Intro to the Fruit of the Spirit

A while back I joined a group of women to do a Beth Moore Study on the Fruit of the Spirit. It is based on the verses in Galatians 5: 22,23:

“The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

I knew I had lots to learn, since it never really meant more to me than the fact that it is a beautiful verse and that it would be a nice list of attributes to have.

We began this study with a review of how and why God allows His Spirit to work in us. To begin with, it is God’s Spirit who creates in us the awareness of sin and our need for God. If we do not quench that desire, the Spirit will continue to lead us, help us and even pray for us. When we invite God's Spirit to lead us, we can be a positive influence in the lives of those around us. The evidence of this kind of relationship will show itself by the fruit of the Spirit.

We went into a detailed separate study of each "fruit" so to speak and what this kind of fruit would look like in the way we relate to those around us. I came to realize that, in my flesh, I do not possess these kind of character traits and that I continually need to allow the Spirit to lead me and to help me.

This might be a bit of a stretch for me and stepping out of my comfort zone – but over the summer months I’d like to focus one day a week on a particular fruit of the Spirit. Let it be a devotional for me and for anyone who wants to “peek in.” And maybe, as we enjoy the abundance of fruit this summer, we can become more aware of the fruit produced in our lives when we yield to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

Tea Time Treasures

I had not planned on giving an update here - especially with the detailed updates on the other blogs, but I would like to give credit where credit is due in a public way. The idea for the little name tags comes from a dear friend of my daughter. When I prepared these nine name tags I realized how much love and detailed work went into the fact that she made about 25 or 30 of them for Julene's 30th Birthday Party. If you are reading this, Danielle - thank you again . . . you inspire me!

So, for those who asked or wondered . . . I purchased some Lipton pyramid style tea bags at the grocery store and some "hand-made" stickers at the Dollar Store. There are plenty enough themes you can go with. (I think I'll use the framed ones some day with a little photo in there . . . ) You'll notice that these stickers have layers that you can peel apart and then stick the label from the tea bag in between the layers. You can then leave the back plain or attach a separately printed little verse on there.

Today I have beautiful reminders of the great company yesterday. There are times when it feels like you receive much more than you give . . .

I love the creative ideas and how each one reflects the diverse and beautiful personality of the giver.

This beautiful little thrift store creamer filled with fragrant rose buds . . . chocolates . . . pretty table napkins . . . homemade jelly . . . I'm blessed!

Special Luncheon

I woke up a little earlier than usual on this Monday morning and, immediately realizing what day it was, jumped out of bed to open the bedroom blind and check on the weather. I scooted over to the en-suite to confirm and was a little sad that I wouldn’t be setting my garden table just yet . . . but none-the-less, the day’s plans won’t change that much and I’m so looking forward to it!
It’s a special day because today my friends from the MGCC Blog are coming for lunch and I get to be the lucky hostess! Now, if six of the best cooks you know would be coming over, what would you serve?
I decided right off the bat not to put any pressure on myself with this thought and just make it simple . . . yes, we know how to do that. On the menu are some salads, muffins, sweet bread and scones. A perfect blend between breakfast and lunch!
It’s hard to believe that one year ago I did not even know most of the women that I now share a cooking blog with and how, over the past year of sharing common interests and recipes, we have become good friends.
So, today we are not getting together for any cooking competition . .. I’m sure we’ll share about our families and such things as where Lovella got her cute skirt or where Judy got the recipe for her salad and how we wish that the ones further away could be here . . . But mostly we are getting together to share our main dream for the cooking blog and how we can use it for more than we are at the present. Our desire is to find a way to literally feed hungry children when people click onto this site and to figure out how this would work.
But I’m sure you will hear more about this. If I know these blogging friends, I know that there will be cameras coming with them and more will be said at a later time.
Now, it’s time to start my sweet bread.
Mini roses and fine china . . . I so wanted to have it outside . . .

About Character

While we were in Indonesia, part of being a Papa included extending the grandkids playground and making a basketball court. In a recent phone conversation, Paet (who is turning 5 this summer) told us that the other day he shot 10 baskets! Well, of course we admired his talent and rejoiced with him, only to have him come back with a gentle, "But they weren't all in a row."

Oh, how his honesty and his willingness to humble himself spoke to me! To be ever so honest and not take credit for more than is necessary. Sometimes it is easier to just have people believe something we're not, when in the end our honest words would do more than our silence.

100th Post

So here I am, typing my 100th entry! What do I say? When I think of the apprehension I had about starting to journal like this, I have to consider if it's been worth it and what I have learned.

There are two sides to consider.

The first and easy one is to say that I have been overwhelmed with the amount of moral encouragement you, as readers, have given me. It really has been very rewarding to write and have someone actually read it and say something positive, add something, laugh with me, cry with me or simply reminisce with me. I wanted to list you all by name, but when I started making the list, it just got too long. I want you - my three girls, my sister, my cousin, my nieces, new friends, old friends re-acquainted, my children's friends, my cooking friends, close friends, anonymous friends - all to know that I have appreciated every comment and wish that I could always say so right aways.

On the other hand, there are times when I wonder who else is reading and how much I should say, considering that. I have been very honest about my faith and made myself vulnerable as far as my family affections. This is part of who I am and it's part of real life. With this blog I have dared to step out even though there may be those who don't understand; something that I have not done too often in my life. In the end it has given me a freedom, an extension and awareness of life and myself that in itself has been rewarding. Something that is difficult to explain, but best visualized in the idea of working on a magazine and experimenting with those who really want to read but not forcing it on those who don't.

I have come to the conclusion that this kind of writing gives me satisfaction. It makes me reflect, and laugh more. It give me an avenue to share things from the past, everyday life or what God is teaching me. It is easier to say things in this way, because I can delete and change until I'm happy with what I really want to say. But most of all, it gives me the pleasure of sharing my heart and keeping memories alive in a brand new way.

So, to all of you who understand why I post and to all who don't, I want to say that I appreciate each of you, whether you comment, talk to me when you see me or just stay anonymous to keep me on my toes . . . Thank you!

Quick Trip

This past weekend we packed our toothbrushes, pjs, a couple of movies and got on the old Fraser Canyon Highway going north.


We had not done this for a long time and the beautiful scenic drive through the mountains kept me entertained for a big part of the drive.

The tunnels always bring back memories of the fun they were as children.

The Fraser and then the Thompson River wind through the valley and then the canyon for many miles on end.

This creature landed on our windshield. (sorry about the blur . . . but I was glad to have the glass between us)

As we got further north, toward the Cariboo, we saw the devastation that the pine beetle has brought to many forests. I had heard about it, but until you actually see it, you don't realize how sad it is.

After a four and a half hour drive we saw the reason people move up to this area.

The lakes, surrounded by mountains and forests of pine, spruce and fir, look like blue glass with the most gorgeous reflections in them.

These white tailed mule deer hardly moved when they saw us coming. My camera does not have a good zoom, so this was taken up close, from the car.

I also had to keep taking photos of flowers and meadows along the road. Lupin and Indian paint brush bloom in wild abundance almost everywhere right now.

We wound ourselves through numerous back roads, looking for the right address, wondering how in the world they found this place to live. My H's sister and brother-in-law moved here four years ago. The short version of the story is that they found a piece of land, parked their fifth wheel on it, chopped down trees and began to build a house.

Even on their property you can see what the pine beetle has done.

When you live so far from everything it is good to grow your own meat.

They also proudly showed us their vegetable garden and fruit trees.

Thank you John and Mary for your warm hospitality. We had a wonderful time!