NOVEMBER 2024

 . 

 Dear Secret Sisters

I am taking this opportunity to say Thank you.  Thank you for all you have done in giving of all you had for one another.  It may not always have been consistent but your efforts were given with all you had.  We, together as a group appreciate it.  In the end it all worked out, the final result was a welcome surprise to know who was your secret friend!

But to those who did not get a gift, I am sorry, due to circumstances, not all of you were rewarded,( if I can call it in those terms).  I hope that in the end you will be rewarded. 

The extra people that you agreed to contact, again I want to say thank you for giving of yourself,  and to them for accepting what we gave you.  Many prayers were sent to each of them and to you.

Women's Ministry Seminar with Elaine (Bennett Halvorson) Blackmon, was a success and much effort was put forth so that you would feel the blessing.  The Sharing time brought us all together as women,  so glad to connect with each one.  Many positive feedbacks have been expressed. 

Below are the links that you can watch in case you missed a thought that you would like to remember,  as I did.  

PRESENTATION #1

PRESENTATION #2

PRESENTATION #3

PRESENTATION #4

Here are a few pictures, i hope they stay so you can see them, let me know and i will figure out a different way you can see them.  I will try and get you who are secret sister this weekend, i was so busy preparing food,  i forgot to take a group pic.

         

      

        

 

   

  Honorary Secret Sister  -  he operated the speakers and recorded the presentations and stayed the whole time.  thank you!!!!

        

  

PRAYER WALL    PRAYERS  an example of the prayer wall i built and just another lady's life style

LIFESTYLE   and i like what she says as soon as you open the link---i hope you do!!!

SPECIAL MUSIC  VIDEO  Our Women's Ministry theme song

THE MANY LIVES OF MAMA LOVE  This is a conversion  story of a lady that went thru horrendous life and her reformation and examples of a new life.  a good read.

OK LADIES THAT IS IT FOR THE YEAR...i pray you will have a good one with lots of good memories and inspirations and thoughts to lead you into the next year.

Lots of good thoughts toward you

Bev from Womens Ministry

Blessed to be a Blessing

 

Hi and Hello!!!!

 

 2024 has only two and a half months till Christmas!!! 

But during this Thanksgiving season our group of ladies would like to extend an invitation for you to attend a Woman's Seminar being held October 26 and 27.   The poster is pictured below.

You may have wondered from time to time why you would receive spontaneous gifts.  Our group are the Secret Sisters and at the end of the seminar you will get to find out who it is.  We have all agreed to keep you in our thoughts and prayers and knowing that even though you did not choose to join or you just didn't know about it!!  well we wanted you to feel appreciated and thought of and so the reason for the gifts.

We hoped it worked!!

There will be a church service at 11:00am on the 26th of October with a potluck.  

Then all day on Sunday October 27, starting at 9:00am with breakfast and dinner being served.  We are asking a $25 inclusive donation for the meals.  There will be meetings in between and a potluck/leftover supper with popcorn and a gift exchange for everyone.  So bring a gift to trade.  Put your name on it so we know who it is from and be ready for a day that will be filled with fun and activity.

 Thank you so much for being a part of our friendship that we could share with you..

from bev

womans ministries

any questions 250 643 2277 or find me on facebook

 

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER ALREADY 2024

 

 

A Note   

 Here we are in October. Facebook is full of pictures and activities full of activities of things that people do to recognize the day to day activities. This is when women were legally considered as 'persons'  on October 18, 1929 in Canada!!!!  

Thankfully we were created in the very beginning as women and could do almost anything we set our minds to but in the end we recognized that communicating together was  an advantage.  Some of us have more struggles than others and one noteable  lady mentioned here...Helen Howarth Lemmel.  And suddenly i am remembering Helen Halerewich, (as the name Howarth well not the same but i still thought of her!!)    And many of our other women who have passed away lately.  They managed households, carried offices thru their ups and downs in life.  

But read this even if you skim thru it!!! click on the name

Helen Howarth Lemmel

"The Heavenly Vision", also known as "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (the first line of its chorus), is a hymn written by Helen Howarth Lemmel. It was inspired by a tract entitled Focused, written by the missionary Isabella Lilias Trotter. The chorus is widely known, and has become a standard reprinted in many hymnals.

 

THIS  song was selected as one of the hymns to sing in church a couple weeks ago, and so on looking for the youtube version i came across another video that said the woman who wrote the song ....so here it is....her story.  it seems in another search that she was blind as was another woman we know who wrote songs - Helen Keller. 

I just skimmed thru the story here and didnt notice any notation for that, but many of us are noted for what we do.

 Craft   

a pretty something

Secret Sister Gift Exchange:  October is the last month for getting something ready for your secret sister who will be revealed at the last meeting of the womens ministry seminar during the supper hour.  Other ladies will be there that will exchange gifts also so it is important that you wrap and name your gift appropriately

I  encourage all of you to come to all the meetings as they sound like they are going to be really good. It will be a fun filled day and this will be a good finale to it all.

There will be an invitation to all the ladies that we have had as our 'extra'  secret sisters.  i will send them a letter and a poster that was posted in the church bulletin.  So I have my work cut out for me this month.  Please pray for each lady and a friend you may ask to come.  I hope it all goes well.  

thank you so much for being a part of this program this year and i pray that you all have received a blessing, large or small.  

See you there!!!!

Bev

Recipie

We  would only be complete with some food so here are a couple of recipes -

 

          This is a really good drink even I would mae it again even though the oatmeal is my least favorite.  I also used a Tablespoon of Bambu as a substitute and it was just as enjoyable!!  If you are really energetic you can make your own almond milk which i did. 

    This recipie i made today because i had extra lentils that were already cooked, they made an excellent sandwich, with all the trimmings you make for hamburgers.  i didnt have any lettuce so used a kale leaf which was just as pleasing.   You fry the bread just like toasted cheese sandwiches

Vegan  Lentil Melt

the gift is you!!

SEPTEMBER 2024

 

 

 

DEAR Secret Sister Ladies

The month of the Sunshine Flower!! Sunshine that is noticed especially on the mountains when it comes around in the morning and in the evening it glows against the colors of the leaves, against the whites of the tree trunks making them turn to gold!  The moving of the now mature sunflowers as their heads follow the sun.   Our church is decorated in them as the theme for September!

There is sunshine in each one of you, as you give your gifts of remembering your special friend.  I get to see your smiles once in a while too when they are given.  You are my sunshine!  in that song that we know so well.  I must say thinking of all of you makes me smile so thank you for being a part of our group of sunflowers!!!!! 

September is halfway through, if you still need to remember your secret friend,  there is still lots of time before the end of the month..  Next month will be the one you will find out who she is.  We are going to work it into our Women's Ministry Seminar somehow,  so plan a special something for her at the end of the meeting on Sunday.  Perhaps if you want a Christmas program we can plan a special one also. 

SUNFLOWER CRAFTS

i think i know by now that some of you like crafts  and some like to think about doing them, but here is one that i think we can be into!!!  and that is food.  these should be easy enough to do for a potluck.   

you can use sliced cantaloupe with berries in the middle and serve on a plate.  sounds easy right lol!

the other is simple - a mound of cream cheese with berries placed in the right places with layered chips on the outer edges to resemble petals ,  you could even put chopped nuts in a few places  serve on a plate and add to the potluck

 

A SUNFLOWER SCRIPTURE                                                                                 

  Without the sun, the sunflower will perish. Without the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, there is no life, no growth and no fruit, just withering and death.

 However, God's Word promises: if we abide in the light of the Son we will bring about abundant growth and life (John 10:10; John 15:1).

MUSIC

3 HOURS OF INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC  (click on the word  inspirational for the link)

THIS  is the most beautiful violin music, with harp and viola,  I hope you have a chance to listen  while you work!!!!

SUNFLOWER GIFTS

the flower itself

yellow pencil

a T shirt with a sunflower 

 In Closing i wish each of you in the rest of September, wonderful fall like days,  with music to compliment them, even though some of your days go wrong that you will know the day ahead will be on track again,  that is what is promised in His Word because his life is in us.  Follow the Son where ever you go

Bev

 

 

AUGUST 2024

 

 

 Black and white,

 

 Hello!  Secret Sisters

The summer seems to have gone, hasnt it? temperatures are lower and my house is staying cool.  I have been sitting here with a sweater on most of the day.  Well it is a lazy day !

We have lost two secret sisters to moving and circumstances. It was sad to let you go but in spirit you will be thought of and missed.  Nancy Reid and Glenda had each other.  

It seems i have chosen another tea theme hahah,  i am kind of running out of ideas but food is always interesting.  I should get you to challenge me on what to talk about--send me a message if you do!!!

Colors -- we will start with pink as that is my color and may be one of yours.  Here is the link for the recipe, looks so delicate, Vegan Gooseberry and White Current Crumble

   

Blue, i know that many of you like blue, a foraging recipe but one that you can find at the store quite easily by putting the ingredients together.  Good for a midnight comfort drink or on a coolish warm day! this is 'Comfort in a Blanket'....

 

Ingredients: 

15 drops Bergamot essential oil 

About 2 Tbs. Vanilla bean powder

.25 oz (about ⅔ c.) Cornflower petals 

1 oz (about 1 ¼ c.) Butterfly pea flowers 

2 oz (about 1 ¼ c.) Hawthorn leaves and flowers 

this makes a large recipe but when you make it up you can use any kind of milk and add honey and vanilla.

Strawberries is the color red,  

 

Vegan Chai French Toast

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup oat milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 teaspoon Full Moon Chai (or preferred chai)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or 1/2 tsp honey, for non-vegans)
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 teaspoon arrow root powder* (equal to 1 tbsp, divided)
• 2-3 slices Pugliese bread (or bread of choice), preferably stale or toasted
• Coconut oil, for cooking

*Substitute with equal amounts corn starch or 1.5 times tapioca flour, if desired.

Directions:
Heat milk over medium-high heat. Add chai spices and steep for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tip: if toasting bread in the oven, preheat your oven when you put your milk on to heat, then toast your bread as your chai steeps. The timing should work out perfectly.
Once steeped, remove chai from heat. Add vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener. Taste, adjust as desired. Add arrowroot powder, one teaspoon at a time, whisking after each addition to avoid lumps.
Warm pan over medium heat. Melt enough coconut oil to generously cover the bottom of the pan.
When oil is hot, dip your bread in the chai batter and fry 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and lightly crispy.
Serve with toppings of choice and your favorite Plum Deluxe blend, and enjoy!
Yield: Single serving—feel free to scale up as necessary.

 

Yellow... not sure that anyone has chosen yellow but here it is,  it might be another favorite sometime!! This tea is very delicious and could go well with the french toast.  enjoy! Recipe

  

 

 

Sisters!  there are many colors, each one is beautiful and have their own value.  Many of them go together and they also stand well alone too and so do each one of you!! Thank you each one for keeping in touch with your friend and for the time you spend in connecting with your extra persons  too.  Keep on ladies!  Look forward to when you know who the real secret is!!!

 May I say this as i was scrolling thru facebook--EGWhite says...' Do not, because our thoughts are evil, cease to pray',  but keep praying anyway and another one says...' The sweetest time of the day is when you pray. Because you are talking to the one who loves you the most'. Amen

 Have a most wonderful august! be assured you all are well thought of and in my prayers as well!

bev

July 2024

 

Dear Secret Sister Ladies!

I decided to have a tea time theme this month because it has been that kind of summer. in between cold and hot and just right for tea. I remember going into a little tea shop in Calgary years ago and i was captivated more by the decorations than anything. The walls were black with different colored panseys all over and ivy crawling everywhere and of course there were lots of baskets. It was so cozy. I wanted my walls to be like that!!!. The picture above is a tea cup passed down by my mother, to me from her great aunt Jessie Orlo in 1875 about. i love it too as it has her writing on a piece of paper tucked inside.

These are my pansies that are doing very well for once as they are in the greenhouse in a special bin that someone passed on to me!!! this blog refuses to keep my pic posted so here is another pic of pansies!!!!

                                                


Encouraging Teacup Devotional


There was a couple that used to go to England to shop in beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery, especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. One day in a beautiful shop they saw an exquisite teacup. They asked the clerk, “May we see that? we’ve never seen one quite so lovely.”

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. “You don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red, and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, ‘let me alone,’ but, he only smiled and said, ‘Not yet.’ Then I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly spun around, and around, and around. Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!’ I screamed.

The Master Is At Work In You

“But the master only nodded and said, ‘Not yet’. then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked on the door. I could see him through the opening, and I could read his lips, as he shook his head, “Not yet.”

“Finally the door opened, he put me on a shelf, and I began to cool. ‘There that’s better’, I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Stop it, stop it!’ I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet.’ Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot, and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded.

I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head and saying, ‘Not yet.’

“Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened, and he took me out and placed me on a shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, ‘Look at yourself.’ And I did. I said, ‘That’s not me, that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.’

“I want you to remember, then, he said, ‘I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.

“I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'”

Jeremiah 16:8 

Some of you have had an opportunity to sit at a modeling wheel or work with some pottery. it takes a bit of skill in some cases and others you can just take the ready made clay and paint it. But even that takes a bit of thinking to get the colors down right.

I did a black lady for my brother years ago and painted it a shiny black. it was marvelous, like a silhouette.

this is a simple story but one that make you live thru the experience! doesnt it?!!!. this is the way life is. It takes you places and either it makes you laugh or cry!!! But thru it all there is satisfaction in the end because you have done your best and that is what counts.

Ladies! have a wonderful July, remember your secret sister with a card that has sentiment in it and maybe, just maybe cake hahah! and a tea bag of course!!

     

Tea Time Trivia

Select the best answer for each of the following questions. answers below pic.

1. According to legend, tea was first discovered by whom? a. by Tutankhamun, Pharaoh of Egypt c. by Charles Grey, Earl of Bergamot b. by Shennong, Emperor of China d. by Fiacre, patron saint of medicinal herbs

2. Herbal, spice, and floral “teas” are more accurately known as tisanes, infusions, and decoctions. All true teas come from the plant Camellia sinensis. They include black, green, white, and all but which of the following? a. yellow b. Chamomile c. Oolong d. Pu-erh

3. In 1773, a group of American patriots dressed as Native Americans threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Why? a. to protest the poor quality of tea c. to protest the British tea tax b. to celebrate God’s bountiful blessings d. to counteract an algae bloom in the bay

4. American Thomas Sullivan invented the tea bag in 1908. Of what were those original tea bags made? a. rice paper b. cotton muslin c. waxed parchment d. hand-sewn silk

5. In 1930, William McKerchor introduced the CTC manufacturing method, which made tea more affordable by speeding up the production process. What does CTC refer to? a. Crush, Tear, Curl c. Cold Tea Compress b. Controlled Toasting Conveyer d. Cut, Trim, Crate

6. Tea is the second most consumed beverage on earth. What’s the first?

            a.milk b. beer c. Coca Cola d. water

7. China is the top tea growing country by weight. What is the top tea exporting country by value?

   a. United Kingdom b. India c. Kenya d. Sri Lanka

8. On average, US citizens use 1⁄2 lb. of tea annually as opposed to the 7 lbs. of tea a year consumed by natives of the country with the highest per capita consumption rate: a. Turkey b. United Kingdom c. Morocco d. Russia

9. In Morocco, it is customary to offer guests at least three cups of tea per visit. What do these three cups symbolize? a. life, love, and death c. eating, drinking, and merrymaking b. laughter, luxury, and longevity d. sun, moon, and stars

10. In Tibet, black tea is traditionally served with what mixed into it? a. cinnamon and sugar c. turmeric and lemon b. yak butter and salt d. sweetened condensed milk

11. Pu-erh tea is grown in the Yunnan province of China and sold in brick-like cakes. Ounce for ounce, some pu-erh is even more expensive than gold. Why? a. it’s wrapped in 14-ct gold foil c. aging/fermenting process takes so long b. its scarcity drives the price up d. all of the above

                                          

Tea Time Trivia

Answer Key: Read on to see the solutions to this little quiz:

1. According to legend, tea was first discovered by whom? a. by Tutankhamun, Pharaoh of Egypt c. by Charles Grey, Earl of Bergamot b. by Shennong, Emperor of China d. by Fiacre, patron saint of medicinal herbs

2. Herbal, spice, and floral “teas” are more accurately known as tisanes, infusions, and decoctions. All true teas come from the plant Camellia sinensis. They include black, green, white, and all but which of the following? a. yellow b. Chamomile c. Oolong d. Pu-erh

3. In 1773, a group of American patriots dressed as Native Americans threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Why? a. to protest the poor quality of tea c. to protest the British tea tax b. to celebrate God’s bountiful blessings d. to counteract an algae bloom in the bay

4. American Thomas Sullivan invented the tea bag in 1908. Of what were those original tea bags made? a. rice paper b. cotton muslin c. waxed parchment d. hand-sewn silk

5. In 1930, William McKerchor introduced the CTC manufacturing method, which made tea more affordable by speeding up the production process. What does CTC refer to? a. Crush, Tear, Curl c. Cold Tea Compress b. Controlled Toasting Conveyer d. Cut, Trim, Crate

6. Tea is the second most consumed beverage on earth. What’s the first?

a.milk b. beer c. Coca Cola d. water

7. China is the top tea growing country by weight. What is the top tea exporting country by value?

   a. United Kingdom b. India c. Kenya d. Sri Lanka

8. On average, US citizens use 1⁄2 lb. of tea annually as opposed to the 7 lbs. of tea a year consumed by natives of the country with the highest per capita consumption rate: a. Turkey b. United Kingdom c. Morocco d. Russia

9. In Morocco, it is customary to offer guests at least three cups of tea per visit. What do these three cups symbolize? a. life, love, and death c. eating, drinking, and merrymaking b. laughter, luxury, and longevity d. sun, moon, and stars

10. In Tibet, black tea is traditionally served with what mixed into it? a. cinnamon and sugar c. turmeric and lemon b. yak butter and salt d. sweetened condensed milk

11. Pu-erh tea is grown in the Yunnan province of China and sold in brick-like cakes. Ounce for ounce, some pu-erh is even more expensive than gold. Why? a. it’s wrapped in 14-ct gold foil c. aging/fermenting process takes so long b. its scarcity drives the price up d. all of the above

June 2024

 

 

 

 

Hello Ladies

What is June bringing each one of you this month?  Did you notice that with a blink of the eye almost May has gone. A few of us have had birthdays and mine was on the 30th. The event is over for another year except the  age in years will linger on until next May rolls around again.

First time ever i have not purchased petunias to grow, and a only minimal garden put in.  It has been so chilly the pellet stove have been the main greeter for the morning until noon. 

What have you been doing for food this spring?  Bean Burgers have been the main staple for my house with Rye Sunflower Seed burger buns with all the fixings.  They have tasted very good.  A few of you have already had some.  What did I put in them?  Well two cups of mashed pinto beans, cooked of course, one cup cooked rice,  one onion fried in oil with salt, i put in a couple eggs but you can leave them out, spices are about a tsp each of onion and garlic powder,  and smoked paprika, salt, roll each patty in bread crumbs and fry.

CRAFT:

For those of you who like to craft the picture above is made from simple little rocks possibly found from a dry river bed.  Good idea for a secret sister gift!!!!

Each one of you will receive a handmade book mark and a little container of blueberry/lilac syrup. Its in your church mailbox.

 it has frozen blueberries and lilac flowers,  water, and tiny bit of sugar, and agar agar to thicken, I added a bit of vanilla also.  it is good for topping on toast or ice cream or mix it up in a soy milk for a purple drink.  very delicate taste.  hope you like it and try some on your own!!!!

Make sure the flowers are picked morning or evening when not raining!!!

the first time i tried it without agar agar:  about a cup of frozen berries, 1/2 cup water, two cups of lilacs flowers only,  stevia powder works really well about a quarter cup,  boil it for a minute and save in jars.

DEVOTION:

BIBLE VERSE TO MEMORIZE: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (NIV)   Here is the song!!

PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, thank you so much for what you have already blessed with me! Thank you for ____, _____, and _____. Help me to be content with what I have and not let my wandering heart seek out the latest and greatest, especially _______. Please guide my purchases and give me wisdom on when it’s OK to spend a little money, and maybe when I should hold off. But more importantly, create in me a clean heart that is more and more content with You and less with my “stuff.”

FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE ---(OR IF NOT!! YOURSELF!!!!)

IF he loves anything spicy,  mix up a great marinade for the firm tofu.  Cube it and marinade.   Some orange juice and  chili sauce, lime, and seasoning as garlic and onion powder.  sprinkle each cube generously with the spice mix.  Place in a plastic bag and add a small amount of orange.  Place in fridge until ready to assemble the kabobs.  Use onion, bell pepper, and the tofu.  Keep it simple.

You can roast it over a fire or simply on a fry pan with a bit of oil. 

TO BE YOU:

The ABC’s of being…

Alert  ~  Brave  ~  Content  ~  Diligent  ~  Encouraging  ~  Faithful

Gracious  ~  Hopeful  ~  Inspiring  ~  Joyful  ~  Kind  ~  Loving  ~  More

Nice  ~  Original  ~  Prayerful  ~  Quiet  ~  Real  ~  Silly  ~  Thankful

Unique  ~  Virtuous  ~  Wise  ~  Xtraordinary  ~  Yourself  ~  Zealous

All 26 being words have been carefully and thoughtfully chosen.  They are words to describe an extraordinary person.  And I think they are all descriptive words which we would appreciate others using to describe us.  Which ones are your favorites?   Which ones describe you right now?  Which ones do you need to aspire to? 

 

THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING YOUR SECRET SISTER

HAVE A GOOD SUMMER

Bev

 

 

 

 

 

May Day, May Day, its Mothers Day!!!!

 
 

  

 

Happy May Day Secret Sisters!

   

       I'm posting some of my favorite pictures for you to look at, maybe one or two might be your favs too.

 Mothers Day just a few days away.....some info here.....

On the second Sunday of May, women are honored whether they are mothers or friends who are our favorite people we look up too. Whether we shower her with gifts, take her to a fancy dinner or make her a homemade card, what moms want most is to be surrounded by the love of her family. Knowing the people they love are safe, sound, and healthy is a mom's number one priority.

 By 1914, the day was made official when US President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure declaring Mother's Day to be celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May.

 Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women's groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother's Day.

 May Day, also celebrated close to mothers day, called Workers' Day or International Workers' Day, is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement.

                 

Wishing you all the best and for a happy day, dont forget that on Sunday the 12th, the men are making a pancake breakfast for everyone, !!!

Your continuance and thoughtfulness to each other is so appreciated and noted every time!!  

thank you all 

bev.

 if i could???????