Emily Post Would Be Proud

Handling Mistakes: Though it may be embarrassing to get a name wrong or draw a complete blank, such lapses aren't rude—just very human! -excerpt from Emily Post's Etiquette 18th Edition

Emily's book goes on to share the protocol for those of us who draw more blanks than Vanna White turns on Wheel-of-Fortune.

This updated version of Emily's classic (done so by her great-great-grandchildren) is drawing rave reviews - and rightfully so with its relevant chapters on communication, technology, social life, and much more.

The book itself is crisp with plenty of white space, allowing the reader to breathe between tidbits of advice, but what makes my personal copy special is my mom's handwritten inscription. No wonder it was one of our favorite Christmas gifts!

Let's face it, prim and proper comes and goes, but learning how to be courteous and prepared for life's situations benefit both our personal and professional lives.

Thank you Mom and Steve.

-photo courtesy of The Style Umbrella

Ladies' Study in Jonah Begins February 21

What do we do when God interrupts our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we run! In this 7-session Bible study, Priscilla redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God's invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. When Jonah was willing to allow God to interrupt his life, the result was revival in an entire city. -Jonah, Navigating a Life Interrupted, by Priscilla Shirer

How do you suppose our lives would change if we chose to see daily interruptions as divine opportunities?

I look forward to finding out, beginning Tuesday, February 21st, as the Ladies' Community Bible study group gathers in a beautiful turn-of-the-century home in downtown Simpsonville to study the book of Jonah over a hot cup of coffee and sweet fellowship.

Throughout the week, participants will have a small amount of daily study time in the workbooks. On Tuesday nights, 6:30-7:45 p.m., we'll come together to discuss the truths we've learned (no one is put on the spot to share). Lifeway has plenty of workbooks in stock ($11.95). You'll want to have the first week completed prior to our first gathering on February 21st. The study will be completed by the end of March.

Becky Kirby and I will be co-leading this session and we invite ladies of all ages to come join us!

We'd love to see you there!

Surrounded

During Brandon's CD Release Party last night, I enjoyed:

• the worship -- especially how Brandon ended our evening together. Powerful!
  
• laughter with friends of almost twenty years. The husband braved many a day on the b-ball courts mentoring Brandon as a teen.
  
• sitting next to my cousin, who's always been more like a sister, and watching her hubby post B's pics on Facebook. The fact they drove from Spartanburg meant even more.
  
• peering over to see the blossoming "friendship" between two young people. He's been a tremendous friend to Brandon over the years and she's the daughter to two special friends of ours.
  
• meeting the wife of an amazing young man, who lost both parents by the time he was in his early twenties.
• a sweet time of fellowship with my mom and her incredi-hubby, Steve, who could be the poster-child for step-parenting.
  
• observing a local FCA group worship -- and chatting with one of their leaders, the daughter of a dear friend. She didn't realize that Brandon was in fact "my" Brandon.
  
• hanging out with two great friends, who just happen to be Piper's other grandparents. :)

As Brandon played my favorite song from his CD, Surrounded, I marveled at the relationships and connections represented in the room, very much aware of God's abiding presence surrounding us as one—and grateful for every moment.

My Friday Fave - Psalm 139

Warning! Adorable (Grand)Baby On Board

It's been ten weeks of pure bliss watching Piper's expressions change, listening to her coos, and enjoying her sweet smiles.

How could anyone not believe in God when a baby is nearby?

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139: 13, 14

Bang The First Key

The dreaded blank page.

When attempting to bang the first key, excuses invade my brain like blood rushes to an open wound.

Perhaps your blank page appears more like uncharted territory—a new job or opportunity, a redesigned eating or exercise plan, or dealing with circumstances not of your choosing—all requiring a “bang of the first key” to move forward.

Enter Jeff Goins’ pithy post Get Over It.

If, like me, you find yourself making excuses to begin whatever process lies before you, I encourage you to read Jeff’s post, to pray for strength (after all, no amount of willpower trumps the Spirit’s) and then bang the first key.

Excuses, begone!

A Hidden Necessity

It was there all along.

A handcrafted built-in cabinet, having worn the disguise of a teacup collector’s dream for seven years, emerged with greater purpose this weekend as a book-nook for current reads.

Early on, it was difficult to deny the cabinet its teacups. Lined up just beneath each shelf were hundred-year-old hooks, hungry to hold the delicate stems of teacups ready for display. And so it sat for 7 years.

This weekend, however, this recovering book-clutterer-upper reached her limit. I considered storing my current reads on a small book shelf near my red reading chair, but where would it go? If only the built-in cabinet with all its fancy teacups were located elsewhere...[non-incandescent light bulb flashes!] Bye bye, teacups. Hello, books.

The solution to my problem was there all along, but I'd become so accustomed to seeing the teacups that I was blinded to the cabinet's true potential.


Father, I pray for fresh eyes, awakened senses, and a stirred up Spirit, refusing to allow me to settle for the obvious, the expected, and the "what-has-always-been-is-good-enough-for-me" kind of attitude. Open my eyes to see circumstances, myself, and others through Your eyes, confident of Your desire to bring everything to its truest potential.

Coming Up This Friday Night...

May I say it again? So proud.