Do you ever just want to go back home - let your mother cook for you and pamper you? Sometimes we would like to take a little break from all our responsibilities and just go home for a little while. But, alas, some of us will have to do that in our imaginations because our parents are no longer living. Ah, but I do have lots of sweet memories growing up in a Christian home where my mother seemed to always be in the kitchen.
We had a nice, humble home but that never stopped my parents from entertaining every pastor and family, every visiting preacher, etc. The church was the center of our lives and I loved it. (Still do!)
Christmas is a time to remember - remember family times, church Christmas programs and celebrations, Sunday School, friends from the past and most of all our Savior's birth.
Take time this Christmas to reminiscence. Remember all the Christmases past, remember Christ's birth and what it has meant in your life. Remember times of nearness to Him - times when He strengthened you, ministered to you and blessed you.
Remember family times. Go home if your parents are still living and enjoy some sweet family time (fun time). Get together with whatever family you have and celebrate Jesus.
Remember to thank Jesus for all His blessings and for what He did for us over 2,000 years ago.
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He Is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Obedience - Not Always the Easy Thing
This verse is a comfort to me. "This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go'." Isaiah 48:17
Sometimes, even after many, many years in a church, a place of service, a job, etc. God says to us that we have stayed long enough at this "mountain." Move on. God told the Israelite people -- "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Ammorites." (Deuteronomy 1:6-7)
I don't know about you, but I like my comfort zone and sometimes just want to stay right where I am. I love my church family. I love my places of service - teaching Sunday School, leading Women's Ministry, etc. But, I want to be an obedient servant so, when God says, "move on, break camp and advance" then that is what I must do.
I wrote the following words in my Prayer Journal some time ago and they have proven to be so true. "Do the right thing, (obey) - not always the easy thing."
God is always good. He minded me how He told Abraham at the age of 75 to leave everything that was familiar and go to the land He would show him. (Genesis 12:1) God promised to do wonderful things through him. Now I'm no Abraham!! And I haven't reached 75 yet, but I am in my later years and I do want to be God's obedient servant as Abraham was.
God is always good. He reminded me of the verse in Isaiah 43:18 (KJV) "Behold I am doing a new thing." He also reminded me of Proverbs 20:24. "A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Believe me, I do not understand what God is doing, but I do trust Him and I am looking forward to the "new thing" He does in my life .
My Prayer: May God direct our steps (and I know He will) and may we follow.
Sometimes, even after many, many years in a church, a place of service, a job, etc. God says to us that we have stayed long enough at this "mountain." Move on. God told the Israelite people -- "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Ammorites." (Deuteronomy 1:6-7)
I don't know about you, but I like my comfort zone and sometimes just want to stay right where I am. I love my church family. I love my places of service - teaching Sunday School, leading Women's Ministry, etc. But, I want to be an obedient servant so, when God says, "move on, break camp and advance" then that is what I must do.
I wrote the following words in my Prayer Journal some time ago and they have proven to be so true. "Do the right thing, (obey) - not always the easy thing."
God is always good. He minded me how He told Abraham at the age of 75 to leave everything that was familiar and go to the land He would show him. (Genesis 12:1) God promised to do wonderful things through him. Now I'm no Abraham!! And I haven't reached 75 yet, but I am in my later years and I do want to be God's obedient servant as Abraham was.
God is always good. He reminded me of the verse in Isaiah 43:18 (KJV) "Behold I am doing a new thing." He also reminded me of Proverbs 20:24. "A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Believe me, I do not understand what God is doing, but I do trust Him and I am looking forward to the "new thing" He does in my life .
My Prayer: May God direct our steps (and I know He will) and may we follow.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Kaylee and Colton's Wedding Part 4
WEDDING AFTERNOON:
Just inside the church, guests were asked to underline or highlight a scripture passage and leave a message in the margins.
This table was also just inside the church entrance.
On each side of the entrance to the sanctuary, this is what was displayed. Those letters are made with thousands of little pearls. They were beautiful!!
This was taken about 20-30 minutes before the ceremony began.
The above pictures were all taken in the Bride's Room.
The inside of the church.
Close ups of the aisle runner painted by Paula.
Close up of the pomanders at the end of each pew. (Handmade by Paula.)
More details from inside the sanctuary.
The altar.
After the ceremony - waiting for a few family pictures. (I thought this was so cute!)
We went to a beautiful reception following the ceremony but I left my camera in the car. No one seemed to want to go down 33 floors and retrieve it for me! I will just have to wait for the wedding pictures.
These pictures were taken at the entrance of the church. It looked absolutely beautiful. The basket held decorated fans. (Paula did all of this! I keep bragging on Paula and lest I leave Kelly out, she couldn't have done it without his support and provision. Thank you, Kelly!!)
Just inside the church, guests were asked to underline or highlight a scripture passage and leave a message in the margins.
This table was also just inside the church entrance.
On each side of the entrance to the sanctuary, this is what was displayed. Those letters are made with thousands of little pearls. They were beautiful!!
This was taken about 20-30 minutes before the ceremony began.
The above pictures were all taken in the Bride's Room.
Close ups of the aisle runner painted by Paula.
Close up of the pomanders at the end of each pew. (Handmade by Paula.)
More details from inside the sanctuary.
After the ceremony - waiting for a few family pictures. (I thought this was so cute!)
We went to a beautiful reception following the ceremony but I left my camera in the car. No one seemed to want to go down 33 floors and retrieve it for me! I will just have to wait for the wedding pictures.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Kaylee and Colton's Wedding Part 3
The Rehearsal Dinner was held at the Chickasaw Country Club and was hosted by Colton's parents, Tom and Missy Ragan. Wow! How nice and how beautiful and how delicious was the food! Wish I had taken pictures of the decorations!!
I think I detect a tear or two in Eddie's eyes.
Pretty, sweet Kaylee!!
The highlight of the Rehearsal Dinner was the kindest, sweetest, most encouraging words the guests had to say about Kaylee and Colton. I was so blessed! When your grandchild and her future husband are described as godly Christians, spiritual leaders and how excited they all are to see what God will do with these two young people, how could you not be blessed. My cup overflows. God is good!
The next morning there was a Bridesmaid's Breakfast at Paula and Kelly's home. It was such a special time to visit with Paula, Kaylee and her bridesmaids. Kelly and Kam left to go to a breakfast for all the guys in the wedding party. I took a couple of pictures with the girls in their monogramed white shirts (another special touch by Paula).
The hightlight of the breakfast was when one of the bridesmaids ask that we pray over Kaylee. What a special time!!
Another special touch was the bags out-of-town guest received when they checked in at the motel.
Included in the bags - a bottle of water for each guest which had cute labels with Kaylee and Colton's names on them, a bag of something salty and something sweet, directions to the church and reception. Of course Paula made them all. They are much cuter than the picture captured.
[The wedding will be next.]
The conversation around the table with family was special too.
We had fun visiting with family, friends and guests.
Jim (the minister who married them), Colton, Kaylee and Angela (Jim's wife)
Such a sweet picture!
I think I detect a tear or two in Eddie's eyes.
Pretty, sweet Kaylee!!
The highlight of the Rehearsal Dinner was the kindest, sweetest, most encouraging words the guests had to say about Kaylee and Colton. I was so blessed! When your grandchild and her future husband are described as godly Christians, spiritual leaders and how excited they all are to see what God will do with these two young people, how could you not be blessed. My cup overflows. God is good!
The next morning there was a Bridesmaid's Breakfast at Paula and Kelly's home. It was such a special time to visit with Paula, Kaylee and her bridesmaids. Kelly and Kam left to go to a breakfast for all the guys in the wedding party. I took a couple of pictures with the girls in their monogramed white shirts (another special touch by Paula).
The hightlight of the breakfast was when one of the bridesmaids ask that we pray over Kaylee. What a special time!!
Another special touch was the bags out-of-town guest received when they checked in at the motel.
Included in the bags - a bottle of water for each guest which had cute labels with Kaylee and Colton's names on them, a bag of something salty and something sweet, directions to the church and reception. Of course Paula made them all. They are much cuter than the picture captured.
[The wedding will be next.]
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Kaylee and Colton's Wedding Part 2
The bridesmaid's luncheon was so special. The place was beautiful, the food delicious, but the hostesses and guests were what made this a very special gathering!
Kaylee and her maid of honor, Dana. Aren't they pretty!
Kaylee and her pretty mom! (My daughter and granddaughter.)
Bridesmaids writing a card to Kaylee that will be mailed during the next year to her new home.
Kaylee sharing something special about each one of her bridesmaids. This thrilled my heart! She did a beautiful, heart-felt introduction of her special friends.
We are all packing up our little miniature wedding cakes we were served for dessert. So cute!
All the pretty bridesmaids!
This picture captures a little of the joy we experienced this weekend. (Me, Paula and Kaylee)
What a special time for each of these girls to remember, but especially Kaylee and her mom. (Of course it was quite special to me as her grandmother!)
[Next post will be the rehearsal dinner.]
Kaylee and her maid of honor, Dana. Aren't they pretty!
Kaylee and her pretty mom! (My daughter and granddaughter.)
Bridesmaids writing a card to Kaylee that will be mailed during the next year to her new home.
Kaylee sharing something special about each one of her bridesmaids. This thrilled my heart! She did a beautiful, heart-felt introduction of her special friends.
We are all packing up our little miniature wedding cakes we were served for dessert. So cute!
All the pretty bridesmaids!
This picture captures a little of the joy we experienced this weekend. (Me, Paula and Kaylee)
Pretty things on the table at the luncheon.
The bridesmaid's bags Paula made. Each one had their name in rhinestones. So cute!! Each contained a pink robe monogrammed with their initials, decorated flip flops and a number of other items.
[Next post will be the rehearsal dinner.]
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