Advent Thursday Thankfulness

This has been a busy week, filled with lots of Christmas activities and blessings!  

Yesterday (Wednesday), was our church United Women of Faith's annual Christmas luncheon and fellowship!  We also call it our "Happy Birthday to Jesus" party, and there is always a special cake for the occasion and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  That was a tradition started many years ago by a dearly departed and much loved woman in our church, and our ladies have carried on that tradition in her memory.  Her name was Elaine, but everyone lovingly called her "Miss Elaineous" (miscellaneous). When we first came to this church "Miss Elaineous"  was still living, but I never really got to meet her or get to know her before she very suddenly passed away one Sunday morning. It was a shock that left everyone at a loss for words, except for to continue to say how much "Miss Elaineous" meant to them. She had made a huge impact in our church that continues today.  And actually our church is greatly indebted to Miss Elaineous, as she left her house and the bulk of her estate to the church, which turned out to be an amazing gift.  It took some time and a lot of effort to settle the estate because her will was lost in the shuffle of many things in her home, and also because certain things had not been updated as per her spoken wishes.  But thankfully, over time and with God's help, the estate was settled, and her gift was a very big part of helping our church to have the necessary funds to get through the disaffiliation process from the UMC.  And now we are officially a part of the Global Methodist Church and so very thankful to God and also to "Miss Elaineous" for her gift that keeps on giving.  I am certain when "Miss Elaineous" made the decision to leave her estate to the church she never had any idea of just how much that gift would bless our church for the future generations.  We know that God was certainly the impetus behind her in making that decision.  We give thanks to God for His marvelous gift...as you see in the picture above: "Amazing Love, God's gift for all".  Jesus, the Baby born in the manger...the Savior of the world!

Just one of the little decorations at the church.  I thought it was photo worthy.

And here is the collage of pictures of all the ladies who were present for the party:

(plus one man, our Pastor, who came and gave the blessing and then graciously left without even getting any food! )

Yes, such a lot of happy faces and warm embraces! We had a wonderful time.

Here's a few extra pictures that were taken that I thought were fun:

This is me with my friend Pamela...We are "P1 and P2", or double trouble. You can tell there's always mischief brewing...

And I was SO happy my sweet daughter in love Rose was able to attend. She sometimes has to work and can't always get the day off, so it was great that she could be there...

Someone kept snapping these pictures as we were enjoying a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law moment:

Someone said something about "don't stick your tongues out at each other, and got Rose to laughing...

I think it made it her blush because maybe she was thinking about doing just that...LOL.  She's a sweetheart and I thank the Lord for bringing her into our family right when He did. He knew how much we needed her and would love her, and also of course how much our son needed her and would love her. Such a joy and blessing to us.

In keeping with the ladies Christmas party theme...Here's "The Martin Sisters" having their Christmas tea party. I've told you the story about The Martin Sisters before HERE.  

And of course Lily Grace and her friends are having their Christmas Tea party too. They even have a birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday!

Here's my little coffee/tea station...

Yes, that's my morning cup of tea there, waiting on me to finish taking pictures, hopefully before it gets cold!

Just some pictures of some tea settings that are ready for a Christmas tea...

And here's some close ups of the little teacups on the the Teacup Tree:

My sister Doris has gifted me with these wonderful little tea cups and tea pots throughout the years.  She always finds the best little gifts, and she knows me so well. 

I am thankful for my "little Big Sister".  I call her that because she is littler than I am, but she is my "big sister". LOL.

One more thing. On Tuesday night we went to the annual Candlelight service at a nearby church in Florahome.  They are also a small Methodist Church, (and yes! They have also disaffiliated from the UMC and are now a part of the Global Methodist Church!  Actually every UMC church in our country (that should have said COUNTY*) has now disaffiliated!  We are so thankful to God for the faithfulness of our people to His Word.) *Roughly 35% of the UMC churches in America have disaffiliated from what I understand. 

Anyway, I love this pretty little church and it is always decorated so beautifully for this special service.

We sing carols and our choir and another church choir sing songs from our Christmas cantatas 

and then we proceed outside for a candlelight walk to the outdoor Nativity Scene while we sing Silent Night.  It's very special and moving.   Afterwards we are invited into their fellowship hall for a wonderful little time of refreshments...lots of good finger foods and they even had hot cider! It was great!  One of the highlights of the season for us out here in the country churches!

Well, I must apologize because I need to get a move on. Still working on Christmas cards and shopping and on and on...hubby is waiting for me to finish this so we can go to town and do some shopping.

I have been lax in getting around to visiting and participating in the Tuesday 4 meme, etc....

But the most important thing is that in all the rush to get things done, I am so very thankful for these precious moments we have to do the extra things with others that are so meaningful during this season.

Christmas is coming, and Jesus is coming too!

So let us prepare Him room in our hearts today.

Until next time,

Peace and Joy unto you!