Who will share your life this year? Research has shown that how you answer that question will impact your well-being more than any other factor–even income, where you live, or your life circumstances.
Boat Photo by zieak
So choose wisely when it comes to the people you surround yourself with in 2014.And there’s a certain kind of relationship you can be looking for more than any other. I’ve nicknamed them “O.A.R.s” and that stands for One Another Relationships. Picture someone sitting in a boat with an oar in each hand. In order for the boat to move forward, those oars need to be in sync and pulling in the same direction. Each person in a relationship is like one of those oars and God is in the middle–the center of the connection.
O.A.R. relationships are about…
Encouragement
Support
Cheering Each Other On
Being there in the Hard Times Too
No relationship is perfect but we can all be purposeful this year about who we join with in the journey of our life. And that can make all the difference.Who helps you move forward in God’s purposes and plans for your life? Who can you help do the same?
One of the ways we Women of Wapato can be OAR people for each other is by joining one of the Bible studies offered during the week. Some of your deepest relationships might easily get their start here. Common Grounds meets Wednesday evening at 6:30, and The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30. (Childcare is available on Thursdays.) We are continuing our Beth Moore study on the Book of James, Mercy Triumphs. Have we ever been blessed and challenged by what we've studied so far! This week we'll have discussion only (no video) covering James 4:1-6. No one has signed up to bring snacks for this Wednesday's session, so please let me know if you'd like to fill that gap. Karen is bringing them for Thursday morning, but I have no volunteer to be the Mother In Charge (MIC) for our childcare that morning. Again, let me know if you can serve that way this week.
We've got a baby shower coming up, and this is your invitation! Hollie Stamps is having another little girl. She's been coming to Wapato for about nine months and is part of the Common Grounds group. If you haven't met her yet, you'll want to, as she's a keeper! Her baby shower will be on Saturday, January 18th, 10 AM at the church. A light brunch will be served, so please follow this link to let Laura Fordyce know you're coming and to find out more details about the shower. http://www.evite.com/event/00FFE4F4EKUZSYQ4UEPDOSUOVWPEXA
Speaking of showers, I want to let you know about a new way we're going to handle them. You gals are very loving women and at least two or three of you are pregnant at any given time! Your Women's Ministry Team is always excited to know there's a new little one on the way. We're going to continue throwing a baby shower for those who are having their first Wapato baby, meaning this is their first baby since attending Wapato. (May be their third child.) For those who have already had the thrill of a Wapato shower, we will bless you with a $25 gift certificate instead of a shower, plus you'll get those delicious meals provided by our women after you're home with your newborn. (The meals themselves are almost enough incentive for me to get pregnant!!) Of course friends and family can give a shower in their home for women who have already had one at Wapato.
Retreat is coming! Retreat is coming! (Is that an oxymoron?) Save the weekend of April 11th-13th to join us at "our" gigantic house in Lincoln City for a precious weekend together. Our speaker, Laurie Sheffield from Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego, will be speaking about What Not to Wear. What fun we're going to have with that theme!! We have been able to keep the cost to $80 once again. Do you have any idea what a phenomenal deal that is?! It's unheard of. (Except you heard it here first!) Registration will open on February 2nd. The full price must be paid to me (checks made out to WVC with "retreat" in the memo) in order for you to be registered. Once you're signed up, you're also able to select your sleeping arrangements, so it's first come, first served. In March we'll open registration up to your friends and family. Just a reminder that our policy is this is a women's-only event--no babies are able to be accommodated. For those of you who are unable to attend for that very reason, we will have a mini-retreat at Ashberry Lane the first weekend in May, where your babies may come learn too!
So, I think I've given you plenty to think about for this week. See you at Bible study!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
No comments:
Post a Comment