A Necklace and a New Friend........

Since we moved a little over two years ago, we have been visiting different churches, hoping to find one that would welcome us and make us feel like old friends.  For almost a year now, we have been attending services at a wonderful church not far from where we live.  We have enjoyed becoming a part of the church family.  An example of this is the Ladies' Christmas Dinner.  The women of the church are served a delicious dinner and have a chance to visit with friends and meet new people.  There is singing and there are door prizes!  Best of all, we are served by the men!  The men cook, serve and yes, clean up!  Can I get an Amen?!  One friend of mine, Tina, who is a member of the praise team and a fellow doting grandmother, donated some of her handiwork for prizes.  She makes jewelry.  Beautiful jewelry!  I was lucky enough to win one of her creations, a beautiful necklace with a pendant that contained a tree, worked in glass.  I was thrilled!  For several years now, I have been looking for a "tree of life" pendant.  It is a symbol of the connection I feel with my whole family, not just my immediate family.  Since we moved, and as we are growing older, that feeling has grown stronger.  It is important to me that my children and grandchildren know who their family is.  Until now, I had not found a pendant that I really liked.  I told Tina I wanted a tree of life necklace and her eyes got so big!  "That's what I had in mind when I made this piece

" she said!  We both agree that God brings people together as part of His plan for us.  She bought that pendant for that necklace when she was in Tennessee.  However, she had no idea when she made that piece, who would end up with it or when.
Tina and I have a lot in common, but now we have a special connection and I believe her friendship and her necklace are two early Christmas gifts from God.