Passing on the Torch

As I watch my girls raise their children now I remember the distinct difference of emotions I felt, raising a son after two daughters. I felt an attachment that I knew I would someday hand over to another special woman and I didn’t want to waste any time in lavishing my love on him while I could.
Yesterday I had a special breakfast with this beautiful young woman. . . a woman worth far more than rubies. .. one who has full confidence in her husband and brings that special sparkle to his eyes.
It’s all good. For now I am cherishing the connection we can have, for you see, she is now carrying the child of the child I once carried. She will mother and care for a little boy or girl that will make my son a daddy. She is my daughter by love.

Miss Natalie

Natalie told her Mom, "Papa and Mimi live far, far away . . .

I can fix that!

I need an airplane!"

For this little girl, no obstacle is too big. I somehow get the feeling she will get done what she wants to do. A strong will can be good. She may just one day become the first female president of America.

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.