Ladies have we got some fun events popping up in the next couple of weeks. Everything from a Scrapbooking Night Out to Fundraiser Fun. So mark your calendars and get ready to join the fun.
We all know how crazy it is to take the kids shopping...now add in Christmas shopping and you know it's insane! So for our first fundraiser event of the season we'll be hosting a Mom's Shopping Day. With volunteers from our Mofia Group we'll be watching children from 6months to 12years, December 18 10am-2pm.
So mark your calendars, sign up to volunteer and let your friends know that can enjoy a day of stress free shopping.
You won't want to miss out on our Scrapbooking Night in Sapulpa. Bring your photos, scrapbooks, and a potluck dish for dinner. *More information will be posted as the time draws closer*
Monday, November 24, 2008
November 18th Meeting...Friendship is like pee in the pants
Everyone can see it but only you can feel it!
A big thanks to Corrina for coming and sharing her wonderful insight on the importance of girlfriends. I think it's safe to say that she was a riot! I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. Not only was she funny but she made some really good points about friendship. Her illustration of the bouquet of friends was really poignant. Whether you are a rose, or the flower that looses your head, you are always important to the group of friends you have. We often compare ourselves to our friends around us and sometimes those comparisons leave us feeling like we aren't as good or as important as we should feel but God has designed you to be the Woman you are. He's knitted you into the flower he wants you to be. Embrace those inner desires and talents and share them with those around you. Don't be afraid to loose your head or stand out like a crazy Daisy. It's what you are meant to do and without you the rest of bunch looses it's color and flare!
Shawna was so kind to take a few pictures of Corrina, just in case the size 64 underwear didn't leave a lasting impression on you.
Corrina reminded us that God has known us from the beginning and has knitted us to be who we are: Psalms 139:1, 15-16 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
And that in Jeremiah 31:35-37 (NLT) It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night. It is he who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD Almighty, and this is what he says: "I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to do away with the laws of nature! Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundation of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away forever for their sins. I, the LORD, have spoken!
So stand up and be the Woman God has made you with no fear of Rejection from Him. Remember that we are no longer called servants but He has called us Friends, and His commandment is to love one another...even the roses, the daisies, and the sunflower that looses her head!
John 15: 15-17 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
And a reminder of what a True Friend is from Corrina:
A big thanks to Corrina for coming and sharing her wonderful insight on the importance of girlfriends. I think it's safe to say that she was a riot! I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. Not only was she funny but she made some really good points about friendship. Her illustration of the bouquet of friends was really poignant. Whether you are a rose, or the flower that looses your head, you are always important to the group of friends you have. We often compare ourselves to our friends around us and sometimes those comparisons leave us feeling like we aren't as good or as important as we should feel but God has designed you to be the Woman you are. He's knitted you into the flower he wants you to be. Embrace those inner desires and talents and share them with those around you. Don't be afraid to loose your head or stand out like a crazy Daisy. It's what you are meant to do and without you the rest of bunch looses it's color and flare!
Shawna was so kind to take a few pictures of Corrina, just in case the size 64 underwear didn't leave a lasting impression on you.
Corrina reminded us that God has known us from the beginning and has knitted us to be who we are: Psalms 139:1, 15-16 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
And that in Jeremiah 31:35-37 (NLT) It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night. It is he who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD Almighty, and this is what he says: "I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to do away with the laws of nature! Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundation of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away forever for their sins. I, the LORD, have spoken!
So stand up and be the Woman God has made you with no fear of Rejection from Him. Remember that we are no longer called servants but He has called us Friends, and His commandment is to love one another...even the roses, the daisies, and the sunflower that looses her head!
John 15: 15-17 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
And a reminder of what a True Friend is from Corrina:
Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good,
but never actually come close to reality?
Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.
You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card-
Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of there, together.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining ... ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused -- I will speak slowly and use little words.
7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have, but I care.
8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off as soon as I quit laughing.
9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!
Friendship is like peeing your pants,
everyone can see it,
but only you can feel the true warmth.
Monday, November 10, 2008
November 18 Special Speaker Corinna Schimdt
Come hear what Cori has to say about the importance of girlfriends!
November 2, 2008
Special Thanks to Shawna for sharing with us today. I really appreciated the excerpt she shared. I thought I’d post it here as well so that we can look over it from time to time. It’s a good reminder that we aren’t always going to be in this season and though sometimes it may seem there is little difference seen in our children; one day we’ll see so big a difference and it will seem amazing to us. She also shared with me a few key verses to remember and meditate on this week that I’ll post on the Wisdom for the Week.
I would also like to thank Phyllis Fater from Glenpool’s Parents As Teachers Program. To find out more information about OPATP you can contact her at:
Phone:918-322-9801 E-mail:pmfater@glenpool.k12.ok.us
You can also contact OPAT for Bixby and Jenks at:
Bixby: Contacts: Chrissy Streeter, Tiffany Dotson, and Carrie Benjamin Phone: 366-2260 or 697-9399
Jenks: Contact:Shea Taber Phone:918-299-4415 E-mail: shea.taber@jenksps.org
Anonymous:The Hidden Years
by Alicia Britt Chole
The Prologue
i n w i n t e r
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season.
—Psalm 1:3
A century ago, a few fragile seeds fell upon rocky soil. Through
drought and flood, they clung tightly to earth, stubbornly stretching
toward the heavens. Today, silver maple, post oak, and black
walnut trees surround our home like tall, loyal sentinels. Their
intricate, mingled root systems support the ground below. Their
long, angular boughs weave a canopy above.
Before I was, they were.
My elders by many decades, their presence is steadying.
In the heat, I rest under the covering of their rich foliage.
Bursting with shades of green, the leaves dance in the breeze.
Winter’s reduction is coming, but that does not halt the dance.
Trees celebrate the moment, temporary though it is.
In the spring,
their new growth sings of hope. Their lush greenery offers peace
in the summer. In the fall, their colorful collages inspire creativity.
And in their emptiness, trees grace the winter with silent
elegance.
Though my skin prefers their role in summer, somehow my
soul prefers their lessons in winter. Then, when growth pauses,
the trees have often become my teachers.
What the plenty of summer hides, the nakedness of winter
reveals: infrastructure. Fullness often distracts from foundations.
But in the stillness of winter, the trees’ true strength is unveiled.
Stripped of decoration, the tree trunks become prominent.
As a child I always colored tree trunks brown, but to my adult
eyes they appear to be more of a warm gray. Starting with their
thick bases, I begin studying each tree. Buckling strips of bark
clothe mile after mile of weathered branches. Leafless, the trees
feature their intricate support systems. Detail is visible, as is dead
wood. Lifeless limbs concealed by summer’s boasting are now
exposed.
My eyes glide from one rough, uneven bough to another
and then to the terminal, delicate twigs. A tree’s posture is allopen,
like arms ready for an embrace. So very vulnerable, yet so
very strong. I find the display quieting and full of grace.
In winter, are the trees bare? Yes.
In winter, are the trees barren? No.
Life still is.
Life does not sleep—though in winter she retracts all advertisement.
And when she does so, she is conserving and preparing
for the future.
And so it is with us. Seasonally, we too are stripped of visible fruit.
Our giftings are hidden; our abilities are underestimated.
When previous successes fade and current efforts falter, we can
easily mistake our fruitlessness for failure.
But such is the rhythm of spiritual life: new growth, fruitfulness,
transition, rest . . . new growth, fruitfulness, transition,
rest. Abundance may make us feel more productive, but perhaps
emptiness has greater power to strengthen our souls.
In spiritual winters, our fullness is thinned so that, undistracted
by our giftings, we can focus upon our character.
In the absence of anything to measure, we are left with nothing to stare
at except for our foundation.
Risking inspection, we begin to examine the motivations that
support our deeds, the attitudes that influence our words, the
dead wood otherwise hidden beneath our busyness. Then a lifechanging
transition occurs as we move from resistance through
repentance to the place of rest. With gratitude, we simply abide.
Like a tree planted by living water, we focus upon our primary
responsibility: remaining in him.
In winter are we bare? Yes.
In winter are we barren? No.
True life still is.
The Father’s work in us does not sleep—though in spiritual
winters he retracts all advertisement. And when he does so, he is
purifying our faith, strengthening our character, conserving our
energy, and preparing us for the future.
The sleepy days of winter hide us so that seductive days of
summer will not ruin us.
I would also like to thank Phyllis Fater from Glenpool’s Parents As Teachers Program. To find out more information about OPATP you can contact her at:
Phone:918-322-9801 E-mail:pmfater@glenpool.k12.ok.us
You can also contact OPAT for Bixby and Jenks at:
Bixby: Contacts: Chrissy Streeter, Tiffany Dotson, and Carrie Benjamin Phone: 366-2260 or 697-9399
Jenks: Contact:Shea Taber Phone:918-299-4415 E-mail: shea.taber@jenksps.org
Anonymous:The Hidden Years
by Alicia Britt Chole
The Prologue
i n w i n t e r
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season.
—Psalm 1:3
A century ago, a few fragile seeds fell upon rocky soil. Through
drought and flood, they clung tightly to earth, stubbornly stretching
toward the heavens. Today, silver maple, post oak, and black
walnut trees surround our home like tall, loyal sentinels. Their
intricate, mingled root systems support the ground below. Their
long, angular boughs weave a canopy above.
Before I was, they were.
My elders by many decades, their presence is steadying.
In the heat, I rest under the covering of their rich foliage.
Bursting with shades of green, the leaves dance in the breeze.
Winter’s reduction is coming, but that does not halt the dance.
Trees celebrate the moment, temporary though it is.
In the spring,
their new growth sings of hope. Their lush greenery offers peace
in the summer. In the fall, their colorful collages inspire creativity.
And in their emptiness, trees grace the winter with silent
elegance.
Though my skin prefers their role in summer, somehow my
soul prefers their lessons in winter. Then, when growth pauses,
the trees have often become my teachers.
What the plenty of summer hides, the nakedness of winter
reveals: infrastructure. Fullness often distracts from foundations.
But in the stillness of winter, the trees’ true strength is unveiled.
Stripped of decoration, the tree trunks become prominent.
As a child I always colored tree trunks brown, but to my adult
eyes they appear to be more of a warm gray. Starting with their
thick bases, I begin studying each tree. Buckling strips of bark
clothe mile after mile of weathered branches. Leafless, the trees
feature their intricate support systems. Detail is visible, as is dead
wood. Lifeless limbs concealed by summer’s boasting are now
exposed.
My eyes glide from one rough, uneven bough to another
and then to the terminal, delicate twigs. A tree’s posture is allopen,
like arms ready for an embrace. So very vulnerable, yet so
very strong. I find the display quieting and full of grace.
In winter, are the trees bare? Yes.
In winter, are the trees barren? No.
Life still is.
Life does not sleep—though in winter she retracts all advertisement.
And when she does so, she is conserving and preparing
for the future.
And so it is with us. Seasonally, we too are stripped of visible fruit.
Our giftings are hidden; our abilities are underestimated.
When previous successes fade and current efforts falter, we can
easily mistake our fruitlessness for failure.
But such is the rhythm of spiritual life: new growth, fruitfulness,
transition, rest . . . new growth, fruitfulness, transition,
rest. Abundance may make us feel more productive, but perhaps
emptiness has greater power to strengthen our souls.
In spiritual winters, our fullness is thinned so that, undistracted
by our giftings, we can focus upon our character.
In the absence of anything to measure, we are left with nothing to stare
at except for our foundation.
Risking inspection, we begin to examine the motivations that
support our deeds, the attitudes that influence our words, the
dead wood otherwise hidden beneath our busyness. Then a lifechanging
transition occurs as we move from resistance through
repentance to the place of rest. With gratitude, we simply abide.
Like a tree planted by living water, we focus upon our primary
responsibility: remaining in him.
In winter are we bare? Yes.
In winter are we barren? No.
True life still is.
The Father’s work in us does not sleep—though in spiritual
winters he retracts all advertisement. And when he does so, he is
purifying our faith, strengthening our character, conserving our
energy, and preparing us for the future.
The sleepy days of winter hide us so that seductive days of
summer will not ruin us.
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