Category: Lifestyle

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Simple Book Page Chain Garland

I was looking for something a little different for my mantle this fall, but I also wanted it to be neutral enough to use across multiple seasons. I decided on a simple chain garland like we used to make in elementary school, only instead of construction paper, I used pages I tore from an old book I purchased at the thrift store for exactly this kind of purpose. I put in a movie for my daughter and me to watch and before it was finished I had completed two DIY book page chain garlands for my fireplace mantle that I can use year-round.

To make the chain garland I used supplies I already had in my crafting stash. My 12″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer that I’ve had for close to 10 years and will forever NOT ever be without! Some Tombow glue, though any good adhesive would probably work, and any old book that won’t bother you to tear up. If I remember correctly, I paid $1.00 for a set of three of these books at the local second-hand store. I think this one is about vampires or such–perfect for destroying for craft projects! I don’t encourage anyone to look too closely a the pages as you never know what’s written on them! Luckily, we are slicing these up so it doesn’t really matter.

I started by simply ripping out a whole bunch of pages from the book. I didn’t really pay attention to how many and then began slicing them (I stacked about 5 pages at a time) into 1″ strips. I used the whole height of the book page because it made a nice size loop for the chain. A small paperback book may not be quite tall enough to make a loop as big around as the one I made for the main chain.

I wasn’t sure how many links I would need since I’m not the type to measure so I just kept cutting and cutting. I knew it would be easy to throw together a few more links or remove links if needed. Once I had a good stack of strips cut for the garland I decided to make a second chain with thinner and smaller circles that I could layer with the first chain. Two garlands are always more interesting than just one in my book! So this time I cut the height of my book page down a bit (these are around 4″ tall) before I began slicing it into strips.

After you have a nice pile of whatever size and variety of strips that you want it’s time to start assembling the chain that will make the garland. Do you remember how to do it? Start by gluing one strip of paper into a closed loop, then slide a new strip through the center of the original, completed ring and then glue that strip shut to create a link. Keep adding new strips through each newly completed loop to create more links. Does this bring back memories of kindergarten?

Pay attention to where you are adding the new strip, especially as your chain gets longer. I found a few places that I had added two links to one loop. But that’s not a big deal–just tear off the second link and throw it away! Easy peasy!

Once you think your chain is the length you want, repeat all the steps again to make the second chain. I knew I wanted the smaller garland to drape a few more times across the mantle so I made it longer than the larger loop chain.

I love how the book page garland looks on my fall mantle. I may make a few more garlands for use on the greenery on my staircase this Christmas. I added some twinkle lights intertwined through the loops and it’s so festive and sparkly! I may even add a little glitter to help reflect more light if I make another set.

This DIY book page garland was inexpensive, easy, and fast–three of my favorite things when it comes to crafts! You could easily do this with the help of your children. This simple book page garland would be beautiful around a Christmas tree, on a stairwell, draped across a mirror, or even across some display towels on a towel bar. Get creative!

We hope you enjoy this idea and would love to see your garlands if you decide to make them. Share them on your social media and tag us @thesweetteasisters on Instagram.

XOXO,
Doe

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Finding Moments of Rest for a Peaceful Fall

Do you find that once October hits life begins to feel a bit frantic?  Schedules fill up and to-do lists run long. Home and family life can quickly begin to turn a little chaotic and feelings of overwhelm can start creeping in.  For someone who loves people but loves to be home even more, that gets old really fast. So this year, for the month of November, The Sweet Tea Sisters are going to try to engage in one or two simple things each week that will encourage us to slow down just a bit and enjoy a sweet moment of rest here and there.

Here’s a list of ten things that can be done anytime during the next five weeks–whenever it fits the schedule–but no pressure allowed! The goal here is not to add extra work or expense to the budget, but to find a few simple things that, with minimal effort, cost or prep work, will hopefully energize our spirit and bring moments of rest in the chaos. There is no set time frame for this–there isn’t a particular day of the week or even a particular week to do any of the activities.  If it makes your life easier you could schedule some, while others you may decide on at the last minute.  You don’t even need to do all ten–five is the goal, but you know the SweetTea Sisters like to have OPTIONS and sometimes we might feel like doing a little extra!

Any of these things can be done by yourself, with your family, or with a group of friends.  Mix it up!  Welcome to The Sweet Tea Sisters 5 in 5 Restful Fall Challenge, and we’d love to have you join us!

Here’s what’s on our list and some thoughts about each one.

  1. Eat dinner by candlelight
    This does not mean you need to make a fancy dinner or set the table with cloth napkins and wine goblets–but you certainly could if that’s what will bring you joy without stress!  There’s a good chance we will dish up our food in the kitchen and take our plates to the dining room table, or maybe even our living room coffee table! But there’s just something about candlelight that makes even the most humble thing feel special and relaxing about candlelight. In fact this sounds like the perfect way to elevate a pizza and paper plate evening! 
  2. Send someone a card or letter of encouragement
    Stopping to take the time to think about and then tell someone how grateful you are for someone is usually a sure-fire way to put yourself in a better frame of mind (and heart).  Instead of focusing on all the chaos and to-do lists swirling around, take a moment to be thankful for the blessing of the people God has placed in your life. 
  3. Movie Night
    We love a good movie and sometimes a mid-week movie with a big bowl of popcorn sounds delightful! A pile of blankets and pillows, your favorite pajamas, and a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream and sprinkles are a great way to enjoy 2 hours.
  4. Go to bed early
    Pull out a sleep mask, diffuse a little essential oils and hit the hay 30-45 minutes earlier than usual with the mindset to do a little relaxing breathing while thanking God for some of the things you’re thankful for as you fall asleep.  
  5. Buy a bouquet of flowers
    Fresh flowers are a great way to lift drooping spirits.  Pick up a bunch or two from your local grocery and divide them into a few smaller arrangements to place all around your home to bring spots of life and color when the world outside is getting darker and colder earlier and earlier.  If you have a florist you love and it fits your budget you can get a great bouquet from there as well. (If you want to be even more extra, grab a extra bouquet and share it with a friend!) 
  6. Take a leisurely bath or shower
    When it’s chilly outside, warm up with water! Use all the pretty smelling lotions and potions, light a few candles, play some soothing music and soak up the moisture until you feel sufficiently pruney. (Shaving your legs is an option, not a necessity!) 
  7. Schedule coffee or tea with a friend
    In person or over a video call, in a home or at a cafe, just schedule some time for an uninterrupted heart to heart chat with a dear friend. Make sure to include some belly laughs if at all possible! 
  8. Game Night
    Invite a few people to get together to play a few games or assemble a puzzle.  No need to make a big meal–a potluck hot cocoa bar is fun and simple!
  9. Read
    Put the phone away, turn off the TV, slip into your favorite cozies, and spend a little time reading whatever you love…magazines, scientific journals, biographies, chick-lit, novels, gossip rags…whatever will give your brain a little break!
  10. Eat dessert
    Bake it, pick it up at the grocery, or get it from your favorite bakery, but indulge in your favorite dessert.  Slow down and really enjoy every bite! 

None of these things are hard, magical, or even unusual, but when done with intention, a thankful heart, and a mind to enjoy them fully, they might bring some much needed rest into the middle of what can quickly become a season long to-do list.

Do you need to find a few minutes of rest this season?  Follow us on Instagram, check out our stories throughout the month of November to follow along, and then join us in this challenge! Use our  list or make your own. Either way, we’d love to hear what you do– tag @thesweetteasisters and use #STS5in5restfulfallchallenge to share your peaceful moments on Instagram.

XOXO,

Shan and Doe

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Simple Centerpieces for Fall Two Ways

I love changing the decor in my home according to whatever season we are in. I really just do three 3 big changes a year; fall, Christmas/winter, and spring/summer. I don’t do anything for say, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or St. Patrick’s Day.

Even though I enjoy decorating, I always struggle with centerpieces for my dining table or tabletops. Lately, I’ve been using a 3-tier tray for both the dining table and the table in our living room. But I have been wanting to change it up with something different and fun, but most importantly, QUICK!

I saw a picture online of a pretty fall display built on a long charcuterie board and I knew this was what I wanted to try!  I didn’t have a board like that at home and so the search began (shopping is the best part, isn’t it?!) I found what I was looking for at Target from their Magnolia line.  It’s 40’ long and fits the dining room table perfectly.

Next, it was time to gather my supplies: a garland of greenery, one medium-sized pumpkin, a few smaller pumpkins, a couple of small candles, and a pair of wire cutters. (If you don’t own a pair of wire cutters, get a pair ASAP!  You’ll thank me when you realize how much easier it is to trim faux greenery!))

To create the centerpiece start with the bottom layer of greenery.  I laid the leaf garland down the center of the board and using the wire cutters I trimmed it to just a bit longer than my board so there would be enough to wind in and out of the other items I planned to add. Then I placed the larger pumpkin in the center and a jar candle on each end. 

All I had to do after that was fill in the spaces with the smaller pumpkins, tucking the leaf garland in and around everything, until the board was as full as I wanted and I liked the way it looked! 

Presto, a centerpiece!

My sister, Doe, thought a smaller board would be cool for the table in my living room, but I didn’t have one and didn’t want to go buy one.  So my husband came to the rescue.

He had a piece of 1X8 out in his shop leftover from another project that was just shy of 24”. He milled the edges so that they were slightly rounded, sanded them, and I stained it. Once it was dry we added handles. 

This was a fast project and I was thrilled with how it turned out. I wouldn’t put food directly on it, but it’s perfect for decorating. 

I gathered a new group of supplies: some faux fall flowers I had purchased on sale at JoAnn’s, a variety of jars and vases in different sizes, some battery-operated votive candles and holders, and more pumpkins. 

This time I wanted flowers to be in the center of the tray so I chose a jar that was a good height for the scale of the board, with a broader neck opening. The clear glass of the jar didn’t offer much impact on the tray, but I didn’t want to go buy a different vase. I remembered I had a can of gold marbling spray paint leftover from another project so I simply used that to spray paint the jar–it was just the thing it needed to add a little visual weight!  

I added the flowers to the jar, trimming and arranging them so that they would just sit on the rim of the vase, using only enough stems to fill the opening but not needing to squish them in. 

Next, I added a couple of pumpkins I found on sale at Hobby Lobby and a few small gourds from the grocery store.  My mom always said that when it comes to decorating, a good rule of thumb is: work in odd numbers and keep things in the shape of a pyramid.  So, I kept the larger pumpkin closer to the center and the smaller gourds spread out toward the edges. As a last touch, I included two LED, battery-operated candles in small glass votive holders. 

The completed board looked great on the table, but it still needed a little something to make it pop. I had just the thing! A piece of flannel in yellow and cream.  The flannel layer works like the mat inside a framed picture creating movement and layers for our eyes to follow. 

I’m so happy with the simple little boards that I have plans to make more of them in various sizes!  If I decide to use them for food I’ll simply lay down a piece of parchment paper first. 

You could easily recreate these centerpieces yourself using whatever you have at home. If you don’t want to buy or make a board, a  tray, mirror, or even a picture frame would all work as your base layer.  Look around your house and see what things you could gather together to display on top. If you (or your husband) are handy with tools, whip up a quick board yourself!

If this post inspires you to put together a centerpiece for your table we’d love to see it!  Post it to your Instagram and tag us.

Happy decorating!

XOXO,

Shan

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Legos and Deviled Eggs; A New Kind of Fellowship

If someone had told me at any point in my earlier life that “using my gifts” in ministry would look like me creating a centerpiece by building an incomplete, multi-colored Lego structure while simultaneously preparing deviled eggs I would have been super confused and then laughed and laughed! 

I’ve found myself out of my depths lately when it comes to serving in my local church.  For most of my adult years, I’ve been involved mainly in a Women’s Ministry capacity: pretty events with tasty food, lovely centerpieces, and handcrafted, girly gifts. Sure, in my “younger years” I helped my sister, Shan, put on a few VBS events, and even played my part in a few skits.  But the Youth Group? Not even for a minute.  

I’m not sure I even really liked Youth Group when I was a youth! I mean I loved the teaching and I loved the fellowship, but all the silliness and games just made me want to crawl under a table until it was over.  My older kids weren’t even part of a Youth Group.  But I do remember my Youth Group fondly.  In fact, some of my dearest friends now are people I hung out with in Youth Group (including my husband). And a major foundation for my faith was laid in my High School Sunday School Class.

Images from our first night of serving youth group snacks and a quickly assembled table centerpiece. A simple start that will lead to greater things.

When my husband and I relocated across the country and began settling into a new town and a new church I was determined to wait and see where God would lead me to serve, instead of striving to serve where (and in the same ways) I had always served. I wanted to have an open mind and an obedient spirit to be used in whatever way would benefit His Kingdom the most–without me meddling in things–even if it was out of my normal. I still pretty much assumed it would be in Women’s Ministry somehow–because what else would He call me to?!

What I used to think was a gift for “hospitality” (meaning serving women and couples through events) I’m now realizing is a gift for facilitating fellowship around food–in general.  Over the last few years, I have felt strongly that God wanted me to feed people.  Not just spiritually with His word, but practically as well.  I’ve tried to lean into that calling and be obedient when I sense Him nudging me to get my oven preheated.   Feeding people isn’t a new act of service for me, I’ve been involved in many meal trains for people in my church and have participated in almost every women’s luncheon/tea/event that I’ve known about since I was young. I just didn’t really expect God to lead me to feed a group of teenagers and their leaders.

GOD MADE YOU TO WORSHIP YOUTH NIGHT Centerpiece featuring ping-pong balls from teaching illustration. The big idea for the night: “Who or what will I LOVE this week?”

It started with my son and daughter joining a youth small group through our church. My husband and I offered to host the high school boys group in our home.  Right away, I felt led to also offer to feed the youth and the leaders dinner each week before their meeting.  Feeding them and seeing them get to know one another in a way that often happens when people eat together, fed my own soul in a way I had not anticipated.  All I had wanted to do was take a burden off the leaders and families on what I knew had to be a busy night for them. And to give the kids an opportunity to talk outside of their question and answer time at the end of their teaching time. Both of those things may have happened, but on top of that, I was the one blessed to witness their time together.

GOD MADE YOU TO FELLOWSHIP YOUTH NIGHT. Legos represent living stones being built up into a spiritual house. Notes on the table remind the youth that they are loved and welcomed in our church body and by God.

But then COVID became a whole pandemic and the world shut down. Small groups stopped and transitioned to virtual meetings.  I was so sad to lose that Tuesday evening opportunity.  And then my husband had (and survived) a major heart attack and my whole world flipped into chaos. There was no way I could have managed meals for others as I was barely figuring out meals for us at this point, but I was watching and eagerly awaiting when we would settle down and figure out how to function again.

Once COVID restrictions had lightened up, my husband was feeling better, and we were establishing new rhythms and routines, our church started gearing up to relaunch our in-person Youth Ministry and somehow I found myself heading up a Youth Ministry Support Team. One of the main jobs of this team is to provide snacks for the Youth Group on Tuesday nights.  How hard could that be? I imagined it would be a plain table with simple snacks laid out for the kids, buffet style.  Quick and easy–nothing to see here, just chips and cookies!  

GOD MADE YOU TO GROW YOUTH NIGHT. Fishers of men theme to highlight discipleship.

But as I began preparing for that first Tuesday night, the Lord laid it on my heart to provide a little more sustenance than chips and cookies.  So I rounded up some of the parents for a more substantial snack and then I sat down to whip up some quick signs in Canva to use down the center of the table.  These signs would highlight the five areas the Youth Pastor would be teaching over the course of the year.  While putting those out I decided to use a sharpie marker to quickly write out the main scriptures that went with each teaching topic down the paper table runner so the kids could read them as they filled their plates.  It wasn’t fancy or even really well done, but it was something and it caught the eye.  

The next week, while talking with the Youth Pastor about what the lesson and illustration would be, I thought, “Oh, I can use that on the table as a visual reminder for the kids!”  I had begun to realize this “snack ministry”  was an ideal opportunity to put the Scriptures in front of kids who may not be putting them in front of themselves. And to reinforce the concept and lesson they heard during worship and teaching. Food for the belly and food for the soul.  

GOD MADE YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY. A movie theater theme to remind them to tell the epic story of what God has done and is doing in their life.

And that’s how I suddenly found myself elbow-deep in my son’s box of Legos at 2:00 on a Tuesday afternoon while 24 eggs boiled on my stove.  I have to say, as confused as I am about why God called me to serve here, I am loving every minute of it.  When I think I have no clue what to do for the next week the Lord will give me just the perfect idea!. And then I’ll spend a few days wondering how in the world I’m going to pull that off–and then He helps me do that too!

So lately, I’m finding my creative juices are churning less over homemade cards, pretty centerpieces,  and pretty gifts  and more over a new kind of centerpiece and a new kind of fellowship. I love getting to see the teens light up when they see a table laden with awesome snacks just for them and watch them look over the centerpieces, connecting what they see with what they just heard. I’ve never considered my love of crafts as a “gifting”–it’s just always just been a hobby that I can pull from for ministry stuff, but now I’m beginning to wonder. It seems that God will use anything, in any way, to serve His WHOLE church body and bring glory to His name! 

GOD MADE YOU TO SERVE.
A skeleton body missing parts illustrates the need for all parts of the body to participate for the body to function well. A mixed-up Mrs. Potato head illustrates the value of each part and of not comparing your role with another. A variety of gifts are wrapped and labeled with some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I’d love to hear about where and how you use your unique gifts to serve your church body.  Did you always know that was the place for you?  Has your area of service changed over the years? We’d love it if you’d share your serving story in the comments!

Serving Christ Together-

XOXO,

Doe

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Let It Go! (The Pressure of Entertaining, that is…)

When I was growing up, it was common for people to just drop in for a visit, especially on Sunday afternoons. I loved this as a child because you never knew who might show up or who you might drop in on. 

As a young adult, I found this terrifying! For me having someone into my home required at least a little preparation and warning!

When we were first married and had young children our get-togethers revolved almost entirely around friends with small children or family. These didn’t require a lot of planning or preparation. We were all in the same boat…exhausted and running in all directions. There wasn’t Pinterest or any social media to tell us we were doing it wrong.  We’d gather potluck style, use paper plates, play games and let the kids run wild! The only time I made a big effort was at our annual Christmas party where I really looked forward to trying new recipes out on my friends! I remember one year I made crab (artificial) quiche and I felt so fancy!

Once the kids were older and mostly out of the house something changed and I felt pressure to make things nicer, better….perfect. I would drive myself crazy making sure that every nook and cranny was spotless. The house needed to be decorated and every detail seen to. A menu was chosen that would be sure to impress. By the time my guests arrived I was too tired and worn out to really enjoy the evening and I usually needed a couple of days to recover! 

Where did this pressure come from? Myself! I was the person driving the crazy train! It got to the point that we just stopped having people over. Oh sure, there were other reasons that also led to that happening, but I think mostly I was exhausted. I just couldn’t keep up.

After not having anyone in our home other than family for so long, the thought of inviting anyone in filled me with fear. Fear of rejection, of judgment, of not being or doing enough. But I was lonely and missed the sweet fellowship of people. 

And the Lord was working on my heart. He started to impress on me the need to be faithful to steward the home He had given us. A place with plenty of room inside and out, a place people could hopefully come and feel welcome and loved. A place to share His love with others.  I no longer wanted to “entertain”, I wanted to extend hospitality–to just minister, encourage, and love.  To build and strengthen relationships with the people He placed in my life.

So, I put on my big girl panties and invited a group of ladies over for lunch. They were all co-workers of mine. I wasn’t sure they would accept the invitation when I extended it, but they did and we had a lovely time together! I made a simple lunch of chicken salad with croissants. Nothing fancy. Still, I fretted over the house and food before they got there. Was it good enough? The laughter and conversation we shared around the table told me that fretting was an unnecessary burden I placed on myself. But it was going to take baby steps for me to adapt.

As I continued to reach out to various friends and acquaintances it became easier and less scary. I began to loosen up…a BIT. 

Two of my favorite memories are of having our dear friends, Marc, Lisa, Marina, Ed, Johnny, and Stacy over for PIZZA! Take and bake! Not even homemade, and I think we may even have used paper plates! BUT we had the best time! 

Another time we hosted a chili feed with some friends from church, some neighbors, and my brother and sister-in-law. We had several pots/types of chili to sample and once again the laughter and conversation flowed! I was getting the hang of it! More fun get-togethers continued to happen, and then…COVID! 

Oh, how I missed my friends and vowed to have them over ASAP! Like many of you, the pandemic changed a lot of my thinking, especially about things that are important and one thing that became ever clearer to me was that it was the fellowship that mattered, not the perfection of the house of food. 

So with that in mind, when the time finally came to have friends in again the pressure was OFF. I let myself off the hook with having to feel like everything was just so and doing everything myself. One of ”my” rules had always been that the first time someone comes over to my house for dinner, they don’t bring anything. We provide it all, do it all, but not this last time! This time I asked almost everyone to bring something to share and it was wonderful! And you know what? I didn’t even mop my kitchen floor! And no one even pointed it out with shocked and judging eyes!

I still enjoy doing things well and trying to make my guests feel special. That hasn’t changed, but the internal pressure I placed on myself is no longer weighing me down….Oh, the freedom!

So here’s my new hospitality manifesto:

1) I  Keep it simple. In summer BBQ is perfect. In the cooler months, I  try to choose a one-dish recipe or a crock pot meal. Amy Hannon’s Roast Cobbler from her Love, Welcome, Serve cookbook is a favorite around here. And don’t forget there’s always pizza!

2) I let my guests share in the joy of providing part of the meal.

3) I focus on getting the main areas we will use clean (especially the bathrooms) and don’t sweat the rest.

4) Let the Lord lead in the inviting.  He’s the master mixer! 

5) Relax. Breathe. Enjoy

What about you, friend? Are you caught in the web of perfection, running yourself ragged, trying to impress instead of bless? We’d love to hear what’s on your heart and if you have any of your own tips to share! Leave us a comment!

XOXO,

Shan

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9 Simple Ways to Show Your Pastor You Care

October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we’ve put together a list of 9 simple ways you can show your pastor you care. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture that costs a lot of time or money.  In fact, that may just make your Pastor uncomfortable. Simple and heartfelt can make a bigger impact than splashy and pricey. 

Check out our list of simple ways to show your appreciation in a meaningful way. Most of them are low to no cost.  Choose one idea or pick a few and do them throughout the month–there is no wrong way to let someone know they are seen and their efforts are appreciated. 

Don’t forget to include your Associate Pastors, Youth Pastors, Music Pastors, etc.!  They all work tirelessly and outside of “regular” office hours to shepherd a flock of unruly sheep. Whenever possible, include spouses and children in your blessing as well.  They often sacrifice much for the ministry with little to no recognition.

  1. Pray for your Pastor and his family.  If you haven’t already, join our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor Challenge on Instagram! If this is the only thing you do this month it will be time well spent and the rewards will be massive. In fact, pray for your church’s entire leadership team. The burden to lead well is often heavy and lonely.  We have put together a FREE printable for you to use this month that gives you things to pray for every day. After you’ve finished praying, send them a quick text to let them know you have prayed for them.  Check out our Instagram stories each day for some images you can text or message to your Pastor to tell them they’ve been prayed for. 
  1. Invite them into your home for dinner. Get to know them as people, not just a preacher/shepherd. There’s no need to cook a fancy meal unless that’s something you enjoy doing.  Order a couple of pizzas or do a Nacho Bar.  Pull out a board game (Cards Christians Like seems fitting!) or a puzzle and have a relaxing evening just laughing, sharing, and getting better acquainted.  
  1. Offer to bring dinner to them–even when no one is sick!  What is better than a night off from cooking dinner?  Dinner that’s delivered and eaten on all disposable products! NO COOKING and NO DISHES, can I get an “amen”?!  Again, if cooking a big meal isn’t your thing, do something simple like tacos. You could even pick up some of the sides from a local Mexican restaurant.  You could easily get a rotisserie chicken from the deli, grab a bagged salad, and heat up some refrigerated mashed potatoes.  Easy-peasy, quick, and delicious! Or play pizza-delivery person.  Include a bagged salad, some soda, and brownies from the bakery at your grocery and it will be a winner for the parents and the children.  I always try to send paper plates, disposable cups, napkins, and cutlery.  If I’m cooking the meal I package it in disposable containers.  It’s always hard to make sure dishes make it back to the people they belong to.  **Anytime food is involved, do take the time to ask if there are any dietary restrictions.
  1. Tell them you appreciate them.  It’s really as simple as that.  It can be by a text, a message on social media, or better yet– old fashioned snail mail.  If you prefer, even an encouraging phone call can brighten their day. Be specific.  Tell them what they’ve done or how what they recently taught has impacted your life or your faith walk.  Your words could be just the boost they need to keep them from discouragement.
  1. Praise them to their spouse and children.  You can guarantee the praise will make it back to the pastor.  It will bless not only the pastor to hear it through the grapevine, but their spouse and children will beam with pride to hear that you appreciate all the work their loved one puts in to serving the church body.
  1. Slip them a gift card for a local restaurant or cafe.  Think coffee shops, ice cream parlors, delis, bakeries, etc.  A gift of $10 gives them a reason to slip away from studying for a treat and they will return refreshed and ready to get to work. If you have the means, a gift card for a larger treat, such as dinner out or a night at a hotel is a treat they may not often give themselves. 
  1. If they have small children, offer to babysit so that they can take their spouse out on a date. Getting out of the housen (or some alone time!) can be hard. Asking people to watch your kiddos can be even harder. If you know the family and love their kids don’t wait for them to ask you to babysit–OFFER!  Your Pastor and Spouse will be blessed beyond measure!
  1. Drop off a little giftie of food to the church office.  Some homemade cookies in a gift sack with a bow, maybe a 12 pack of their canned/bottled beverage, or even sack lunches can really brighten their day and give them a boost of energy! 
  1. Organize a love offering to be given sometime during the month of October.  Coordinate with your Elder Team or Board Members to take up a free-will, love offering to give to your pastor one Sunday.

Bonus: Be slow to complain.  Before you bring any grumblings to your Pastor, ask yourself if this issue will matter when you face Jesus.  If it doesn’t, then take those grumblings to God and let Him deal with them.  If the matter is big enough, be sure to spend some time praying for your pastor and about when and how to best approach him in love before you go charging into his office or email with your issue.  I guarantee he will greatly appreciate your kindness! 

We hope these 9 simple ways to show your pastor you care are helpful not only for October and Pastor Appreciation month, but all year! Do you plan on doing any of these things this October?  We’d love for you to share with us!  Leave a comment here and share a picture on Instagram of the ways you are showing your Pastor you care! 

XOXO

Shan and Doe

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The Best Way to Appreciate Your Pastor this October

Pastor Appreciation month is almost here and we are here to tell you the very best way to appreciate your pastor this October.  It costs nothing but time (and maybe a little printer ink) and will benefit not only your pastor but you and your entire church body.  And the benefits will be unmeasurable and eternal.  Are you ready?  It’s so simple!  Simply join our 31 Days of Prayer for your Pastor Challenge and commit to pray for your pastor every day for the month of October! 

Does that sound a little overwhelming to you?  Are you worried you won’t know what to pray every day for 30 days?  Do you think you might forget? Don’t worry! Like the good sisters we are, we have a few tools and tips to help you out. 

Oftentimes the hardest part of praying is knowing what to pray for so we created this FREE PRINTABLE: 31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor.  Just work your way down the list praying one each day.  We’ve even included a few scriptures you can look up to help you as you pray.  Print the list and keep it somewhere handy for you to grab when it’s time to pray or just download the image and screen shot it on your phone so you’ll have it wherever you go.

We know how easy it is to say we are going to pray for something (or someone) and then get so busy in our day we forget to actually do it. Luckily, technology has given us a great tool to remind us–our phones!  We just set a recurring alarm labeled 31 Days of Prayer. Choose a time that you are reasonably sure you can step aside for a few moments of uninterrupted prayer.  Maybe it’s right before you go to bed.  Or when you get in your car to drive to work or drop your kids off.  Maybe your lunch break or as you step into the shower is the ideal time. Or you could pray together as a family before one of your meals. Whatever time works for you, just set that alarm and when it goes off, stop what you’re doing and look at your list and spend a few moments in prayer. 

Need a little extra accountability?  Get your friends to join the challenge to pray along with you. 
Use #STS31daysofprayersforyourpastor and share this challenge with your friends. Can you imagine a group of people (or an entire church body!) engaged in daily prayer for their pastor? Follow and share our daily posts on our Instagram page and know a community of believers will be praying alongside you for their pastors as well.  The power of social media can spread our prayers far and wide.

Now, what if you took it one step further and each day after you’ve finished praying you texted your pastor to tell him you had prayed for him and what you prayed for?  Check out  our Instagram stories each day for encouraging images you can screenshot to send to your pastor.

Daily prayer really is the very best way to appreciate your pastor this year!  Will you be joining us?  Comment here and head on over to Instagram to let us know you’re in! 

XOXO, 

Shan and Doe

P.S. Don’t forget to include your Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and other Pastors in your 31 Days of Prayer! 

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Three Bible Study Resources for Fall

“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching, and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16

September and the onset of fall always means “fresh start” to me, even more so than January 1. That being the case we thought this was the perfect time to tell you about three bible study resources for fall!

What other time of year screams, “We’re starting new!!” like fall? I think it’s all the back to school excitement!  New backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, and of course new clothes and shoes! Even though my children are grown and no longer need those things, I still look forward to picking up some of those things for myself this time of year. A few new notebooks, maybe some markers and always, always a new bible study!

These are some of the wonderful Bible Studies that we have done this past year, are currently doing, and have on our list to do next!

First: Jen Wilkin has some great studies available online that you can do for FREE–including the workbook and either audio or video of her lectures.  We have done her studies on James, 1st Peter and are currently working our way through Matthew Part 1 and Part 2. We have also read her book Women of the Word that is an excellent resource for learning to study the bible on your own.

Jen Wilkin studies are what I would consider to be “in-depth studies”. They cover the entire book, not just a few chapters. Jen stresses comprehension, interpretation and application so you will be reading the entire text repeatedly, highlighting, annotating, looking up definitions, paying attention to context and paraphrasing verses, just to name a few things. 

While these studies do require some time and attention, they are powerful and worth your time and effort, I guarantee you will not be the same after doing one of her studies.

Second: The Daily Grace & Co. has some really great SHORT, affordable bible studies–many are just $5 during their sales, which they have often! While the studies I’ve purchased have not required a lot of homework they do employ the same study techniques as the Jen Wilkin studies and I felt they had some really good questions on the daily work.  I did their Habakkuk study earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I just purchased The Lord’s Prayer study and I’m looking forward to doing it soon! They also have a devotional book called New Every Morning that I’m loving! I got it on one of the $5 sales! 

Variety of studies from The Daily Grace & Co.

Third: Now, this last recommendation is not what I would call a traditional bible “study”. Rather, they are lectures that you could use alongside your bible reading. 

Kristi McLelland is a speaker and professor at Williamson College in Tennessee and serves as a biblical culturalit. Her studies are found through New Lens Biblical Studies. The classes don’t really require any homework other than reading whichever book of the bible she’ll be discussing and listening to the lecture. I took a copious notes!  Both Dori and I couldn’t believe how much we learned! Kristi will help you learn to look at scripture with a Middle Eastern lens in addition to a Western lens.  These studies are an investment–one that we highly recommend.

We started with the Israel study last year which is an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, looking at the history of the Jewish people and how to feast on the Word. The cost is $75

Next, we did the Italy study  which is about the first century church in the book of Acts. Again, you just need to be reading the scripture. It adds so much more to your understanding and appreciation of scripture when you know the context and culture of the people writing and reading the passages! The cost is $45

Both of these studies would be good for seasoned readers who maybe have never read the bible from beginning to end – straight through, but we would definitely recommend them for those who are new to bible reading and/or study. They are a great way to grasp the whole story of the bible.

There are additional resources that she recommends as aides. We purchased a couple to use alongside our other studies but they are not necessary to understanding the lectures.

Even though these classes are a bit pricey they are worth every penny and I have gone back over my notes several times already as I’ve been reading through the Bible this year and plan to make watching the videos a yearly event!

Just recently we did her Ezer Kenegdo – this is just a short 1.5 hour lecture on the first two words God speaks about women. It was so good. The cost for that is $19

We have also her Jesus & Women study . This 7 session study is a thoughtful look at several of Jesus’ interactions with women in the bible. It will challenge and maybe even change the way you’ve looked at these stories! This study is available through Lifeway.com

Do you already have plans for a fall bible study? Do you prefer to study alone or in a group? My sister and I have been doing long distance studies together via FaceTiime for the last year and a half, and they have been wonderful, but I definitely miss getting together with a group of women! Whether alone or with a group of friends, one of the above studies might be the perfect fit for your fall bible study needs! 

We’d love to hear what your plans are – feel free to leave a comment below letting us know what you’ll be doing!  Also, include any study tools,  books, website etc… that you’ve found helpful! We’re working on a list of our favorites to share soon!

Blessings and XOXO,

Shan

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Low-Cost Ways to Keep Cozy After Christmas

I don’t know what it’s like in the winter where you live, but here in West Virginia, it is grey and wet a lot of the time.  I can handle it during the holiday season because I’m distracted by all the twinkly lights, baking, and special music.  Once I take down Christmas my home feels a tiny bit barren. I miss the cozy atmosphere the holiday season brings. This year, I am determined to keep more of that special cozy feeling that surrounds the holiday.  Here are a few ways I’m going to try doing that.

I’m going to start by catering to ALL my senses.  

Paying attention to the way things LOOK around your house is probably the fastest way to implement a cozy atmosphere; are things picked up and organized? Do I like the way my areas are arranged?  Is there something that irritates me each time I look at it that I can do something about? Those are fairly obvious things that make a difference when it comes to making your home cozy.  But when I think about the atmosphere of the holidays so much of it also involves smell, feel, sound, taste.

Smell: So much baking happens around the holidays but life is picking up speed at my house again so I don’t have a lot of extra time to whip up lots of goodies, but I can easily toss together a simmer pot and set it on my stove when I’m in an afternoon slump.  If even that’s too much, I can pull out my essential oil diffuser and search for a great diffuser recipe on Pinterest.  Orange is one of my favorite scents around the house.  It smells fresh and clean and it also helps wake me up when all I really want is a nap.

Taste: I may not have time to whip up a lot of extra treats after the holidays, but I will still be cooking dinner.  When it’s nasty outdoors I purposely plan “comfort foods” that are a little more heavy and rich like this Chicken Pot Pie from the Love Welcome Serve Cookbook, a quick and hearty taco soup (recipe pictured below), or even just opening a can of our favorite chili.  Then I add in a light and fluffy carb, sometimes from scratch but more often something like Jiffy cornbread mix (I doctor it up a bit by adding an extra egg, 2 TBSP of melted butter, and 1 TBSP of sugar to the box mix), a can of Pillsbury biscuits or (our favorite) crescent rolls.  Mmmmmm, I feel warmed up and cozy just thinking about it.

Sound:  There are people home with me all day long so my house leans more toward the noisy side than it does the peaceful and cozy side so I rarely add music into the chaos, but one thing I have enjoyed is playing soft music while I cook or clean in the kitchen.  Pandora is my online music go-to and one of my favorite channels is the French Cooking Channel. I also love The Getty’s channel when I’m looking for Christian music. I don my favorite apron, pour a cup of hot tea, and turn the music up just enough that I can hum along over the sound of the slicing, chopping, pouring, and bubbling.  It changes my whole mood when I’m cooking dinner!

I’m not as familiar with Spotify, but  BooMama205 and TheLazyGenius have made playlists in the past and talked about them on their Instagram accounts.  Of course, you don’t have to go with an already prepared playlist; make your own playlist filled with music that lightens your mood!  Cooking and cleaning aren’t the only times to play music, during dinner background music makes for a wonderful atmosphere, and while you’re soaking in the tub it’s delightful! 

Feel: When it’s blustery and cold outside, I want all the soft, squishy, fluffy things tucked in around me.  Cozy jogger pants, oversize sweaters, thick socks and my favorite slippers, piles of blankets, and pillows I can burrow into with a cup of hot tea, cocoa, or coffee depending on my mood.  I love to end an evening curled up on the couch under a warm blanket, a hot beverage, and a favorite movie. A folded stack of blankets or a pile of pillows tucked into a shelf or basket just calls out for friends and family to settle in and linger a little longer under their warmth. 

The atmosphere of all those things put together can really go a long way to keeping the winter greys outside and bringing the warm and cozy inside.  The only thing that could raise the bar just a little?  

Twinkle lights and candles.  

I can’t even think of what in life is not made a little more cheerful because of a strand of fairy lights or a lit candle.  A candle by your bathroom sink as you brush your teeth before bed, twinkle lights wound up carelessly in a jar on your nightstand, battery-powered candles strewn down the center of your dinner table, white Christmas lights dangling above your kitchen sink.  Dim your lights friends, and enjoy a winter evening by twinkle lights and candles. 

But winter cozy isn’t just about the physical parts of your home.  We want you to find ways to make your everyday LIFE cozy.

  • Take a bubble bath.  Place a few candles (or jars with fairy lights) around the room. Give your skin some extra TLC and hydration with a good sugar scrub.  Saturate your hair in a good hair mask and while it soaks in put your feet up and read a few chapters of a book.
  • Drop off a basket of baked goodies for a friend.  Include the ingredients for their own simmer pot in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon.
  • Plan a coffee date at your favorite local coffee shop (all by yourself if that’s what recharges you, with a friend, with your kiddos, or with your spouse) or if your weather is more temperate, fill a thermos, grab a blanket, pick up some treats form your local bakery and head out on a picnic at a park.
  • Put together a puzzle at home.  Turn on your fireplace (or put one on TV), pour your favorite drink, and have a family puzzle night.  Order-in your favorite pizza and you won’t even have to cook dinner.
  • Date-Night at home. Put your kids to bed early if you have them (or just send them to their rooms early if they’re older) and enjoy a quiet candle-lit dinner with your spouse.  Maybe even throw a blanket on the floor and have a little living room picnic.  Think through all the senses we talked about above and how you might incorporate some of those into your home-date. Who knows what kind of cozy it might lead to! 
  • Eat on that china you usually save for special occasions.  Let’s turn more regular days into reasons to use our favorite dishes.  Spaghetti and french bread taste even better on china than it does on disposable.  (Unless you’re just too exhausted for dishes, then spaghetti on disposable is heavenly!)
  • Go to the library and check out the maximum number of books you’re allowed.  Get a variety, cookbooks, home decor, non-fiction, fiction, comic books, gardening books, whatever strikes you fancy.  Plan a whole day and spend all of it cuddled up pouring over these borrowed treasures. If you’re the playful type, build a fort out of your couch cushions, bring in those battery-operated candles, all your piles of pillows and blankets and do your reading in there! Invite a friend to join you!

What do you think?  Will you try some of these things at your house to stave off the winter blues?  We‘d love to see pictures if you do.  Share them on Instagram and tag @thesweetteasisters

XOXO

Doe

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12 Scriptures to Memorize Challenge

“On Mondays We Memorize.”  Did you catch the reference to the movie Mean Girls? It’s the first Monday of the New Year and we are ready for a little challenge and we really want you in our club.  Instead of a club of mean girls, however, we want to build a club of Bible Girls and everyone is invited!

Shan has thoughtfully chosen 12 Bible verses that we will be memorizing throughout 2021, and we really hope you’ll join us. Each scripture was chosen to encourage your heart and grow your faith. We settled on memorizing only one verse each month so that we have plenty of time to let each verse really penetrate our hearts and memory.

If you’re not already, you’ll want to follow us (thesweetteasisters) on Instagram where we will be sharing the new verse on the first Monday of each month. We share a lot of other fun and encouraging stuff there as well, you don’t want to miss out!  

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk about them as you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

It’s no coincidence that God commanded the Israelites to be about His word all-the-time and every-where.  The more you encounter scriptures as you go about your day the more ingrained in your very being they become.  

We’ve created a set of printable scripture cards to help your memorization work. You can download the free PDF here. We hope you print off multiple copies and leave them around your house where you’ll come across them throughout your day. You can tape a copy to the mirror in your bathroom, use one as a bookmark, keep a copy in your car, tape it above your stove or kitchen sink, leave one on your bedside table. Check out our Instagram stories each month as well and be sure to grab a screenshot of the current month’s verse that you can screenshot and use as a cover photo on your phone.

We’ve also included 4 of our favorite Psalms with the printable in addition to the 12 memory verses.  If you’re feeling a little ambitious you can memorize them as well, but no pressure!

You’ll notice we’ve used an image of a teacup with each scripture we share.  Besides the fact that we love pretty cups, we also love the analogy of a full cup being bumped and the contents spilling out–on us and those around us.  We want our cups to be filled with God’s word so that when life bumps into us, in whatever way, we spill out that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. (taken from Philippians 4:8)  To fill our cups with those things means we have to become intentional about memorizing God’s word.

We hope you decide to join us and we pray these verses bless and strengthen you as go through 2021.  If you’re in with us, grab your scripture cards, mark your calendar and then pop over to our Instagram and comment, “I’m in!!” And don’t forget, on Mondays we memorize!

XOXO,

Shan and Doe