The major focus for the week is our SeaSide Escape, which begins Friday afternoon. All of you who have registered for it should have received a retreat email last week with lots of info in it. I'll be sending another one out to you in a day or two with a few last-minute details. If you haven't already, let me know who you're riding with. There are also a few spots open for retreat.
Because of the intensive amount of work that goes into retreat, our only other activity for this week is our Zumba class, which is meeting even now as I'm typing, and will meet again at 4:15 Wednesday afternoon.
This year our tea will be held on Saturday, May 5th, at 10 AM at the church. I'm looking for a few good women to host a table. What that means is that you bring a tablecloth (we have some white ones if you need them), table settings for six, and a teapot. We will have round tables, as well as rectangular. You can make your table as fancy or whimsical as you would like. If you're able to do a centerpiece, that would be great. A couple of you have already let me know you'd like to take care of a table, but I need to hear from several more. Last year we had 42 women and girls present, but I think we'll have a lot more than that this time. So send me a text, email, or phone call to let me know you'll help us out! Each person that is not hosting a table is asked to bring a plate of tea-type goodies along to share. I'll give you more ideas on that in the next WOW-Zine.
We've got a special treat for you this year, as we're having Barb Boswell as our guest speaker! She lives in Washington and is excited to come down and spend the morning of May 5th with us. This is a woman after my own heart (why can't she just be satisfied with her own??) as she looks at the difficulties of life through the lens of humor.
Barb Boswell grew up in the small town of Woodland, Washington, where she still lives. As a teenager, she was attracted to church youth group because they got to take skiing trips. That was for her. But on one of those ski trips, while on top of a snow-covered mountain, she received more than she bargained for. She found Jesus. And so her journey began.
When she left for college, she left God at home, finding the party scene much more attractive. For ten years she wandered in the wilderness, far from God. After five years of marriage, she became pregnant and it was at this point in her life that the running from God stopped and the running toward Him began.
Barb worked for 12 years as the O.E.P. (Office Everything Person) office manager at her home church, Woodland Presbyterian.
For 14 years she lead the Jr. High Youth group at the church, until God started working on her to write a book. She tearfully resigned as the youth leader and went kicking and screaming to the computer to begin the sometimes painful lesson of obedience.
Her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2000 could have shocked her foundation, but she approached that obstacle like she does everything, by trusting God would take care of her, and by finding something to laugh about. Even cancer she didn't take seriously, because she knew God was in control. And now her Jesus has asked her to reach out and encourage those going through similar health problems.
Barb's topic is called "The Gift of Your Words" and has to do with the power of the words we speak. I think we all need constant reminders in this area of our lives, and her talk is something we'll all be challenged by. I'll be sending evites out within the next couple of weeks so that we'll have a good idea of how many women will be coming. Be sure to invite your friends from outside the church to come too! You'll also have an opportunity to purchase one of Barb's humorous books and even get it autographed. Who knows--it may become a collector's item!
So, that's all I've got time for today. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699
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