Juliet's Busy Day

I have a fun little friend at church.

Her name is Juliet.

Some things I enjoy about

Juliet....

She is a cute dresser.

Her smile.

 

Even if she does happen to enhance 

her smile with a pretzel.

Her sweet singing voice.

Her willingness to serve.

On Sunday I happened to catch

Juliet serving twice.

Once as she played for our final 

song....keeping the beat with the 

guys.....

Later she helped Miss Jenny put 

up and decorate the artificial

Christmas tree.

Some of us prefer a real tree

and so we kind of go back and forth.

I think it was our turn but as 

you know it has been a bit busy

around here lately.

Jenny volunteered to just go ahead 

with the artificial tree that was up in 

the storage area for just such a 

time as this.

She found a few dedicated volunteers

who built a tree in a very short time.

Then they added the lights...

that took the longest of the entire process.

Next simple ornaments.

And finally ribbon.

It came out pretty well

if you ask me.

It was sweet to see them working

together so nicely.

I'm thinking that my friend, 

Juliet might have needed a 

nap after her very busy day....

Such a sweetie, that one.

I love how our children and 

young people learn to serve

with joy.

What a blessing!

Disclaimer:  I asked for and received permission
from Juliet's mother to feature her in this post.
Thanks, Bonnie.

Our Homeschool Community Mourns Today

Last week saw the terror of two 

horrific traffic accidents 

involving students 

in our local area.

One day it was five

from a nearby school district.

The next day it was three siblings from 

our own homeschool community.

Today the friends and family 

of sixteen year old twin boys

and a nine year old sister 

will celebrate, remember and honor
their short lives.

I did not know the young

people personally

although I know of them

just because of our 

homeschool connections.

However, young people 

that I do know well

have been called upon to sing and

accompany the music for this special 

service.

Please keep them and all who 

are hurting so deeply

in prayer today 

and in the days to come.

I was amazed and pleased to 

see the parents speak with our 

local television reporter.

They spoke of their grief...

so real.

But they also spoke of their

HOPE.

Our Lord and Savior....

the One who they say gives

them the strength to get out 

of bed each day.

Hard, hard days lie ahead.

My heart is heavy for them

this morning as they say

"Goodbye".

May many be reached with the 

Gospel today and in the days to 

come as we grapple with 

the fact of eternity.

You Have to See What Love Can Do.....

Check out this amazing change

in Katie.  Home, fed and loved.

If that doesn't touch your

heart I worry about you.

What a beautiful 

thing

to 

behold.

Agreed?

Our Christmas Tea 2011

Every year I think the 

Christmas Tea 

at church was the best yet.

But this one might be it.

This was the first year that 

I did not help Deanna decorate.

I had things I just had to do in 

the morning and she, Tim and 

a few of their kiddos set it up 

beautifully.

I loved the lamps on the tables!

So sweet!!

I had to take some photos of 

a few of Deanna's tea cups.

She treats us each year by bringing

her own glass plates, tea cups and 

tea pots, creamers and sugar bowls.

It is a service of love.

We appreciate it!

When the ladies began to arrive

the real fun began as we each

checked out what the next had

brought.

There were mini meatballs, spinach balls,

tea sandwiches, muffins, cranberry bread,

cheese and crackers,

jalepeno jelly on cream cheese
(Jelly was a gift from our friends at
Blue Barn Bulletin),

scones with lemon curd and cream........

I made potato soup.

It was all so yummy!!

Some items that went into the bags...first a mug then many other items.

And then came the fun.

We packed bags for the families

who are at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

It was so sweet to see the enjoyment everyone

got from filling a bag and then decorating it

just a bit with tissue paper and ribbon.

Not overdone but with love and care.
I also have to thank two cyber friends
who contributed to our project.
M  & S you know who you are....
be blessed.
Many thanks!!

Finally we had to clean up and head

home....bellies full and hearts happy.

Many thanks to our dear Deanna,

of Creekside Cottage,

for making another special evening....

even with an unexpected cold.

You did very well,

my friend.

Driving Home on Saturday.....

Maybe it was the exhaustion...

or perhaps I was just feeling 

giddy because I was in the 

same place as beautiful

views 

AND

my camera

with working batteries

all at the same time.

Believe me, 

it is rare lately.

However, 

I might have gone a little bit 

crazy with snapping photos

while driving.

Driving on a curvy back

road....

a curvy back road with 

a buggy on it.

A curvy back road with 

a Model A coming behind me

which made me try to take a 

photo of it in the rearview mirror

while driving.

That didn't work out so well.

Tried the side view mirror....

Ooooh, can you see the black dot?

That is the Antique car....lol.

I might have put my arm out the 

window with the camera 

treacherously gripped in my 

clumsy fingers to snap

these not so special 

photos of the horizon sky.

.

Anyway.

I had a great time.

Didn't hit anything.

Not even close!

And you get to suffer through 

this silly post....

just to see these.

A few photos that actually

came out o.k.

And now

I am off to our Ladies Tea

at church.

It will be lovely to spend an

evening with friends and working

on a project near and dear to 

our hearts.

Those care packages for 

families at CHOP over this 

Christmas Season.

JOY!

Off to Do a Craft Show

This is a fun one.

Yes, you've noticed I am doing

more craft shows this year.

Can't help myself.

I love them.

The atmosphere.

The people.

The cash.

LOL

Good Morning, Happy December!

Time is flying...oh so fast!

I welcome December with 

much enthusiasm....

We ladies at church are

working on an exciting 

project and I thought I 

would let you in on it.

For our annual tea 

dear Deanna, 

of Creekside Cottage, 

had the brilliant idea to 

give back.

(You should go visit her just 

to see her header.....gorgeous!!)

We will make up care packages

for families who have children 

at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 

(CHOP).

This is where our dear friends,

Susanna and Katie are

as they wait for Katie

to stabilize enough to come home.

In case you are new to my blog,

Katie is a 9 year old girl

who has just been adopted from 

a European orphanage.

The neglect was so severe that she 

was just ten pounds when rescued.

Things are going well 

and I suspect it won't be too much 

longer before Joe and Susanna 

get to bring Katie all the way home.

However, there are many families who 

will spend their Christmas in the hospital.

If you are near to the Lancaster Area 

and would like to join us on December 5th

for our Ladies Christmas Tea 

you would be very welcome.

Just contact me for the time and place.

If you can't make it and feel that you 

would like to help us make up 

the packages you can.

Monetary gifts through 

PayPal will go toward supplies

to tuck in the care packages.

Things such as mugs

(have... because some crazy

candle lady has a mug addiction), 

plates, lotions,

nutrition bars, single serve drink mixes,

hard candy, peanut butter &

nutella (in small jars),

interesting reading,

gift cards....

These are the things we are 

looking for.

Just wanted to make 

the offer....

one of my dear online

friends volunteered to help

yesterday so I thought I would

open it up to everyone.....

just in case.

Now as to today's agenda....

I am off early this morning to 

raise money for a tiny tot who 

needs a liver transplant.

She is scheduled to receive a portion

of her mother's liver this month.

The article I linked to is about 

another event to raise funds for her.

I'll have a candle table at a ladies
Bible Study this morning to 

sell, sell, sell for Savannah.

I have found my calling, 

people!

It is in helping those in need!

Loving every moment of it....

even if it does get a little crazy at times.

So happy to know that someone can 

burn a (delightful - *wink*) soy candle and know that they have

helped someone in the process.

Speaking of.....

December 1 -7 is the week

to remember

those with Crohn's and Colitis.

I still have the

Purple Dress Candles 

for sale in my Etsy shop and 

50% of the sales price goes to 

help in research and awareness

through our dear fellow blogger, 

Ashley Hasty.

Much going on

but all for good purposes.

That keeps a smile on 

my face!!

Hugs!