Post by benshelpmeet on Jan 2, 2006 0:19:25 GMT -5
Dear Gail,
I do understand just how you feel and just what you are going through all the frustration and upset and wondering where on the planet earth to go to church and raise a family for God where they will not have the pressures and pull of the world constantly pulling on them and being presented to them through their church peers and those they fellowship with and grow to love. I also know the disappointment and frustrating feelings one has when their eyes are open to the fact they have to leave the plain people they once embraced. There is alot involved, I know.
Be encouraged dear sister the journey is hard I know but it really is not so bad. We are past the point of panic and bewilderment, confusion, and disappointment. We are at the point where we are just peacefully waiting upon the Lord.
After we left we had to sort alot of things out. And I mean alot of things, I need not go into it all because you know what I am talking about.
We ''now'' are comfortable with who we are, what we are to do, and the way we ( The Smith Family ) are to dress and what type of covering fits us best, etc. It has taken us about two years to figure all of this out sense we left. The Lord has given clarity of thought, peace, and direction. There is hope.
do you have a "dress code" that would frown upon skirts?
No we do not have a dress code that frowns upon skirts. We ''personally'' ( our family ) prefer dresses or jumpers, but we do not have a problem with others wearing them. Modesty is the issue. I was just telling you of our struggle with not wanting to look like (them!). We went through tons of emotions and were uncertain of what to do and where to go from here, but I am thankful to say the Lord has stepped in after much prayer and given much peace and direction. He can and will do the same for you.
I know what you mean about sewing for alot of girls, we have 7 this includes me. We seem to always need dresses , we are trying to sew some right now. My oldest daughter learned how to sew and she is a big help, but my next to the oldest daughter is still learning how to sew, she can make bloomers, slips and how cut out patterns. She is a big help, we ask her to cut the patterns why we sew them. We have a long way to go, but with patients and consistence we will be able to teach the other girls as they get older how to sew. We have found that we only need 5 or 6 dresses a piece to get along. Of coarse my dresses last a long time, and most of the girls dresses can be passed down to the next, so this helps me out alot.
We have come across Cammilleri type churches ''conservative'', but none that believe in the covering. If you look you can find a conservative '' for the most part'' Cammilleri type church to go to, there out there. I guess we just do not feel comfortable in those types of churches. We have thought and prayed about, would God have us go to one and for our family He said, No. God has plans for our family and though I do not have or know all the details I have peace that passeth all understanding.
I hope we can be an encouragement to you as you seek Gods will for your life, He will guide you, and He dearly loves and cares for you.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Love and prayers, ~ sister Darlene ~
I do understand just how you feel and just what you are going through all the frustration and upset and wondering where on the planet earth to go to church and raise a family for God where they will not have the pressures and pull of the world constantly pulling on them and being presented to them through their church peers and those they fellowship with and grow to love. I also know the disappointment and frustrating feelings one has when their eyes are open to the fact they have to leave the plain people they once embraced. There is alot involved, I know.
Be encouraged dear sister the journey is hard I know but it really is not so bad. We are past the point of panic and bewilderment, confusion, and disappointment. We are at the point where we are just peacefully waiting upon the Lord.
After we left we had to sort alot of things out. And I mean alot of things, I need not go into it all because you know what I am talking about.
We ''now'' are comfortable with who we are, what we are to do, and the way we ( The Smith Family ) are to dress and what type of covering fits us best, etc. It has taken us about two years to figure all of this out sense we left. The Lord has given clarity of thought, peace, and direction. There is hope.
do you have a "dress code" that would frown upon skirts?
No we do not have a dress code that frowns upon skirts. We ''personally'' ( our family ) prefer dresses or jumpers, but we do not have a problem with others wearing them. Modesty is the issue. I was just telling you of our struggle with not wanting to look like (them!). We went through tons of emotions and were uncertain of what to do and where to go from here, but I am thankful to say the Lord has stepped in after much prayer and given much peace and direction. He can and will do the same for you.
I know what you mean about sewing for alot of girls, we have 7 this includes me. We seem to always need dresses , we are trying to sew some right now. My oldest daughter learned how to sew and she is a big help, but my next to the oldest daughter is still learning how to sew, she can make bloomers, slips and how cut out patterns. She is a big help, we ask her to cut the patterns why we sew them. We have a long way to go, but with patients and consistence we will be able to teach the other girls as they get older how to sew. We have found that we only need 5 or 6 dresses a piece to get along. Of coarse my dresses last a long time, and most of the girls dresses can be passed down to the next, so this helps me out alot.
We have come across Cammilleri type churches ''conservative'', but none that believe in the covering. If you look you can find a conservative '' for the most part'' Cammilleri type church to go to, there out there. I guess we just do not feel comfortable in those types of churches. We have thought and prayed about, would God have us go to one and for our family He said, No. God has plans for our family and though I do not have or know all the details I have peace that passeth all understanding.
I hope we can be an encouragement to you as you seek Gods will for your life, He will guide you, and He dearly loves and cares for you.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Love and prayers, ~ sister Darlene ~