Women's Ministries Annual Meeting

Some pictures from our Annual Women's Ministries Meeting- Potluck Dinner and Dessert Tea

I really liked putting the tables all together this time. There was a different spirit in the air because we all sat together instead of spread out all over the room. Would you believe by the end of the night we had 25 ladies and 4 littles ones crammed around these tables. It was a wonderful evening and despite all the hard work (we also had Advisory Board that day), I'm grateful to the Lord for making this ministry so enjoyable and personally satifsying to me.

In the middle of the tables.

Table decorations. Simply stated. I think it also reflects where I'm at in my life right now-

the longing of my heart is simplicity.

I also had the Bibles opened up to Psalm 127- "unless the Lord builds the *home* it's builders labor in vain"

I am sooo not a craft person. I just don't like that kind of stuff around my house (or the Corps),

so I try to come up with a functional do-able use-able craft. Read on to find out what we did....

Tea Table.

(I FORGOT to put out the real cream!

I realized that after I cleaned up. I always forget that!

I guess we'll be having cream for Sunday School)

Dessert Table.

Empty table against the wall for all the goodies the ladies would be bringing.

Everyone showed up with their best meals. It was a delicious feast for everyone.

The ladies chose their basket, grabbed some "harvesty" looking fruit, and some whole cloves. You can make any design you want out of the cloves. Some made letters, designs and such.

It smells wonderful in your home and looks lovely on your family table. (This is also an easy "craft" to do with your children.)

We shared in some "getting to know you" games, Scripture, discussion, devotion, poetry and secret sister exchanges.

The other sweet thing was Mary sitting/slouching in a high chair for the first time.

I gave her an apple and she had fun slobbering that thing up!

Space Station

We've been trying to do this for months, but the timing of clear skies and the earth's orbit has to be precise. Below you see the co-ordinates for the night we did it.

We did finally see it!! We all ran off the porch to the middle of the street and saw the very faint light from it. If the sky had been more dark we would've had a better view. It took 5 minutes to move across the sky (or rather, us rotating) and we all waved to the 12 or so people on board.

Pioneer Day

Last Saturday we spent the day as Pioneers at a Pioneer re-enactment camp along White River just off (Sam) Barlow Road.

We drove for almost 2 hours, the last 20 minutes on this desolate road.

We went down to the silty river at one of the crossings that the emigrants used.

Only Hannah fell in.

We posed in front of my favorite thing on wheels- a covered wagon.

The Pioneer ladies thoroughly explained everything to us.

These 2 quilts are original pioneer quilts, over 100 years old.

Trying on hats and Momma and Mary in a bonnet. (The girls brought their own.)

Getting a lesson on the toys the pioneer children played with, I'm guessing the adults did too. They sure were fun.

These were the BEST!! We played with these for over 1/2 an hour.

Ann picked up on it right away.

Notice Hannah in the bottom left corner. She was SMART- she just picked her metal hoop up and ran, forget the pusher!

Hang on Mary!! Momma's runnin'!

Churning butter.

Ann: "just a minute, I need to adjust my bonnet"

Yes, even Mary.

Rope making.

I think the Chouinards would make great pioneers ;)

Seasons Of Our Life

I ran across this poem as I prepare for our Annual Women's Meeting on Thursday.

Enjoy... (maybe even grab a tissue...)

"Seasons Of Our Life

As Mothers, we are special.

There is no nobler call.

We are the Masterpiece of God.

He designed us, one and all.

His plans are always perfect.

With each season, there comes change

And, just as Summer follows Spring,

Each life He has arranged.

In the springtime of our youth,

A mother's love is always near.

She shows us how to serve the Lord,

In the growth of tender years.

She loves us unconditionally,

Has patience beyond measure.

She cultivates our eager hearts and

Thanks God for this great treasure.

As this season of our life

Gives way to summer's sun,

It's in these years we blossom

And a new phase has begun.

As a mother, she knows that danger

Into this season will creep.

So, with a prayerful heart, on bending knees,

She prays our souls He'll keep.

We're no longer tiny babies,

When a kiss could heal our pain.

It's then she listens, with her heart,

And quiets tears that fall like rain.

We, slowly, start to break the ties

Of Mother's apron strings

And, right before her very eyes,

Her little child takes wing.

Her years of prayer and teaching

Are now put to the test

As we begin the search for love,

Which is an awesome quest.

She prays that we are listening

To the sound of God's still voice.

For, if we are, she knows that "He"

Will help us make the choice.

Then, once again, the seasons change,

As we listen to God's call,

And, now, her child has made the journey

Through summer into fall.

It's in this season that life begins

The circle to complete,

As our lives change and we understand,

With the patter of little feet.

We now can know and comprehend

Just what our mother meant

When we heard her thank our God, above,

For the miracle that He sent.

Now, we will teach our children,

Just as to us was taught,

That Jesus gave His life for them

And their soul His blood has bought.

We'll teach our children to love the Lord,

As they sit down at our knee,

And, as we bow our heads to pray,

We'll remember our mother's plea.

We, too, will thank our God, above,

For the children in our arms

And with prayerful hearts on bending knees,

Pray

He'll keep them safe from harm.

Now, we will watch, as our children journey

From spring and on through fall.

As they grow in spirit and in truth,

They will answer to God's call.

It's then, as Grandmothers, we reflect

On the seasons and all they've blessed,

As we step into tomorrow

And the years of winter's rest.

It's in this season we look back

At our joys and all our trials.

With thankful hearts, we turn to God

And thank Him for every mile.

God's presence has always surrounded us.

He, now, keeps us free from strife

As we journey into the future,

Through the Seasons of our Life."

( Copyright © Loretta Coley Lipsey & Laura Lipsey Hayes )

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above Rubies.The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so she will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:10

Her Children rise up and call her Blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:"Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a womanwho fears the Lord, shall be praised. Proverbs 31:28-30