Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Whole Megillah




I can hardly believe that tonight is my last Esther class. We have finished “The Whole Megillah”! It has been a big commitment for me and I am thankful to the Lord for helping me to stay faithful for 10 weeks of classes, a 36 mile round trip to class each time and some 45 nights of homework. Thank you to my friends and family for praying for me during this time that I would remain faithful and that I would “hear” what the Lord had to say to me. Your prayers were definitely heard!

It has been an unbelievable journey and one that I would highly recommend EVERY lady take, if you have the opportunity. One of the things that we talked about throughout the book of Esther was all the ironies in the book. How about THIS for irony ---- our final class is meeting tonight ON Purim. How neat is that!

The name “Purim” comes from the Hebrew word “lots” and is the festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the Persian Empire from Haman’s plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the book of Esther. Haman cast lots to determine which day that the Jews would be exterminated.

Our final class tonight is bittersweet for me. I am sorry to say “goodbye” to some wonderful sisters in Christ that I have met and grown to love over these past weeks and to say “goodbye” (for now) to Esther, who I have grown to love dearly! I will never look at the book of Esther the same again. As Beth Moore reminded us in the beginning of the study, even though the book of Esther lacks any mention of God, His Spirit is ALL over it!

We are having a celebration tonight in honor of Purim (and our last time to meet together) and our leader is making “Haman’s Ears”. This is a special fruit-filled triangular cookie that is served during Purim. (They are called "Haman’s Ears” because they resemble the shape of an ear.) I am so excited to try them! Who knows...maybe you'll be seeing them on Mimi's Making Meals soon!

To all of my "Esther-gen" sisters that are still in the midst of your study, I will be praying for you as you continue on this incredible journey! I know that the Lord has placed each and every one of you in this study "For Such A Time As This."


After all....."It's Tough Being A Woman"!!

18 comments:

Rebecca Jo said...

Good for you for being so dedicated to this study!! That says alot about you! I'm sure God has worked wonders & seeds have been planted for future growth in things you've learned!!!

Jill said...

It always feels like an accomplishment when I finish a Beth Moore study! :) It definitely takes commitment and it is so rewarding. Bravo for sticking with it! I've heard great things about this study.

Say a prayer for me, my Mom and my S-I-L...we're headed to Nashville, tomorrow morning, to see Beth! :)

p.s. definitely want to see these cookies!!

((HUGS))

Jenna said...

Yay!! I am so glad this study has been a blessing to you! Love it!

petrii said...

Emilie,
YAY GREAT job!!!!! I will finish up our David study next week. I can't believe we are about to complete it. It's been wonderful. You'll have to let me know how those cookies are. I'd love to have the recipe.

Have a Blessed evening,
Praying for you,
Dawn

Jacquie said...

Good for you. I'm so glad it was such a blessing to you. This post is a great plug for the study!!!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

My Bible study ladies met yesterday as we completed the first week of Esther. We too, saw the cool timing of it being Purim. So, how were the cookies. The ladies' asked me if I was going to make them for the last class and I have been considering it. I'd love to know how they were. Good job with finishing. Having to drive that far is much more of a commitment.

Heather said...

Congrats on finishing the study....definitely an accomplishment worth celebrating!
I can't wait to do the Esther study!

Faith said...

Wow, it's already over?? Mom, I'm so thankful that you've been able to be a part of this study and I'm so proud of you for sticking to it. I've been praying for you and I'm so glad the Lord has spoken to your heart in amazing ways.

I love you!!

Ginger said...

Congatulations on this accomplishment! It takes a lot of time and dedication to stick with a study that lasts for that length of time...but so worth it. Way to go. I know that God has and will bless you in many ways.

Enjoy the celebration:)

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful time tonight at your last Esther study! Enjoy those "Haman's Ears" cookies :)

Melissa said...

I still have a few weeks go to and I don't want it to end either!! It's so cool that yesterday was actually Purim and you all are ending today! It is such a great study and I have loved learning more about God's word and the book of Esther since very few pastors preach from that book! I love ya and congratulations! :)

Kendra said...

Oh I am sad for you =(. I don't want to say good bye to Esther either!!! Luckily I still have a few weeks left =)

Stacy said...

Congrats Emilie! I know that you have really enjoyed this class and I have enjoyed hearing about some of the things that you have learned. I hope you liked the cookies too!

Sheariahzard (Sher) said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Stacy speaks so highly of you. I feel like I already know you! I look forward to your inspirational words and yummy recipes!

Stephanie said...

Congrats on finishing this study! I always learn so much about the WORD and about the LORD when I do a Beth Moore study. I've been wanting to do this one and now I really want to :) Hope tonight was a blessing for you.

valerie said...

I'm proud of you Emilie.
It takes dedication to attend every session and to complete all of the homework.
I have facilitated several Bible studies and there are always a few who stop coming after about four sessions, but most hate to miss.
We won't meet next week because of spring break, but then we only have two more meetings. It always makes me so sad to see a study end.
This study of Esther has been amazing. Beth is such a great teacher.
I saw the recipe for these cookies in the workbook. I may have to consider trying to make those.
I'm glad you enjoyed the study.
Blessings from Oklahoma,
Valerie

Denise said...

Praise God for blessing you with this study sweetie.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

So glad you dropped by my blog. Come by again soon for a visit.

Teresa