About 4 years ago I asked Hubby for a mother's ring. We lived near an amazing place that had a little jewelry shop. The wife and I struck up conversation every time we walked through there, she had lots of littles and so did I. I filled her in on our adoption adventure and how we were working so hard to bring 4 new children home to our family. It was her husband who was to make my mother's ring. Naturally, I included a birthstone for each of our children. 7 children to-be, 7 birthstones. They were still working on the ring after our African children came home. About that time I found out I was expecting our little Angel Baby. So, I called them up and had them add an 8th stone to the ring. I chose an anniversary style ring with the stones going all the way around the band. Only 8 stones wouldn't cover the entire band...I wondered what to fill the rest of the band with? I immediately thought of rubies. So, I called and the man evenly spaced 3 rubies for every birthstone placed around my mother's ring.
Why rubies you ask? Well, partly because of Proverbs 31:10. "A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls." Not that I'm the most capable, intelligent or virtuous woman out there but it was my Hubby who found me and it is He who says I am far more precious than jewels and my value is far above rubies or pearls. Hard not to feel beautiful and appreciated when it's said that way, isn't it?
Way, way back in 2006 at the very beginning of this blog I spoke of our decision to adopt from Liberia and why. It was at my very first Above Rubies retreat that God used an every day woman to speak to me about the orphans in Liberia. My life and my family's life was changed forever by that retreat. So, as a result of that experience is reason #2 why I chose rubies to be placed in my mother's ring. God used that retreat to make me a mother to 8 children.
Below is a picture of Colin & Nancy Campbell. I've been to a few women's retreats over the years and have had the pleasure of speaking with Nancy personally. She is the founder of Above Rubies ministries. Such a sweet, sweet lady. You can read more about them here.
I've learned a lot over the years from things she has had to say and from the articles others send into the magazine. I've also wrestled with certain things she's said. Those things have caused me to dig deeper into the word to see what God has to say about it (it wasn't hard to find, all her teachings are FULL of scripture!) and pray really hard about how God would have me receive that information and apply it to my life. I've acquired many of her books and CDs over the years as teaching materials and enjoy digging deeper into the subjects she talks about. Amazing things...amazing lady.
We are blessed to be going to our very first family retreat this next weekend. I'm so excited to be bringing my entire family as well as meeting Colin for the first time. I highly recommend the women's retreats and after next weekend, I'm sure I'll be saying the same about the family retreats! Wanna take a look at info on the retreats? Here it is. I've also met all of Nancy's daughters personally. Sweet, sweet girls. I am the age of their youngest daughter, Serene. Serene and Pearl have many CDs (found in the bookstore) and have blessed this home time after time with their sweet voices.
I've been praying for a few years now about hosting/planning a women's retreat. Now that we are back in northern WI, there just aren't any near here (trip to Canada anyone?). I've been holding out and praying for a partner in crime to help me. I think it might be a bit much for one person, we'll see what God has to say when He answers me about it! :)
Reason #3 I picked rubies for my mother's ring: I think they're pretty.
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