Practical Skills

These are pictures of my youngest sister, Shannon, during her first sewing lesson. Shannon is eleven years old, and Mom is just starting to teach her the art of sewing. Mom is a wonderful seamstress, and has made everything from clothing to curtains to bedding to table covers. For the past several years, Shannon has been watching my other sister, Leslie, and me with our various sewing projects. She is so excited to finally learn how to make things herself. Her first undertaking is to make a skirt with the blue plaid material you see on the left in the second picture. Her material is already cut out and ready to sew! The only thing lacking for Shannon - even under Mom's wonderful instruction - is practice. That is why you'll notice that she is actually sewing on a piece of paper in the pictures. Practicing those straight lines! I'll try to notify you when the skirt is finished and maybe even give you a peek at what the finished product looks like! It's sure to be lovely!

Proverbs 31:13,19, 21-22, 31 ~ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.






In this picture, Shannon is in the process of making tarts. Baking is something that she has been doing for quite some time, and she was very proud to be making something by herself; she received absolutely no help from either of her sisters or her mother.

Proverbs 31:14-15, 27, 31 ~ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.


When all of us were very small, Mom would sometimes allow us to bake instead of do our math. No, she was not raising little truents; she wanted us to acquire life skills. Afterall, baking involves a lot of math! If we were making a double batch, we would have to figure out how much of this or that was needed, double it, and measure it out. This practical application was absolutely wonderful! My mom could have done the baking herself in thrice the time with half the mess, but she took the time to make sure that her daughters were learning how to care for a family and take care of a home. I am so thankful to my mother for her dedication in raising the four of us. She didn't take shortcuts, or always look for the easiest way to accomplish something. Instead, she searched for the most efficient, effective, and practical way for us to learn something. Her devotion and commitment to us kids has been something wonderful and inspirational to see! These life skills that she has taught us - and is still teaching us - will I'm sure become increasingly more appreciated as we realize over and over again just how important they really are!

Proverbs 31:28 ~ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.