Monday, January 12, 2013 WOW-Zine

It's been a busy, but very good day, so I'm just now getting around to talk to you at 5 PM. I'm not usually that late, but some days just turn out like that, don't they? Anyway, I'm glad you're here and I hope you'll all take a few minutes to read through this.

Common Grounds and The Perk both will be meeting this week as usual. Okay, you Common Grounds gals, you need to show some gumption and get back in the routine. I know the Lord is always present no matter how few or many ladies show up, but it's usually more fun when there's more of you there!We'll be continuing with our study in Luke 7, hopefully covering verses 18-50, though we may not get through all of that. I know it's a struggle to leave your home after being busy all day, or working at your job, but it's really important for us to meet together for encouragement and study. Hope I see you this week!! And The Perk? Continue your good work!! (A little competition, anyone?!)

This coming Saturday, the 19th, is our WOW Bowling Party for women and girls, age 8 and above. Someone let me know about a Groupon that was available, so I purchased two of them and got a great deal. Follow me here: Two games of bowling with shoe rentals for up to five people, and it was only $18! So I have enough to cover 10 of you. (Well nine of you actually, cuz I get dibs on one!) So depending on how many people show up, the cost might be very low for you. I'm not all that great at math, but even I know if that five of us use the $18 coupon, that works out to ... hmm .. five goes into eighteen three times, three times five is fifteen, subtracted from eighteen is three, carry a zero, makes ... $3.60  for shoe rental and two games!! You just can't beat that. That deal will be available on a first come, fist served basis, so be prepared to pay a bit more if necessary. I'll limit it to one person per family at first, and if there's room you can use it for your daughter too. Meet behind the church at 10AM if you want to carpool, or at Four Seasons in Hillsboro at 10:30 when the event starts. Their address is 322 SE Washington St.  And don't forget, we'll do lunch together afterward at their restaurant. 

Later that afternoon, from 3:30 to 5, is the baby shower for TiffanyKrautscheid. She's well prepared and has this mothering thing down pat, but could really use diapers and wipes. So between bowling and a shower (and we may all need one after bowling!) we should have a super day together!

Several of you have been asking about the theme for our retreat April 12th-14th, and we are organized enough to be able to share that with you now. Our retreat is titled, Doing The Impossible, and my very own, as well as your used-to-be very own, Christina Berry Tarabochia will be co-leading it with me. We're soooo excited! There will be a lot of humor, depth, and challenge as we lead this study based on the book of Nehemiah. There are times when God asks us to do what seems utterly impossible, and that's what we'll be looking at during that weekend in April. I can promise you that you don't want to miss this, so like I said last week, start stashing that money away now! It's $80. Wish I could do a Groupon for you on it, but that's just not possible. (But since the theme is about doing the impossible, maybe I shouldn't have said that!!) Registration opens February 24th for women who attend Wapato, and at that time you'll also be able to select what room you'd like too. You must pay in full to be considered registered. 

Be watching for up-coming announcements about the Wapato Valentine Dinner and Dance that will be held Saturday night, February 9th.  If you've been here in the past, you know it's a wonderful evening of fun and romance, held at the church, with childcare available in the annex.

If you ever struggle with finding yourself in the midst of a difficult conversation, here's some good advice from Christian blogger Holly Gerth:

What to Do When a Conversation Drags You Down by Ann Voskamp {click to get a free printable} We can all find ourselves pulled into negative conversations from everything from the weather to politics to what great aunt so-and-so did last week. The start of a new year always feels like the blank page of a new journal so guarding our words and helping others around us do the same is perhaps more important now than ever. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:29 So if you find yourself in the middle of gossip or a gripe fest, what can you do? Here’s my go-to list of three kinds of questions to ask to help the conversation get back on track (and if you’re the one doing the gossiping and griping, ask yourself these. ha!) If you find yourself stuck in a negative conversation, ask a question that’s: Personal – ex: What do you think will help? {Use when someone is saying, “The whole world/office/family is a mess.”} Positive – ex: What’s going well in the middle of all of that? {Use when someone is saying, “Here are the ten reasons why the whole world/office/family is a mess.”} Pointed – ex: What’s a small step you could take? {Use when someone is saying, “And if everyone else would just get their act together the world/office/family would no longer be a mess.”} And, yes, the world/office/family is likely to be a mess–probably always has been, always will be. So while negative talk makes it feel like we’re doing something about that, we’re actually just wasting valuable time, words, and energy that could be used for encouraging others and acting on solutions {the little bit we really can do} instead. Researcher John Gottman has shown that healthy marriages have a ratio of five positive comments for every negative one. I tend to think the same is true of all our other relationships too. So give Jesus the gift of your words this new year–and you’ll be giving a powerful gift to those around you too. Let’s only speak words that make souls stronger. What are your tips for conversations, especially this time of year? Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699