Are You Bitter?

Most people do not recognize that they are bitter. Rather than admitting that they are bitter, they simply say they have been hurt or offended by others. I have been learning about the consequences of holding on to offenses and it has been very interesting. I've discovered that you can have physical consequences, spiritual consequences, emotional and mental problems all stemming from bitterness.

Bitterness is also deadly by way of passing it down to future generations, thus affecting hundreds of descendants. The sins of the parents are visited to the third and fourth generations of those who hold hatred in their hearts. Deuteronomy 5:9.

Wow! So what are we to do? I have noticed in my own life that I tend to "hold on" to offenses often revisiting them over and over trying to justify my feelings. I end up feeling bitter towards the other person after some time. God's only solution for bitterness is the complete forgiveness of our offenders. We must also realize that God has allowed these wounds in our lives for a purpose. These answers are not always easy to do. I know it's very hard for me to forgive someone who I think doesn't deserve it. The true test of forgiveness is if you can sincerely desire and hope for God's blessings on your offender. In this way you have released this person from the debt that you feel he or she owes you.

After all, we have been forgiven our debts by a loving God who sent His only Son, Jesus to die as a payment for our sins. If you have put your trust in Christ as your Saviour, then you have also been released from your penalty, death. Many blessings! ~Julie

Secrets to the Ultimate Marriage

For the past couple of weeks, Tony and I have been watching The Ultimate Marriage seminar from IBLP. We have really enjoyed it and have learned a lot. Even though we have been married for 24 years....we still have a lot to learn.

Topics include: Self-Acceptance The Way to Accept My Spouse, Personal Responsibility The Key to Oneness, Full Forgiveness The Way to Inner Peace, Exposing Enemies, Anger Recognizing its Roots, Lust The Enemy to Intimacy, and finally, Success Standing Against the Storm. We highly recommend this seminar to all married couples. I wish we would have had it earlier in our marriage :) ~Julie

Two New Blogs Have Been Born!

www.sheworkswithherhands.blogspot.com

www.strivingtoserveathome.blogspot.com

Please feel free to take a look!

New Place to Gather

There has been alot going on at the Gathering Place lately. Mr. T is on vacation and has decided to put a much needed deck on the back of our home.
Eric helping Dad lay the floor down. Pretty soon we will be having coffee on the deck :)

First Day of College

Today is Philips first day of college. His sister and I gave him all of the pointers we could think of and then sent him off out into the big world...

This was very hard on his mother. His father said "He's going to do just fine." I know he will be fine, it's just hard to see him grow up so fast...Here he is making his way up the stairs to the academics building. We have a surprise dinner planned...Shrimp and scallops. Say a prayer for him~Julie

More Sewing?

Yes, there is another sewing project in the works! Last week in Wal*Mart (our home away from home), Mom and I spotted this very simple-looking pattern for a basic draw-string skirt. I had always a basic pattern with which I could make many skirts that would go with everything and anything. I thought I would give this one a try!

I made the A pattern (the blue and white stripped) and was surprised at just how simple it was to make! I didn't even have to call my grandma for sewing help this time (and I usually need a lot with patterns!) . :) I would really recommend this pattern for anyone who just wants a basic but stylish skirt. If I can make it...anyone can! Another great thing about this pattern is that you only need 2 1/8 yards of fabric. Therefore, it's not awfully expensive to make!

I have already made two skirts...one for myself and one for Mom. Since I enjoyed making them so much, Mom took me to Hanncock Fabrics today to pick out some fabric for two more skirts. I think the fabric we chose looks very much like Fall. :) Anyway, I can't wait to make them! I'm going to go and wash my fabric now! Stay tuned for pictures. :) ~Alli

Sew, Sew, Sew Your Quilt...

Today was a "sewing day" for Alli and Meredith. First, they both made love knot blankets for their hope chests. This was a very easy blanket to make. They were excited to finally get something completed.
Next, they worked on their quilts. This pattern was very time consuming. I overheard a lot of laughter upstairs so I'm not sure if they were working or playing.... Can anyone guess the name of this pattern? No fair Sarah G. You're the only one who can't guess...That is unless no one else can guess it. :) ~Julie

A Baby Shower Tea

Last month, Meredith and I were asked by the ladies in our church to be in charge of planning and catering a baby shower for the lovely Mrs. Prueitt! This was my first time coordinating anything, and I cannot tell you how much fun this was! Mere and I spent these last few weeks organizing our ideas, shopping for supplies, cooking, baking, and getting it all finished for the shower this past Saturday. The theme we picked for Mrs. Pruiett's shower was a ladies' luncheon/tea (notice the hats in the above picture :) ).

Here is a picture of the main dining table. We were so happy to have Meredith's grandma with us this past weekend! She beautifully arranged all of the flowers for the tea making the whole setting very elegant and tea-like. :) She even pressed dainty flowers from her own garden in between each plate...they looked beautiful! Also on the table was a place card for each guest, a folded lavender napkin (folded beautifully by Mere's brothers, Elliot and Oliver:) ), and a little bootie filled with dinner mints. Since the Pruiett family is expecting a little girl, we incorporated a lot of different shades of lavenders and pinks into our decorations. On Friday, Meredith and I prepared the dishes that we were going to serve. On the menu was chicken salad and croissants, turkey and spinach pinwheels, pasta salad, cheese and crackers, a vegetable platter, and fresh watermelon. On the day of the shower, we set everything out and made some very pink strawberry punch to go with the iced tea and water.

Once everyone had arrived, Mrs. Alexander shared some thoughts of encouragement and a lovely prayer for Mrs. Pruiett. She shared from Psalm 128 and I was really encouraged with these verses: "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord." (vs.3,4) Mrs. Alexander encouraged us who were not yet married to continue to fear the Lord and trust Him with the size of our future families. The Pruiett's are expecting their sixth child, and it is a beautiful thing to see God's blessing on their family as they continue to seek the Lord's will for their lives.

After lunch, all of the ladies picked up their chairs and relocated to the living room for baby games! We had asked each lady and young lady to bring a baby picture of themselves for a guessing game. It was called "A Face Only Mama Could Love." Everyone had to guess who was in each picture, and it was tough! Hannah Girotti got the most right! We also played a measuring game where each guest had to cut a piece of yarn to wrap around Mrs. Pruiett, and whoever was closest to the actual size of her waist won. Mrs. Winter and another young lady came the closest.
Once the games had been played, the ladies gathered around to open baby gifts. Everyone say "Awwwww!". :) Mrs. Pruiett's daughters, Isabelle and Noelle (pictured here), are both excited about their new baby sister!While the presents were being opened, Meredith and I were busy clearing the main table while preparing for dessert and tea.
For dessert, we decided to make a New York-style cheesecake, a German Chocolate cheesecake, lemon bars, and chocolate covered strawberries. We also had the Winter girls make some chocolate chip cookies as well.
Here is a picture of the tea table. Meredith and I thought the mismatched teacups atop doilies and plates added charm to the table. :)

Time for tea!


Here I am with Sarah and Hannah Girotti, Meredith, Noelle, and Isabelle. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see the Girotti family again!

Planning this baby shower was such a wonderful experience for me! But the real encouragement came when I saw everyone fellowshipping and celebrating together as we anticipate God's newest blessing in the Pruiett family. ~Alli