Monday, December 31, 2012 WOW-Zine

It's officially over now, isn't it? Many of you have Christmas cleaned up, packed up, and eaten up and are ready to get back to normal (which is only a setting on your dryer!) Today is the last day of the year, and who knows what this coming year will be like? As you contemplate the changes you want to make in your life during the next twelve months, be sure to pray about them too. And for those of us who may have a hard time keeping resolutions (or whatever you choose to call them) that we make, be sure to check out Holley Gerth's article at the end of this WOW-Zine. She's got good food for thought.

A big thank you to the wonderful women who came out for the Undeck the Halls party at church Friday night. It was sad to see all the beautiful decorations taken down, but that will make us appreciate them all the more when they get revamped next year!  Kathy, Debbie, Amy, Cindy, and myself enjoyed eating pizza, talking, and working together. 

All is quiet on the WOW front this week, but next week we'll start back with our usual schedule of Common Grounds and The Perk. I really hope many of you are able to make it to our times of Bible study. It truly is a wonderful time when we get together and study God's word and share our victories and challenges with each other.

On the horizon is the bowling party for women and girls (ages 8 and above) on Saturday, January 19th, 10:30 AM at Four Season's in Hillsboro. If you want to carpool, meet behind the church at 10. We'll bowl a couple of games, then eat lunch at the good restaurant right there. We had a lot of fun last year when we did this, so we hope you can join us this time.

If You’ve Ever Broken a New Year’s Resolution, Read This

photo by  woodleywonderworks

{The post below is an excerpt from my new ebook, The Do What You Can Plan: 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better. It officially launches at midnight on New Year’s Eve but you can get yours now.}

I clearly remember driving down a familiar road in my car. As trees whizzed by my thoughts were a blur too. I mentally ran through my the list that always followed this phrase, “When things are normal then I’ll….(fill in the blank with “exercise, eat better, have a longer quiet time.” Suddenly I mentally slammed on the brakes as I realized I had been having the same conversation with myself on this same road for five years.

I whispered to myself, “Normal isn’t coming.”

That actually became the beginning of the “Do What You Can Plan” because I resolved in that moment to begin making small changes now rather than waiting for the perfect time later. Guess what? The perfect time doesn’t exist. There will always be a complication, crisis, or what looks like a legitimate reason to wait.

Start now or you may not ever start.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Oh, what you do may not fit the vision you’ve had in mind.

My ideal exercise plan consisted of an hour at the gym every day. The reality? One some days it was nothing more than doing a few squats while I blow dried my hair (yes, that made the dog look at me funny.) But over time those little changes added up and I began to gain momentum until a year later I realized in shock that I had met my goals.

I’ve heard runners remark that the hardest steps are the ones between your front door and the mailbox. It’s so easy to say, “It’s too hot” or “I’m too tired.” Learning to pound the pavement through all the seasons of life is one of the most important aspects of becoming a runner. The same is true in all other areas of our lives as well.

When we limit change or even enjoyment in our lives to the times when everything falls into place just as we want, it’s a bit like refusing to drive unless every stoplight we come across is green. There will always be discomfort to push through, setbacks to endure, mistakes to overcome. Yet in looking back, those often become the most meaningful parts of our journey. That resistance along the way shapes who we are in ways we often don’t expect and we’re stronger for it in the end.

Life isn’t ever normal. Timing isn’t ever perfect. Conditions are never really right.

If you know this is something God wants you to do, move forward anyway.

Dare to do what you can because you serve a God who can do more than you can even imagine.

Blessings, my dear friends.

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



   

Sunday, December 23, 2012 WOW-Zine

Yep, I'm a day early and at least several dollars short after all the Christmas shopping, but I figured you'd all be having a busy, family-filled week so I'd get this out on Sunday. And, I'll keep it short so you have time to read it!

Just a reminder that there's a Christmas Eve service at church tomorrow night at 6 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your family and focus on the true meaning of Christmas before beginning the rest of your festivities.

Both Common Grounds and The Perk are on break until January 9th and 10th, respectively. 

Please help me Undeck the Halls on Friday at 6 PM. This is our annual get-together when we take down all the beautiful Christmas decorations that have graced our sanctuary this month. We always enjoy some pizza and sodas as we're undecking, so I need to know if you'll be able to come so that I get enough Papa Murphy's. Bring $5 to pay for your dinner, and let me know you'll be there. I need at least five or six women to show up.

In closing, here's the article I wrote for the church newsletter this month, in case you didn't have a chance to read it:

                                                      Great Joy

 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy …’”

Imagine being one of those shepherds out in the fields in the dead of night, a blanket of darkness wrapped around you. Dying embers of the campfire act as a nightlight, emitting just enough illumination to find your pallet for some well-deserved rest. A quietness settles over the flock, with only an occasional “baa” or perhaps the distant yelp of a coyote breaking the silence. All is calm.

The shepherds have done this night after night, year after year. There’s no reason to expect this night to be anything different.

But different, it is! Whether they were dealing with insomnia or were deep in sleep, suddenly everything changed. A heavenly being, an angel sent directly from God, appears. One lone messenger from the Father, with words that would change their lives.

“Fear not” seems to be the first directive to humans who encounter an angel of the Lord. We read it time after time in the beginning of Luke: when the angel appears to Zechariah, to Mary, and now to these men who tend the flocks. When the words of the Lord are delivered to mere humans, there is a natural sense of fear. When divinity and humanity converge, we’re the ones to realize how unworthy we are. We’re fearful of what might happen next. But throughout both the Old and New Testament, God addresses our initial fear with His peace, saying, “It’s okay. There’s no need for you to be afraid.”

The angel gave the shepherds a Christmas gift when he said, “I bring you good news.” Isn’t that the kind of news we like to get? None of us volunteer to receive news that we have a life-threatening disease, or our relationships are disintegrating, or that we’re losing our jobs. No, we want good news, and that’s exactly what the angel delivered. And not only was it good, but it was joyful. In other words, this news he was about to share with them would make them be full of joy—so much so that they would run to see the source of it.

We all have times when we feel as if we’re living in the dark, unable to walk without running into things, our sense of direction all mixed up. Whether it’s caused by depression, unfulfilled dreams, or expectations that fall through, we can be overcome by the perception that our situation is hopeless—that nothing will ever change.

And yet, the word of God can come to us in power, revitalizing our life and giving us the knowledge that He is in control and our lives can be overflowing with joy. In our darkest moments, when we’ve all but given up, God’s light can burst through, His glory shine around us. He reassures us that no matter what is happening in our lives, we have no need to fear. He longs to be close to us, as He demonstrated by sending His Son, the Babe in the manger. The One who makes great joy possible!


Merry Christmas to each of you!

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







 
 

Monday, December 17, 2012 WOW-Zine

Hi there, friends! This is going to be a short WOW-Zine as I'm feeling under the weather today and not very creative. But there are still some important things you need to know about, so please keep reading!

First of all, a huge thank you to Amy for hosting the fabulous Peppermint Pound Party at her house last Saturday evening. What a great time we all had! Her big house in the little woods was decorated to the hilt, putting us all in a festive mood. Everyone was decked out in red and white, which added extra fun. The food everyone brought was delicious, and we had a wonderful time opening our White Elephant gifts, fighting over some of them, trying to sneak around the rules, and becoming part of the Chi Chi Dango Sisterhood!! (You had to be there to know what I'm talking about with that last item.) We laughed so hard the tears ran down our legs! We are all blessed by being a part of this wonderful group of women we have at Wapato.

If you recall, last week I begged, pleaded, and groveled for someone to take over being the Shower Coordinator, and Laura Fordyce stepped up. Thank you so much, Laura! She'd love to have a couple other gals come along beside her, so please let her or myself know if you'd like to help. Laura is such fun to hang out with that I'm sure she'll be inundated by all you women that just want to be able to spend time with her as you work together to honor our women that are having babies or getting married.

This week both Common Grounds (Wednesday, 6:30 PM) and The Perk (Thursday, 9:30 AM) will be having our annual cookie exchange along with our Bible study. So in addition to bringing your Bible, bring along 3 dozen cookies, as well as an extra platter. You'll get to enjoy several other kinds of cookies than the ones you usually make, which is always fun. And you don't have to wait until you get home to eat them--they'll be your snack at the study!

Don't forget our Undeck the Halls party on Friday, December 28th at the church at 6 PM.  Please let me know you're coming so I'll be sure to have enough pizza and soda on hand. (Bring along $5 to cover the cost, please.) The church has been especially beautifully decorated this Christmas, and it will be time to lovingly put things away until next year.

Lastly, it's not too soon to be thinking ahead to our WOW Beach Retreat in Lincoln City the weekend of April 12th-14th. Just $80 will cover most of your expenses for the weekend. Our theme hasn't been determined yet, but you know you don't want to miss out on this time together. As usual, attendance is limited to 40. I'll be giving you more information as we go along, but make sure it's on your new calendar.

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

Monday, December 10, 2012 WOW-Zine

It's Monday morning, which means it's time to sit down and visit a bit with you, filling you in on all the news you need to know about, at least as far as WOW is concerned. I also have a good article from Today's Christian Woman for all the moms out there. So pour yourself a steaming cup of coffee or tea and take a look at the different activities available for you to participate in.

Saturday evening at 6 PM is our WOW Christmas party. This year our theme is a Peppermint Pound Party--just bring a pound of something, wrapped, that we'll use in our White Elephant gift exchange. Also bring appetizers and/or dessert to share as our meal. And have fun dressing in red and/or white as we meet at Amy Rusaw's. Call her at 503-913-2682 if you need directions. (Carpooling is encouraged.) This would be a wonderful opportunity to bring your friends with you, as long as they're women. We'd really like to see some new faces, as I'm sure you're all tired of seeing my old one! So come enjoy a low-key evening of fun, food, and friends. 

Wednesday noon at Jake's Deli in McMinnville the December meeting of the Christian Women's Fellowship will be meeting for a no-host lunch. You may feel like Mac is a long way away, but it's really not. Plus you could plan to do some Christmas shopping after the lunch and speaker, as there's a Winco, Safeway, Walmart, Penney's, etc. that would just love to get some of your hard-earned money! And as a heads up, on the second Wednesday of February my daughter, Christina Tarabochia, whom many of you know, will be the speaker. I'd love for us to all show up and support her, plus she's a great speaker! So put it on your 2013 calendar now.

This week both our women's Bible studies will meet--Common Grounds on Wed. at 6:30 PM, and The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30. Our study in the book of Luke continues to challenge and convict us. We'll see what Luke 5:12 through the end of the chapter has to say to us this week. I know it takes an effort to fit this into your schedule, but I'm quite sure the fellowship with other women and the time spent in the Word of God will make it worth your while.

Are you feeling like you need to be a little more involved in caring for our women? Well, have I got an opportunity for you! We are in dire need of someone to step up to be in charge of planning showers to celebrate the major life events among our women--wedding and baby showers. Nathalie has done a great job, but needs to put her energy in other areas. So we're looking for a few good women to step up and say, "Pick me! Pick me!" as they wildly wave their hands to get my attention. And I will! Please, if you're the least bit interested in this, let me know. We have some women that we want to bless in January, but someone needs to head things up. It would be great to have a team of 3 or 4 gals that could work together to do this. So make my phone ring off the hook (boy, is that ever an old-fashioned term!) and tell me you'll be glad to serve!

Next week is our annual Christmas cookie (or candy) exchange, and that will occur during each of our Bible studies. I've had a hard time making up my mind as to the quantity you need to bring, but my final answer is 3 dozen! So bring that many cookies on a tray, plus an empty tray to load your goodies on to take home. We'll munch on our stash during our studies, and it's up to you as to how many you want to take home for the rest of your family!

And now for the article I promised you, by Heather Rigglma. I hope you find it helpful. 

 

2 Holiday Tips for Parents

 'Tis the season for family gatherings, church plays, school concerts, running errands, and finding that perfect gift for everyone on your list with your children in tow. I don't know about you, but the idea of adding all this to my already busy schedule makes me cringe because it's the perfect storm for meltdowns and tantrums galore. 

Fortunately, I picked up a couple of tips when I began juggling the busy shopping season with two preschoolers for company. The acronyms S.T.O.P. and H.A.L.T. will be your go-to tools this holiday season.

 

S.T.O.P.

When you hear bickering and squabbling erupt for the millionth time, instead of blowing your top or becoming frustrated, try this:

Step away from the situation: When you're in the middle of a crowded department store, take a deep breath and count to 10. Look for a non-crowded area to take your kids. Deep breaths and moving away from the aisle where chaos broke out helps you and your children regain some clarity. This allows you to clear your heads and calms your emotions. You can see the big picture and gain insight into how you should parent your children in that particular moment.

Here are some simple phrases to add to your parenting toolbox for when you need to "step away":

"I'm taking a deep breath; what are you going to do?"

"It's too bad you feel this way; we are going to stand here until we are all ready to tackle our shopping list."

These phrases give you a moment in your mind to step away and calm your emotions. At the same time, you will empower your children to make better choices.

Think: Ask yourself what it is about the situation that is driving you batty. Are you tired or stressed? What is the best way to discipline your child? Allowing yourself to think about the situation gives you an opportunity to respond in a calm, cool, and collected manner. It also demonstrates a bit of wisdom in front of your children about choosing wise words (see Proverbs 14:1).

Objective: Identify what your objective is before diving back to parent. What is the most important thing at this moment? Depending on what's on your to-do list, is it better to teach a lesson or allow some grace to get your shopping done? You can decide to discuss the problem or behavior or put it off until later. If you do decide the best objective is to address the behavior, what is your main focus? Are you going to discuss kind hands, sharing, or respect?

I gauge how I handle the objective depending on my child's attitude. Nine times out of ten, I say something like, "Elijah, I know you're bored, but this needs to get done right now. If you can make it through the store without touching your sister, we can get done faster."

Pray: Praying allows us to be the hands and feet of Christ to our children. It is the most beneficial action we can do in any situation. Praying also gives us a chance to respond in a manner that gives our children something to model.

I often pray prayers like these:

"Father God, help me to be Jesus to my kids right now. Show me how to give them grace because I want to raise children full of integrity; before I open my mouth, help me be ready to show them your heart."

"Father, what is it that I can teach my children in this moment? Is it kindness to others and patience? Lord, show me how I can give them these examples."

Granted, these steps might seem long and drawn out, but all can be completed within minutes to help you form a game plan while navigating the waters of behavior, holidays, and endless errands. The next time world war three breaks out in the minivan, remember to S.T.O.P.

H.A.L.T.

Some friends and I were discussing the terrible threes when my friend Karla advised us of what she has been doing with her kids. I loved the idea so much, I've been doing it with my own. I'm less stressed and much calmer, and so are my kids.

The next time your child is driving you bonkers, stop and try to identify what her issue is. Instead of exasperating your kiddo (see Ephesians 6:4) and making her feel as if her needs are not important, ask yourself: Is she Hungry, Agitated, Lonely, or Tired?

These are the basic needs our little ones have. When we identify and address the issues plaguing them, they will turn back into our sweet little angels that we know and love. Plus, they'll add life to our holiday season. Addressing their needs allows us to become better parents and accomplish what we need to get done. It's sometimes difficult to gauge what is plaguing our children, so don't be afraid to ask them questions like these:

"Tori, I'll bet you're feeling a little lonely because I haven't spent any time with you today. What would you like to do with Mommy after we get done shopping?"

"Elijah, you seem cranky. Do you need something to snack on? It's close to dinnertime and we aren't finished with our list; what would you like?"

As Thanksgiving and Christmas come at us full-speed, we need to be mindful of our limits and our kids' limits. So when you're attempting just one more trip to the mall to find that perfect gift or you're attempting to visit loved ones, remember to S.T.O.P. and H.A.L.T.

I guess that means it's time for me to stop writing this week!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699 

Monday, December 3, 2012 WOW-Zine

Welcome to December, ladies! I know we all have a very busy month ahead of us what with family activities and traditions, gatherings with friends, parties at work, etc. But I want to be sure all of you are aware of what WOW has available for you this month. 

Common Grounds will meet Wednesday nights at 6:30 on December 5th, 12th, and 19th, and then we'll be on break until January 9th. The Perk will gather together on Thursday mornings at 9:30 on December 6th, 13th, and 20th, and then be off for the Christmas season until January 10th. We'll have our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange on the last meeting for each of those groups. Please bring a platter of 4 dozen cookies, as well as an extra platter to put yours on during the exchange. They may be either homemade or store bought. It's just fun to get a variety to bring home to your family (or hide on a top shelf in the kitchen where only you know about it!!)

We did it, we did it, we did it!! Thanks to all of you for your part in the surprise bridal shower for Michelle. We managed to pull it off with her having no suspicion until about 15 seconds before walking in the door. I know she was overwhelmed by the love and blessings she received from so many.

Another HUGE thanks goes to all the women who showed up Friday night and decorated the church for Christmas (and the shower) using a whole new decor. We worked until nearly 11 PM integrating all our wonderful ideas, and it turned out beautifully. Special thanks to Darci, Kathy, Nicole P., Amy, Anita, Kristina, Laura F, Karen, Debbie, and myself. What a great team to work with! And if you prefer to tear down instead of put up, join us for our Undecorating Pizza Party at 6 PM Friday, the 28th. Let me know ahead of time if you're coming so we can be sure to have enough pizzas, and bring $5 to cover your pizza and soda.(I've probably scared you off by saying how long it took to put things up the other night, but it will be much faster to dismantle everything.) 

Coming up on Saturday, December 15th, is our WOW Peppermint Pound Party. You've read about it here the past couple of weeks, so you're probably familiar with the details by now. Dress in red and/or white and bring an appetizer or dessert to share for our dinner together. Also a pound of "something" for a White Elephant gift exchange. (Wrapped.) The party is for women only, and will be at Amy Rusaw's house beginning at 6 PM. It's going to be a lot of fun, and you'll want to be there to participate in it and not just hear about it afterward!  

Like I said at the beginning of this WOW-Zine, it's a busy month for all of us. So let me end today's visit with you by sharing this insight from one of my favorite bloggers, Holley Gerth:

Say Good-bye to Busy

Posted: 16 Nov 2012 03:45 AM PST

photo by  Simon Gotz

I know Busy.
I spent years listening to her. I woke up to the sound of her voice in the morning calling me from the too-full calendar. I drifted off to sleep with her whispering in my ear that it still hadn’t been enough.
Busy isn’t especially nice.
But I kept her around. For a long, long time.
Because she told me this: “I’m proof that you’re important. If you don’t have me in your life, what will people think?”
So I put up with her demands. Her bossiness. Her accusations.
Then, over time and with lots of healing, I slowly stopped listening to her. My calendar got cleaner. My breaths got deeper. My life got better.
One morning, sitting over a journal with a cup of coffee in my hand (a luxury of time I denied myself for years), I took a moment to consider what had changed. What had I started believing instead?
I realized at some point I’d heard Jesus whisper this to my heart…
Your work is not your worth.
And day by day, month by month, year by year, I’d begun to believe like it was true–and then eventually to start acting like it too.
On this morning, I asked quietly, “What is my work then?”
And I wrote this: My work is an expression of love for the One I serve.
Grateful tears welled up in my eyes. For who but Jesus can change a heart that much?
But somehow it had happened.
And it has changed everything for me.
Oh, I still struggle. Yes, ma’am. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you there were still days of being overwhelmed. But more and more of the time, Busy isn’t around.
When she’s not with me, I’m not sure where she goes…and I’m worried she may have snuck off to bother you.
So if she’s there, my friend, let me tell you: She’s not what she seems. And she can’t deliver what she promises. Escort her to the door and lock it behind you. You don’t need her.
You are loved, chosen, valued already and just as you are.
Say good-bye to Busy and smack her on the behind as she heads out the door just for me.
Silly Busy.
Don’t worry about her–she’ll find more to do.
And you?
Find that journal and cup of coffee.
Then sit down with the Author of life who’s waiting to write new things on your heart…and your calendar.

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

Monday, November 26, 20102 WOW-Zine

 So, we've got one holiday under our belt (literally) and it's time to start focusing on the next one. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, whether you spent it with family or friends, or the best combination of all--family that would be your best friends even if you weren't related.We've got several WOW events coming up during the next month, so please be sure to read through the rest of this blog so you don't get left out of something!

Both of our Bible studies resume this week, with Common Grounds on Wednesday night at 6:30, and The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30. I really missed getting together with all of you last week, so am looking forward to seeing your smiling faces this week. (And we even allow frowny faces to show up if need be!) This week we'll be delving into what happened when the Great Physician made a house call in Luke 4:38-44. Remember, we have child care available at The Perk, thanks to Eileen and Nola.


If you have some time on your hands this coming Saturday, there's a bazaar possibility Keisha asked me to tell you about. It's happening in Banks from 10-7, and Keisha will be one of the vendors. She'll be offering baby hats, booties, bibs, some larger sized hats, and maybe even some purses. These are all things she's made herself, so you know they've got to be good. And when she says baby, she's meaning from ages 0 to 2 years. Even if you aren't in the market for those items, she'd still love to have you stop by and say hi!

We all tend to put on a few pounds over the holidays, but here's an opportunity for you to do it in style with a bunch of your friends. Yes, I'm referring to the Peppermint Pound Party at Amy Rusaw's on Saturday, December 15th at 6 PM. Show up looking like peppermint by wearing red and/or white. Bring along an appetizer and/or dessert in a similar color scheme. We'll do a fun White Elephant gift exchange, so bring a wrapped gift of a pound of something. Be creative to add to the festivities. This event is for women only, so let your husband stay home and enjoy the kids. Or, this would be a good opportunity for him to take them shopping for YOUR Christmas present!

(Our cookie exchanges will be at Common Grounds, Dec. 19th, and The Perk on the 20th.)

In closing out today's WOW-Zine, I'd like to share some links with you from Ann Voskamp's Holy Experience blog that she wrote on Friday. I have my own super-easy fudge recipe, so I haven't checked this one out. But I did take a look at the recipes for making your house smell yummy, and got some good ideas. Enjoy taking a look at these options:
!
 Healthy Fudge? In the Slowcooker? 5 ingredients? Why, yes please! Perfect and easy family sweet for the weekend!
 
Free Christmas Music?

15 Ways to Make a Fragrant Home through the Holidays?
Simple  Memories for this Christmas?

 This! Advent!

“Celebrate God all day, every day.
I mean, revel in Him!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.
Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”
~Phil. 4:7 MSG

Go slow. Be God-struck. Grant grace. Live Truth. Give Thanks. Become the gift.

  Click here to download the FREE JESSE TREE Advent Family Devotional {please give it a few moments to download… thank you for grace!}

So that's it from me this week, dear friends. I pray you all have a wonderful week. Put the upcoming events on your calendar and join us at all you can!

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

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 WOW-Zine

Yes, I know it's Tuesday instead of the usual Monday when I send this out, but I actually waited a day on purpose. (Yeah, right!) Several of you have mentioned that you're a few weeks behind in reading the WOW-Zine, so I figured me running a day late would give you extra time to catch up. At least that's my story and ... well, you know the rest! If it's possible for you to at least skim the WOW-Zine each week, I'd really recommend it, as that way you won't miss any important announcements.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday neither Common Grounds or The Perk will meet this week, but will resume next Wednesday and Thursday. Just enjoy hanging out with your family. 

Don't forget that that the SURPRISE wedding shower for Michelle is coming up soon--Saturday, Dec. 1st at 11 AM at the church. Try to come a little early and park in the back. (I'm not sending her a copy of this WOW-Zine, so don't worry about her seeing it. She probably doesn't have time to read it anyway!!) As far as she is aware, she is having a shower on the 8th. So feel free to say things like, "I'm really looking forward to your shower" or "So sorry I can't make it", but just don't let on that it's not really happening on the 8th. I've only received a few RSVPs so far, so please do your part and let me know if you're coming. We're doing a money tree for her to help out with extra fun on their honeymoon. (Just bring the cash with you when you come.) Also bring a small brunch-type item, as we'll all eat together. A word of marriage advice or a funny story from your own wedding would be welcomed too. 

I know we're not quite to Thanksgiving yet, but I want to let you know about our WOW Christmas party coming up on Saturday, December 15th at 6 PM at Amy Rusaw's. What a fun time we're going to have at our PEPPERMINT POUND PARTY! Try to dress in red and/or white, and bring along a pound of something to use as a gift in our White Elephant exchange. (Think of different types of things that come in pounds, and be creative in the way you wrap them.)  Also bring an appetizer and/or dessert based on the red and white theme, as we'll be sharing a meal together. So put it on your calendar, and be there, or be a pound of square!

You may be concerned because a Christmas Cookie Exchange was not mentioned as being a part of the party. Never fear, we're still doing that, but it will occur during our final Bible studies of the year--December 19th for Common Grounds, and the 20th for The Perk.

I'll close out with the article I wrote for this month's Wapato newsletter. A little something to consider as you prepare Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

   

                                      God’s Thanksgiving Table

You know what’s just around the corner, right? Yep, it’s time to start planning those fabulous holiday meals. While we may get brave and try something a bit different this year, most of us have a list of reliable recipes we turn to for these family events. Do you know that God likes to get in on these special times too? In Ps. 23 we’re told that God has prepared a table for us, and invites us to enjoy the things He has prepared. So what might be on His menu?
 
Turkey—Usually a big turkey, roasted golden brown, is the star attraction of a Thanksgiving meal. The succulent, moist meat pairs well with everything else on the menu. There’s even the choice of white or dark meat, and the huge drumsticks for the kids to fight over. Norman Rockwell even painted nostalgic pictures with the turkey being the centerpiece of the table.

In thinking of God’s Thanksgiving table, what do you think is the main course? Is it His unfailing love? His over-the-top forgiveness and grace? His strength for each new day? All of those are very important, but I think it comes down to the meat of His Word, the Bible. Just as it takes time to roast that perfect turkey, it takes a lifetime to dig into the message of the Bible and understand it in its fullness. We learn about love, forgiveness, grace, and strength as we spend time chewing the succulent Word. During the busy season ahead of us, let’s not forget to focus on the main course.

Stuffing—Bread mixed with sautéed onions and celery, spices, and melted butter--I love it! I always put the turkey in the oven so that the cavity filled with stuffing is facing outward. Then throughout the baking time, I reach a fork in to grab out some of the cooked stuffing on the edge.

How does stuffing fit on God’s table? Just as we all have our own favorite ways to make stuffing, so it is with the way God individualizes His word in our lives. The basic truth is the same, but He applies it to our lives in ways that meet our particular need. That’s one of the things I love about what happens in our women’s Bible studies (Common Grounds and The Perk). Each week one woman or another has an “a-ha” moment with God, when He takes a truth and applies it to her own life. And He doesn’t dump the whole turkey full of stuffing on us at once, but lets us take little bites of goodness with our fork.

Mashed potatoes and gravy—I think of this as the ultimate comfort food; gravy spilling over and adding a depth of flavor. There’s nothing much more basic than a lowly potato, but in the hands of a good cook it becomes the basis for a delicious dish.

God serves us up a big helping of potatoes and gravy when He takes the homely things of life and shows us the beauty of simplicity and the ordinary. Our lives as Christian women are filled with a mundane routine most of the time—each day looks pretty much like the day before it. But when the Lord is in the midst of our potatoes, there is comfort in knowing we’re doing just what He’s called us to do—be the best woman we can be in our daily lives.

Green bean casserole—I know this dish sometimes gets a bad rap, so feel free to substitute whatever veggie recipe you like to serve your family. And while a green bean casserole isn’t all that healthy, at least it’s a vegetable! And you know how it is—sometimes it’s hard to get your kids to eat their veggies, as they don’t like the taste or the consistency.

What are the healthy vegetables God serves at His table? The things that happen to us in our lives that are hard to swallow, yet make us stronger as a result of “eating” them. You can probably think of several examples from your own life—people who have hurt you, disappointments, rejection, or the results of poor choices you’ve made. We can either gag on them, or pinch our nose and try to get them down without tasting, but our Father wants us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” As we trust, He can take even a bad situation (brussel sprouts) and change it into something good in our lives (green bean casserole)

Pies—Whether is apple, pumpkin, or pecan, ending the Thanksgiving meal with a slice of pie is a tradition we all look forward to. A holiday meal without dessert would be just like a… uh …a holiday meal without dessert! Inconceivable!! Even though we may be full to the gills, there’s always room for a sweet bite at the end.

God saves the best for last at His table. The ultimate sweetness of being with Him forever in heaven is what is awaiting us at the end of our lives. He says, “I know you’ve enjoyed the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, but you haven’t tasted anything yet! There’s another table prepared for you, and it is full of more than you can possibly imagine. And you’ll never tire of it!”

So as you plan and cook your meal on Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll remember the abundance the Lord has provided for each of us, not just in physical food, but more importantly, the spiritual food that gives us real life and health.

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

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

 

Monday, November 12, 2012 WOW-Zine

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Hi, ladies! Many of you know how much I enjoy operating from lists, and how if I do something that's not on my list for that day, I write it in just so I can have the immediate satisfaction of crossing it off! We've got so much going on in Women's Ministry this week that I think it might work best to just list them out for you, so you can add them to your to-do list for the day before crossing them out. So here we go ... MONDAY, NOV. 12TH (today)--Read this WOW-Zine and make your plans accordingly. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14TH--NOON--Christian Women's Fellowship meeting at Jake's Deli (by Linfield College) in McMinnville. Debi Mercer will be speaking on the theme of Thankfulness. I plan on going, so if you'd like to go with me, just let me know. COMMON GROUNDS MEETS THAT EVENING AT 6:30 at the church. We'll continue working our way through Jesus the One and Only, written by Beth Moore. Our discussion times have been so encouraging (as noted on recent comments on Facebook), so you really don't want to miss this Bible study. We'll be continuing in Luke 4, beginning with verse 22. It's never too late to join us. THURSDAY, NOV. 15TH--THE PERK meets at the church at 9:30 AM. Childcare is provided, so it's a great way for moms of young children to come spend time with other women around God's Word. What a great time we have together every week! We do the same lesson that I teach at Common Grounds, so look at the paragraph above to see what we'll cover this week. Let's spend a cozy morning together! FRIDAY, NOV. 16TH--EVERY HUSBAND'S NIGHTMARE BAZAAR! Yes, this is just what it sounds like--a chance for you to do some Christmas shopping, or at least just look around. It's held at the Washington Country Fairground Expo Center, and we've got a couple options for you. (Yep, we're that good!!) Option One: meet behind the church at 4:30 PM to carpool there. Option Two: meet the group at the bazaar anytime between 5 and 8 PM. (It closes at 8.) So you could choose to ride in with a bunch of friends, and spend 2-1/2 to 3 hours looking around the booths. But perhaps you don't get off work until later, or you're not much of a shopper, but you'd still like to go for a while. Then just come directly to the fairgrounds at a time that works best for you. Parking and entry are FREE! Amy Rusaw (503-913-2682) is the contact person that evening. So if you decide at the last minute that you want to drive out to the bazaar, just give her a call and let her know you're coming and she can be watching for you. After the place closes down at 8, we'll all be going over to the nearby IHOP for dessert. Doesn't that sound like a fun evening? I will have the sign up sheet with me at the studies this week, but as of now I have the following women who have signed up to carpool from the church; Christine, Barb, Susan, and Kathy. Those meeting at the fairgrounds are: Janet, Debbie, Amy, Karen, Laura C., Patty, and maybe Nicole P. Let me know if you'd like added to a list, or just sign up during Bible study. There will be no Common Grounds or Perk next week due to Thanksgiving, but we'll resume on the 27th and 28th.  One final announcement is that Nathalie let me know that God has led her into some other responsibilities, and she will no longer be the Shower Coordinator after the first of the year. So I'm looking for one of you who loves to share in the joy of celebrating wedding and baby showers for our women and would like to take over that need. It doesn't mean that you do all the work yourself, but you can build a team to help you throw a shower for these special events. In the life of our Body there's a lot of ebb and flow. Sometimes we can go for months with no reason to have a shower (if you use enough deodorant!) and then there are times where there may be a couple a month. So if you're interested in heading up this important area of our care for each other, please contact me. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the needs of others? How do you know who to give to, or how to help. Maybe this thought by Holley Gerth will be of help! How to help anyone who crosses your path… Posted: 09 Nov 2012 06:12 AM PST photo credit to bumeister1 An expert in the law has come to test Jesus. And in that brilliant way of His, Jesus answers with a story. A man travels on a road. Robbers attack. A priest passes by. Then a Levite. And finally a Samaritan {a cultural outcast}. It’s the Samaritan who has pity on the man. He stops and does three things that show us how we can love those who cross our path too… First, the Samaritan bandages the man’s wounds and pours oil and wine on them. For us, this means asking, “What do I have with me that I can use to help?” Your “wine and oil” might be an encouraging word, a listening ear or even an a simple act of kindness. Then the Samaritan places the man on his donkey and takes him to an inn. Our “donkey” is the vehicle we can use to help others. For me, it’s this blog and my books. For you it might be your home that you open to others or a job that allows you to reach out. It’s the “how” of the ways you help. The Samaritan finds an innkeeper. He tells the innkeeper to take care of the man and that he will cover what’s needed. {Note what the Samaritan didn’t do: He didn’t cancel his journey and move into the inn to devote all his time to this man then end up resenting him for not appreciating it. I’m just saying.} Sometimes we think we have to do it all but we all need innkeepers. We can ask ourselves, “Who can I connect this person to who will be able to provide the care they need?” Perhaps that person is a counselor, doctor or even a mutual friend. Showing compassion can become overwhelming because we think we have to solve all of the world’s problems. But God never asks that of us. After all, we’re not Him. So the good news is this: you can be a neighbor to whoever crosses your path today. You can make a difference. You can touch a life. Like the Samaritan, do what you can with whatever you have wherever you are. {the story of the Good Samaritan can be found in Luke 10:25-37} Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699

Monday, November 5, 2012 WOW-Zine

This morning I drove to Tigard to take our granddaughter Lili to school after she'd spent the weekend with us. I love going the back way, over Bald Peak and down to the intersection of Farmington and River Road, then turning toward Tigard. After a long morning spent with my daughter, I made the return trip home. The rain over there had stopped, and the countryside was painted with broad strokes of fall beauty. I found my natural response was to just start praying out loud, thanking God for all He had created. As I came around one curve I heard myself say to Him, "Wow, look at that field of bright green! Don't you just love what You did there?!" My prayers of gratitude segued into prayers for you, my friends. I prayed for all of you, that the Lord would meet your needs, whatever they are. For many of you, I knew of specific concerns you have for yourself and your loved ones, and I mentioned them to our Father. The thirty-five minute drive home sped by because of my focus on the needs of others. Please know that one of the joys I have in serving you is to be aware of what is happening in your life and being able to pray for you. So please don't hesitate to call me or drop me an e-mail if you have specific prayer requests. 

We enjoyed wonderful Bible studies last week as we took a look at the temptations of Christ in Luke chapter 4. We were reminded that the crux of His temptation was whether He would meet His own needs, or if He would choose to live by faith, just as He would be calling His followers to do. If He had given in to any of the temptations, He would have been taking a shortcut and avoiding the path the Father had called Him to. Jesus showed us that the end does not justify the means. This week we'll continue in Luke 4, beginning at verse 14. This study, written by Beth Moore, is proving challenging every week. Please join me at either Common Grounds on Wednesday at 6:30 PM, or at The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30. (Both studies meet at the church, and childcare is available at The Perk.) 

Have you marked your calendar yet for Friday, November 16th? That's the evening that a bunch of Wapato ladies will be heading out to the Washington County Fairground to participate in Every Husband's Nightmare Bazaar. (Doesn't that name sound like fun?) My Women's Ministry Team is meeting this Tuesday night, and we'll get all the details worked out at that time. So next week's WOW-Zine will have the pertinent information you'll need to join us. The basic idea is to meet there late afternoon and spend time looking (and shopping, if you'd like) at all the holiday displays, crafts, and gifts. Then probably go out for dessert afterward. So put it on your calendar now, and be watching for all the details.

I think that's all you need to know for this week, at least as far as WOW is concerned. Let me leave you with an article I got last week. If you're like me, you already know a lot of things you should be doing, but aren't. We are all great at telling people they need to be eating healthy, exercising,  reading the Bible daily, spending quality time with each child, going on date nights with their husband, etc. We know the right things to do, and are good at giving other people advice, but sometimes we don't practice what we preach. This article gives us all some hope of how we can improve in that area.

 How to Follow Your Own Advice

• Theresa Ceniccola, The Christian Mompreneur
• Tuesday, October 30, 2012

I am the first one to admit that I don’t always follow my own advice. I badger my boys to floss their teeth every night and then I plop into bed too tired to floss my own teeth. I encourage clients to say no to requests that are not in alignment with their goals and values, yet I find myself caving to pressure to take on something I should decline. I don’t always practice what I preach. Does that make me a fraud? I don’t think so. I suspect it makes me human. A little incongruent, yes, but not a failure. And certainly not a lost cause. 

The world is full of nicotine-addicted doctors, overweight personal trainers and broke financial counselors. That’s because it’s easier to give great advice than it is to follow it. In fact, most of the time, it’s not the “knowing what to do” that causes the problem, it’s the actual “doing it.” Dave Ramsey says financial success is 20 percent knowledge and 80 percent behavior. Behavior. Just doing what we know we need to do. 

No matter what you’re trying to do (lose weight, get out of debt, raise children or build a business), knowledge only plays a minor role in your success. Most of us can go by the rulebook for a short while, but eventually we stray from the plan, whatever that is. The motivation to “just do it,” wears thin. So how do we shift ourselves back into a pattern of following our own advice? 

Having traveled this road before, in business and personal matters, I have some experience with narrowing the gap between what I say and what I do. Here are a few of the tips that work well for me.

Five Steps to Practicing What You Preach

1. Make it a Mantra. Let’s assume the advice you are spouting is actually good advice. If you know it to be worthwhile and effective at reaching a goal, then dig deep and get to the truth of your wisdom. When you understand why you need to change a behavior, it’s easier to stay on track. And when you summarize your idea in a memorable sentence, it becomes easier to embrace. For example, Lysa TerKeurst knows that spending quiet time in scripture first thing in the morning makes her a better person. So her mantra on the subject is to “exchange whispers with God before I exchange shouts with the world.”

2. Write it Down. I’m an avid journal writer and lover of visual reminders. So it’s not unusual for me to have sticky notes, photos, vision boards, index cards and other written declarations of my intentions. If I’m having trouble following my own advice, I go back to basics and write it down. Sometimes I find a scripture quote to support it, or a funny photo that illustrates the point. But I write it down and make it real. If I am really serious about it, I sign my name, as if I’m entering a contract with myself. You would be amazed at how eager you are to stick with something after you’ve signed your name on the dotted line!

3. Identify your Distractions, Rationalizations and Excuses. You’re probably not new at this game, so take a few minutes to identify the things that have prevented you from staying on track in the past. What are the thoughts and feelings you have when you decide NOT to follow your own advice? Write them down. And then write down a rebuttal for each one. For example, if you are trying to get out of debt and you know you’ll try to rationalize buying too many toys for Christmas, write down a statement that will remind you of your goal and the future happiness and security of your family. When you find yourself ready to hit the “buy now” button on Amazon, take out the rebuttal and read it aloud. 

4. Find Someone to Hold You Accountable. Let’s face it – we all need help achieving our goals. So why do we keep them a secret? Are we hoping to surprise everyone we love when out of nowhere we’ve lost 30 pounds, completed a marathon, built a million dollar business and written a book? The surprise will be on us – when we realize we’re not getting anywhere on our goals because we don’t have the support we need to succeed. That’s why it’s important to find someone you trust who will gently, but firmly, hold the space for you to become who you want to become. Schedule deadlines and check-ins with this friend so you have some structure to your relationship and you both understand the expectations. 

5. Give Yourself Grace. It takes time and patience to make behavior changes and create new habits. Know that it’s ok if you slip up a few times. It’s even ok to change direction and set new goals. If you recognize that you need to grow, and you take steps to make improvements, that’s all God asks of you. He doesn’t expect perfection. He expects persistence. So keep looking for opportunities to grow into the person He created you to be. And keep setting goals and working toward them. But know that He loves you unconditionally. And know that every day is a new chance to glorify Him. God believes in “do-overs,” so you should allow yourself the grace to start again. 

Do you have any tips to make it easier to practice what you preach? Share them with us here so we can support one another!

Theresa Ceniccola is The Christian Mompreneur—a mentor to moms who are running a business that supports their values of faith and family. As president and founder of the International Christian Mompreneur Network, she empowers entrepreneurial moms to build profitable businesses with wisdom and grace. Join the International Christian Mompreneur Network for free and receive the Ten Commandments of a Mompreneur toolkit! 

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

Monday, October 29, 2012 WOW-Zine

Happy Monday, ladies, and aren't you glad we don't live on the other side of the country?! Wow, what those people have to put up with as far as weather goes makes me extremely grateful for months of simple rain interspersed with sun breaks. I know a lot of us have friends and/or families back there that we are praying for during this time.

This week Common Grounds falls on Halloween. I know many of you mothers will be out running about getting your yearly collection of candy, er, I mean accompanying your young children on their quest for cavity causation, but our Bible study will still be meeting at 6:30 PM Wednesday. So if you're not out trick or treating, or you live so far out in the country that you never have any kids show up at your door, please join us as usual. You can read Luke 4:1-28 ahead of time if you'd like. Just realize there's no guarantee as to how far through the chapter we'll get! The same goes for those of you who attend The Perk on Thursday at 9:30. Feel free to show up at either study, even if you've never attended before. It's been great to have people bring their friends with them. (Child care is provided at The Perk.)

For those of you who were at our retreat last spring, remember when we made the bracelets and included words of affirmation for women going through hard times? I gave some of them to St. Child's, a Christian-based home for young, unmarried pregnant women, and finally got around to giving the remaining bracelets to the Pregnancy Counseling and Information Center in McMinnville. I received a nice thank you note from Barbara Morley, whom I guess is the Director there. I wanted to pass it on to the rest of you. She said, "I wanted to thank you, and the ladies from your retreat, for the lovely bracelets for our clients. They have made our girls feel special and loved. Thank you for your kindness in providing such a thoughtful gift."

 Do any of you remember the old advice about how to run your house? The ditty said, "Wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday, Mend on Wednesday, Churn on Thursday, Clean on Friday, Bake on Saturday, Rest on Sunday." (Don't you wish it were that simple?) As women, our lives become so busy that I'm afraid we feel we're caught in the Spin Cycle with no way out. Well, here's another cycle you might be finding yourself in, as explained by writer Holley Gerth:

 Are you in the Guilt Cycle or the Grace Cycle?

I open my eyes to a new day and a long list of to-do’s. Before I’m even out of bed, I notice a cobweb in the corner. Guilt creeps under the covers with me. I think of other women with cobweb-free corners (in their homes and hearts). I vow that today I’ll try harder…

Can you relate that that pattern? If so, you’re familiar with what I like to call the Guilt Cycle. It’s like a little hamster wheel in our hearts that we run around again and again. It looks like this:

Guilt Cycle

Another day I wake up and take a deep breath of grace. I’m loved and known and whatever happens today I will be okay. I slip into the kitchen with a smile for my first cup of coffee. I sit at the table with my to-do list and ask God for His perspective on it. It seems like I can feel Him with me as I check off the first item…
Can you relate to that pattern? If so, you’re familiar with what I like to call the Grace Cycle. Instead of a hamster wheel, it’s a safe space for our hearts to rest and thrive.

Grace Cycle

If you’re like me, the Guilt Cycle is one of my biggest struggles. I go into it without even realizing it until the end of the day when I’m exhausted. I’m asking God to teach me to live differently. To trade guilt for grace. How does that happen? Here’s a start…

Getting from the Guilt Cycle to the Grace Cycle…

First, pause and identify which cycle you’re in.
If it’s the Guilt Cycle, listen for the lie. What are you telling yourself that isn’t true? For example, “I’m not doing enough.”
Then replace that lie with grace-filled truth. For example, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But He never asks me to do it all!”
Ask for help. Whisper a prayer saying, “Jesus, I’m on the hamster wheel of the Guilt Cycle again. I want to step off of it and back into grace. Please forgive me and help me receive what I need to from You right now.”
Then do it again tomorrow.

I think her last statement is profound: Then do it again tomorrow. We tend to forget that making the right choice is something that needs to be repeated over and over until it becomes a part of the fabric of our lives. (Just like the commercial for cotton says!) Here's to supporting each other as we leave the Guilt Cycle and move up to the Grace Cycle.

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