12/15/07

Wreaths and Humble Girls

Humility
Wreaths and humility
A fresh green wreath and humility
A Cherry Almond Wreath and humility
Humble Girls

We had a great lesson this week that tied in so well with the Christmas season. A lesson on humility. Even though the girls had a hard time describing it, by the end of our time together, I think they got it!

We learned that Balcony Girls are humble! They put God and His concerns first. Proud or selfish individuals put themselves first. When we give, it’s not about getting recognition back, or even praise! Being humble means knowing the truth about yourself … not pretending to be something that you’re not.

To make it easier for the girls to understand and help them in their friendships, I explained this: Humility is not something we can wear – it’s not how you dress or how you look. It’s an attitude of the heart.

And taking it a step further, the girls listened as I shared the Christmas Story with them – highlighting the humbleness of Christ’s birth. We talked about the humble gifts that the shepherds and wise men brought to their King. Their eyes widened with the reminder that the Shepherds were “nobodies.” In today’s society the shepherds would not have compared to a movie star or a well-known person. And we talked about the fact that it took the Wise Men two years to travel to see their King, bringing gifts emphasizing His kingship!

Before the lesson we gathered around the table for Little Smokie Wraps (Yum!), and a Cherry Almond Wreath (Yum, Yum!). I couldn’t find my old recipe, so I gathered the ingredients in my mind, made it up as I went, and sprinkled the top with green sprinkles.

One of the Balcony Girl’s mommies also came to help us make fresh green wreaths. We converted our garage and ping pong table into a craft room – and the girls went spinning out of control with creativity. (Check out last year's wreath making here)

Our lesson was great, our time was special as we sang and listened to Christmas music, and once again I was reminded of another Balcony Girl lesson for life.

One so appropriate for the Christmas season.

Cherry Almond Wreath
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 brick of cream cheese
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. Almond extract
1 can Cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 375. Unroll crescent dough; lay out on your cooking stone or cookie sheet (see photo), in a circle with wide ends toward the center. Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg and extract together. Spread onto the crescent dough, around the ring. Spoon the cherry pie filling on top.
Bring the outside of crescent dough tips up and over the mixture, tucking into the inside of wreath. Sprinkle top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
(Make it ‘Lite’!! I used ‘lite’ cream cheese, crescent rolls and pie filling!)

14 comments:

tammi said...

Once again, another great lesson and another inspiring post! Those girls are SO fortunate to have you as a leader!! You're so creative and you obviously spend a lot of time in preparation -- both in thought and food!

Amy... said...

Pretty awesome. Humility is such a tough thing to understand sometimes, but it sounds like you did a great job describing it. Yes, an attitude of the heart!

Laura said...

How fun! I love these posts, great job Sandy. They girls looked like they had a blast. On another note I was very proud of my daughter (10) who hosted four 5 year old girls for a Christmas cookie decorating party. She made up treat baskets and everything and the girls had a great time! I think we've got ourselves a new annual tradition.

Laura

orneryswife said...

Yum. I love that Cherry Almond Wreath. Looks like another great lesson for the Balcony Girls!
TM

Anonymous said...

That Cherry Almond Wreath looks wonderful. I'll have to try that one.

Kirstin said...

What are Balcony Girls? What a great idea and a great lesson.

Anonymous said...

Humility is not something you can teach someone. Sometimes in my life things happen that I don't like and I say "It's God way of keeping me humble." The kids look like they had a good time. That Cherry Almond Wreath looks sooooooo good.
Margie at http://www.nunniesattic.coom

Nadine said...

What a wonderful lesson on humilty. What talented girls - love the wreaths.

Barb said...

YUM! I'm suddenly hungry! The girls are pretty talented wreath-makers too!

Anonymous said...

This blog is so awesome!

Suburban prep said...

A friend from college is a Pampered Chef rep and she served something like this at a party I went to--oh so good. I will have to try this thank you.

Tammy said...

Hi dear Sandy~
What a wonderful time and a great lesson, too!
I loved all the pictures!

The recipe looks like something I would have learned while selling Pampered Chef a few years ago...I have that stone baker so I'm going to have to try this one! :D

Anonymous said...

What an inspirational post! It sparks true holiday spirit in me, so mcuh warmer than all the commercial bling! Merry christmas to you and yours.

Wendy said...

Great post! Looks like they had a great time while learning. :)