Rambles From My Heart: A Poem

By Rose H.

What We Have

Sometimes we don’t realize all we have.

We wallow in shame and sin, never seeing what He has given us.

His ring of grace is on our finger.

His robe of generosity is around us.

His sandals of peace are on our feet.

His kiss of love is on our cheek.

We are truly blessed.

Perfume, Perfume, Perfume!

Perfume. Many women wear it. Some women are allergic to it. Personally, I love the smell of perfume! Depending on the scent it can be very feminine! Some of my favorites are Pure Brilliance by Celine Dion and Love Me by Kimora Lee Simmons. (I just love the scent of these, not the actresses! ;) ) I love spraying a little bit on so I smell “pretty”! I think almost every women loves to smell pretty and feminine and perfume is a wonderful way to do so!

But what is the history of perfume? Let’s see what Wikipedia says-

The history of perfume began in antiquity. The word perfume is used today to describe scented mixtures and is derived from the Latin word, “per fumus”, meaning through smoke. Perfumery, or the art of making perfumes, began in ancient Egypt but was developed and further refined by the Romans and the Arabs. Although perfume and perfumery also existed in East Asia, much of its fragrances are incense based. The basic ingredients and methods of making perfumes are described by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia.

Okay, that’s interesting. But, what is the purpose of perfume? What did women in ancient times use it for?

In ancient times women used perfume to cover their “scent” and to make them smell better. As they did not shower on a daily basis. Perfume use in the form of scented oils, powders and incense dates back to ancient Egypt. Perfume as we know it today came into existence around the 19th century, when chemically synthesized scents were substituted for hard-to-find organic scents.

Isn’t it neat how people find solutions to a problem? (In this case, odor)

Personally, I see nothing wrong with wearing perfume. In fact, the Egyptians were very smart to invent it! Perfume can be used to make you smell really nice. Although, I would be careful about using too much perfume. The bible has many verses about perfume including-

Song of Solomon 3:6

Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

I don’t believe that the bible is against perfume. In fact it is a very pleasant thing. And from my point of view, God seems to “like” perfume. If you know what I mean.

In conclusion, perfume is a very pleasant thing and the history behind it is very interesting! I could have given more detail on the history of perfume, but that would be one longggg post!

Note- For those of you with sensitivities to perfume then try essential oils! I love Young Living’s. They will make you smell wonderful while staying natural. ;)

**Closed**Conair Curling Iron Review/Giveaway

And the winner is……

Congratulations to Andrea you won this giveaway!

Comment #138 was chosen by Random.org. Thanks to all who entered and to Conair for sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

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Recently I received a e-mail in my inbox from the lovely rep from Conair. She offered me the chance to review and giveaway Conair’s newest curling iron! I chose the Infiniti Pro by Conair™ You Wrap and Wave.

This lovely little curling iron has two barrels and endless possibilities! The You Wrap and Wave has a unique 2-barrel ceramic styler that creates a range of curl styles from spirals to beachy, natural waves. Depending on how you weave hair around the barrels, you can create “s” waves, oval waves, or spiral curls. Pretty cool eh? Yes, I think so too! :)

It utilizes tourmaline ceramic technology to lessen hair damage, prevent hot spots, reduce frizz, and help eliminate static. The styler has a 30-second instant heat, automatic shutoff, and reaches 400°F. A heat protective glove is included to protect fingers while styling.

My mom and I both tested out this curling iron and it’s wonderful! It works like a dream and creates perfect curls! I love it! My mom has also “stolen” my curling iron from me several times because she likes it so much! I honestly found nothing wrong with this curling iron! It works on all hair types, creates beautiful curls, heats up super fast, and is know my favorite curling iron!

I also own a Conair flat iron and it works beautifully too. Know that I have a curling iron from Conair all I need is a blow dryer and I’m good to go! :)

Buy it:

The Infiniti Pro by Conair You Wrap and Wave is available nationwide at mass market and drug store retailers, as well as at www.conair.com for an average price of $39.99.

Win it:

So you wanna win a Infiniti Pro by Conair™ You Wrap and Wavesome Curling Iron! Open to US only,

Here is what you have to do: THIS IS MANDATORY! You will only get 1 entry for the mandatory entry.

Tell me why you want to win!….

For additional entries: leave one comment for each additional entry

Follow Virtuous Girlhood on Twitter. 5 extra entries

Follow Conair on Twitter. 5 extra entries.

Tweet about this giveaway- ONE entry per tweet. (you can do this up to 5x a day, but be sure to leave me the link)

Enter to #win a conair wrap and weave curling iron! @conair_hair @VirtuousGirlhd! http://bit.ly/ogy2BM #Giveaway

Like Virtuous Girlhood on Facebook 5 extra entries

Like Conair on Facebook 5 extra entries

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (It’s on my side bar!) 5 extra entries

Add Virtuous Girlhood.com to your blog roll/website 5 extra entries

Blog about this giveaway, include a link to this giveaway,and comment with the link 10 extra entries

Add my button to your blog or website 10 extra entries.

My Button My Button

Comment on any new posts on Virtuous Girlhood 1 extra entry (this can be done multiple times!) Be sure to leave me the link.

Enter any of our other giveaways. 5 extra entries per giveaway!

Also if you have sisters or maybe your mom who would like to enter this giveaway they are welcome too even if you have already entered!

Rules:

Giveaway starts on July 29th and is open until August 31st. Conair will send one winner their prize. The winner has 48 hours to respond and if you have not responded with the requested information I will have to pick another winner!

One winner will be chosen that lives inside the US only.

You MUST use your home address if you win. No P.O. boxes! The winner must also provide your home phone number.

Also each time you have a additional entry, comment with it and the number that it is. Don’t worry if you don’t see the comments right away. Comment moderation is enabled. However if you are really worried about not seeing them after 2 days e-mail me at vgcontacts/at/ yahoo (dot) {com} And I’ll check it out! Sometimes my spam catcher catches them.

Happy Entering!

Miss RJ

I’m Sorry

I’ve sat here for the past several minutes writing and re-writing this post. Not because I’m at a loss for words, but because I’m not sure just how to say this. Anyhow, I’ll give it a shot.

In recent articles, I have received quite a few comments, e-mails, and notes that I am too judgmental. And that I am “forcing” my opinions on people. Nothing could be further from the truth. This post isn’t going to be another one of rants and raves, rather it’s going to be a apology.

I’m sorry. I am really truly sorry if any of my previous posts offended anyone. I never meant to hurt, offend, or envoke anyone’s wrath. So, I’m sorry.

All I was trying to do was to voice my thoughts and concerns. Honestly,  I really didn’t mean to come across as close minded, sheltered, rude, judgmental and immature. If that’s how I came across to some of you I’m sorry.

I’m not judging people who read, watch, listen, wear and do things differently or that I don’t do/don’t agree with. It’s your life, and when everything is said and done, God is going to judge us for our actions. Not a teenage girl who simply wanted to blog about things that annoyed her.

I’m not claiming that I’m too good to do the things that I don’t do and things that I speak up about and against. (does this make any sense????) I’m sorry if I came across that way. In fact, I’ve made alot of mistakes in my life. Mistakes that I’m not proud of. My past life is nothing pretty. I’ve done and said a ton of horrible things. I’ve hurt friends, I’ve hurt my parents, I’ve hurt my siblings, and most importantly, I’ve hurt God. I’ve watched and listened to things that where not wholesome and pure. For a time in my life I hated God. I hated everything about God and wanted nothing to do with him. I didn’t want him to exist. I was living in sin. I rebelled against everything that I had ever been taught. But, God forgave me. And at this time in my life, I am trying to repair the damage that I did. I’m not perfect. I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes. I make mistakes every single day. But, I am loved by a perfect God who loves me. And I am his child.

To sum this up, I’m really sorry. I hope that I haven’t lost any blog readers because of this. And I hope that you all will forgive me if I have offended you. I’m going to try to be more gentle when I blog. And I’m going to try to not come across as sheltered, rude, close-minded, immature, and judgmental.

RJ

Several Reason’s I Am Glad That I Am “Sheltered”

After being called “sheltered” countless times this week by various people. I was inspired by several blogging gal’s to write a post about why I am glad that I am “sheltered”. So dear fellow “sheltered” homeschoolers, this post is for you.

Girls, don’t listen to the haters. They just hate. We are called to follow Jesus. We are not here to please other’s but to please HIM. Keep fighting the good fight. It will be worth it in the end. I am a christian. And I am proud of it. I’m not ashamed to bear HIS name.

A blog reader left this comment on the blog. I think that it is very well written, and it describes my point exactly.

Dear Girl,
Why fight them so hard?
You speak as though a knowledge of the vain and worldly were a recommendation, something to hold up against those who would call you sheltered. When I was young, and forgive me for saying it so bluntly, ignorant, I felt as you do now. I have said similar words and been pricked by the same pain. But I am older, and thanks to the grace of God, I am a little wiser as well, and I have learned that being accused of being ‘sheltered’ is the least of the darts this world will toss at you.
Think of the damage, perhaps, in this light. Not that your pride has been pricked, or your feelings hurt, but that it has caused you to cling to some worldly behaviors, attitudes and entertainment that is anything but virtuous by our Gods standards. You fight- you fight eloquently and well, but you fight the wrong enemy.
Our goal is Always to look unto Jesus- what does He say about us?! Does He call us sheltered home schoolers, or does He call us a Peculiar, Set apart people after his own heart? Does He see your entertainment choices, your fashion statements, your heart attitudes and say- ah, she has kept herself for me!! Or does He say- well, at least she isn’t a sheltered home schooler….
Just think, dear one, and don’t let your heart be grieved
Cling to the truth, the one truth described in our Bible.
Cling to Him, your Savior, and not those who make issues out of mites and molehills.
Separate yourself, shelter yourself in Christ alone, not what others have set out as rules and culture and religion even.
In Him,
A fellow sheltered home schooler


Thank you “Just a Friend” for leaving this comment. I think it’s something that we ALL need to hear. Right girls? Anyhow, here are several reasons that I am glad I am sheltered and homeschooled.

  • I am under my daddy’s protection. In the past two years, several guys (non-Christians) have made advances to me, and thanks to my daddy, I don’t have to worry about them. My daddy takes care of all the creepy dudes for me.
  • Because I am homeschooled, I can sleep in. I don’t have to get up at 6AM every morning. (hehehe)
  • Because I am homeschooled I can be done school by 12PM and have the rest of the day to myself!
  • Because I am homeschooled, I know how to talk to adults.
  • Because I am “sheltered” I don’t have to worry about not having a boyfriend, not being like everyone else, being bullied and lots more!

There are many other reasons that I am glad I am a sheltered homeschooled teenager, but that would be one LONG list! :)

To all you haters, I’m glad I am sheltered! I’m glad I’m a geeky homeschooler. And you know what? I don’t care what you all say. I am who I am and no one can change that. So long as I am obeying my parents and God, who cares what the world thinks!

Keep fighting the good fight dear ones!
RJ

****Survey*****

Alrighty ladies! We have a survey for you all! If you all could take this survey I would be SO thankful! Thank’s girls! :)

RJ

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

My “Babies”

ALL PHOTOS ARE UNDER COPYRIGHT! THANK YOU!

Yep, I have babies. (ok, not really) But the younger three kids are my “babies” and I love them to death! (Yes, I do love the other four JUST as much, they just happen to be big) At the farm the other day I did a impromptu photo shoot with baby, Kitty, and Nookie. Nookie was sleeping so I only got a few of him….anyhow, here you go! None of the images are Photoshopped or edited in anyway btw.

Nookie-

Kitty-

She kept moving during this photo, but I like the end result.

This was one of my favorite photos from the shoot. So sweet, yet I love the blurry background!

Baby-


He didn’t quite know what to think of the grass. Don’t you just love those blue eyes???

Watcha think? Are they cute or what??? Yeah I know, I’m a proud big sister. :)

Movie Ratings #3

Alrighty! First off I am going to say that some of these movies I recently watched are for TEENS. TEENS. Not children. Ok? And some of these are chick flicks. So I’m rating them on a chick flick basis. I don’t recommend any of these movies for kids. (Except for Kung Fu Panda and Alaska) Ok? Thanks! :)

Highest I rate is 5 stars. (and I rate pretty harshly!)

Kung Fu Panda 2-

This movie was pretty cute. I watched it with my siblings and they loved it. Yet again, they are die-hard Kung Fu Panda fans. Their is really nothing bad in this movie. It has a great message. Really little kids might be scared though. The bad: fantasy violence. 4.5 stars

High School Musical 1 (HSM1)-

Ok, ok, ok, this movie isn’t that bad. Once you get over Zac Efron’s cheesy lip singing, the movie is actually a very good story! My mom and I loved it! This movie is pretty much a chick flick. I found it VERY funny. Plus, I feel in love with the characters. Chad, Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpey, The bad: A few immodest outfits, a few kisses, teen bullying. 4 stars (only because of the immodest outfits)

High School Musical 2 (HSM2)

Note- The singing get’s WAY better in this movie! (and the 3rd one) It’s not cheesy anymore! :) I think this movie was my least favorite of the three. I mean it was good, but I didn’t really LOVE it. It was a good story, but I enjoyed the first and second movie more. However, this movie was just as hilarious! :) The bad: kissing, pool partying, swimsuits, and one girl has REALLY skimpy dresses. 2.5 stars

High School Musical 3 (HSM3)-

I think this movie was my favorite out of the HSM series. I was sad when the movie ended. I wanted this movie series to go on forever. I loved it. I could relate to the teens puzzle of what to do with their life. I know what it’s like to be pulled in two different directions. I loved this movie. The bad: kissing, one girl has skimpy outfits. 4.5 stars (only because of the immodest outfits)

The characters and story stole my romantic heart. If romance movies don’t bother you, then this series is for you! I LOVED HSM, and I’m sad that the series is over. I fell in love with all the characters. Troy, Chad, Taylor, Sharpey, Ryan, Gabriella, Zeke, Kelsi, and the rest of the gang. They are very lovable characters. And the writers of HSM did a wonderful job. Know, to go find the soundtrack to these three movies for my iPod. iTunes here I come! ;)

Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure-

Ummm, this movie was SO stupid it was funny. It wasn’t the same as HSM for me. I mean it was fun, but I would have rather seen something else. The bad: Immodest dresses 2.5 stars

Ruby Bridges-

This was a awesome movie! I loved it. It’s a touching story about how one little girl stands up and is the FIRST black girl to go to a all white school. Make sure to have tissues handy for this one! I LOVED the woman’s dresses! The bad: nothing! 5 stars

Alaska-

When my dad first started watching this movie, I saw the cover and rolled my eyes. I mean seriously? Who wants to see another stupid movie. Boy, I was wrong! I actually enjoyed this movie. It was funny, but I also felt Shawn and Jesse’s pain of losing their father. It was a awesome movie! The bad: violence 5 stars

Until next time….

Trashy Music

THIS POST IS NOT FOR READERS UNDER 15! THANK YOU! :)

See here for more details about secular music…..

The music of today is just that trash. Well, almost all of it anyways. I should know. I used to listen to pop ALL the time. In fact if you turned the radio to a pop station, I could tell you who was singing what. I was addicted to this music. I couldn’t get enough. And I got defensive EVERY time I would hear Christians bash secular artists. I couldn’t stand it. I mean honestly “How DARE they bash my favorite artists!”

I listened to this garbage behind my parents back. I rocked out to Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Pitbull, Rhianna, Black Eyed Peas, Tiao Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Disney Artists, and lots more. I mean what could be so wrong with the music. It was COOL music. I didn’t even bother to read the lyrics of this music. And that’s the problem. I didn’t see where I was wrong. To me it was music. Music that was fun to listen to.  I ignored the fact that the music was talking about night clubs, s*x, and contained vulgar swear words. I made excuses for the music. I excused Lady Gaga’s music because after all doesn’t she mention God? And as for Katy Perry, well she’s a christian. Blah, blah, blah.

Let me ask you something, do you think God is please when we listen to music that is supportive of abortion, premarital sex, homosexuality, drugs, night clubs, and lust? Do you think he’s pleased? I don’t think so. The music of today doesn’t please God. Nor does it honor him.

Let me ask you something, do you think God is please when we listen to music that is supportive of abortion, premarital sex, homosexuality, drugs, night clubs, and lust? Do you think he’s pleased? I don’t think so. The music of today doesn’t please God. Nor does it honor him.

Lady Gaga writes and sings songs that honor satan and mock God and everything that is true and good. Her song “Born This Way” supports homosexuality. Pitbull and Eminem write and sing songs about using woman and lusting after them. Ke$ha sings songs about getting drunk and dancing at a night club. Katy Perry sings songs about “hot” guys and premarital relations. Rhianna sings about having sleeping with guys and worse. The Black Eyed Peas sing about getting drunk and “wanting” a girl. I could go on and on with examples, but I figure this enough.

See why, this music is trash? These singers don’t honor God with their outfits, songs, or actions. They are sinning. Why should we as Christians give them glory by supporting them and listening to their music?

Instead of listening to this music, try listening to christian music. Here is a list of some great Christian artists.

For The Girl Who Loves Upbeat/Rock/Rap Music-

Toby Mac
Skillet (I don’t listen to them though as I don’t like the lead singers voice, but other than that I would like them!)
Newboys
Britt Nicole
Jeremy Camp
Robert Pierre
DC Talk

For The Girl Who Loves Music With A Message-

Tenth Avenue North
Josh Wilson
The Afters
Francesca Battistelli
Casting Crowns
Brandon Heath
Steven Curtis Chapman

There are many, many, many, many other awesome christian artists. This is only a small sampling of what wonderful christian music is out there. I would recommend listening to KLOVE.com for a good christian radio. BTW- to those of you who consider christian pop to be sinful, well if it wasn’t for christian pop I wouldn’t be here today. Just saying.

To sum my little “sermon” up. Please take it from someone who used to listen to this music. I do like some secular music, but only if the lyrics are good. Read my post here for more on that.

(for more info on Lady Gaga than read this article here. **warning** it does show pictures of Lady Gaga and is not for children under 16)

Homemaking Tuesday: The Kitchen

By Rose H.

This is one of my favorite rooms in the house. I’m a big cook so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

When I come into the kitchen and I like to be a cheery place to work. (Having six siblings I spend a lot of time in the kitchen) Try to paint with light cheery colors. So that every time you walk in, you smile.

Try to organize things. Keeping things clean will save you a lot of frustration and headaches. A place for everything and everything in its place (not to repeat mantra or anything).

One thing that you can do to make this space even a little bit better is to decorate the fronts of the cabinets. It’s so easy and cheap. Just grab some fun pictures and some glue. Next paste the pictures on the front of the cabinets. It’s so cute and fun.

For the kitchen keep things practical yet pretty. Don’t have anything cluttering up your countertops and try to keep things organized and clean. This will make it a fun happy place to work.