From the website Eras of Elegance

Afternoon tea is a wonderful ritual that brings beauty and grace into the life of your family and friends. There is something uniquely gracious about the etiquette and manners we bring to afternoon tea that recaptures the romance of past ages. Henry James wrote, "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as an afternoon tea." Afternoon tea was invented by Anna Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. Anna was quite fond of taking tea and petite-sized cakes in her boudoir during the late afternoon hours. Many followed the Duchess' lead, and thus the ritual of afternoon tea was birthed. In fact, a culture of sorts emerged around the tradition of drinking tea. Fine hotels began to offer tea rooms, while tea shops opened for the general public. Tea dances also became popular social events at which Victorian ladies met potential husbands. A Victorian tea party also provides the perfect opportunity to fellowship with other ladies or get to know some of your neighbors. A regular afternoon tea makes a relaxed context for a ladies Bible study, prayer group or neighborhood book club. Even young girls can be included in tea time. And lest you think that you need to buy fancy china and learn all of the proper tea etiquette, it is more important to extend a hand of friendship and open your heart and home to others.

God listens to us

http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2010/09/30/god-listens-to-us-2/

God hears our prayers and wants to hear from us.  I went to hear Jill Savage speak tonight at a conference and it was at a Hispanic church.  It was very good.  One thing she said about prayer.  Prayer can be awkward.  Push through awkward to new normal that you want to create. Be a church at home too.
Great stuff. 
Enjoy a cup of tea with your devotion and prayer.

Traveling Tea with Jesus  

Say "Yes" for tomorrow from the book The Tea Lover's Devotional

Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven- Luke 10:20

A few days after Roy  Rogers passed away at his home in Apple Valley, California, a local Christian television station broadcast a tribute to his life.  In one of the segments, Dale Evans, Roy's wife, sang a song entitled, "Say 'Yes' for Tomorrow."  This song was dedicated to the memory of Roy's early decision to put his trust in Jesus as his Savior.
While listening to this song I began to think back over my own life, back to when I invited Jesus, as my Lord, into my heart.  At that time I made the most important decision in my life.  I truly said "yes" for tomorrow," in that I settled my eternity by saying "yes" to Jesus.  I was a teenager who came from a Jewish background.  Even though my decision for Christ didn't set well with my extended family of aunts and uncles, it did settle for me what my tomorrows would be.  My direction for the future was decided.  As I've matured in my life I've realized that many adults have never made that affirmation. 
What a shame to search all one's life and then, at the end of life, be unsure what the future might hold.
Dale Evans shared with her audience that Roy had made this decision a long time ago.  And since she also was a believer she had the assurance that she would be reunited with Roy in heaven.
If you haven't settled what tomorrow will be, take time today to guarantee your destination.  Confirm to your family that you will be united together forever in heaven.

Father God, I thank you for providing a way so I can know where my tomorrow will be. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the price on the cross for my sins.

In advance of a tea party, create a list of what makes each woman you have invited beautiful in your eyes.  Use examples from that woman's life of how she demonstrates areas of beauty and grace.  Share these with the group and encourage others to offer their words of honor as you lift up each person in attendance.

                                             Where there's tea there's hope.  Sir Arthur Pinero

Traveling Tea with Jesus