Happy last Monday of the year! This is a very special week, since it's the end of 2010. Soon, all the things that have been taunting you this year (losing weight, being better organized, growing in your spiritual life) will no longer have the power to say "neener-neener" to you. You won't be living under the guilt of unrealized goals from 2010. No, instead you'll get to have a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning, and all the other cliches that go along with the new year. But seriously, enjoy the fact that this is the last Monday that you'll be able to berate yourself for not doing everything you've wanted to do this past year. Let it go! Take some time this week to prayerfully sit down and ask the Lord what His intentions are for you during this coming year. Instead of "losing weight, being better organized, or growing spiritually", you may find He speaks to you about your greater need for discipline, which covers all these different areas. Pick just a handful of things you'd like to see improvement in during this next year. Find someone who will check in with you every now and then to see how you're doing. You could even use the comment space on this blog to write down what you feel God speaking to you about. That way we can all pray for you as you begin 2011. Any takers?
This Wednesday at 6 PM is our Pizza/Undecorate the Church get-together. Please bring $5 to cover the cost of pizza and pop. I'd like to know how many are coming, so just drop me a note. If I remember right (which I probably don't) the following women have said they'll be coming: Chrissy, Anita, Karen, Kathy, and myself. Anyone I've missed???
Just so you know, our retreat registration will open to the whole wide world in just three more weeks! So if you want to be sure to get a spot, hand me an $80 check made out to Wapato Valley Church, or a fistful of bills equaling $80. That will reserve your place for a weekend you won't soon forget. Who gave me a $20 bill toward retreat at the WOW party? I still have the money, but can't for the life of me remember who handed it to me. I was suddenly getting sick and my brain wasn't functioning up to its usual speed! (If more than one of you tell me you gave me the $20, I'll know we have a serious problem going on!!)
Common Grounds will resume on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 6:30 PM. In our study of Self Talk, Soul Talk we've laid the ground work for the real meat of the study. Even if you've never attended, you can easily slip into our sessions. Not only do we spend quality time in the Word, but also quality time developing relationships with each other. Please join us every other Wednesday.
How about a little trading post activity on this blog? If you're like me, you like to start the new year by getting rid of things you no longer need. I'm thinking we could "advertise" such things on this blog. Things you'd either like to sell or give away.
For example, Christine told me that she has baby clothes she'd like to give to anyone that needs them. Since she has two boys, I'm presuming the clothing is for baby boys. She said to give her a call at 971-255-9620 and she can give you more information.
I have a set of dishes I'd love to sell for only $50. There are 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 10 mugs, and 6 glasses. They're all in good condition, but I'm just not into that pattern any longer. But it may be perfect for you!
Well, I think that's it for this week. Be sure to leave comments letting us know how we can pray for you during this coming year. May you have a blessed last week of 2010!
Sherrie Ashcraft
Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com
971-285-6699
Merry Christmas!! As you're frantically running around finishing your last minute errands before Christmas, I hope you'll take a few minutes to sit back and relax with this week's WOW-Zine.
I lost my voice during the WOW Christmas party last week, and haven't quite found it yet. Because of that, I'm not going to talk much today. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I guess I'll still be pretty wordy. We had a fantastic time at our Christmas party, with oodles of great tasting cookies exchanged, and some very interesting white elephant gifts being fought over. (Fought over, as in people trying to get rid of things they'd chosen. "You want this pig cookie jar. Really you do." Or "I'm sure this package of Tucks would go well in your bathroom!" ) I have the sneaking suspicion that we will see some of these items return, in mint condition, if we have a white elephant gift exchange next year. Pictures from the evening will be at the end of this blog, so be looking for yourself there. With thirty women present, I'm not sure if I snapped a pic of everyone, but that was certainly my intent.
My voice is failing, but before I leave you for this week, just a reminder that on Wednesday, December 29 at 6 PM we'll have our Undecorating Pizza party. Bring $5 to cover the cost of pizza and soda. We'll eat, visit, and put away Christmas decorations at the church for another year. Please let me know if you're coming. You can just say so in the comment section.
I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Christ! And now, with no further ado ... PICTURES!!!
She's baaaack!! Yep, I'm back to normal, at least as much as that is possible for me! Thanks again for all the prayers and concern on my behalf. I'm know that the Lord has intervened in my health and I'm looking forward to a wonderful Christmas season with you gals ...
Beginning with our WOW Christmas party this Wednesday at 6:30 PM. What a great time we'll have! Bring 4 dozen cookies if you'd like to participate in the cookie exchange. It's a wonderful way to get to sample the cooking talents of our women. (And you only have to share with your family if you want to!) Please bring a wrapped, white elephant gift with you. The key to this being a lot of fun is that you don't go out and buy something new to give to someone. Look around your house, under the bed, in the attic, and find something that you no longer want to have. I know what I'm bringing--it's something new but I've never used as it simply wasn't my taste. But someone else may fall in love with it! (If not, they can regift it at our party next year!) We will provide child care at this event. Annika will be there and money given toward babysitting will help fund her mission trip to Mexico. If you bring children, please be aware that they will be in another room and not part of our festivities. So maybe send along a snack or two for them.
All good things must come to an end, or at least that's what I've heard, and that means Christmas too. So on Wednesday, December 29th, we will meet at 6 PM for an Undecorate the Church party. Pizza and soda will be provided, so please bring $5 to cover the expense of your dinner. We'll play Christmas music one last time as we take down the tree, tuck decorations into tubs, eat, and laugh together. It would be helpful if you'd let me know you're coming. (No children at this event, please.)
The time is quickly approaching when we will open up registration for our spring retreat to the general public. You don't want to miss out on gathering with a bunch of crazy women as we get together at a fantabulous beach house in Lincoln City, March 4th-6th. We'll be kicking back in the 40-seat home theater to be encouraged by Beth Moore via a DVD series. Loving Well will be a challenge to apply biblical truths to the people around us. Your $80 will cover Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, as well as Sunday breakfast and your stay at this beautiful house. (See http://www.vrbo.com/ #309670) Saturday afternoon will be free time for your shopping, hiking, and dining pleasure.
So, I'll see you all on Wednesday evening for our Christmas party. And if you've never been able to make it to a WOW event before, this would be a great time to change that!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-8899
