Monday, August 22, 2011 WOW-Zine

Hi there, ladies! Hopefully this will be my last post dealing with my personal problems, but so many of you have been praying for us that I feel you deserve an update. When I wrote last week, we were awaiting the outcome of our son's sentencing. It did not go well at all. Mark was sentenced to 9-1/2 years in prison and was moved to Coffee Creek in Wilsonville to begin the intake process. It's hard to have him so close yet not be allowed to see him, as no visitors are allowed during the intake time. Within six weeks to two months we should know where he's being sent to serve his time, and then have more of an idea of what we'll be facing. Thanks again for the prayers and concerns. You have demonstrated how to walk alongside a hurting sister.

Now on to some fun stuff!! Common Grounds will resume every other Wednesday beginning September 7th. For those of you who have not participated in the past, Common Grounds is our women's Bible study time. We normally meet at 6:30 for coffee and dessert at the church, and have our study from 6:50 until 8:00. I'm very aware of the time and the need many of you have to get home and get kids to bed, so I make sure to not go past 8:00 by more than just a few minutes. We'll have a special start to our year on September 7th, so be looking for more details about that evening in future WOW-Zines.

Ever heard of The Daily Grind? Well, you have now! That's a new class I'm offering. It will echo Common Grounds, but be held every other Thursday morning from 9 to 10:30. Our first session will be on September 15th. The Women's Ministry Team realizes it is difficult for some of you to get out of the house in the evening, so this time is especially for you! We will cover the same material that I teach at Common Grounds, but will be a week behind. I'm excited that we're able to provide these options for you.

More exciting events and opportunities are planned for this coming year, but I won't give them to you all at once. Just know that the WMT has worked hard to meet the different needs represented among our women. I'm glad several of you took advantage of the swim party at Karen's last week. I didn't get to attend since I was on Grandma Duty, but heard it was fun and relaxing.

Speaking of something fun and relaxing, don't forget about Zumba on Tuesday and Thursdays at 8 AM. What? you don't think of Zumba as relaxing?? Okay, so maybe it's not, but it is fun. Hope to see you this week in your workout clothes, a bottle of water in hand, ready to sweat away some of those pesky calories!

For something fun, make plans now to join a group of us at Women of Faith at the Portland Rose Garden all day Friday and Saturday October 7th and 8th. It's a bit spendy, so start putting some money aside now. The event itself is around $90, and we want to get several motel rooms and spend the night on Friday, so that would involve more moola. We'll be talking about this more, but I just want to get it on your radar at this point so you can see if you can make it happen.

So there you have it--the up to the minute news for Women of Wapato (WOW). Enjoy these last couple of weeks with your kids before the busy school year starts again. I had fun hanging out with my daughter and grandkids today doing school shopping. It was especially fun since I didn't have to spend the money!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Wapato's Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699