Help me out of my blog slump: Q&A week!
I've felt like this blog has been in somewhat of a slump recently. It's not that I don't have lots to write about, I just have felt like my brain is in overload. Too many thoughts swirling around and not enough time to process them all coherently. Anyone else ever have this problem?
Taking a few days off from blogging last week was really beneficial for me. And now I'm back and ready to tackle this blogging thing with a fervor! But I'm asking for your help to get the ball rolling...
Ever since Shannon hosted her Q&A Week, I've been considering doing the same. I loved reading the questions and answers she received and thought it would be something fun to do here, too - even if my answers aren't half as good as Shannon's.
I haven't done a real bang-up job answering emails of late (though I do read and appreciate each one!) and I often forget to answer a lot of the questions asked here in the comments section (though I do try!). If you've asked a question in the past and never received an answer or had a question you always wished you could ask me, here's your chance.
To help pull me out of my blog slump, I've officially declared next week as Q&A Week at Biblical Womanhood.
You've got the floor. Ask away!
What have you wondered about here? What have I said I would write about and then never did (I can only imagine that list is quite long seeing how flighty I am!)? What topics would you really like to see posts on here? What questions would you like to have posted for everyone here to chime in on?
No promises that I'll get to all the questions or that I'll have an intelligent or earth-shattering answer for those directed to me - I still wonder everyday as I go about my normal little life why on earth any of you take time out of your busy lives to stop by and read my musings! - but, regardless of that, I'm confident you'll provide more than enough blog fodder for next week!
Taking a few days off from blogging last week was really beneficial for me. And now I'm back and ready to tackle this blogging thing with a fervor! But I'm asking for your help to get the ball rolling...
Ever since Shannon hosted her Q&A Week, I've been considering doing the same. I loved reading the questions and answers she received and thought it would be something fun to do here, too - even if my answers aren't half as good as Shannon's.
I haven't done a real bang-up job answering emails of late (though I do read and appreciate each one!) and I often forget to answer a lot of the questions asked here in the comments section (though I do try!). If you've asked a question in the past and never received an answer or had a question you always wished you could ask me, here's your chance.
To help pull me out of my blog slump, I've officially declared next week as Q&A Week at Biblical Womanhood.
You've got the floor. Ask away!
What have you wondered about here? What have I said I would write about and then never did (I can only imagine that list is quite long seeing how flighty I am!)? What topics would you really like to see posts on here? What questions would you like to have posted for everyone here to chime in on?
No promises that I'll get to all the questions or that I'll have an intelligent or earth-shattering answer for those directed to me - I still wonder everyday as I go about my normal little life why on earth any of you take time out of your busy lives to stop by and read my musings! - but, regardless of that, I'm confident you'll provide more than enough blog fodder for next week!
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:52 PM
112 Comments:
My question is:
Why did you feel the need to make the "disclaimer" (at least that's the way I took it) about contemporary music when you posted the Nick Vujicic videos?
Thanks for giving me the floor! :)
Vikki: I'll just answer this one here really quickly - Just as I try to always put a disclaimer on articles I link to when the subject matter is not appropriate for younger children (or when I'd rather the parents make the decision as to whether the subject matter is appropriate for their children), my husband and I felt I should put the note on that video for those families who do not listen to contemporary music.
If you or anyone else has any further questions on this, feel free to email me. I'd rather not make this a discussion on my blog. :)
Which books (apart from the Bible) do you like to read to your girls?
(I ask this because I have a dear friend from my church who is a single mother to a 9 month old darling girl. I would love to get this little girl some boks of her very own for Christmas - but could definitely use a little guidance here!).
Diana
Is there any particular kind of philosophy that you use with your girls? Or is it mix-and-match?
Crystal, I enjoy your writing on keeping the expense of shopping down as this is something that is important in my household too.
Recently, I have had some concerns about the sourcing and ethics of supermarket cheap items e.g. are third world labourers paid properly.
Buying fair trade and non supermarket goods is much more expensive and would have a very major impact on my budget.
Have you any comments about this?
Annaelisabeth
Please please please write a post on advice and helps for a new bride. I'm in desperate need of it. Any recommendations, advice, ANYTHING would be so appreciated. Thank you for your blog, I thoroughly enjoy it!
This is a bit premature, but you strike me as someone who plans ahead. :-) What philosophy/approach/curriculum do you plan on using for homeschooling?
And on that topic, any chance your mom would let us pick her brain? (You grew up homeschooled, no?)
I've been a reader of your blog for over a year now and have invited many of my friends to read also...and they do too. We have discussed why type of church you and your husband belong to. One guessed Pentecostal but I keep going back to independent Baptist. Are either of us correct? :-)
I'd like to know more about your faith--when you came to have a personal relationship with Christ, what kind of things you believe, what your prayer life is like, answers to prayer, etc.
I have been reading your blog for about six months now and am addicted. I check in to see what's going at least once a day. My husband and I have six children and apart from his fulltime job and my being a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom we are interested in some type of supplemental income involving the internet. This would enable me to continue to stay at home and maybe help to make ends meet a little easier at times. Any suggestions? Keep up the good work!!!
Marie in NC
This may be a bit heavier than you're wanting, but I'm going to take a chance and ask it anyway. A few weeks ago, you had a thread that was discussing what I believe is called family un-planning. My husband and I are struggling with this right now. We have 3 young children and are happy with our family...but we want to be obedient to God. We have been using NFP (natural family planning) for 6 years, and I was happy to be using a non-hormonal form of bc. Now I'm not so sure. Saying I'm just going to trust God doesn't quite make sense to me...I wear a seatbelt when I'm in the car, I take my children to the doctor when they are sick...is it not hypocritical to trust God in some aspects of life but not others? We have been praying as a couple and poring through the Word but as of yet have not been convicted. I am a fairly new Christian, and I certainly do not mean to post a controversial topic, but I am looking for specific scriptural references regarding this issue...as well as some good old-fashioned advice by you and your knowledgable readers. :)
Thank you, and I have been so blessed by your blog!
Kate
What are some lessons learned from your few years of blogging? What are some of the blessings that have come out from it?
Where do you shop for your office supply stuff? Do you get any discounts or know of any? Just curious.
Anne :)
I think I remember you mentioning that you do not participate in Halloween. My question is this: How do you respond when/if non-Christians ask you about it?
Also, (and maybe this was mentioned in the comments of your other posts... I have to admit I didn't read them) while you were out at the Film Festival and had so many late nights out, how did your girls sleep? Were they able to just nap/conk out where they were? How did you manage to be that flexible with two littles?
I would like to hear about your perspective on Christians and war. I come from an Anabaptist-type background, so your penchant for traditionally 'conservative' politics seems unusual to me, being that you're a devout Christian. I would like to know how you reconcile voting for pro-war candidates with the commandment to not kill. (I am not trying to play 'gotcha' here. I'm genuinely interested in the theology behind your thought process.)
I know you don't post often on you personal political views, but I was wondering if you are or ever have posted your opinions of the Iraq War, the child health care bill, immigration, global warming, gun control, maybe even women in politics?
Crystal,
I would still like to see pictures of your home!
Thanks,
Keli
More topics I'm curious about:
your upbringing and memories from a large homeschooling family
what you've learned about cloth diapering, how you've determined it costs less (have you done an analysis)
I love what you do and couldn't belive it when you replied to two of my emails. I would like to know what your view are on others who are christian but think it is ok to work. I am wokring one becasue it is what my husabd wants and found a job that will let me focus on the house and running it. I know many other people have to work . I also think that we do our daughters a dissservice if they are not able to function well in society with out a husband, (with your spirt Crystal your girls will not have a problem your very enterperneal) I just think our girls should be encouraged and trained in the art of homemaking, and if she desires an education she could use if bad time come. What is your opinon on that kind of outlook.
So I've been thinking about the daughters not going to college thing--if I want my girls to marry college grads, then where do they find husbands?
I just know that in my parents' congregation, there wasn't anybody around who wasn't married and older than 18 or 19. Just a thought that's been at the back of my mind.
Keep up the great work!
I have a couple!
How on earth besides selling them at garage sales do you use the products you get for free at Walgreens and CVS? Do you find it is worth it to go through all the work of getting that stuff for free and then storing it? I am sure you do not use Denture Grip stuff and that amount of pain relievers. Is it just a hobby then to get it and see how much you can get for free and give to people like Ellie Kay does?
Other silly question.....do you ever have really hard days where you want to pull your hair out?
We did a recent thing where several of us on a forum were really tranparent and posted pictures of some of our bad, messy days when the laundry piled up etc. rather than pretending online that they never happen. All the pictures I have seen of your house are so empty they almost seemed unlived in..
What's your opinion on protecting the environment/slowing global warming? I know you believe that Christians have a biblical responsibility to be good stewards of God's creation, so I wonder if you could post on that and maybe some of the other political convictions your religious faith has led you to. Thanks!
~ Anna
Dressing modestly and passing this on to our daughters, is very important to us, and one thing I've been thinking of lately, particularly since I need to lose a few kilos is what type of attire would you suggest is appropriate for exercising in in public ie: power walking or jogging the local streets. (I would never go to a gym). It is quite hot in Summer where we live, and I think if I added joggers to my everyday clothes,it would be too hot.I don't wear shorts except to swim in.
Any suggestions?
Claire
Crystal,
What is your take on disciplining children? Do you spank, use time-outs, or a variety of things? How well do you think that these approaches are working for you, and are they Biblical? I think a ton of mom's could benefit from knowing how to train their children so that they are a delight and not a burden.
Hi, Crystal: I am a twenty something mom of two children and have been reading your blog almost daily for a year. I would love to see pictures of the rooms in your house and could also benefit from tips on organizing children's toys and books. I do have a small playroom where I keep most of those items, but it always seems to become a jumbled mess by the end of the day, no matter how vigilant I am about making my son (he's 2) pick up one thing before taking out another. It's exhausting following him around from one activity to the next with a baby on my hip who also needs my attention. How do you handle this with Kathrynne? Also, do you have certain set times during the day where Kathrynne must entertain herself? My son would love for me to sit and play and read with him all day long, but after awhile if I leave the room he comes running after me to see what I'm doing and cries if I send him back to play. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for training him and letting him work along side me, but now and then there are times when I just need a short break when he can play by himself during the baby's nap time. I feel guilty saying "Mommy's busy--play by yourself for 5 minutes" :-) but that's how I feel on some really busy days. I don't use the TV for a babysitter, so it's tough coming up with new things to amuse him. Any thoughts?
Crystal, I would love to see pictures of your home. Do you have any tips on organizing? I love your blog. Thanks for doing what your doing!
Ashley
I have 2 general questions I've always wanted to ask.
(I wasn't raised in an evangelical home so please excuse me if they seem overly obvious!)
1) How do you know when you're gossiping? I try very hard not to speak ill of people, but what do you do if you're having trouble w/your mother-in-law, for instance. Is it ok to talk about that w/a girlfriend, or not?
2) Why do evangelicals not drink alcohol? I know the Bible is very clear about drunkenness being a sin, but is there something wrong w/having a glass of wine once in a while? I'm genuinely confused about this b/c I feel like I'm missing something.
THANKS!
Oh, and I can't wait to hear answers to all of the other questions readers posed too.
Hello! I have two questions. First, we are trying very hard to thrive on one income. Thank you for your blogs! They are such a blessing and help very much. One problem we have been having is gifts? What do you do to stay on a small budget and still buy gifts? My husband has a huge family and for example, last month we had five birthdays and two baby showers! We are trying to keep Christmas small and focus more on Jesus but that has also been very hard. Some members of both sides of our family are not receptive to this. I would love ideas from you or any of the other mothers that read your blog.
Second I have a silly question. I know at times you have talked about feminine dress and dressing modestly. This is something I agree with as well but I never do such a good job in winter. I love skirts but they seem to be so cold! Do you just wear tights in winter? I am terrible with pantyhose and seem to ruin them every time I wear them. Its so nice to wear a long sundress and sandals in summer but I am not sure how to beso feminine in winter and not break the bank buying pantyhose!
Thanks for all you help and all the other readers help!
I have wondered if you immunize your children or take them to regular pediatrician visits? It just seems that more and more people are opting not to, so I am just curious!
Crystal,
I also wondered about your beliefs about spanking and "the rod". Were you spanked growing up? Do you spank? How? When? Why? Why not?
Can you tell I have a two year old at home (grin!) (sigh)
Thanks,
Sandra in Maryland
Wow-- looks like you have lots of questions already! If you don't get to mine, don't worry about it.
After 4 years of marriage, 2 miscarriages, and lots of praying and waiting, my husband and I are still childless. My question is, how can I best use this time? I am a full-time stay-at-home wife and I do keep busy, but is there anything you wish you had done or learned or put into practice before your little ones came along? I don't want to squander this time in my life and waste it wishing for a future with children; I want to use it for God's glory and make the most of the time that He has given me. Any suggestions or ideas?
And thank you so much for your ministry here. God is using you mightily! May He continue to bless your sweet family!
Hi Crystal
I lurk here quite often, and very much enjoy your writing.
I have a question about women and voting. My husband thinks that given that we can't think of anything worse than a woman president (!), we should try to carry that through to grassroots level, and that women should not participate in the political process at all. I can understand his point, because it is a way in which women do attempt to lead men (by deciding who will be our nation's leader), and I will of course do as he wishes, and not vote in the next election. However, I don't feel completely at peace with this, and I was wondering what your take on it was?
Sorry this is so long! I have been worrying about it for some time.
Blessings,
Susanna
How do you deal with nursing in public? Do you nurse anywhere and everywhere or only in private locations? Would you for instance nurse during a dinner out with friends? I always feel self conscious nursing around men or strangers.
Thanks!
Hi, Crystal! I was curious to know if you only wear skirts/dresses--no pants.I'm NOT trying to start a heated debate or controversy on the blog at all, and just wanted to know what YOU have decided to do in your home. Regardless of your decision, do you think it is possible for women to wear pants and still be modest as long as their attire still looks femine and the pants aren't skin tight and revealing? I do wear pants, but always pair them with a pretty blouse and some small jewelry so I feel like I'm still feminine, but maybe I'm wrong in this area! :-)
It seems like in most of the pictures you post, your whole family always looks so dressed up and "together"...Jesse is often in a suit and the girls in adorable little dresses! Do you ever have days when you are in pjs until noon or don't have time to wear makeup? :-) Probably a silly question, I just wondered.
It looks like alot of interesting questions have been raised already, so maybe you will have to do two weeks of Q & A instead of one! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on many of the things. I do have a question on children and eating habits. My eldest (a boy almost 3) tends to be a bit picky when it comes to food. There are only a handful of main dish type things he will eat such as chicken nuggests, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, etc. and my husband doesn't want those things multiple times a week, so often I feel like I'm making two meals three times a day. My son will eat healthy things like vegetables and fruits, so I'm thankful for that and I do try introducing new things on a regular basis, but he is very picky about certain textures and tastes. I was wondering if you've had this with Kathrynne or if she eats most anything. I know alot of toddlers go through times like this, but was wondering if you had any insight on how to get him to gradually expand his palette.
Crystal, I don't have a question perse, but I did want you to know that I have been blessed by your blog for several months now, and I have a suprise over at my blog for you if you click on the link that will be posted with my name :)
Blessings!
Disclaimer: this might not be for younger readers, although I'll keep it as clean as possible!
What is your view on sex within a marriage relationship? Is it supposed to be pleasurable for both the husband and wife, or is it simply supposed to be for procreation? The reason I ask is because I was reading an article by a fundamentalist Christian (can't remember who; if I do, I'll send it to you!) who said that women, especially, shouldn't enjoy sex, b/c every time they did, it was a reminder of sin/downfall/all that jazz in the Garden of Eden.
I was surprised by this, because even though I am not religious, I was raised in a church, and we were taught that sex was God's gift to both men and women (within the confines of marriage, of course) and it was MEANT to be enjoyed by BOTH parties. Of course it also creates children, but that was not the sole purpose of it.
I was just curious about your thoughts, but I understand if you can't get too in-depth because of your younger readers! Thanks!
Hi--I was wondering what to do about TV in our house. I could happily get ride of it and don't have the time to sit and watch programs anyway, but my husband really likes it and enjoys relaxing to it in the evening after work. The problem is that he likes to watch alot of violent things that contain language, nudity, etc. (we have cable) and sees no problem with our little ones hearing and seeing everything. I'm torn, because as much as I want to protect their tender eyes and ears from the graphic profanity among other things, I think I must submit to his wishes. I don't want to give the children a bad impression of their father and make it seem like he is wrong, but I just cringe when my husband wants us all to gather in the living room to watch a movie together and it's something awful. Perhaps you have no experience with this and can't help me. I guess I'm just wondering what I am commanded Biblically to do in a situation such as this. Is there a line to be drawn on submitting when it hurts the children? My husband is a good man and I love him very much and he says he is a Christian. Thanks for any insight--and prayers! I read your blog as often as I can and even when I don't agree I'm still blessed by your honesty and true desire to serve the Lord. Thanks.
My church only offers ladies' meetings in the evenings since there are only two stay-at-home wives in the whole church. These meetings don't have Bible Study or prayer either--just fellowship and coffee. I don't desire to leave my family in the evenings. What do you think about ladies having "Ladies' Night Out" and things like that?
When it comes to training a child to sleep through the night, how do you balance between being comforting (rocking child to sleep, etc.) and also being firm (making the child learn to stay in crib, etc.)?
what cleaning supplies do you use? I want to save money and also use what is safe for my family, but i don't know what to use.
is spanking biblical?
How do you protect your identity while blogging and posting pictures? I've wanted to blog but I am worried about giving too much information. How do you handle this?
How do you protect your identity while blogging. I've wanted to blog but am discouraged because I don't want to give out too much information. How do you deal with that?
How did you learn to schedule your children's sleeping and feeding? And how did you do it--make them cry in their cribs, etc.? What age did you start scheduling? How long did it take them to learn? Did you have set backs? Some moms tell me their kids go to sleep right on the dot every day and I am stumped. :)
Do you have any thoughts on staying in touch with old friends while trying to be wife and mom? Is it wrong to "give up" some aquaintances for the sake of your family?
Crystal: What do you think "leaving and cleaving" and honoring your parents as adults really means? My husband and I have been married several years and have two children. We love our parents and have often sought their counsel over the years when we were faced with a big decision,etc. and taken their advice into consideration. Their needs are met and we plan on helping to care for them as they age. Unfortunately his parents still expect us to do whatever they say and have made it clear that they expect my husband to put their wishes ahead of me and the children. It's a really tough situation and I was just wondering what your view on this is.
I know Christmas is still weeks away, but I was curious to know how you and Jesse handle gift giving in your family? We really try to keep Jesus' birth as the main focus and each year of our marriage have gradually been cutting back.
I read a blog entry you wrote when Kathrynne was a baby about a day in your life and really enjoyed it. I knoe your days are busy, but it would be so fun if you did that again now that you have TWO girls just to compare how your life has changed and to get a peek into an average day in the Payne household, aside from just reading about your weekly schedules. :-)
How do you and Jesse find time alone with two young children (or do you?)? I hope you don't think I'm being nosy, I just wonder how other couples keep their relationship going with so many daily demands of home and children. We have tried putting our little ones to bed and then having an at home date, like a special meal and a movie rental but by that time we are both so tired that it isn't really romantic. We can't afford a sitter, nor do we know anyone trustworthy. Is this just the reality of this season of life or does anyone have creative ideas for carving out special moments in the midst of busy life with two children under age two?
My question is about cloth diapers. Perhaps you have already written about this topic, but I was thinking you probably do use cloth because you seem so frugal in every area! I have always used disposables and have no idea how to get started with cloth. How do you wash them, fold them, etc? Have you calculated the cost?
What does biblical male leadership in the home look like from your point of view? Specific things we can do to help our sons and to follow our husbands...but first give examples of it--to recognize it when we see it and foster it in our sons. I don't want to sound clueless, but I think I could benefit from your understanding of it.
Crystal, I've been browsing through the archives for a bit, and was wondering: if the girls show an interest in careers(doctors, teachers, etc.) as they grow older, how will you talk to them about it?
Thank you for your blog!
Here is my question:
Could you comment on how to start off a Christian marriage through the first few years to minimize the regrets later on? I was wondering what purposeful things you did to protect and build your marriage?
What is your understanding of the verses regarding women's roles in the church?
I have heard about a frugal and environmentally-friendly alternative to pads and tampons during menstruation, called the Diva Cup. You can visit their website here: http://www.divacup.com/
I was just wondering, would you consider using this, or do you already? Would you go that far for frugality? It seems a little strange, but everything I've read about it seems good.
I would like to see pictures of your house (outside and in) and learn about other frugal decorating tips for your home.
I was wondering what stay at home moms should do to prepare in case they are ever single, widowed, etc. I know that God will provide, but if they don't have an education or much savings of their own to fall back on, what are they to do? Should women get a college degree before becoming a SAHM just in case?
How did you stay busy between graduating from highschool and getting married?
I echo many of the questions already raised and have added some others:
*I'd love to see pics of your whole house, too, and how you use your space and have decorated.
*I'd be interested in knowing your denomination. My guess would be Independent Baptist but sometimes you seem Reformed too. Denomination doesn't matter as long as you love the Lord, but sometimes it sheds light on people's perspectives.
*I know you are 100% against Halloween. So, do you guys put up a Christmas tree for Christmas or avoid it for the same pagan background stuff that you avoid Halloween?
*I admire you for always uplifting and praising your hubby online. However, (and I'm guilty of this on my blog too) we don't get to see the real side of him. He is always portrayed as all-knowing, wise, and perfect in every way. Others who are newer Christians may get the idea that some families are perfect. So, do you think Jesse would allow you to write about some of your struggles as a wife, some of his faults, and some of the challenges you overcome as a couple?
*You often talk about all the myriads of things you do and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you can't possibly be doing all of that, all the time. I know at times you've said you exercise regularly, you have homeschooling stuff going, many little projects going to earn money, orders to process, two little ones, etc. If I had high speed internet I could probably get a lot more done online, but still....I wonder if you start some ideas and then discontinue them when your schedule changes or other needs come up. There are never enough hours in the day!
*Does your house really look (as one other lady put it, 'unlived' in all the time or do you clean up the place quick (like I do) before a pic?
*As one lady asked, "How do we balance friendships with our roles as wives and mothers. Some women don't ever take time for friends, and some, like me have trouble narrowing my many friendships down and keeping them in balance. I'd be interested to see pics of your closest friends.
*How often do you talk to your parents? What are some ways that you and Jesse plan to follow their example in raising a family? What are some things you would do differently?
*Does Jesse trust you? I was reading an old post about how he picks out your clothes everyday and I wonder if you guys are still doing that?
*What are some of the funniest things your toddler has done/said? Messes made, etc.
*How do you guys plan to purchase a home with cash in a few years? Do you have inheritance money or have you saved enough for a house? How can a young couple living on one income save enough to pay cash for a home?
I'm a really nosey person and I love to interview people! Sorry for the overload of ?s!
how should a married woman/mom relate to her friends who are still unmarried?
yes! pics of your house please! and please address christmas gift giving too! :) thanks for all your helpful writing for all of us.
is it wrong or selfish to not let other relatives visit right away when i have my baby? please help! my husband and i want some time alone with our new child, and some time to adjust to having a baby. it seems others don't like this idea.
can you give some advice about wardrobe? I am trying to take evaluate what i need and don't need, and was wondering if you have any "rule of thumbs" for your closet? Do you use basic color schemes and then mix and match, etc.?
Also, do you have any advice for (frugally!) using jewelry to complement outfits?
Wow! Thanks for all the great questions! This should be fun - keep them coming!
And just a quick note for Mrs. Jo: Jesse doesn't pick out what I wear everyday. I like to please him in how I dress and do ask him for his input, just as he does for me. It's just a way we show honor and love and deference to the other in our marriage. But he certainly doesn't pick out my clothes everyday! :)
Perhaps you can address ways a wife can encourage her husband to Biblically lead the family. I would love to spend time in Bible study and prayer as a family, but I also want to defer to my husband's leadership.
How can I talk with him about this?
Just a note for the last posted "anonymous" comment left at 4:03--
Vision Forum (http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?categoryid=126&page=2&productid=68221) has an excellent set of messages on CD by Doug Phillips entitled "A Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision" that addresses this issue of a wife desiring her husband to lead the family more biblically. I would highly recommend it.
Any tips for organizing a garage and basement?
I'm curious how an average day goes for you, Crystal. As in: when do you normally wake for the day and when do you normally head to bed for the night...and any things that happen on a daily basis in between. I'm just so inspired by what appears to be great time-management on your part.
Thanks for sharing these personal tid-bits on yourself. You are certainly not "throwing pearls to pigs" when it comes to this reader! The Lord is preparing my heart in a fabulous way and your lifestyle example is such an encouragement to me.
Awesome stuff!
Kris
I would love to see a virtual tour of your home--inside and out! :-)
I would also like to know your personal view of nursing in public.
And as someone all ready said. Your comments about your husband are so sweet and complimentary of him. I have found myself at times thinking goodness my husband is not that thoughtful or attentive. Sooo.....I second the request to hear some personal experiences of not-so-perfect husband. (-:
How do we as women learn to control our tongues and the thoughts and attitudes behind the comments we make? How can we make strides in this area even if when are tired, frustrated, annoyed, etc. Also known as "I can't believe I just said that" syndrome...
I believe you will have enought blog 'fodder' to last quite awhile! My question is one that I have emailed to you before as I had mentioned to you in the email, our small church has several young women who are coming into marrying age - but there are no men in sight that seem to meet the qualifications for a Godly husband.
I would love to see a more indepth discussion on God's plan for finding a spouse (I avoid the term 'courtship' as it often means vastly different things for different people).
I look forward to discussions on alot of the questions already posed, too!
Wow, everyone's asking deep questions! Great questions, but really loaded. So... If you want something light to answer for those days when you're up to your elbows in other stuff, here you go:
What are the top three websites you visit everyday?
What's your favorite dessert?
If your husband took your girls for the entire afternoon, what would you do with your day (taking nursing out of the equation, of course!)?
What's your current favorite song?
Where have you always wanted to travel?
I would also like to read about how you handle nursing in public places.
Wow!!! I am so excited to read your answers to some truly great questions. Maybe you could do a month of Q & A? :)
I know that this subject has been touched on but I would be very interested in your homeschooling goals. What are your cirriculm choices and when do you plan on starting your official schooling? The early ages are very time consuming with writing and basics needing to be taught. How will you balance both girls at different ages and with any more children to come? Will unit studies be an option or do you opt for more traditional textbook styles? This is something that I am struggling with as I have a 7yr old and 5yr old. My husband is helping with our homeschool, will Jesse be helping you? I am assuming that you will be homeschooling.....am I wrong?
Blessings,
Mrs. Johnson
Oh this is fun... Is there a bible translation you believe to be THE bible? I know there are people who believe the King James Bible to be the exact word of God and this has always confused me. I have learned that translating is betraying. Always. Translating it's interpreting it is..
(and I believe this to be true. I think you can already see that translating is betraying when you look at the words I used... I don't know where this saying (translating is betraying) comes from... Latin? Italian? I do know that in Italian (tradurre è tradire) there's a wordplay that's missing in English)...
So... if you believe one bible translation to be the word of God, why? I know I sound like I think it's stupid to think of one translation as THE word of God... but actually that's not what I want to say... I just wanted to say it confuses me... and I want to know what you think... do you think it is possible to think of a translation as THE word of God. Why/ why not?
(and I good go on... with other questions like: and which text do you think should be the basis for a translation? but I'll stop here)
My question:
Did you have any friends (I mean close encouraging godly friends, not just aquaintences) as a young woman growing up? Do you still maintain (to some extent) those relationships?
How does friendships change when one friend gets married? Or both? It is possible to maintain some contact/encouragement with friends when married with children?
Thank you so much!
~Anna
All of the questions that I wanted to ask you have been asked already. I'm looking forward to your answers!
If you could dine on any meal you chose, without calories or cost being a factor, what would it be?
Do you ever think there is a danger in talking about one's husband's great attributes or all the good things he does? I just wondered because someone mentioned to me that my complimentary comments about my husband spread discontent to other wives who might not have as attentive of husbands and that it was really isn't right to boast about one's spouse (or children). I had never thought of it that way or tried to be arrogant but I guess unwittingly I had been. I guess I just tend to spill over with praise for my great husband and need to keep it to myself. :-) What are your thoughts on this?
What is a typical day in your life? I'm just curious because you always sound so efficient and on top of things and I'd like to know how you manage so well.
As someone mentioned, I'd like to know what you do to prepare for Christmas. What kinds of gifts do you give? Do you do the cooking/baking or do you share that with other family?
At what point do you wean your babies from nursing?
I was reading your courtship story, and you commented on how you don't agree with dating because it is just "trying someone out" instead of focusing on marriage right from the start, as one does with courtship. So, my question is, what if you had been courting Jesse (i.e., intending to marry him) and then you found something about him that you couldn't accept? Not something trivial like household habits or whatever, but something theological, like his view of salvation or some other important topic? (i realize this likely wouldn't happen, since you said you went to the same church, but it's the best example I could think of).
Would you still have married him, since you were committed via courtship? Or would you have had to break off the courtship, and if you had, how would that be any different from dating? Just curious! :)
Also, is divorce ever acceptable? Although I am not religious, I decry the divorce rate in this country; it's sad. But I DO think there are some cases in which it's not only justified, it's the best course of action. I'm thinking here of abuse, in which case I think women need to get out and not look back. But I know some devout Christians who think that the marriage should endure, no matter what. So I was curious as to your opinions?
Even though I don't often agree with you, I do enjoy your blog immensely! :)
Do you where dresses all the time or often? If so (or even if not), do you have any suggestions for what types of shoes to wear in the winter with dresses? Preferably, something comfortable that also looks nice?
Good idea, by the way.
Cara
Re: anonymous
>>Also known as "I can't believe I just said that" syndrome...
10:42 PM>>
Also known as "foot in mouth" disease :)
do you put your girls in a nursery at church? how do you train them to sit in church? at what age do you start? what do you suggest for moms whose churches don't like kids being in the services, or moms who have ministry obligations in the service?
you have mentioned that you often say no to things, so that you can be taking care of your home. what things do you say no to....or what do you say yes to? are you involved in any specific church ministries? do you ever miss evening services if your girls need to sleep, etc.?
I would love to hear the 'rest of the story' of your courtship. From where the story ends to when you actually got married. What did your actual courtship look like? When did the engagement take place? All this is kinda new to our family and with two boys and one entering his teenage years, we'd love to read how this worked for you. Thanks!
how often do you talk with your parents and in laws? how do you apply the "leave and cleave" principle practically in your family?
do you monitor what gifts family gives your children? how do you handle christmas and birthdays? do you set guidelines for family members regarding gifts for your children--i.e., how many gifts, what kinds, what's not allowed in your home, etc.
How can i help my kids to not focus on getting but rather giving at Christmas?
As someone else said, I'd like to hear about godly ways to find a husband. My sister and I both graduated homeschool last year. We are 17 and 18. While we're certainly not "desperate" at this point, we do desire to be wives and mothers some day. We have made a commitment to not date for recreation. And at this point, there seem to be no young men that we would ever consider courting.
We fully trust God to prepare someone for us as we prepare ourselves to be good wives. However, I'd also be interested in a discussion on godly ways to find a spouse who meets the Biblical requirements. Thanks!
Crystal,
Your blog is truly a blessing to me and I really wish I could have grown up in your household. My parents were saved but both worked, I feel we could have benefitted better from a stay at home mom and homeschooling. ( my mom was an elem school teacher and principal for almost 30yrs). Long story short, i strayed away from the truth and am now a single mom, but as the prodical son returned so did I and I am raising my daughters in the light and holiness of God. I would like to know what is your opinion of backsliders (who have experienced worldly lusts and traps who are now reclaimed and pure in the sight of God)and courtship. I want my daughters to see that yes mommy made a mistake but she chose to live for God and wait on him to make our family traditionally complete. I sometimes feel alienated by other Chrisian blogs who center around homemaking and homeschooling. I am just as saved as the next person, Ijust have different life experience. I am trying to pass the message of singlemotherhood and salvation along to others but I just feel as if we are left out from the mainstream christian blogs. Thanks so much! By the way you are a true example of the Virtuous Woman in Proverbs. God Bless you!
Jamala Wade
Can we hear your engagement story and see some of your wedding pictures? :)
Assuming you could afford it while still living on one income, would you ever consider hiring a maid? Or do you think cleaning should be “the wife’s job?” I know some mothers hire someone to clean so they have more time for homeschooling or just spending time with their kids (which I believe should be the main purpose of staying home). Obviously hiring a maid is not in everyone’s budget, but I was just wondering what you would do if you could afford it.
Also, I would love to see some of your wedding pictures. :)
I, too, would love to hear all about your wedding day (if you haven't already written about it)!
Also, I have noticed that your sisters have curly hair...is your hair naturally curly or straight? I am interested because I just recently found out I have curly hair. I always thought it was wavy and "in the middle", so I straightened it. But thanks to the great book "Curly Girl", I started treating it like it was curly, and it responded wonderfully! :)