Hey, Gal! Shelly Miller and Thanksgiving Art you Make
Today I am giving you the scoop on an amazing writer I have found. I thought you might like to meet her, too. I love connecting you to all the good Sursees and this gal is the real deal.I can't remember how I first came across Shelly Miller, but I have so enjoyed reading what she writes. Her book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World, is maybe how I first found her. She gently teaches us how to see Sabbath as a rhythm, a very needed rhythm in our hurry. The cure for our soul weariness as mamas and wives and daughters and friends is resting and spending time with Him. She is a good guide for us.One of the way she guides is through her writing on her blog and she also has a delightful little newsletter delivered into your inbox once a week, The Sabbath Society. I think this intimate letter is my favorite. Especially right now as she is going through Psalm 23 with us all. I have been thinking and delving into that Psalm myself and finding healing and comfort and direction in the verses. Shelly is an encourager and listener and mentors her readers in real and tangible ways.
I was able to actually meet her in person last year. My friend and I went to an event where she was speaking. We were totally early and had front row seats! Yay! My friend, Maureen, who is also my roadie, and I got our picture made with Shelly. She was delightful and charming in person, just like I imagined she would be.I asked her a few Sursee Gal questions and I thought you would like to see her answers. Her answers are articulate and poetic and gorgeous! I want to be her friend, and I know you will, too, after reading this.So gal, what are you cooking this week? I'm staying in the charming Cotswolds for a solitary writing retreat this week. My time begins by being present with the owners of the house where I'm staying. Apples on two trees in the garden are nearly finished falling off the trees and sitting in heaps on the kitchen counters of their house. I fixed pork tenderloin surrounded by fennel and apples, smothered in a mustard and orange juice sauce for us to enjoy with roasted potatoes. I'll be eating leftovers after they drive back to London as I normally don't cook when I'm immersed in a writing project.What are you learning? I'm learning how to value my time differently as I transition into the oddly wonderful and awkward season of empty nesting. It's as if God has given me a clean slate and said, "Now, this is the plan I have for you. Are you ready for something new?" Basically, I'm becoming settled in who I am that has little to do with what I do.How are you mentoring? I am mentoring women on-line through relationships cultivated in the Sabbath Society, a global community of people who want to make rest realistic, not just miraculous. Those mentoring relationships take many forms -- conversations through email, messaging, and face timing, as well as being present with people in London. I meet women in all ages and stages of life one-on-one for coffee or over lunch. I volunteer at St. Barnabas Church for our Sticky Fingers ministry for mums of pre-school aged children. Most women in the season of raising little people are lonely, isolated, and looking for friendship and encouragement. I love listening, befriending, and offering compassion because I remember how hard that season of life really is. And as I make friends with women who are unchurched, I mentor through day-to-day relationships and disciple through the Alpha course. How are you practicing hospitality? Living in a destination city means our guest rooms are often full. H and I enjoy hosting people in our home, creating space for welcome and rest, and making meals that lend an ease of togetherness around the table. We'll be hosting some dear British friends for our traditional Thanksgiving dinner in a few weeks which is always a lot of fun. Living abroad has changed the way we practice hospitality because the standards are different in British culture. Hospitality is more about how we can love people than how we can impress people which makes it fun and free from expectations. So get a copy of her book for your stocking or for the stocking of your best friend and dig into rest. A perfect Sursee! Follow her on IG and give her a big, "Hey,Gal!"One more thing, as we head into Thanksgiving week, I have a little reminder for those of you with kids or grandkids. This is a perfect weekend to make some art for Thanksgiving.Choose one project. Use what you have in your yard and in your house to decorate your tables and get your kids involved.Have your kids write something down about the Thanksgiving story and illustrate it. See this for some ideas.Your kids' art doesn't have to be perfect to be just the right touch for the Thanksgiving table. Oh, and don't forget to put the date on it and label the artist! You think you will remember, but you won't.I will be posting some ideas for Thanksgiving cooking on IG and on my stories so stay tuned. And then, when my people come in, I will be off for a few days of eating, resting and being thankful. I hope you will be resting and being with your people, too.xoxo