A Quiet Place

Can you see the bench hidden in this picture? During my November trip to Williamsburg, Va I looked through the shrubs and branches and this is what I saw..................

a bench hidden in this beautiful place

I imagined what it must look like in the Springwhen all is in bloom.............
I wondered if anyone ever sat on that bench and
...........dreamed
...........prayed
...........wondered
...........rested
............enjoyed the peace

I longed to sit in this place. However, short of me knocking on the door and asking some complete stranger if I could set on the bench in the backyard, it was not going to happen. So I simply snapped this picture of this quiet place as I walked back to the bus pick up (for those of you wondering there are some people who live in houses around Colonial Williamsburg, I believe this was one such house).

Looking back over this picture reminded me of a book I recently reread parts - A Place of Quiet Rest. It is by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It has personal reflections of Elisabeth Elliott, Kay Arthur, Vonette Bright and others. The foreword is written by Joni Eareckson Tada - my favorite author. The subtitle reads - Finding Intimacy with God through a daily devotional life. When I originally purchased the book I thought the book cover was beautiful and serene and I liked the title. I didn't notice the subtitle. I was pulled in by wanting rest.

"The Fragrance of Devotion"
"The product of a daily devotional life will bear fruit in our own lives, as we experience an ever-deepening intimacy with the Father. Sadly, many believers never enter into the joys and fullness of this life of oneness with the Father. ..........
Time spent alone with Jesus each day will order our hearts and grant a sense of direction, enabling us to live purposeful, useful lives, directed by the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than being driven by the expectations and demands of others. ............ The fruit of a devotional life will also be manifested in an ordered, peaceful life..................."

As I reflected on these comments (Chapter 12 Cultivating the Garden of the Heart) I will tell you it is evident when I do not have that peace or that order it is often because my priorities are out of sorts. It is because I have been so busy doing ministry I missed that time spent with the Father. Something He continues to teach me is I am to be "directed" not "driven". As I ask myself about what fruit is showing up in my own life because of my daily devotional time with my heavenly Father, I ask you to think about this also!

Do you have a "spot" of quiet rest? Mine is my big green chair, what about you?

New Coupon Classes Scheduled

Thank you to everyone who attended First Baptist's First Coupon Classes last month. Due to the requests that have come in about having a second class and repeating the first one we have scheduled the following:

March 5 (Thursday) 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church (Cleveland, TN) in "The Backyard" (Our Kid's Church area). This class will be on "Taking it To the Next Level". Updates will be given on store coupon policies and we will discuss CVS and Walgreen's shopping. Childcare will be provided by advance request. Deadline for childcare reservations are March 2ND (Monday) at noon.

March 10 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church (Cleveland, TN) in "The Backyard" (our Kid's Church area). This class will be two part- at 6 p.m. we will repeat the "Beginner's Class". Some people may want to attend this class again if they still need help and guidance getting started. At 7:30 p.m. we will begin the second part - "Taking it To the Next Level". Childcare is not provided for the evening classes.

Please leave a comment to sign up or call First Baptist Church of Cleveland. The class is free. We do ask you RSVP so we can adequately plan and prepare. We ask that if you have copies of the weekly grocery store ads and drug store ads to please bring those with you- FBC will also try to provide for you if possible. Bring you coupons........... we will also have the opportunity for you to share coupons.

Anyone who attended the first classes and has specific questions you would like to make sure I cover- please let me know! We would also like to provide as many coupons for participants as possible- if you have contacts for this- please let me know!

It has been very exciting for me for all of you who have shared with me the money you have saved since our class. It has also been shared with me that several of you have taken the info back to your work or church and are doing classes. I was so excited to hear about how I feel God has used the simple use of coupons to impact others! I would love to hear where and how the other classes have gone! Happy couponing.........!

Meal Plan Monday

Well- here goes at my plan for the week!

Monday- Lasagna, Fruit and Garlic Bread

Tuesday- Tara at VBS; Mike take dinner since working

Wednesday- BBQ chicken wings in crock pot, Mac & Cheese, green beans, rolls

Thursday - Pork Loin and leftovers

Friday - Family Game Night- Chicken / Beef Quesidias, Enchiladas, Nachos and Cheese, etc.

Saturday - Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Sausage or Bacon, Juice and Milk

Sunday- Leftovers and dinner at AWANA

Busy, Busy Week

I realized I haven't written here in quite some time - it has been busy. Here are some things that have consumed my time this past week-

1 Grandparent's Valentine Party
4 basketball games
3 funeral homes
2 theming meetings
1 meeting for new building
1 lunch with a homeschool family (very yummy)
1 lunch with another children's minister
1 mom's group meeting
1 benefit dinner (Jaxson Kidd Memorial benefit dinner- a child who died from our church)
2 meetings - coupon class
1 computer meeting
2 VBS meetings
1 staff meeting and staff lunch
phonecalls and emails
I am sure there was more but that is all I can remember without my calendar

Hmmmmmm it has been a busy week!
I'll post on some of the above at a later day!
Just wanted you to know I am still alive!
Just a little tuckered out!
Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Coupon Class is almost here!

Just a reminder, if you want to attend either the 10 am or 7 pm coupon class at First Baptist Church Cleveland on Thurs. Feb. 5, you need to RSVP by 5:00 PM Wed. Feb. 4 to reserve your spot. Click here for more info. Childcare is full for the morning class and is not available for the night class. Due to high attendance and limited space, children are not allowed in the class, except for nursing babies.

If you are registered for the coupon class please come with the following things:
1. an idea of how much you spend weekly on groceries and household items (you will not be asked to share this, just for your reference)
2. if you already coupon- bring your coupons / coupon organizer
3. expired coupons - we will mail them for you to the military
4. any coupons you want to share

See you soon! We are excited!
If you have questions please leave a comment here!