[Home]  [GFCF Recipe Index]  [Frugal Food Storage]  [Biblical Womanhood]  [Archived Recipe Index]  [Links] [New Blog]  [Old Fashioned Education]  [Prairie Homemaker]  [My Mother's Blog] Headcovering A few tips for beginners. What if I don't want to do this, and I think it is kind of silly? That is perfectly fine.  Not everyone hears the Spirit calling them to express their Christian Devotion in this way.  As long as you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you are saved whether you wear a veil or not.   I felt a significant pulling on my heart compelling me to give this idea serious consideration.  If you don't feel that tugging, then don't worry about it.  If you do feel something, then explore the idea for a while, and literally try it on to see if it fits.  This is a very personal choice, and not everyone expresses it in the same way.  Trust God to guide you, and be sure to pray about it, especially if you feel any confusion. What is the first thing I should do? First put on a scarf or bonnet of some type.  A bandana is usually a good first chioce because most folks have one around the house somewhere or another, any type of scarf will do though, remember this is just an experiment.  Wear it at home, and see if you feel any different.  Take note if you feel good, or silly, or both.  You don't have to wear it out in public the first day.  Just work within your own comfort zone, and play around with it a little.  If you don't like scarves, try bonnets, or even hats.  One darling woman I know, has chosen to wear baseball caps, because they are what works best for her.  She calls it Caps for Christ, which just tickles me to no end.  You will know which type of head gear is best for you, trust the Spirit to guide you, and be gentle with yourself as you adjust. How do I go out in public the first time? This was terribly frightening for me, as it is for most women.  I chose to wear mine to a fabric store, because there are always plenty of home sewers there, and I figured home sewers are more likely to be Christian women, and therefore less surprised or judgemental of my veil.  It was a good first choice.  Everyone ignored me compeltely as I wandered about looking for fabric for a new jumper.  I was so releived.  Other good choices would be Walmart, because there are so many different types of people there, so you are less likely to stick out, and large grocery stores.  You can stop in, grab a pound of margarine, and head back to the car to meditate on the experience.  If at anytime it is too painful or uncomfortable, you can stop.  There is no reason to keep doing it if you feel in your heart it isn't for you.  How many head coverings do I need? Only a few.  For summer, it helps to have light colored, light weight coverings to keep you cool.  In the winter heavier fabrics, like flannel and wool, add warmth.  You don't need a different one for each outfit, or even for each day of the week.  Three to Five scarves, in a few basic colors are plenty.  What do I make them out of? Anything you like would be the shortest answer.  I prefer my coverings to be opaque, but some ladies like to make them out of lace for special occasions. Usually I make my scarves out of light weight woven cotton, or cotton polyester blends.  If you prefer silk for your scarves, they can be made from thrift store silk blouses very cheaply.   Denim, calico, flannel and neutral colored broadcloth all make dandy coverings.  If you like the Sound of Music look, you can make scarf type coverings from the same fabric you use to make your dresses and other clothing.  This look has a very tidy matching quality which I find much to my liking. Won't people think I'm off my rocker? Well, the answer is Yes and No.  Some folks will think you've gone off the deep end without a parachute.  Others will be quietly accepting of it, without much of a thought one way or the other.  Your perspective will influence them more than anything else.  A "quiet certainty" of the rightness of your action will go a long way to steeling any arguments before they start.  You don't have to ask anyone's permission (except maybe hubby's), and you don't have to change your mind because of any one else's differing view point.  Asking other's opinions opens you up to controversy.  I have found it best to explain myself simply, without leaving the window open for other people's judgement.  This means that I don't say :  "Hey I'm wear head coverings because it says to in the Bible.  Do you think that's a good idea?"  Instead I say:  "I'm covering my head for religious reasons.  It is a personal decision, and I have made it after much prayer and soul searching.  My family is very supportive of my decision."  This pretty much quiets any one who suspects they have a say in my private spiritual beliefs. Does this mean I think Men are better than Women? Nope.  It actually is a symbol of a Woman's worth in this world.  Women are precious and so valuable that God has provided us with a symbol which all people can recognize.  When we cover ourselves, it tells the world we are worthy of special treatment.  We are meant to be cherished, and honored.  Without the veil, I am just another person, vulnerable to the mistreatments, leering eyes, misjudgments, and improper evaluations other people make about me every day.  With my covering, I become something more than just another person to be treated disrespectfully at society's convenience.  My scarf indicates how highly I esteem myself.  It tells others I am a Married Christian Woman, and demands a certain amount of respect, even from non-Christian individuals.  Instead of suggesting I am less than a man, my veil indicates I am very much a woman.  I gain special status for my womanhood, instead of losing status by trying to compete with men on their terms.  I don't have to compete with men.  I play on a different playing field with different rules.  I'm tired of the uncomfortable way I have to stretch to understand a "Man's world".  Instead, I will give the most honor and dignity I can, to my own feminine place, and live according to the terms God has given me, and which I am better able to understand. None of my clothes look good with a Head Covering, what am I supposed to do? Covering one's head does necessitate a change in wardrobe.  Somehow the old jeans, and slacks take on a ridiculous air when worn with the womanly bonnet.  I chose to wear jumpers when I first began covering my head.  I needed relief from worldly ties to fashion. The jumpers simplified matters, enabling me to truly give more of my time and attention to the tasks the Good Lord had set before me.  I recommend going slowly through your closet, as time permits.  Hold on to the things which still ring true to your spirit.  Gently release the clothing which doesn't.  This is part of the personal growth the veil provides.  It can be painful at times to let go of  certain items.  I suggest you pack these away to look at again after some time has passed.  Meanwhile, if you can manage 5 or 6 outfits which feel comfortable with your new head covering, that will be enough to get you through the transition.  What does it mean to dress modestly? It means something different to every woman, and every culture.  To me it covers three specific areas:  Covering my body modestly. Wearing clothing which is moderately priced, and homemade when possible. Finding a simple uniform, and limiting variety. For instance, I prefer to wear dresses almost to my ankle, and necklines which show only a little of my collar bone.  I avoid sleeveless items, even in the heat of summer, sticking with short sleeves instead.  Some folks think sleeves should always be long, so this is an option if you feel called to it.  I think socks are a good idea for modest feet, so I tend to wear them in both summer and winter, varying their thickness according to the temperature.  When it comes to the price of clothing, I choose clothing which fits into my family's limited budget.  T-shirts and turtlenecks are inexpensive, and usually last for several years before they need replacement.  Fabric is very reasonable, especially when it is on sale, so I am able to make my own jumpers for much less than it would cost to purchase them.  Also, I get better quality of workmanship, when I do the work myself.  Additionally, I choose not to wear flashy prints, expensive velvets, and embroidered silks which call attention to themselves, and away from the sincerity of my beliefs. Since the main issue is that I have my body covered, the external appearance of my clothing, becomes less of an issue.  I don't need a different outfit for each day of the week, much less, each day of the month, or for every situation I encounter on a weekly basis.  This allows me to limit the variety of items hanging unused in my closet, and gives me the freedom to really enjoy the items I do have.  I call it wearing a uniform, but I still feel plenty of variety in the mixing and matching of fabrics and colors.  Limiting my choices of apparel has improved the quality of my life, more than most changes I've made, providing a welcomed relief to the influences of the world, and giving me the chance to focus more fully on things which really matter.  I still dress neatly, and attractively, I just show off less of my body, and more of my homemaking skills to the rest of the world. Can I still wear makeup and jewelry? This is purely a personal matter.  I have chosen not to wear earrings because they tend to make me look more like like a gypsy and less like a conservative Christian.  I do wear my wedding ring, although not all people agree with this idea.  I don't wear makeup because I feel it takes too much time away from my family, and goes against the values I am trying to reaffirm in my heart.  When I wear makeup and a veil, I feel like one of the painted women the Bible refers to on occasion.  Do as the Lord leads you, and you'll be fine. How do you keep warm (or cool) in dresses and jumpers and skirts all day long? Well, in the summer, jumpers are actually cooler to wear than most shorts outfits.  Without anything constricting my waist, I feel much cooler. By adding a lightweight cotton t-shirt, preferably a roomy one, I stay plenty cool even in the dead heat of summer.  In the winter I add flannel petticoats (slips), or skirts made from knit fabric in neutral colors, underneath my jumper.  Stirrup pants or leggings, again in neutral colors, also add warmth, as do knee socks and thick tights.  On the coldest days of the year, or when I am visiting up north it can be a bit more challenging to stay warm.  I wear long underwear, and a t-shirt as my first layer.  Then I add leggings and a turtleneck as my second layer.  Next I put on a warm petticoat, and a sweater or sweatshirt over the turtleneck.  I add a jumper made from corduroy, or wool, and top it with a cardigan sweater if necessary.  Then I wear two pairs of  socks and warm boots.  If the boots and leggings are the same color, it helps to match things up.  For instance, black boots and black leggings can be worn underneath most jumpers in the winter, and look perfectly fine.  Then I put on my coat when I have to outside.  This combination is so warm that I reserve it for the coldest -25 degree days of the year. Your winter veil can be made of flannel or wool to keep your head warm during Old Man Winter's chilling rein.  You'll find this makes a big difference in how easy it is to maintain your body temperature when the heat is turned down.  [Home]  [GFCF Recipe Index]  [Frugal Food Storage]  [Biblical Womanhood]  [Archived Recipe Index]  [Links] [New Blog]  [Old Fashioned Education]  [Prairie Homemaker]  [My Mother's Blog] GFCF = Gluten Free & Casein Free The Christian Counter © FrugalAbundance 2007-2008  :-)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.--1 Peter 4:8-10