Everyday Living – Page 582

An Unexpected Journey

October 2, 2014~ Faith, Guest Posts

Our guest on the blog today is our nephew, Joel Davis. Joel and his beautiful wife, Claire, met while they were students at Samford University. They have three precious boys, Isaiah, Benjamin “Benji”, and Nico. God has given this couple a heart for the orphaned children in our world. As Americans, it is so easy to sit comfortably in our homes and think very little, if at all, of the “least of these”. May God speak to our hearts as we read the journey that has taken Joel and Claire half way around the world to some of the darkest places in Africa!

“We adopt not because we are rescuers. No, we adopt because we are the rescued.” – David Platt

Six years ago, my wife and I took our first trip to a home for street children in the jungles of Peru. During that trip, God began to impress James 1:27 on our hearts. Over the next couple years we continued to visit this home, as well as an orphanage in Haiti. Each time, our hearts were drawn more strongly toward the orphans and street children of the world. As we reached a point in our lives where we felt ready for children, God gave us an unexpected desire: to adopt before attempting to have biological children. We met Isaiah on Thanksgiving Day in 2010. Both our lives and his were forever changed that hot and muggy day in the heart of Africa. Isaiah became our son and we are eternally blessed to have him in our family. It wasn’t long after we saw God’s work in Isaiah’s life and our own that we began to feel His calling again. What? How? That’s crazy! We are still paying the exorbitant adoption expenses from Isaiah’s process; still getting used to a two year old and learning to be parents. Are we really ready to put ourselves through this tough process again? But God’s love for the fatherless had been branded on our hearts and there was no question we were adopting again. Through prayer, God led us to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a little 3 month old boy named Nico. To tell you a little about the Congo; over 5 million people have been killed in civil wars, 30,000 children have been enlisted as child soldiers and it is widely considered the poorest country on earth with 60 million people living on less than $1 a day. Without question, it is one of the most dangerous countries on earth in which to grow up, let alone be an orphan. What we thought would be a one year process turned into a three year odyssey that included the birth of our biological son Benji (now two) and me (Joel) spending nine weeks stuck in the Congo this time last year. Three months ago, God opened an improbable door and Nico was given the final clearance to come home. He is fitting in perfectly and already loves his new brothers.

You are probably wondering what prompted us to adopt. Our reason for adopting was and is wholly identified in Christ’s love for us. The picture of His love gave us the desire to remove a child permanently from an orphanage and nurture that child as his parents as Christ has his children. There are many things God has used to draw our hearts and move us to adopt; here are a few from His word:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. – James 1:27

…In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us… – Ephesians 1:4-6

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. – John 14:18

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. – Psalm 68:5-6

The question I ask you isn’t whether God has called you to serve the orphaned and poor, HE HAS, the question is, are you going to be obedient…

Tablescape Tuesday: The Wedding Edition

September 30, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“When a voice rings out with shouts and cries like thunder
When the multitude exalts the Holy One
When the Lamb of God invites His Bride to come
and the wedding of the ages has begun!!”
Lyrics: Butch Richardson

In honor of the soon-to-be second anniversary of our son and daughter-in love, I decided to share the tablescapes from their wedding reception! Hope you enjoy!!

As an interior designer, I have often been asked to do a variety of jobs, with event planning being my favorite. Over the past twenty years, the events have ranged from charity auctions to birthday parties to silver and golden anniversaries to small intimate weddings, to large wedding receptions held in beautiful venues– many being in the homes of my clients.

When our only child, Seth, became engaged, you can only imagine my excitement level when Allison and her Mother asked me to plan the wedding and reception! What a pure pleasure it was to take Allison’s ideas and make her dreams come true!

The first order of business was to select the venue. After hearing some horror stories about a few places that we checked on, J & D farms became Seth and Allison’s choice. The venue is a rustic and elegant barn designed by the owner, Danny McEachern. He and his lovely wife, Jana, are just the best to work with! Everything was done in a timely manner and exactly as we were told. With my years of experience, I know that every vendor is not reliable and many do not fulfill their promises. We were blessed with all of these wonderful people that made the dream a reality!

Venue: J & D Farms
Photographer: Tiffany Russell
Additional Photography: J & D Farms
Flowers: Attalla Florist
Catering: Becky Dunn and Pat Meads
Wedding cake: Becky Dunn
Crafting: Joann Barnett
Design: Interiors by Pam Richardson

The chair covers were made of burlap and hand-stenciled by my long-time friend, Joann

Table reserved for the wedding party. Allison chose a color palette of teal, red, and gold–perfect for an early October wedding!

The light from the abundance of candles in various heights and holders made for a romantic barn setting!

Several vintage Mason jars were used for florals

Burlap cloths were used on the tables

Each table had a variety of vases and containers for flowers

Elegant view from the barn loft. The napkins were folded in a fleur de lis and tied with twine

I designed each table to be unique and different

Mini log place card holders crafted by Joann

The favors made special for each guest by Allison

Traditional “upshot” for Tablescape Tuesday

The wedding cake was as delicious as it was gorgeous!

Since Seth is an avid hunter and outdoorsman, we incorporated his everyday living into the groom’s table…

…and it had all of his favorites: Red velvet cupcakes, his Nanny’s pound cake and chocolate oatmeal cookies. I decided since my Mother was is heaven, I would use her recipes and make the mini pound cakes and cookies for Seth. He loved his Nanny and her cooking!!

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for The Wedding Edition Part Two!

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“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”
Genesis 2:24

Strollin’ through Savannah

September 29, 2014~ Travel

“O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens”
Psalm 8:1

As I have mentioned before, Butch’s job requires travel– actually, lately, it has become a part of our everyday living. Since July, he has traveled from Texas to Louisiana to Kentucky to Tennessee to the Carolinas– and everywhere in between. Last week, I traveled with him to Savannah, Georgia, one of the largest National Historic Landmark districts in the country. We have visited several times previously, but this time I explored historic Savannah alone while he attended meetings.

Being a history buff, I am enthralled with this city. Founded in 1733, this eccentric Southern city beguiles with Old World glamour and romance. Savannah’s stunning architecture, 22 historic squares and Low Country landscape and cuisine, make the city a top travel destination. I walked for six hours non-stop on this little adventure (my feet throbbing by the end of the day, but well worth it), so you might want to take a comfortable seat as we stroll through this charming city!

Since the early 1700’s, City Market has been the commercial and social center of historic Savannah

The 55 foot Italian marble monument sits in Monterey Square honoring General Casimir Pulaski, a young Polish noblemen who died a hero during the American Revolution, Siege of Savannah

Johnson Square was the first of the original squares and is still the largest

Chippewa Square is the most visited. It was here that the bus stop scene in Forrest Gump was filmed. The monument honors James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of Savannah.

Resting on a bench in Reynolds Square while waiting for our dinner reservation. This square contains a bronze statue of John Wesley (out of camera view) located on the spot where Wesley’s home is believed to have stood.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in historic Savannah and is located on Lafayette Square. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions. The church was built in 1873 and almost destroyed by fire in 1898. The cathedral suffered extensive interior damage, but was restored the following year. The French Gothic cathedral is one of the most beautiful in the South.

Temple Mickve Israel is located on Monterey Square and is a rare example of a Gothic-style synagogue. Theirs is the third-oldest Jewish congregation in America. On my visit last Thursday, they were celebrating Rosh Hoshanah, the autumnal festival of the Jewish new year.

Forsyth Park Fountain was added in 1858 and is reminiscent of fountains in Paris. The park was created in the 1840’s and occupies 30 acres.

The lovely brick Andrew Low House combines Grecian details with elements of the Italian villa style. The home was completed in 1849 for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton factor who came from Scotland.

The Mercer-Williams House was completed in 1868 and stands on Monterey Square. The house was built for the great-grandfather of the songwriter, Johnny Mercer. In 1969, Jim Williams, purchased the house. Williams is the only person in Georgia ever to be tried four times for the same crime. The murder serves as the catalyst for the best selling book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.

The Owens-Thomas House is believed to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. The elegant residence was completed in 1819.

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (also known as the Wayne-Gordon House) was completed in 1821. Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts.

Savannah’s Olde Pink House was built in 1789 for James Habersham, Jr., one of Savannah’s most important early cotton factors and founding family members. It now houses a popular restaurant, where we had dinner one night (pictures below).

(L) Shrimp taco, an appetizer of sautéed shrimp with shiitake mushrooms in a Parmesan shell at Elizabeth’s on 37th

(C) A signature dessert at Elizabeth’s on 37th-Southern pecan and almond tart with praline ice cream and bourbon caramel sauce

(R) Corn bread fried oysters with green goddess sauce at The Olde Pink House

Discovered this beautiful shop, The Paris Market and Brocante. I sat at a Parisian bistro table and had a chocolate ganache macaron and lavender cookie with a latte–absolute perfection! As you can see, the shop was a feast for the eyes!