Monday, August 12, 2013 WOW-Zine

Good morning, ladies! You didn't hear from me last week as I was out of town for a couple of days and figured you wouldn't really miss me. But I can't get away with that for two weeks in a row, so here I am! Women's Ministry is basically on break until September, but we do have something going on next week.

Our Rockin' Rockaway Beach Party is next Tuesday, a week from tomorrow. (August 20th.) Pack up your kiddos, a picnic lunch, plenty to drink, sunscreen, towels and beach blanket, etc. (You know the drill.) Feel free to invite your friends to join us. We'll meet at 11-ish at the main beach in Rockaway, where the little train station is. You might want to bring along some money and hit the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the way home. 

I'm still looking for a few good women to fill two openings on our Women's Ministry Team for this coming year. If you're interested in serving in this capacity, contact me for more information.

The Sizzle--Wapato's gift to our community--is this Sunday. Worship service will be at Brown Park beginning at 9:30. If you signed up to bring cookies for the Cookie Walk booth, please bring them with you Sunday morning. I'll be sending a letter out to those who volunteered to work at the booth, which will let you know what time slot I need you to fill. Thanks for all your help!

So, are there things you had planned to accomplish this summer, but haven't got around to yet? John and I still need to clean the lower garage and do a few other home projects. But somehow, those jobs are easy to put off. You know what we're being hit with--procrastination! My little granddaughter, Lili, recently had a birthday, and my mom was late in getting a card to her. So Mom chose a belated birthday one for this 7-year-old with a large vocabulary and great reading skills, that said something like, " Welcome to the land of procrastination, where I am queen!" I think we all take turns being queen of that land! I came across a good blog on the subject last week, that had some good ideas on how to deal with this problem. Maybe you'll find it helpful too. That is, if you ever get around to reading it!

6 Tips to Outsmart Procrastination

Rachel Olsen


"God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but he has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination." ~ Saint Augustine


Are you frustrated with how often you put things off? Tired of paying the price of procrastination? Here's six tips to help you outsmart your tendency to procrastinate, and master the art of beginning now.

1. Realize your resistance is normal. Everyone struggles with procrastination to some degree. It's not just you!
   
   Our brains naturally value certainty and comfort -- and naturally resist tasks that feel scary, boring, or have uncertain outcomes. If we can't feel competent, have fun, feel appreciated, or be sure we'll succeed; we often don't want to do it. This is why we put off tasks we need to do, and even tasks that we long to do.
   
   If resistance is normal -- other people feel it, yet get stuff done -- you too can get past your resistance and get started on that goal.
2. Make getting started feel simple. The trick is to make the task not look so big and not feel so dreadful. You want to begin the task without triggering your brain's usual resistance.
   
   Try to pinpoint if your resistance is an issue of uncertainty or of discomfort, and brainstorm ways around that. For example, do you put off folding laundry because you find it tediously boring? Watch a favorite show, listen to a book on tape, or talk on the phone while you fold. Or allow yourself to fold for only two minutes at a time before doing something else.
3. Break procrastination-sensitive tasks down into smaller steps. Again, the trick is to make the task not look so big and not feel so dreadful. You want to circumvent your brain's usual trepidation.
   
   Break the task down into short, small steps. Choose just one to do today. Set a timer if you like, and only work on it for a few minutes at a time. Soon you'll have the forward momentum of progress working for you.
   
   The more resistance you feel towards the task, the smaller you need to break it down. And the less time you need to require of yourself in one day or "work session."
4. Eat your frog first. Mark Twain once said, "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day." Your live frog is your most dreaded task.
   
   Take one of the steps on your small-steps list and do it first, before working on other things. Make a habit of making progress on your most procrastination-prone task the very first thing you do -- it will fuel you for the rest of your day.
5. Invite someone into the process. You can lean on others to help you complete your procrastination-sensitive tasks.
   
   Can you make this task easier by soliciting help from someone that's good at it? Can you invite someone whose company you enjoy to be with you while you do the task? Can you hire a coach to motivate you and offer some accountability until the task is complete? The answer to these questions is often "yes."
   
   If you hang out on social media when procrastinating, post that you are going to go work on this task for ten minutes and report back with your progress. The feeling that someone is watching can boost productivity.
6. Pray. God has called you to your work and He cares about its outcome -- invite Him into the process. Ask Him to give you focus, courage, stamina, wisdom -- whatever you need to complete the job. Don't forget to thank Him when you're feeling great that the task is done.

So what are you struggling to do? Plan the spring retreat? Do a budget? Call and recruit volunteers? Remind yourself mental resistance is normal. Then ask yourself: "How can I make this feel simple?" "How can I break the task I keep putting off into small, palatable pieces?" And, "How can I solicit help from God and others?"

As Zechariah 4:10 says, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin" (NLT).

With that being said, I think I'll go eat a frog!!

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

Monday, July 29, 2013 WOW-Zine

Good afternoon, ladies! I hope your week is off to a good start. It's nice to have it a bit cooler today, as I was able to work outside longer than usual. I'd love to hear what each of you is doing today. 

This is the final week of Common Grounds and The Perk until we resume the second week of September. We had a really good at our studies last week, and I'm happy so many of you are making sure you're around to finish up our study in Luke. This week we'll look in depth at Luke 24:13-53. It has become tradition to finish our study for the year with a potluck-ish type get together on the last day. So Wednesday night at 6:30, or Thursday morning at 9:30, bring a little snack to share with the other ladies. It's just a fun way to end our time together. 

Our Rockin' Rockaway Beach Party is Tuesday, August 20th. Remember to invite your friends and their children to come with you. Everyone provides their own lunch and drinks, and maybe some spending money for ice cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the way home. We'll meet around 11 AM at Rockaway.

I still have several spaces open for Women of Faith, October 4th and 5th at the Rose Garden. Tickets are $81. You can make a check out to Wapato Valley Church and hand it to me to reserve your spot. We'll carpool there, and then spend the night at a motel on Friday, and have a nice dinner out on the way home late Saturday afternoon. (Not included in the $81). Tickets are available for as long as they last!

Have you been feeling the need to get a bit more involved in women's ministry? I have two openings on the Women's Ministry Team (WMT) for this year, as a couple of ladies have had to step down due to changes in their lives. If you are committed to being part of a team that provides meaningful connection to our women throughout the year, you may want to sign up! There are a few expectations that come along with the job, such as attending planning meetings on the first Monday of each month (in the evening), being a regular participant in one of the weekly Bible studies for women, and helping with our annual retreat. Please let me know if you're interested, and we can talk about it!

I'm going to close with an article I wrote for the recent Wapato newsletter. I have the feeling that a lot of people don't take the time to read the monthly newsletter, but it's always full of good information. Maybe you'll find you can identify with what I shared:

When Life is Hard

“What you intended for evil, God meant for good.” Genesis 50:20

Those were dark days back then. A heaviness settled over my spirit in a way I’d never experienced before. Oh sure, there had been scattered days here and there where I felt “blue” or “down in the dumps”, but never anything like this. Months passed, but my depression didn’t. It gradually deepened, coloring my life gray, spreading the dullness from the inside out. 

I looked around, trying to figure out the cause of my problem. And you know what I found? Nothing! Anyone looking at me would think my life was very good. I had a husband who loved me. A fulfilling job. Grown children who had blessed me with grand children. We owned our own house. Money, though not in abundance, was certainly sufficient. No health problems. Involvement in the church my husband pastored. Obviously, I had nothing to complain about. My circumstances left nothing to be desired, yet the sense of despair only got worse. 

Have you ever been there? If so, you know what doesn’t work. No husband telling you to “just decide to be happy” can change the feeling. No friends bringing by plates of cookies, hoping to cheer you up. (Chocolate really can’t fix everything!) Not even people saying, “Oh, I’ll pray for you.” No, when depression hits, the solution isn’t easy to find. 

The dark days, though the sky was often sunny, continued. I experienced a profound sense of loss—loss of joy, loss of purpose, loss of feelings, loss of humor, loss of reasons to continue with life. Even the seeming loss of my relationship with the Lord.  I didn’t have a definite plan, but suicide began to sound like an option. I knew I would never be happy again and I had no desire to continue with life the way it was. 

Thankfully, I was open to Christian counseling. Having an unbiased person listen to me, ask me questions, and challenge me to a lot of soul-searching and self-evaluation proved to be my answer. It certainly wasn’t an overnight change, but I gradually began the long journey back to “normal.” I discovered I’d inadvertently bought into the idea that I had to jump through hoops to please God, and I was tired of jumping! This journey became a spiritual rebirth for me (though I had accepted Christ when I was five years old) and my walk with the Lord became based on grace rather than on performance. 

That was about fifteen years ago, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. I know that Satan wanted to sift me like wheat (Luke 22:31) to show I was only full of impurities and worthless to God. But the Lord allowed that sifting to show that yes, there were attitudes that needed removed from my life, but it was in order to take me to a deeper level in my Christian walk and for Him to use me more in the lives of others. Because of my journey through depression, I’ve been able to relate to a lot of women who struggle with that issue themselves. As I freely share about what it was like, women lose their fear of admitting they have this problem. Not only have I used it one-on-one with women, but I was also able to draw on my experience when I wrote my recently released novel, On the Threshold.  One of the issues covered in the story is a woman who deals with life-threatening depression. The feelings she goes through in the book are based not on “I wonder what it would be like?” but are the nitty-gritty authenticity of one who has been there, done that, and lived to tell about it! God has been able to use one of the hardest times of my life to change me, and in turn, encourage others. 

I don’t know what difficulty God is allowing in your life right now, but rest assured that it’s not by chance or happenstance. There is a purpose behind the pain, and the Lord is in the business of taking what was meant for evil, and changing into something for His good. 

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

Monday, July 22, 2013 WOW-Zine

So did you all survive the busyness of last week? What a full week it was, what with Vacation Bible School Monday through Thursday, and Family Camp up at Big Eddy on Friday through Sunday! Lots of fun to be had by all ages.And the fun isn't over! Amy is putting together a cotton pickin' berry pickin' party this Wednesday. Meet at Heines Blueberry Farm on Vandehey Road (off of Springhill Rd, near Fisher Farms nursery.) Be there with your kiddos at 9 AM to turn your lips blue!

After not meeting last week due to VBS, both women's Bible studies will be meeting this week. Common Grounds will gather Wednesday evening at 6:30, and The Perk gets together on Thursday at 9:30 AM. We are nearly through with our wonderful study through the book of Luke, and will be looking at Luke 23:26--Luke 24:12. I think we've all been amazed at the richness we've discovered as we've taken a closer look at the last few hours before the crucifixion. We will meet again next week for our last session before taking a break until resuming in September. This week ANITA is on for treats for Common Grounds, and for Thursday, NICOLE P. has signed up for snacks. We have no one who has signed up to be the MIC (Mother In Charge) of child care for this Thursday or next. Please let me know if you're willing to serve in that capacity.

Our Darci has to have another surgery this week. Please be praying that the doctor is successful in getting all of the kidney stone out, and that she heals quickly without any complications. A little later she'll have to undergo surgery again to have a stone removed from the other kidney. Women of Wapato are really good about gathering around and helping each other when we have a need. In order to help you help Darci, I've got a meal schedule posted where you can sign up to provide a dinner for this family. Just go to http://www.TakeThemAMeal.com/meals.php?t=BSVC0177 to see where you can plug in. Thanks!

Have you put it on your calendar yet? I'm talking about our Rockin' Good Time at Rockaway Beach on Tuesday, August 20th. This is a chance for you to bring your children or grandchildren and make the beautiful drive over to Rockaway Beach, which is just north of Tillamook. Everyone brings a picnic lunch for their own family and we spend the afternoon yakking up a storm as we watch the kiddos play. It's always a lot of fun, and very relaxing. I'll announce the time as we get closer to the event, but make sure you're planning ahead to attend. And this is certainly something you can invite friends to attend.

Something else to be looking forward to is Women of Faith, coming up the first weekend of October, the 4th and 5th. We were able to pre-buy some tickets at a discounted price when we were there last year. There are 8 of those tickets remaining, and they're on a first-come basis. They cost $81. We get a motel for Friday night, which usually ends up to be about $25 per person. And we stop for a nice dinner (as in, not fast food!) on our way home Saturday. If you're interested in going, let me know. Paying the money will hold your spot!

I think that covers everything I needed to share with you this week. I'll leave you with this thought, from Holley Gerth:

When You Need to Call for Back Up

I pick up my phone in the middle of a wild week and text the lie that my heart is hearing to a friend. Then I simply ask, “What is the truth? I can’t come up with it right now.” She writes back and tells me what I already know deep inside but can’t quite manage to find in the moment. I read her words over and over then get up with new strength to face the day.

Years ago I wouldn’t have sent that text. I would have tried to come up with the truth on my own. I would have given in to shame and guilt. I would have spend the day thinking about how everyone else was my spiritual than I am and how I should try harder. But I’m learning this…

It’s okay to call for back-up.

Most of us know the story of the man lowered down through a roof by his friends so he could be laid at the feet of Jesus and find healing. What I think many of us don’t realize is that there are days when it’s our hearts, not our bodies, that need the same thing. We think if we can just muster up enough “faith” then we should be able to get there ourselves. But that’s not the way it works.

And, friends, when we refuse to let others help us it’s not being spiritual…it’s pride {ouchie}.

We’re made to share life with each other. We’re made to say, “I need you. Please help me.”Those aren’t words of weakness–they’re the strongest words we can say. Because it’s easy to try to figure things out on our own. It’s much harder to say, “Please carry my heart to Jesus today.” But you know what? The man who was healed that day wasn’t the only one who received a blessing. His friends did too because they got to be part of the work God was doing.

When you really need help and you ask for it, you’re not becoming a burden. You’re offering an opportunity for someone to be part of a blessing. Let that sink in and then send a text, make a phone call, share your heart with someone over coffee. Whatever your heart needs today.

It really is okay to call for back-up.

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

Monday, July 15, 2013 WOW-Zine

I'm just stopping by for a minute or two today, ladies. I know many of you are busy working at Vacation Bible School this week, or with other activities with your children.

So I will simply remind you that our usual programming is cancelled for this week, meaning neither Common Grounds nor The Perk will be meeting. Enjoy the week off and come join us NEXT week and the week after as we finish our fantastic study of the book of Luke!

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

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Greetings from Laramie, Wyoming! We'll start our trek home after church today and I'll be back to teach Bible studies this week. We just have a few more weeks before we'll be finished with the book of Luke through Jesus, the One and Only. What a great study it has been! I know things get busy during the summer, but I'd like to encourage you to finish strong and join us for the last few weeks. I spent a lot of time studying the other day and it looks like we'll be completing this study a week earlier than I had first thought, with our final lessons will be on July 31st and August 1st.

Common Grounds (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM) will meet July 10th, 24th, and 31st. We will not meet on July 17th since that is the week of Vacation Bible School.

The Perk (Thursdays, 9:30 AM) will meet July 11th, 25th, and August 1st. We will not meet on July 18th due to VBS. Childcare is provided for little ones at The Perk, and older children can be in another room and bring along things to entertain themselves, while still being supervised. I don't have the list with me of who is on for treats and who is the Mother In Charge for this week, so hopefully you remember who you are!

The Bible passage we'll be looking at this week is Luke 22:47-23:25.

We will try to reschedule a berry pickin' party for later this month, so keep your eye out for that announcement. Looking ahead, we have a Rockaway Beach Day for moms and kids on Tuesday, August 20th. Our new Bible study year will begin in September, and Women of Faith comes to Portland the beginning of October. I have eight tickets available for that. More info to come later.

I've missed you these past couple of weeks and will be glad to get home and be able to see you again! Let me know if you want to get together for coffee and conversation one-on-one, as I always enjoy doing that. See you soon!

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

Sunday, June 23, 2013 WOW-Zine

Good morning, ladies! I’m writing this a day early since I’m leaving town this morning for a couple of weeks. You can still get in touch with me via phone call or e-mail (see contact info at the end of this blog) but I won’t be writing a WOW-Zine for a couple of weeks. So please pay special attention to the information contained here.

Bible studies will meet this week as usual. Barb Wood has stepped up to the plate to lead at Common Grounds on Wednesday night at 6:30. Please bring your own choice of beverage along with you to that, as I didn’t want to stress her out by having her teach AND have to make coffee! Lori is on for snacks that night. On Thursday morning for The Perk, Amy Rusaw will be leading the lesson, Kristen is on for snacks, and Stephanie will be the Mom in Charge of childcare. Thanks to all of you for being willing to serve in these various capacities. This week you’ll be looking at Luke 22:39-46, as well as various other passages.

Remember that neither study meets next week during the Fourth of July week, but I’ll be  back to teach the following week. (July 10th and 11th)

We had a good time at our WOW movie night this past Friday. Hope more of you can join us next time. The special event for July is slated very early in the month. In fact, it’s scheduled for the very first day of the month! We’re planning a Blueberry Pickin’ Party. (provided the berries are actually ripe.) Contact Amy at 503-913-2682 for more information and to check on the status of the berries. Children are encouraged to come with you and help fill your buckets. Have you ever read the children’s story, Blueberries for Sal? I can remember my mom reading it to me when I was a little girl, and I’ve read it to my children and grandchildren, and I’m sure I’ll soon be reading it to my little great-granddaughter! It would be fun if you read that before picking day, though I can almost promise there will be no bears involved with your children!

Have a good couple weeks without me! I’m going to miss you all!!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-385-6699

Monday, June 17, 2013 WOW-Zine

Happy first Monday of summer vacation! Did you get to sleep in a bit this morning? I hope your summer is filled with wonderful things, events, and most importantly, people! Mine has certainly started out that way, as I had out-of-state family with us all of last week, and over the weekend our granddaughter and her toddler moved in upstairs! We're so blessed to have Cassie and Madison with us. 

The special event for the month of June is a WOW (Women Of Wapato) Movie Night this Friday, June 21st, at Amy Rusaw's house. What movie are we watching, you ask? We don't know yet. It depends on what you choose when you show up with snacks at 7 PM! This is for women only, but feel free to bring friends with you. Here are the directions to Amy's:
 Take Spring Hill Rd to Fern Hill Road. Turn up Blooming Fern Hill Road, and turn right onto Winters Road. About 1.5 miles up, turn left on Bracken Drive. There is a sign at the roadway that says Fern Hill Estates. Drive 0.7 miles up to the end of the road –Rusaws are at the last house. 

We've got great Bible studies in store for us this week as we continue our study through the book of Luke. We're considering the final hours of Jesus' life, and ladies, there's a wealth of encouragement, warning, and challenge in His last words. At both Common Grounds (Wednesday at 6:30 PM) and The Perk (Thursday at 9:30 AM--child care provided) we'll be looking at Luke 22:14-38. (Yes, it's a bit of an overlap with what we studied last week.) Our studies will continue throughout most of the summer, and it's never too late to join us.Heidi H. is the mother in charge of childcare for The Perk this week, and Karen  has treats. For Wednesday night, Neva will be bringing snacks.  Please remember that neither study will meet the first week of July or the third week of July, due to the holiday on the 4th, and VBS meeting the 15th -18th.

My blog friend, Holley Gerth, recently wrote something l'd like to share with you today:

 hearttoheart@holleygerth.com

What Matters More than Your Mess The sink overflows with dishes. Pans and bowls lay scattered across the kitchen. The counters are covered with smudges of who-knows-what. Years ago, this would have sent me into an immediate cleaning frenzy. But tonight I turn off the light and let it go. I step into the warm summer night for a walk with my husband. I read a book on the couch for a few moments. I talk to someone I love on the phone. When I come back the next morning, the mess is still there. But those moments that really mattered would have been gone forever. And it turns out my worst fears weren’t realized: the health department failed to show up, a reporter neglected to take photos through my windows, and my in-laws didn’t repossess my husband. As I stared at my slightly scandalous kitchen and thought about this I noticed the mug on the top of the dish pile. “Live fully. Love deeply. Laugh loudly.” And I nodded in agreement at those words. I’m a person who craves order. I need simplicity and organization. I believe in keeping the dust bunnies somewhat at bay. But there are times when it matters more to make dinner for your friend who just had a baby and leave the dishes on the counter, actually answer the phone, and watch the fireflies come out with someone you love. Because the dishes will stay but life goes by and you can never get a single day back. So every once in awhile, just turn off the light and ignore what needs to be done. And when you come back to it, let it remind you of what’s most important in your life. Because sometimes a mess just means we’re busy with what really matters. Great thoughts, huh?! So here's to a slightly messy week for each of us! Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699