Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Under The Pepper-Berry Tree

Perhaps you feel the same way I do. aka “WHAT A WEEK!” “WHAT NEXT?” “WHAT IS HAPPENING?”

 

I have embraced the last 2 1/2 months of the “stay at home” order. It’s the first time in decades that I could go at my own pace, not having to be somewhere at a certain time. I have cherished my time in the chair, reading the Word, talking & listening to the Lord, looking out the window, leisurely. 

Then as suddenly as it started the announcement was made. Retail stores, like mine, could open again effective immediately. So last Friday it was back to work in a place I love and have missed. 

We weren’t sure what to expect as things around town have been very quiet. What an encouraging day it turned out to be with a steady flow of well wishers and shoppers. The best compliment and support you can give a small business is to purchase their goods. We were nicely complimented that day and I thoroughly enjoyed tying the colorful ribbons around each gift bag.

It felt so good to be back! But the very next day, Saturday, trouble again as the world watched in horror seeing riots, looting, and mayhem. This happening as we are reading 6 pages of detailed protocol to prepare for the opening of church on Sunday. Surreal!

 

Signs posted, masks on, disposable bulletins, and sanitizers in hand we opened the doors. PURE JOY! I cried as we sang “The Heart Of Worship”, thankful to hear our church family praising the Lord together again. Also devoured the message as Dale has begun teaching through the Revelation. Everything we are seeing happen before our eyes has been prophesied. It’s in the Book as well as what is coming. Clear as day. 

The icing on the cake, or I should say cookie, happened UNDER THE PEPPER-BERRY TREE. When the abbreviated service was over we grabbed our chairs and headed to the shady spot under the tree. A gentle breeze was blowing as we gazed at a view of the chapel, above. We shared stories of our week, enjoying the fellowship.

And then came the surprise. A box of cookies with sprinkles. I saw them at Trader Joe’s and thought “I’ve got to try these!”  I grabbed the box as we were leaving for church “just in case”. At the right time we shared them under the pepper berry tree. There was just enough for us all to have a taste. They were SO GOOD even more so as we got to experience them together. 

The FELLOWSHIP of believers is so rich with blessings. It’s simple and the way the Lord has set things up. It’s hard to be encouraged when you are alone, at home. We need to be around the body of Christ regularly. It’s even more important in unsettling times like these. 

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house,

And the place where Your glory dwells.“ Psalm 26:8

 

 

Where Do You Put Your Trust?

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim 6:17

 

Imagine being born rich! To parents with money, a big house, a successful business, and a legacy of attending the best schools, just like their parents before them. You would “have it made” in the worlds eyes. The danger is, since all your needs are met,  you really have no reason to seek God. Your trust is in your riches and you go about your life, perhaps attending church at Easter and Christmas, more out of a sense of tradition. 

God to you is what you have made Him in your own mind because you don’t know Him. But look what happens when you put you put your trust in Him, and not yourself and your possessions, which God calls uncertain. He then gives you richly all things to enjoy. God is not stingy with what you need and He, your creator, and the One who created the universe by the way, knows what is best for you. His desire is that you enjoy His gifts which come in many forms, not just money. 

There is another word that describes God. He is the living God. Not some old, disconnected being somewhere out there. So how do you get to know Him? 

 

1. Humbly ask Him to show you the truth. 

2. Get a Bible and start reading it. Not like a novel but slowly, letting God speak to you. Start with the Gospel of John. It’s in the middle of the book. 

3. Find a good Bible believing and teaching Church. 

 

The Lord wants you to turn to Him so He can bless you. All other paths do not bring true peace and joy. They may seem to at first, boasting great promises, but somehow that anxiety and fear keeps coming back. The true riches are from God. Only He can give true peace and set you free.

Matthew 7:8

 

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Be Thankful Women’s Fellowship

What a welcome sight after a busy couple of days! It’s time for our BE THANKFUL Women’s Fellowship and Lynda has the room beautifully decorated and ready for guests! 

One by one the women arrived. After a relaxing time of visiting we began with an amazing warm pumpkin cider and demo by Crystal.

 

My what a treat! This was followed by a sit down candlelight dinner featuring Sylvia’s baked ziti with bechamel sauce and two delicious salads.

Dessert was a seasonal pumpkin spice cake thanks to Pam. 

We had fun taking our portrait and of course had to do a funny version!

I was privileged to bring a message from Romans chapter 12. This was the theme for our women’s retreat and it is so loaded with good practical biblical instruction. Tonight we focused on not being conformed to this world but being transformed by the renewing of our mind. This comes from actually taking the time to read the word, meditate on it and apply it. We also discussed true love, loving what God loves and hating what God hates, and using the spiritual gifts God has given each of us. So much meat in one chapter! 

We ended with a slideshow of pictures from the retreat and the NEVER SEEN BEFORE auction videos! LOL!!! I’ll post one here. There are 3 more! 

 I am so thankful for my sisters in the Lord! 

                           Amen & Amen!

What A Week!

Today’s blog is a bit of “therapy” for my soul. It is the longest blog I have ever written. Now that I have some time to relax I feel the need to recount ALL the many intense things that happened in one week! 

Praise the Lord for a glorious beginning! Sunday we were given a surprise by our church family for Pastor Appreciation Month. We were blessed with preaching, testimony, gifts, and cake! As of this writing we still haven’t opened the gifts yet! We have been waiting for the right time to really relax and enjoy them. Now that we can catch our breath hopefully today will be the day. Meanwhile this blessed event helped FUEL us for the intense week to come. Ready?

REMERCHANDISING REVELATION TOPS

The store needed to be completely changed from Fall to Christmas in preparation for the upcoming Montrose Holiday Wine Walk. This involved packing up all fall decorations, unpacking all holiday decorations, and completely redoing the store. Very labor-intensive. But I think it turned out pretty well. Don’t you?

Meanwhile it is also Halloween day! This guy, my hardworking husband, is in charge of our town events. Here he is running around preparing for over 15,000 trick-or-treaters to descend on our streets.

MONTROSE HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR 

After a full day of work it was time to spend hours handing out candy to literally hundreds and hundreds of kids. Your arm and smile gets a workout. Thankfully the three of us took turns with the candy sack. I LOVE seeing these kids and their families!!! And the costumes!!! Just like a Norman Rockwell Halloween. 

This guy helped make my day! I was in our window changing the manneqins and saw him walking up the street in that outfit. I HAD to jump down, run out on the sidewalk and take his picture. LOVE IT!!! It brings a smile to my face even now. 

Dale got home LATE as he has to stay until the end of the event  It was a long but rewarding day. We thanked the Lord, went right to bed, and prayed for strength for what was to come. 

IT’S TIME TO REDO MOUNTAIN ROSE GIFTS!!! MAJOR!!!

One store down, the other to go. This is extremely labor intensive. Two days of packing up Halloween, unloading Christmas cartons from our warehouse, opening them, disposing of the trash, sorting them on the shelves, and totally redoing every single display and wall in the entire store.  In addition Dale is preparing for another major Montrose event just DAYS from Halloween! Lord, give us strength! My prayer was that He would keep us healthy, give us extra energy, keep us from stressing out, and help us to ENJOY all of these things. 

We opened the Rose Friday morning! Amazing! We didn’t think we would be ready until our ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Friday night. God truly is answering our prayers. After a very long and late day we were led to have dinner at CASA CORDOBA. This wasn’t in the plan but I’m so glad it happened. It was like taking a little vacation. There is MORE to come...

This was the amazing view from our dinner table. The Lord knows what we need. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. The FIRST EVER Montrose Holiday Wine Walk. SO MUCH planning, so much preparation. Here we go!

I’M A CATERER!

In the middle of all of this I prepared over 300 homemade Hawaiian Sausage Skewers and Pesto Tortellini Skewers to serve to our wine walk guests! Am I crazy or what?

After working all day Saturday it is now time for the 5-8 (which actually went to 9) Wine Walk. What a treat to have our good friends and family help us! 

The event was a success! After a delicious family style Chinese dinner we were happy to finally be home. 

Our doggies missed us and are such a comfort.

Ahhh! Back at church and so thankful for Elder Gary preaching today! 

Our church family gives us strength, encouragement, and JOY!

In addition to all of the above there was an early morning Montrose board meeting and the LA Dodgers were in a neck and neck World Series. We are not sports fans but you would almost have to be dead to not get caught up in this!

Thank you Lord for answering our prayers in ways only you can. You never give us more than we can handle. As I read this morning “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

 

WHAT A WEEK!

 

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Pumpkin Fellowship! A Mini Retreat

Last night we enjoyed a Women's Pumpkin Fellowship at church. It was a night to take a break from our daily lives, enjoy the Fall season, share a candlelight dinner, and relive the fabulous women's retreat some of us attended in September.

It's nice to relax and converse while waiting for everyone to arrive.

We had a lovely spread of goodies. As for me, it was time to try a new recipe, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad. I think it was a hit. Roasted Butternut Squash, pecans, dried cherries, and feta on a bed of spinach with maple dressing. Check out this recipe. Perfect as a Thanksgiving side.

There were fruit platters, dips, pumpkin chips, and pumpkin salsa!

We weren't lacking in the dessert department! We all savored Sylvia's homemade apple tart as well as pumpkin cakes!

 

 

 

At the end of the meal we were treated to Crystal's Autumn Spiced Coffee. Yum! It was comforting to take back to the "living room" as we gathered round to share.

But first our Group Photo. WE had a blast doing several takes and came up with a winner!

What a great group of sisters in the Lord! Our sharing time was meaningful. Each of us spoke of a favorite memory of the retreat. There were so many good ones, the testimonies, quiet bible time, worship, food, shopping, weather, fellowship, and more! The retreat was called MISSION POSSIBLE. The main theme being that sometimes the Lord will lead us to step out in faith to minister in areas that we don't feel equipped for. That's OK because it's when you rely on HIM that you get to see Him work through you. What you feared can be the thing the Lord uses to be one of His greatest blessings. 

Is Your Wisdom Godly Or Worldly?

Proverbs is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Nestled in the middle of the Old Testament it is full of godly wisdom, instruction, insight, and  how things really work.  There are two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom which God hates and is unprofitable now and in eternity, and godly wisdom which only comes one way: through having the fear of the Lord. 

Proverbs 1 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When you repent of your sins and come to the Lord  that is just the beginning. As you spend days, weeks, months, years dwelling in God's word and spending time alone with Him, you become full of His wisdom and His ways.

As we live our lives working  in the world we find ourselves surrounded by  people who do not follow the Lord and have no interest in doing so. In their eyes they think they know everything and are fine but Proverbs 1 calls them fools and says they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.  Nothing they do will prosper. On the other hand, those that listen to the Lord will dwell in safety and be at ease without fear of harm. Such encouraging words! 

 

It's All About The Money

Bible Study Acts 19-20

And this is how riots start:

* Somebody gets disgruntled. In this case it was a fellow named Demetrius who made silver shrines of false gods, namely Artemis. He was worried HIS INCOME WOULD BE HURT because Paul was leading so many people to the Lord. 

* The instigator is then used by the enemy to stir people up and fill their heads with lies and FALSE ACCUSATIONS. 

* The people, not knowing the Lord or having any discernment, believe the lies and become FURIOUS and begin SHOUTING. These two behaviors are always a sign that the enemy is at work. Quite the opposite of the fruit of the Sprit which is peace and gentleness. 

* The evil spreads. Soon the whole city was in an UPROAR. This is the supernatural work of Satan. The funny thing is most of the people participating didn't even know why they were there!!!

* Thank God for someone who comes along with some COMMON SENSE, in this case it was the City Clerk, to quiet things down and restore order. 

Books, BBQ, & The Titus 2 Woman

Through the winding Santa Susanna Pass...

headed for Simi Valley. See it between the mountains? I'm sure that lone bird does.

Tonight we are meeting up with our sisters in the Lord to enjoy a new foodie & shopping experience.

Welcome to Family Mongolian BBQ!

We had a peaceful table in the corner and would you believe they were piping instrumental hymns like "How Great Thou Art" through the sound system. 

Complimentary Egg Drop Soup and Wontons were brought to the table.

Then it was off to assemble our bowls. Crystal expertly instructed me in the process. You pick your meats first.

Then load up with your favorite veggies, herbs, and noodles.

Next comes the sauce. There are several great choices!

 

Now for the fun part! You get to watch as they cook your food!

Does that look healthy and delicious or what!!!

Here's my plate with turkey, veggies, peanuts, noodles, garlic sauce, sweet sauce, and sesame oil. It was FABULOUS!

Watching the show!

They also offer white or brown rice. And it's all you can eat! After dinner Crystal shared a meaningful and moving message about the Titus 2 Woman and who it is that exemplifies that in her life.(You'll find out at the end of this blog.)

As if that weren't enough fun we hopped over to a neighboring center to check out the $5 Or Less Bookstore.

We were on the hunt and found hidden treasures.

Here is my stash including a series of short stories published in 1942.

And now for Crystal's Ode To My Titus 2 Woman...

Ahhh so well written! And what is "Women's Ministry" but to encourage one another in the Word and all the more as we see the day approaching. Thank you sisters for a most encouraging and Spirit led night!

The Good News About Jesus

Bible Study Acts 17:16

Paul was in Athens and distressed that the city was FULL of idols. 

He began reasoning with people preaching the good news of Jesus and THE RESURRECTION. 

They wanted to hear more so he shared that God does not live in buildings and things made by human hands...He doesn't NEED us...He made the nations so that they would SEEK HIM...He commands us to REPENT...He has set a day to judge the world through Jesus...He raised Jesus from the dead. 

 

Praise Breaks Chains!

Bible Study Acts 16

A female slave with a demonic spirit which gave her fortune telling abilities began following Paul around. She kept shouting these are servants of the most high God. Paul found this very annoying so he spoke directly to the evil spirit and commanded it in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of the girl. The spirit left immediately. 

This shows that people with evil spirits can be loud, persistent, mocking, and annoying. The total opposite of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, peace, kind, gentle. 

 

The girl's owners were furious because their income was affected and they had Paul & Silas beaten and thrown in prison. Around midnight they were singing praises to the Lord and there was a great earthquake that broke their chains!!! They could have escaped but didn't. As a result of their testimony the jailer and his entire family came to the Lord.