Sisters-in-Christ

In those moments when we open ourselves up to each other in exchanges of laughter, stories and perspectives we have vthe opportunity to grow close and form lasting bonds.  ~Women of Faith





When we moved from Bedford ten years ago, we left behind a group of people we had worshipped with for nineteen years.  It can be difficult to join a fellowship when you only know one or two families.  Ten years makes a big difference, and now I can't imagine life without my dear sisters-in-Christ. 

Welcome letter and lasagna instructions

We attended our church one time before we moved here.  The people didn't know us and we didn't know them.  But they began sheltering us immediately.  DeLynda and her family were at a youth camp during our first days here but made us a heart-warming (and stomach-filling) gift on moving day.  She made lasagna before leaving town.  Good lasagna!  She froze it and attached a note so we'd know how long to cook it.

Each of the sisters I worship with have hearts of love.  Are they perfect?  No.  But then, how could I with my imperfections expect them to be?  My sisters have a heart for God.  And tonight I joined them for breakfast (yes, breakfast!) and fellowship.  

Eleanor, Carisa and DeLynda

Carisa is a wonder with food and organization.  She's so creative--she made the newsletter just for us, complete with a word search comprised of names of all the women of the church.  So much good food.  Melanie took a layered dish: Whipped cream on bottom, french vanilla granola, then fresh blueberries and raspberries.  Besides being beautiful, it was delicious.  I took Cherry Sweet Rolls (recipe below). Carisa even made sure JoAnn and I had organic syrup--how sweet is that? 

We were asked to bring our favorite cup.  I took my china mug my mother made.  Melanie took the love mug Shawn got her for Valentine's Day.   If you've never had white mango peach tea you should--it's now my second favorite.  (Blueberry is still #1.) Unless you count Tazo but that's in a category all of its own. 

Melanie with her love mug

Eleanor's decorating is always beautiful and tonight was no exception.  When I walked into the room I could smell coffee.  So awesome.  There were coffee beans down the center of the tables with  hazelnut candles and tiny coffee related plaques on easels.  The food table was gorgeous, too.  Of course the warm shades of brown, rust and gold are my favorites. 

I hope you've enjoyed experiencing our fun.  Maybe you can get some ideas to use at your own women's meeting.  Most of all, I hope you can feel the love we have for each other, practical love as we planned meals for one of our sisters who had two surgeries recently. Joyful love as we laughed and shared about life.  And most of all, God's love which is the glue that joins our hearts and urges us to be the best sisters that we can be.

I won one of the door prizes--Could there be a better prize?

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Sweet Cherry Rolls

1 cup warm water

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp salt

4 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp. yeast

Put the ingredients in your bread machine in order given.  Use dough setting.  When dough is ready, make 20 balls and place on baking sheets.  Press each ball firmly in middle and fill with cherry pie filling (I use no sugar added)  Allow to rise 45 minutes and bake at 350 degrees 17 minutes.  Drizzle with glaze.

This post linked to:
Sweets for a Saturday
Buzz On By Thursday
Having Fun Blog Hop
Welcome Wednesday
Feeding Four
Wandering Wednesday
Follow Me Wednesday