The 'ordinary' reflecting "The Extraordinary": 2013

Hey Ladies! Like this snowman, I got a little frozen in my tracks with the blog...

It was mostly an issue of not having enough hours in the day.

However, as I recently looked back through these Christmas tea & ornament exchange photos, taken by the talented Lori Jacques...

I knew I had to blow the dust off our blogspot and re-light the fire.

I hope these pictures bring you as much post Christmas joy as they did me. May they bring color and warmth into this gray rainy week of January. (That is why I saved them for now...okay... not really, but isn't the Lord wise with how he arranges things?)

Looking through them I can't help but be thankful to Him all over again for the great things He has done for us and for all you beautiful ladies (and my oh my, do we ever have some beauties in this group---see for yourself).

Lori Jacques, in the green, doesn't know it but she is our official ladies ministry photographer and is responsible for all these lovely photos except the 5 or 6 I managed to take.

I left them all in...just too hard to delete any of them. So scroll at your own pace. Some of them will probably need a word or two of explanation especially if you weren't able to be there but I will try to let the pictures do most of the talking.

Before we get too far into the photos, may I introduce you to the fabulous Ladies Ministry Team that made it all possible. Back row, left to right is Tracey McMahan, Jolena Cantrell, Karen Phillips & Gina Weaver. Front row left is Metta Redding, Tammy Shook and yours truly.

The concept was for a different lady to decorate and host each table.

And you ladies really stepped up and out did yourselves. The tables were amazing!

Each one unique & lovely in its own right

Metta Redding headed up this endeavor and she did a spectacular job.

I was thankful to be there the night before when most of you decorated your tables so I could go from table to table and take it all in.

This fun table had the personnality of its host splashed all over it. Can you guess who it was?

Here's a hint. Don't you love how it pops!

The only thing that could make these tables lovelier would be to adorn them with guests.

So we were thrilled to receive you.

And wow, did you ever show up!

Karen put together some great door prizes that we gave away

I think the word got out that Tammy Shook and Karen Phillips were in charge of the food because it was as incredibly delicious as it always is when this pair is in charge. But you don't have to take my word for it....feast your eyes (and weep with me that you can't feast your tastebuds on it all over again)

This kind of spread does not just hop up on the table without some very hard work from a team of food experts.

Here they are. Thank you Melba,Tammy, Gina, Karen and Edie!

This is Charlie Shook, the other half of "Team Tammy" and you have never seen a man work as hard as this guy at a ladies event. He worked before during and after. I think the poor guy washed dishes all morning while we were out there sipping tea. We are so thankful for you Charlie Shook!

Those are some cheerful givers right there.
(Jamie, Carissa's husband was part of the skit. I think he might have wandered back to the kitchen and next thing he knew he was put to work too?!?!? Its dangerous to wander into the kitchen with nothing to do. If that is what happened, thanks for your help Jamie!

Here's the dynamic duo. Asking God's blessing on the food and the event. Lord bless them back for all their hard work!

Did I mention we also had a skit? It was put on by our newly formed drama team by the name of "Act Up". The skit was written and directed by our own lovely Tracey McMahan. If you would like to join the drama team, Tracey is your contact.

Tracey McMahan

Carissa as Amelia

Ornaments played by Mary, Clara And Carol

This is a closer shot of our 2 youngest thespians, Mary and Clara Jacques (both in black)

Audra as the narrator

Stephanie as the angel

Mack & Jamie helped out with some male parts and that's Liz on the far left next to the star

Since Mrs. Claus was in the audience it was a little hard to get Mack to leave once the skit was over.

We offered an opportunity for you to help some struggling widows & children in the Dominican Repbulic through Crossroads Ministry and you generously gave over $200. Thank you for giving.

We now have a Friday morning "Moms in Prayer" group (I, Trudy, am the contact for this group) and a monthly "Mom to Mom" group that meets the 3rd Thursday of each month. (Jolena is the contact for Mom to Mom). We welcome any of you to join us.

We were blessed to have this very talented musical team led by Marilyn Garren lead us in worship
Front left to right is Marilyn, Mandy and Ginger. Von is playing the keyboard and the hidden drummer was Mandy's son, Jonathan.