Thursday, October 15, 2009

Endeavor day 5

Wednesday: Intentional Action

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Colossians 4:5-6

"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' " 1 Peter 1:15-16


To start off the day, Elise Hall (the PD of the week) gave a talk on being a good hostess and guest. Most of us think about being polite, "together," or pleasant when company are coming over, but when was the last time you stopped to really think about what you could do to be a blessing to the people whose house you are headed to eat at? I know this is definitely an area I need to work on! Here are some helpful suggestions:

Being a Hostess:
think of what you can do to bless the people coming over
clean up the house, but don't make a big deal if it is still a mess!
prepare space in the closet, if they are staying overnight
don't ask questions that make it sound like you are complaining or will have to go to lots of extra work
make your guests' stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible
meals:
either have everything ready for dinner when your guests arrive
OR
have specific jobs that you can have for your guests to do, if you like to have some prep/talking time before the meal

Being a Guest:
be punctual (not late, but most especially not early!)
greet your host/hostess before others
only cancel if there is an emergency
ask what the attire is so you can dress properly for the occasion
let your host/hostess know if you are allergic to certain foods
don't complain about food, even if you are allergic to it--just don't eat it
become part of the family; don't cause extra work
clean up after yourself
if you need something, speak-up and let your host/hostess have the pleasure of serving you
don't put your feet on the furniture
ask what you can do to help (be observant to look for what needs to be done and ask to help with that specific task...try it, it really does work better than a general question!)
don't be the last to leave
write a thank you note afterwards

for either one:
don't wear sunglasses inside
engage in meaningful conversation
don't blow your nose at the table (I'm sure there is a bathroom nearby)
apply makeup in the bathroom, not in public
don't use cell phones at the table
the person you are face to face with is (at least for the moment) more important to you than all the others

(as with all the other "rules" we were taught this week, we should know how to properly use them, but also know how and when we can break them--there is ALWAYS an exception)

Our week was so jam-packed with wonderful activities, we had to squeeze a session in during lunch. This was another of my favorites! Mrs. Cocks talked about the importance of modesty and the significance of style.
The modesty issue wasn't new to me, so I won't go into details, but I was encouraged that there are other Christian young ladies who hold-up the same standards. Style is really based 3 main factors: body shape, skin and hair color/tone, and personality. Let's face it, some clothing just does not flatter certain figures. Once you know what lines and design elements to avoid, you can then better plan your wardrobe. The four base colors are black, grey, navy, and brown. Everyone looks better in one or another of these colors. To start out, get the basics in your closet; figure out your color and then buy a skirt, slacks, and jacket that all match--this is the time to really invest your money, you will get out all you put into them and then some. Also find two pairs of jeans, one hemmed for flats and one hemmed for heals. (I haven't done this, but what a great idea!) Now its time buy the other shirts, skirts, and pants. Find some classics (ones that won't go out of style), then you can purchase the fun, fashionable, and vogue pieces. These should, in general be cheap so you don't end up wasting a lot of money on clothing you will only wear for a year or two. As an overall tip, Mrs. Cocks suggested that you have a word or phrase of words that defines how you dress, or, if you don't already feel like you have a defined style, what you want you clothes to express. Then, whenever you go shopping, you can think about "your word" and hopefully start to have a closet of clothing that you really like and always feel comfortable. I love that idea! I did pick two words to describe me, though I have to say it wasn't original (Mrs. Cocks used it as an example in her talk)-- Elegantly Cute

Another highlight of the week was going to the Ritz Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee. We got to go behind the scenes: into the kitchen, through the spa, around to some the outdoor areas, and up to the top "club" floor. This was all topped off with a talk by the General Manager (a Christian, homeschool Dad) and accompanied by fantastic tea.
Tea Sandwiches:
Chicken Salad on Brioche
Classic Cucumber & Herbed Cheese on Rye
Pimento Cheese Sandwich on White

Pastry:
Rasin Scone
Cherry Scone
Fruit Tartlet
Opera Galeaux (a chocolate and coffee dessert)

Yes, we got to dress up for another event!!


That night we had a surprise session by the Wilson Sisters. Their talk was so inspiring, encouraging, and convicting!

Jordan Wilson, Christian Lewis, and Lauren Black

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