The big reason why I haven't been blogging is that I have been focusing on a program our church does called Apples of Gold! We do it a little different from what the national program does. We have adapted it to our Church's needs and I think it is a bit of an improvement on what the national program does.
We start the program usually in September on Monday nights for 6 weeks. (this time we had to skip Halloween because it was on a Monday). We meet in the fellowship hall at our church. Ladies are assigned to a Mentor and are with that Mentor each week. The program has a cooking demonstration, a devotional time then a dinner.
I am a mentor which means I decorate a table each week, give a gift, and then do a devotional talk on the topic that evening using stories from my life. The idea is that you "mentor" the girls and bless them with a fun night out away from their normal lives. They come back to the table set filled with good food. They don't have to do anything but enjoy their time!
The theme this year was "The Ladies' Home Journey". Gene came up with the snappy title, (he's really good at that) while I came up with the concept. This year we followed the stages of a woman's life from birth to death and focused on how to be a Godly Woman (girl, gal, etc) within each stage of life. For example....we are born and are a daughter. So we talked about being a Godly daughter, raising Godly daughters, raising sons to find the right Godly daughter, etc, you get the idea. The topics for the weeks went as follows:
Week 1: The Godly Daughter
Week 2: The Godly Young Woman (unmarried)
Week 3: The Godly Wife
Week 4: The Godly Mother
Week 5: The Godly Older Woman
Week 6: Going to Meet our Lord as the Bride of Christ
It is a wonderful program. The kitchen staff demonstrates a meal and then while we break into small groups to do the devotional teaching they cook the meal and then put the dinner out on the table so when the ladies return from the teaching the meal is waiting for them!
These were my tables over the last 6 weeks. I was very proud of my ideas. Especially week 1 what had a horse head with a bit and bridle around the base! The "dishes" were pots all of it signified that we are on camping type trip, temporary time here on the earth and that we should allow ourselves to be guided by our Lord's eye and not by force (for lack of a better word) as described in Psalm 32:8-9. I thought it went along well with the topic of daughters!
These were my gift presentation each week! Each week there was a gift and a devotion. I tried to tie everything in to the topic of the evening.
This brings me to the give away portion of my post....one of the items I gave was a wonderful hand crafted necklace from Vintage Pearl! They are by far my favorite jewelry site. Anyway, I decided to order an extra one to give away on my blog!
Here it is....a beautiful hand stamped sterling silver charm with the word "hope" stamped in it. The giveaway includes the 18" chain and pearl along with the gift presentation! I can even do a special tag if you would like.
I gave this necklace away on week 5 it was tucked into the little Russian Nested doll. Yours will be sent to you as you see it in this amazing box with the ribbon and pearl attached! I believe this item is discontinued, so if you missed it here it is! Also, if you would rather have a $50.00 gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl, let me know that when you win and I will be happy to give that to you! I want everyone to enjoy their holiday season and this is my way of giving back!
How do you win? It's easy....just comment below....Choose any one of the topics or say whatever you want!
1. Tell me if your church does the program Apples of Gold
2. Tell me what you think of our program
3. Tell me anything you want!
4. Extra entry by twitting on twitter
5. Extra Entry by posting the give-a-way on your FB page
4. Extra entry by twitting on twitter
5. Extra Entry by posting the give-a-way on your FB page
I will choose a winner on November 16 at 6:00 PM using random.org.
If you post on your FB page, and/or tweet the giveaway then come back and leave a comment telling me you did so. So you can enter 3 times by comment/FB/twitter! Good Luck!
If you post on your FB page, and/or tweet the giveaway then come back and leave a comment telling me you did so. So you can enter 3 times by comment/FB/twitter! Good Luck!
36 comments:
Thanks for posting, Pam! I have to say, I have been involved with Apples of Gold on the receiving end and the serving end. God has blessed me with great things about Him each time. I love that our church has events like this that encourage our God given gifts. Can't wait until next years Apples of Gold!
1. I don't think my church does...
2. I don't think you had that program while I was there, but I always hear that the ladies involved were really blessed and the photos are fun!
3. I just re-found those vintage buttons you sent me last year =)
I re-posted to twitter/Facebook!
Hope you have a great day, Pam!
My church doesn't do Apples of Gold. I am happy to follow along from afar!
What a cool giveaway!
I have posted on FB & Twitter.
Thanks!
I don't attend any specific church.
So I have no idea what programs are done here.
Mujer! Do you ever rest?? Bendicioines.
You've been placed on my "most wanted" FB wall. ;)
Tweet! https://twitter.com/#!/BBabushka/status/134728550023565312
I was apart of AOG for 2 years. I was sad to of missed it this year. Can't wait for AOG 2012. It is a really great program. I like how you personalized it this year with your own curriculum. ;) Fb'd and tweeted :)
Being from CCH, I'm prejudiced. I think our AOG program rocks! I'm already planning for next year. Thanks for being you and for having this great give-away.
Posted on my FB page
Hey Pam! Such a fun idea!
Okay here it goes... I have done Apples of Gold before, in a past church. It was very helpful. I learned a lot about cooking, decorating, and hospitality. The one difference would be that we had hands on experience on learning to cook the food ourselves. While the food cooked, we did our study, and then ate it afterwards while enjoying fellowship with our mentors. Great program. I love all the pictures you posted.
I love aog! Love the fellowship and great food! Love growing and learning!
My Church does not do that but I think they should:) Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!!
I think I would rather have the necklace, I love that it has Hope in it!
Been involved with Apples of Gold for 2 years now serving as a mentor. I am truly amazed how God can use a goof ball like me to encourage/teach others. But the funny thing is, is that I am the one that is always so encouraged..God is so faithful if we are willing..I was so blessed to meet, of course eat but most of all fellowship with some amazing women. Pam, thank you for being you and all your wonderful hugs and encouragement. You friendship is one of God's special gifts to me..I Love You!!
Posted on face book and twitter
AOG is the highlight of my year! I feel so at home with the kitchen people and the Lord has blessed us with a great church family to be apart of!
Tweet! Tweet!
Being at a smaller church we don't participate in aog. I love participating from a far and looking through the cch weekly pictures, recipes, & hearing fun stories from all the ladies involved. Kiss, kiss Pam!
I actually gave that VP hope necklace to a Missionary Mom (special friend of mine). When ever that necklace was purchased TVP would use proceeds to help someone adopt a child. The Mom I gave it to, adopted 4 special needs children. She lost one a sweet boy last May, (his smile spoke more than volumes and made you feel so special) and I had this ordered for her with birthstone crystals for each of her 4 children. It symbolizes so much to me, the hope she gave her children, the hope we have in Jesus. The pearl I told her symbolized how precious she is to her heavenly father. Your giveaway just touches a part of my heart. Thanks for this special giveaway. May this necklace give hope to someone else who needs it.
Tweeted giveaway
https://twitter.com/#!/loriagalbraith/status/136165112817004544
loriagalbraith at gmail dot com
Shared on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=201571873253037&id=100002259137965
The 16th is my birthday, here's hoping for a special present!
Our church does not do the Apples of Gold program.
Im4Christ2@msn.com
I think your program looks awesome! Definitely something I would love to attend. :)
Im4Christ2@msn.com
Hmm..anything I want to tell you? I have one Vintage Pearl necklace and I just love it! I have a special one picked out that is on my wish list. :)
Im4Christ2@msn.com
I shared on Facebook!
Im4Christ2@msn.com
I shared on twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/TheModestMom/status/136201334008459265
Im4Christ2@msn.com
Hello Pam, found you via the Vintage Pearl facebook page! I'd not heard of the AOG program before-- my church has offered mentoring programs for women but they have always been really informal. Sounds like a great program (and your tables were beautiful, btw).
What a generous and lovely giveaway! I have had my eye on the "Heart of Africa" necklace over at Vintage Pearl for a while now. I volunteered as a nurse with Mercy Ships in West Africa for over a year, so it definitely has a special place in my heart and I hope to go back some day. :) The Hope necklace is beautiful too-- what an encouraging reminder each time you put it on.
Anyway, glad to have found your blog and looking forward to poking around a little!
My wonderful church does Apples of Gold and I'm hoping to do it next year! I did get to read the study materials and LOVED them. Admittedly I love a "start to finish" model or guide (daughter all the way to end of life).
hey, i posted about your giveaway on twitter and FB. :)
I have the most fun working in the kitchen during AOG. The fellowship is amazing. I miss it already. AoG is meant to bless and teach young women but, somehow it always seems to make me feel blessed beyond words. I love all the women there and they encourage me in so many ways.
I have never heard of the Apples of Gold program- but it sounds pretty cool!
Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway!
Twitter :)
http://twitter.com/#!/coranne/status/136650752708976641
Facebook :)
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=105629786219177&id=9319044
I had heard of it, but just briefly. I was just thinking the other day I would really like to see some mentoring going on in our church. Glad to see that it went so wonderful for your church.
Hi, had a good look at your blog, it's pretty cool. I've just set up my 1st ever blog & i'm looking for a bit of feedback if you could find the time. It would be greatly appreciated. http://itsablogslife-davclifton.blogspot.com
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