Better Together

Our last meeting for my moms group ended up being a Tea & Testimony.

The tables were set with care. Each place held a different thrifted plate. And above each place setting was a card which read...

Those dishes were from all different places. Different homes. Different families. If only they could tell us their stories -- what dinners they have held. What celebrations they were used for. Were they pulled out nightly for regular family dinners? Some maybe only ever sat on display. Some may have been used for special holidays. Some forgotten. Some hidden in attics. Others passed down to granddaughters. But I told the moms, where these plates went from here was up to them. 

I challenged them to think about their stories. What brought them to this place in motherhood. Think of who they are. How did they get to this point in their relationship with the Lord? Where had they been?

In 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul reminded Timothy of the spiritual heritage they both had. 

Beth Moore, in her Entrusted study said, "Let's take personal ownership of our spiritual lineage -- both in what we receive and what we pass down...You're a creative blend of all your main influencers mixed in with your own God-given uniqueness."

We can usually trace back a generation or two of our family tree without a thought. This is my grandmother... this is my dad...

But what about your spiritual lineage? Who has been your "main influencers"? I challenged the moms to write out five names. My list included my parents, Sunday school teachers who challenged me to memorize large portions of Scripture, college mentors who showed me the importance of ministering to women, friends who suggest books and podcasts, and even authors I have never met face-to-face have impacted my spiritual walk. 

We have to keep that spiritual lineage going. It's time to get excited about influencing the next generation. 

Psalm 78:6-7 says, "So the next generation might know them (the commands of the Lord) -- even the children not yet born -- and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands."  

" They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments." - Beth Moore

As I think about this group of moms, I love that one of our main goals is to encourage each other to be Jesus to our kids. Next year, we are calling our group MOMs - focusing on the Ministry of Motherhood. 

Since I became a mom, I understand my relationship with my Heavenly Father so much better. I understand more about how God relates to His Son too. It's relational, The love is unconditional. 

I love that the parenting relationship was part of God's plan all along. Through it, we understand Him better. 

At times, the "Ministry of Motherhood" sees daunting. I start to think about all the ways I could mess things up. I doubt my influence. I worry my kids are too small. Or I just feel too tired.

But when my son asks questions and responds on his own to Bible verses we are learning, I reminded that the Holy Spirit is at work and the Word of God will always accomplish what the Lord wants it to accomplish.

What a privilege it is to be the FIRST person to tell our kids about Jesus. We get to help start their spiritual lineage. God gave that to parents! And I can't tell you how excited and privileged I feel about that. 

When those doubts surface, I need to remember 2 Timothy 1:8.  It's His strength - not mine! 

It all starts with just letting these kids see that you love Jesus. Let them see you read the Bible. Let them hear you pray. (Even letting my children hear me confess my sins allows them to understand this life-long struggle of walking in the Spirit.)

And remember the plates... you're not alone. We are better together. 

I had these moms each take home their plates as a reminder of these truths of God's Word and the support of this group. And here's a few ideas of what they could do with these plates.

Or you can always bake another mom some cookies and tell her to keep the plate! Because she might need the reminder that we are repurposed for the Lord's use.

We are better together.

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."  Hebrews 10:24-25

Stovetop Simmer Starter Kit

I often associate memories and feelings with scents. My new favorite addition to our holiday home is a simmering potpourri pot! The whole house quickly smells like Christmas - and I am just using peels from an orange and a few branches from a tree outside.

For my favors at our Christmas tea (read more about that wonderful night here), I gave each lady her own stovetop simmer starter kit. 

Once you understand the concept, you will find yourself throwing all kinds of things into your pot of simmering water. 

The instructions are simple.

Toss orange peels, a handful of cranberries, and some spices (I like a cinnamon stick and some whole cloves) into a small pot. Cover the ingredients with water and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer and add water every thirty minutes or so. As the pot steams, your home will be filled with wonderful scents.

Some have said they forget about having to add water. If that's the case, set yourself a timer to remind you to check the water levels!

I found this handy printable already prepared for me here. The clear bags can be found on the party isle at Walmart - 20/$.97.

Most days, I save orange peels (or sliced oranges) and apple peels/core from preparing my kid's lunches, add some spices and some days I even add pine or cedar branches to the pot.  A super simple recipe is orange peel and a tablespoon or so of vanilla extract. The possibilities are endless. And it makes an adorable, affordable gift. 

I love that I can step out my backdoor, grab a tree branch, save some peels and make my home smell welcoming and cozy! Do any of you have any favorite combinations? 

Be Brave: SBC Christmas Tea 2016

Be Brave - the 2016 theme from our annual Christmas Tea.

We all have to be brave at some point in our life. It may be the first day of kindergarten. It may be the day you lose a spouse. It may be the day you receive devastating news. Or the day you bring home a brand new baby.

As Christmas approaches, I can't help but think of how brave Mary had to be. She was probably judged. She was probably scared. It probably wasn't how she expected her first pregnancy to happen. Yet, she was carrying the Son of God. She was to give birth and raise the Messiah. Her scary circumstances were for a greater good.

I view the Christmas story differently now that I am a mother.  I'm not comparing myself with Mary, but I do think she felt some of the same emotions that I experience as a mother. We moms are in this together.

Expectations and assumptions are common reasons for discouragement in my life. I research, plan and make lists for big events, picturing my emotions. Time after time, that day arrives and I don’t feel the way I decided I should feel.  I am continuously learning that the Lord is the one who orders my steps…not me.

When my son, Hudson was born, I had all these images in my head of the first time I would see his face. I assumed family would be there to capture the moment in a frame-worthy photograph.  I had always dreamed of becoming a mother and I had decided that my first moments holding my new baby would be magical.  (Read Part 1 and part 2 of Hudson's birth story)

But the Lord continues to want to teach me the lesson that “It’s not about me. My life is not my own. His plans are not my plans.” After a surprise case of eclampsia, my son was delivered seven weeks prematurely. I still have no memory of the 3 days surrounding his birth. I don’t remember the first time that I held him.  It was not as I had planned.

Due to a lengthy period of unconsciousness, I had to relearn some things. I had trouble putting words together for quite some time.  But the Lord put a song in my heart. “Our God is Greater. Our God is stronger. God, You are higher than any other. Our God is HEALER, awesome in power. Our God.”

As doctors marveled at our situation, our God was praised. As Hudson was released from the hospital after just 17 days, our God was seen as being awesome and strong. As I recovered, our God was seen as Healer. Our God. He had greater plans.

Instead of feeling discouraged that my birth story didn’t unfold the way I’d expected, I am humbled to remember that God saw fit to show His greatness and strength through our lives. And the next time I face days of uncertainty and disappointment, I am praying for the courage to look for the greatness of our God. If I enter circumstances expecting God to show up, I will never be disappointed.

I Samuel 7:12   “…Up to this point, the Lord has helped us.”

The evening at the tea was filled with great conversation, yummy food, and encouraging testimonies of God's faithfulness. 

Like a gaggle of geese squawk encouragement at the goose flying in the front, this group of ladies prayed for and encouraged our sisters in Christ. 

Our scary circumstances may be different, but our God is the same. His plan is perfect and He is always good. 

 So, be brave, sisters. Be brave. 

The Weary World Rejoices - #ChristmasTea2015

I have been anticipating this Ladies' Christmas Tea since last year's event (see last year's post here). The sweet fellowship. The yummy food. The truth from God's Word. The Spiritual encouragement. The chance to decorate a table.

It had been raining for days. The holiday craziness had begun. I forgot my camera at home. But the theme this year was "Rest."

As I set my table, I prayed for each seat. I prayed for the ladies in their travels and preparations in getting there that evening. I prayed for their hearts. I prayed that our fellowship would be uplifting.

My chargers doubled as favors this year. Using shims, I made some wooden signs. Using wood glue, I attached all the shims together with two horizontal shims on the back side. I know that the Lord cares about little details - He kept laying the word "gather" on my heart. And I decided to add the reference of Matthew 18:20 to the sign. I had completely forgotten that the Women's Ministry at our church uses "Silverdale Girl's Gather" as their theme. But He knew...

My talented friend offered to make macaroons for each girl at our table as well. She made her tags to compliment the sign design.

I was grateful for her contribution to the table. Her coconut macaroons will change your life.

I thought I had left my house in plenty of time before the tea. I had two close friends riding with me. The rain was heavy and the traffic was slow. When I arrived, someone had already lit my candles. Even though I was running late, I was able to enter with a heart ready for the evening. Ashlee valet parked my car because it was POURING rain so that I could run in to greet my guests.

We enjoyed a delicious meal and great conversation.

My friend from Brazil was even able to join my table. I was surrounded by so many wonderful girls.

As I listened to testimonies and truth from God's Word, I felt that I was able to prepare my heart for the upcoming Christmas season.

Despite feeling tired so many days, it is easy for me to forget Jesus' words to "Come to Him...and find rest" (Matthew 11:28).

What a precious gift His coming to earth was to this weary world.

At the close of the night, we were each given a small metal key. It was to serve as a reminder of the truths we learned that evening. Jesus is the key to finding true rest.

I plan to place mine around my kitchen sink. I seem to spend a lot of my time cleaning up the kitchen or prepping for the next meal. But rather than getting bogged down with my day-to-day tasks, I hope to be able to use my time at the sink to "Come to Jesus..." If I turn my dish-washing time into prayer time, what a difference that would make on my day. After all, Jesus has offered me the invitation of coming to Him to find rest.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you REST." 

Matthew 11:28

Sources: 

Tablecloth - fabric from Hobby Lobby

Napkins - Amazon ($7.99/12)

Plates - Pioneer Woman Collection at Walmart

Glasses - World Market

Mercury Glass Candle Votive - JoAnn Fabric and Target clearance after last Christmas

Lantern - TJ Maxx (from my wedding)

DIY Advent Calendar Kit

For the Christmas Tea last week, I needed favors for my table. I thought about chocolates. I thought about ornaments. Finally, I decided on DIY Advent Calendar Kits. 

I simply cut flags from cardstock. I used two different shaped flags so that I could get the most use out of my cardstock. 

Each kit also got 10-ish feet of baker's twine and 25 clothespins. I purchased a large amount of this baker's twine over a year ago. I use it all the time - wrapping gifts, etc. and I still have so much left. It was a good investment, to be sure. I measured how much string would be needed to hang all 25 flags - across a doorway top, along the top of a hutch, or even just on the wall.

I stamped each flag using my date stamp. These stamps are pretty inexpensive and I use mine all the time. 

I hoped that the guests at my table could take this home and use it to count down to Christmas. They could write on the tag what Scripture they plan to read. Or clip a 3x5 card to each dated flag with an activity or scripture reference. They could even clip an ornament for each day, hanging them on a little tree as the days pass. 

I packaged the kits in plain brown lunch sacks. 

I thought I had come up with a fabulous way to make easy tassels. I figured it made a cute bow, added color and could be later used as an ornament. But alas, someone else had already thought of my cool idea.  I ended up making two tassels from one skein of thread.

This was a fun and simple favor to make. I hope it helped a few of these ladies as they count down to Christmas. 

PS: Hudson and I are reading the Jesus Storybook as our Advent reading each evening. And I am using She Reads Truth. There is a free app and you can buy the advent pack. I, however, have just been reading it all on the website directly for free. 

What are you reading? How are you counting down to Christmas?