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:
Posted: 16 Nov 2012 03:45 AM PST
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
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