Spontanei-tea

This week has not been the easiest week and yesterday I was having a really hard day. I asked the Lord to encourage me. As I went through the day it just seemed I couldn't find the thing I was supposed to be doing. I'd start something then stop and do something else. I was restless and badly in need of something to lift my spirits. In the early afternoon I finally asked God what I should do and I felt impressed to go for a walk. It was a lovely day, but I just didn't feel like I had the stamina to go walking, but I started out anyway.

I'd barely made it up the road a bit when the big brown delivery truck came barreling down our street. I didn't know where he was going, but when I saw him stop at our house I suspected he was delivering the usual stuff for my husband's business. Then I saw the size of the box that landed on our doorstep and knew it couldn't be so. My daughter was already on the porch examining it by the time I made my way back home.

We opened it and what a glorious surprise awaited us. A tea party in a box! My parents had just returned from Charleston, S.C. and sent us tea party goodies from The Charleston Tea Plantation.

Right there on the spot we decided to have a tea party. Look at our beautiful tea table!

They sent us American Classic Tea from the plantation, which is a very smooth and delicious tea especially with a dab of honey. We also got Benne Wafers that we dipped in the tea. Yummy! I threw in the butter mints for good measure and because we weren't sure if we would like the wafers or not. The package also included tea mugs and a dvd all about tea which we hope to watch really soon. The pretty blue bag was perfect for storing our nature journaling supplies. But best of all, do you notice that basket shaped like a teacup and saucer?!! That was the best, the absolute best!

Though we hadn't planned on afternoon tea this was a wonderful interruption so we sat outside and chatted. She drew azaleas in her journal while I drew a pine needle and the front and back of a Lamb's Ear leaf. One of us is a really good artist. Hint: It isn't me.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for such a wonderfully encouraging gift. We love it!

Later on God provided two other encouragements for me. My daughter's new friend from church attended her softball game last night so I sat with her mom and we talked and talked and talked some more. And she is going to be at the North Carolina State Homeschool Convention where I'm speaking in a few weeks and we are going to pray together the morning before I speak. Okay, so she's working for my competition, but I'll forgive her since she's praying for me and all. I feel like I made a new friend last night.

As if that wasn't enough, four of my cousins who are sisters, Teresa, Kay, Millie, and Jerri, sent me a card that made me cry. Each had written a personal note on the inside, but this is the message that was on the card itself (by Bobbie Burrow, Hallmark):

I believe in you-
in the things that are important to you
and in the way you choose to live your life...
I believe that you can accomplish
anything that you set out to do,
that you have many talents
and the wisdom to use them well...
I believe that you have what it takes
to overcome obstacles
and to grow from every experience
life brings your way...
I believe in your courage,
your compassion,
your integrity,
and your strength.
I believe in your goodness...
I believe in you.

Thank you, Lord, for all of those spontaneous surprises. I feel very encouraged!