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by Barbara Hood, Commissioner –
Bette Stillwell |
High teas in America are elegant, sophisticated, and proper but a Hawaiian high tea is beautiful, delicious, and relaxed. Such was the case when the Women’s Ministry group, “Celebrate Women” from the Sacramento Citadel, orchestrated a Hawaiian high tea.
The Del Oro Divisional Headquarters dining room, with its glass wall overlooking a lovely garden, came alive with the aloha spirit. The tables were decorated with bird of paradise flowers, sand from the ocean, and live fish swimming in bowls! The delicious part came when we were served our exquisite plate of high tea delicacies.
The setting and the food were excellent, but the program had eternal value. Major Warren Dabis, Erin Dabis and Wendy Webster set the mood with beautiful songs from Hawaii; Hawaiian dancers added rhythm and color.
Special speaker, Bette Stillwell, flew in from Hawaii; she was absolutely God’s woman for the occasion. She spoke of the Waioli Tea Room with reference to her recent book written on the subject, and what it feels like to live with cancer. Bette in her own unique and eloquent way unlocked the door to our understanding of living with a chronic illness, the power of the illness and the treatment. She stated, “Illness causes the soul to search for a personal meaning to the events that have disrupted our lives and diminished our life style.” Bette exemplifies the wisdom that lies in engaging the life you have been given as fully and courageously as possible and no matter how painful or un-fair life is, life is holy, a blessing and worthy of celebration.
Many hearts were touched deeply as we examined our own lives before Almighty God.
