Simply Delightful

The past six Tuesday nights have been just that…delightful. I have participated in a six-week nurturing/mentoring program with some women in our church called “Apples of Gold”. The primary purpose of this program is “for older women to nurture younger women in the Word of God, the Bible, and to encourage them to obey that Word.” (from the Apples of Gold Mission Statement in the book Apples of Gold by Betty Huizenga). The concept is based on the scripture found in Titus 2:3-5 “…Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husband, that the word of God may not be discredited.”(RSV)

Talk about a blessing! We have been served, encouraged, pampered, taught, and loved by these ladies. They have opened up their homes to us, prepared fabulous meals for us, and shared God’s word with us, all done selflessly to help us become greater wives, mothers, and daughters of God. I am incredibly grateful for their dedication, time and effort, and willingness to serve.

Each Tuesday night began in someone’s home with refreshments and socializing, followed by a brief cooking demonstration of the evening’s menu (a flower arranging demonstration was also shared one week). Then we moved into the lesson and discussion, led by a different woman each week. The lessons included Kindness, Loving Your Husband, Loving Your Children, Submission, Purity, and Hospitality, all taught from a Biblical perspective. After each lesson, we sat down to the most delicious meal served on beautiful china and crystal. And the desserts were out-of-this world! (All of the recipes were compiled into a notebook for us to keep, and we were encouraged to try them for our families, friends, or guests in our homes. I have already made several of them and they have been a hit! In fact, I think Steve is just as sad as I am that we finished our last lesson this week…he has surely enjoyed some new meals and desserts around here:) Each week was like a night at the spa. I always left feeling spiritually refreshed, rejuvenated, and encouraged.

And let me tell you…these women are a hoot! Not only have I enjoyed learning from them, but I have loved laughing with them! They are a real treat! On top of that, women that have previously participated in this program were there each night to help serve as well...simply because they believe in and love the truths that are taught. What a testimony! I have met some wonderful women and am excited about these new friendships.

I am very thankful for everyone who hosted, served, cooked, prayed, shared and taught (and for my husband who also thought it was great AND had the girls bathed and in bed by the time I got home each night ...Thank you, Steve!). And I am especially grateful that God placed this desire on the hearts of these women. I know they will get some extra sparkly jewels in their crowns:) A celebration dinner culminates the program in a couple of weeks with all the women and their husbands. I can't wait!

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Proverbs 25:11