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One-Day Spiritual Refreshment

For Women – At Our Church

Saturday, January 30

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Part II – The Morning Session

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Melody, Bernice, Sarah, and Andi going over last minute preparations.

Nitoche, Jennifer, and Emily cleaning up at the refreshment table.

Brenda welcomed the ladies, then asked us to think about our favorite flower. If you could choose a flower to wear in your hair or as a corsage – what flower would you choose.

We were then asked to stand and meet other ladies by asking about their favorite flower.

I said, “On most days I would choose a red rose for my hair or as a corsage…

…but on days when I am feeling famboyant (or need attention), I would wear a large Gerber Daisy to match my clothing.”  

How would you have answered, “What is your favorite flower?”

 The next part of the program was beautiful singing led by Melody – from Lewiston, Maine.

She is a fabulous song leader. 

 Kathy led in devotions.

 A sextet of inspiring songs by Arlene, Adrielle, Julia, Jane, Luanne, and Doris

 Bernice blessed us with many challenges on being

Christian Women with a Purpose.

 I remember challenging words like:

Hunger and thirst after righteousness

Understand God’s purpose for your life

Put God’s Word into motion

 Let the Word of God dwell in you richly

Seize every opportunity to share the love of God

 And before we knew it, Doretta was announcing that it was lunchtime – and asking the Lord to bless our food and fellowship.

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Tomorrow: Part III – Lunch

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I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Psalm 59:16 (New Living Translation)

One-Day Spiritual Refreshment

For Women – At Our Church

Saturday, January 30

 After arriving at church a bit early on Saturday morning – with camera in hand – I decided to go behind the scenes and see what was going on in the fellowship hall and kitchen.

 Salad bowls waiting to be filled

 My sister-in-law Brenda was in charge of preparing lunch for two-hundred women.

 She and Janessa were working on meal preparations.

 Jennifer was filling a coffee carafe for the registration area in the narthex.

 I was hoping to get a good photo of my friend (and speaker for the day) Bernice, and was delighted that she was in the fellowship hall checking on her book table.

 She authored a book, Hospitality from A to Z, which is a delightful series of stories on how she learned hospitality at home – and used that training to begin a bed and breakfast with her husband, Glenn. She also included some of her favorite recipes.

 She and Glenn blessed each of us with the gift of a book on this special day of refreshment.

 There were snowmen everywhere – on windows, tables, and even in the bathrooms.

 After walking the hallway that surrounds the sanctuary, I came to the narthex which was full of women who were registering, visiting, and enjoying refreshments.

 This was already looking like the beginning of a delightful day for many ladies from our church and neighborhood – even some from a distance.

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Tomorrow night: Part II

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Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.

Philippians 4:23 (The Message)

Family Supper

Thursday, January 28

Left to right: Dale, Dot, Clair, Anne, Marlin, Nancy, Chelsey (Marlin & Nancy’s daughter), Brenda, Steve, Velma (our stepmother), and Cerwin.

Our gracious stepmother usually has the five children (and spouses) she acquired when marrying our dad, for an annual meal. We look forward to it, because it is one of the rare times we siblings get together without lots of children and grandchildren. Our mother died in 1974 (this would have been her eighty-eighth birthday), and Daddy died in 1997.

The meal was delicious and the conversation lively and fun. I have three brothers Dale (red shirt), Clair (light blue shirt), and Steve (brown shirt with back to camera). My only sister, Nancy, is in the plaid jacket on the right.

My brother Clair is partially hidden in this picture, and I should have used the one where he was not hidden, but had a mouthful of food, because of what he did to me. However, I opted to be kind to him.

Because I am always the one taking pictures, Clair decided there are never enough pictures of me, so he grabbed my camera and proceeded to take pictures – from every angle.

The more photos he took, the more everyone laughed – including me.

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They were sure I would not post them – so I am proving them wrong.

I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.

Romans 15:13 (Contemporary English Version)

Family Lunch

Wednesday, January 27

Our dried, decorative grass was pretty in the morning sunlight.

I was surprised to look out the window and see a hawk sitting in the dogwood tree close to the bird feeders, and tried to get close to the window with my camera, but it quickly flew away.

We look forward to this day – every three months – when Cerwin’s mother, her siblings, and some of the older (mostly retired) cousins meet for lunch.

On this day three of the siblings were able to attend. Mother’s sister Aunt Naomi is seated third from left.

Crackers and bread were served prior to the main course.

I chose this healthy and delicious vegetable wrap.

To make sure there was a balance between healthy and fried – I also chose corn nuggets as a side. I love these.

Cerwin’s mother is facing the camera on the right, and is seated next to John, her older brother. We are grateful to still have this older generation with us and doing so well, as John is ninety-four, mother is ninety-two, and I think Aunt Naomi must be getting close to ninety.

We had a smaller group that usual (some are in Florida), but it was a great time of fellowship. 

God’s people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go.

Proverbs 16:17 (Contemporary English Version)

The Next TFC Chapel

Tuesday, January 26

Cerwin was pleased that the donated trailer arrived at TFC’s International Office on Tuesday.

Because the donor had use for the back doors, they were removed before delivery. That will save Cerwin from doing that job before replacing the opening with a solid wall.

Backing the trailer into TFC’s shop.

In a few months this will be transformed into a new chapel, and placed at Whitestown TA Travel Center, I-64, Exit 130 (State Road 334), Indianapolis, Indiana.

As Cerwin makes progress, I will keep you updated.

Get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel.

Ephesians 4:2 (The Message)