Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Wapato WOW-Zine

Hello, ladies! It's that time of the week again (which is so much better than "that time of the month") to let you know what's going on for the Women Of Wapato.

If you were at church on Sunday you heard the announcement that the Tuesday/Thursday Zumba was on hold. The reason for that was that for three weeks in a row there had been at least one day each week where no one but myself had shown up. It was disheartening to work my schedule around being there and ending up having no friends join me! But several of you talked to me after church and told me you'll be there, so we will have ZUMBA on Tuesday and Thursday (yes, today) at 6:30. Classes also meet at 4:15 on Monday and Wednesday. This truly is a great way to get in shape, which is important as we head into the holiday eating season! 


The Thursday Perk meets this week at 9:30. Don't forget to wear RED. (Yes, I'm talking to you, Karen!) We had a wonderful discussion last week at Common Grounds as we studied the story of Rahab the Harlot. It was amazing what we were able to learn from her! Please read Joshua chapter 2 and chapter 6 so you'll know what we're talking about.

We'll take a close look at Delilah next week at Common Grounds, meeting at 6:30. Read Judges 16 to refresh your memory about the story of Samson and Delilah. And can you guess what our theme will be? I think we'd have to go with hair and scissors, so find a way to incorporate one or the other (or both) into your wardrobe that evening. 
  
Which leads us right into this article I came across this week. I hope it encourages you in the "bad hair" days of your life!

Learning to Praise on Bad Hair Days by Shannon Perry

Have you ever had a "bad hair" day?  I am not referring to the kind that the curling iron can cure, but to those days when events in your life seem unbelievable.

 

It was Sunday and I was running late for a concert.  I was due for a sound check in thirty minutes and the church was forty five minutes from my home.  I was fifteen minutes into my commute when I realized I had forgotten a significant piece of music that I needed for the event.   A friend of mine had a copy, so I called him and quickly drove to his office.  As I jumped out of my car in a panic, I quickly shut the door.  You guessed it!  My keys were hanging from the ignition and all of the doors were locked. Not only was I certain to miss the sound check, it would be a miracle if I made the concert.

My friend called a wrecker to get the keys out of my car while I called the church to let them know about my delay.  Forty five minutes later, the wrecker driver arrived with "slim Jim" in hand.  As he worked on one side of the car, my friend walked around to the other side.  With a loud shout of disbelief, he suddenly screamed, "Shannon!" He then put his hand through the window that was down on the other side of the car.  My first reaction was shock, and then I laughed uncontrollably.  The wrecker driver shook his head in disbelief, and refused to take payment for his visit.  I quickly thanked my friend, apologized for any inconvenience, and jumped into my car.  I arrived at the church in time for the concert, and the congregation enjoyed a great laugh as I explained my delay.

How many times have you felt "locked out" of solutions that you needed for your life?  Maybe the opposite is true.  Maybe you feel locked inside of a situation that seems hopeless and you need a "wrecker driver" to get you out.  I have learned that Jesus is the ultimate deliverer.  There were two men in the Bible who certainly found this to be true as well. 

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were definitely having what most of us would consider a VERY "bad hair" day.  Beaten and unjustly thrown into prison for worshiping the living God, Paul and Silas were placed in chains and under very tight security. 

Instead of complaining, however,  they began singing praises to God while sitting in their chains. Praises in prison?  I don't know about you, but it is often difficult for me to get over myself and sing praises to God when I am having a "bad hair" day, much less when I am treated unfairly.  These men, however, knew a secret to overcoming difficulties.  They took their eyes off their circumstances, and put them completely onto God.  As they were singing in their cell, an earthquake came and their prison doors were opened.  Although they could have immediately escaped, they stayed along with all of the other prisoners.  Because of their example of faith, the jailer and his family gave their life to Christ.

Maybe you need an "earthquake" today.  You have found yourself in a prison, and you don't know how to sing praises on your "bad hair" days.  Your prison may not seem significant to others, but it weighs you down and keeps you from God's best.  How can we receive our "earthquake?"   How can we have victory during our "bad hair" days?  The same way that Paul and Silas did.  They found the key to their prison doors through praise. Praise is the prayer that changes everything.  Praise keeps our minds on Christ and off our circumstances.  Praise releases the power of God to work in our circumstances.

Whether our prison is created by injustice or by our own hands, God longs for us to live a life of freedom in Him.  When "bad hair" days come and you hear the slam of the prison door, begin to thank God that He knows the way out.   We can take refuge in the One who still opens prison doors and sets captives free.  As a result, our victories become encouraging to others and our "bad hair" days become great days of praise.

Originally posted April 13, 2010.

Shannon Perry is a speaker/singer whose new If The Shoe Fits women's conferences combine her teaching prowess with her musical talent.  Perry's new music CD entitled The Real Thing (produced by Lifeway writer/producer Paul Marino) features songs specifically written to fit in with the theme of the conferences.  Perry wrote the bulk of the original presentation in hospital waiting rooms while her husband was undergoing cancer treatment.  Perry earned her Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in counseling and taught in the public school system for over fourteen years before entering into full-time ministry.  She has previously-released music projects with both Daywind and Benson Records which garnered radio airplay on the national Christian charts.  She has performed with the Houston Symphony and has even appeared at Carnegie Hall.  She has been a featured soloist at the J&J Music Conferences in Houston, Texas, and led praise and worship at numerous women's conferences and for the national Lifeway conferences held annually in New Mexico and North Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.shannonperry.com/ 

Sherrie Ashcraft, Wapato's Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699 

 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Wapato WOW-Zine

ARE YOU SEEING RED??
You will be this Wednesday night if you join the rest of us at Common Grounds for our study of the Bad Girls of the Bible. This week Rahab the Harlot takes her turn under our spiritual microscope. In keeping with the theme of the evening please wear something red. You'll also want to have "read" the Bible passages of Joshua Chapter 2 and Chapter 6. I hope you'll be "ready" to join us at 6:30 PM at the church.

ARE YOU SEEING BLUE??
You will be this Friday if you forget about our Game Night, beginning at 6:30 at the church. We always have so much fun at this event that you'll really be feeling blue if you miss it. Show up with a snack to help keep us fortified during an evening of various table games. Bring your favorite games--we'll have at least six tables set up so we'll have room for a variety. Apples to Apples, Yahtzee, Pictionary--bring anything you like. And if you'd like to be really comfy, feel free to wear your jammies!

ARE YOU SEEING BLACK??
You will be Saturday on the soles of your socks if the high school gym floor is dirty for the Sock Hop. This event promises to be fun for the whole family. Show up at 5:30 for an evening of great music, 50's-style. Bring potluck food and dress like a character from Grease. For more info, check out the weekly announcements. (If you can help set up ahead of time, please give Becky a call right away. 503-985-3351)

ARE YOU SEEING PURPLE??
If you are, you need to have your eyes examined as that's just not normal! And it has nothing to do with next week's Thursday Perk. We're always a week behind what is studied at Common Grounds, so refer to the first paragraph of this WOW-Zine to see what you're supposed to read and wear next week. Feel free to bring friends to our 9:30 AM meeting at the church. If you need a sitter for preschool children, please let me know and I can arrange for that.  

ARE YOU SEEING GREEN?
You will be if you come to Zumba and get your motor revved up so you can go, go, go! Free classes are held at the church at 4:15 PM Monday and Wednesday and 6:30 PM Tuesday and Thursday.  

AND NOW, A SPECIAL ARTICLE FOR ALL YOU MOMS OUT THERE:

The Stress and Strain of Being Supermom

By Rebecca Hagelin

Several years ago, my friend Kim fit the profile of a young “supermom” perfectly. You know, the one who looks like a million dollars, has time for the gym and weekly manis and pedis, volunteers as soccer team-mom for her daughter, and is a top-producer for her company.  While other moms struggled in the back-to-school frenzy to find washable Crayola markers—classic colors, 10 count, not 8, mind you--plus red plastic folders with pockets, and more, Kim had it under control.  All supplies sorted, bagged, and delivered to the classroom ahead of time. And she kept up that pace all year long.

She was a supermom to be envied. Or so it seemed.

Inside, however, she struggled with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. She was driven to succeed in all corners of her world---but her drive propelled her right past the small joys in life.  Intent on fulfilling her own high expectations—whether as mom, wife, employee, team player, you name it—she expended great energy juggling those roles, satisfied with nothing less than a perfect performance.

It turns out that the supermom cape doesn’t wear so well in real life.

A new study by researchers at the University of Washington found that “supermoms” (women who project the image---and believe the myth---that they can juggle children, home, husband, career and volunteer work with perfection) end up more depressed than other moms.

One researcher, Katrina Leupp, put the problem this way: “"Ascribing to an ideal that women can do it all… increased the level of depressive symptomscompared to women who were more skeptical of whether or not work and family can be balanced."

Working hard is a great American value. But the Supermom syndrome fails women. It creates the unachievable expectation that perfection in everything is not only possible but also necessary--right now, all it at once, in every arena. It creates an internal pressure cooker where the threat of failure simmers below the surface and genuine happiness and peace evaporate.

As Kim learned, it’s a recipe for depression, discouragement, and unhappiness.

How to Save Your Family: Be a “Real Mom” not Supermom.

Remember, Supermom is a cartoon character.

The University of Washington researchers found that the moms who were happiest were those who held a realistic view of the challenges of combining work and family. They knew the juggling act was tough, so they adjusted their lives to fit that reality.

What does that mean in real life?

First, take off the rose-colored glasses and assess your life realistically.  What are your family’s priorities?  Do your activities and time spent match those priorities? Or is the time you spend scattered over a multitude of less important tasks, while your most important relationships go untended? Resolve to give your best time and energy to those who matter most: God and family. Be willing to make changes---scaling back on less important commitments, reducing work hours—to reflect your real priorities.

Second, embrace your own imperfect reality.  Special needs children? Single parent? Financial struggles?  Mental health or physical illness? Your own temperament and imperfections? Your life’s script unfolds with unique characters and an original plotline---how you spend time and invest yourself will reflect your own messy, imperfect reality. This is how it’s meant to be, for you, right now. Accept with peace what you can’t change, and work diligently to change the important things that are within your power to affect.

Third, don’t compare yourself to other “more perfect” moms.  Everyone struggles.  Some challenges remain hidden from the public eye and others are much more visible.  Have confidence that you can handle your unique situation—don’t add the burden of imagining that someone else would do it better.

Finally, rediscover the richness of life—family life in particular—woven into small acts of service, mundane tasks, and daily routines. Make it a point to notice, enjoy and savor the every day “little” things your children do. Be there for the daily life, not just the “big” events.

And that mental Supermom cape? Put it away until later this month when Halloween arrives – and then discard it for good on November 1^st along with all the other nutty costumes!

Rebecca Hagelin outlines her vision for parenting in 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family.

(c) 2010 Rebecca Hagelin. www.howtosaveyourfamily.com.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Wapato's Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699 

 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Wapato WOW-Zine

What's up with the weather today? First it rains, then it "suns", then it does both at the same time! Quite the metaphor for life, don't you think? Sometimes we're living in a phase of pouring rain and we feel like we're drowning. Other times life is perfect and the sun glorious. And every now and then we experience times when we feel like we're so soaked we'll never be dry again, and yet at the same time, we're basking in the glory and love of God. Whatever weather pattern is happening in your life today, I pray you realize that God is enough.

Women of Faith this past weekend at the Rose Garden was a wonderful experience for the fifteen of us that were able to attend. Start planning ahead for next year's event, which will be the first weekend of October. If you set aside $5 a week you'll have enough money by Spring.  My goal is to have 25 women related to Wapato attend next year. We were challenged by the speakers, lifted into worship, and laughed and cried together. Plus had a mini slumber party at the motel Friday night!


The Thursday Perk meets this Thursday from 9:30 to 11 AM at the church. Our Bad Girl of the Bible for this week is Eve, the Mother of All Bad Girls! Your assignment, should you care to accept it (which I'm sure you do), is to read Genesis 2:15 through Chapter 3. This study generated a lot of discussion at Common Grounds last week, so be prepared! This is also your chance to incorporate something from the Bible passage into your attire for the morning, be it apples, leaves, snakes, etc.

Remember Zumba at 4:15 on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 6:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sweat with the Oldies--I'm talking about me, not Richard Simmons--and work off some of your pent-up aggressions! 

 Next week Common Grounds meets on Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the church. We're having great discussions as we plow through familiar stories about different women in the Bible, and in the process discover things we have in common with some of these Bad Girls and may want to change! Wear something red and join us as we look into the life of Rahab the prostitute. You'll want to read the Bible section beforehand--Joshua 2 and Joshua 6. Yes, that's two whole chapters, so get started now!

Game Night is coming! Friday, October 21st from 6:30 to ? we'll be having a pah-tay at the church. This is for women only, as no one else is allowed to have as much fun as we do! Bring your favorite game and a snack to share. We'll have the tables set up around the room so various games can be going on at the same time. We always have a great time at this event, but it will be even better if you're there! 

Prayer Needs:
1) Carol Fones had surgery yesterday and is doing well last I heard. She will be at Tuality Hospital until Thursday or Friday.

2) We need to continue to pray for Gonzala Lira as she continues her radiation treatments. If you can give her a ride to Forest Grove on weekday afternoons, give her daughter Lucy a call at 503-715-7774.

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 WOW-Zine

Did you all remember that I'm starting to send the WOW-Zine out on Tuesdays now? I sure hope that yesterday none of you said to yourself, "I'm going to wait until the WOW-Zine comes today to sit down with a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate" thinking that it would arrive at any minute, and now you're mad at me because you had to wait all these extra hours, and it put you in a crummy mood and you were mad at your husband and vexed with your kids and it's all my fault!! Sorry, but I gave you fair warning last week!

Common Grounds meets this Wednesday, October 5th from 6:30 to 8 PM. We will continue our study of Bad Girls of the Bible by taking a look at the First Bad Girl, Eve. Please read the scripture about her found in Genesis 2:15 through all of Chapter 3. Remember that this year we are trying to wear or bring something that ties in with the woman we're studying. Now it's probably not a good idea for us to show up in our birthday suits like Eve did, but perhaps you can incorporate leaves or apples into your accessories that evening. It's just fun to see how creative you can get! 

The Thursday Perk meets next Thursday, October 13th, from 9:30-11 AM. We will follow the same program that Common Grounds does this week, so get those apples polished and don't forget to iron your leaves!

ZUMBA!!

Bring your friends and join us on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 PM AND/OR Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM for an opportunity to move and grove in a Latin dance exercise class. Anyone can attend, even if you have no rhythm. It's just fun to workout together and encourage each other in our efforts to take better care of ourselves.

ARE YOU GAME? Our first Game Night of the year is Friday, October 21st at the church. Show up at 6:30 with a snack to share, as well as your favorite game. We'll have the tables set up so various games can be going on at the same time. This is always a fun, laid-back event filled with laughter (like most things we do around here!) and you'll be sorry if you miss this evening.

Remember the suggested fall activities I had for you last week from crosswalk.com? Here are a few more ideas:

6. Google the state parks around you and plan for a 30 minute "hike." To keep kids entertained, we tell them look out for banana slugs, squirrels, birds, or lizards. We make a big deal when they find one.  It keeps them walking and busy. Distance is not the goal. Just time together.

7. Have a leaf "boat race" at a nearby creek. Drive to a nearby creek and just walk down to the water and throw pebbles. Then, each pick a leaf and float them downstream for a fun race. Be sure to pack bring an extra pair of dry socks and shoes.

8. Grab some sweatshirts and picnic on the beach. The beach is breezy at this time, but so very quiet and beautiful.  The ocean becomes backdrop for food, pastries, coffee, and sand toys (books for the older kids.)

9. Train Ride. Take a train ride together and walk to a nearby sandwich shop or cafe. Surprise your kids with some an inexpensive toy (Hotwheels are great, as are coloring books).

10. Play tourist. Grab a tourist book from your library and take in the sites. Take lots of pictures, buy candied apples and enjoy an ice cream cone. What tourists do best is to enjoy wasting time. Some of our most memorable family adventures, like ferry rides, wondering along the waterfront, have come from pretending to be tourists during the fall, when there are very few tourists.

No matter what you do, keep it simple. Focus on whatever is restful and spend time with each other.

After a tough work week, wouldn't it be great to enjoy a God-inspired finale: rest?

PRAYER REQUESTS
Here's a chance for you to let me know about any praises or prayer requests that you would like all the women to be praying about for you. I won't put your needs on here unless I have your permission. We can support each other through the week as we remember to pray. 
1. Gonzala Lira is continuing her journey through breast cancer and has several more weeks of radiation ahead of her. Her daughter Lucy is looking for help bringing Gonzala from Gaston to Forest Grove Monday afternoons through Friday as she travels for radiation treatment.  She needs to be in F.G. at 1:30 pm.  She has four weeks left, and right now she's been taking Ride Connection, but she has to wait 2 hours before the appointment and she doesn’t have a lot of energy. If you are able to assist with this, please call Lucy at 503-715-7774.  Please continue to keep our sister in prayer. 

2. Carol Fones has surgery scheduled for this coming Monday. She currently has bronchitis and needs to be over that in order for the surgery to take place. Please pray for peace and comfort as she goes through this time, and for rapid recovery from the surgery.

This WOW-Zine can also be found on-line at www.womenofwapato.blogspot.com.
Feel free to leave any comments there.

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