A Little Christmas Break

I would announce to you that I'll be taking a little bit of a Christmas break from blogging, but the truth is I've been missing in action for a couple of weeks now.

Actually I spent part of that time in Wilmington, N.C., where I had the privilege of speaking at Scotts Hill Baptist Church's three beautiful Christmas teas. I had such a blast with the ladies of their Wings ministry (Women in God's Service).

My ministry assistant Kim, myself, and 
Etta Pace, the prayer ministry leader with WINGS
(It just occurred to me, as I read back over this
post, that it appears from this photo that we were
at a wine bar. Hold you horses! We were at a cute
little lunch place. Indeed, it was called Temptations
but we did not imbibe all the same. Just sampled 
some delicious salads and soups. I promise!)

 Kim and myself with Brenda Potter (center), our hostess. 
We spent three nights in her lovely home and 
felt the peace of God every minute we shared 
with this hospitable woman and her charming husband, Ace.

A few of the lovely ladies who decorated a table for the
Friday evening Christmas tea. There was also
teas on Saturday morning and evening.

I was very careful to get at least a few pictures of the women I had the honor of ministering to this time. Honestly, the women were so much more beautiful than the tables they decorated! But I thought you might also enjoy seeing the work of their capable hands.

 The hostesses did a lovely job with their tables, 
but what I really liked about this particular 
Christmas tea is that the leadership dictated that 
each hostess had to use a nativity scene for 
the center piece of her tableau.

 They were all centered on the birth of Christ.

 Beautiful and unique.

 Here's our hostess Brenda again at one of her tables.

 I never did meet the artistic woman who 
created this tabletop, but isn't she 
colorful and creative?

 One of my favorites.

 They were all splendid. Over 100 tables in all!

Don't you know the women enjoyed sitting 
at such beautiful tables?

I spoke on John 1:1,2,14. The message didn't really have a title, but I'd probably call it "The Other Christmas Story." I hope to load it on my Sermon.net player soon.

 Brenda's house was situated on the water, 
but a small island stood between her home 
and the Atlantic. So she drove us a 
few miles so we could take a peek at the big pond.

It makes such a difference when my friend 
and ministry partner Kim Tucker travels 
with me and takes care of the details. 
She is such a blessing!

Kim, Marva Gordon (director of WINGS),
myself and Susan Malpass, who coordinated
the details of mine and Kim's visit.

Thank you, ladies, for a lovely weekend. It was SUCH an honor to minister alongside you to the women of Scotts Hill. I truly appreciate you inviting me to be a part of your ministry. You are such special women, and the ladies of your church are blessed to have you leading them.

After I left Wilmington, I headed to Georgia to visit my family for a few days. I hadn't seen their Christmas tree in years! It was good to "go home." Now I'm home in Arizona enjoying my family here. Daniel is home from college, Abby is finishing up finals today, and things are winding down at the church. So I will be taking the rest of the Christmas holiday off from blogging. I just need to sit and soak up the meaning of this special holiday, share some time with my family, and rest. It's been a busy, productive and blessed year for Off the Beaten Path Ministries.  I am so grateful for the doors the Lord has opened, but now I feel Him giving me complete permission to rest up for the adventures that lie ahead.

Merry Christmas, dear reader! You are special to me, too. I pray you have a blessed, healthy, and happy celebration of the birth of our King. I will begin posting again at the beginning of 2012. See you then!

Labels: , ,