I'm back from Camp Tapawingo (which is outside Falls City, which is outside Dallas) where I spoke at the women's retreat for Grace Community Church this weekend. What a joy it was to get to share about being Daughters of the King. The sixty-plus women, (and I'm talking number of bodies, not number of years!) were very warm and receptive. And a lot of fun! During freetime on Saturday afternoon, quite a few of them took advantage of the Giant Swing at camp. They locked themselves into harnesses and were lifted 80 feet into the air. Then they pulled their pin and went sailing back and forth through the woods and over a valley. The screams were amazing!! I opted out of that, but did do my first-ever Zumba class. Talk about fun!! Whoa, I didn't know Christian women could move like that!!
This was the first time I've spoken at a retreat without knowing anyone there. I thought back to how shy I used to be. Years ago I would never have thought I could do something like this. But I see how the Lord has grown me, and my confidence in Him, to be able to go outside my comfort zone and share with strangers. Which brings me to the question of the week: how has God changed you? What are you able to do now that you never dreamed you'd be able to do?
We don't have Common Grounds this week, but will be meeting for our last one next week, Wednesday, May 11th at 6 PM. Please note that this is earlier than our usual time, as we'll start off with a wonderful potluck dinner. Those of you who have attended our potlucks know you have a lot of delicious food to look forward to. Our ladies really know how to cook! (Perhaps we should work those calories off with Zumba afterwards!) Seriously, we'll eat and have our final lesson on Self Talk, Soul Talk. It will be a fun evening. And if anyone really wanted to, I'll bet Anita would bring her Zumba DVD that we could do after the lesson. :-)
Even though Common Grounds will not meet throughout the summer, we will have some activities going on so we can keep in touch during that time. I'll tell you about those on the 11th.
The mini-retreat is coming up soon--the weekend of May 13th. There are still a couple openings, so let me know if you'd like to come. I'll be contacting those of you who have expressed interest. The Beth Moore DVD on Loving Well is definitely worth your time, and some of our summer activities will be built around it.
So, enjoy this first week of May. Hopefully the weather will get spring-like again and we'll be able to spend a lot of time soaking up some sunshine. In the meanwhile, do what you can to soak up some Sonshine!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
well I thinkg I am #1 but Amy is probably typing faster as I am soo slow.. I read it all too!!! I am so happy your retreat thingy went well!! You are a blessing to us and I am sure those ladies were blessed too!! God is good!! YEs, he has stretched me, God has really been working on me lately and I am hoping the fruits will be seen in this next year!!! I am really trying to just foillow him in all aspects oif life and follow his plan!!
ReplyDeleteSUPER bummed, will not be at the las CG!!! I will be at the beach that whole week with my family just enjoying each other and life!! Sure will miss you all & we should start a ZUMBA 1-2 late nights a weeks, I have been thinking when I could do a workout class there, so I am on it!! we all need to be fit and HOTT for our Men and for some ladies future Godly men!!
ohh my goodness I made it!!! YAHOO!! I was stressing and mistyping and then i keep having trouble to get comments to post right away!! but I made it!! too bad won't be present to win a prize!! ;(
ReplyDeleteYou are funny, Chrissy! Everything's a competition with you ;oP
ReplyDeleteI have trouble seeing where God has changed me, though I know He has. I need to be more intentional about writing down and remembering victories. I just see the failures. But recognizing is the first step, right? I'll keep working!
I haven't been to a Common Grounds since Alivia was born and I was truly hoping to make it to the end of the year bash BUT Tanner has a baseball game..so, sorry ladies, I am going to miss the wonderful evening...I will be thinking about you ALL though :)
ReplyDeleteoh boy! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to NANC's (National Association of Nouthetic Counseling) Counseling & Discipleship Training and Family Life's Weekend to Remember in the last year. To grow in our knowledge of and have reminders about the sufficiency of the Bible and more about marriage has been fantastic. The Lord has used these tools to teach me more about Him and being more like Him. He is good! As you learn new things, God brings opportunities in to your path to put those things to practice. I'm learning to be bold, patient, my role as a wife, and so much more. Awesome stuff indeed :)
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