Monday, April 2, 2012

Monday, April 2, 2012 WOW-Zine

Well, ladies, a brand new month lies before us! What is it looking like for you? I know baseball/softball season has already started for some, and your afternoons and evenings are full of various family activities. But in the midst of all that, I hope you still find time for hanging with your friends at our women's activities. We've got a lot of good things on the horizon.

This week both Common Grounds (Wednesday, 6:30 PM) and The Thursday Perk (Thursday, 9:30 AM) will be meeting. They are back-to-back this week because of me needing to leave next Thursday to get things set up for the retreat. You won't want to miss our study of that really bad girl of the Bible--the original Jezebel. What a conniving, evil woman she was! Guess that's why you don't hear of newborn girls being given that name! Can you imagine that baby dedication??! We'll be looking at a lot of different scriptures as we discuss some of her characteristics, but to become familiar with the general story, read
I Kings 21.

Do you realize that it's less than two weeks until our much-anticipated SeaSide Escape? Yes, April 13th-15th will be here before you know it. At this point I still have an spot for one more woman. So if you've been thinking about, you're getting down to your final chance! Two ladies who've already signed up may not be able to make it due to life circumstances, so I can start a waiting list if needed and if either one of them has to cancel, there would be room for more. So please let me know right away if you're interested. Remember, it's only $80 for the weekend. This week I'll be sending out a letter to those of you who are registered, letting you know what to bring and how to work out the car pooling. If you're interested in being a driver, please let me know right away how many people (total) would fit in your car, and an approximate time of when you'd be leaving.

Remember me talking about our second annual Feminini-Tea? It's not until next month, but it's at the beginning of the month, so you need to be planning ahead now! We had a great time last year, and we expect it to be even better this time around. You can go to http://www.womenofwapato.blogspot.com
to see pictures of last year's event. Go to the list of 2011 posts and click on the April 11th one. You'll see the beautiful tables hosted by various women.

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. 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!

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 "You Have a Wonderful Son." You may think that an odd topic for a mother/daughter tea time (guys would probably do a tee time), but it has to do with the power of the words we speak and 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!

Before we get to retreat and the tea, we get to celebrate Easter Sunday! Here are some great ideas for you mommies as to things you can do to help your children understand the significance of Easter.

Doorposts of Your House - Family Activities for the Week of Easter

Family Activities for the Week of Easter

Posted: 29 Mar 2012 01:00 AM PDT

Next week, we’ll celebrate Easter, remembering Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. Here are some ideas for focusing your week on Christ and making it fun and meaningful for your family.

Act out the crucifixion and resurrection story, or stage a play with toys, felt figures, or stuffed animals.
Make your own grace garden or resurrection garden.
Try these “Get a Sense of the Resurrection” object lessons.
Make your own resurrection eggs, or have a treasure hunt that centers on the passion and resurrection story (we’ll post a treasure hunt plan next week!).
Make these resurrection cookies or resurrection rolls.
Have a Passover dinner (Seder) with your family, or find a Christian/Messianic one you can attend. Discuss with your children the ways that the Passover traditions point to Christ. We recently published a Christ-centered version of the Passover Haggadah, and you can find others online.
Jesus set an example by serving his disciples at the Last Supper. Do a Bible study on “Jesus as a servant.” Read through one of the gospels and use this study worksheet to record each instance of Jesus serving others.
Do a Bible Study on “Jesus’ response to suffering.” Read Luke 22-23, Isaiah 53, and Philippians 2, and complete this Bible study sheet from Plants Grown Up.
Read Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, by John Piper.
On Good Friday, darken your home to help everyone remember the death of Christ. Turn off or dim most of the lights and put a black tablecloth on the table. Have your children help remove any flowers or plants, and decorate with bare branches or stones instead. Leave the house dark on Saturday, and before everyone gets up on Sunday morning, redecorate with candles, plants, a bright tablecloth, and flowers.
Make a resurrection cake decorated to look like the empty tomb. We’ve enjoyed this tradition, sometimes decorating the cake with flowers and toy figures of the angel and women at the tomb.
So, that's it for this week's WOW-Zine. And thanks for the response from several of your regarding wanting a weekly study next year. That's something I'm seriously considering and trying to work out the logistics. By the way, if you leave any comments on the actual blog, just know that for some reason I haven't been able to make any responses to your comments. It's very frustrating!
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699

Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday, March 25, 2012 WOW-Zine

Welcome to spring break, ladies! I hope you're able to spend some quality time with your kids while they are out of school this week. (I know a few of you have a different week for spring break, but most are occurring at this time.) Share with us what kind of activities you're planning on doing as a family. We all need some new good ideas!

Because of so many people being out of town this week, our activities are non-existent, giving you a chance to focus on time with your family. But that doesn't mean you couldn't give me a call and suggest we get together for coffee! I really love the times I get to spend one-on-one with you. And a big welcome to several new women who have asked to be a part of this weekly mailing list. We hope you'll join us at some of our activities.

So here's what's not going on this week: Zumba, Common Grounds, and The Thursday Perk. But once spring break is a thing of the past, wow, will we ever be busy! Next week will see Zumba on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 at the church. Also next Wednesday we'll resume Common Grounds at the church at 6:30 PM, and the following week will be The Thursday Perk at 9:30 AM. And just a couple of weeks until our SeaSide Escape retreat in Lincoln City on April 13th-15th. There are only five spots remaining, so if you're planning on coming, get your $80 to me immediately. On Wednesday it will open up to friends or relatives who don't attend Wapato. And don't forget about our Feminini-Tea on Saturday, May 5th, at 10 AM for women and girls.

I can hear you wondering what Bad Girl of the Bible we'll be studying next week at Common Grounds. I'm here to give you the answer--Jezebel! Our focus scripture passage is found in I Kings 21, but we'll be looking up scads of other verses too. Come prepared for a time of great discussion and application. (The Thursday Perk will be covering the same material the following week.)

Speaking of our Bible studies, I've had several of you ask me recently about the possibility of having weekly studies for both Common Grounds and The Thursday Perk next year. I'm certainly open to that possibility, though I know some people wouldn't be able to make it each week. But then, some people aren't able to make it every other week as it is. So, give me your feedback. Are you interested in having something offered in the evening and the morning every week? I'd do one lesson each week, just as I do now, teaching the same thing on Wednesday and Thursday. (I don't know yet what I'll be teaching on next year, but will let you know when I do.)

I'm still working on the summer schedule for WOW. I know we'll have Bible studies, get-togethers at homes, as well as some "field trips". Please be sure to give me any great ideas you have about things we can do and places we can go, some of which will include children being able to participate. I don't want the closeness we've developed throughout the school year to wane during the summer. Let's have lots of fun together!

I'm also attempting to find a good date to offer a mini-retreat repeat of SeaSide Escape at my house sometime this spring or summer. The dates I offered in last week's WOW-Zine ended up conflicting with some previously scheduled church activities that I'd forgotten about. I'd love to do this Friday night/all day Saturday mini-retreat with a small group of women, and it would only cost $20 each. Please let me know if that's something you'd be interested in.

Zumba, Common Grounds, The Thursday Perk, SeaSide Escape, the Feminini-Tea, and summer events--I think I've covered about everything! Remember that we just have a few more meetings during the school year, so you won't want to miss any of them.

Common Grounds (6:30 PM) will meet:
April 4, 18
May 2, 16(grand finale)

The Thursday Perk (9:30 AM) will meet:
April 5, 26
May 10, 17 (grand finale)

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you--there are a couple of times when both studies meet back-to-back because of logistics.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday, March 19, 2012 WOW-Zine

Welcome to another day of your life! You may have started it off by grumbling about more snow and a grey day, but it's not too late to change your attitude. Spring is just around the corner (or actually, just around the clock, since it officially starts tomorrow.) You probably have bulbs blooming in your flowerbeds, which is a sure sign warmer weather will eventually reach us. Robins and all the other birds are flirting with each other around the bird feeder here at Ashberry Lane. Love is in the air!

SeaSide Escape retreat update: You ladies are very eager to get away for the weekend of April 13th-15th, as we only have six spots open! Thanks for such a great response. We can hardly wait to spend hours together with you. Remember that once you pay your $80 you can choose which bed you want to sleep in. I'm carrying the "accommodation book" with me nearly everywhere I go, so just check with me.

Several of you have told me you'd love to attend the retreat but can't get away that weekend. Then have I got a deal for you! I would love to do what we did last year and have a mini-retreat here at my house. How does that sound? I would probably do that either the weekend of April 27th and 28th or May 18th and 19th. So if you're unable to make the beach retreat, let me know if you'd like to do one at Ashberry Lane. I can do it with as small of a group as 4 women. The cost would only be $20. We would cover the same material in SeaSide Escape as we will be doing in Lincoln City.

A reminder that Zumba now meets only on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 PM at the church.

The Thursday Perk meets this week at 9:30. We'll be studying the life of Tamar in Genesis chapter 38. This section of scripture generated a lot of discussion when we looked at it last week at Common Grounds. Come prepared for God to speak to your heart.

Our second annual Feminini-Tea is Saturday, May 5th, at 10 AM at the church. Who would love to host a table by decorating it with a tablecloth, dishes, and centerpiece? We had a delightful time together (daughters are invited, and you can borrow some if you don't have any) last year. This year Barb Boswell will be our speaker. The event is free--you just need to bring along some tea-time goodies to share!

Our Bible studies will be through for the year before you know it, but don't worry, we'll have other options for during the summer. One of the things we always do is to plan some fun things to do together, and often your children are invited too. I'd like to do things like a day-trip to the beach, a picnic in a park, etc. Let me know what wonderful ideas you have and I'll try to incorporate them into our summer plans. Bible studies will also be offered during the summer, as we don't want to lose the closeness we've developed with each other throughout the year, nor do we want to take a vacation from growing in God's Word!

The Thursday Perk will meet:
March 22
April 5, 26
May 10, 17 (grand finale)

Common Grounds will meet:
April 4, 18
May 2, 16(grand finale)

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you--there are a couple of times when both studies meet back-to-back because of logistics.

So, I'm outta here for this week! I'll leave you with another good devotional from Holley Gerth's website:

Heart to Heart with Holley Gerth: 7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {2} Find Your Joy

7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {2} Find Your Joy

Posted: 20 Feb 2012 12:16 PM PST

She curls her toes over the edge of the diving board and peers into the water below. Pink bathing suit. Pink goggles. Pink rubber bands holding soggy pigtails in place. She's not exactly the picture of courage but just when it seems she's going to back down...she grins and instead leaps up, up, up and over the edge.

JOY is a powerful motivator.

And it always trumps fear.

We know that as kids. But somewhere along the way we forget how much it's true. We start believing life is serious business and getting rid of fear requires intensity and determination.

Not always.

Sometimes it's as simple as rediscovering our joy, embracing our passion, taking the hand of the Good-Gift-Giver and daring to follow him over the edge.

What do you really love?

What makes you feel joy in a way that nothing else does?

Where do you feel God's presence more than anywhere else (because where he is, joy is too)?

When fear tells you to turn back--to stop following that dream, taking that step, making that difference--run toward joy.

Because, here's the secret, fear has a fear of joy.

And it won't dare to follow you when you jump heart first over that edge.

--Holley

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699

Monday, March 12, 2012

Monday, March12, 2012 WOW-Zine

For those of you who pay attention to such things, yes, I'm later than usual with getting this out today. But that's because I was at an elders retreat in Netarts all weekend and just got home late this morning. So now it's time to turn my attention to you sweet ladies.

Common Grounds is this Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the church. Maybe you think you can't come because you've never attended before. Wrong! We love to have new ladies join us at any time.We're going through the Bad Girls of the Bible, and this week we'll be taking a look at Tamar, as found in Genesis 38. Join us for a time of goodies and visiting, as well as opening God's word and finding how to apply this story to our lives.

Zumba will only be meeting today this week. The Wednesday class is cancelled for this week. Because the schedule doesn't seem to be working well for women on Tuesday and Thursday, those classes will no longer meet. If you think of a better time, let me know and we'll see what we can work out. During the summer we'll be able to start meeting in the mornings again, which seemed to work better for more people.

The SeaSide Escape retreat registration is open and going strong. The next tier of registration begins this Wednesday as we open it up to women who attend either Common Grounds or The Thursday Perk. Bring your checkbooks with you on Wednesday to pay your $80. Or you can mail the checks to me (made out to Wapato Valley Church) at:
Sherrie Ashcraft
Box 665
Gaston, OR 97119

The dates are Friday night through Sunday morning, April 13th through 15th, in Lincoln City. This is always the highlight of our yearly activities, and we want you to be a part of it!

Do you have it on your calendar yet? I'm talking about our second annual Feminini-Tea on Saturday, May 5th, beginning at 10 AM. We had a fantastic time last year, and this year we're even bringing in an outside speaker--Barb Boswell. I'll tell you more about her as the time gets closer. This is a free event for moms and daughters, aunts and nieces, etc. Once again, we're looking for women to volunteer to decorate and host a table. The church was filled with absolutely gorgeous tables last year. It was so much fun to see the different table settings. So please let me know if you'd be willing to help with that again (or for the first time) this year. We'll all bring tea-type snacks, and you can dress up. It will be a great way to kick off your May.

My brain seems to be working in slow motion today after such a busy weekend, so this is all I can think of. I'm including an article that may be of encouragement, especially to those of you who still have kiddlywinks at home. I wasn't able to find the author's name--it seems she's just known as The Gypsy Mama.

On surviving the crush of the morning rush

March 7, 2012

in Callings,Faith,family,Kids,Motherhood,Raising Boys

It occurs to me how much I miss on the days when I’m frustrated.
On the days when I hurry them through brushing teeth and climbing bunk bed ladders and demands for just one more sip of water. On evenings when I rush and mutter and long for the solace of bed and laptop and online. On mornings when I rush to find lost shoes, chug down honey nut Cheerios and pack lunches and stuffed bears.
How much does the rush cost me?
We want to be on time, yes. But on time and frayed around the edges, on time and in tears, on time and relieved to be parting ways is no one’s win-win.
The rush is all mine. I can choose to shelter them from it or not.
The clock is all mine. I can choose to dictate from it or not.
The rhythm is all mine. I can choose to dance to it or not.
Because the melody of any day ebbs and flows around a mother’s mood.
And if I can set my mood by the desire to send them off at peace and full of the knowing that they mattered then they will have a gift to unwrap the rest of the day.
Knowing that they mattered to their mother more than her to-dos.
And yes, I hear you saying that there are things we can’t actually be late for. And to-dos must be done sometime or lives will unravel. I agree, I do.
But I am learning to tell the difference between the rush of the doing vs. the gifting of the doing.
I am learning to spot the wonder in the ordinary. Because if it is all a gift to me from the Father who gives good things, why don’t I re-gift it to my kids before we rush out the door?
Time and again I have to reel my fast, wagging, frustrated tongue in and slow down the crazy that’s about to spill out of me. And because we do still need to be on time these are the things I’m trying out in order to get us there with tempers and kind words in tact:

This doesn’t make breakfast any more nutritious than a bowl of cereal or a bagel and cream cheese most mornings. But it does make us all feel filled up in the ways that matter most. Some mornings we still snap and no one brushes their teeth and car doors are slammed. But other mornings – more mornings these days – there is time factored in for slow. Time factored in for connecting before parting.
We don’t have big prayers or profound Bible readings – but we have the heart of the thing. The rhythm of secure kids and restrained parents. There is give and take. An episode of Mighty Machines if breakfast is eaten. Time with the hamster if teeth have first been brushed. A half hour of swashbuckling in the yard if they’re dressed in full ready-to-leave-from-the-yard-when-mom-calls clothes.
If I want our kids’ morning routine to work I have to work the hardest at keeping it together. Myself first. My tongue, my temper and my temptation to dish out blame for being late.
So I take a deep breath when I’m lying there listening to Zoe start to wake up, before I can will myself out of bed. I take a deep breath and picture the hand of the carpenter who lived over 2,000 years ago – rough and strong and tender – ready to lead me into the dance. There will be crazy and whining and bed head. There will be the same red cereal bowl and yellow spoon Micah’s used a hundred mornings before.
There will be trails of socks and cries that someone is out of undies. There will be missing library books and someone who insists on wearing his camouflage pants again. There will be a raggedy toy bear and a baby that trails around behind every body, unpacking everything.
But on the very best mornings, oh yes on the best mornings, there will also be dancing at our house.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012 WOW-Zine

It's a fresh week, ladies, filled with God-only-knows-what. And I mean that in a very reverent way. God alone knows what is ahead of each of us. I'll be sharing some opportunities for things you can be involved in this week and in the near future, but we have no guarantee that our plans will actually be fulfilled. You may take a look at your family calendar and see that it's crammed to the brim with many activities and responsibilities, but again, none of us know how the week will turn out.

It reminds me of the verses in the book of James that say (in The Message): And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today--at the latest, tomorrow--we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."

So, if the Master wills it, we've got our SeaSide Escape women's retreat in Lincoln City the weekend of April 13th-15th. Do you realize that's just next month?! When we first started talking about it, it was six months away. Now it's just six weeks! Registration is open for those who regularly attend Wapato Valley Church. The cost is $80. Quite a few of you have paid me already, but don't worry, there's still plenty of room for you. Please make checks out to WVC, but hand them to me. If you don't have the registration form, that's okay. We have a new twist to registration this year, that just happened yesterday. Our own Amy Rusaw put together a booklet that has pictures of each of the rooms. When you register, you then have the option to choose your bed! Many of you were at the house last year and know what it's like. For those who have already registered, you can give me a call, or arrange to meet and select your sleeping arrangements. So the sooner you sign up, the sooner you're able to make your selection. We hope you appreciate this new convenience.

This week we have The Thursday Perk at 9:30 AM at the church. We'll be sharing a precious morning of study as we look at The Bleeding Woman in Mark 5:25-34. Last Wednesday at Common Grounds we had an especially good time as we looked at Jesus' response to a hurting, outcast woman. You won't want to miss it this Thursday.

Our free exercise classes continue, with Zumba on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 PM. On Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM we offer an exercise potpourri. No, I'm afraid it doesn't mean we smell good while we exercise, as we still work up a sweat, but you never know for sure what exercise DVD we'll be using. It could be Zumba, something from The Core, or some other exercise program. Would you do me a favor and call or text me if you're coming on Tuesday or Thursday? My contact info is at the end of this WOW-Zine.

We had a good time Friday night at the WOW Movie Night, even though attendance was low due to that big Christian concert in Portland that night. But we enjoyed good popcorn and other snacks as we watched The Young Victoria. And yes, I did wear my jammies and tiara!

This month's schedule for our Bible studies:

Common Grounds--only on the 14th. (Spring break hits when we would next meet.)

The Thursday Perk--the 8th and 22nd.

DON'T FORGET:

--The Art of Marriage conference--March 16th and 17th at Wapato Valley Church

--WOW's second annual FEMININI-TEA--Saturday, May 5th at the church

There’s No One Like Him!

God can do the most AMAZING things,

At the most UNEXPECTED times,
Through the most UNLIKELY sources,
By the most UNUSUAL means,
To bless us in the most DELIGHTFUL ways.

“Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You…

1 Kings 8:23 NKJV

(By Roy Lessin)

Remember the truth of those words as you walk through this week!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012 WOW-Zine

Happy sunny Monday, ladies! After the strange mix of weather we had on Saturday, I was thrilled to open the curtains to sunlight this morning. I've opened the curtains of my heart to the Sonlight this morning, too, so I'm feelin' good from the inside out! Hope you feel the same.

We have a rather unusual occurrence this week in that Wednesday is Leap Day. We think it takes the Earth 365 days to orbit the sun each year, but in reality it takes about a quarter of a day longer. So to keep our calendar on track, good ol' Julius Caesar changed things up a bit way back in 45 B.C. and added an extra day every four years. Which bring us to this Wednesday! And according to what I read in The Oregonian the other day, it's even more complicated than that. It turns out that Leap Year is not observed during years that are divisible by 100! Who knew? And what about those lucky people who are born on Leap Year (a Leaper, which is so much better than a leper) and age so much slower than the rest of us? The article I read said that there's about a 1 in 1,500 chance of that happening. Are any of you in that category? We'd love to help you celebrate your rare birthday.

It just so happens that Common Grounds meets this Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the church. I thought maybe we should play a game of Leap Frog during our social time at the beginning, but then I felt a twinge in my back and thought better of the whole idea! Nor will we decorate the tables with frogs! Instead, we'll gather for some coffee or tea, goodies, great conversation with girl friends, and a study of The Bleeding Woman, as found in Mark 5:25-34. This is a topic that all of us are familiar with in one way or another. It's part of what defines us as women. Yet there's more to this story than meets the eye. Come with a heart open to receive what the Lord wants you to hear and ponder. BTW, you Common Grounds gals, I really missed a lot of you at our last study. I know life gets very busy, but taking care of yourself spiritually is one of the best things you can do. If you're not there, not only do you miss an opportunity for God to speak to your heart and make necessary adjustments in your life or way of thinking, but you're also missing out on God being able to use something you say or do to bless the lives of other women. We each need each other.

The Thursday Perk meets next week at 9:30 AM and will be studying the same passage.

Retreat registration for our April 13th-15th SeaSide Escape opens March 1st. That's this Thursday, ladies! But like I said at church yesterday, I know some of you are so anxious to sign up and hand over your $80 that you'd be showing up at my front door at 12:01 AM on Thursday. So to avoid that unfortunate event, I'm going to accept registrations a few hours early--at Common Grounds. Remember, the first two weeks of registration are just for those who regularly attend Wapato Valley Church. But don't panic, women, there will be room for everyone who wants to go, I'm quite sure. So there's no reason to push people out of your way or trample each other in a mad dash to register! (Now there's a visual!)

On March 14th registration will expand to those who attend either of our Bible studies but go to church elsewhere. Two weeks after that, if we still haven't reached our cap of 40 women, we will open it up to anyone else who would like to come. That's when you can invite your friends or relatives. If for some reason you are unable to attend, I am open to doing a local retreat at my home later in the spring, just as I did last year. We would use the same materials, but just have the event on a Friday evening and all day Saturday. We had a great time doing that last year.

Some years we've encouraged nursing mothers to attend the retreat as long as their baby is not yet crawling. But with the configuration of this particular retreat, it won't work to do that. It's imperative that each woman in attendance is able to actually be there and not attending to the needs of her baby. So I'm going to have to regretfully ask that all babies remain at home. We have so many young mothers that I'm sure this is going to effect some of you, and I apologize for that. But what we could do is let lap babies be at the secondary retreat at my house later in the spring. I hate to have you young moms miss out, as I know you really need the encouragement. Those of us who are older mothers, grandmas, and even great grandmas know that there are seasons in a woman's life, and sometimes things have to be delayed a bit. So from here on out, plan your child-bearing around women's retreat and you should be just fine!!

WOW Movie Night is this Friday, March 2nd, at my house south of Gaston. Show up around 7 PM with a snack to share. We'll start the movie by 7:30. At this point I'm leaning toward The Young Victoria. This is a lush period piece with beautiful colors and costumes, and tells the story of 18-year-old Victoria ascending the throne and being romanced by her future husband. Feel free to wear your PJs and tiaras when you come!

Exercise classes continue! Zumba classes are held Monday and Wednesday at 4:15 PM at the church. Some of us have tired of Zumba, or just want a change of pace. For those of you in that category, show up on Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM for an exercise surprise. Last week we busted some moves from The Core DVDs. This week we'll do another one of those on Tuesday, and something different on Thursday. Bring your favorite workout DVD along with you if you'd like us to try it.

Don't forget about The Art of Marriage conference being offered at the church on Friday, March 16th beginning at 7 PM and going through Saturday afternoon. Childcare is not provided, but you can call the church office ( 503-985-3351) and speak to Becky to get names of babysitters. The workbook costs $35 per couple, and you need to let Becky know you want that by March 1st. Attending a marriage conference is not a sign that you're having problems in your marriage. It's an acknowledgement that marriage is hard work and we need to constantly be acquiring new tools to help us build a stronger marriage. I really hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity, as it's not that often that something of this caliber comes to our small town.

So as you've read through the WOW-Zine this week, I hope there's at least one thing that has grabbed your interest and you've decided to attend. Common Grounds, exercise class, movie night, marriage seminar, retreat--so many opportunities, so little time! Let me close out today with some great thoughts about speaking without words. (And a special thanks to those of you who are leaving comments!)

Speaking Without Words

Feb 27, 2012 06:00 am | Roy

We can speak—
With the eyes of understanding;
With the ears of alertness;
With the smile of delight;
With the tone of kindness;
With the spirit of compassion;
With the hands of mercy;
With the embrace of acceptance;
With the handshake of friendship;
With the look of interest;
With the tears of compassion;
With the nod of affirmation;
With the touch of tenderness;
With the heart of love;
With a face that radiates His light.

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord. Psalm 4:6 AMP
Let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 HW

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com 971-285-6699

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 WOW-Zine

Hello, ladies. I know--it's Tuesday, not Monday. Did you miss me yesterday? Yeah, I figured not! Turns out I was able to go to the beach with a couple of friends for the weekend, and didn't return until Monday afternoon. And since it was a holiday, well, I just figured I'd wait until today to write. So that's my excuse--now on to the news!

While in Lincoln City, we drove by our retreat house. It is still there, looking as gorgeous as ever. And I could hear it whispering to me, "Come here April 13th-15th and bring 39 of your best friends!" So that's my plan. Registration for our SeaSide Escape Retreat opens next Thursday, March 1, for you women who regularly attend Wapato Valley Church. Two weeks later I expect to be inundated with checks from those of you who attend any of the Bible studies. Two weeks after that, we will open it up for you to invite other family or friends if we have still not reached our 40-women cap. Everyone will be sleeping in the house this year (no motels). It's only $80 for a weekend of spending quality time with girl friends and the Lord, plus having plenty of free time for shopping, long walks on the beach, etc. We're holding the retreat later in the spring than usual, as by then you'll have your tax return and we'll be back into Daylight Savings Time, so it won't be dark when those of you who have to leave after work on Friday get there. We're trying to make it as easy on you as possible! Car pool arrangements will be made once we reach our 40-person capacity. Remember to make checks out to WVC (with women's retreat in the memo section) but give them to me. If you want, you can write your check now and address the envelope to put it in the mail on Wednesday, the 29th, so that I'll receive it the next day (March 1st.) I will also accept checks and registration forms at Common Grounds on the 29th. My mailing address is PO Box 665, Gaston, OR 97119. Let's stuff my mailbox and make the post mistress wonder what's going on! Hopefully you've held on to the registration form that was included in the bulletin this Sunday, but if not, we'll have more available.

This week we have Zumba on Wednesday at 4:15.
We're changing it up at bit, at least for a while, on Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM. We're going to do the Core Rhythms dance exercise program. We'll still be groovin' to hot Latin music which gives us cardio conditioning while toning our abs at the same time. Come try it out!

WOW's Movie Night is at my house at 7PM Friday, March 2nd. This is a very laid-back, casual time to enjoy snacks (bring some to share) and a good movie. Please let me know if you're planning on coming. Any movie suggestions by those of you who will be coming?? I know we're competing with a great concert in Portland that same night, but for those of you not attending that, I'd love to have you come hang out with me!

And don't forget about The Art of Marriage video conference being offered at Wapato on March 16th and 17th. This is a wonderful opportunity for a low-cost way to improve your marriage. Becky has all kinds of information about it in the weekly announcements, as well as at a table in the back of the church. Call her with any questions or to sign up to attend. This is the perfect time for your kiddos to spend some special grandparent-time over the weekend so that you and your spouse can concentrate on providing your children the security of a great marriage. Take advantage of it!

The Thursday Perk meets this week at 9:30 AM at the church. Feel free to join us this week even if you've never been before. We have a great time enjoying coffee, tea, and a goodie, while studying one of the gals from the Bad Girls of the Bible.This week our lucky subject is known as The Witch of En Dor, as found in I Samuel chapter 28. We had a great time studying this last week at Common Grounds, so if you're home during the day, come join us on Thursday morning so you don't miss out.

I'd like to close with a blog I received last week that I think maybe a lot of you can identify with. Here it is:

Heart to Heart with Holley Gerth: 7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {1} Go There

7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {1} Go There

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 07:56 AM PST

* THANK YOU for helping my new book, You're Already Amazing, go to #1 on the bestsellers list of Barnes & Noble.com! Woo-hoo! Haven't gotten your copies yet? Amazon now has it half price for a limited time and you get free shipping when you order four (stock up for Easter and Mother's Day gifts!). Y'all are wonderful. *

We stepped through the door of the laundry room in our newest rental property. My husband pointed to a hole in the back of the wall. "That's the dryer vent," he said, "And we're going to clean it."

He proceeded to unfold a series of flexible sticks with a brush on the end and cram it into the wall. I watched wide-eyed in my skinny jeans and new sweater.

After a few minutes, I got a chance to join the fun. "I'm going to pull the brush back out and I need you to stay by the hole in the wall and make sure it doesn't get stuck."

I crouched down, cute boots and all, and peered into the tiny black space in front of me.

Y'all, what hubby failed to mention is that when the brush gets ready to exit the building so does all the lint it's collected. Do you remember the Monty Python movie when the soldiers are attacked by a killer rabbit? I had a flashback of that scene as the mother of all dust bunnies came flying out of the pipe and exploded all over me.

I got so startled I fell over. And I might have fainted if the sound of hysterical laughter from my husband hadn't kept me conscious.

Because my life is one big analogy, I found myself pondering the dust bunny as I laid in bed that night. While my skinny jeans got covered in fluff, no real harm was done. I just felt like I'd been attacked by a killer rabbit. My reaction didn't match the reality.

It's often the same way with fear. What we imagine is often far worse than what comes to be. And even if it does happen, we discover we're more resilient than we ever knew (and God is more faithful too). But the only way to find that out is to stare fear in the face and let it explode all over of us is needed. Not what we fear but the fear itself--which many times turns out to be worse.

What are you really afraid of?

And if that happened, then what?

And what about after that?

Keep going until you've gone all the way down the pipe of your fear and pulled every little bit back out. Then hold it in your hands and see if you've got a killer rabbit or a dust bunny. You might even find yourself laughing a bit about what you thought was in there.

The secret is not letting all of that fear grow in the dark.

Then stand up, wipe off your skinny jeans, hand it all to God and go out there and change the world...

I believe with all my heart you can.