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What to Wear Every Day

Good morning! Grab a cup of coffee and join me. Moist pear tart
mingles with dark roast coffee, and I admit that this is my second pastry this
morning, leftovers from a Bridal Shower this last Saturday.
Nine women, old and young, circled in an off-white parlor.
Delicate dried lavender sprigs crested our rolled napkins, and our plates
struggled valiantly to hold up the scrumptious brunch. 
The Bride’s neck and
shoulders became increasingly hidden under vivid scarves during an object
lesson of the devotional. Attendees stood, draped a new colorful scarf around
her, and read aloud the words on their slips of paper. Forgiven, Redeemed, Bought with a price, Not my own, Lavished with
love, Daughter of the king, Work of art, God’s masterpiece, Created, Chosen, Good
things planned for in advance, Co-heirs with Jesus, Partners in the Gospel,
Reconciler, Ambassador, Jesus’ Bride.
By the end, we were all a bit quiet
as the words sunk deep into us.
Linking with Ann and Duane, I’m counting God’s gifts today:

  • A sunny youth group bike trip and camp-out this last
    Friday
  • Midnight talks in canvas tents
  • Seeing the stars through a screened tent ceiling
  • Time with old friends on Saturday, walks in the dark, and car conversations
  • Moist tarts, caramel pear halves, and amazingly artistic
    friends
  • Laughter, hugs and conversations with my kids
  • Hammock hideaways in tall leafy trees
 I
delight greatly in the Lord;
My
soul rejoices in my God.
For
he has clothed me with garments of salvation
And
arrayed me in a robe of righteousness
As
a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
And
as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”(Isaiah 61:10)

Hi, I love talking with you. What has your weekend been like? Want to count gifts here with me today? 

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14 Comments

  1. Unknown on August 20, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    So many gifts. Last weekend brought heart-felt conversation over coffee with one daughter, the opportunity to get to the heart of a problem with another, a fun weekend of friends for the third and the fourth took an important step of independence. So thankful!

  2. Jennifer Dougan on August 20, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    Shannon,

    It's heartwarming to watch our kids grow and make choices, and to be able to have deep conversations all through it. Glad for you!

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  3. Dolly@Soulstops on August 21, 2012 at 12:07 am

    What a lovely tradition to do at a bridal shower…how sweet to spend time with family/your kids, and friends…I wrote about an unexpected hike in my post today.

    Blessings, Jennifer 🙂

  4. Dontmissyoursunsetlady on August 21, 2012 at 12:53 am

    Great to take in God's simple sweet abundant gifts! Thanks for the writing suggestions. I'm more than willing to take advice!

  5. Houseofmills on August 21, 2012 at 1:22 am

    First that picture of you and Jon cracks me up. You look as old as him in that picture. hahahha!
    Fun Saturday spending time with you and other friends. Also have been enjoying bike rides with the kids. Just can't believe we are at the point where 2 out of the 3 kids ride a bike. People were right….kids grow up really fast. =)

  6. Wise Hearted on August 21, 2012 at 4:24 am

    Jennifer I love the devotion given at the Bridal shower. Can see why it sobered every woman there.

    Thanks for stopping by my site. No I have not taking the online conference yet…still wanting too…still waiting for a go ahead from the Lord…it has to be His timing or I will not be able to do it. We travel a lot with our ministry of Member Care to our home on furlough missionaries and new ones going out in six states. I put their button on my blog thinking I would be able to start soon afterwards…sorry if it mis lead you.

    Diane over at "an encouraging word" has taken it though, she could give you some tips. Honest you do a great job from what I have read. But fully understand wanting to get more insight into writing.
    Diane over at "an encouraging word" has taken it though.

    Thanks for the encouragement my sister. Blessings.

  7. Hwindeler@gmail.com on August 21, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    What a beautiful thing to do at a bridal shower. I love this! I am going to have to incorporate this with an object lesson for my teen girls. 🙂
    As for my weekend, most things did not go as planned, but in the midst of the mess God granted me some rest, my children were very helpful, and my husband was kept safe despite set backs on his back-packing trip with the boys. The children and I persevered and had a lovely Sunday morning church @ home after the cars flat tire. It seemed like so many things went wrong, but God blessed each step of the way. 😉

  8. LOLITA on August 24, 2012 at 3:58 am

    I love your list, Jen.

    Grateful for the way God is sending forth blessings to us, among them others may ignore but they are right there, daily shining through and showering.

    Hugs.

  9. Jennifer Dougan on August 27, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    Dolly,

    I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I'm eager to hop over and read about your hike and other posts…

    Thank you for stopping by.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  10. Jennifer Dougan on August 28, 2012 at 12:05 am

    Hi angelonwheels,

    Oh! I wasn't meaning that as giving advice… just adding to my own answer. 🙂

    Have a wonderful week!

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  11. Jennifer Dougan on August 28, 2012 at 12:05 am

    Liz,
    They DO grow up so fast! Savor each bike ride and moment. 🙂

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  12. Jennifer Dougan on August 28, 2012 at 12:15 am

    Betty,

    I'm sorry for my delay in replying here. Member care! I know people who serve in member care for my parents' mission. What a valuable ministry you have — thank you.

    Thank you for your compliment on blogging. I enjoy writing and speaking, and want to always hone those skills… I imagine you would really enjoy that conference too.

    Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  13. Jennifer Dougan on August 28, 2012 at 12:25 am

    Crazyblessed,

    Wow, that's a lot of setbacks. 🙂 Good for you for finding truths of God's joy through it all. Glad everyone is safe too.

    You mentioned working with teens? That's great! In what setting do you do that? My husband and I do that too, and love it.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  14. Hwindeler@gmail.com on August 28, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    Isn't it a blast? My Hubby is the Youth Pastor/director at our church. Its been a wild, crazy, and amazing time seeing God work through these teens. We just love it. 🙂

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