Psalms 3:3-5

It seems like lately we have been surrounded by friends and family going through heart-breakingly difficult times in their life.  Whether its health related, family related, or job related - they are facing life changing challenges.  My heart breaks for them and I often feel at a loss for words I can give to comfort them.  Thankfully, God hears the groaning of our hearts and comfort can be found in His Word.  So, I've offered this verse to a few dear friends lately and wanted to share it with you.  It may bring you or someone you know comfort and encouragement.

Psalms 3:3-5

 ³ But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
   my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
⁴ I call out to the LORD,
   and he answers me from his holy mountain.

 ⁵ I lie down and sleep;
   I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
⁶ I will not fear...

Coffee Filter Poof Tutorial

As promised this week I'm sharing more details on the fabulous shower we threw.  Hopefully you'll get inspired for your next party!  

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite party decor elements - a poof made out of coffee filters!  This idea fit with our theme of burlap and white, since coffee filters come in two colors - white and unbleached (a burlap brown color).  Perfect!

This poof is smaller than the other tissue paper poofs I made (about 10" in diameter).  But its also way more durable - it holds its shape, won't wrinkle or dent, can be stored and used over and over.

Here's what you'll need:

- Coffee Filters - about 100 per poof (unless you're using both colors  - then 100 of each color)

- A small stryofoam ball (mine was about 3" in diameter, but bigger is fine too)

- Hot glue gun and several sticks of hot glue

- Straight pin

- Twine, string or ribbon

- Scissors

Step 1: Wrap ball with coffee filters - so styrofoam doesn't peak through.

Step 2: Secure filter wrapping around ball with hot glue.

Step 3: Fold one filter in half....

...then in half again (now it folded into quarters)...

...then in half again (now its folded into eighths.)

Step 4.  Snip tip off and cover end in hot glue.

Step 5. Hold end of filter to ball until hot glued tip dries.  You will have to hold the first several for awhile, making sure they are secure.  But be patient and keep working in small sections, it gets quicker and easier as it fills out.

Step 6. Fill in holes and trim uneven "bumps" in surface.  As you can see above, I still have some thin spots to fill in and some filters sticking out more than others that need to be sheered with scissors.

Step 7: Add twine, ribbon or string to hang it.  Secure it to ball with a straight pin & some hot glue.  And here's the finished product! (In this version I used both white & unbleached filters - one of each folded together each time.)

Here they are hanging beautifully above our party area!  These are three different versions of the same poof - white, natural & mixed (which uses 100 of each color).

If you like these poofs, stay tuned for a tutorial on tissue paper poofs.  And of course more fun party pictures and ideas to come!

September Shower

A garden party wedding shower in our yard - thrown for my sweet friend Jessica.

At the end of September I got the wonderful pleasure of hosting an outdoor Wedding Shower at our home.   The day was a perfect - warm and golden - one of the last like that before our fall starts here.  Love these Eastern Washington long summers!  

We threw the shower as a team of friends (always my favorite way to entertain), with each lady taking a different role.  Since I was providing the location, I also provided the tables, chairs, linens, and beverages.  My friends took care of the food, games & program responsibilities.  And we all put together the decor and flowers.  Its so much easier to throw a party this way, and so much more enjoyable!

I'll be sharing some fun decor ideas and details of the shower in the days to come.  So stay tuned!

Lessons from A to Z ~ Harvest

“The combines are coming!

     The combines are coming!”

This was what I heard as the girls burst through the front door and pulled me out into the yard to see all the excitement. 

 

   As I’ve mentioned before, we live 3 miles off the nearest paved road—out in the middle of no where the wheat fields.  So this change in our quiet country setting was all very thrilling!  Sure enough, 6 huge combines had suddenly descended onto the fields surrounding our house.  They worked quickly together, plowing and dumping their grain into nearby semi trailers.  We watched in awe, wanting to be part of the action and waving to the harvesters each time they passed.

     With Fall upon us, I can’t help but apply this scene to our ministry at Resonate Church.  As our numbers grow, it reminds me of a bountiful harvest.  We’ve been spared the fires and hail that sometimes come in ministry (no matter how hard you are working!)  I find myself standing nearby, watching and gaping in awe at this crazy-ripe harvest that is happening.  Praise. The. Lord.

     And harvest happens fast!  I witnessed our staff working that first few weeks of school—much like the combines.  They descend on the WSU & U of I campuses, working quickly together to reap as many as possible before they set to planting the winter crop. 

     Honestly, “harvest” can sound scary to me.  To talk to someone about God and hope that it ends in a decision for Him… that’s a lot of pressure!  And let me tell you, I’ve suffered through a few droughts in my 18 years of ministry!   All I could do was pray that if I didn’t harvest something, maybe I at least planted a seed.

     But this season I am seeing the bounty of what Christ describes as a field “ripe for harvest”.  In fact, we find ourselves scrambling for more “silo space” and more workers.  It is exciting and I am drawn to it, without worry or fear.  But like Abby and Zoe, I am marveling at God’s harvest, excited to jump in!

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! 

They are ripe for harvest.

~ John 4:35