What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, January 20, 2017

Seeing One Another Through - Friday Foto Friends



In my last post A-little-nervous-energy and-it-isnt-even spring yet, I mentioned that I was preparing for a ladies' gathering at my home this week.  Well, today (writing this on Thursday) was the day...and what a glorious day it was! Nine beautiful ladies (and one charming little granddaughter with her grandmother) came together for a "Tea-Brunch", a time to "honor  and encourage our Pastor's Wives and Friends " with a time of fellowship and prayer....

This was an idea born out of a desire to bring together the pastor's wives and friends from our local community churches, sponsored by our home Bible fellowship.  We live in a small town with only a few churches, and it seems as though we all have a tendency to stay within our own little groups and not mix with those from the other churches, and to me that just seems a real shame.  We are all here for the same purpose, serving the same Lord and sharing the love of Christ with those we meet wherever we go.  So, this was an effort to bring the ladies together for a time of getting acquainted, sharing our burdens with one another and lifting each other up in prayer.  We found out that we were a very congenial and caring group...and it is our hope that we will continue to meet like this on a regular basis in the future.

The picture above of the verse and quote is from a little daily devotional calendar that I have had for years, sitting on a shelf, and occasionally remembering to turn the pages for each day.  When I was dusting the furniture in preparation for this gathering, I thought perhaps I should flip the pages over to the scheduled day of the brunch, and was so surprised to see what was written there...and it was as if God was saying, "Here is My message for the ladies...this is what I want you to share with them..."
and so it became the theme for our time together...bearing one another's burdens...seeing one another through...perfect!  Isn't God amazing? He always comes through if we just take the time to notice.

This was an especially poignant time for me, as while we were gathered together for prayer and fellowship, my husband was meeting his brother at the nursing home where their mother (my mother in law) was being admitted for long term care.  I had a feeling that it would all collide on the same day, but God knew beforehand that this would be the best way to handle it.  These ladies were able to show me the support and love that I needed, as well as praying for my mother in law and family during a difficult transition.  And the good news is, the facility where she is now living is in the nearest city to us, so it will not be difficult for us to visit her often. That is a wonderful answer to prayer!

Okay, so this is my offering for the weekly "Friday Foto Friends"...when you are finished reading here CLICK HERE to skip over to Deb's place at  "Breathing in Grace" and see what others are sharing.  Here are a few more pictures from our event...and also some of the table settings before the ladies arrived. It truly was a lovely time...and next time the girls said they want to meet in "The Secret Garden", which hopefully will be ready soon!  (It really isn't a secret at all, is it?!)


Here are the "Before" pictures:

"An Invitation to Tea" was sent out to all the ladies









Love these beautiful camellias...









And here are the "After pictures"....love these beautiful ladies:




Our menu included a spinach, bacon, cheese, egg brunch casserole, a ham and cheese quiche, a delightful berry fruit cup topped with an almond cream sauce, delicious "Grandma's Coffee Cake" and Applesauce Muffins....and any kind of tea you could want...and of course coffee for those who prefer it.

In addition to eating, talking and praying, one of our lovely ladies (above on the right side of the table) blessed us with a beautiful solo of "In The Garden", which left us each desiring to have that peaceful time of walking and talking with the Lord in the garden "while the dew is still on the roses".
A delightful time was had by all...and we look forward to future times of "Seeing One Another Through".

29 comments:

  1. Awww, Pam, I am sitting here once again with tears streaming down my face. You worked so hard getting ready for this special time and I just rejoice in how God has honored your efforts. Your table setting is beautiful and your menu sounds SO SO good! The biggest blessing was how God correlated the tea and the meeting to make the change over to long term care for your mother-in-law on the same day. Instead of you being in a stressful situation God enabled you to be with a group of ladies whose focus was under=girding your husband and brother-in-law, as well as the rest of the family, in prayer as the details were worked out. God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! xx Dianna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...God knew beforehand and set it up. He knows. I am overwhelmed with His kindness and tenderness. Thank you for seeing this. We are on our way this morning to go visit my MIL. Thank you for the prayers.

      Delete
  2. Oh, how precious time spent in fellowship with sweet friends is. Isn't it awesome just to see the hand of God in our lives and how he ordained the tea to be on the same day as your husband and his brother will making that decision. God is so good! I'm so glad we've met through the Block World, my friend! Hope you have an awesomely blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blog world. .... Speech to Text gets me in trouble every time!

      Delete
    2. yes, God IS so good...He knew beforehand exactly what would transpire on that day even last month when I sent out these invitations for this date! God's timing is always perfect in every way. Thank you for your wonderful friendship. You are such a blessing to me!

      Delete
  3. Oh Pam. Everything about this post is so beautiful. The ladies, the event, the photos, the quote, and the way the Lord orchestrated the time of transition and encouragement. I love it. What a blessing. God is truly amazing in all things, little or big.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, He is! God knows exactly what we need, and when! We can count on Him to "see us through" no matter what! Thank you for your words of encouragement today.

      Delete
  4. Oh how I would have loved to be there...it's always wonderful to come together in blessed sistership! Thanks for sharing this wonderful time with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, wouldn't it be grand to have such a gathering of all of our wonderful friends here in blogland? Perhaps one day we shall...maybe in heaven...even grander than anything we could do here on earth! Yes, blessed sistership is what I'd call it too. Thank you for being a part of it in spirit and prayer.

      Delete
  5. Love the pink flowered tea set...and the camaraderie! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandi! The pink flowered tea set was a yard sale find at the church where I used to work before I retired! It was a real steal, and this was the first time I've used it for God's glory since retiring! I am so thankful for these ladies and the opportunity to be a part of God's "bigger picture".

      Delete
  6. Pam: you are such a gracious lady and superb hostess. I love the tea set. God was present in your tea. And, yes, God had it all worked out for your family as well. I know He was with your hubby and his brother as they made these decisions. Blessings to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cecilia, for your kind words and thoughts. Yes, God was present at our tea time...I could sense His Presence in the hearts and spirits of the ladies there. And yes, God had the timing perfect concerning our family...only God could time things so beautifully. Thank you for your insight! Blessings to you today as well.

      Delete
  7. That's great! I love the picture above with the verse from your little daily devotional calendar. Trust in the Lord! Sharing this Scripture wit you: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phillip 4:19) I love your post, feeling blessed through it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jedidja! Isn't God good? He brings all the elements together to make things exactly right for His honor and glory. I am so thankful for His presiding Presence. And yes, I love Phil. 4:19...one of my favorites because it is SO true! Blessings to you today my friend.

      Delete
  8. What a precious Tea luncheon! So pretty! What a wonderful way to reach out to others. Thinking of you with your dear MIL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Cindy. God was certainly in the midst of our gathering, and for that I am eternally grateful. He is mindful of all the things that were happening in not only my family, but in the lives of the ladies present. Thank you for your thoughts and blessings. Same to you as well my friend.

      Delete
  9. Pam, this was such a delight to see and read this evening, thank you for sharing your heart with us and those dear ladies. My that was a wonderful idea and what a glory to God. How beautiful that you could join together in prayer and encourage one another.
    I stand amazed at the leading of the Lord with what you were to share with those ladies, God is is detailed in everything.
    Your table setting and menu was all so beautiful.

    What a praise that your MIL is close to you.

    Have a blessed weekend~~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie, Thank you for your delight in what we saw God do in this! Isn't it wonderful to be a witness to His glory and faithfulness to us, His children? I never cease to be amazed. Thank you for your kind thoughts today. Blessings...

      Delete
  10. Pam, this was such a delight to see and read this evening, thank you for sharing your heart with us and those dear ladies. My that was a wonderful idea and what a glory to God. How beautiful that you could join together in prayer and encourage one another.
    I stand amazed at the leading of the Lord with what you were to share with those ladies, God is is detailed in everything.
    Your table setting and menu was all so beautiful.

    What a praise that your MIL is close to you.

    Have a blessed weekend~~

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a special time of fellowship. I love those red camellias, and In the Garden is on of my favorite hymns. Thank you for your encouraging comment on my post today. I am rejoicing in God's goodness and continuing to pray for all our new leaders.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THank you Karen...it truly was beautiful...and God provided the camellias just in time! Isn't our God an awesome God? We have a bright future ahead regardless of what the media wants us to believe. God is with us. Amen.

      Delete
  12. How beautiful and caring. God bless you all.

    diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diana. It was a sweet and blessed time together. God truly did bless us. Have a blessed and beautiful day today.

      Delete
  13. Such a lovely idea to gather the wives of local pastors together for fun, fellowship and support! The life of a pastor and his/her family is anything but easy, and this is precisely the type of encouragement and prayer these folks need.
    And as for God's verse for the day? Perfect!
    Blessings, Pamela!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It truly was a joyous day and such a blessing for all of us. Yes, God definitely showed up in every aspect of this event and I am SO grateful. Thank you for your encouragement.

      Delete
  14. Such a beautiful tea setting and lovely ladies. It must have been so much fun, even if it was a lot of preparation. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dear mother in law right now. Mom just converted to long term care today as she is declining rapidly and therapy is no longer appropriate. Have a blessed weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My heart goes out to you Melanie, as I understand what you are going through. It is very difficult to see our loved ones failing, and yet we know that they are actually in the process of graduating to their heavenly eternal home...where there will be no more sickness or pain or sorrow. So when we think of what is ahead for them, we can rejoice for them...but pray that their passage and transport will be sweet and merciful. Standing with you in prayer and love as you are making a lot of decisions and in a big transition yourself. God is with you. Never forget that.

      Delete
  15. Pam, What a beautiful post! It's always such a blessing to come together in the Lord and to support, encourage, and pray for each other. The verse for the day was perfect! Galatians 6:2 was my InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group's verse for the year my senior year of college. So it's an already special verse to me.

    I know this tea blessed the wives (and others) of the pastors in your community.

    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.