why don't you go ahead and date, then?" You ask.
To which I respond, "What's the point of dating, if I'm not ready for marriage?"
"True. But why all the complaining, Savannah?"
To put it plainly... I'm sick of waiting.
I feel like my life can't begin until I'm 18. It sounds crazy, I know.
The Solution: I need to get a grip and focus on the present!
I need to get busy, stay active, and do something productive with this time I have now!
I need to take advantage of the fact that I don't have a boyfriend or a husband to consume my hours or children to keep an eye on 24/7 or bills that need to be paid by the end of the month.
This is an opportunity for me to branch out and try new things. Complete tasks that I have already begun. Focus on school and building godly friendships. Work on finishing my first novel.
Of course while doing all of this, I still have to deal with guys and my relationships with them.
The best thing you can do at this age is maintain healthy friendships with the guys you know. Get to know them and their beliefs.
Are they a Christian? What are their character flaws? Do we share the same standards and convictions? Could I consider them as a future spouse?
There are many things to take into consideration at this stage of "observation" as my Pastor dubs it.
While there are many ways you can get to know someone of the opposite gender while in a group, there is one problem I have with it...
I'm never fully myself in groups.
For me, personally, I feel out of place in a circle of three or more people. It can get overwhelming and I feel like I have to be less talkative just in case I say something stupid.
Call me sensitive, but it's reality.
Another reason I believe it isn't the best idea to "get to know someone" in a large group is I almost never have the courage to talk to someone I might be observing specifically.
Sure, we might be friends and talk other times, but when there are more than just a few of our peers around, I get intimidated and chicken out.
I feel like if I talk to someone I have feelings for then the people with us will be watching and assume I like so and so. I've been the victim of gossip in this area so many times before that I am overly cautious that it doesn't happen again.
Therefore in groups I can't always comfortably communicate with someone I would like to "get to know" before we pursue a romantic relationship.
By "getting to know", I mean observing the said person by learning their standards, beliefs, likes, dislikes; how do they respond in certain situations? How are they handling their finances? Do they have a steady income? How do they treat their parents? So on and so forth.
It is, in other words, becoming good friends with someone of the opposite gender and in the process finding out if they would possibly make a suitable mate, if our friendship ever lead to that.
In conclusion, if you feel yourself becoming sort of antsy with your current situation, learn to take advantage of your time as a single young person.
Be productive and don't just sit around at home waiting for a tall, dark, handsome stranger to come knocking on your door.
Don't be pining away for a certain someone counting down the days until you reach the "golden age of courtship", whatever that may be.
Pray for wisdom and patience. Remember that although the waiting seems difficult, now, it will all be worth it in the end!
I should probably wrap this post up as I'm noticing that I'm going off in a hundred different rabbit trails. I promise next time my thoughts will be more organized! Maybe I will even write the next article in my Femininity Series.
Thanks for reading and have a lovely day. :-)
Don't forget to comment down below and let me know if this post helped you in any way! (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge)
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Biblical Femininity: Modesty
Noah Webster's 1828 America Dictionary of the English Language defines modesty as "...synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners. In this sense, modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor."
What a beautiful saying!
Ladies, the way we dress displays our true inner mindset. If we dress in such a way to turn the heads of men, our hearts can be in no way pure or chaste.
As a Child of God, I want to dress in a way that reflects Him through me!
Before putting on an outfit, I always ask myself a few simple questions:
1. Is it so flamboyant and bright that I draw unnecessary attention to myself? In other words, is it excessive or gaudy?
2. Is it fitting enough to reveal that I'm a woman yet loose enough so I am not tempting men to lust?
3. Would I be embarrassed to wear this in front of my future husband, grandparents, or church family?
4. Is it flattering and stylish enough to where I don't give the appearance of a wandering hobo?
5. Is it high enough at the top and long enough at the bottom to where I don't show too much skin?
If the answer to any of those questions is no, that outfit, no matter how cute or attractive it is, goes out the door.
Before I go any further in this post, I want to make one thing crystal clear: Dressing modestly does not mean you have to cover yourself from head to toe or wear clothes that hang on you like a paper bag!
You don't have to borrow clothes from your grandma's closet to be modest!
Of course, everyone has different convictions about modesty, and if you feel the Lord desires for you to wear only skirts and dresses, than go for it!
I am not writing this to judge those who have controversial thoughts or to preach at you to never leave the house without an ankle-length skirt and turtleneck blouse on. I am merely voicing my personal opinion and convictions.
As I stated previously, modesty does not mean you have to wear something like this:
Of course there is nothing wrong if you do wear ankle-length jean jumpers all the time! Just making a point, my friends...
Many clothes I see out and about have a fairly acceptable selection of modest clothing. Where I live, Ross is a good store to find adorable blouses and skirts with modest lengths! (Thank the Lord for the new maxi-skirt trend!)
Thrift stores are also great resources!
Another point of why modesty is the way to go, is that while girls who dress like prostitutes and flaunt their bodies on a daily basis are more prone to popularity and attracting men, the young women who dress like ladies, demand more respect from the male population (and sometimes even other women, as well!), attract attention from the right kind of men (a.k.a. godly gentlemen who strive the please the Lord in all they do and say), and remain pure for their husbands.
"Wait a sec, Savannah! What do you mean by that? I mean, I'm not married, yet... how can I be pure for my husband when I don't even know who he is?!"
Purity is not just refraining from physical intimacy until your wedding night- it is also the way you think, dress, and speak.
When you think inappropriate lustful thoughts, you're compromising your purity.
When you dress to get attention from guys and show off your body, you're compromising your purity.
When you flirt, "date around", or act "hard to get", you're compromising your purity.
"Is it really that easy?"
Yes it is; and that is why it is so dangerous to fall into the trap of immodesty.
When you dress inappropriately, you are not only comprising your own purity, but you are also doing the same to men.
Do you really want to lead your fellow brothers in Christ astray?
Do you really want to be the cause of their next sinful thought?
Then, Ladies: Put some clothes on!
Reflect Christ through what you wear.
Endeavor to please Him in all that you do! Including the next time you go shopping with a friend or pick out an outfit for an activity.
Never forget that what you wear is your billboard.
What are you advertising?
Saturday, May 24, 2014
3 Day Juice Cleanse--- Day Three
As I'm writing, I am drinking my last juice for, today! :-)
I wish it was my last juice, ever, but unfortunately you have to go on a certain diet after the cleanse, so your body doesn't go all crazy.
Solid food right after a juice fast is forbidden...
My high hopes of being able to devour a delicious, fluffy omelet tomorrow morning slowly crumbled to the ground.
The only foods I'm allowed to eat for the next day or two are:
-fruit
-veggies
-and that's it, folks
Thankfully, I can have cabbage soup, since it is just herbs, cabbage, and broth, which warm foods are actually best to eat after a fast anyways.
As far as juices, today, I followed the same "menu" I had for yesterday, except I didn't drink my pre-dinner juice, because I wasn't very hungry. I substituted it for half a banana and a cup of peppermint tea.
I had no side effects whatsoever, today, but of course I was still tempted to sneak a few of my sister's soda crackers and peanut butter.
I didn't cheat! I swear!
I do feel more energized since I began the juice fast and my skin seems to be healthier. As far as weight loss goes, I have no clue yet how many pounds I lost (if any!).
It's going to be rough sticking to just fruits and veggies even after the fast is over, but I made it this far.
No turning back.
UPDATE (5/25/14)--- So guys... I lost three pounds! Yay!
UPDATE (5/25/14)--- So guys... I lost three pounds! Yay!
Friday, May 23, 2014
3 Day Juice Cleanse--- Day Two
Well, here I am- I survived the first day!!! :-D
I slept extremely well (about 9 hours!) and didn't wake up once during the night, which is definitely a first for me.
I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and energized and had my lemon/cayenne water before my workout, like yesterday.
My menu for the day went like so:
Breakfast: Jolt Juice-
2 Granny Smith Apples
I slept extremely well (about 9 hours!) and didn't wake up once during the night, which is definitely a first for me.
I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and energized and had my lemon/cayenne water before my workout, like yesterday.
My menu for the day went like so:
Breakfast: Jolt Juice-
2 Granny Smith Apples
1 Orange (Peeled)
1 Whole Cucumber
1/4 Lemon (Peeled)
Big Handful of spinach or Kale
Lunch: Sun Kissed Juice-
1 beet (beetroot)
2 carrots
2 oranges
2-4 swiss chard leaves and stems (silverbeet)
1″ piece of ginger (optional)
2 carrots
2 oranges
2-4 swiss chard leaves and stems (silverbeet)
1″ piece of ginger (optional)
Pre-Dinner: Mean Green Juice-
1 cucumber
4 celery stalks
2 apples
6-8 leaves kale (Australian tuscan cabbage)
1/2 lemon
1 tbsp ginger
Dinner: Sunset Blend Juice (see yesterday's post for ingredients)
Much to my surprise, every single one of the juices from today were actually good!
I didn't have any problems guzzling them down, and even the after taste was bearable.
Side Effects:
-Slight dizziness
-Extreme cravings
-Chilliness (not quite sure why...)
As you can, see the irritating effects of a cleanse weren't too bad for me, today. My body is getting used to this juicing regime, I suppose.
I snacked on half a banana about an hour or so after the pre-dinner juice, which is acceptable, thank goodness!
Of course my sister decided to have a huge potato with butter and all the works for lunch. That delicious smell remained all through the kitchen area and beyond for over an hour! Pure torture!
I am so impatient to go ahead and get the last day over with and be able to chew on actual, real food!
Bring on Day Three!!!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
3 Day Juice Cleanse--- Day One
Hey guys!
So much to my own surprise, I decided to do a juice cleanse for 3 days and my mom decided to join me, so at least I have that extra motivational support!
We borrowed a juicer from one of my mom's friends and it took a little while for Mom to finish frantically pushing random buttons to turn it off because juice and veggies were pouring out everywhere get used to the machine.
I must admit that when I read the recipes I was somewhat excited! I mean, come on! Doesn't homemade carrot, ginger, and apple juice sound good?
Much to my disappointment the juice was certainly not as delicious and satisfying as I had hoped...
We are following the "Joe Cross' 3 Day Weekend Juice Cleanse" (see link below for further details on the benefits and cautions of a juice cleanse).
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/joe-cross-3-day-weekend-juice-cleanse
Despite my mother's many warnings, I did not do a pre-cleanse diet, a few days prior to juicing, such as staying away from meat, bread, dairy, caffeine, and sugar, and suffered rather severe side effects because of it.
May this be a lesson for juicing newbies who happened upon this humble little blog.
Don't say I didn't warn you!
For those of you who are interested, here was my "food" schedule for the day:
Pre-Breakfast: Lemon and Cayenne Pepper in warm water (Lemon has amazing acidic properties aiding in kick starting your digestive system, while cayenne pepper helps with regulating blood sugar, kick-starts your metabolism, and yes, aids with weight loss! It also boosts my energy and prepares my body for the day.)
*I did my workout before my breakfast juice, which apparently is when you're supposed to do it while juicing. You're technically not supposed to be working out at all during a juice cleanse, but my body is so used to a daily workout now that I don't want to stop... so I'm just doing a lighter routine that I typically do.
Breakfast: Carrot Apple Ginger Juice- 3 carrots, 2 apples, 1 inch piece of ginger root
Lunch: Gazpacho Juice- 4 tomatoes, 1 lg cucumber, 2 celery stalks, 1 red bell pepper, 1/4 cup red onion, 2 cups parsley, 1 lime
Afternoon Snack: Citrus Inspired Green Juice- 6-8 leaves kale, 8 leaves swiss chard, 1 cucumber, 6 clementines, (or a few oranges)
Dinner: Sunset Blend Juice- 1 sweet potato, 1 carrot, 1 red bell pepper, 2 red beets, 2 apples, 1 orange (optional)
So ya... that's what I "ate" today. The juices weren't actually that bad... the after taste was worse than the actual drinking part. The lunch juice (Gazpacho) was an exception- my mom and I absolutely could not stand it! I was gagging about 3 sips into it, it was so awful. Maybe because it was all veggies and didn't have that sweet, tangy flavor the fruit gives. But whatever the reason, it was horrible.
I drank about 8-9 glasses of water, today, to stay hydrated and to ward off annoying hunger pains.
Side Effects:
-Headache
-Tiredness/grogginess
-Irritability
-Hunger Pangs (obviously)
-Slight nausea
I am hoping (and praying) that tomorrow will be much better as far as side effects. I've read that the second day is when you start feeling more refreshed and energized although the hunger pangs will worsen (yay...). I honestly don't see how they could get any worse, though! Almost all of today, I was craving a Whopper from Burger King, which is not normal coming from me.
Looking forward to a nice warm cup of peppermint tea before bed is what kept me going all day! Thank goodness drinking herbal tea at night is allowed! I can't wait to drink it! (My goodness I never thought I would be this excited over hot tea.)
I will update ya'll tomorrow and maybe this will encourage those interested in doing a juice cleanse... that is, if I survive.
So much to my own surprise, I decided to do a juice cleanse for 3 days and my mom decided to join me, so at least I have that extra motivational support!
We borrowed a juicer from one of my mom's friends and it took a little while for Mom to
I must admit that when I read the recipes I was somewhat excited! I mean, come on! Doesn't homemade carrot, ginger, and apple juice sound good?
Much to my disappointment the juice was certainly not as delicious and satisfying as I had hoped...
We are following the "Joe Cross' 3 Day Weekend Juice Cleanse" (see link below for further details on the benefits and cautions of a juice cleanse).
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/joe-cross-3-day-weekend-juice-cleanse
Despite my mother's many warnings, I did not do a pre-cleanse diet, a few days prior to juicing, such as staying away from meat, bread, dairy, caffeine, and sugar, and suffered rather severe side effects because of it.
May this be a lesson for juicing newbies who happened upon this humble little blog.
Don't say I didn't warn you!
For those of you who are interested, here was my "food" schedule for the day:
Pre-Breakfast: Lemon and Cayenne Pepper in warm water (Lemon has amazing acidic properties aiding in kick starting your digestive system, while cayenne pepper helps with regulating blood sugar, kick-starts your metabolism, and yes, aids with weight loss! It also boosts my energy and prepares my body for the day.)
*I did my workout before my breakfast juice, which apparently is when you're supposed to do it while juicing. You're technically not supposed to be working out at all during a juice cleanse, but my body is so used to a daily workout now that I don't want to stop... so I'm just doing a lighter routine that I typically do.
Breakfast: Carrot Apple Ginger Juice- 3 carrots, 2 apples, 1 inch piece of ginger root
Lunch: Gazpacho Juice- 4 tomatoes, 1 lg cucumber, 2 celery stalks, 1 red bell pepper, 1/4 cup red onion, 2 cups parsley, 1 lime
Afternoon Snack: Citrus Inspired Green Juice- 6-8 leaves kale, 8 leaves swiss chard, 1 cucumber, 6 clementines, (or a few oranges)
Dinner: Sunset Blend Juice- 1 sweet potato, 1 carrot, 1 red bell pepper, 2 red beets, 2 apples, 1 orange (optional)
So ya... that's what I "ate" today. The juices weren't actually that bad... the after taste was worse than the actual drinking part. The lunch juice (Gazpacho) was an exception- my mom and I absolutely could not stand it! I was gagging about 3 sips into it, it was so awful. Maybe because it was all veggies and didn't have that sweet, tangy flavor the fruit gives. But whatever the reason, it was horrible.
I drank about 8-9 glasses of water, today, to stay hydrated and to ward off annoying hunger pains.
Side Effects:
-Headache
-Tiredness/grogginess
-Irritability
-Hunger Pangs (obviously)
-Slight nausea
I am hoping (and praying) that tomorrow will be much better as far as side effects. I've read that the second day is when you start feeling more refreshed and energized although the hunger pangs will worsen (yay...). I honestly don't see how they could get any worse, though! Almost all of today, I was craving a Whopper from Burger King, which is not normal coming from me.
Looking forward to a nice warm cup of peppermint tea before bed is what kept me going all day! Thank goodness drinking herbal tea at night is allowed! I can't wait to drink it! (My goodness I never thought I would be this excited over hot tea.)
I will update ya'll tomorrow and maybe this will encourage those interested in doing a juice cleanse... that is, if I survive.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Introducing Biblical Femininity Series
I'm extremely excited to announce the arrival of a new blog post "series" I'm going to be publishing over the next few weeks!
The subject is "Biblical Femininity or Godly Womanhood" and I will be writing posts, voicing my humble opinions and thoughts on particular topics related to the subject.
I will be addressing the controversial issues of:
--Modesty
--Character
--Conduct
--Speech
--Self-worth
Now, before I begin this series, let me define my terms.
By "Femininity", I am in no way referring to the feminist movement made so popular by social media and films (among other resources).
"Femininity at its core is not about a personality. A woman can love sports, hunting, fishing, and cars, and be just as feminine as the woman who loves interior design, shopping, and shoes. Both personalities can fall within the vast spectrum of femininity. Femininity is rooted in who God has created a woman to be through biological composition and inward spirit. It is not dependent on interests, hobbies, or personality. The main components of biblical femininity as I understand them are being relational, nurturing, vulnerable, possessing a desire to be found beautiful, and being responsive." (Quote from www.livehope.org)
What a lovely definition!
The values, character, and conduct of a biblically feminine lady are similar to the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31.
Women, nowadays, wonder why they are receiving less respect from men than ever before. My answer to them is, if you want respect from a man, you're behavior and dress must be respectful in return.
You simply cannot dress provocatively and expect a true gentlemen to treat you like a princess.
Most times, the outward appearance is a reflection of the heart.
If you truly desire to please the Lord with your body, mind, and soul, then would you really be wearing that mini-skirt or that skin-tight blouse?
(But... more on that in a few days.) :-)
The women of today ask, "Where have all the good men gone?".
They wonder where society went wrong.
They tell themselves that men are toads and treat women like objects.
Yet they are clueless to the fact that our culture messed up when women stopped being ladies and became flirtatious, crude, cling-ons with no respect for others or themselves.
We, as Christians, must be an example.
We need to start a revolution- begining with our own hearts.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Are you ready to be different?
Are you ready to accept a life-style of Godly Womanhood?
The subject is "Biblical Femininity or Godly Womanhood" and I will be writing posts, voicing my humble opinions and thoughts on particular topics related to the subject.
I will be addressing the controversial issues of:
--Modesty
--Character
--Conduct
--Speech
--Self-worth
Now, before I begin this series, let me define my terms.
By "Femininity", I am in no way referring to the feminist movement made so popular by social media and films (among other resources).
"Femininity at its core is not about a personality. A woman can love sports, hunting, fishing, and cars, and be just as feminine as the woman who loves interior design, shopping, and shoes. Both personalities can fall within the vast spectrum of femininity. Femininity is rooted in who God has created a woman to be through biological composition and inward spirit. It is not dependent on interests, hobbies, or personality. The main components of biblical femininity as I understand them are being relational, nurturing, vulnerable, possessing a desire to be found beautiful, and being responsive." (Quote from www.livehope.org)
What a lovely definition!
The values, character, and conduct of a biblically feminine lady are similar to the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31.
Women, nowadays, wonder why they are receiving less respect from men than ever before. My answer to them is, if you want respect from a man, you're behavior and dress must be respectful in return.
You simply cannot dress provocatively and expect a true gentlemen to treat you like a princess.
Most times, the outward appearance is a reflection of the heart.
If you truly desire to please the Lord with your body, mind, and soul, then would you really be wearing that mini-skirt or that skin-tight blouse?
(But... more on that in a few days.) :-)
The women of today ask, "Where have all the good men gone?".
They wonder where society went wrong.
They tell themselves that men are toads and treat women like objects.
Yet they are clueless to the fact that our culture messed up when women stopped being ladies and became flirtatious, crude, cling-ons with no respect for others or themselves.
We, as Christians, must be an example.
We need to start a revolution- begining with our own hearts.
Are you ready for the challenge?
Are you ready to be different?
Are you ready to accept a life-style of Godly Womanhood?
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Prayer and Praises (Help me add on to the list!)
Prayer Requests
- My (Savannah) grandma is in rehab (healing and quick recovery) 05/05/14
- Me (Savannah) as I finish school before the summer
- My (Savannah) dad is sick 05/06/14
- Lillian's little brother (1 and a half yrs old) broke his femur bone :-(
- Sandi (my aunt) will be sober for 5 years on June 8th!!!
Praises
- My (Savannah) grandma's cancer is completely gone! :-)
Collaborative Prayer List
Happy Saturday, everyone! :-)
I hope ya'll had an awesomely productive day as myself! (Chores galore!)
I sort of wanted to run an idea by all of you that I had.
What if...
I created this prayer list on my blog and you guys could email me, comment on my blog or Googleplus page, or however you chose, and tell me whatever you need prayer for.
I would add to the list anytime I received a new request and we could also have a section for praises!
Anytime a prayer on the list is answered, I will change the font color to red and type the day it was answered next to the request.
Obviously this list will be posted publicly on my blog so we will have a ton of people praying for the same things, maybe even at the same time!
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20
Sound good?
I'm going to go ahead and start on the prayer and praises list, now, and ya'll can comment or email whenever you want.
Let's make this list full of requests and praises so we can rejoice at the many answered prayers that will happen!
Spread the word! The more who post and prayer, the more powerful!
I hope ya'll had an awesomely productive day as myself! (Chores galore!)
I sort of wanted to run an idea by all of you that I had.
What if...
I created this prayer list on my blog and you guys could email me, comment on my blog or Googleplus page, or however you chose, and tell me whatever you need prayer for.
I would add to the list anytime I received a new request and we could also have a section for praises!
Anytime a prayer on the list is answered, I will change the font color to red and type the day it was answered next to the request.
Obviously this list will be posted publicly on my blog so we will have a ton of people praying for the same things, maybe even at the same time!
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20
Sound good?
I'm going to go ahead and start on the prayer and praises list, now, and ya'll can comment or email whenever you want.
Let's make this list full of requests and praises so we can rejoice at the many answered prayers that will happen!
Spread the word! The more who post and prayer, the more powerful!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Just A Crush...?
Casual love, dating, boyfriends, girlfriends, kissing, the whole kaboosh = normal (?!)
*Ahem*
Objection!
Should this really be the norm?
Should Christian teens follow the world's example of relationships just because it is so common, so universally accepted without a second thought?
I think not, my friends.
I have somewhat gone over this issue in my post entitled, "Dating 101", but that was mainly on dating vs. courtships.
Today's post is a little different.
I have a feeling we've all been there at some point.
Ya meet a guy, think he's attractive, get all googly eyed, and write his name and yours in the margins of your science notebook with hearts all around it.
I am extremely ashamed to admit that yes... I've behaved in this foolish way.
"Ok, Savannah. You're just being wayyy too strict and judgmental and you have unrealistic expectations! You just don't understand! I can't help liking him (or her)!"
Ummm... sorry to burst your bubble, but ya you can control your emotions.
It may seem impossible but you can do it.
It just takes a lot of work, patience, and prayer.
Are "crushes" even Biblical?
A crush is known as an infatuation or attraction to someone of the opposite gender being taken to the extreme.
Sure, there is nothing wrong with being attracted to someone! I mean, you're going to court and marry someone at some point, so obviously you will have feelings for that person!
But there is a difference between that and an infatuation with a certain someone.
Infatuation: A dangerous emotional "disease" which involves being so attracted to someone that you become obsessed and almost addicted. They are all you think about and all you do is write their name everywhere, talk about them, dream about them, and even plan your future wedding (which most likely won't even happen).
----Definition from... well, me.
Been there, done that?
Ya... me too.
So now our goal is to not make that mistake, again.
Why is "infatuation" wrong?
1. It is making an idol of someone. Holding them up to a standard of perfection and even sometimes placing them above God.
Biblical evidence?
Check out the first commandment in Exodus 20:3, which says: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
By 'gods', the Lord doesn't just mean golden statues of deformed half-animal, half-man things.
He is referring to anything that you place before Him.
2. It takes over your life. At this time in your life, you don't need to constantly being thinking or worrying about guys. Being single is the one chance you have to completely set your focus on God! And also school, if you have that. ;-).
The last thing we, as teens, need to be doing is obsessing over some guy that's most likely not even worth your time!
3. It's just plain creepy. I mean, come on! What normal, sane human being wants someone constantly thinking about them and photoshopping their picture with their own to see if they make a good couple?! Personally, I would be a little freaked out...
It's getting late and I need a shower (ya I know... too much information), so I better wrap this post up.
The Bottom Line: Teens, God should be your main focus, not the opposite gender, as tempting and difficult as it is!
As I said before, there is nothing wrong with "liking" someone, as long as it doesn't take priority in your life and is all you think and dream about!
*Ahem*
Objection!
Should this really be the norm?
Should Christian teens follow the world's example of relationships just because it is so common, so universally accepted without a second thought?
I think not, my friends.
I have somewhat gone over this issue in my post entitled, "Dating 101", but that was mainly on dating vs. courtships.
Today's post is a little different.
I have a feeling we've all been there at some point.
Ya meet a guy, think he's attractive, get all googly eyed, and write his name and yours in the margins of your science notebook with hearts all around it.
I am extremely ashamed to admit that yes... I've behaved in this foolish way.
"Ok, Savannah. You're just being wayyy too strict and judgmental and you have unrealistic expectations! You just don't understand! I can't help liking him (or her)!"
Ummm... sorry to burst your bubble, but ya you can control your emotions.
It may seem impossible but you can do it.
It just takes a lot of work, patience, and prayer.
Are "crushes" even Biblical?
A crush is known as an infatuation or attraction to someone of the opposite gender being taken to the extreme.
Sure, there is nothing wrong with being attracted to someone! I mean, you're going to court and marry someone at some point, so obviously you will have feelings for that person!
But there is a difference between that and an infatuation with a certain someone.
Infatuation: A dangerous emotional "disease" which involves being so attracted to someone that you become obsessed and almost addicted. They are all you think about and all you do is write their name everywhere, talk about them, dream about them, and even plan your future wedding (which most likely won't even happen).
----Definition from... well, me.
Been there, done that?
Ya... me too.
So now our goal is to not make that mistake, again.
Why is "infatuation" wrong?
1. It is making an idol of someone. Holding them up to a standard of perfection and even sometimes placing them above God.
Biblical evidence?
Check out the first commandment in Exodus 20:3, which says: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
By 'gods', the Lord doesn't just mean golden statues of deformed half-animal, half-man things.
He is referring to anything that you place before Him.
2. It takes over your life. At this time in your life, you don't need to constantly being thinking or worrying about guys. Being single is the one chance you have to completely set your focus on God! And also school, if you have that. ;-).
The last thing we, as teens, need to be doing is obsessing over some guy that's most likely not even worth your time!
3. It's just plain creepy. I mean, come on! What normal, sane human being wants someone constantly thinking about them and photoshopping their picture with their own to see if they make a good couple?! Personally, I would be a little freaked out...
It's getting late and I need a shower (ya I know... too much information), so I better wrap this post up.
The Bottom Line: Teens, God should be your main focus, not the opposite gender, as tempting and difficult as it is!
As I said before, there is nothing wrong with "liking" someone, as long as it doesn't take priority in your life and is all you think and dream about!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Dear Future Husband
From the title, I'm sure this post must seem to you like a personal one.
Well, it is...
I was inspired to write this, after reading someone else's letter to their future husband.
Check it out: thefulltimegirl.com
Being a overly sentimental romantic, these sorts of things are endearing to me and I hope that this letter will serve as an example to other young ladies that happen to read my blog.
So without further ado:
Dear Future Husband,
I don't know who you are, where you are at this time, what you look like, where you live, or who your family is. All of you and all about you is a mystery to me. While there is always the possibility that I know you, right now, or have met you in the past, you could be living a completely different life and I will never know you until I'm supposed to.
I pray for you every day. I pray that you are growing up in a loving, godly home. That you are keeping your heart "with all diligence". That you have a passion for the Lord and to serve Him your whole life. That you do your best and succeed in all that you do. That you sit in the pews of a fruitful church that has no shame in preaching and teaching the Word of God.
I'm waiting for you... waiting patiently to not give my heart away before the time comes. You will be my first (and only) boyfriend, and I know that will be appreciated. I look forward to spending time with you, learning your likes and dislikes, and finding out your favorite Bible verse. I cannot wait to experience all God has planned for our lives together and cannot wait until the day comes that we will be joined together as one.
I love you.
Savannah Leigh Alday
Well, it is...
I was inspired to write this, after reading someone else's letter to their future husband.
Check it out: thefulltimegirl.com
Being a overly sentimental romantic, these sorts of things are endearing to me and I hope that this letter will serve as an example to other young ladies that happen to read my blog.
So without further ado:
Dear Future Husband,
I don't know who you are, where you are at this time, what you look like, where you live, or who your family is. All of you and all about you is a mystery to me. While there is always the possibility that I know you, right now, or have met you in the past, you could be living a completely different life and I will never know you until I'm supposed to.
I pray for you every day. I pray that you are growing up in a loving, godly home. That you are keeping your heart "with all diligence". That you have a passion for the Lord and to serve Him your whole life. That you do your best and succeed in all that you do. That you sit in the pews of a fruitful church that has no shame in preaching and teaching the Word of God.
I'm waiting for you... waiting patiently to not give my heart away before the time comes. You will be my first (and only) boyfriend, and I know that will be appreciated. I look forward to spending time with you, learning your likes and dislikes, and finding out your favorite Bible verse. I cannot wait to experience all God has planned for our lives together and cannot wait until the day comes that we will be joined together as one.
I love you.
Savannah Leigh Alday
Monday, April 7, 2014
Savannah In Savannah--- Part One
Hey ya'll! :-)
Just checkin' in from Savannah, Georgia. Whoop Whoop!
It's about time I visit the city I was named after!
My oh my, do I love Savannah. I sound a bit like a narcissist, don't I? Ahem... I meant the city! I promise!
Any who... the weather is nasty, here. Unfortunately, it has to be pouring torrents of rain on my first visit. We are only staying till tomorrow afternoon, too!
It was quite an adventure.
It was about a 5 hour drive from our lovely little town in Florida to Historic Savannah. Meredith (my sister) and I watched old home videos almost the entire ride. 4 and a half long hours of watching me run around in a diaper (when I was little, of course.). Oh joy.
At long last, we arrived to our hotel, smack-dab next to a huge bridge going over the Savannah River. Which is very ironic because Mommy is scared TO DEATH of high bridges.
Once we unloaded the car and got to our hotel room (which was an adventure in itself), we drove on over to the Shrimp Factory Restaurant which provides fresh shrimp from the Savannah River! Delicious!
When we finished devouring the first meal we had all day, we walked down the street which has a bunch of little shops and cafes. (I just found out that the cobblestones on the street we walked on are two hundred years old! Wow!)
It was so weird seeing my name on almost every sign!
And on all the merchandise in every store...
Although, it was fairly gratifying to see people's reactions when my mom or sister said my name out loud.
"Savannah!"
*craning of necks as everyone turns to gawk at the crazy individual who would be stupid enough to visit a city with the same name as them*
There was one shop in particular that I couldn't just casually pass by...
Across from the shops we were at, was a boardwalk by the river, where tons of steamboats and tugboats passed by almost every two minutes!
A few minutes after the previous picture was taken the heavens were kind enough to release a deluge of heavy rain and wind when we were most ill prepared.
There we are, sprinting across the street to find shelter, our clothes soaking wet, our hair frizzing out, and our mascara dripping down our face.
We ended up hanging out in a cute little shop promoting all things Savannah, where Mommy bought this for me.
All in all it was a great day of getting lost, drenching wet, and cold!
Now that I'm able to sit and bed and finally drink my hot chocolate, I have nomore complaints to offer.
See ya'll, tomorrow, in "Savannah In Savannah--- Part Two"!
Just checkin' in from Savannah, Georgia. Whoop Whoop!
It's about time I visit the city I was named after!
My oh my, do I love Savannah. I sound a bit like a narcissist, don't I? Ahem... I meant the city! I promise!
Any who... the weather is nasty, here. Unfortunately, it has to be pouring torrents of rain on my first visit. We are only staying till tomorrow afternoon, too!
It was quite an adventure.
It was about a 5 hour drive from our lovely little town in Florida to Historic Savannah. Meredith (my sister) and I watched old home videos almost the entire ride. 4 and a half long hours of watching me run around in a diaper (when I was little, of course.). Oh joy.
At long last, we arrived to our hotel, smack-dab next to a huge bridge going over the Savannah River. Which is very ironic because Mommy is scared TO DEATH of high bridges.
Once we unloaded the car and got to our hotel room (which was an adventure in itself), we drove on over to the Shrimp Factory Restaurant which provides fresh shrimp from the Savannah River! Delicious!
When we finished devouring the first meal we had all day, we walked down the street which has a bunch of little shops and cafes. (I just found out that the cobblestones on the street we walked on are two hundred years old! Wow!)
It was so weird seeing my name on almost every sign!
And on all the merchandise in every store...
Although, it was fairly gratifying to see people's reactions when my mom or sister said my name out loud.
"Savannah!"
*craning of necks as everyone turns to gawk at the crazy individual who would be stupid enough to visit a city with the same name as them*
There was one shop in particular that I couldn't just casually pass by...
Across from the shops we were at, was a boardwalk by the river, where tons of steamboats and tugboats passed by almost every two minutes!
A few minutes after the previous picture was taken the heavens were kind enough to release a deluge of heavy rain and wind when we were most ill prepared.
There we are, sprinting across the street to find shelter, our clothes soaking wet, our hair frizzing out, and our mascara dripping down our face.
We ended up hanging out in a cute little shop promoting all things Savannah, where Mommy bought this for me.
All in all it was a great day of getting lost, drenching wet, and cold!
Now that I'm able to sit and bed and finally drink my hot chocolate, I have no
See ya'll, tomorrow, in "Savannah In Savannah--- Part Two"!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
How To Properly Pack a Suitcase
For those of you who haven't heard, I am going on a little trip to Georgia and South Carolina this next week.
I feel like a vacation is long overdue.
I was at a loss as to what to post, and knew that I most likely wouldn't post this entire next week, so I knew that I needed to write SOMETHING.
I was packing, last night, and a wonderful thought popped in my brain: Why not do a blog post on how to pack a suitcase?
Honestly, I have never been an extremely neat person, and my suitcases are usually so filled to the brim that I can barely zip it up.
The problem?
I over pack.
I am so scared that I'm not going to have enough of this or that, and I panic.
The result?
My poor suitcase turns into a bulging mountain of doom.
At long last I have discovered the secret to packingsomewhat efficiently!
How To Properly Pack A Suitcase:
1. Roll clothing items, tightly, to prevent wrinkles and give you more packing space.
2. Roll skirts and pants together to provide more space, if necessary.
I feel like a vacation is long overdue.
I was at a loss as to what to post, and knew that I most likely wouldn't post this entire next week, so I knew that I needed to write SOMETHING.
I was packing, last night, and a wonderful thought popped in my brain: Why not do a blog post on how to pack a suitcase?
Honestly, I have never been an extremely neat person, and my suitcases are usually so filled to the brim that I can barely zip it up.
The problem?
I over pack.
I am so scared that I'm not going to have enough of this or that, and I panic.
The result?
My poor suitcase turns into a bulging mountain of doom.
At long last I have discovered the secret to packing
How To Properly Pack A Suitcase:
1. Roll clothing items, tightly, to prevent wrinkles and give you more packing space.
2. Roll skirts and pants together to provide more space, if necessary.
3. Place light blouses, tanktops, and tees along the sides of the suitcase and the spaces in between clothes.
4. Sandals and flipflops can fit around the edges or wherever else you can find room.
I put my dressy closed toe shoes and heels in a separate pouch in my bag (I believe quite a few suitcases have this somewhere on the inside).
This is definitely an improvement from the last time I packed my suitcase!
5. You can drape light jackets or sweaters over the top.
6. Undergarments and/or accessories can go in the zippered sections of the front of the suitcase. You could also place them in shoes (in a Ziploc baggy, of course!).
7. Don't forget a cute travel mug and a pair of shades!
I deeply apologize for the pathetic quality of the pictures. I have no choice but to use my phone camera, thanks to my actual camera being dead and I lost the charger. (what else is new?)
Friday, April 4, 2014
How To Lighten Hair Naturally
My hair is a failure.
I think it wanted to be brown, but eventually the blonde strands won the long and arduous battle and show through my locks the most.
My hair just couldn't decide whether I would be a blonde or brunette and decided to be both.
The result: Blown (otherwise known as "dirty blonde", "honey blonde", or the un-preferred term "dishwater blonde".)
Because of the "darker on the top, lighter on the bottom" color, every spring or summer I like to lighten the roots a bit so it looks blonder all together.
How do I lighten it?
Magic!
Ha... ha... ha...
Uh. Just kidding, by the way.
Let's try this again.
How do I lighten my lovely tendrils of streaked unruliness?
Lemons!
Yes, my friends... this little yellow acidic wonder actually works!
And guess what?!
No dye is necessary. Therefore, no hair damage! Wahoo!
Another awesome aspect of it all, is that it also works on brunettes, red-heads, and black-heads (wait... umm.. nope, not what I meant.)!
Soooo how do you do it?
1. Squeeze the juice out of 1 (or 2, depending on how much you want lightened) fresh lemon(s).
2. Pour the juice into a spray bottle.
3. Spray generously all over damp hair.
4. *Optional* Comb the juice through your hair s/natural highlights.
Voila!
That's all there is to it!
Hopefully this will help ya'll prepare for summer the natural way! Yay for no chemicals! :-)
I think it wanted to be brown, but eventually the blonde strands won the long and arduous battle and show through my locks the most.
My hair just couldn't decide whether I would be a blonde or brunette and decided to be both.
The result: Blown (otherwise known as "dirty blonde", "honey blonde", or the un-preferred term "dishwater blonde".)
Because of the "darker on the top, lighter on the bottom" color, every spring or summer I like to lighten the roots a bit so it looks blonder all together.
How do I lighten it?
Magic!
Ha... ha... ha...
Uh. Just kidding, by the way.
Let's try this again.
How do I lighten my lovely tendrils of streaked unruliness?
Lemons!
Yes, my friends... this little yellow acidic wonder actually works!
And guess what?!
No dye is necessary. Therefore, no hair damage! Wahoo!
Another awesome aspect of it all, is that it also works on brunettes, red-heads, and black-heads (wait... umm.. nope, not what I meant.)!
Soooo how do you do it?
1. Squeeze the juice out of 1 (or 2, depending on how much you want lightened) fresh lemon(s).
2. Pour the juice into a spray bottle.
3. Spray generously all over damp hair.
4. *Optional* Comb the juice through your hair s/natural highlights.
Voila!
That's all there is to it!
Hopefully this will help ya'll prepare for summer the natural way! Yay for no chemicals! :-)
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
April Fools
A Happy April Fools Day to ya'll!
I typically forget to prank anyone on this day, for some reason.
I will be planning and preparing pranks all year round and then BOOM! April 1st has come and gone, without me doing a single prank.
I had told myself, yesterday, that "No! This year shall be different! I will be the Master of All Pranks and people will despise me for my audacity! I shall be prepared and strike when they least expect!"
Sadly, those bold words were all for naught.
April 1st is here... and I have not done a single prank (although I have a few planned later on this evening...).
No, no, no... this year, I have become the victim of a ruthless and despicable prank.
Who would play such a sick joke on me?
Dun Dun Dun
My parents!
*gasp*
It all began with a simple evening, doing school on the back porch, when suddenly, my sister and I heard an odd sound... sort of like a whip cracking.
Our parents were inside and we assumed they must not have heard the sound, so Meredith (my sister) darted in the house and started yelling, "Mommy! Mommy! We heard a weird sound!"
In short, Mommy and Dad came outside to "investigate" and the sound occured four other times in the next 15 minutes.
We began speculating as to what it could be...
"Maybe our crazy neighbors across the street are whipping their kids." Dad suggested.
Meredith was puzzled. "Isn't that illegal in Florida?"
"It sounded like a BB gun." I offered my ready wit as an aid.
"Who on earth would be shooting a BB gun this close to the house?" Mommy wondered.
So our conversation continued until we heard it again and we all began panicking.
I remember hearing Mommy and Dad yelling at us to get inside, immediately, and they both proceeded to lock the doors all over the house and turn on the alarm.
"What's going on?!" I was shaking and could feel the blood draining from my face.
Mommy was on the phone and talking to a 911 operator. What I gathered from her conversation was that other people had called in, complaining about a weird noise which sounded like a gun.
A few seconds passed and a few more words were exchanged before Mommy hung up.
"They said someone's on the loose." Her voice shook and Dad told us to stay with them in the living room.
Meredith and I curled up on the couch and begin praying and sobbing. I was starting to hyperventilate and thought I was going to faint.
Mommy walked over to the front window and looked out, as I screamed at her to get away from the window.
"Joel," She said to Dad in a frightened tone. "There's a SWAT team out front!"
"Are there any squad cars out there, with them?" Dad asked her, hopping up from the couch.
"Ya... quite a few, actually."
A few minutes passed and Meredith and I sat in paralyzing fear as our parents decided that Dad (since he works for the sheriff's office) should go outside and speak with the deputies to see what was going on.
I was screaming and crying as Dad turned the alarm off and went out the back garage door.
Several more minutes passed in silence and Dad came back.
"What did they say?" Mommy questioned him.
Dad refused to tell us what was going on. He was afraid he would scare us too badly.
"Dad, I would rather know what was going on than be left in the dark about it!" I said.
He sighed and proceeded to tell us that a man with a gun was on the loose and was shooting at the houses down our street.
Of course, we began to freak out, at this point.
"Turn the alarm back on!" I shouted. "Please!"
Dad did so, quickly, and headed back in the living room with us.
"My phone! I left my phone out by the pool!" I felt like I needed it- like I needed to be talking to someone.
"We can't get it, now! The officers said we had to stay inside the house until they say it's all clear." Dad ordered.
"I'll go get it." Mommy volunteered.
"No way." I said. "My phone is not worth you getting shot!"
"I'll be fine." She replied. "I'll be in and out in no time!"
Against my pleas of concern, she walked out, anyways.
About four seconds passed and we heard a scream.
Mommy burst back into the house and fell on the floor, sobbing and yelling out, "There's someone out there! Someone was trying to get in the gate! He had a gun!"
She continued crying on the floor as Meredith and I started screaming.
I thought this was the end.
We were going to die.
My worst nightmare was about to come true.
I curl up into a ball and sob.
Suddenly, I feel someone come up to me.
It was Mommy... and she wasn't crying.
"April Fool!"
10 Minutes Later
"I can't believe you guys did this! That was awful! I will never forgive you! I was going to pass out!"
My cruel parents spent quite a long time trying to calm me down after our little escapade...
But I'm fine, now.
Alls well that ends well! I mean... come on. They were just having some fun!
Tonight they will find saran wrap on their toilet seats and snakes in their bed.
Author's Note: All events and happenings in this blog post are 100% accurate. Yes... even the saran wrap part.
I typically forget to prank anyone on this day, for some reason.
I will be planning and preparing pranks all year round and then BOOM! April 1st has come and gone, without me doing a single prank.
I had told myself, yesterday, that "No! This year shall be different! I will be the Master of All Pranks and people will despise me for my audacity! I shall be prepared and strike when they least expect!"
Sadly, those bold words were all for naught.
April 1st is here... and I have not done a single prank (although I have a few planned later on this evening...).
No, no, no... this year, I have become the victim of a ruthless and despicable prank.
Who would play such a sick joke on me?
Dun Dun Dun
My parents!
*gasp*
It all began with a simple evening, doing school on the back porch, when suddenly, my sister and I heard an odd sound... sort of like a whip cracking.
Our parents were inside and we assumed they must not have heard the sound, so Meredith (my sister) darted in the house and started yelling, "Mommy! Mommy! We heard a weird sound!"
In short, Mommy and Dad came outside to "investigate" and the sound occured four other times in the next 15 minutes.
We began speculating as to what it could be...
"Maybe our crazy neighbors across the street are whipping their kids." Dad suggested.
Meredith was puzzled. "Isn't that illegal in Florida?"
"It sounded like a BB gun." I offered my ready wit as an aid.
"Who on earth would be shooting a BB gun this close to the house?" Mommy wondered.
So our conversation continued until we heard it again and we all began panicking.
I remember hearing Mommy and Dad yelling at us to get inside, immediately, and they both proceeded to lock the doors all over the house and turn on the alarm.
"What's going on?!" I was shaking and could feel the blood draining from my face.
Mommy was on the phone and talking to a 911 operator. What I gathered from her conversation was that other people had called in, complaining about a weird noise which sounded like a gun.
A few seconds passed and a few more words were exchanged before Mommy hung up.
"They said someone's on the loose." Her voice shook and Dad told us to stay with them in the living room.
Meredith and I curled up on the couch and begin praying and sobbing. I was starting to hyperventilate and thought I was going to faint.
Mommy walked over to the front window and looked out, as I screamed at her to get away from the window.
"Joel," She said to Dad in a frightened tone. "There's a SWAT team out front!"
"Are there any squad cars out there, with them?" Dad asked her, hopping up from the couch.
"Ya... quite a few, actually."
A few minutes passed and Meredith and I sat in paralyzing fear as our parents decided that Dad (since he works for the sheriff's office) should go outside and speak with the deputies to see what was going on.
I was screaming and crying as Dad turned the alarm off and went out the back garage door.
Several more minutes passed in silence and Dad came back.
"What did they say?" Mommy questioned him.
Dad refused to tell us what was going on. He was afraid he would scare us too badly.
"Dad, I would rather know what was going on than be left in the dark about it!" I said.
He sighed and proceeded to tell us that a man with a gun was on the loose and was shooting at the houses down our street.
Of course, we began to freak out, at this point.
"Turn the alarm back on!" I shouted. "Please!"
Dad did so, quickly, and headed back in the living room with us.
"My phone! I left my phone out by the pool!" I felt like I needed it- like I needed to be talking to someone.
"We can't get it, now! The officers said we had to stay inside the house until they say it's all clear." Dad ordered.
"I'll go get it." Mommy volunteered.
"No way." I said. "My phone is not worth you getting shot!"
"I'll be fine." She replied. "I'll be in and out in no time!"
Against my pleas of concern, she walked out, anyways.
About four seconds passed and we heard a scream.
Mommy burst back into the house and fell on the floor, sobbing and yelling out, "There's someone out there! Someone was trying to get in the gate! He had a gun!"
She continued crying on the floor as Meredith and I started screaming.
I thought this was the end.
We were going to die.
My worst nightmare was about to come true.
I curl up into a ball and sob.
Suddenly, I feel someone come up to me.
It was Mommy... and she wasn't crying.
"April Fool!"
10 Minutes Later
"I can't believe you guys did this! That was awful! I will never forgive you! I was going to pass out!"
My cruel parents spent quite a long time trying to calm me down after our little escapade...
But I'm fine, now.
Alls well that ends well! I mean... come on. They were just having some fun!
Author's Note: All events and happenings in this blog post are 100% accurate. Yes... even the saran wrap part.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Products I Would Buy Again
There are very few products I actually like.
I have quite a nasty habit of returning items I bought to the store within the next day. :/
Since I am so very picky inall things this area, I thought I would share with ya'll the products I would buy again!
I have quite a nasty habit of returning items I bought to the store within the next day. :/
Since I am so very picky in
Sweet Peony Dream Shiny Hair Glossing Mist
My, oh my... is this stuff great or what! I always use it after styling my hair and it seals in the shine, causing it to look extra smooth and bright! Another plus side, is that it smells amazing!
Almay Smart Shade CC Cream
For those of you makeup-wearers, this little package is a wonder! Of course there are down-sides to it (isn't there with any makeup product?), but I would say the pros out-weigh the cons. I LOVE the light-weight, natural feel and look. It doesn't look like a mask and blends in well. This CC (complexion corrector) cream lasts fairly long without oxidizing or caking and doesn't have any orange-ish tints to it. The only negative aspects of it, is that it is rather greasy at application, but if you let it set for about 10 minutes, it's good to go! Another feature that bothered me is the minimal coverage. While that is good for some with flawless skin, it wasn't good enough for me. The solution I've come to, is to wear concealer underneath and a little bit of powder on top to combat extra oil and finish the look. Overall, this is an awesome product that I would purchase again!
Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (50 pack)
I cannot rave enough about these oil pads! They are the perfect fix if you notice your face or makeup is becoming a little oil and don't want to pack on the powder or re-do your makeup all over again! They absorb oil quickly and without any hassle. They are also small enough to fit in a pocket (and of course a purse!). These oil pads even absorb the oil without taking off any of your makeup. What a blessing...
I had bought the E.L.F. oil absorbing sheets from Target the other day, thinking they were a great buy (only a dollar for 50 sheets!). Come to find out, they work perfectly... besides the fact that some of your makeup comes off with the oil. I didn't have that problem at all with the Clean and Clear sheets.
It's getting late, here, and I have to wake up at a fairly decent hour, tomorrow, so I should probably wrap this post up.
It had a bit of a different twist, today, but I hoped ya'll liked it and maybe you will try these three recommended products out!
I might even do a Part Two if I get enough positive feedback about this post! ;)
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Beauty and the Bible
This post is a bit of a serious one.
I decided to share with ya'll a short(ish) essay, that I wrote for school.
It is a subject that I feel strongly about and I believe is an issue that certainly needs to be addressed, in our culture, today.
I hope you enjoy and I would love to read your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! :-)
I decided to share with ya'll a short(ish) essay, that I wrote for school.
It is a subject that I feel strongly about and I believe is an issue that certainly needs to be addressed, in our culture, today.
I hope you enjoy and I would love to read your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! :-)
Where should we look
for our standard of beauty and appearance?
In this day and
age, airbrushed models grace the covers of our magazines and posters in
department stores. What use are these unrealistic, photo-shopped women, besides
causing females of various ages, to feel insecure and ugly unless they are
perfectly flawless as the media portrays those of “true worth” to be? It is no
different with the men of today- for women to even give them a second glance,
they must dress in the latest fashion, have their hair styled a certain way,
listen to a specific kind of music, have a muscular physique, the list goes on
and on. If men and women do not live up to these standards, then what are they
known as? Nerds, geeks, losers, ugly, fat, awkward.
Our culture looks
down their noses at the flawed and fail to realize that no one looks perfect,
no matter how much makeup they have applied, how fashionable their clothes are,
or the fact that they wear a size zero! Most beauty, today, is artificial and
unnatural. Why would we want to model the way we look, dress, or act, after the
skewed idealisms of Hollywood? True beauty is from the inside, no matter how
ridiculous or over-rated it may sound. I personally would not want to court or
marry a young man who is arrogant or a flirt, no matter how attractive and
charming he is. He might be someone outwardly catching to the eye, but once his
true personality is revealed, he would be utterly repulsive to me.
Our
outward beauty should not be based off of the media, although that gives us no
excuse to neglect personal hygiene or to attempt to look decent (at least in public).
Our standard of beauty should come from God’s Word. We should take care of
ourselves physically because “our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own” (1 Cor.
6:19); but personal grooming should not control the way we think or act.
Getting ready for an event should not consume us, and we should not constantly
be checking our reflection in the mirror.
Of course, there is also the danger of
becoming conceited about the way we look- believing we are the most attractive
creature to ever roam the earth, and oh so humble, as well!
We should focus more on our inward
beauty than we ever do on the outward aspect. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Whose
adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price.”
What is the use of trying so hard
to be beautiful or handsome, when we are all going to age and then die,
eventually? Why put all those hours of work and money into a body that’s
eventually going to waste away to nothing, since only our heart and actions can
mature and change for the better, growing more lovely day after day?
“..though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)
Why don’t we take as much time as
we take to get ready for church, to read our Bible? Why don’t we pray longer
than we take a shower? Why don’t we focus on our spiritual beauty more than our
outward attractiveness?
“Favour is deceitful,
and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth
the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Three Reasons I Love My Youth Group
Hello dear readers- you, lovely individuals who browse my blog without clicking the little red 'x' in the corner of your computer screen!
I believe all ya'll deserve a little update.
It has been long.
Far too long.
I apologize for the delay. Several hospital visits, various illnesses, a College Days trip to Heartland Baptist Bible College in OK, and a never-ending load of school work tend to pile up a bit.
Now, without further ado, I present:
Three Reasons I Love My Youth Group
1. Our Multiple Inside Jokes- 127, one gender, "I need to visit Mrs. Murphy!", "You have pretty eyes.", Unforgettable... I love them all! And no. I shall never betray my friends by posting the scarring meanings on social media.
2. Our Discussion/Debates- Only a group like ours can discuss topics such as the Bible, marriage, and college without it ever getting immature, awkward, or boring. As for our debates... "Is coffee a stimulant?", is an ongoing issue.
3. Our Guys- Our youth group has the hottest, trendiest guys in the universe! They are perfect in every way and I love them all! I should know, 'cuz I've dated every one of them!
Whoa, whoa, whoa... stop the train! Not what you were expecting, huh? Well, that's probably a good thing, in regards to my personality and reputation.
Now, by saying I love the guys in my youth group, I am saying that I love their gentlemanly behavior, I love their respect for females, adults, and authorities, I love their humour that is sarcastic but never rude and hurtful, I love their passion for the Lord, I love their ability to put up with my weirdness and general absurdity. I love not having to deal with dating relationship in our youth group, and the annoying "I like you"s, and the kissing and cuddling, and downright trash half of the churches in America are promoting in their youth, nowadays! Thank you, Lord, for wonderful, God-fearing, guys!
This post was a little shorter, but I hope you enjoyed it!
Sometime, this month, I might give ya'll a few excerpts from my youth group's 40 something hour drive from Florida to Oklahoma, how we managed without killing each other, and the experiences in between, as well as a few new blog posts to look forward to!
In summary, I am so greatful to have a godly youth group and friends that encourage and help each other in the Lord, day after day! :-)
Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
I believe all ya'll deserve a little update.
It has been long.
Far too long.
I apologize for the delay. Several hospital visits, various illnesses, a College Days trip to Heartland Baptist Bible College in OK, and a never-ending load of school work tend to pile up a bit.
Now, without further ado, I present:
Three Reasons I Love My Youth Group
1. Our Multiple Inside Jokes- 127, one gender, "I need to visit Mrs. Murphy!", "You have pretty eyes.", Unforgettable... I love them all! And no. I shall never betray my friends by posting the scarring meanings on social media.
2. Our Discussion/Debates- Only a group like ours can discuss topics such as the Bible, marriage, and college without it ever getting immature, awkward, or boring. As for our debates... "Is coffee a stimulant?", is an ongoing issue.
3. Our Guys- Our youth group has the hottest, trendiest guys in the universe! They are perfect in every way and I love them all! I should know, 'cuz I've dated every one of them!
Whoa, whoa, whoa... stop the train! Not what you were expecting, huh? Well, that's probably a good thing, in regards to my personality and reputation.
Now, by saying I love the guys in my youth group, I am saying that I love their gentlemanly behavior, I love their respect for females, adults, and authorities, I love their humour that is sarcastic but never rude and hurtful, I love their passion for the Lord, I love their ability to put up with my weirdness and general absurdity. I love not having to deal with dating relationship in our youth group, and the annoying "I like you"s, and the kissing and cuddling, and downright trash half of the churches in America are promoting in their youth, nowadays! Thank you, Lord, for wonderful, God-fearing, guys!
This post was a little shorter, but I hope you enjoyed it!
Sometime, this month, I might give ya'll a few excerpts from my youth group's 40 something hour drive from Florida to Oklahoma, how we managed without killing each other, and the experiences in between, as well as a few new blog posts to look forward to!
In summary, I am so greatful to have a godly youth group and friends that encourage and help each other in the Lord, day after day! :-)
Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
Those of you who know me, most likely know of my *cough cough* border-line obsession with anything "Sherlock Holmes".
I love practically every version of the fictional detective from the brilliant Basil Rathbone to the masterful Benedict Cumberbatch (well, besides the Robert Downey Jr. movies. I hated those.).
221B Baker Street is familiar territory to me.
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce
Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman ("modern" adaption TV show)
So, Savannah, why on earth are you so obsessed with a fictional character?
First off, I do not like calling it an "obsession".
I prefer the terms, "fondness" or "fascination".
What's so wonderful about this Sherlock guy, anyways?
1. He's a detective- I have always loved detective stories, murder mysteries, and the like, so the Holmes series has always appealed to me because of the genre.
2. He is still extremely popular, with many devoted fans from 1878 to present day- The stories and the character are timeless. The world just can't get enough of Sherlock.
3. He's not your average sleuth- Sherlock is a consulting detective. "The only one in the world." Scotland Yard consults him, when they are out of their league in a case, which is almost always. He also takes clients, who go to him when they need help with some rather unusual cases.
4. Not all of the Holmes cases involve murder- There are many stories, where murder or a death is not even mentioned. The Sherlock Holmes canon has very unique cases, that involve anything from ciphers to hidden passageways.
5. The Science of Deduction- This long-term fascination with the consulting detective, mostly has to do with his amazing deduction skills. He can tell a person's past and present, just by a single glance. He is the most observant man in the world (though fictional).
What exactly is "deduction"?
The dictionary defines the term as:
"Logic- a. The process of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises; inference by reasoning from the general to the specific.
I love practically every version of the fictional detective from the brilliant Basil Rathbone to the masterful Benedict Cumberbatch (well, besides the Robert Downey Jr. movies. I hated those.).
221B Baker Street is familiar territory to me.
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce
Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman ("modern" adaption TV show)
So, Savannah, why on earth are you so obsessed with a fictional character?
First off, I do not like calling it an "obsession".
I prefer the terms, "fondness" or "fascination".
What's so wonderful about this Sherlock guy, anyways?
1. He's a detective- I have always loved detective stories, murder mysteries, and the like, so the Holmes series has always appealed to me because of the genre.
2. He is still extremely popular, with many devoted fans from 1878 to present day- The stories and the character are timeless. The world just can't get enough of Sherlock.
3. He's not your average sleuth- Sherlock is a consulting detective. "The only one in the world." Scotland Yard consults him, when they are out of their league in a case, which is almost always. He also takes clients, who go to him when they need help with some rather unusual cases.
4. Not all of the Holmes cases involve murder- There are many stories, where murder or a death is not even mentioned. The Sherlock Holmes canon has very unique cases, that involve anything from ciphers to hidden passageways.
5. The Science of Deduction- This long-term fascination with the consulting detective, mostly has to do with his amazing deduction skills. He can tell a person's past and present, just by a single glance. He is the most observant man in the world (though fictional).
What exactly is "deduction"?
The dictionary defines the term as:
"Logic- a. The process of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises; inference by reasoning from the general to the specific.
b. A conclusion reached by this process."
Sherlock uses this method to solve the many crimes that come his way.
"Let me run over the principal steps. We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind, which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations."
Sherlock Holmes
-The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
Basically, the steps of Sherlock Holmes' deductive reasoning are:
1. Begin with an open mind- draw no conclusions about a situation or individual until all data is received. Do not let a "hypothesis" become your "theory". It can affect your over all conclusion.
2. Observe- even the seemingly insignificant details count!
3. Draw a theory from what you see- this is when you put all off your facts and observations together, without an unbiased mind.
4. Narrow it down to reach a conclusion - "Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth." (Sherlock Holmes, "The Sign of the Four")
EXAMPLE: You meet a young man for the first time, and you observe that he has a gold band on his left ring finger. That must means he is married. He looks to be about in his mid-twenties, so he is old enough to have a wife, and the obvious fact of the ring proves your theory.
EXAMPLE: You meet a young man for the first time, and you observe that he has a gold band on his left ring finger. That must means he is married. He looks to be about in his mid-twenties, so he is old enough to have a wife, and the obvious fact of the ring proves your theory.
The above example was an extremely simple one, just to help you further understand the method of observation and deduction, but it is also proof that we perform deductions, subconsciously, without even thinking about it!
If you see a ring, on an individual's left ring finger, which is where a wedding ring is meant to be worn, and that person looks to be a proper age to be married, than you instantly assume they are married.
Of course, a significant amount of study and work, goes into deducing and observing at Holmesian level, and is practically impossible, unless you devote your lifetime to those methods.
So, to wrap this post up, Sherlock Holmes has always been one of my favorite fictional characters, as I have read the entire canon 2-3 times, and have watched almost every version of the timeless consulting detective.
Obviously, I didn't go into the "deductive reasoning" methods, too far, because this post really isn't supposed to be focused on that, and there are a lot of significant things, I left out in my shortened, watered-down explanation.
If you would like to read more about observation and deduction, preferably based of Sherlock Holmes, I would suggest the book, "How to Think Like Sherlock" by Daniel Smith.
It dives into the methodology of the detective a bit more deeply, and is a very interesting read!
Fellow Sherlockians, share this post, and reply in the comments below!
Even if you're not a Sherlockian, you're welcome to comment, anyways. :P
Thanks for reading!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Why I Hate Painting My Nails
It is a truth universally acknowledged that...
Girls should paint their nails.
Ok, who comes up with this stuff?
Painting nails intimidates me.
You see all these articulate, complicated paint jobs of cuteness...
And then, I decide to paint mine:
FAIL
Reasons Why I Hate Painting My Nails:
1. I'm too lazy
2. I don't think anyone's weird enough to inspect my nails.
3. If I paint them, they will most likely end up looking way worse than my natural nails.
4. The process of drying the nail polish takes about 20 minutes.
5. Your nails can't touch anything somewhat solid for the next 24 hours after painting them, or a part will wear off or smudge.
Girls should paint their nails.
Ok, who comes up with this stuff?
Painting nails intimidates me.
You see all these articulate, complicated paint jobs of cuteness...
And then, I decide to paint mine:
FAIL
Reasons Why I Hate Painting My Nails:
1. I'm too lazy
2. I don't think anyone's weird enough to inspect my nails.
3. If I paint them, they will most likely end up looking way worse than my natural nails.
4. The process of drying the nail polish takes about 20 minutes.
5. Your nails can't touch anything somewhat solid for the next 24 hours after painting them, or a part will wear off or smudge.
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