Ser-en-dip-i-ty [ser-uh n-dip-i-tee]
–noun
1. an unexpected desirable discovery
2. a pleasant surprise
Here’s how the invitation read to our “SerenDIPity” this past Saturday evening:
Jim and I are now putting a new twist in the word SerenDIPity!
A party of appetizers and desserts – all with DIPS!
We will be serving:
Miniature Crab Cakes with Creamy Crab Salsa DIP
Asiago Cheese and Artichoke DIP served with Flax Seed Chips
Fresh Fruit with Whipped Cream & Yogurt DIP
Pound Cake Cookies DIPPED in Chocolate
Here’s where the fun starts!!!
Bring your favorite DIP appetizer or DIPPED dessert!
We will all enjoy noshing on an array of delicious DIPS!
As our guests, you may win serenDIPitous prizes for the favorite appetizer and dessert!
There will be lots of other SERENDIPITIES during the evening!
Only one rule: No Double Dipping!
We hope you can join us for our First Annual SerenDIPity!
Your dippy friends,
Jim & Sharon
Below: “Chocolate Fountain”!!!! That’s a party!! (by Wade & Cheryl)
Below: “Sundried Tomato and Feta Torte” (by Buddy & Lucille)
Below: Creative poem (by Todd and Jenn) in the “Spicy Dip”
Is your mouth watering yet??? It was a tasty party indeed! Our joy was hearing the laughter of our friends and feeling the warmth of sweet fellowship. Our hearts were content having so much love under our roof and in our home. We are so very thankful to the Lord. “We love because He first loved us.” John 4:19
Jim opened the evening in prayer and thanksgiving to God. As we gathered in a warm home with plenty of food, we were keenly aware of the devastation being experienced around the world. We were humbled and recognized God’s goodness in allowing us to come together and enjoy fellowship and food from His bounty. “Your people settled in it, and from Your bounty, O God, You provided…” Psalm 68:10
Several people asked me, “Where did you get the idea for a ‘SerenDIPity‘?” To some, this might sound silly and even ridiculous, but I believe it was God’s idea whispered into my heart. Our hearts were to gather friends together for fellowship, to nourish friendships, and for some to begin new friendships. That is my heart. As Jim and I prayed for God’s blessing, presence and favor over our “SerenDIPity“, HE answered our prayers beyond imagination. Honestly, I feel kind of selfish because Jim and I (and even Joshua and Gabrielle, who were the only children there…to help serve our guests, take their coats, etc.) were so blessed. Our hearts were full and content by HIS goodness. And beyond that, He answered our prayers for our guests in so many ways. “For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
One of our friends said she has never laughed so much and she felt like she was back in junior high school. Another friend said her stomach was hurting when she left from laughing so hard. “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:2
I awoke the next morning to an e-mail from a friend that said: “I hope you are able to “DIP” your toes, and the rest of you, in a nice warm bath today!! Everyone was laughing and talking and just having the best time. Thanks for a fun, fun night. Jimmy’s prayer at the beginning of the evening was so meaningful. A night like that was such a blessing from God.”
One friend wrote: “Thank you for encouraging others to stop and nurture the relationships that He has blessed. Thank you for encouraging us to listen to His voice and the tapping on our hearts when He tells us to “tell them to bring dip, they will come”.
A lovely couple shared that this was the first time in years that they were able to enjoy such fellowship with friends, other than wonderful family and co-workers. This humbled and hushed our hearts. Thank you, Lord.
Another note read: “Thanks for opening your home for a night of fun, laughs and new friendships.”
Wow! Our prayers were answered in abundance!!! “New friendships” – I love that!!!!!!!
We share this to tell of His goodness. “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17
We share this to spur one another on. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
We share this to encourage you to nourish the relationships with which He has blessed you. Ask Him to bring new relationships into your life, if that is His will. Encourage one another. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23
At first, we said this would be an annual gathering. Joshua said, “Mom, you should do this every season!” Well, I don’t know about every season, but maybe a “Summer SerenDIPity” or an “Autumnal SerendDIPity“. Some of our friends want to take turns hosting now, too! As the Lord leads….
At my girlfriend’s suggestion (thank you, Lucille), we will be putting a recipe book together called “SerenDIPity” with recipes for appetizer and dessert dips. The book will also have pictures of all of our guests (those who give us permission) and their recipe, too! I am very excited to do this once we have gathered all of the recipes! © 2010 by Sharon Sloan. All rights reserved.
Check back soon….we’ll be posting the recipes of all the prize-winning dips!!!
Dippity-Do-Dah–Dippity-A-My oh my what a wonderful day. Plenty of dippies coming your way! Dippity-Do-Dah–Dippity-A!!!!!!
Is the house next door for sale…I would love to be your friend and neighbor! What a fun idea! Loved all the pictures…everything looked YUMMY!!!
Oh how fun!!!!
Sounds delicious too!
Love and hugs!
Jill