Ah Shucks, Girls, You Shouldn't Have (But Thank You!!)

Last night was Heather's turn to run the show for our Tuesday Night Ladies. She had us meet at Cafe Yumm and it was so great to see everyone after I missed last week's due to Sunriver. Christi and Susanna weren't able to be there - as well as Kimmie (who is with her mom helping her through the loss of Kimmie's stepdad who passed away Monday night after a battle with cancer...please keep them in your prayers if you would....).

These days, due to Facebook, birthdays aren't overlooked nearly as easily as they used to be. So, when there was mention of "having dessert at Steph White's house" in Heather's run-down of the plan for the evening, I suspected something might be up (as usually "dessert" isn't an event of its own). Sure enough, Heather had purchased a raspberry poppy-seed cream cheese cake to celebrate my upcoming birthday and they had me blow out a Yankee Candle to honor it. =)


Needless to say, IT WAS DELICIOUS....I'm more of a pie or cookie person vs. cake, but this was SOOO good, I might end up rethinking that stance. The seconds I went for might testify to that too!

Even more honoring than the cake and birthday song was this card and the contents inside. These women are so special to me and I feel so incredibly blessed that they have been a part of my life over this past year - and to read their words of encouragement towards me just swells my heart.

Following dessert, Heather shared with us this quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

Pretty awesome, huh? We were able to discuss it and share what those insecurities are that frighten us from being everything God wants us to be. It was an excellent discussion based on 1st Timothy 4:11-16. I am so proud of these women and the growth that they've shown this year. Heather did an outstanding job of leading last night embodying the very point of this quote and God's Word. Thank you ladies!!!!!!!