"An Anchor for My Soul" - Tipton LNO 2016

The Tipton Church of Christ ladies hosted their 3rd Annual Ladies' Night Out Tuesday night.  The theme was, "An Anchor For My Soul".  We had a large group from the Tipton church, but also many visitors from Tipton and surrounding communities.  It was a great evening!

Officially, 102 registered for the event, but at least 10 didn't register.  Food-wise we prepared for 120, but for everything else, only 100, so next year we should increase.  After having only 80 last year, we had cut back a little bit, so you just never know.  Better to have too much than too little (or at least that's my opinion).

Our t-shirts were so cute! They are really navy, thought my picture appears black.

Outside the building decorations....

Stage decorations.....

Water station....

Nautical decor....

Table decor....

More tables....

Favors.....Cute little messages in a bottle with a little anchor charm.

Our speaker....She did great!

Cute napkin rings done by two of my nieces and a sister-in-law.

It was a wonderful night!  We sang about Jesus being the anchor and learned more about how He truly is our anchor!  

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul."  Hebrews 6:19

Ladies' Salad Supper 2015

A few weeks ago it dawned on me that I hadn't had my annual ladies' salad supper for 2015, so as soon as I found an open night, I snatched it for the event.  

One of my favorite things about this event is the stories that are shared by the ladies.  I mentioned those stories in a post recently, and how I wish we had some videoed in the past.  This time we videoed and few of the ladies.  Raenell has some funny stories and always has a smile.  

Verna is just hilarious.  I gave out some folded questions and everyone got two or three.  One of hers was, "Who makes you laugh?".  Her niece-in-law answered for her as she sat next to her, "Me, myself, and I"!  That's so true!  She has really funny stories and interesting stories, such as graduating from business college at 17 years of age.  Thankfully, I got her stories on video, as well!

 If you haven't seen the Thanksgiving plates at Hobby Lobby, you should!

 This is my favorite one....the leaves and woodsy looking on.  I especially liked the small napkins that said, "I'm Thankful for YOU".  I thought they would go great for the salad supper because I am truly thankful for each of these ladies.

 (No, it's not fall, yet, but it went with the decor! The tablecloth doesn't, but I didn't want to go to the shed to get the burlap ones :).  It worked, I suppose.)

 The wood look on the napkins was going to be my inspiration for doing stick/wood centerpieces, but I decided to just go with what I had around the house, without making up anything new.  I like the big wood slice and had more....but they were in that shed I didn't want to go to!

 Some of the questions were: What was your favorite childhood memory? What did you want to do when you grew up? Is there anything in life you haven't done that you wanted to do?

 Did you and your spouse fall in love quickly or did it grow in time?  What was your neighborhood like where you grew up?

What was your favorite job? What was your least favorite job?  And lots more.

I'm thankful for these ladies who took the time to join us last night.  I pray that it was uplifting and encouraging to them, just as it was to me.  Thank you for sharing your stories.  That's how we get to know one another better. I'm thankful for the bond we have as sisters in Christ.  

"Seasons of Life"

Tonight I'll begin teaching ladies' Bible class after taking the summer off. This new semester will be called "Seasons of Life".  There are many different age groups in the class, from mid-20's to 80's, so these lessons will be geared to learn from each of these "seasons".

It's fitting that this new class corresponds with the beginning of my very favorite time of year: September, October, November, and December.  I love this season!

The scripture basis for the class will be this:

 "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5

There was a time when I was one of the youngest women in the class.  Not so anymore!  Now I'm middle-aged, so am teaching the younger ones, but also still learning from the older ones.  This passage is so good.  Women learn from one another and that's what I want this new class to be about - sharing and learning from each other.

This new season of life I'm in, with two children gone and two still at home is weird.  It's great to be able to have the youngest two and spend time just with them, but the house is quieter, less messy (Even though the youngest two say they are the messiest and it will be messy!  Truthfully, I'm the messiest of them all!), and just different.  Sitting at our huge dining table that seats 10 is just different with four.  It's weird, but we will get used to it soon.

With each season of life, we have different ways that we can serve God.  That will be another aspect of ladies' class this semester.  When all of our children were young, I felt like I wasn't doing anything for others because I didn't have the time.  Now that it's less busy, I can make meals for others, visit others, and do more "work" for the Lord.  But I truly was working for Him when the kids were little.  They were my work!  And the two here at home now are still my work.  Too many stop this work as the last one or two are left at home.  The youngest can be neglected and spoiled in a way, left to do for himself/herself.  I want to make sure that doesn't happen with ours.  He'll need just as much guidance and supervision as the others have had - maybe more.

So what season of life are you in? Which has been your favorite?  Which has been your least favorite?  Reflect on those questions today.  Take the time to share with someone else about your season of life.  It's quite possible that something you have gone through and share will be something they needed to hear.  

Who Are You, Lord?

Last night in our ladies Bible class, we were studying about Moses and the burning bush.  Moses was reluctant to do what God was asking him to do.  He asked God what he would say if the Israelites asked him who sent him.  (Exodus 3 and 4) God explained to Moses that He is the 'I AM' and the 'LORD' - meaning Yahweh.  He revealed His personal name to Moses.

We used  this poem along with our study.  The author is unknown.

Who Are You, Lord?

While praying one day

A woman asked, "Who are you, Lord?"

He answered, "I AM".

"But, Who is I AM?", she said.

And He replied..."I Am Love, I am Peace,

I Am Grace, I Am Joy

I Am The Way, Truth, And The Light...

I Am The Comforter,

I Am Strength, I Am Safety,

I Am Shelter, I Am Power, I Am The Creator,

I Am The Beginning And The End,

I Am The Most High".

The girl with tears n her eyes looked

Toward Heaven and said,

"Now I understand."

"But Lord, who am I?"

Then God tenderly wiped the tears

From her eyes and whispered,

"You are Mine."

Ladies' Ministry

For many years, I have had the opportunity to speak at an annual Bible Teacher's Workshop in Duncan.  Most of the time it's just a ladies' class, but for the past two years I've done a classes geared towards ladies ministry.  I enjoy teaching the Bible to young children, young girls, and even babies at times, but I would say that my passion is more directed towards teaching ladies.  So teaching and talking to others about different ideas to grow a ladies ministry within the church, is very important to me.

One thing that helps a ladies' ministry grown is to provide opportunities for Christian sisters can get together and get to know each other better.  There are many possibilities to accomplish this goal, but for me one of the best ways I've found is by hosting a yearly spring salad supper for all of the ladies.  It is something that many of them look forward to each year and I do, too.

Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures of the yummy food or the sweet guests!  I NEVER forget photos, so I don't know what happened!!!  Oh, yes.....I think the talking and fellowshipping got me sidetracked :).  What a wonderful thing to sidetrack my thoughts!!

The scripture at the end of this post is the commandment for the older Christian women to teach the younger women.  For me, as a middle-aged woman, I can learn from those who are older, but also be a teacher to those who are younger.  And actually, when we get together and get to know one another, we can all learn from each other.  We are fulfilling the scriptures and commandments of God and having fun and fellowship with one another while doing it!

For the salad supper, I find inspiration from the tableware in the party shop.  These plates just seemed to be the perfect thing for this years' spring get-together.  For many years I've used square plates, but these seemed bigger on the bottom - and I was hungry at the time! :)  The only downfall to pretty plates, even at more expensive prices, is that they aren't made quite as sturdy as they used to be.  So be careful and aware of that fact.

One of the highlights of the evening each year is the "ice breaker".  This year I titled the activity "Getting to Know You!".  It featured five questions and each guest answered them either on the paper or in their mind, the we went around to each lady as they shared their memories.  Because not as many were able to come, it worked out having this many questions.  It would be too many for more than 10 people.

It's a blessing to get together and learn more about your sisters in Christ.  I look forward to the next event!

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5

Music is the Melody of Life - Ladies' Day Theme

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of speaking at the Waynoka, OK church, for their Ladies' Day event.  It was especially good to have the opportunity to visit with Christian sisters that I had first met two years ago when I first spoke at the event.  This year was special because my daughter tagged along with me!  It's always fun having mother/daughter time!

The Waynoka church ladies did a wonderful job with the planning for the event.  They used black, white, and red as a color scheme, music-themed decor, and served a delicious salad luncheon.

This year's theme was something different than I had ever done before.  Theme: "Music is the Melody of Life".  I like it, don't you?  It's always good to have a challenge and dig into God's Word deeper and in a different way than you've ever done before.

For my lesson, I used several songs titles from our song book.  It pieced together different melodies that should be in our hearts.  One key scripture I used was "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord," Ephesians 5:19.

This is my plate filled with wonderful salads and desserts from the luncheon.  I'm posting more about the luncheon on my recipe blog.  Click HERE for post.  The Waynoka ladies have a special way of making the luncheon even more efficient.  I'll talk about those things on that post.

Great job, Christian sisters!

QMCC Ladies Fall Retreat

The 32nd Annual QMCC (Quartz Mountain Christian Camp) Ladies' Fall Retreat was held this past weekend.  It was a great time of worship, fellowship, and fun for all who were in attendance.

This year's theme was "In PURSE-uit of Holiness" with the play on words to use a purse decorating theme.

There were lots of purses everywhere - going along with the brown and turquoise color scheme.

This was Friday night's delicious meal.  The plates are so pretty!  (Not really that sturdy, but pretty :).  I like the square plates, don't you?

This year's t-shirt design was so cute!  I commented that each year's shirt is my favorite!

Bookmarks were made and handed out to those in attendance.

I can't post about QMCC without a picture of the cabins I grew up sleeping in when I attended camp in my growing up years.  The little "A" frame still brings back a lot of memories. It's the only one left on the QMCC grounds and this is one that was actually my cabin many times.

One of the newer cabins is shown here, right at sunrise, so it's in the dark.  They are nice....with bathrooms in them, as well as air conditioning...something we didn't have in the "A" frames!

Craft time at the retreat was especially fun.  This craft consisted of totes being decorated with ribbons, buttons, paint, flowers, jewels, trims, and a lot more.  So neat watching everyone create their own, unique project!

More crafting....

One of the finished totes...with a PURSE theme!

Another decorated tote...with buttons, a flower, and scriptures.

Friends decorating...

Another craft was using scrapbook papers and scriptures.  Very cute and fun! (This photo was with my camera, so looks really yellow.)

The retreat was an uplifting time spent together with sisters in Christ growing closer to each other and closer to God.

Each of the four speakers talked about holiness and shared God's Word in thier own unique way...encouraging each one there to continue to strive to pursue holiness in her own life.  It's always amazing to give one topic to four people and see how they use God's Word to portray the message in their own way.  

 The singing was beautiful! Hearing women sing together in that way is a sweet, sweet sound!  It makes me think of the singing that will be in Heaven!  (of course, men's voices are nice, too....but just neat to hear a bunch of ladies singing alone some times.)

Thank you to all who helped with the retreat this year, who attended the retreat, and who have volunteered to help with next years retreat.  It will be here before we know it!  (I'd better get busy! :)

Ladies' Salad Supper 2011

Tonight was one of my favorite traditions of the year - an annual Ladies' Salad Supper that I host each spring (with the exception of last year) for my sisters in Christ.  The favorite part of the evening for all of us, I'm certain, is getting to know each other better.  Hearing stories and memories from times gone by.....reminiscing about those who are no longer with us here on earth......learning more about each other.  It's all so special.  And, as an added benefit the food is always great, too!

Here are some of the pictures from the evening:

These plates were bought in November from Hobby Lobby. I liked the brown and cream design, but I wasn't sure how to make them look "Springy", then decided on chocolate bunny centerpieces.  My mother-in-law made the fabric carrots years ago.  They're so cute!

This big bunny was the chocolate bunny inspiration.  He used to be pink, but with my red/gold/brown tones, pink doesn't work.  So, he got painted a few years ago.

Lots of wonderful salads!  Yum!!  A few of these are on my family recipe blog:  Avocado Potato Salad and Ramen Noodle Salad.  They are both delicious!  I've asked for some copies of other salad recipes, too.

There were 19 ladies in attendance tonight. We were blessed to have four out-of-town guests....Sojourners who are in town with their husbands working at Tipton Home for a few weeks.

 I asked each lady to bring three things (hidden in a box or bag) that were special to them.  One by one, I opened the bags and showed the items.  The ladies tried to guess whose items they were. 

  This is my mother-in-law showing a camera that was her mothers.  It still has film in it!  Attached to the camera she had a large picture of herself as a little girl.  The picture was taken with that very camera.  How neat is that?!

 This sweet sister brought a picture of her late husband.  He was wearing his Navy uniform and the photo was in an official U.S. Navy frame.  So neat!  She brought lots of pictures.  I had to laugh when I grabbed her bag.  It was in an Avon bag and SHE'S AN AVON LADY!!!  I teased her that it sort of gave it away when everyone knows she's the Avon lady!

Deb brought a package of seeds, as she loves gardening, but also two small Bibles.  One from first grade, given to her by a Bible class teacher.  The other given to her from her parents after she was baptized.  So special!

Phyllis had a handkerchief that was (I believe) her great-great grandmothers.  She and all of her sisters used it in each of their weddings.  It was over 100 years old.  She read a cute poem called "Grandma's Shoes".

The poem was about a "grandma's ugly shoes" from a grand-daughter's perspective and her dreading wearing them when she got older, only to find by that time she was wearing Reebok's and the teen girls were wearing the ugly "grandma shoes"!

Margie brought dog tags that belonged to her dad, her husband, her son and her father-in-law from their years in the service.  It was so neat to have all of them on the chain and to see the inscriptions.

Judy brought a beautiful quilt she designed for her granddaughter.  The quilt has a Noah's Ark theme and has the song, "Noah's Big Boat" quilted in a corner on the back.  She said that song is what the granddaughter always wanted her to sing when she was little and still wants to her from her now - years later.

Verna had several jewelry pieces to share.  One ring was her grandmothers and was over 100 years old.

Renee' shared three special items that were made by each of her three children and her daughter-in-law.  The Mother-in-Law poem embroideried by her daughter-in-law was really sweet.   

There were lots of special "things" talked about during the evening, but we all realized that it wasn't the "things", but the people that made those "things" special.  Without the people attached and etched in our memories to those things, there wouldn't be anything special about them.

After the sentimental journey, for some reason, our conversation turned to skunks.  For the next 15 minutes or so, we laughed and laughed about skunk stories!  You'd be amazed at how many there were! 

Thank you, ladies' for a wonderful evening of fellowship, friendship, food, and fun.....and even skunks!