After speaking with Robin and Brittney, I was still just going to stay in Dolly\u2019s House for a little while longer just to have more time to \u201cput on my face like I was okay, but inside I knew I was struggling.\u201d God knew this and saw my pain and so He sent Mrs. Margie! If you didn\u2019t know, God has a sense of humor as well. <\/em>I told a fib and said I would be right up but she saw past my gap and said she was headed that way so we could go up together. And so we did! I tell you I have made some dumb decisions in my life, but the decision to put self aside and get out of feelings to go upstairs and support Annabelle turned out to be one of the BEST decisions I\u2019ve made in a long time! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only was I greeted by the most Beautiful faces but I was able to see little Akim, who looks like he should be on the face of a magazine. He and Clarissa should be Gerber babies; they are precious to me! And to top it off I got a sweet hug from my sweet sister and I felt like her warm embrace lifted the sadness hidden deep within. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And so it was time to sit down and get ready for Annabelle\u2019s presentation. I didn\u2019t know what to expect but I knew whatever it was, I would be blessed. Annabelle has such a beautiful spirit just like her mom and her smile is bright, beautiful and contagious. It makes you smile- and so I did! Annabelle had been working on a school project with her best friend, Sophia, and they chose our Women\u2019s Support group to receive the blessing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Annabelle\u2019s introduction she handed us a few items to give better context into the book she would be reading along with helpful tips that we could take back to our families and apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the above information sheet, we each received four conversation starter cards and a table booklet that we could customize and use as a guide or tool for our families. I was so excited to see Kyjah begin writing on hers already! <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was time for story time so we all tuned in. Annabelle read Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds. I don\u2019t want to spoil the book so I will not tell you what it is about. To hear someone read the story aloud, please click on the QR code above that Annabelle provided. This is an awesome resource for all ages and it truly told a story deeper than the importance of being screen free and of having family convos and reading time! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Violet, the main character in the story was so wise beyond her years and she had the ability to bring her family closer together with purpose. I was inspired by this story because even though Violet felt lonely and could have been disappointed, she didn\u2019t allow that to stop her from doing what God intended for her to do. In the end Violet was able to bring her family back to the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Annabelle illustrated the importance of reducing screen time, active listening, being present and making loved ones feel seen and heard, and so much more not only by reading the book, providing conversation cards, the fact sheet but most importantly by being transparent and providing her own testimony. By Annabelle being open and bold enough to tell her shortcomings when it comes to screen time and the importance of certain family traditions it really helped me do a self inventory (and others in the room) of how we have allowed distractions and being overly busy to minimize the table in our homes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not often that families sit around the table and share a meal, let alone have a conversation these days. Most folks eat carry out in their rooms and the only time they have converse is in passing. Phones, television, social media, and e-books have taken precedence in so many homes it\u2019s ridiculous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n God had aligned Pastor Jackie\u2019s spirit with Annabelle\u2019s presentation so perfectly. Pastor Jackie provided a sheet entitled, \u201cStarve the scroll, feed the spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We had some time to have a healthy conversation and share our thoughts and questions for Annabelle and that was the \u201cwhip cream\u201d on top! To witness the different perspectives from Beautiful ladies from all walks of life and then to hear the testimony from a wise 20 year old college student, it was refreshing! Annabelle didn\u2019t know how much of a blessing she was to me along with Sophia, and a much needed distraction to take me a way from my feelings of despair. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am so grateful that God sent Brittney, Robin, and Mrs. Margie in my path. I\u2019m so happy that they didn\u2019t leave me alone in my thoughts. I\u2019m so happy that I was able to bear witness to God working in and through sweet Annabelle. I pray that she will have the opportunity to repeat what was done on a larger scale and it is my prayer that Sophia and her could have a panel style discussion on this very topic. Again it was so much more \u201cmeat and potatoes\u201d than limiting screen time; Annabelle invited us to the table. And boy did we eat! I left spiritually full and she gave me something I hadn\u2019t been able to encourage myself to have these last two days- hope! Her kind heart and choosing to bless us on this particular night was right on time and exactly what I needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After prayer time, it was time to shift gears and go into Ms. Samuels sewing class. I had gotten a chance to talk to a few folks and one person I got the pleasure to speak to was sweet Kami! She wore the brightest smile that would take anyone\u2019s stress away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some lines of communication were mixed up so I was the only person in the sewing class. I asked Ms. Samuel not to be discouraged and by my surprise she was still happy and still wanted to proceed with class. Not to be selfish but I got first dibs on valuable information and a very thorough step by step process. God allowed the time to slow down in order for me to get a full lesson. I even received a homework assignment?! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Class was adjourned and it was time to go home. On my way home Mrs. Debbie called me- she is so delightful! We had a good talk and it was time to put on my Mommy hat. I wasn\u2019t quite ready to hear leave my \u201cbubble of thoughts\u201d because these thoughts were happy thoughts that drowned out the feelings of anxiety and frustration that I felt before I saw Annabelle! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just in the nick of time, I got a text from my sweet sister! What happened next had me crying tears of pure joy for over an hour! If I have grammatical errors into today\u2019s message it\u2019s probably because I couldn\u2019t stop crying tears of happiness and gratitude. <\/em> I don\u2019t know why and I cannot quite understand (but it\u2019s not for me to understand) but I thank God! Kami sung with boldness, with conviction, with grace, and with love in her heart CeCe Winans, Goodness of God<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever heard an Angel sing? Have you ever had goosebumps and tears that were uncontrollable? If your answer is no, listen to Kami sing Goodness of God by CeCe Winans! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kami\u2019s offering was the \u201ccherry on top!\u201d It was confirmation that God loves me and that He does not put more on us than we can bear. It provided a sweet release and allowed me to lay my burden at Jesus\u2019 feet. After I listened to Kami sing and cry some more, I was able to put on that armour of God, polish my purple gloves, and put on my shoes of peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kelly always points me back to Scripture Psalm 8:2. Last night was that example and how special it was for it to be Kami and Annabelle! To witness this pure act of love on a night when my heart was so heavy and my soul cried out in silence, to have this offering, to be fed so good, and then to be rocked to sleep listening to Kami\u2019s rendition of Goodness of God- God loved me so tenderly through these beautiful young women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5459.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5461.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_9869.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")