If I can get this written and sent within the next fifteen minutes, I'm allowed to tell you "Good morning!" But I'm really cutting it close. Those of you who have signed up for retreat should have received a letter from me this morning, so that's what has taken up my time and made the WOW-Zine a bit later than usual. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

Thanks to those of you who showed up for our bowling party last Saturday. That was really fun, wasn't it? It's hard to develop our bowling skills when we just do it once a year, but I loved how supportive we were of each other's attempts. And some of you were pretty good!

Our Bible study schedule is going to be a bit wonky over the next few weeks, so be sure to pay attention. We do meet this week, but won't meet next week, because of spring break. Then we meet the following week (the first week of April), but don't meet the second week of April, due to retreat. So it's an on again, off again, on again, off again schedule. 
Meet--March 19th and 20th; April 2nd and 3rd
Don't meet--March 26th and 27th; April 9th and 10th
After that, we'll be back on our regular schedule!

Remember that Common Grounds meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, and The Perk (child care provided) meets Thursday mornings at 9:30. This week Kristin L. is bringing treats for Wednesday, and Amy is covering that on Thursday morning, with no one signed up to be the MIC. Do I have a volunteer??

This Friday night at 7 is the belated baby shower for Tiffany Johnson and her sweet little Isabella. Contact Laura F. if you need any more information.

Upcoming Events: 

May 2nd and 3rd--Mini Retreat at Ashberry Lane. For women who are unable to attend our beach retreat. Cost is $10. Non-mobile babies are welcome. You get to return home to sleep in your own bed on Friday night. This will be What Not to Wear on a smaller scale. Please let me know if you're coming.

May 17th--Feminini-Tea. This annual event for women and girls is at 10 AM at the church. We'll have an enjoyable time around the tables as we share tea and food, good conversation, and other fun things. I'll be asking soon for ladies who would like to decorate/host a table. Everyone will be bringing some tea-type food to share. This is a fun event to invite friends to attend. I'll be asking for R.S.V.P.s soon. 

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

Tuesday, March 11, 2013

Good morning, friends! It looks like it will be a beautiful day, and I'm ready for it. I hope you are too. 

This Saturday, March 15th, is our annual WOW Bowling Party at Four Seasons in Hillsboro.  http://www.4seasonsbowling.com/contact.html
We'll meet there at 10:30 AM, bowl a couple games, and finish off with lunch in their nice dining room. If you'd like to carpool, meet behind the church at 10 AM. Please let me know if you're planning to attend. You may bring your grade school girls if you'd like.

We will finish our study of James this week in our women's Bible studies. If you've attended in the past, I'd love for you to come prepared to share a verse that has really spoken to you during our study, or a concept or challenge you've dealt with as a result of our in-depth study of the Book of James over these past six months. How has this study impacted your life? (And if you don't have something to share, please come anyway!) Barbara will be providing a snack for Common Grounds (6:30 Wednesday evening) and Cassie will bring something to stave off our hunger at The Perk (9:30 Thursday morning). Kristen will be our MIC that day, so a big thanks to her!

It's raining babies, so it's time for some showers! Tiffany Johnson's shower had to be rescheduled due to the snowstorm last month, but here is the link to your personal invitation for her baby shower next week. http://www.evite.com/event/00FFBH32B36DCEZZGEPDU3PVTH6NZI. I love that it's being billed as a Gawk and Graze Shower! This will be your chance to meet sweet little Isabella if you haven't already had the opportunity. 

And another little girl joined the Wapato Family on March 1st. Jesseca gave birth to healthy Lilly, and we will be celebrating her birth soon. So be looking for announcements about that. 

Of course you all know that our WOW retreat is coming up in about a month, and that all the spots have been filled. We are so excited about that weekend (April 11th-13th) and our time together with our speaker, Laurie Sheffield. 

For those of you unable to attend that, remember that I'll host a mini-retreat here at my house on Ashberry Lane on the first Friday and Saturday of May. The cost is only $10 and we will be watching a video of our April retreat speaker, plus have a lot of fun and good food. We'll start with dinner on Friday night and after our session together you'll be able to go home and get a good night's sleep in your own bed before coming back for Saturday. Nursing babies are welcome. Please let me know if you plan on coming.

Something else to be sure you've entered on your calendar is our annual Feminini-Tea, coming up Saturday, May 17th, at 10 AM at the church. More details will be coming within a few weeks, but plan ahead to bring your daughters (must be at least 5 years old and able to sit quietly during a presentation) and your friends. As usual, we'll be looking for women who would like to host a table by decorating it and providing dishware. Everyone will be bringing food to share. We always have a wonderful time!

I've enjoyed chatting with all of you this morning. I hope you've found something here that piques your interest and you decide to join us in our activities. You won't regret it!

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

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 WOW=Zine

Good morning to each of you! I know we're experiencing a lot of rain these days, but haven't you noticed the bulbs popping up and blooming, and the trees budding? Spring is on the way!And so is Daylight Savings Time. Don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. That also means you need to be proactive and get the kids to bed a little earlier than usual that night, or deal with the consequences the next morning! The hardest part is making yourself go to bed at a decent time. I wonder if setting the clocks ahead an hour first thing Saturday morning would help with the transition?

It's hard to believe, but all our retreat spots have already been taken! Gone are the days when you could wait until a day or two before retreat to decide to go. Your Women's Ministry Team is so excited about what the Lord is planning for us the weekend of April 11th-13th. I will be sending out information in the coming weeks to those of you who are attending. Be watching for that in the next week or two. If you're really wanting to attend but didn't sign up in time, I can put you on a waiting list. That way, if someone gets sick at the last minute, or wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris for that particular weekend, I can put you in their spot!

We will be video taping each session with our speaker, Laurie Sheffield, for use at the mini-retreat at my house on Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd. So those of you who attend that will still get in on the same great teaching, just in a smaller venue. The cost will be $10, and I'll give you more details about it in upcoming weeks. But you can start letting me know now if you would like to come. Since babies are not able to be accommodated at our retreat house in Lincoln City, the mini-retreat is a place you can bring young nursing babies and participate. Babies who are walking need to be cared for at home, but babes in arms are certainly welcome at the mini-retreat. 

Our Bible study in the Book of James is rapidly coming to a close. I'll soon let you know what we'll be tackling next, but we will finish James this week and next. I lead two studies each week, though it's the same material presented at each. Just pick the day that works best for your schedule! Common Grounds meets Wednesday night at 6:30. This week Janet is providing something for us to snack on. Then on Thursday morning at 9:30 The Perk meets, with child care provided. This week Anastasia signed up to bring treats, and Stephanie will be our MIC (Mother In Charge) for child care, along with the able help of Linnaea. 

It's time to knock 'em dead at our annual WOW Bowling Party on Saturday, March 15th. We'll meet at The Four Seasons Bowling Alley in Hillsboro at 10:30 AM. (If you'd like to car pool from the Gaston area, please meet behind the church at 10.) Bring money for your shoes and a couple games, as well as for lunch together in their restaurant afterward. And as for any of our events, feel free to invite your friends.

Being in a bowling alley doesn't generate a lot of peace and quiet, does it? But sometimes we need that calmness in our lives. How can we find it? Here's some insight from blogger Holley Gerth:

When You Need Peace and QuietHolley, 2014-02-25 13:00 Maybe you’ve had a conversation like this one: “I’m tired,” I confessed to friends over lunch one day.  What’s going on?” they asked. I shrugged my shoulders and sighed, “I don’t really know.” They hugged me and promised to pray I’d be filled up again. That night I pulled out my art journal, plugged headphones into my ears and grabbed a sharpie. I wanted to think through my life and especially my work. I began to put “Writer” at the top of the page because that’s my title. But as I leaned toward the paper I felt a bit of hesitation and I silently asked God, “What do you want me to write in that spot?” And it seemed I heard one word in response: Worshipper.  And suddenly I knew why I was so exhausted. I’d switched from being a worshipper to a worker. This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Throughout my life when I feel pressure mounting and expectations building I tend do have one response: try harder. It’s a heart reflex I’ve had since high school. Be more. Do more. Go more. I carry on like that until I get worn out and a bit rebellious. Yes, I should have caught on a bit quicker to that pattern by now. But I’m a bit of a slow learner in this area it seems. Maybe you have one of those areas in your life too? Thankfully we serve a God of grace. A God who chases us down right in the middle of all our wild and weary-making running. A God who speaks life and peace and rest into us. A God who wants our hearts more than our hands.  I spelled out the letters slowly “w-o-r-s-h-i-p-p-e-r.” I crossed out these letters “w-o-r-k-e-r.” And I thought of this verse: “One handful of peace and quiet is better than two handfuls of toil and of trying to catch the wind” {Eccl. 4:6}. Toil is work without joy. Work that drains your life instead of filling it. And trying to catch the wind is meaningless striving. The endless doing, clicking and trying harder just to feel more in control. I’d been living both. And God was asking me, “Can you be satisfied with one handful?”Because here’s how we’re meant to live, friends: with one handful holding tight to what God has given us–love, joy, peace, grace, goodness. And the other hand empty and open for whatever else he would have us receive. Two handfuls means we’re clenching our fists through life. We’re gritting out teeth. We’re hanging on with all our might. Two handfuls means we’re tired. Thankfully, God generously offers us what all tired people need–rest.Even if the world around us keeps unavoidably spinning–the toddlers keep throwing cheerios, the projects keep coming, the calendar keeps filling–we can wrap our fingers around peace in a way that truly does pass understanding. And we can let go of all we’ve grasped that was never meant for us. You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. — God, {Is. 30:15} I filled the page with words and prayers. Then I laid my pen down. And when I laid my head down on the pillow that night too, I felt different. Not so weary and afraid. Quieter inside. More like a worshipper and less like a worker. I hope to end each day a little more like that for the rest of my life because I’m learning it’s the best, most beautiful way to live. And it’s oursfree. We can all reach out and take hold of the peace that has been promised us today. And we can let go of all our striving so we can receive what’s infinitely better: God’s unconditional love and grace.  Until next week, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699

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