Thursday's Thought

Every once in a while a good laugh is needed.

With my husband's latest procedure, let's suffice it to say,

I know now why there was a reason I didn't go for nursing!

. . . ~ however ;) . . .

changing bandages, cleaning port sites, etc. has become routine the last couple of weeks.

. . .

While blog hopping this morning I ran across this and laughed and laughed.

I hope you enjoy it:

No matter how crazy it gets, don't get commited because of insanity! ;) The men in little white coats are busy enough! ~Smile!~

Secret Sisters and Living Lights

This is the Secret Sister corner of our church.

This period I used the scripture from Proverbs 27:9,

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart,

so doth the sweetness of a friend."

Spring flowers decorate the perimeter of the board and tulle bunched periodically finishes the bottom of it. I spray painted a little shelf I found at Goodwill and put a lace doily and some Crabtree and Evelyn Summer Hill items on it. After enlarging a page from a Precious Moments book on Friendship, I framed it in a frame I already had and spray painted to match. I had searched all over for a poster of this print but couldn't find it :(.

For a table cover, I used a queen sheet pinning the sides

for a tailored look. To keep our program exciting and "happening" we run our secret sisters for three month intervals. We've found that after that, interest dies off. Also, to ensure that some sisters don't "fall by the wayside" we have a sign up sheet where you put your name, date and item received. There are two people over the program (so they can also participate) and they give friendly reminders to those who've not remembered their sister for whatever reason

(that's what the clipboard is all about). There again, I just spray painted a plain old chipboard clipboard, twisted a flower on it and tied a regular pen to it (that way there's always a pen handy). The basket is for cards - either for a Secret Sister or to thank one's sister for a special gift.

The rest of the table is wide open for gifts.
* * * * * * *
Yesterday marked the end of our last theme in Junior Church - another favorite aspect of church I'm very involved in ;)

Our last theme was "Living Lights - Shining for Jesus in 2009"

This is about half of our Junior Church during the program we did for the adults as part of the Sunday School preliminaries.
Matthew 5:14-16 was three of our verses and I used various items as clues to help us learn them.
"Ye" - we all pointed straight out,
"are the light" - flashlight,
"of the world" -globe,
"a city that is set on a hill" -I had my Benji build a city out of Legos on a Lego hill,
"cannot be hid" - I had Caleb, a fellow with a short haircut, put on a ski mask for this clue, "Neither" - shake your pointer no-no fashion,
"do men light a candle" - a little 'man" turned on a battery operated candle,
"and put it under a bushel" - he put it under a bushel basket that his neighbor was holding,
"but on a candlestick - we had a candlestick for this clue,
"and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" - we had a ceramic house for this clue.
"Let your light so shine" - another flashlight, turned on at the appropriate time,
"before men" - the person holding the flashlight stepped in front of a little man,
"that they may see" - a pair of glasses,
"your good works" - a construction hat for the Public Works Department,
"and glorify" - clap hands,
"your Father which is in heaven"- point to heaven.
For the reference we had an envelope addressed to Matthew 5:14-16.
You can see some of my helpers with the items they got to hold for our program. I've found this to be the easiest way for our children to learn their verses - I guess whoever said, "a picture is worth a thousand words" knew what they were talking about ;) !
This is a couple of our little men helping with one of the songs from the theme.
Don't they look so handsome in their suits?
Flashlights labeled "boys" or "girls" were used for taking up the offering. Here Benji and Racquelle get ready to take up the final offering for the theme.
They collected over $300.00 this theme!
Way to go kids!

I hope you enjoyed these snippets of some of my favorite ministries at our church.
Have a blessed week!

P.S. Check out our pastor's wife's blog for some very creative genius she shares at:

http://gayle-gaylesblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/michelerella-and-secret-sister.html

Thursday Thirteen ~"Q"~

Not only is today Thankful Thursday Thirteen, it is my 100th post! Like alot of other bloggers are doing, I've been re-focusing! We learn alot the first year of blogging and something I find interesting is that my blog's top googled subjects are:

1. Tea and . . .

2. Secret Sisters!

Interesting, huh? Tea is a fun and hot topic so I can see that; but I was surprised about the Secret Sisters. I know there isn't alot on the internet (or any where else for that matter) about Secret Sisters and the special ministry opportunites it offers in our local churches.

I did find it interesting that a blog was a place Secret Sisters looked for inspiration.
A blog would be an excellent place to reach out and minister to other Secret Sisters with ideas for encouraging, gifts, bulletin boards, etc. , wouldn't it?

I will endeavor to begin doing regular postings on ideas for Secret Sister Ministry. In this day of cyber relationships, it's a Christlike way of being His Hands and His Feet as we minister to special friends in our congregations.

Before we celebrate Thankful Thursday Thirteen, I'll tell you about our family's latest addition, Bailey, our eight week old St. Bernard puppy. You can read all about her on DJ's blog - he's her proud owner.

Now for Thankful Thursday Thirteen:

Thirteen things I enjoy that start with the letter "Q":
1. Quality - do you always pick out the most expensive one like I do? ;) Funny how we always recognize quality!
I enjoy a houseful of quality furniture due to owning an Amish furniture store for nine years.
2. Quaint - towns, houses, etc. I love them!
3. Queen Anne's Lace - a beautiful wildflower and a favorite store I love to visit in Berlin, Ohio.
4. Quench - there's nothing like having one's thirst quenched. Spiritually or physically. A cool drink of water on a hot summer day . . . or a hot cup of tea in a pretty china cup ;)
5. Quiet - Blessed Quietness. Soothing and peaceful.
6. Quill - ever try to write with one? Quill Cottage is a favorite place to visit.
7. Quilt - a warm quilt. So comforting!
8. Quiz - just checking to see if we're getting it! What a wonderful priviledge to be able to learn!

9. Quote - Words of wisdom to help us on life's way!
10. Quarters- are you saving all the states quarters? Quarters are so handy! Parking meters, gumball machines, pop dispensers, Aldi's chopping carts. . .
11. Quarts - of home canned goods. A feast for the eyes - especially when it's a row of my Grandma Rossman's pickles ;) !
12. Queen - I LOVE being the Queen of my Castle!
13.Quick and Easy recipes - my very favorite.

I'm very thankful to be home after spending two weeks at UC Hospital. I'm thankful for His Grace and Mercy that bring us through hard times. I'm thankful for my sweet mother and father who came and stayed with our children so I could be with Dan. I'm thankful for all my sweet sisters at the Christian Nation Church who fed our family with wonderfully delicious homecooked meals while Dan was in the hospital. They were balm to the soul and spirit as well as food for our bodies. God bless every one who prayed - it's prayer that changes things. I wouldn't want to know how things would have gone with out them.

Blessings to each of you as we celebrate my very favorite season that starts tomorrow -

S P R I N G ! ! !