Modest Monday - Going out to eat

It is time for Modest Monday again, I love seeing all the modest outfits women share. 

I love seeing everyone's individual style too!

Friday evening we went out to eat with some friends and I felt like dressing up a bit more than I normally do. I made the dress a little more casual by adding the jean jacket and my boots. 

I hope you enjoyed a look into my modest wardrobe.

Blessings,

Rashel

Linked with Modest Mondays

What is Modesty Really?

What exactly is modesty? I imagine if I asked ten women this question I would get ten different answers. Do you know the good thing though, I am not to live by what women (or men) think, I am to live by God's word. 

Let's look at what the scripture says...

Modest Monday, but not in a skirt

Normally on Modest Monday I will share one of my skirt outfits, but today I decided to change it up a bit. I started thinking about it and was afraid that by only showing you my skirts I was misleading you and I don't want to do that. While I do wear skirts most of the time, I do still wear jeans too. 

Sometimes what I am doing is easier done in jeans (in my opinion) and sometimes, honestly, I just feel like wearing jeans.  I do try to make sure that my jeans are not tight and my shirts are a little longer.

What I Wore to Cowboy Church

We attend a cowboy church and just about everyone wears jeans to church. A lot of the time I will wear a jean skirt but I just felt like dressing up a bit more last week. 

This is one of my favorite skirts because...

Skirts Made From Old Pairs of Jeans

This week for Modest Monday I thought I would feature some skirts that I've made using a pair of jeans and either extra fabric or another pair of jeans. 

This skirt is super comfortable and it is a lighter weight denim, which is great on warmer days. Aren't the flowers pretty? My daughter bought these for me for Valentine's Day, using her own birthday money. She is such a sweetie!

Modest week in review

Here is a recap of my week in modest dress.

Thank you for letting me share with you this past week, it has been fun.

Here are some new tights I bought at Wal Mart this week, they are really warm.

Thursday's Modest Dress

I am really enjoying wearing skirts each day and sharing photos with you, I hope you don't mind. If you didn't read my earlier posts, I challenged myself to wear a skirt every day for seven days to get back into the habit of wearing them most every day. This is just something I wanted to do for myself because I had gotten comfortable wearing jeans again and I know that God has convicted me that I am to be mainly skirts. If you want to know more about my convictions on dressing modestly you can read this post. If you have followed my blog for any length of time you may remember this is not the first time I have slacked on this conviction. It is a good thing God doesn't give up on us and He forgives us when we fail to follow where He leads us. Praise God for His mercy and grace.

Now, here is the outfit I wore Thursday. We did have to get out of the house and go to town for errands and groceries. Brrr, it was cold out!

Wednesday's Modest Outfit

Here is what we wore Wednesday. 

It was another cold day, as it is supposed to be all week but I guess it is winter in the Midwest! We stayed home during the day but did go out for dinner when Daddy got home from being out of town for three days. I hope you enjoy the pictures and at the end I'll share where the outfit came from, I actually remember this time!

I love my maxi skirt, it is so very comfortable. I wish I had more of them.

Here is a back view of my t-shirt. 

A homemade headband, just some extra material I had around the house.

Here are my shoes for around the house, when we went out I put on my boots.

Here is my girlie all dressed to go, she loves her shiny red boots she got for Christmas.

My T-shirt is from Inside Out Christian Apparel, a company owned by some close friends of ours. I linked their Facebook page and hope you check them out. Click on photos to see their line of shirts. I plan to do a t-shirt giveaway from them soon.

The maxi skirt is from Cato, it is about the only store I shop in. I love their selection of long skirts. I ask for gift cards from there for birthdays and Christmas.

The shoes are Danskin but I got them at a garage sale. My long sleeve is just a long sleeve thermal shirt, I love how comfy it is.

I'll post today's pictures just as soon as I can.

Bessings,

Rashel

Modest Monday

 I haven't participated in the Modest Monday link up in awhile but was inspired to do so this week. To be perfectly honest, I have been wearing more pants than skirts recently but have been convicted about it the last few days. I challenged myself to wear only skirts for seven days, just to remind myself that I actually enjoy them and I can most things just as easily in a skirt. Anyway, I wanted to have a little fun and join the link up today.

 When I asked my daughter to take my picture, she asked if she could join me, so you will get pictures of us both. We decided to take pictures doing our regular chores today, since that is what we are dressed for and it is what we are doing today. So, no fancy poses and no dressy outfits today, just our wear around the house skirts.

Getting some ironing done- fun fun :)

Does Dress Really Matter?

Lately I have been struggling in a few areas concerning the subject of dress. Just a few of those questions have been "Does it really matter what I am wearing as long as it is modest?", "Does what I wear really show who I am?" and other similar questions. I even wondered if by me being in skirts most of the time if unsaved women would think that when they got saved they had to wear skirts all the time too.

I have been mostly skirts for some time now, however I do wear pants or capris on occasion as long as they are modest and not too tight. I was struck the other day with a thought when I realized how judgmental some women who are "skirts only" are toward women who choose not to be, I thought "I really don't want to be in that category". Does me wearing skirts only portray an image that I am that way as well, that I think I am more spiritual than women who do not? By the way, I don't think that but I have met women who do. I have met women who judge another woman's beliefs based simply on if they are wearing a skirt or not instead of taking the time to get to know them. A woman can be dressed very modestly in a long flowing skirt, with her hair up in a Lilla Rose clip and look very "Christian" but she could be cheating on her husband or neglecting her children at home, you can't tell by a person's dress.

All of this to say that I have been praying about this issue quite a bit lately and trying to figure out if the Lord would still have me to wear mainly skirts. Honestly, I wasn't sure anymore. However, today I believe I received my confirmation to the way I felt God was leading. I believe God can use many things to speak to us and today He used a blog. I haven't even been reading many blogs lately due to lack of time but for some reason (yes, I know it was God), I chose to read this one. I read The Modest Mom blog and her posts in her new series From Frumps to Pumps. They weren't even talking about being skirts only but did discuss the fact that how we look says a lot about us, plus many more things but you need to go read the posts for yourself. This is the post that really spoke to me about my dress.

Anyway, I knew that God was telling me He does want me mainly skirts and I can't be worried if someone makes a judgement about me or my faith based on my dress. I am to do as the Lord has led me and He is the one that will deal with their hearts.

Blessings my friends,
Rashel

Modest Monday

I love participating in Modest Mondays and seeing what other lovely ladies around the blog world like to wear to be modest. Here is the outfit I wore to my Grandmother's for lunch last week.

My sweet daughter is posing with me! She is not skirts 100% of the time, but I encourage her to wear them at least 3 days a week. Sometimes, she wears them more often but I let her decide. As long as she is clothed modestly, I am okay with it. I want her to choose to wear skirts because she wants to, not because I make her. I don't want it to become a legalistic thing.

My shirt was a hand me down from my Mom. The belt I have had forever and the skirt was from a garage sale. My daughter's outfit is all from garage sales. I love garage sales! That little black dot at my daughter's feet, is my sweet dog Mabel :)

These earrings were part of my Mother's Day present from my loving family! Aren't they pretty?

These shoes are my most comfy sandals. The best thing about them, they were free! We go once a year with my hubby on one of his work trips and they have a vendor hall with all the businesses that are trying to get the farm stores to carry their products and that is where I got these a couple years ago. They are Rafters brand, I love them.

I hope you enjoyed my Modest Monday post. Be sure to follow the link below to check out more modest ladies' posts!

Blessings,

Rashel

Modest Monday

I love to read the Modest Mom blog and especially love the Monday link up and all the wonderful blog I can visit from their to read about other modest ladies. Today I thought I would share as well. 

This is what I wore to our Saturday evening home fellowship group. We had been workin in the yard all day cleaning up some of the barn fire mess and I didn't feel like "dressing up", so I went casual. The shirt is a 3/4 length baseball t shirt hand me down from some friends and the jean skirt is from a garage sale. You can't see it, but I had tennis shoes on with ankle socks.

I should have taken some pictures of what I wore to work in the yard I guess, but it was similar to this. I just wore an old jean skirt and a t shirt, you can do about anything in a skirt. I have even ridden my horse in a skirt, but that is a picture for another day!

Have a blessed Monay.

A must watch video

This is a must watch video for any woman, not only those who already chose to dress modestly.

Blessings,

Rashel

Where are all the Titus 2 Women?

I will admit, I have been struggling lately but it is a different sort of struggle than normal for me. Normally I am struggling with homeschool or with housework, but not this time. I am so frustrated at the lack of real, in person Titus 2 women. Where are they? Where are the women in my church that are to teach me that yes, the Bible says homeschooling is God's plan? To teach me that yes, God wishes for wives/mothers to stay home, to be a keeper AT home? To teach me that as a daughter of the King that I am to dress modestly, to submit to my husband in all (biblical) things and that I am to love my children? Sometimes I feel so alone in the real world because I cannot name one person in my church that holds these beliefs right now. The friend I had at church that held most of these same beliefs is now out of town with her husband's work. I do have a friend that holds everyone of these beliefs, but she attends another church and lives in another town. Ugh, it is so frustrating to me. Please don't think that I mean to put down the women at my church, I don't. They are God fearing, God loving women who seek to follow His word, but it seems they are oblivious to commands regarding the beliefs I have mentioned. Most of the women in our church work outside the home, even the older women. I only know of one other homeschooling family. I am the only woman in our church that consistently wears skirts/dresses instead of jeans/pants. Many do not know how to show respect/submission to their own husbands. Sometimes I just want to scream, but other times it makes me question my beliefs. If I am the only one, maybe I am wrong. However, I don't believe that, not for one minute.

There are supposed to be Titus 2 women in the church, however I recently had a pastor's wife ask my opinion for a ladies Bible study and I recommended a Titus 2 study; she didn't understand what I meant until I explained it to her. How sad!

Titus 2:3-5

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

KJV

We are called to homeschool our children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

KJV
You can also read 2 Timothy 3:14, Ephesians 6:4, Isaiah 38:19, Mark 9:42, Romans 6:16 and Proverbs 22:6 for a few more verses about the parent's responsibility to train up their children. (I have more but will stop here for now.)

We are to dress modestly and differently from men and the rest of the world, and we are to submit to our husbands.
1 Peter 3:1-6

3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 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. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

KJV


1 Timothy 2:9-12

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

KJV

There are more verses and I will share if someone really wants to know, but otherwise I will leave it at these.
 
How am I to learn how to physically be a Titus 2 woman if I have no example? More importantly, how do I do it in a church that doesn't hold these beliefs? I can't instruct the younger women without expressing my beliefs, and that has caused me to consider stepping down from my teaching position in our youth ministry. Right now I teach a small group of 9-10th grade girls, but they keep asking my beliefs on touchy subjects (such as dating) and I have to be honest with them, even if it goes against the majority's beliefs. I am still praying about that decision, and really that isn't the main point of this post anyway.  (I'm not even sure I believe in youth groups but that is for another post entirely. I see their need in certain instances, otherwise, certain kids would NEVER hear the word of God.)
 
Back to topic, I just want to yell it out sometimes, "WHERE ARE YOU TITUS 2 WOMEN?"  And, why aren't you following the Word of God?
 
I thank God for the encouragement I receive online through wonderful, like-minded blogs.
 
Blessings,
Rashel

I couldn't get the link up to work but I am linking up with 

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Sharing my modest wardrobe

I love to see pictures of other ladies dressed modestly, especially in full length skirts. They are an encouragement to me as well as give me ideas to broaden my wardrobe. So, I thought maybe I might be the same encouragement to someone else if I posted pictures of my modest dress. Today is a rather plain day, mostly to be around the home with the exception of going to pick up our raw milk. My hair is just pulled back today, again, nothing fancy. The skirt I am wearing is one of my favorites; dh bought it for me when he was away on a business trip.

I also thought I would share a picture of my girlie in her modest dress. She is actually wearing culottes instead of a skirt, but still very modest and femine looking.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my wardrobe and I plan to share more over the next several days. If you decide you would like to share a glimpse into your wardrobe, please leave me a comment so I can be sure to see it.

Blessings,
Rashel

Update on wearing skirts

First, I want to thank all of you that left me encouraging comments on my last post about being convicted to be skirts only. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to leave me your thoughts. If you missed it, you can read it here. I'm still skirts only and plan to stay that way for good, I'm loving it. I feel such freedom because I no longer have the guilt of not following what I believe God would have me to do. I can't say that I haven't thought of wearing jeans on occasion when that is what would be "normal" for me to wear. For example, last weekend, we helped my sister move but I wore a skirt and no one said a word about it and I was able to do everything I could have done in jeans.  Today I helped dh drag some brush to burn and fix our fence and I did so in a skirt and didn't have any problems.  Tomorrow we have a big event with our church, it is an outside event with horseback rides, wagon rides, games and lots of stuff to do. It is something that everyone will have jeans on for, but I will be in a skirt. Dd already helped me pick out which one I will wear with my cowboy boots! Maybe I'll take a picture to post so you can see - I'm not trying to be prideful at all, but I thoroughly enjoy seeing pictures of other ladies in modest, long skirts.  Also today, I found a bargain on Craigslist and was able to get it this evening.


It is corduroy like material and very comfortable. The skirt is ankle length, which is my preferred length. It was only $5 for the skirt and jacket combo! I can't wait to wear it.
Thank you all for "listening" to me ramble and thank you again for "chatting" with me when you leave a comment.
Blessings,
Rashel

Conviction about skirts only

If you have followed me very long you probably have read some of my articles about modesty or skirt wearing. A few years ago God convicted me to wear skirts only and yes, I fought Him on it for awhile. Once I realized the only reason I wasn't wearing them full time was because of what others would think, I gave in and went full time. I did that for quite awhile, maybe a year or two, I can't quite remember. During that time we switched churches, now mind you neither church we attended were skirts only. Our old church lacked quite a bit in the modesty area which I feel was one reason God led me to skirts only, to stand out as an example. Our new church is very modest (with the exception of a couple ladies) and I started slacking on my skirts, wearing pants and jeans sometimes. Then I went back to wearing jeans, capris and long shorts when I wanted, not being skirts only at all. I have to say that I have wrestled with this issue greatly over the last year or so. I constantly went back and forth, should I really be skirts only or can I be modest in pants and such. I would literally go back and forth. Oh, I should note that dh has always supported my choice but we do not feel it is a command to wear skirts only, however we believe it is more modest. Dh let me work this out on my own. Finally last week I spent a great deal of time praying about it and talking it over with God (again). I realized I was once again not wearing skirts full time because of what others would think; that is just wrong. I am to follow God's conviction in my life and not be concerned with what others think, except my dh of course. So, I purposed to go skirts only with the exception of at rodeos or certain, specific times when jeans would be more functional. That is just my conviction in this area. I also sat my children down and discussed all of this with them and asked to help me be accountable, not to slip back into the habit of wearing jeans and such. I know that this issue is a personal conviction, but if you would like to read more of my journey, I have several posts about it. You can look under the label modesty or look here and here.

Blessings,
Rashel

Skirt Challenge Day 5

This is one of my very favorite skirts, because dh bought it for me while on a business trip. It is also very comfortable.

I'm also realizing that I started this thinking we would see cold weather outfits but the weather here has actually been pretty warm, obviously from the short sleeves and flip flops :)

Modest skirt challenge day #4

We had to go to town this morning for two of my children's doctor check ups. This is what I wore to town, but I must admit when I got home, I put on my favorite jean skirt and a sweatshirt :)

Modest skirt challenge day #2

Here is my picture for Tuesday, I know I'm late but I have a good reason. We had to go out of town Tuesday afternoon for my dh's great aunt's visitation. We spent the night up there and attended the funeral Wednesday, so I don't have one for Wednesday. However, when I have time, I will try to put that outfit back on just for a picture to post.