Preparing for the Holidays

Source: annaleenashem.blogspot.com via Polly on Pinterest

We host 2 large parties a year, usually for 150+ around Easter and in the Fall.  I used to get so stressed the day of the party with last minute details until my dear husband simply asked me if my goal was to entertain or practice hospitality?  How I love this wise man.  


Furthermore, I try and read this before hostessing:
“When you entertain, you bring honor and glory to yourself. Showing hospitality brings honor and glory to God.”

“Think about it. Pride can easily sneak in when you entertain. The dinner you serve shows off *your* cooking abilities. Everything is clean and neat so guests are impressed with *your* home and homemaking skills. And, if the evening is enjoyable, everyone assumes it’s because of *your* talents as a host or hostess. Why, all this focus on yourself can lead to an inflated ego if you’re not careful!

"Hospitality, on the other hand, is not about impressing anyone. It’s about being yourself and making your guests feel comfortable to be themselves. It doesn’t matter if you serve frozen pizza or if dust bunnies are scurrying across your floors. Through your warmth and humility, guests feel better about themselves and closer to God for having been there.”- source:
http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=2793

Source: shabbynest.blogspot.com via Polly on Pinterest

By no means do I have this whole entertaining versus hospitality thing figured out, it's a journey, one worth examining.  Happy hospitality friends.

Blessings,

Autumn Joy

November is National Adoption month.  Coincidentally, our annual Fall Farm Festival

occurred at the beginning of this month.  The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy a lovely, outdoor evening under the autumn leaves with good friends

and bluegrass music.

It was our joy to host three dear families in the process of adoption from Africa.  They brought some of their gorgeous fundraising items,

two of which can also be found here and here.  It warmed my heart to no end to introduce 3 of my newer, local adoptive friends to some of our older buddies.  One of the mamas and her family traveled more than an hour to hang out, they're adopting 2 of the most adorable kids from the Babies' home that our mission team visited in Uganda.  It was surreal for the 3 of us who went to Uganda this summer, on this trip, to describe what it was like to meet their darling children, children they've yet to meet, but who'll hopefully be home before Christmas. Another amazing adoptive mama was here, they are waiting to be matched with a possible sibling group from Uganda .   Yet another dear friend who is hopefully just weeks away from traveling to Ethiopia to meet her daughter came with her adorable family.  Then there's my precious friend who warmly welcomed them all and whose heart for orphans is second to only One.  Four amazing women who share our passion for rescuing the orphans in their distress combined with countless other friends who supported them that night through prayers and financial support.  Thank everyone of your sweet hearts!  The blessings fill my heart to overflowing with such joy, so apparent it is to me how only His hands could have instrumented such serendipitous connections.  

Hats off to my better half and his good buddy who worked hard to create a spooky barn

and to our hardworking farm hand who hauled around hay bales to create a new favorite past time for the kids

 kudos to our dear sitter who turned our golf cart into a "hayride" when our regular hayride driver fell ill, and to the fire crew couple, Todd and Kristin, who created incredible bonfires, with wet wood nonetheless!

 Blessings and Happy Fall Y'all!

For our next party...and Roll Tide!!

I think if Dwight was real and my heart didn't belong to another, 
he would so have been my man.


AND for all my UT and LSU friends...
ROLL Tide!

End of Summer Bash

One of our super cool pastors made this video of pictures from a party at our house...

http://animoto.com/play/pLrd8UYup02VqCGWQG3O3A

I just love it when God knits people together in amazing ways!! 

This past weekend we were honored to host Jeff's "Men's Group" and their awesome wives and bevy of kids. They are a group of men, of all ages and backgrounds who get together weekly at 

6:30 in the am (schweeew) 

to read and discuss the Bible and pray for each other. They started this about 3 years ago. Honestly at first I thought, no w-a-y, dear husband, I need you in the mornings, three children plus school prep plus the inevitable occasional, pre-coffee meltdowns (mine and theirs). I am so overjoyed he decided to forge ahead. I am humbled and delighted by their fellowship. I know how much we women need our girl time but think men are often overlooked in that arena. If you are married I would strongly encourage you to help your beloved find a small group that he can meet with regularly to worship God and support one another. Let me know how it goes ;)