Mother to Daughter ~ Issue 5 ~ April 2, 2007

Issue 5, April 2, 2007©

Contents

1. Note from Alyssa
2. On Our Website
3. Article
4. Ad Exchange
5. Tell a Friend
6. About Alyssa

Note from Alyssa
Hello Everyone!
Wow, another month has passed us by, my how time flies. I cannot believe my daughter is already 2 weeks old. Every mom I run into out there assures me of how fast she’ll become 18, including my own mom, who told me this week that the worst day of her life was the day I left home, my wedding day. I was married at 19 so I jokingly said, so, I guess I have 19 years at least huh? I sure hope so. I also want to be my little girl’s best friend. My mother is one of my best friends. My husband always tells me I can’t have more than one, but I do. He is my best friend and so is my mother. The two relationships are very different of course, so my thoughts are, why can’t they both exist, of course they can.
This week I’d like you to think about that… “Are you your daughter’s best friend?” I hope that you can say, “yes”. However, if not, maybe you can think of how you can truly become that. I was talking with a mom this week of a 20-year-old daughter, she shared with me that her daughter was her best friend. She shared with me things that they did together. Her daughter still lives at home, and they stay up late at night chatting, she said I have to tell her “you know I have to go to work tomorrow.” Her daughter also brings her boyfriend over to their house for family dinner and to sit and chat with her parents on the couch. These things help them to bond as a family, as a mother and daughter and are in my eyes reasons why they are “best friends”.
I am proud to have a mother who I can truly call “my best friend”. I hope you are blessed with the same.
Blessings,
~Alyssa Avant, Founder, Beauty By Design Ministries
www.beautybydesignonline.com

On Our Website
True Beauty CD Series - This item includes a Workbook and CD combination
$15.95 US
http://www.beautybydesignonline.com/audio-learning-series/

This CD series, the first ever to be offered by Beauty By Design Ministries, is a true “gem”. Allowing girls to discover where ‘true beauty” comes from, the True Beauty CD series with three insightful audio lessons that include being made in God’s image. Also included are study questions to be a used as a guide during the lessons.
Lessons include:
Session 1 : “Being Set Apart”
Following in the footsteps of Queen Esther, we can be “set apart” for God and become a princess in his court. Start working on your happily ever after story today.
“Know that God has set apart the Godly for Himself.” Psalm 4:3
Session 2 : “Make Me Over”
Don’t you sometimes just wish for a Hollywood makeover? God gives “heavenly makeovers” and you will experience one in this session where we talk about how you are “made in HIS image.”
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Session 3: “Clothed in Christ”
“Mirror, mirror on the wall who’s the fairest of them all?” “Those who reflect Christ from head to toe!” We will learn why modesty is the best policy when it comes to fashion.
“I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” 1 Timothy 2: 9-10

Article
From Mother to Daughter
By: Dionna Sanchez
As the mom of two girls, it’s hard not to notice the messages our world sends women regarding how they should look. I’ve fought against allowing my own heart to be influenced by the world’s standards up till this point. But I realize I need to be proactive at this stage of my life to help arm my daughters’ with a strong sense of image and self-confidence too. Without it, they will easily fall prey while listening to outside influences that could potentially be extremely harmful to their self-esteem and image.

I want my daughters’ to feel good about who they are as individual people. I realize that they are watching me and observing how I feel about myself as a person and as a woman. And because I see them wanting to learn from me, I am trying to use that curiosity to my advantage.

I try very hard not to criticize my looks or weight in front of my girls. The world is so “look-oriented” enough without them seeing me trying to fit into a certain mold or standard. I know that if they see me desiring unhealthy expectations for myself or dwelling on these thoughts too much, that they too, will inherit these unhealthy standards for themselves. I want to nurture – not destroy – their body image!

I am trying to openly show my children that no one is perfect. I have flaws, weaknesses, and things that I need to personally work on. And it’s okay! I just need to remember and make sure that I work towards my personal goals in a healthy way.

Mothers pass a great deal more than they realize onto their daughters’ lives and seal it into their hearts. I hope that I can bring a sense of reality and balance into my daughters’ souls so that I can instill positive long-term images and effects on who they are and how they view themselves. The reward will be theirs (and mine as I observe solid, grounded, content young women,) if they can learn how to feel good in their own skin….no matter what the size.
Article by:
~ Dionna Sanchez is learning to embrace who she is in her own skin and helping other women do the same. Visit her “Free to Be…” column at - www.emphasisonmoms.com/pen_&_paper1.htm

Ad Exchange

Cup of Hope is an uplifting, devotional magazine. Dedicated to today’s Christian community, Cup of Hope brings encouragement to you through inspirational articles and ideas. Subscribe and start receiving your Cup of Hope today! Send a blank email to: mailto:CupOfHope-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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WANT YOUR AD HERE?
Exchange ads with me, up to 25 words. For more info or to place your ad here
space, contact Alyssa: alyssa@beautybydesignonline.com

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Tell a Friend

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About Alyssa

Alyssa Avant is a Christian author, speaker, and business owner whose desire is to turn the hearts of girls towards God. Alyssa lives happily in Carrollton, Mississippi with her devoted husband, Greg, 3-year-old son, Baker, newborn baby girl, Lily, and beloved basset hound, Duke.

This ezine is published weekly by Beauty By Design Ministries founder, Alyssa Avant as a service to moms of girls of all ages.
PO Box 92
Carrollton, MS 38917
alyssa@beautybydesignonline.com

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