Scattershooting: Heat, Water, and Women's Clothing
5/20/08 - 3rd Day - Late Afternoon. The heat has descended on us this week, and, as has been our experience this spring, we have had some very cool mornings followed in turn by very hot days. Yesterday and today we have had mornings in the mid-50s followed by days over 100. As you might expect, this is not really good for the gardens. Right now, the plants ought to be learning to cope with the heat, instead of having to cope with the 50 degree swings in temps. I was able, though, to get most of my sweet potatoes in the ground, although they are looking pretty weakly right now.
Yesterday Danielle and I had to go to the city (Brownwood) to get the parts for the brakes on my truck. Brother Chris has graciously offered to do the work on the brakes, so we went to town to purchase all the parts. Well, the parts shop gave us a wrong part, so we had to take it back today to exchange it. Two trips to the city in two days... I don't like it.
We also officially ran dry in our catchwater cistern on Sunday due to lack of rain. The Ante's brought by some drinking water, and Brother Chris Woods brought us 100 gallons of other (washing, etc.) water. Elder David Sifford offered to give us drinking water from his cistern too, when we need it, so we should be alright for a while. The prognosticators have put a small opportunity for rain on the menu for this weekend, so we will be praying for that. On Sunday the whole community got together and we drove the cattle back to to my front pasture, because there is a large tank (pond) there for water. We also roped two of the younger cattle (one heifer and one bull) and removed their halters since we will not be using them as pulling or riding animals. We have also been almost daily carrying water from my back pond to the pigs, chickens, and to my other two cattle, and to water the garden. This is the first time our cistern has been dry in about 18 months, so we are really praying that we are not entering into another drought summer. The Lord continuously teaches us to prize and highly esteem water, just as we prize and highly esteem the spiritual water from on high.
Last week I finished and posted the second and final part to the Headcovering series, and today I will continue on with the first part (of 2) on The Beard. When I get the opportunity I will post links to all of those parts, and I highly recommend you all listen to (or read) those sermons.
Sarah's arm seems to be doing well, and we ought to be able to remove the half-cast in a week or so. She will probably have to have the bandages and sling for some time until the soreness and pain goes away.
If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend the Sifford's Sojournal blog. Susan Sifford recently wrote a piece on modesty in women's apparel, and I think it was wonderful. I have tried to teach on the subject before, but I think she did a great job explaining some concepts that I have had difficulty explaining; particularly on the need for truly Christian women (all women, of any body style) not to wear clothes that emphasize the figure. I have held up some shirts and tops to show what I am talking about to my wife and daughters - how the clothes are designed by the designer to emphasize the female shape and to highlight the chest and to de-emphasize the waist - but I don't think I have done as good a job as Susan has in getting to the heart of the matter. The excuses I have heard from all kinds of women over the years are very interesting... Smaller women exclaim that that they are not "well endowed" so it doesn't matter what type of top they wear. Larger women exclaim that they "can't help it", because they are big by nature and are unable to dress as modesty requires. Both, however, generally choose clothes that are specifically designed to emphasize the figure, and that puts the "lie" to the arguments. To me, the only thing worse than being disobedient to God and disregarding the health of the community and the obligation to the brethren, is to lie to oneself about it. I have made the point that both of my grandmothers were VERY large women. I mean very large. But both (one Yankee and one Southern) were able to dress very modestly. When I have been asked by even right thinking, separated, agrarian Christian women whether I think that their dress is appropriate and modest, I have generally replied "On a scale of 1 to 10, even now, we are probably at a 3 or 4 - in some cases a 2". I know that I have been trying to emphasize this same thing to the men, and I think that we are moving in the right direction, but, as always, dealing with the issue with women is a very difficult road.
So much for that.
I hope all is well with you all out there.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
Yesterday Danielle and I had to go to the city (Brownwood) to get the parts for the brakes on my truck. Brother Chris has graciously offered to do the work on the brakes, so we went to town to purchase all the parts. Well, the parts shop gave us a wrong part, so we had to take it back today to exchange it. Two trips to the city in two days... I don't like it.
We also officially ran dry in our catchwater cistern on Sunday due to lack of rain. The Ante's brought by some drinking water, and Brother Chris Woods brought us 100 gallons of other (washing, etc.) water. Elder David Sifford offered to give us drinking water from his cistern too, when we need it, so we should be alright for a while. The prognosticators have put a small opportunity for rain on the menu for this weekend, so we will be praying for that. On Sunday the whole community got together and we drove the cattle back to to my front pasture, because there is a large tank (pond) there for water. We also roped two of the younger cattle (one heifer and one bull) and removed their halters since we will not be using them as pulling or riding animals. We have also been almost daily carrying water from my back pond to the pigs, chickens, and to my other two cattle, and to water the garden. This is the first time our cistern has been dry in about 18 months, so we are really praying that we are not entering into another drought summer. The Lord continuously teaches us to prize and highly esteem water, just as we prize and highly esteem the spiritual water from on high.
Last week I finished and posted the second and final part to the Headcovering series, and today I will continue on with the first part (of 2) on The Beard. When I get the opportunity I will post links to all of those parts, and I highly recommend you all listen to (or read) those sermons.
Sarah's arm seems to be doing well, and we ought to be able to remove the half-cast in a week or so. She will probably have to have the bandages and sling for some time until the soreness and pain goes away.
If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend the Sifford's Sojournal blog. Susan Sifford recently wrote a piece on modesty in women's apparel, and I think it was wonderful. I have tried to teach on the subject before, but I think she did a great job explaining some concepts that I have had difficulty explaining; particularly on the need for truly Christian women (all women, of any body style) not to wear clothes that emphasize the figure. I have held up some shirts and tops to show what I am talking about to my wife and daughters - how the clothes are designed by the designer to emphasize the female shape and to highlight the chest and to de-emphasize the waist - but I don't think I have done as good a job as Susan has in getting to the heart of the matter. The excuses I have heard from all kinds of women over the years are very interesting... Smaller women exclaim that that they are not "well endowed" so it doesn't matter what type of top they wear. Larger women exclaim that they "can't help it", because they are big by nature and are unable to dress as modesty requires. Both, however, generally choose clothes that are specifically designed to emphasize the figure, and that puts the "lie" to the arguments. To me, the only thing worse than being disobedient to God and disregarding the health of the community and the obligation to the brethren, is to lie to oneself about it. I have made the point that both of my grandmothers were VERY large women. I mean very large. But both (one Yankee and one Southern) were able to dress very modestly. When I have been asked by even right thinking, separated, agrarian Christian women whether I think that their dress is appropriate and modest, I have generally replied "On a scale of 1 to 10, even now, we are probably at a 3 or 4 - in some cases a 2". I know that I have been trying to emphasize this same thing to the men, and I think that we are moving in the right direction, but, as always, dealing with the issue with women is a very difficult road.
So much for that.
I hope all is well with you all out there.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
posted by Michael Bunker at 5/20/2008 06:15:00 AM
2 Comments:
Praying for rain for you all. We got just a bit this morning. I'm looking forward to listening to the new headcovering sermon. BTW, I'm still looking for the turnip wine recipe and will send it when I find it. You're bucking is growing daily. :)
Judy
Will be praying that the Lord replenishes your water supply. I know I've slacked abit in that area lately (maybe taking it for granted?)so shame on me and I ask forgiveness. Good to hear Sarah is getting better!
Bill
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home