On this particular Encouraging Monday... I just have to say that God was so AWESOME in the Deeper Still event this weekend. He SHINED!!! He was awesome in the teaching from three godly, surrendered women. He was awesome in our praise and worship times. He was awesome in the details. One thing that really touched me was how awesome He is in raising up generation after generation (74, 51, & 30-ish?) of submitted, Holy Spirit-gifted women to proclaim His word in fresh ways for those of us who are willing to be taught the Word.
Priscilla, with her 6-month pregnant self, and Kay with her beautiful 74-full-yeared wisdom self, and Beth, 51 and, well, who can really describe her? -- were all amazing as they poured themselves out as a drink offering -- almost literally -- as we watched, took notes as fast as we could, (with some jumping up and down thrown in, thanks to Beth), and tried to take it all in.
(We laughed in the car on the way home that Beth taught in that last session, because only she could have kept that crowd as rapt at attention as we were while fighting that afternoon nap-needing slump after being up all night talking!)
In addition to a very close friend, I got to share this precious time with my mother and my mother-in-love. How precious is that? I can't imagine any ladies I would rather have shared it with. Well, o.k., maybe the other 18,997 ladies! God is great and greatly to be praised.
Deeper still, indeed...
These are some of my handmade Christmas stockings. I made each of these before the first Christmas of each of my children. They are patterned after a stocking that my mother made for me when I was born (which I still use, by the way!) I carefully chose and designed each element of their stocking from felt and then embellished it with beads, pearls, sequins, and other decorations. Since I am very protective about my children's identities and leery of sharing too much information about them for the whole world to see, I have not shown their names. But each stocking has a white 4 inch strip across the top with the child's name in block letters hand-cut from red felt to match the stocking.
These stockings hang in my den over my hearth, on which I place a set of votive candles surrounded by nutcrackers and Christmas stuffed animals. The theme colors in my den are bright... mostly red and green. I have not been a fan of colored lights for my trees, but since my kids were very small they have wanted them. So our den tree, which is the one we are all around the most, has colored lights.
This is my dining room table set with my Christmas china, crystal Christmas trees on a mirror as a centerpiece, and of course lots of candles.
These carolers were given to me by my grandmother, who was a real source of inspiration for me as far as decorating. She was a graceful southern lady who loved and appreciated beautiful things and was able to really put together decor with a charm and a classic style that was completely elegant.
This last picture is the representation of our faith -- the nativity -- the fact that Jesus came to this earth to live and teach us how to live... and also to die so that we can live with Him in eternity. In these times when our world is in turmoil and uncertainty, we need an anchor for the soul. How blessed we are that He offers Himself so freely to be that Anchor for our soul!
