Good morning, ladies! Isn't it nice that the kids have the day off from school and you were able to stay in bed and get a little extra sleep? Although I know some of you had to go to work yourself, so it really hasn't felt like a holiday for you. But hopefully you'll have a chance to chill tonight. (I KNOW you will if you happen to leave a window open in your bedroom!) Zoom down to Zumba this week. Janet leads a group on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 PM, and I lead on Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM. I've got some other dance-type exercise CD's that my group may be starting soon, just to change things up a bit. Common Grounds meets this Wednesday at 6:30 at the church. We've got an interesting story we'll be looking at closely as we delve into a woman named Herodius. You can read about her in Mark 6:14-29. Wait 'til you see what can happen when a party gets out of hand! (Er ... I mean head!) I know none of us would ever be this kind of hostess, but there are still lessons we can learn from this shocking story. Bowling Party at Four Seasons in Hillsboro this Saturday. We'll meet at the bowling alley at 10:30 and bowl a game or two, then treat ourselves to lunch at their restaurant. Feel free to bring your daughters who are age 12 or older. The cost is $4 per game, and $3.25 for shoes. I need to know how many lanes to reserve, so please let me know you're coming by Wednesday. So far I've had "yes-es" from Tami, her sister-in-law, Ellie, Susan, Heidi H., Janet, and myself. Don't let us have all the fun! In fact, we'll have a lot more fun if you join us! For those of you in the Gaston area, if you'd like to car pool, we'll meet behind the church at 10 AM. Coming up Saturday, March 17, is Selah at George Fox in Newberg. I'm not talking about the singing group by that name, but of the one-day women's conference that they host every year. This year's theme is Getting Unstuck. The keynote speaker is Elisa Morgan, whom some of you may know from MOPS. The breakout sessions will explore such topics as: ~Getting Unstuck from an Abusive Relationship: Present or Past ~The Kids Are Packed, I'm Stuck Here with This Man ... Who Is He and What in the World Do I do Now? ~Getting Unstuck Spiritually The conference begins at 9 AM and goes through 4:15. Lunch is included in the price, which is $33/woman if we get a group of ten or more. Otherwise it costs between $38-$48, depending upon the time you register. If anyone is interested in going, please let me know right away. Those of us on the Women's Ministry Team realize this is an additional expense when you're already trying to save up money for our spring retreat. Selah used to be in the fall, which worked out better with our schedule. But this is something right in our back yard, and we want you to know about it. SeaSide Escape is the theme for our Lincoln City retreat April 13th-15th. Cost is $80. We've got that huge, beautiful house that all of us will be staying at again this year. (Why mess with perfection? You can check it out at VRBO #309670) The thought of hanging out with a bunch of women can be intimidating if you've never gone to something like this before, but let me tell you, it can also be life-changing. Plus, our women really care about each other and want everyone included. This is your opportunity to build some life-long friendships, plus get a much needed break from your responsibilities at home. And it's a great chance for father-child bonding time! Registration opens March 1st, and you must be paid in full to be considered registered. So start putting that money aside now. Wapato's not-to-be-missed Valentine's Dinner and Dance is Saturday, Febraury 11th. If you've been before, you know what a fantastic evening that is! If you've never attended, you'll just have to take our word for it and try it for yourself this year. Becky will have more info out about it very soon, so be looking for that. And now I'll leave you with an encouraging word I got on-line the other day. I thought more people than just me may benefit from this gal's insight. You can subscribe to her daily email at Heart to Heart with Holley.
Hello Friend!
We all have our quirks. So in the spirit of confession, here’s one of mine: I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to getting things done. If I have a to-do left on my list at the end of the day it’s like a pebble in my shoe. Anyone else ever feel that way? The thing is, it never gets all done. There’s always another dish to wash, another email to answer, another project to wrap up. That used to drive me just about wild. And wear me out.
Then one day it seemed God whispered to my heart, “You are never going to be done.”
At first I thought it must be the devil. And this southern girl was about to tell him where to go, y’all.
But no, the whisper kept coming quietly and gently until I fully recognized the Voice of One Who Loves Me.
And he confirmed it with Scripture too: He who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Two truths stuck in my soul from that one little sentence.
First, while I’m good at “carryin’ on” (as we say in the South) that’s not what God means in this verse. He means that he’ll take on the weight, bear the burden, make sure that what needs doin’ will get done. Our part is simply obedience.
Also, that good work in our lives is going to keep on keepin’ on until it’s complete in the day of Christ Jesus. In case you didn’t catch it, that’s code for “until heaven.” So as much as I may want to check off everything I possibly can, God is going to have more for me until the day I’m with him forever. Whew. That means I can lay day my completion compulsion and trade it for grace.
I don’t know about you, but the new year tends to put my “get it done” self into overdrive. But we don’t have to do it that way this time around. God has it covered, friend.
We don’t have to strive. Instead we can LIVE. With joy even.
Woo-hoo! Now that’s reason for some good “carryin’ on”—the kind complete with whoopin’ and hollerin’ and a little jig thrown in just because.
What helps you trust God with your to-do list? Do tell.
So that's all the news for this week. Hope you can join us at the various activities!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
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HEY!! it's Chrissy.. I just love your blogging!!! you are a great director for us :) See you weds.. and hopefully at the beginning of wow not the end ;0)
ReplyDeleteGood to see you here, Chrissy! And thanks for the sweet compliment. Yes, how can you possibly WOW us all if you sit out in the car during the study??! We need to see your beautifully made-up face! The snow should be gone by Wed. afternoon, so all systems are go for that evening. See you there. (And rattle Amy A's cage!)
ReplyDeleteYes, that was a great article! And that's how I feel, never done. I am working on that LIVEing in the moment, with joy. Not easy! But I guess that's the point, and why God wrote that verse in the Bible "until the day of completion" Thanks, Sherrie. :o)
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