Lakyn and Savannah

Lakyn came and stayed while Austin was at Scout Camp.  She took his place at Tennis lessons, and she was really good.

homemade

I needed a 4th of July wreath.  Instead of buying one, I thought I'd make one.  Austin helped.  It was fun.

tennis

I'm all about introducing the kids to as many forms of exercise as possible in hopes that they will find something they like and they will understand that being active is simply part of life.  This summer especially, the kids have started taking tennis lessons, Savannah is also taking a gymnastics class at the Y, I have dragged them both to spin class with me and they are doing lots of rock climbing at the gym.

Austin is especially good at tennis.  He needs to focus on his form, but I can see this being his sport of choice.

Savannah- she's good at just about everything which I kinda hate because I think it is giving her a big head.  She had her first gymnastics class last night and the instructor asked how many years she had been taking classes.  When I told her this was her first class, she was shocked.  She wanted to move her to the more advanced class, but it is on Thursday night and I have class.  So maybe next rotation.

my modesty paper

ENG 106- Persuasive Essay

16 June 2014

Modest is Hottest, right?

            A young woman entered her house after work, and ran directly to her room.  Her mother could hear her sobbing and could not imagine what upset her so much.  The daughter composed herself enough to tell her mom what happened at work.  A young man had approached her and made some very sexually offensive remarks.  The first question she asked her mom was, “What was I wearing that would make that boy say those things to me?”  The mother was horrified and asked, “Where did you get the message that what you are wearing should determine how you are treated?”  Her daughters answer shocked her, “Young Women’s.”   The modesty conversation focuses too much on appearance and not enough on self-respect and developing reverence for our bodies and the power they possess.  When the true meaning of modesty is taught, actions and attitudes change for the better.  The young women are hearing a message of shame and blame in regards to their bodies and Satan is the author of these lies.  When one truly understands and applies the doctrine of modesty, the focus is on their divine nature as daughters of God, and the conversation over hems and sleeves begins to fade into the background. 

            The sad example of the mother and daughter shows how the young women are applying the principle of modesty incorrectly.  Emma Addams points out that obsessing over both female modesty, and the placing of blame for men’s thoughts and actions, objectifies women and has powerful negative effects on both genders.(1)  The young women are not hearing the more important message about self-respect and self- worth.  The message they are hearing the loudest, is their bodies cause men to think and do things they can’t be held responsible for.  There is a sense of “shaming” women into being modest “lest they arouse lust.”(2)  This line of thinking feeds directly into Satan’s plan.  He would have women believe that their worth is directly related to how desirable they are.  The saying, “Modest is Hottest”, is a perfect example of this.  Even in our attempt to teach the principles of modesty, we are equating it desirability.   

            For years the young women have been taught, “It is especially important that we teach young girls not to wear clothes that would encourage young men to have improper thoughts.” (3)  The argument has been made that men are visual creatures, and the visceral reaction to an immodestly dressed woman is beyond their control.  This is exactly what Satan wants women to believe.  The Book of Mormon teaches because of the Fall, men became “carnal, sensual, and devilish” (4).  The object of this life is to overcome the natural man and become like God.   Elder M. Russell Ballard warns of Satan’s strategy against women, “When they wear clothing that is too tight, too short, or too low cut, they perpetuate in their own minds the fallacy that a woman’s value is dependent solely upon her sensual appeal.”(5)  Women, especially those vulnerable young women, need to be taught how to recognize the tactics Satan employs in his efforts to destroy them. 

            LDS. Org defines modesty as “an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior.”(6)  In a question posed on social media regarding modesty, 100% of the adults, both LDS and non-LDS, responded that modesty has little to do with hemlines or sleeve length, but a general respect for the body and a clear understanding of its power.  What modesty means to adults is in line with the leadership of the church.

Sister Silvia Allred said, “The doctrine behind modesty begins with our knowledge that we are children of God, created in His image (see Moses 2:27). Our bodies are sacred gifts from Heavenly Father and have specific purposes that He has planned…As modesty becomes the virtue that regulates and moderates action in our lives, we too will find an increased sense of self-worth.”(7)

True application of the principle of modesty takes on a spiritual tone when focused on showing reverence for our bodies. 

What then, are we supposed to teach regarding modesty?   Sister Elaine S. Dalton encourages us to teach, “Modesty is a condition of the heart. It is an outward manifestation of an inner knowledge and commitment. It is an expression that we understand our identity as daughters of God.”(8) By taking the focus away from hem and sleeve length, we are leaving adequate room in the conversation to focus on the Spirit.  Sister Dalton also encourages the women of the church to “become sensitive to how we feel in certain clothing.”(9)  The simple question of “how do I feel in this” allows for the Spirit to give confirmation that the Lord would be pleased.

            The teaching of modesty needs to be focused on developing worth and seeing ourselves and our bodies as God sees us.  The current conversation regarding modesty needs to focus less on clothing and more on inspiring a sense of reverence for our bodies and the power they possess. Satan’s desire is to fool women into believing their worth is based solely on our sensual appeal and their bodies are something to be ashamed of.  When the principle of modesty is understood correctly, both ones actions and attitude reflect a sure knowledge of our place as children of God.  When the principle of modesty is applied in real life, the tone of the message changes from negative to positive, and lives and hearts are forever changed. 

                                                           

                                                           

                                                Works cited

1.      Emma Addams, Facebook, June 9, 2014

2.      Emily Jack, Facebook, June 10, 2014

3.      The LDS Woman: Basic Manual for Women Part, A Lesson 9: Chastity and Modesty, pages 60-65

4.      Book of Mormon, Alma 40:10

5.      Russell M. Ballard, Mothers and Daughters, General Conference, April 2010

6.      LDS.org, https://www.lds.org/topics/modesty?lang=eng

7.      Silvia H. Allred, Modesty: A Timeless Principle for All, Ensign, July 2009

8.      Elaine S. Dalton, Stay on The Path, General Conference, April 2007

9.      Elaine S. Dalton, Stay on The Path, General Conference, April 2007

studs

my boys gettin geared up for baseball!!!

diva

she dressed herself.  And the glasses are the cherry on top!!

a whole hand

I can't believe he is five.  At this stage in life he is obsessed with all things baseball.  He loves it.  We had friends over and played it for his birthday party.  He's introducing me to new things I never would have tried on my own.  I love this kid.  He

storm clouds

This is the storm that blew through Blair.  It had softball size hail and winds in excess of 80 mph.  It does an incredible amount of damage.

These clouds are what I think it looks like if you were laying on the bottom of the ocean looking up.  Kinda creepy.

so embarrassing

Let me set the scene-

10am- in the van, all four kids.  Racing out the door to run errands before spin class.

Savannah- "Mom, I heard you talking in your sleep last night.  You were making all kinds of moaning sounds."

Mom- cheeks begin to flush, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sav- "Seriously mom- you were moaning so loud. I must have stood outside your bedroom for like an hour."  Did you know the door must have been locked when you closed it because I couldn't get in."

Mom- (barely able to keep a straight face, cheeks really red)- "I must have been dreaming."

Savannah- "Well, it must have been a good dream."

Mom- (dying inside from embarrassment) "what should we have for lunch?"  trying to change the subject.

Sav- " Dad must have woken you up and made you stop?" I know someone was awake because after you finally stopped moaning, I heard the toilet flush. So I went back to bed."

Mom- "Well, that was odd."

I'm only recording this for posterity because when she gets married and has kids, I'm going to remind her of this post.  How old should the kids be to talk to them about sex for pleasure?