Friendship Friday

It is wonderful to have a tight circle of friends who understand your quirks and funny ways. You

Maureen and Sharon
are friends from church.
I am not in their  inner circle of friends...
yet, I am blessed to call them sister friends. 

share a history. Life often has rough edges. We all experience storms.

After the storm, I love how friends may be willing to share part of their journey. I love hearing how God's grace sustained them in the midst of a struggle.

Sometimes we may not know all of the inner turmoil in another's life. Recently, a friend shared her recent health struggle with the morning service at our church.  It was precious to hear how God sustained her during this difficult time. Now, her friends have the opportunity to celebrate God's goodness with her.  Maureen's story expanded beyond her circle of friends to the entire church. It was indeed wonderful.

Tai Chi and Tea

Over thirty years ago, I enrolled in my first Tai Chi class in Anderson, Indiana. This particular class was offered by the local YWCA.

I recently decided to enroll in a local class. Why now? A friend is teaching this class. This class is held at the local Friends Meeting Church.

Tai Chi has been described as "Meditation in motion which is a classic meditation art that combines slow movements with special breathing techniques to improve overall health."

I enjoy the slow purposeful movements. I also love that we have a tea break near the end of class.  I think that is pretty cool! What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday

My soul thirsts

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
Where can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I use to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One.
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
Psalm 42: 1 - 4  ( NIV)

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Fava's restaurant in Georgetown, Kentucky has been serving delicious food in the community for over 100 years.  Fava's has a winning combination of colorful decor, friendly service, and delicious food.

We ordered the chocolate peanut butter pie for take home. The plan was to split the pie once we were home.  Someone... ate my portion. I hear the pies are yummy.

Monday Musings ...

A few weeks ago, on a hot Alabama afternoon, I was part of a group that toured a former plantation.  As descendants of slaves, we took a special interest in the site. We toured the mansion, walked on the grounds, listened to the presentation and posed questions. 

Near the end of the tour, the docent took us to a gravesite . A large headstone marked the grave of a Confederate General. A short distance away, the slaves were buried in unmarked graves.  In this cemetery the names of slaves whose work allowed this plantation to operate remain unknown to the public.

We posed for the group picture. We are not angry. We remain reflective. Our ancestors were slaves in Kentucky.  

The next day, Sunday morning, we sat in a worship service that reflected a new reality in Alabama. In the Deep South, young, old, white, black, and Latino worship at Calvary Assembly.  It was a fitting ending to a how Christian service and worship strives to look to the world.

This year marks the 61^st annual Carter Family Reunion. Each year we gather together to recognize our family history, tour different cities, visit, play games, and reconnect with family. As a result of the diligent research of family members, we know about our history as slaves in Kentucky. 
Information about historical sites in Alabama is available at this site. Click on these two words:  Alabama History

...that you may believe

"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus in the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."  - John 20:30 - 31 ( NIV)

Friendship Friday

Anne and Susan are  a beautiful picture of friendship.
These two neighbors bring laughter and fun to
any gathering.
We are members of an evening book club. 

"Friendship is born at the moment

when one person says to another:

"What! You too?

I thought I was the only one."

C. S. Lewis

Time, talent, treasure

I was debating whether to participate in another Bible Study. Do I have the time? In the flurry of daily activities, it can be challenging for me to make the best use of my time.

Once the time is gone, it can never be recovered. 

My "To -Do- List" is long.  Yet, I had a longing to attend this study.

Since I cannot create a new day or add hours, I have to use my time wisely. I had an unexpected gift this summer. Getting up at 4:30 a.m.  Rising early, I accomplish more each day. I love having a fruitful day. It is like adding hours to my day. 

When I  intentionally spend quiet time in reading the Bible, praying, and  having quiet reflection/ meditation, my day goes so smoothly. Do you have tips on effective use of time? What are you eliminating from your life to be more productive? 

This is a precious reminder of the value of time.  

“Time is free,

but it’s priceless.

You can’t own it,

but you can use it.

You can’t keep it,

but you can spend it.

Once you've lost it

you can never get it back.”

Unknown.

Taking time for this Bible Study is a wise use of time. The room is full
of women hunger to know more of God. Eternal benefits!
Sharon continually points us to the Word as we search the scriptures.
Wise use to time. 

Wordless Wednesday

... these ten words

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

“Scripture begins with these ten words. This is the bedrock of the Bible, the first, earliest, and most irreducible foundation for the remaining thirty-one thousand verses of God’s Word.  …. Genesis 1:1 tells us that God is, that He creates, and that He speaks; this is the basis of all clear thinking and hope.

Genesis 1:1 gives us roots. We’re not accidental blobs of dying chemicals, mysteriously evolving from primordial sludge without purpose or meaning. We have a past rooted in the glory of the God whose image we bear. We're wonderfully made and placed in an environment fine- tuned for our needs.The books of Genesis gives us the history of creation, sin, the beginning of human society, and there wondrous plan of redemption introduced by God.”

Source 100  Bible Verses : Everyone should know by heart  by Robert Morgan

Thrifty Thursday

This is how one online resource defines the word:
 Thrifty 
adjective
1. (of a person or their behavior) using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully.
What are some of the ways you use your resources wisely? Have your found creative ways to be effective in your use of time? When you get off track with your budget... how do you get back on track?
I am on the learning curve to improve this skill set. I hate wasting time and money. 

Here are my top tips
1. Visit your local Farmers Market -  Seasonal food and prices are usually great
2. Coupons make a huge difference ... I love seeing my hubby sit and clip coupons.
3. Prepare meals at home, then enjoy the leftovers.
4. Garage Sales, floor samples for furniture, seasonal items, 
5. When possible, grow your own flowers, vegetables, and flowers
6. Budget and plan for the unexpected.
7. Browse the internet... you will find some amazing sites that provide valuable information. 

Flowers on my deck. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday is back! In addition, the Cooking Light Group is back after a brief summer vacation. Today, we welcomed a new member to our monthly gathering.  Yay! 

I suggest your try some of the recipes in September's issue of Cooking Light ... you will find some delicious recipes. 

More tips from today... Visit your local Williams - Sonoma store... Sales! 
Interested in baking scones? Look at the site for recipes. King Arthur

This was a yummy appetizer. It looks lovely as well. 

glorious grace

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son." (New Living Translation)
Ephesians 1: 5-6