Little Red Parkas

So, I'm attempting to get a mom's support group going.


I know...as if I am not busy enough already...what am I thinking...


Well, actually, I am thinking a lot. I want to organize a very loose meeting of mothers of young children to meet once a month-ish and talk about topics as based on a poem from the Bible about a godly wife, often called the The Virtuous Woman or the Proverbs 31 Woman. I'd pick a verse(s), and branch out a topic from there.


For example, verse 15 says: She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. From there we might talk about favorite, easy meals, or that month of meals/freezer cooking concept, or how to make your own baby food.  (notice we are not talking about getting up while it is still dark...are you kidding?  it starts getting light around 5 am here in the summer!   hahahaha, just kidding)


Some topics would be on the practical aspects of life and family, like above. Others may be on the spiritual aspects, like verses 30, a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, or verse 26 She speaks wisdom.   I mentioned in a previous post (good and not harm) about verses 10 and 11 and their reference to the marriage relationship.


I want to call the group Little Red Parkas.  I came up with that name based on verse 21 which says, When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  The Virtuous Woman in this poem is an example of godly, wise and practical living.  She is prepared, as in verse 21, for the seasons of her life and family.  She has planned ahead, thinking of the needs of her family and herself.  They are clothed in scarlet, or some translations say warm clothing.  This is in direct contrast to the worldview of many people.  Many people tend to live only for today and themselves.  In my mind I starting thinking of that as the Little Black Dress mentality.  I think I had been looking at too many celebrity magazines in the break room when this idea came to me, but it seemed that it was such a fitting analogy.  The Little Black Dress Mentality is all about me and how good I look and how much I deserve to do whatever I want.  (disclaimer:  I am NOT saying that if you own a little black dress that you are thinking this way...again, this is a metaphor.)  The Little Black Dress seems to be such a status symbol, sign of accomplishment and extravagance.


The Virtuous Woman is clothed in "strength and dignity" and she speaks with "righteousness" and "faithful instruction." (vs. 25,26).  When winter comes, her family is 'clothed in scarlet.'  With her wisdom and hard work she helped provide for the needs of her family.  They are clothed in practical, yet stylish clothing. (Red dyed clothing was a sort of status symbol at that time, it was a more expensive color to create).  I started picturing red winter jackets in my mind and came up with the name Little Red Parkas in contrast to the Little Black Dress.


Simply put, purpose of Little Red Parkas is to discuss spiritual living, relationships, and practical living.  With the practical living aspect, I want to reach out into the community. 


As you know, I've been cloth diapering Sydney and Elijah for several months now and have actually come to enjoy it...especially the financial aspects of it.  I've probably spent about $200 on diapers, covers and fabric for making diapers.  We have enough diapers for Sydney and Elijah and more than enough fabric for larger sizes for them and smaller sizes for any future babies.  These diapers will last until both kids are potty trained.  I think many people, if they saw what modern cloth diapers are like and learn about the financial benefits, would give cloth diapering a try. 


With that in mind, I have contacted a church outreach program, the local pregnancy center, and the Health Department pitching my idea for a cloth diaper demo class.  I've already got one "demo" coming up next month...I'll let you know how it goes.  I've also contacted two major cloth diaper companies, explained my concept and actually requested a cloth diaper or two along with some literature.  We'll see how that goes.


I am so excited about these demos in the community.  I really hope this can be a way to ease some financial worries for some families and maybe lead into other conversations as well.


Whew, that was long, but I hope you can all be excited with me and pray for the women I will be in contact with.