Where Do You Go to College?

Here's a delightful post on how to answer the college question from a fellow stay at home daughter, 33-year-old Sarah K! You can visit her blog, here.

One of the most frustrating things about being a self-confessed stay-at-home daughter is not knowing how to answer people when they make assumptions.

“Where do you go to college?” someone asks me, casually.

That’s when things get sticky. My heart skips a beat, my palms get clammy, my head starts to itch, and my mouth goes dry. It is my least favorite question...

...As a teenager I heard David Barton speak on “How to Communicate Biblical Truth to a Secular Audience.” He showed how the Apostle Paul used general knowledge of the world around him (cultural literacy) to grab the ears of the men on Mars’ hill and preach the Gospel (Acts 17).

This concept also applies to casual conversations. It can help me answer people without drawing them into a debate over differing worldviews. I can make my lifestyle choices palatable to those who expect a certain amount of social conformity in a young woman, by using terms they can understand and appreciate...

Read the rest here!

Who's Wearing the Pants Here?

Kate from Joyfully Feminine offers her perspective on a hot-button issue among stay at home daughters, and Christian girls alike: Pants or Skirts?

Can a godly woman wear pants? This is an issue much debated among Christian women all over the country, especially in the homeschooling community. Valid arguments come from both sides of the aisle which can make answering this question difficult and unnerving; it's a touchy subject. On the one hand you have ultra-conservative women who believe in taking the controversial verse in Deuteronomy at face value, while on the other hand you have mainstream evangelicals who scoff at the idea that wearing pants has anything to do with your walk with God. It is my goal in this article to dive into scripture to find the heart of the matter; I pray that God will point me in the right direction.

Read the rest here.

Comments? We'd love to hear what your thoughts are on this issue - Is it okay for a Christian girl to wear pants? Leave your two-cents in the comment section! (But, please be respectful!)

On Cheerfulness....

Good day to all of you! I hope that you have had a wonderful day of enjoying the Lord and all of his blessings. He is so good- I am so very blessed in His mercy and grace. :)

I felt led to write a post on cheerfulness. I hope that it will be a help to you as we travel down the "straight and narrow". :)

In the Bible, God says a lot about being cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13 - "A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 17:22 - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 15:30 - "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

Many times, it is easy to be cheerful when everything is going our way. All the world seems fine and good - you know the feeling! : )

But what happens when something comes along that we don't like? Sometimes, it is really easy to sink into self-pity. It's the "Why do I have to be the one who has to do this?!" attitude.

God wants us to be cheerful in all situations. That is something I know I'm working on, and I know there are several others who feel the same.

If you know me, you probably know that I like gospel bluegrass. Now, you're probably thinking, "What does bluegrass have to do with cheerfulness?" I'll tell you. :)

There is a song called "Keep on the Sunny Side". The lyrics go something like this:

"There's a dark & a troubled side of life
There's a bright, there's a sunny side, too
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view.

[chorus] Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

The storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear;
Clouds and storms will, in time, pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear.

[chorus]

Let us greet with the song of hope each day
Tho' the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Saviour always
Who keepeth everyone in His care"

[chorus]

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Why do I like this song? Because it reminds me to "Keep on the Sunny Side"- to stay cheerful and be an encouragement to others.

Cheerfulness is a wonderful way to share God's love. I urge you to show (and share!) cheerfulness with those around you as you go through your week.

Blessings in Christ!
~*~Courtney~*~

How To Be A Lady

by Christa Taylor of 'Empowered Traditionalist'

When I was shopping yesterday I ran across several young women that looked like they could be something out of Jungle book. Amazon women, yet shorter; we’re talking gals that look they could pick me up and throw me across the parking lot.

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy strong women (you’re talking to a Krav Maga addict here); but I LOVE strong women that revel in their femininity. Don’t feel like you have to compete with men.

We aren’t Tarzan. We’re Jane.

How do I become more ladylike? What are some practical tips to demonstrate to the world that I am a woman?

Continue reading...

Have you Signed up for our Newsletter yet?

The Stay at Home Daughters May/June 2009 Newsletter will be sent out early next month - have you subscribed? To subscribe to the newsletter, all you have to do is send an email to us at stayathomedaughters@ymail.com.

You won't want to miss this!

Note: You can also submit content for the newsletter by emailing us. (Click here.) We are looking for recipes, craft projects, poems, pictures and small articles.

Cake Mix Cookies

I've had several people ask how you make these, so I thought I would post the recipe here on the blog! =)

Cake Mix Cookies
1 package chocolate cake mix (Or any other flavor. We've tried several! :D )
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
Optional: 1 cup of chocolate chips, nuts, m 'n' m's, etc.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, butter and eggs until smooth and well blended. Mix in any optional ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on cooling rack completely, or for about 10-15 minutes. Yum!

This is a great way to use a cake mix for something other than cake! =)

I hope you are all having a marvelous day!
Blessings!
Courtney.