By way of introduction, I thought I might just explain that I have recently turned 31 and am in the single's ward for a few months yet. Being an "old-timer" and one well versed with single's wards, I wanted to co-create this blog with a good friend. It is our hope the posts will be fun, entertaining, and even, dare I say, instructive?
The title of my first post comes from a saying my father used to repeat. While a new missionary in what was then the LTM (the language training mission -- preparation place for missionaries called to foreign-language missions), the president of the LTM stood in a meeting and said, "Sisters, even an old barn looks better with a fresh coat of paint." It stuck with my father, and he has repeated it ever since.
Disclaimer: I am NOT advocating crazy amounts of time spent primping, polishing, buffing, botoxing, etc. Rather, I am suggesting that as singles -- people who wish to attract the attention of some people around us -- we should be putting our best faces forward.
I think there is a broad pattern at work in our society today, moving everything in a casual direction. People no longer come dressed up to weddings or recitals or...church. Here's a tip. If you would wear it to the beach, maybe don't wear it to church (yes, flip-flop wearers. I'm speaking to you!). Additionally, if you sleep in it, don't wear it to a church function. For crying out loud, peeps. How hard is it to put on a normal pair of pants or a simple skirt?
Here's some advice for the ladies. Is 10 a.m. not later than you normally have to be to work/school? Why can't we pull it together enough to wash our faces/teeth/hair before church commences? Oh...and glide on some good old deodorant, while you're at it. I'll let you in on a secret...people can tell when you rolled out of bed, put a skirt on and came to church. Sorry to shatter that fantasy for you, but it's true.
I really believe, with a little planning, one can improve their physical appearance by leaps and bounds. Simple planning. For example, think about what you will wear when you get home from church -- for the following week of church. That gives you a whole week to do laundry and to pull the dreaded ironing board out of the closet. Additionally, maybe you can plan to set an alarm clock -- or two. Maybe don't stay out until all hours every Saturday night. Give yourself a break. Your future self will thank you.
To quote from "For the Strength of Youth" (yep. I went there):
"When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and can exercise a good influence on those around you."
