Happy Tuesday, ladies. I wrote that line about three hours ago, and then life got in the way. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this now!

This Friday at 7 PM is our WOW Movie Night at Amy's. Show up in comfy clothes, bring a snack, and get ready to duke it out as to what movie we'll watch from a selection on hand. We always have a great time when we get together, so I hope to see you there!

Our time in the Book of James will soon come to an end. This week at both Common Grounds and The Perk we'll be looking at some final events in his life, plus watching the first half of Beth Moore's final video. Just a reminder that Viv signed up for snack on Wednesday night (6:30), and for Thursday morning at 9:30 Keisha is bringing goodies, and Stephanie will be the MIC.

Ta-da! Retreat registration is now open for anyone who would like to come! We have seven spots available. Remember the dates? April 11th-13th in Lincoln City. Our speaker is Laurie Sheffield, and she'll be addressing the topic of What Not to Wear. It only costs $80 for the weekend, and I'll gladly take money from you at any time! (Checks made out to WVC but given to me.) In about a month we'll get the car pooling figured out, as we have a limited amount of cars that can be on the property. Speaking of the property, here is the link to The Dawn Treader.  http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p290753

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

My day is going to be pretty busy, so I thought I'd get the WOW-Zine sent out to you early in the day. Most of you know that I've been without a car or a phone (along with all my luggage) after accidentally (as if I'd do it on purpose!) locking my keys in my trunk on Sunday. Mercedes keys are very expensive and we only had the one. A newly-minted key is slated to arrive from Texas later this morning and everything should work out okay. It's been a little disorienting to be without my phone for a couple of days--disconnected from my usual life--but kind of nice in a way.

Thanks to all of you who prayed for me this weekend as I spoke at a retreat in Rockaway for the Gales Creek Church of God women. They, too, are a fun group, and got me primed for OUR retreat. The Lord worked in their lives, and I was really excited to be a part of it.

Next week registration for Wapato's retreat expands to include those women who don't attend Wapato but have been to past retreats. The beginning of March, if there are still open spots, you'll be free to invite friends who haven't been before. Start praying now for our speaker, Laurie Sheffield, as she prepares for What Not to Wear. Remember, it's April 11th-13th, and only costs $80. 

This week in our women's Bible studies, we'll be digging in to James 5:13-16. (For those of you who have the workbooks, that's Week Six, Days Four and Five.) For Common Grounds (6:30 Wednesday night) Lori A. has signed up to bring the treats. Kristen S. is bringing something yummy for us to enjoy at The Perk (Thursday morning, 9:30), and Keisha is our MIC for the day. Thanks to all of you for helping to make our Bible study times special!

Friday, February 28th, is our next WOW Movie Night. We'll be meeting at Amy's at 7 PM. Bring your snacks, wear comfy clothes, and enjoy an evening hanging out with your women friends. Feel free to invite others to come with you.

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Happy Melting Snow Tuesday, ladies! I'm assuming we all survived the past five days, and that those of you with school-age children were happy to see things get back to normal today. I hope you were all able to take advantage of the situation and create some wonderful memories with your family. I saw on Facebook that some people were dealing with cabin fever, but I didn't experience any of that. After all, with a 2-year-old great granddaughter being introduced to her first snow days, making snow ice cream, lots of sitting around the table playing various card games, eating good comfort food, watching the Olympics, and shoveling our nearly 1/4 mile-long driveway, there wasn't much time to get bored. There was actually something peaceful about not being able to get off the property and just spending my time focused on family. 

However, it's time to enjoy being able to get out and about, and a great way to experience that is by coming to one of the WOW Bible Studies this week. It's time to catch up with your girlfriends!
Common Grounds will be at 6:30 Wednesday night, with Adrienne signed up for snacks. Thursday morning at 9:30 The Perk will meet, with Carol R. bringing the treats, and Anastasia being our MIC.  We'll finish up the last half of the Beth Moore video we started last week, as well as discuss James 5:12-15.

This Saturday is Wapato's Valentine Dinner and Concert, An Evening to Remember. Tickets are still available, but must be reserved by Wednesday. So if you weren't able to purchase yours yet due to church being cancelled last Sunday, be sure to contact Susan at the church office and let her know how many you'd like. Doors open at 6:30 and dinner is served at 7. 

Retreat spots are filling quickly, so be sure to sign up as soon as you can. It's easy to register--simply give me $80 (checks made out to WVC) and select your room. Our speaker, Laurie Sheffield, is really looking forward to spending the weekend of April 11th-13th with us as she speaks on the topic What Not to Wear. At this point registration is only open to women who attend Wapato, but the end of the month it will open to those outside of Wapato who have attended in the past, and then the first part of March, if there are still openings, you'll be free to invite friends. Remember, we're limited to a total of 40 women. Lincoln City, here we come!

There's just a few weeks until our next WOW Movie Night on Saturday, February 28th. We'll meet at Amy's at 7 PM  (bring snacks) and decide which movie we'd like to see. Movie selection will be determined by arm wrestling, crying, pouting, or Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Please pray for me this weekend as I leave Friday morning to speak at a retreat for Gales Creek Church of God over at Twin Rocks. I'm really excited to get to spend the weekend with a new group of women. But that means I won't get to attend the dinner and concert with the rest of you. 

What You Need to Know for the Highs and LowsHolley, 2014-02-11 14:00 This life is full of ups and downs. There are moments when it seems as if you’re touching the hem of heaven because they’re so dazzling. And others when it seems you stand on the brink of hell because they’re so heart wrenching. We can tend to feel far away from God in both. When times are good, we forget how much we need him. When times are hard, we wonder why he has forsaken us. And yet both of those responses are only are humanity talking. Neither height nor depth…will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 God’s affection for us is the same at the highest and lowest moments of our lives. The heights of success and the depths of despair cannot separate us from him. His love is the one constant we can count on no matter what. Take comfort in this, friend: Whether this is your best day on earth or one of your worst, you will never be alone or unloved. Not even for a moment. Until next week, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Hello, friends! I hope you're keeping warm and cozy on this cold winter morning. Some of you may be dreaming of hot, sandy beaches, but I'd settle for a good ol' hot flash. Why do they never come when I need one?! So, it's another cup of coffee and thoughts of you that warm my heart.

Retreat registration opened on Sunday, and we've had a great response. Some of you may never have attended one of our retreats before and might be curious about what happens. So let me give you a little overview. You know it's in Lincoln City, at the beautiful beach house that sleeps 40. The dates are Friday, April 11th through Sunday noon, April 13th. We are only allowed a certain number of cars on the property, so car pooling is a necessary part of the weekend. That will all be worked out much closer to the retreat. This is a great way for you to get to know a small group of women who share the car with you on the way to the beach. 

You're able to arrive at the house as early as 3 PM and get settled in the room you chose when you registered. Dinner is served around 5:30, but will be available for a couple of hours, as we know some of you have to start driving after getting off work. Our first session doesn't begin until 8, so that should give everyone time to get there.

I've heard some women express concern about sleeping arrangements since they are a snorer. Well, join the club--I am too! Everyone can bring ear plugs and Tylenol PM and manage for two nights! So please don't worry about it. 

We have a wonderful breakfast Saturday morning, followed by a session. You're on your own for lunch. Most people go out to eat, though there are usually some leftovers to pick at if you want to stay at the house. The whole afternoon is free time for you--beach walks, shopping, just hanging out and playing games or getting to know someone better, relaxing in the hot tub, etc. You can even take a nap! And we'll have some special activities you may want to participate in during the afternoon.

Your Saturday dinner is provided, followed by another evening session and a special share and prayer time, which is optional. We wrap up the weekend with Sunday breakfast and our final session, and you're on your way back to reality by noon.

Don't worry if you feel like you don't know anyone well, as the ladies are all very warm and welcoming, and we'd love to have you take the leap and join us. The whole weekend, other than your Saturday lunch, only costs $80. Isn't that an incredible price?

Laurie Sheffield is speaking on the theme of What Not to Wear, based on Psalm 139. If you missed the video Sunday, you'll have another chance to see it this week. You truly don't want to miss out on this special time together. Call me (number is at the end of this WOW-Zine) if you have any questions. Registration is open at this time to women who attend Wapato. The end of the month we will open it to women outside the church who have attended in the past, and in March it will be available to friends and family. 

We're continuing our journey through the Book of James in both our Bible studies this week. We're getting toward the end, but it's never to late to jump into a study. God has something to say to us each week! If you like to read ahead, we'll be looking at James 5:7-11 and watching the first half of the Beth Moore video. Common Grounds meets at 6:30 Wednesday night, and The Perk at 9:30 Thursday morning. Jody is bringing treats for Wednesday, and Carol G. on Thursday. Childcare is provided on Thursday morning, and this week Amy is the MIC (Mother In Charge) for that. And we're so grateful that we can count on Linnea being there every week to help with the kiddos.

Don't forget to purchase your tickets for An Evening to Remember, the Valentine Dinner and Concert at the church on Saturday, February 15th. Tickets are $12.50 each and can be obtained from Susan. Childcare will be available in the annex for only $2 per child, which includes their dinner. This is always a fun-filled evening of good food, super music, and even a chance to dress up a bit. 

Coming up on Friday, February 28th, is our WOW Movie Night at Amy's. Bring a snack to share and show up at 7 PM. There will be several movies for us to choose from. These nights are always fun and relaxing, so come join us. 

Well, that's probably enough information for now. If you've never attended any of the things we have available throughout the month, consider this your personal invitation to plug in. You won't regret it!

Until next week,

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699