TEA-otally Excited!

 A couple of nights ago, a beautiful friend at church came up to me and gave me a gift. She was so excited watching me open it. Over and over again she would say, "becareful!", "Its expensive!" I have to say this was making me nervous and worried....what if I didn't like it?!?!?
 Finally open, I was floored to find she had bought an antique teapot. She had found it at a thrift store. The reason she was so excited was....It was Wedgwood! She new how I love Wedgwood and HOW expensive it can be. I turned the pot over and found this inscription;

 "Replica of the Wesley-Wedgwood Teapot. The original in Wesley's House, City Road, London, England. Made by Josiah Wedgwood 1761. Reproduced by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd. Etruria, England 1908. For Mrs. Anna Onstott Princeton, Indiana, USA." 

I was so excited when I read this. First  because it was copied from John Wesley's teapot...who was the earthly hero of my English Grandfather. My Grandfather was a devoted UPC minister in the UK. Helping to found a few churches and bringing it to what it is today. He passed away in 2008 and his funeral was held in the Methodist church in Bilston, England where John Wesley had preached. My grandfather had actually preached there too. My friend had no idea about this or that this teapot would hold these memories for me. 

Inscribed on either side of the teapot are prayers that John Wesley would have his ministers say every day:

We thank thee Lord for this our food
But more because of Jesus blood
Let manna to our Souls be given
The bread of Life sent down from Heaven

Be present at our Table Lord
Be here and everywhere ador'd
These creatures blefs & grant that we
May feast in Paradice with thee

 When I got home that night I began researching everything I could find on the internet about the teapot. It has a very neat little history. I will put up a couple of links for you to see. My teapot is not from 1908. I was able to decipher it's code. It is from 1970. Just over forty years old. There are a limited amount made. My friend was so right. This was not a cheap gift. I think she paid about $20 for it but after researching I found they sell for over $100.

I feel so blessed that she gave it to me. She was tempted to keep it LOL! I don't blame her. However, this little teapot is a special treasure to me. Not only because of its meanings...but because she gave it to me out of love.
The Bible teaches us to be friendly if we want to have friends. My life is blessed with some really great ones!

I now need to convince my husband I need a Curio Cabinet for Christmas ;-)

Here are the links of its history that I promised:

Wesley teapot History
Anna Onstott