Gayla's Magazine

Zimbabwean Ladies Retreat

Last week we made an overnight trip to Dallas for a speaking engagement at a Zimbabwean Ladies Retreat.  It was a refreshing experience to be with them.... my African sisters!  It brought back many memories of our time spent in that beautiful country.

 

 

 

 

The sweet singing - all in harmony (Africans have a beautiful way of all blending their voices in harmony that is so precious to hear)

 

 

 

The Bishop met with the Pastors while I spoke to the ladies..... we enjoyed our time with each of them!





 

RMA Shopping Trip

Role Models of America - LaPorte has an upcoming Christmas shopping trip.  We are looking forward to a great time together - sisters having fun!

We all need personal friendships one with another.  I know that this event is going to be a memory making day for every lady who can attend. 

Too much food!

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner with private friends in a beautiful setting.  Good friends.... great conversations... lots of laughter and fun together! With starters such as curried chicken salad with grapes, Thai salads, special cheese crepes, truly good turkey, and jalapeno cranberry sauce (ooo so good)  I thought you might like to see one of the desserts here....

 

The next day we enjoyed a private Thanksgiving dinner - just the two of us - at home.  With a meal we both enjoy.... Apricot Chipotle BBQ chicken on the grill with fresh veggies. And a warm fire in the fireplace... and the two of us just being together... there can be nothing better in our lives. 

 

And the next day.... after such fantastic food, it's time for something easier on the body.  We head to our favorite vegetarian Indian restaurant and enjoy a flavorful meal that makes our taste buds dance!   Tandoori carrots, cilantro dip, yogurt with cucumbers and tomatoes, spicy cauliflower bits, lentil soup and creamy spinach to name a few of the dishes that were so very good!  Add buttery rice, and curry potatoes with onions and garlic with a slice of Naan, and this meal is out of this world!!

Thanksgiving Day / weekend has been wonderful and full of bountiful food! I am thankful for all the many blessings this Thanksgiving brings to us.  I am truly grateful as there are many other holidays we have down through the years....some without family, some without good food, and some that were just plain old hard times.  But this year I am so thankful for each blessing and person in my life. 

What is it?

This photo is a mystery.....I was not wearing a necklace and  I have no idea what it is laying on my chest ... I simply set down to relax with my husband and our Yorkie. He snapped this picture with his phone and emailed it to me.  That's it. I am wearing a black simple Tshirt.... neither one of us can figure out what the shining shape is. Do you have any idea?

Thanksgiving Communion Service

 

New Life Christian Fellowship will have it's annual Thanksgiving Communion Service tonight.  It's one of the highlights of the year here at home. 

So much meaning.... so much gratitude and personal expression to God for all that He has done for each of us through the year.  There have been so many miracles, uncommon favor, incredible open doors and  memories made this year.  To God be all the Glory for the things He has done. 

There will be praise and worship music for everyone to worship with.  Special singers and songs carefully chosen  to share with the congregation.  Then a message by the Bishop and Communion received by each one. 

I always look forward to this Thanksgiving Service. 

Are you coming....? Starts at 7:30 pm

Rhonda Creates Christmas

Role Model Rhonda was in charge of the massive decorating project at New Life this year.  And she did a wonderful job managing all of the details that go into transforming 2 buildings into Christmas.  With careful plans, and attention to details way back in October, she undertook the whole event.  I understand between the 2 days she directed 40+ women with lunches, music, lots of laughter and fun, ladders, electrical details, ironing, sorting through our many boxes, 2 tree collapses, and lots of conversations with smooth leadership.

When I get a moment to snap some pictures I will show you her creativity.  It shows real maturity when I can be out of town and whole teams of Role Models descend and magically turn these huge buildings around in 2 days.  I am so proud of my ladies..... and so very appreciative of Rhonda's abilities. 

When I returned and saw the professionally done decorations.... I was told 'you trained us.... we should be doing this now'.  Role Models of Texas I love you all, and Rhonda you are a star!!! 

Rhonda is a great singer, musician, hostess, decorator, teacher and friend.  I love you and thank you for being my right arm last week!

A Mother and Daughter Portrait

Every once in a while I get a surprising email that brings a smile to me.  Today was one of those days.  After a very full week of plans of decorating  for Christmas, Cafe Geva Christmas Menus, countless phone calls and RMA store parades of products plus entertaining guests,  somehow I contracted a virus and came down sick.  This was certainly not in my plans for the week!  to be sick. And on top of that I was to speak at a Ladies Retreat in Dallas too. 

Well I survived it all.... the RMA ladies did a fabulous job of decorating without me, all the details of life handled themselves ok for several days.... my sweet husband drove me to the Retreat and took care of me.

And my daughter sends me this picture this morning - just to get THIS week off to a great start. (She was sick too all last week)

I share a smile with you..... there is nothing like a daughter to speak the same language in your heart!!! Just a random picture she took by grabbing me and holding her phone out to capture the two of us in a moment of time. 

That's my daughter!  One of God's personal blessings to just ME!!

Zimbabwe calls for aid

This has been an important week already.  Here is just a brief birds eye view....

We received a visit from a delegation from Zimbabwe,

 

Zimbabwe is dear to our hearts.... as you know of our recent shipment of Moms Against Hunger Food that is now in the country.  After 10 minutes it was as if we had all known each other life long.  Minister Collin Millar formerly a Rhodesian - recently was there for a Prayer Summit praying for the serious  needs there. LEAD International Chief Excutive Lovejoy Tirivepi from Zimbabwe along with SAWN Southern Africa World Network -mobilizing residents and friends of Southern Africa providing a vehicle for a collective voice and action on issues of concern.  CEO Phillip C. Chabata  along with others of whom came to ask for our support and help. 

 

Lots of  conversation about the nation, her needs, her voice in Africa and the future that lies ahead.  Bishop.... we need you in Africa.... come and help us rebuild the structures.

 

Two important men in the future of Zimbabwe

Life finally is slowing down a bit for me to post - what's all up!!

The Dewberry Farm

Family traditions are very important to my daughter and I.  And every fall - from the time she was a little girl we have done fun things together in the cooling time of year.  Now that she has children we have continued our Autumn memory making trips with them. 

We all start the Fall Day with a trip across town to try to find pumpkin doughnuts to start our special day with for breakfast (somehow they are hard to find here in Texas!) 

Then a big trip to the  Dewberry Farm to enjoy feeding the animals, all sorts of kiddie rides, find a pumpkin, pick wild flowers, get some homemade pickles, enjoy a hay ride in a wagon on a bumpy country road,  and have a country style lunch, have some icy cold sloppy slushes, and eat kettle corn all the way home.

 

Another year slips by..... another strand of memory made in the lives of the 4 of us....and at the end of the day, we are all tired but had a great time together. 

 We think we may can keep this going till mmmmm maybe 12 years old?  I hope we will then find something else to keep our Fall Day going till they are grown.