Deanna Rabe

I am a part of Sally Clarkson's new book launch team for The Lifegiving Table.  This book is out on my birthday, October 3rd. Sally has long been a kindred spirit even though we don't know each other.  We have shared interests in mentoring, discipleship, training and teaching our children, opening our homes and lives to others. This book, which I've read a preview of, is my heart too.  We've used our 'table' to build relationships with our children, our families, friends, fellow workers, young people, old people and every age in between.  To share our faith, spread encouragement, help carry burdens. Sometimes, it has been a full blown Thanksgiving meal with three tables set up.  Other times it has been coffee and dessert.  But all of it has been with the heart of welcome and care and "I want to know you better," or "come celebrate with us!"   I had a friend say to me, "My heart is to do this but we don't have a nice big tabl

Today I'm sharing a post that I wrote for my blog Creekside Cottage. We live an ordinary life.  We work, we cook meals, we wash dishes, do laundry, clean our houses, care for our children, and grandchildren.  For those of us who home educate, we are busy with guiding our children's learning, too! Sometimes we can feel as if we are not 'doing' anything of value. Often we feel as if our work and our lives are unseen.   There is a desire in all of us to be seen and to be known.  So much of social media is about this. There are so many things out there that make us feel as if we must be doing  something  that is noticed.  Living an ordinary life is seen as boring.   But look at what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12 9  But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;  10  and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that y