Pastor Appreciation Service || October 25, 2015

Our congregation manages to completely surprise James & me each year!

I'm not sure how they do ... nor do I know how they top the festivities from the previous year, but they do.

'Over the top' in every sense of the phrase.

The best way to describe whole concept of a Pastor Appreciation service ...

well, to us, it feels like we have pulled up at a gas station 

& someone has pumped into our tank until it is overflowing!

 

Our hearts feel like they can't hold one more sweet thing ...

from the kind words shared, the tributes, the stories, the hugs & handshakes, the dinner, & the gifts.

Our cup truly overflows.

It is from the strength that only comes from the Lord, combined with the love & encouragement

from our precious flock that we fill up our store house for the days, months, & weeks to come.

For another year, we are able to draw from the reserve, cherishing the memories stored up from this day.

We recall the loving words & know that we are being prayed for every step of the way. 

There aren't words enough to say thanks.

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy and share in our day!

(A big thanks to all the ones who took pics & shared them with me!)

(Otherwise, we wouldn't be seeing this blog!)

The special table for James & me was SO pretty!

Tammy, a sweet & talented lady in our church, does an amazing job.

So much attention to detail.

This is drool-worthy, isn't it?!

I wish I had a pic before the serving utensils were in, but there was so much fun & excitement

that it's hard to remember to snap pics!

The hot caramel apple cider was a dessert unto itself!

And the decorated cups made it taste even better ;)

What a beautiful bowl of punch!

This cake was my favorite of the day ... a new one that I'd never had before.

It's called Yum Yum Cake (I think) and the name describes it perfectly.

It has all the components that I LOVE in a cake & I know I'll be making this one during the holidays.

Take a look at all those yummy toppings ... coconut, pecans, & sticky sweet glaze ... Yum Yum!

This salad was another treat ...  sometimes one certain thing just hits the spot, ya know?

And could there be a prettier lasagna?

I think not.

And it tasted as good as it looked.

The head of the table looked gorgeous too ... again, from the brilliant mind of Ms. Tammy.

We indeed had an Italian feast ... every pasta dish imaginable, 

lots of garlicky breads to choose from, salad, & desserts. 

The ladies of FLA (and our sweet family that traveled up to completely surprise us) 

can cook like nobodies business!

 All the Penningtons went through the line together & enjoyed fellowship during the meal.

It was such a treat to spend time with family that we don't get to see nearly as often as we'd like.

And especially at our church.

FLA is our heartbeat & to have family here on this special day to celebrate that with us ...

there's no way to share how much that means to us.

The support of family is invaluable.

I can hardly look through these pictures still without getting a lump in my throat.

What a joyful day.

I LOVE LOVE this picture of our family!

So, one more BIG THANK YOU to the congregation of FLA.

You'll never know how impacted we were with this specific day.

We will never ever forget your thoughtfulness towards us & we love you all more than we can express.

God bless you abundantly <3

Who doesn't love a good party?!
You can find me here linking up with these great blogs.

Monday           Amaze Me Monday     Coastal Charm    The Dedicated House
                     I Should Be Mopping the Floor     The Hankful House     The Modest Mom
Tuesday        A Delightsome Life    A Bowl Full of Lemons  
                                    Titus Tuesday  A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday   Raising Homemakers        Savvy Southern Style      
                              The Thrifty Home   A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Thursday    Between Naps on the Porch    Katherines Corner3D Lessons for Life
           Hope in Every Season     Lamberts Lately
Friday      Rooted in Thyme  The Thrifty Groove   Farm Blog Hop  Missional Women
 Best of the Nest  Anything Blue Friday   French Country Cottage  The Girl Creative
Sunday    Nifty Thrifty Things   Simple Saturdays    Sew Many Ways