Hello Dear Sisters,

Tis the Season...the season of joy, the season of pain, the season of loss, the season of gain...
If you are connected with many of our Scarf sisters you are already aware that the season is very diverse and each one is experiencing it differently this year....
I have so enjoyed seeing pictures of Christmas celebrations in Amrita's and Terri's churches, Felisol's homeland customs and the more foreign cultures of Connie and Lidia...all the while keeping up with sisters scattered around the North American continent and England....
Via blog and facebook we have windows to peer into one another's lives...to share our joys and our sorrows....
For some of us...the holidays are filled with loss and sorrow...memories of days gone by....this is an opportunity for us to bare another's burdens....  For some of us it is a season of uncertainty, fear of what the future may bring.... this is a chance for us to support one another in love....  For some of us it is a season of sickness and stress...let us lift up one another and speak life....  For others it is a season of  new beginnings or uncommon joy....let us rejoice with one another....
Some of us have little....others have plenty....some have much activity...others not so much.....
what ever the season is in your life....bring it to the Lord and lay it there...bring it to your sisters if you dare....we will cover you and pray you through it.... God will speak through our mouths to one another and touch through our hands. Though we are far apart physically...outside of time and space we are together as one.
So as one year comes to a close and another year begins...let us Rejoice in God our Saviour!  He is Lord of all and reigns over all the Seasons of our lives!  MERRY CHRISTMAS, Scarf Sisters!

Dear Felisol

Dear  Felisol  you  are  very  precious  to  us.

We  are  praying  for  you  and your  dear family.

Going Deeper....

I was recently told by our dear sister, Rebecca, that what I am about to say is now public knowledge as I had poured out my heart on facebook - in an area that was not a private forum....therefore it's there for all the world (or at least all of her facebook friends to see.) And since all those people can see it - that means all of you can see it....and that means it's high time for me to make my confession.

We were asked a while ago to share a blog post about our recent reunion experience. Oh, what an amazing time it was to be with each of you who were able to be in attendance! The food was delicious and abundant in measure, the hugs were warm and filled with love, the sharing was heartfelt and touching and personal and wonderful, the teaching was anointed, and God was in the house.

However, I have a confession to make and need to ask your forgiveness. I left with a heavy heart. I shared with Pat before I left her home in Michigan the day after the reunion that I had not been obedient to follow through with the Lord's direction as He was prompting me to lead us in prayer and worship. I believe that the Lord had great things in store for us - even greater than what He did already accomplish during those few days we spent together in His presence. In my hesitancy to step out in obedience, I believe I may have caused us to miss a great blessing. There was something that the Lord had for each and every one of us on our last evening together, following the time of Amy's wonderfully anointed teaching. I feel as if we were holding back. I know that I can speak for myself and say that I was holding back.

I'm not sure exactly why I wasn't sure of myself and didn't respond to God's call. I typically am overzealous and at times step all over what the Lord is trying to do and allow self to get in the way. This time, I believe Rebecca said it best when she said to me on facebook just a few moments ago, "Women have the most difficult time stepping into what God has asked of them - no matter how simple the step - and their biggest hindrance is fear......little fears like "I wonder what the next person will think of me....." and on it goes....silly really, when in moments of passion with God we declare to Him that we give Him our lives and boldly declare that we will lay our lives down to follow Him etc. not just that fear...many others.....we look at them as excuses, but really they are fears. It is time to simply STOP THAT. All of us..and follow Jesus...whoot!"

And so my dear sisters, as I've been going over and over and over all of this for the past few weeks...ever since I left Michigan, I can no longer hold back. I believe that God has something exceptional for us.

Exceptional.

Over the top.

Bigger than any of us can imagine.

I believe He wants to EMPOWER us to do His will. I believe He has healing in His hands for us. I believe He wants to anoint us to carry on His work in ways that we could not even imagine. I believe He wants to do such amazing things. And all we simply have to do is let Him.

Therefore, I want to make a promise to you. Next year, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, and I'm able to attend our reunion. I am going to be paying close attention to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. And if He tells me to do something, or say something, or pray something, or sing something...I am going to do it. I do not want to miss out on anything which He has in store for us. And I would like each of you to promise yourselves as well, that should the Lord direct you to step out - you will.

We are all sisters. We have been brought together in a miraculous way. God has knit our hearts. There should be no reason for us to fear what one or another may think or say. I think it's time we went deeper. Deeper to drink from the well which He has provided for us. The Lord gave me a song not to long ago...part of the lyric is this.."Drink deep from the well...drink deep from the well, from the life-giving water of the well of God...in the depths of His presence, your cares, concerns are resolved, drink deep...drink deep from the well."

I love you all - each and every one of you. And I look forward to our next reunion with great anticipation of what God is going to do in our midst!

Dear sisters

The Dixie Melody Boys Come to Niagara Falls

just a week and a day ago, betty allowed me to take this picture of her in front of the southern gospel concert that we attended in niagara falls....on the menu was the dixie nelody boys, the watchman, the torchmen quartet and the proverbs.

the dixie melody boys were there and during the evening sang one of my favourite songs..

the torchmen quartet was there and they were ok..the one song that we all love is this one which they sing at every concert...it makes me proud to be a canadian!

i could not find anything on you tube of their songs and so instead i am putting this photo i took of their lovely little princess daughter who did go up with them on stage...just the sweetest little lassie!

oh i don't know about these canadian gospel singers..they must be pretty shy to go on you tube! anyways these boys are so very good!..this was the last conert that they will do. they started to sing as teenagers in 1968....here is one of the songs they sang...i will borrow it from another group! how about signature sound!

this nice man, dave yakes was the bass singer to the group and in the 44 years that the group sang, he never missed one engagement but due to serious health issues he had to retire from the group, just recently...well last saturday, he did come up and sing the final song with the quartet in his beautiful bass voice...he got standing ovation which is in itself an astounding event...you see canadians are so different from the americans...it would take a stick of dynamite to get them on their feet to give honour to the singers!..alas!..i was the only one on my feet when "oh what a saviour" was ended...gut i did not mind a bit! anyways, i gave each of the singers, the niagara falls walker dvd and i told that dave yakes, that there was something to pay for it and he said, "oh"? and i said, "yes!..now you have to let me take your picture!"

this is ed o'neal[bass for the dixie melody boys] and his little wife who had spent time before the concert waling in niagara falls..................................... and here are just a few of the other pictures that i snapped!

this is a nice elderly couple that rachel and i met before the concert..i must find the time and mail them some pictures...

one of the proverbs.

the proverbs caused at least a little excitement...we should ALL be on our feet but at least the arms in the air is better than nothin'!

hmmm....don't know who had the courage to take this picture!

betty met a friend, cathy who goes to the same church as she does.

this looks like a happy camper, eh?

two of the watchmen.

bernie took this photo..ha!!

this is my most favourite part of any concert and that is when a group invites the audience to share in the singing...it is just like a mighty voice of praises rising up the the lord in heaven...nothing beats it!

Sticks, Stones, and Stinging Words....

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Proverbs 12:18

 “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Even as children, we knew that the rhyme was not true! The words we say and the way that we say them does hurt - and they can leave scars that last our whole lives. I know there are things that have been said to me that still hurt me many, many years later. 

The words we use matter. Words can build up, or words can tear down. All too often we hurt the ones we love with our words. Why is it that we would say things to our family that we would never say to people in public? Why do we tend to be much more sarcastic with them?  

Some people are pretty quick when it comes to cutting down others. All to often I am guilty of it, and I am trying to do better in that area. I need to be an example of love in my words and my actions at all times. I want to be a blessing to people, not a weapon used to hurt and tear them down, especially to my family members! The world can be such a hard and hateful place to be, so our homes should be a place of refuge from all the ugliness we face. Please pray for me to become better at being able to rescue and heal the people I love with the words I choose, instead of tearing them down when I am in a bad mood or frustrated. 

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Proverbs 12:6  

Fellowship

Bear Creek Lodge
Grayling, MI
Sisters-in-Fellowship

This is what our annual reunion holds dear to me....fellowship.  Face to face interaction with women with whom I share the common bond of love for my Savior and dedication to His ways.

When we see each other after a year's separation, my heart quite literally sings with joy!  To look upon the face of each of you gives my soul a kind of joy with which none other can quite compare. 

I love my family and I know they love me; I love my church family and again, I know they love me.  The bond I share with each of you is something above and beyond the bonds of family or church....I'm not quite sure I know how to adequately describe it.  It is not that I love you MORE than my family, of course I do not.  It is that we depend on each other; we share our joys and sorrows on a level that transcends some of our other connections.

Each of you support me in a way that most of my 'local' friends do not or cannot.  I open my heart to you; I pour out my pain and troubles and you simply reach out to lift me up.  You pray for me without judgment or question.  Even if your advice is admonishing in nature, it is given with nothing but pure love.  In that way, each of you grow me in my spirit as I walk my path here.

The first look after a year is completely joyful and the last look is sad and filled with longing for that next 'first look'.  From the moment we part until the time I see your face again, my heart is filled with the love we shared and the joyful memories we made, the profound ways in which we shared our love for each other and for our Lord. 

As the time between us slips into a memory, I think of those hours spent talking and sharing what the Lord is doing in each of our lives.  I look at the pictures of each of you and remember special moments spent with each of you during our time together.  When all is said and done, the few days together give my heart comfort and encouragement for each of the days that pass before I see you again.

Every experience is treasured in my heart; every word is cuddled in my spirit....even the occasional tense words, because we work through our disagreements with love.  That's what friends do, and we are friends!  Your words are the anointing oil that soothes my troubled heart and quiets my lonely spirit....the anointing oil of peace.

How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Psalms 133:1-3 (TNIV)



Peace Be Still

I  am  interrupting  the  beautiful  posts  by  our sisters  recalling  precious  moments  from  the  reunion  with  this   well  loved  old  hymn.
I   am   dedicating  this   hymn  as  a prayer  for all  our  friends  and  family  living  in  the  storm  affected  areas  of  N. America.

Verse 1
Master, the tempest is raging.
The billows are tossing high.
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness,
no shelter or help is nigh.
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
when each moment so madly is threatning,
a grave in the angry deep?

Chorus
The winds and the waves
shall obey my will, peace be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies;
they shall sweetly obey my will,
peace be still, peace be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will;
peace, peace be still.

Verse 2
Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
sweep o'er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!

Chorus

Verse 3
Master, the terror is over, the elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
and heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
and with joy I shall make the blest harbor
and rest on the blissful shore.

My Most Memorable Moment

My most memorable moment from the Sisters Reunion came on Sunday morning just before we were to set out on our journey back to Detroit.

Wait; let me back up…it actually began on Saturday evening.  Several of us were hanging out in the great room around the fire.  We had had a lovely evening of worship and fellowship together and we were all just basking in the glow when the conversation turned to our Reunion plans for next year.   Should it be here, there, somewhere else altogether…..everyone seemed pretty noncommittal for a while and agreeable with whatever…except me…I had very definite thoughts and as you may or may not know…I am not shy about voicing my thoughts.  Now this has often gotten me into trouble since it is much easier to edit the written word than it is the spoken word.  For those who know me well (in person that is) I sometimes have a tendency to speak before thinking things through completely and occasionally (do not laugh) find I am misunderstood and even offensive to others.  I know…this is difficult to believe…but trust me...it is true.  

On this occasion I was strongly advocating the idea of having our reunion next year in a new location, primarily to re-distribute the weight ...the weight of travel and expense on those of us who have to come long distances and the weight of work on those who live in the area and have to do all of the planning, cooking, transportation and other hosting duties.   We discovered before too long that we are more like sisters than we thought as the conversation was not entirely pleasant.

 During the course of this discussion at least one person, our sweet sister Trish, was offended by my comments, it left her feeling as if her contributions were being dismissed, her portion being belittled.  I’m sure my comments sounded just that way and although it was far from my intent…my sister was wounded.   

I acknowledged her feelings and position on the spot as soon as I realized the situation however I did not feel as if the wound had been healed and how could it be…Trish didn’t really know me, she didn’t really know my heart or what I thought or meant…or even if I was truly sorry…after all, we are sisters in the Lord and not sisters after the flesh...our knowledge of one another is based on our love for Christ and what we read on the internet and not really any friendships we may have in the flesh.   This is usually a tremendous blessing, I'm sure all will agree...however the flip side is that it is a field ripe for misunderstanding.
After our discussion I went to Trish and apologized personally and she received my apology and my hug but all was still not right.  I knew that it might not ever be because some people...even other Christians hold things and cannot let offenses go.  For me, the weekend was tainted by my own hand…or should I say mouth.

I had shared earlier in the day that the Lord had recently been speaking to me about forgiveness and the art of forgiving those who have hurt or wronged me…but this was the other side of that…this was me being on the offending side of the situation…me wronging a saint....me in need of forgiveness.   I have been in this place many times and I was reminded again that it is easy to inflict pain but not so easy to heal it.  I was disappointed in myself and sad.   I had done it again…and now I stood in need of a commodity that could only come from a virtually unknown source...my "internet sister".   I went to bed praying for Father God to forgive me and to somehow make it right ...now I was at the mercy of my Father and my sister... I had done what I knew to do.

All this brings me to Sunday morning.
As Sunday rolled around and we began to prepare to depart, God answered my prayers....Trish came to me…she gave me a gift that she knew I would enjoy …and then she gave me an even greater gift…her true heartfelt forgiveness…she hugged me and apologized for taking offense...she set me free!  In that instant my "internet sister/friend"  became my sister indeed.
Trish lived out the scripture
"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." 1Jn 1:3 NIV
Because our fellowship as Scarf Sisters is not based on flesh and blood...it is with the Father and the Son.
I was so filled with joy at her expression of Christ toward me!   God inside of Trish forgiving me!  Including me in the circle of fellowship between the Father, the Son and His child, Trish.  All was again, right with the world and I was able to go home in peace.

There is much to be said for forgiveness on both sides of the coin…the giving and the receiving of it.  I am still learning…may God help me to find a way to lay down my pain when I have been wounded and set not only myself but my afflictor free by the power of forgiveness as my Sister did for me.  Thank you, Trish!

No Conditions - Only Love

     As life returns to it's normal hectic pace, I find myself smiling in the most unexpected moments. The weekend I shared with the sisters in Michigan was so comforting to me. That weekend, I felt unconditionally loved by each and every woman present, and I cannot express what a healing balm that was to my spirit. To be able to let your guard down, and be comfortable enough to just be yourself, even when you are meeting a group of people for the first time IS A GIFT. In the world today, it is so easy to accept, and even at times justify, sitting in judgement of people who are different than ourselves. Thank you for the love all of you showered on me. You are amazing, beautiful women, and I am blessed to be able to call you friends and sisters. I love you. Cyndi

Lady Diane Wrapped up with Sisterly Love

felisol thought it would be good if we sisters who had the great privilege to attend the 3rd sister reunion would make a post of some of our experiences and this is such a great idea....after reading donna's touching post, i thought it high time that i should post here one of the greatest highlights of the michigan weekend with the beloved sisters! to me the most precious moment was when becky presented

our dear sister, diane, a quilt that she had made her..

sweet diane was so surpised...and

and so thankfful!

she was excited as a little girl at christmas!...i don't really know who was happier, diane or our becky!

diane and her quilt!

diane and her sister, becky...

diane and some more of her sisters...

we now proclaim you princess lady di!

hugs all

around and a

AROUND!!! and now all of the guest signatures....what a treasure you are to us diane!

i am sure that the sisters who were unable to come to the reunion would just love to put a comment on the scarf sister comments..there is plenty more room on the back of diane's many coloured quilt!

yes plenty of room!

Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. we love you sooooooooo much princess!!!!....love from all of your sisters.