Introducing...

www.stayathomedaughters.com

Be prepared for the launch...

of the new Stay at Home Daughters!
Monday, October 20th, 2008.

A survey for Homeschooled girls ages 17-32!

Taken from LadiesAgainstFeminism.com:

Click here for the survey.
Last fall Tricia M. interviewed over 500 public-schooled girls in her hometown about their life and career choices. She hopes to get at least that many responses from homeschooled girls in order to compare the results. This survey should only take two minutes. Please send this on to your friends, and thank you for your time! [Note that you can also share this survey with friends through Facebook. Pass the word!]

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We're still working on the new Stay at Home Daughters, but in the meantime I wanted to pass this along to our readers!

Surprise!

Hello faithful readers! Just wanted to let you know that we haven't forgotten about you! Actually, quite the contrary. We're in the process of redesigning and reconfiguring the entire site premise, so hang tight! It's sure to be a change for the better. ;)

Tuesday Talks: A Maiden In Waiting

Today is Tuesday Talks here at Stay-At-Home Daughters.



I am reviewing "A Maiden In Waiting", compiled by Crystal Paine.



This booklet is really good. Basically, it is filled with articles and testimonies from young women just like us, sharing what they are learning in their single years about contentment.

Some of the articles include:
"Trust and Obey" by Genevieve Smith (now Genenvieve Smith De Deugd)
"Her Price is Far Above Rubies" by Annie Kolb
"Service: The Key to Contentment" by Sarah Race
"Wait on the Lord" by Victoria Lind
and several more!

I really enjoyed reading this. I know you will too!

We would love to read your reviews! Leave your link below and don't forget to comment! :)

God bless,
~*~Courtney~*~

Wise Insights from a Fellow Stay-at-Home Daughter

With all the hullaballoo about the new vice presidential candidate, stay-at-home daughter Jasmine Baucham shares "Ten Reasons why I Don't Want to Be VP."

I thought you would be delighted and encouraged by this post, so I'm linking you to it!

Here's reason number 9 in Jasmine's post, just to get you interested,

As a woman who hopes someday to be a wife and mother, I want to give my household 100%; not 80% for the nation, 20% for my household; not 50% for the nation, 50% for my household; not 90% for my household and 10% for the nation; I want to give everything I can to the home I have been called by God Almighty to guard (Titus 2:3-5), to the family He may make me the mother of.

While on the issue of Sarah Palin, these are very much worth reading, from some of my very favorite bloggers.

"Woe to My people..."

McCain's Biblically Unqualified VP Pick a "Feminist for Life"

Wake Up and Smell the Manipulation

Reader Question

Bethany T. writes:

Hi, I had a question for you guys. If you could give me some insight, I would really appreciate it. I am the only SAHD in my church. How might I balance keeping my beliefs and opinions to myself to not offend, and being honest and giving folks a different perspective outside of the college/career path? I don't know what sort of sympathies you have in your church, but any insight you might have would be helpful. Thanks, Bethany T.

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatlyshaken. Psalm 62:2

I'm going to share a little bit of encouragement for Bethany, then I'd like our readers to chime in with whatever they feel appropriate!

First of all, Bethany, I know just how you feel. There are quite a few stay-at-home daughters in my church, but I know many others who are not at all understanding about my current position. When you are living your life to the glory of God, you are going to have people look at you funny now and then. If not, then you are doing something wrong. I take comfort in that daily!

Don't worry about offending others. Live your life the way the Lord leads you! As long as you are displaying a gentle and quiet spirit, the Lord will take care of the hearts those around you in his perfect will. When asked about your situation, or your convictions, explain in the politest way possible, answering every question with as much insight as you think will best benefit the inquirer. Don't get into a confrontation - if someone is getting pushy or trying to sway you, let your father (or mother) handle it. Most of the time, this will not happen. I usually have people get very quiet or try to change the subject.

Simply modeling a biblical worldview and a gentle and quiet spirit will show others that you are different from the average college aged girl. Most people who ask will have a genuine interest in your beliefs and why you do what you do - even if they are not likeminded.

Trust the Lord, Bethany, model your beliefs in your behavior and answer other's questions politely. Don't be afraid to offend others. Let them be offended if they wish - you're not telling them what they have to do with their life, you're simply living as the Lord leads you.

I hope this answers your question! If you have any extra, or more specific questions feel free to comment! Readers, please chime in with your thoughts on this matter, I'm sure you can be much more eloquent and helpful than I can!

Tuesday Talks: Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills

Hi everybody! Sorry we've been MIA lately, we've been very busy and struggling with internet issues. Today I'm reviewing a wonderful book, "Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills."
It's not really a book you would sit and read straight through, it's a resource. Have you ever heard of a "Homemaking Journal" or "Homekeeping Notebook?" My mother researched it once and was going to build one to keep track of everything that she needed to get done in the home, but she never found the time to do so. It's understandable, especially since she's running a home with six children, four dogs, a garden and a cat!

Well, voila! The Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills comes to the rescue! This is laid out very similarly to a homemaking journal - only better! The Treasury of Homemaking skills has so many more housewifely things listed and organized in it that I would never have thought of!

For example, here's the table of contents:

Homekeeping

Cleaning

Scrubbing

Bedding and Linens

Laundry

Ironing

Hospitality

The Hostess

Preparing Hearth and Home

The Fare

Our Merry Guests

Home Duties

Reflections

Daily Duties

Duty Ever at Hand

Children's Duty to Parents

Snippets and Clippings

First Aid in the Home

Medicinal Cupboard

Emergency Care

Burns and Wounds

Home Remedies

Family Medical History

Resources

Gardening

Garden Basics

Vegetable Gardens

Herbs

Planting Records

Garden Sketches

Old-Fashioned Flowers

Harvest Bounty

Resources

Cooking and Baking

Meal Times

The Pantry

Kitchen Tools

In the Kitchen

Well-Planned Menus

Measuring

Butcher, Baker, and Homemaker

Family Recipes

Reserves for the Family

Preparing for Emergency

Home Canning

Dehydration

Freezing

Recipes for Preserving

Reserve Records and Recipes

Handiwork

Sewing Basket

Basic Skills

Embroidery

Tatting

Stitching Projects

Quilting

Crocheting

Knitting

Patterns

Business of the Home

Simple Home Repairs

Documents and Necessary Papers

Home Inventory

Frugality

Family Records

Sacred Union

Genealogies

Births

Marriages

Deaths

Family Crest

Family Creed

Mementos

There are blank pages, blank schedules, and blank lines for you to fill in to help organize your homekeeping. And, all the pages are decorated with lovely little vintage illustrations. It's just adorable!

Here's the description on the back of the book:

Reminiscent of the old-timey home journals kept by homekeepers of the past, this treasury is to be passed from mother to daughter. This will be a treasured album of homekeeping skills, something fast becoming a lost art in our day. Filled with inspiration for the homekeeper, with plenty of room to paste snippets and clippings and to journal in your own handwriting, keeping the way "Mother always did it" from becoming forgotten in this ever-changing world.

I have a copy of this book in my hope chest, and my mother has a copy as well. It's very helpful and I highly recommend it. You can purchase it from our Amazon Astore (in the sidebar).

Do you have a review you'd like to share? Leave your link below!

Tuesday Talks: Raising Maidens of Virtue

I hope you are having a great Tuesday! Today I'm reviewing "Raising Maidens of Virtue" by Stacy McDonald.

Here is the description from the book's website:

More than a fill-in-the-blank Bible study, Raising Maidens of Virtue is an engaging tool for mothers to use in training daughters who are approaching womanhood to think biblically. Through stories, conversational teachings, illustrations, and memory-making projects, Raising Maidens of Virtue covers topics such as guarding the tongue, idleness, sibling relationships, honoring parents, contentment, modesty, purity, cleanliness, and feminine biblical beauty.

This is an excellent resource and very encouraging! It's excellent for mothers and daughters to work through, or older daughters and younger sisters, or just for a daughter or mother to read on their own. I've used it when giving a devotion to a group of young girls - each chapter can stand on it's own, but the whole book is designed to work together to encourage feminine loveliness. I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorite books!

You can purchase it from Vision Forum, or our Astore in the sidebar.

Do you have a review to share? Post your link below!

Bloggy Giveaway Winner!!

The winner of our vintage pattern is...

Mama Hill

Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered, we've enjoyed participating in the summer Bloggy Giveaway carnival!!

Tuesday Talks: Fuji FinePix A805

Good morning on this beautiful Tuesday! I hope all of you have had a wonderful week so far.



Today I am reviewing the Fuji FinePix A805 camera. This is a just a regular point-and-shoot camera, easy enough to use for the beginner, yet with enough features/mega pixels for photography students as well.

The price is great, especially for the quality of the pictures that it takes. Here are a few examples:







Featuring a high-quality LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, you can easily compose your picture. I have had a lot of fun taking pictures with this camera.

This camera does not have a view finder, so every shot is composed with the screen. I am a glasses wearer, and having the screen versus a view finder was a definite plus for me.

At 8.3 megapixels, this camera has a very high resolution, that is high enough to sell your pictures online if this is something you are interested in.

I would definitely recommend this camera if you are looking for a good point-and-shoot! :)

Do you have a review to share? Leave your link below!



Happy Tuesday!
~*~Courtney~*~

It's a Bloggy Giveaway!!

Thanks for all your entries! The comments are now closed. To see the winner, click on the header to refresh the blog!!

It's giveaway time again, and we at Stay-at-Home Daughters can't resist an opportunity to offer a fabulous prize to our readers! This time we are giving away a vintage 1950's dress pattern!

This is a never been used, pattern from the 1950's, with all the pieces! Perfect for making a gorgeous 50's dress to prance around the house in, complete with high heels and pearls of course!

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with a valid email address. Duplicate comments will be deleted. On Friday, Aug. 1st we'll choose a winner using a random number generator. If the winner does not respond within three days, an alternate winner will be chosen. Good luck!

The pattern is in a size "18", which in the 1950's means:

• Bust - 38 in.
• Waist - 30in.
• Hip - 40in.
• Back length (neck base to waist) - 16 3/4 in.
• Finished back length of dress - 44 1/2 in.
  

For more great bloggy giveaways, visit bloggygiveaways.com.

Happy sewing!!

This Is Our Father's World

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks



and trees,



of skies



and seas;



His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,



declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;



He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,



And earth and Heav'n be one.

This is my Father's world, dreaming, I see His face.
I open my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, "The Lord is in this place."



This is my Father's world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son, Came a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father's world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King let the heavens ring. God reigns let the earth be glad.

This is my Father's world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.



This is my Father's world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.

This is my Father's world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate'er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

The Hand that Rocks the cradle...

If you're like me, you'll be inspired by this post.

Tuesday Talks: The Reverse Edition #2

Hello to all of you on this beautiful Tuesday! I hope your day is going beautifully!


Today is a very special Tuesday Talks! You get to ask about a book, movie, or music that you would like to know more about, and others can come by your blog and give their opinion!

I am wondering if any of you know of a good book on cake decorating. I am a very visual person, so I am looking for good illustrations/pictures. Cake decorating is something that I have played around with now for a few years, and I am ready to take it to the next level. I would love to hear your suggestions! :)

Now, it's your turn! Help us make "Tuesday Talks" a success!! Leave your link below!

~*~Courtney~*~

Scheduling

A wonderful way for a stay-at-home daughter to serve her family is to create and maintain the family schedule! This week I surveyed everyone in my home about what they wanted to get accomplished during the week and compiled a list.

Following the example in the Maxwell's book, "Managers of Their Homes," I gave everyone a color and built a master schedule, from 6:00am, through the entire day until 11:00pm. Listing mine, and all the children's school hours, piano practice, chores, reading, and free time.


Scheduling really makes all the difference in our house. When we have nothing to govern our day by, the children are wild and unproductive, often resulting in punishment. When we have the schedule, they are productive and self-disciplined. They can't wait to rush to the schedule to see what they are supposed to be doing.


We re-do the schedule every few months to keep things new and interesting. It's like getting new school supplies, you'd be amazed at how enthusiastic a child can get about getting his or her work done efficiently!


Of course, we don't always get everything done, and there is a lot of room for flexibility. If Nana calls and asks us to meet her for lunch, we are free to do it - especially if everyone has gotten their things done up until that point. It's truly a blessing, and a wonderful thing for a stay-at-home daughter to work on for her mother, also very good practice for when she is a wife and mother herself!


I'd love to hear about your schedule or scheduling plans, please leave a comment!

God Bless,
Flibby

Tuesday Talks: Bible Commentary

Good Morning! Today I'm reviewing my favorite Bible study tool, Matthew Henry's commentary of the whole Bible.

Matthew Henry wrote his commentary in the 1700's, yet it is very easy to understand and really brings whatever I'm reading in God's Word to a whole new light. I've discovered so many things that I never saw before - even in the passages of scripture I've read countless times.

I recieved my Matthew Henry Commentary (in six volumes) for a graduation gift from my church. My pastor highly recommends them as well as many members of our church.

You can purchase this commentary anywhere, and you can even read the whole thing online!

It's perfect for furthering your Bible study!

I'd love to hear about your Bible study/quiet time tools and routines, please leave a comment!

Do you have a review you'd like to share? Leave your link below!

Rules and information on Tuesday Talks can be found in the sidebar.

Violin Practice

One of my favorite things to do is practice my violin. It has only been two years since I received it, but it feels like forever for me.

When I was four, I heard someone playing the violin at a homeschool day that we attended. I loved the sound of it, and decided that I would like to play the violin as my choice of an instrument.

A few years later, Mom and Dad put me into piano. I took piano for 5 years, and then I began self-teaching myself the rest of what I needed to know (I am still learning ;) ).

We began looking at violins, to see what the price ranges were. They were way over budget for me! I began to pray about it, and we found one very low-priced on the internet. I was thrilled! I can remember checking to see when it would arrive every day on the shipping tracker online.

When it arrived, I actually cried. I could not believe God had seen fit to give me one.....

Now, I am learning to play, teaching myself. It is going slower than it would if I had a teacher, but I am not screeching as much, so I suppose I am improving! :)

I thought I would share a few pictures from today's practice:













With God, anything is possible. I had only dreamed of this, but how much more God wants to give us if we just ask!

Wishing you a lovely day!

~*~Courtney~*~

Tuesday Talks: The Peasall Sisters- Family Harmony

Hi Everyone! I hope that this Tuesday finds you well!



I am reviewing: The Peasall Sisters- Family Harmony, by Franklin Springs.




This wonderful documentary tells about the Peasall Sisters and their family working together in perfect harmony.

You can watch the trailer here.

The three girls, Sarah, Hannah, and Leah Peasall, sing and play instruments together. Sarah plays guitar, Hannah plays mandolin, and Leah plays the fiddle. They have put out two albums, "First Offerings" and their newest, "Home To You".

The DVD includes the documentary and a full concert, plus, there is a unreleased studio track too.

My family loved this DVD! I know your family will love it too.

Please leave your link below!

Rules and information on Tuesday Talks can be found in the sidebar.

~*~Courtney~*~

Guest Post: "Of God's Grace and Words"

Submitted by Meghan G.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” goes the old and untrue saying. Words are very powerful things no matter how they are used. They can sway opinions, encourage, hurt and influence whether in writing or spoken. Hurtful words are almost indelible; they hurt so much and if more hurtful words are flung at the victim it makes an even heavier mark that stays with the victim for years.

Many times a day I hurt my sister with my words and my mother reprimands me for my behavior but in my weak flesh I do it again and again but by God’s grace and my sister’s grace I am forgiven. Though I am forgiven by both the Lord and my sister my words still leave a mark on my sister’s heart and in turn, she is sometimes unkind to our younger siblings. It is not her fault but my own. If I had simply held my tongue instead of lashing out at my sister, the hurt would not mark my sister’s heart and she would not have lashed out at our younger siblings at a later time. Psalm 55:21, “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil yet they were drawn swords,” accurately describes how our words can hurt and this verse also directly talks about what the next paragraph is about: our tone of voice.

The tone of voice we use has a very heavy effect on our words even if we don’t intentionally try and sound that way. Countless times I ask for help with baking, schoolwork, my handiwork and I sound like I’m whining and though it was unintentional it effected the rest of my family in the form of my baby sister whining her head off if she did not get her own way. No matter what we say it’s how we say it that matters. Something as simple as saying ‘hello’ to a relative can show them our attitude towards seeing them. In the case of having relatives who are not believers your tone will tell them what your attitude is and they’ll think, “I guess their God isn’t as good as they all say He is if they’re acting so miserable.” What kind of a Christ proclaiming witness is that?

On another note, your tone of voice, words, attitude and everything you do is an example to your younger siblings if you have any, your friends and extended family. If, like me, you are an older sister, you have one of the greatest gifts God could give you: built in accountability partners. They watch your every move, copy you from time to time, and without thinking, they show you up and ask “why did you do that?” oh so innocently and sweetly. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Substitute the word “brethren” for “Sistren” and isn’t the verse true? How good it is for sisters to live together in harmony with their siblings? I know it would make parenting a lot easier for my parents, not to mention our family relationships would grow stronger and that would spill over to how we treated our friends. Unfortunately, in our weak flesh it cannot always be like that; that is where grace from God comes in. If we try our best to act selflessly and humbly to our siblings and to control our tongue with God’s help our family environment will be peaceful and happy.

Our tongue is so untamable but for God’s marvelous grace: James 3: 8-12 "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." Just in these simple verses, God shows us His grace; He wrote these words through James to speak to us and convict us. That alone is grace and mercy! Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Grumbling about chores, commenting about a sibling’s messes, grumbling about babysitting; the list of things we complain, grumble and comment about can be endless. Many times if we comment frequently we are reprimanded but I know sometimes is goes through one ear and right out the other. It all goes directly back to our weak flesh and our tongue. Our tongue is the hardest thing to tame; it all goes back to our pride and self-centeredness. We are so focused on ourselves that we think it’s a huge inconvenience to be asked to do the dishes after lunch or we think we’re higher than doing anything but what we want to do. When it all boils down, A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride, Proverbs 21:24 and Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.

2nd Chronicles 7:14 is the answer to pride: "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." The key to holding your tongue is self control and humility and you can not have any of those things without God’s grace and forgiveness. "Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble." Proverbs 3:34
My sister is so important to me, as are all my siblings. She and I are very different but yet the same in a lot of areas. I wouldn’t trade her for anything! I wouldn’t trade all the nights of she and I talking until midnight, I wouldn’t trade the little tickle scuffles we have all the time for anything. I’m sure all sisters in the world have small arguments over stupid things but I know they all repent and ask forgiveness.

There is a verse in Ezekiel and I am not sure if it reads the same in all versions, but it reads the following in the New King James version: "You, who judged your sisters, bear your own shame also, because the sins which you committed were more abominable than theirs; they are more righteous than you. Yes, be disgraced also, and bear your own shame, because you justified your sisters," Ezekiel 16:52.

There are three examples of sisters in the Bible: Mary and Martha, Orpah and Ruth and Leah and Rachel. I believe they had their ups and down’s like any other normal human being. Orpah and Ruth were sister in-laws but they probably lived together with their husbands and got to know one another; Mary was the humble younger sister and Martha was the prideful sister who that her work was more important than spending time at Jesus’ feet and Leah and Rachel had the same husband and in the Bible it says they did not get along. Just because these women were in the Bible doesn’t mean they were perfect. When the sisters were younger I’m sure they bickered a lot like any other normal little girls but it doesn’t mean they were not disciplined and punished for their actions and words. Rachel was jealous of Leah and I’m sure they exchanged angry and hurtful words many times, but they did not have the grace of God as we are so blessed to have now.

God’s wrath was not satisfied until Jesus died on the cross and before the crucifixion; the people had to sacrifice animals annually to pay for their sins. It is important we thank God daily for our families, especially our sister(s) who is a built in best friend. God’s grace is so vast and even if we doubt why God put us in our family, it is His grace He did so! He has a purpose for our life, our family and we owe it all to Him alone.

In Christ Alone, my hope is found; He is my light my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My comforter, my all in all. Here in the love of Christ, I stand.

One of my favorite hymns has a particular third verse that sums up everything about God’s grace:

O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Only by God’s grace can we control our tongues and speak encouraging words of kindness to our sisters and brothers. But first we must realize we’ve done wrong in our Heavenly Father’s eyes, humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness from our heavenly Father and the person we’ve offended. The more we humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, the easier it will be to hold our tongues and keep our comments to ourselves. Words hurt; sisters argue and hurt each other, but through God’s awesome (in the true sense of the word) grace, we are forgiven.

Meghan G. is a fourteen going-on fifteen young lady who loves to write, crochet, cross-stitch, read and watch old musicals. She is home schooled by her mother and is entering tenth grade-this will be her ninth year of home schooling. She is the eldest of her four siblings Sara who is twelve, Ronnie who is six and Anna who is three. Meghan loves receiving e-mails and getting to know other like-minded young ladies. Her e-mail is mmbbg72493@gmail.com