Last Days of Summer

Hey, I am preparing for fall and I have found a cool blog experiment that I am dying to try. Trouble is, I would have to write almost every day. Yikes! Don't know if I'm up to that, but just in case I take it on, what would you like me to write about? Do you like Bible studies, recipes, paintings, family events, the grandchildren, prayer requests, other ministries, inspirational stories, random stuff, pretty pictures... in general what I'm interested in? All of the above or something else entirely? I need a little feedback here, so please direct my fingers!

A Mama's Heart

Okay, I just have to say it - I am carrying around a lot of mamas in my heart this week. Lots of goodbyes, lots of tears, lots of angst... whether it be off to college or off to kindergarten. Did I do enough, was there time enough, do they have faith enough, do they know enough? I am praying for you all. Empty nests as well as the first fledgling out. I'll never forget those days with each of my children - my goodness, I'll never forget those days my very own self! When I went to first grade I left my best childhood friend sitting in her driveway. When I went to college my dad cried and told me I was getting what he never had. He said if he could have his way about one thing it would be to go with me. Memories. See what I mean? Some things, lots of things, they will never forget.

Jesus is enough. He is supremely sufficient. He is holding your child and carrying them to the next step. Many mama prayers this week and next.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12: 22, 29-32 NLT

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST.

For those of you who know about my painting blog, Blessings in Brushstrokes, I am saying goodbye. Not to painting, but to a blog about painting. I have had 8-10 dedicated weekly readers, and I want to thank them for following a blog with a new post every four months or so!

I simply cannot write two blogs, and my heart is in this one. I plan to increase posts as well as broaden the scope of Coffee Tea and Thee. I will cover my painting news when I have it, right alongside Bible studies, family events, and God things that bring refreshment and restoration.

Painting news... as you might imagine, I've taken at least a six month break due to Sarah's wedding. Yet with a little time on my hands my brain has started pumping and I'm yearning for that creative voice. Today I dug in my old closet and pulled out paints, palette, a big box of photographs for ideas, and clean, white, blank canvasses. I'm back.

While searching the internet looking over some of my favorite artists and what they have been doing while I've had the lead in planning a wedding, I found this. I am such a list person. August is the month for lists - school supply lists, clothes lists, last days of summer lists, reading lists, fall trips lists and more. I can get so wound up trying to find a fresh look - something that has never been done. This reminds me there is nothing new under the sun. Just get going and give it to God!Btw... In keeping with #6 on the list, I'm looking for a tiny inexpensive studio space downtown or near. Someplace to paint, someplace to have you over for coffee, someplace to light in between things. If you know of anything please email.

One Brief Shining Moment

One brief shining moment and it is over. Tomorrow we say hello to August - the month of summer's last days and school's first days. Everything starts back or almost so. I just want to say one more time that God blessed our family beyond measure on July 16. We are still talking about the fun times, memories made and happy friends and family.

Molly's Etsy Store

Several of you have asked me, 'Where is Molly?' Meaning, she has been absent from her blog for over a month! Well she has moved, been Sarah's matron of honor, and started a business! Her business just launched today - Sweet Mondays Tees. The adorable hand-designed children's tees and onesies are available on her Etsy store.

She has four designs - little night owl, sweat pea, social butterfly, and digger. The colors are yummy. All tees and onesies are Rabbit Skins 100% cotton - soft and comfy and precious! The designs she drew herself and my favorite is the sweet mondays logo on the back.

I have to say I'm partial to the digger. Maybe I'm just getting excited about Baby Benjamin due in about 2 months!
Super affordable and great for births, birthdays, stocking stuffers or just little happies.

Take a look and pass along to all the young moms you know... grandmothers too!
Sweet Mondays Tees

Wedding Letdown

And what a sweet letdown it is. Gentle. Kind. So like God. There is no way to describe the exhausted good full joyful overwhelming feelings of today. There is no way to thank everyone for their outpouring of love.

So I am asking God to bless them with deeds only He can do, in ways only He can know.

to the Glories for prayer on our knees in the sanctuary just days before
for Kristi delivering guest bags all over town and making everything fun
for Amanda for writing, under God's inspiration, a prayer I carried around all weekend and will share later
for Lowell and Ken exhibiting pure grace by rescheduling flights and picking up bags and driving two cars and more I don't even know about
for Bee and Ben for pushing through every obstacle and humiliation to get here and be there
for Lucy and John being here full of smiles and support
for Luke - always a dedicated uncle and mentor
for Ann, Mary Alice, Lakshmi, Lee, Kim & Rica for putting together dinner and delivering joy
for everyone who came from out of town
for Pennie, Judy and Karen - other MOB's who carried me in prayer
for the entire Matthews crew
for Steph and Rob both being here
for my cousins who mean the world to me
for Dedra who came for the sole reason to pray
for Shay who said she cried when I walked down the aisle
for Pat, Elaine and Libby, the "fearsome foursome" tennis group from 35 years ago
for Nance, still the best freshman college roommate anyone could have
for unbelievably sweet time with the awesome bridesmaids all day Saturday
for Cathy
for Megan
for more unforgettable Matthews Kelly memories that even Sarah said when she called Sunday morning that these memories were the best of all
for Alison's email and Judy's message
for Houston, Nate and Molly - incredible kids who know when and how to shift the spotlight to their sister
for Ben reaching for my hand during Sean and Sarah's vows
for The Lord calming me with His Word and His Presence

Blessings to you all!

Wedding Countdown

A mother of the bride, that would be me, learns all kinds of random things while working on a wedding. I thought you might enjoy a few of my faves.

pure barre. The best workout in town. Barre none. I'm hooked. Just came to our town a few months ago and it has provided this MOB the ability to fit into her MOB dress! Read about the calorie burn and the idea behind the technique. Whew!

My favorite wedding book is this one from The Knot. I'll use it even when the wedding is over. Great flowers, color combinations, favors, little gifts, ideas.

I never even heard of fashion tape before but it has zillions of uses. It sticks to skin - so our use is holding our bride's wedding dress straps just barely off her shoulders.
And I found my most favorite summer 'find' at the Greene Street Market. It is held on Thursdays, 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the corner of Greene Street and Eustis Avenue. My long-time family friends, the Tutt's, have put their fabulous cucumber relish on the market. It's called Relish our Relish and so delicious as a side for butter beans, lady peas, in egg salad, or on turkey sandwiches. I recently made myself a cream cheese and relish sandwich on whole wheat bread - yum! I bought a case and I'm giving jars as thank you gifts for the angels in my life who have helped me in scads of sweet ways.

I even now know a lady who monograms leather. See what I mean about random.

Happy Independence Day!

In the last year, I have fallen in love with the Navy Hymn. It is especially appropriate today as we celebrate freedom and the One in whom we are truly free.

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Eternal Father, Strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

The original words were written as a hymn by a schoolmaster and clergyman of the Church of England, the Rev. William Whiting. Rev. Whiting (1825-1878) resided on the English coast near the sea and had once survived a furious storm in the Mediterranean. His experiences inspired him to pen the ode, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." In the following year, 1861, the words were adapted to music by another English clergyman, the Rev. John B. Dykes (1823-1876) , who had originally written the music as "Melita" (ancient name for the Mediterranean island of Malta). Rev. Dykes' name may be recognized as that of the composer given credit for the music to many other well-known hymns, including "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Lead, Kindly Light," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Nearer, My God to Thee."

Did you know? Now you do.

Have you ever had a sense God was waking you up, clearly calling you... but you do not know when or where? Or how?
Watch this. Grabs your heart. Teaches your mind. True. Real. Reflective. Honest. Convicting. Hopeless. Hopeful. Is God calling you?

A Must Summer Read

The idea of summer reading lists is ingrained from school days I guess. Summer is the time I make lists of what to read, what to do, where to go, what to eat for goodness sakes, and what not to miss before Labor Day rolls around.

The favorite read so far... Left to Tell: Rediscovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza.
In 1994 during the 100 day genocide in Rwanda which took the lives of 1,000,000 Tutsis, Immaculee was hidden in a tiny bathroom with seven other women. They were cramped and could barely move. They were silent, knowing even a cough could betray their location and their lives. They were starving: Immaculee was 115 pounds when she entered the bathroom and 65 pounds when she emerged. Her story is inspiring, her God real and compelling. Most of all, her story is of forgiveness and her legacy of faith will be found alongside Corrie Ten Boon's.
It is a quick read, yet one that will stay with you for a lifetime. One excerpt at the end of the book touched my heart:
Rwanda can be a paradise again, but it will take the love of the entire world to heal my homeland. And that's as it should be, for what happened in Rwanda happened to us all - humanity was wounded by the genocide. The love of a single heart can make a world of difference. I believe that we can heal Rwanda - and our world - by healing one heart at a time.

Secret Church

I have discovered a gold mine. If you are looking for a Bible study you can do at home, on your own time, at your own pace, here it is... David Platt's Secret Church.



If you have heard that Secret Church is held twice a year - true. If you have heard that tickets (although it is free)go in 3 hours - true. If you have heard that it is held on a most inconvenient Friday night - true. And if you have heard that the teaching goes well after midnight - all true. The topics are pivotal to our faith and the body of Christ is well taught. Every resource from every Secret Church is available to us.

Secret Church Click on Resources, then Browse Secret Church Media. Each topic has 4 parts that you can either listen, watch video, print materials. Excellent teaching. Each segment is about an hour in length. I began with Angels, Demons and Spiritual Warfare and I have learned so much. Take a look, try a segment.

Compassion Team in Boliva

This week four of our Wednesday Girls - Rica, Susan, Jennifer and Debbie - are in Bolivia with Compassion International. We have been following their blog and praying, praying, praying!
Tomorrow is child visit day and Compassion-sponsored children come to meet the team. Some will get to meet their sponsor. Many of the children travel for quite a distance, for some this is their first time away from home, and some will be flying. Pray for their safely, God's love to be evident, the walls of culture to quickly fall, the team to be healthy and physically strong, and for each ambassador to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as He ministers in various ways.

This is Sebastian. How could anyone see this face and not want to be his sponsor? Well, that is exactly what happened. One photo sent to one family and he has a sponsor. the family asked if Sebastian could be packed in a suitcase and be brought to them on the return trip home. Well, no. But maybe another trip and Sebastian's sponsor will be on the team. God does so love the little children!

Peanut Butter Balls

This is the dearest story of God's call on a young life and how it has come to fruition. This may be my favorite Coffee Tea and Thee post ever, so if you do not have time to read please come back to it. If you do have time to read it through, take a few minutes more at the end for a word of prayer and a word of praise to our God for a ministry such as this. I received permission to tell this story with my most ardent promise that I would give only God, and none other, full Glory. Soli Deo Gloria.

Once upon a time there was an 11 year-old girl named Fran. She lived in our city, in an affluent neighborhood, went to a good school and a large church. At this early age God began to tender her heart toward those who were hungry. She desired to go into the government housing projects to take food to people. And she wanted to teach Bible stories. She shared this desire with her mother who surprisingly agreed to take her. I'm not sure if this was surprising for Fran's mother, but it certainly would have been for mine. The next Tuesday they loaded up the family car with peanut butter balls, Kool Aid and Bible study materials, and headed to streets unknown. Fran says these were the days when every mother in the south was making peanut butter balls, and every kids had their favorite flavor of Kool Aid. Ah, Iremember those days. On their first visit they slowly drove into the projects, stopped the car and got out. It was only when they pulled out the peanut butter balls that a few kids came around to check them out. The next Tuesday afternoon they attracted a few more, and within a month Fran and her mom had over 20 children leaving the tv and their after-school kickball games, to get a peanut butter ball, a cup of Kool Aid and Fran's Bible lesson. The crowd grew to even higher numbers. You are getting this, right? She was 11.

Fran's mother continued to drive her, and foot the bill for peanut butter balls and Kool Aid, until she was 16. And on Tuesday afternoons no less! Not on a weekend when it might have been more convenient, but on a Tuesday when she had to rush home and get dinner for five children, get their homework and to bed! Fran says she never grumbled or complained. She was raising her children for His service! A true servant of the Lord. I write this to encourage those of you I watch who are doing the same thing. Keep listening to your kids and serving their need to work for God, and keep doling out the money to underwrite their kingdom work. Bless all of you! Then Fran got a license and a car, took over her ministry and drove herself. In her her own words, she says that she was quite proud of her Bible lessons and abilities to keep a crowd coming!

This continued until she went to college. After college she moved away and it was a long time - like 10 years - before she moved back. Okay, hang with me here... One day she was driving an unfamiliar route in an unfamiliar area. Remember she had been gone quite a while. She needed a few groceries and pulled up to some kind of market in a not-so-good area of town. As she was checking out, a young man, African American, kept looking at her oddly. He asked her, "Aren't you Miss Fran?" She said yes, he told her who he was, and she remembered him. He had come to her Bible studies years earlier in the projects. If you know Fran, you would know that she whooped and hollered and gave him a big slap on the back. Made him feel loved and happy and welcome and important.

She must have made him feel all of that because he opened up to her in a few short minutes. He said, "Miss Fran, you know all those Saturdays when you came to teach us Bible stories? I didn't really come for your stories. I came for your peanut butter balls. I would eat one of your peanut butter balls on Tuesday and I would sneak two more and hide them in my pocket. We had very little food. On Wednesday nights we ate at the church. From Wednesday until Sunday when we ate at my grandmother's, I would ration out my two peanut butter ball and be able to make it until I could get back to you on Tuesday. Miss Fran, you kept me from starving."

Are you sobbing yet? I can't tell, write or hear this story without bawling. That very day God grew Manna House. Fran is still feeding people, still whooping and hollering and still making everyone feel loved. She works with churches and businesses and hundreds of volunteers. She asks God to fill the need and then waits to see what will show up. One time someone needed Pepto Bismol for an upset stomach. Reluctantly Fran said Pepto Bismol wasn't really food. Two days later God sent one lone bottle of Pepto Bismol in the middle of a pallet of food. Fran says things like that happen all the time.

Manna House does more than serve food. Manna House serves love. The concrete floors and few rooms are God's workspace. It is holy ground. I know this has been an extra long post, but go here to to read more about it, to volunteer, to take your kids.

Wedding Season

... there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord. They will sing,

‘Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
for the Lord is good.
His faithful love endures forever!’

For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the Lord. Jeremiah 33: 10-11

Excuse me while I digress from my usual topics, but we have a wedding in the family! These days the wedding is my topic.

Sarah and Sean kicked off the wedding season last weekend and I thought you might enjoy some photos of family and friends. This is such a happy joyous time for our family. We already are hearing the happy voices of bride and bridegroom. Our thankfulness to God is overflowing! To see the full post and all the pictures go to Molly's blog, Sweet Mondays, on my sidebar.