"No Same Old Shoes"

 Today, after our W2W (Woman 2 Woman) Leadership meeting, I started thinking a new post for the upcoming week was in order. I do NOT want this blog to become stale...if people see the SAME thing too many times when they visit the blog, they start to peeter off on views. That's just how it goes. You know you can relate...when you stroll through the shoe department at Macy's, don't you know immediately if it's the SAME OLD SHOES on display? Yep. See? So what happens? You don't go back for a week or so. That is the  LAST thing I want to happen here. I don't want the SAME OLD SHOES to ever be on display for long, so I think that a new post is in order...oh I know, how about a blog tutorial? 

For those of you who have your own blogs,  or who read blogs weekly, this will be one of those "ho-hum" paragraphs that you'll likely just skim over. There are some ladies who are experiencing BLOG-life first hand via yours truly. That scares me a little. :-) Nevertheless, I want Blog reading to be a pleasant one, so here are a few blog pointers for blog newbies:

• Old posts (or topics) do not disappear. Just because you pull up the blog and there is a new post/topic at the top, fear not! The previous post is still there. If you continue scrolling/going down the page, you will see the previous topic, and the one before, and the one before. Eventually, however, that page will end, and in the very bottom center of the page you will see those magical words "OLDER POSTS". In blogger-land...that's like turning a page. Click that, and back you go to the previous page of posts. Ten years from now, God willing, you & I  will be able to hit the "previous post" button all the way back to RIGHT HERE. Amazing. I know. Technology creeps me out and romances me at the same time.

• This will really bowl you over...Blogging is NOT a one way interaction...you gasp! No! You will notice, at the bottom of each post, there is a word....COMMENT. Think about it, if anyone else says something to you...you don't just stand there and look at them do you? No, you reply. So I need you to REPLY..not just for me but for eachother. I don't NEED your reply because I need your reassurance, I need to hear you because I need to know this deal is working...that relationships are being built and ladies are getting to know eachother. The cool thing about a comment is, when you comment, your picture is displayed next to your comment. When I read your comment and your name, I begin to place a face with a name. Other Ladies reading this blog will quickly do the same. Next time you see them, you'll recognize them and that is RELATIONSHIP.

I have a funny story to tell you along this line, if you will indulge me. At last week's W2W meeting, I carted along my laptop, so that I could show the other ladies the trailer on YOUtube for the book club selection for the month (I'm pretty sure that's a run-on sentence). Anyway, I was leaning over Lisa Slocumb and we were looking at the blog. We were talking about what a great tool it was going to be to bring ladies up to speed on what's going on within the church, and how we hoped it would also evolve into a useful way for ladies to get aquainted. Are you ready? Then she pointed at my picture...and said "see, I don't even know who this person is who is doing this blog".  Umm...yeah, I said "um, that's me"...okay, maybe it was 15 pounds ago, but it wasn't unrecognizable. I rest my case. We see people around us every Sunday and Wednesday, but do we really SEE people around us? I'm not just picking on Lisa, because I thought it was hilarious. I had a big belly laugh about it later on...but seriously...we must develop relationship. We are commanded to. Need I remind you? I do? God's word is filled with story after story about relationship, and I don't need to remind you that the book starts with the story of God's relationship to man in the Garden of Eden. The Bible is also a book filled with stories about friendships..and the word FRIEND is found some ninety times in scripture. Wow. Anyway, I'd really like to see you ladies commenting, just so we can begin to communicate, but now that I've scolded you, let me praise you for even looking and reading! Some 200 views in a week! I'm floored.

• To comment, you must be "logged in". When you first pull up the blog, if you plan to comment, log in to "google blogger". There is a 'log in' button on the top right of your DASHBOARD.I'm not talking about the one in  your car either. (Your Dashboard is the line that runs across the top of the blog . It's likely navy blue with orange letters).  When you find 'sign in', you will know you have found your dashboard. Once you are signed in to google, you can comment, choose to follow the blog, and RSVP to event listed on the sidebar. Nifty, eh? I just love technology, but I think I said that already.
•  If you do not have a google ID, just create one, it's easy, just follow the instructions. If you can bake a cake, you can create a google ID. Just make the ID name something you can remember and the password something you won't forget. Each time you log in, that's what you type. If you check the blog within a 24 hour period, you will likely still be logged in. If you have a nice picture of yourself on the computer or your camera, this is where you upload it (to make your picture show up when you comment). If you want to know how to do that, we might need to meet and have coffee. 
•  Simple. Got it? Okay, Go Comment!

~Kelly~

Okay, I can't stand it any longer...

I can't wait any longer. I've been trying to figure out when the best time is to announce our  new book club. I have the thumbs up on the book choices...We have the salad supper coming up and revival but why wait to start the book club? Since when can women NOT do more than one thing at a time?? Under the definition of woman in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure it says "multi-tasker". If it doesn't...it should.

 So, okay, for those of you who have been waiting...waiting...& waiting for me to tell you about PAGE TURNERS, this post is just for you. For the rest of you, that I bribed into reading along with me, you've been dreading this announcement, because you must start reading (you know who you are). So, here we go....PAGE TURNERS. That's the name. That's us. That's our Women's Ministry Book Club. It's official. It has a name. It has an identity. It has a purpose. It has an agenda and YOU have an assignment. Pick a book, or choose both. In Louisiana, we chose two books each month, because it was common that the chosen book was either unappealing or had already been read. So by offering two choices, from different era's, genres and authors, you are bound to find one of the two appealing.

Book one I am really excited about because it's a new author for me, and if you don't know me, you don't know that it's difficult to find an author that I haven't read. I read all the time, everywhere, all places, in all situations. Period. The product of a crummy dysfunctional childhood plunged me into fiction at an early age...like 11. I've been there ever since. Anyway, below is the trailer on YouTube for the first book. It is HISTORICAL FICTION.  I could say technically it's HISTORICAL BIBLICAL FICTION, if you want the actual category, but the story is about Rahab, which is not a fictional character as you know, but a for real Biblical character, so I'm guessing this book is a combination of both. A fictional story wrapped up in an actual person to tell a true story. Does that make any sense at all? yeah, I didn't think so. Watch the trailer below.

I think it's going to be a great read. Which one of  you couldn't use a little Biblical Romance? :)

Okay, second book choice is from one of my favorite authors Francine Rivers. A few of you have read it I know, but for those of you who haven't...YOU MUST. I have to forewarn you though...do not judge the book by it's cover. I have said for a couple of years that the cover needs to be re-done. There is nothing appealing about it...but once you get past the cover...you won't be able to put it down, and you'll never look at your husband the same....ha ha! If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. Below is the link to the second book choice.

http://francinerivers.com/books/redeeming-love-0

All right PAGE TURNERS, you've got 4 weeks to read these two books or one of them. I'll post discussion questions for each book in a couple of weeks, so make notes as you read. In a month, we will meet and discuss and I'll announce new books...that's the routine.I'm shooting for a Monday night...in the coffee shop area, although meeting at a restaurant might  not be out of the question, depending on the number of ladies participating. We'll get to that part later.

 Below are places that you can get the books.

• Sue ordered and has 6 of Pearl in the Sand...I believe they are in the bookstore, if not, I'll post in the comments section of this post where they are. I know she has 6. We can get at least that many more in 2 days from Amazon at a discount if you want one, please leave me a comment and let me know. Click on any of the links below to find the books.

• http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=redeeming+love
• http://www.localsearch.com/detail/Hastings-Books-0092501285.html
• http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=redeeming+love
• http://www.mardel.com/redeeming-love-paperback.aspx
• http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+book+nook+mustang+ok&fb=1&gl=us&hq=the+book+nook&hnear=Mustang,+OK&cid=9654266707333759966
• http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+book+nook+mustang+ok&fb=1&gl=us&hq=the+book+nook&hnear=Mustang,+OK&cid=9654266707333759966

Page Turners...go turn some pages.

SALAD SUPPER for Trinity's Ladies!!

 "WOMEN'S MINISTRY SALAD SUPPER"

Friday Night, March 25th 2011

Trinity Baptist Church

6:30-8'ish or so...

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The purpose of this fellowship opportunity, is to introduce the Ladies of TBC to the  new concept for the future of the  Women's Ministry. We will be getting input from you ladies on activities that interest you, and that you'd like to see happen at Trinity.  We have some ideas to start, but we want to hear from YOU!

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So come to the Salad Supper....and here's the important part, Baptists like to eat, so bring a SALAD...yes, a salad is leafy and has croutons and dressing, but think outside the box...pasta salad, three bean salad, potato salad, chicken salad, apple salad, jello salad, fruit salad, carrot & raisin salad, tuna salad...do you get the idea?  And if you so desire, bring along a copy of the recipe to display along with your dish. Beverages will be provided.  We look forward to discovering our secret gourmet chefs and tasting those passed-down family favorites.

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Helpful Information:

1.  There will be NO CHILDCARE for this function, so that our childcare providers can attend the Salad Supper as well.
2. You do not need to RSVP, however we are expecting a FABULOUS turnout and yes, bring a friend.
3. Of course there will be door prizes...lots of them. :-)
4. Leave your husbands at home. We do not need them.
5. Bring any ideas you might have for future activities/socials.
6. Be prepared to meet someone new.
7. Come with an appetite.
8. If you want to leave a comment in the comments section below to let me know you're coming please do so.

Introducing "PAGE TURNERS"...Book Club

Alright ladies...here is my opportunity to share with you what I do best...READ. Reading moves me...like music moves some. I think my love of  reading stems from my desire to escape from a lonely, boring childhood. I can remember going the library as a child (much like "H" does today) and bringing home stacks and stacks of books. The stories in the pages take you to places that you may never go...help you experience things you may never experience...force you to deal with fears that otherwise you might never acknowledge exist... No matter how crummy the day has been, I can pick up a good book and go "there"...wherever "there" may be. Fiction never lets me down. Fiction always lends and ear and lowers my blood-pressure.

As I grew in my spiritual walk, many of my favorite authors began to trouble me with their language and story lines...I couldn't enjoy the story for being offended by the language. I read my first piece of Christian Fiction 5 years ago...and oh my...the floodgates opened. I did not know that Christian Fiction existed. You mean that I can read a book filled with suspense, twists, turns, love, romance, struggle and pain....and intertwined within it there is the love of GOD...the message of Salvation? without all the foul language? I've been taken ever since. I read when I cook...I read when I blow-dry my hair...I read on my phone, I read online, I read digitally, I read by listening to books in my car, I listen to books on my ipod when I clean house...I read more than one book at a time. Yes. I am crazy. This I know. I have also won more than one Non-reader over to the reading side as well...so for those of you who are rolling your eyes at me right now...that could be you in the near future. Just sayin'...never say never!

So....the fun part, is that in every book I read, there is a message for me, or for someone I know and love. It never fails. I read something in it that applies to someone I know, and I inevitably use that book/story/message in some way in the future. In fact,  I intentionally look in each book for the "whats" and the "whys" and the "who's"...that apply to that story. Sometimes it's right in my face...sometimes not so obvious. Sometimes it hits me months later. I also pass lots of books on...because you see, people let their guard down when they read fiction...give them a book on the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ and their feathers get a little ruffled, especially if they're not ready to hear it...but give them a work of fiction where the salvation message is very subtle and woven...and they are much more open to...more. I look for those books and I pass them on when I find them.

So, what does all this mean for us? It means that I am leading a book club for our Women's Ministry. It has a name...it's called PAGE TURNERS.  Here are the details:

• We will meet monthly (probably a Tuesday Night) to discuss the book.
• @ that time I will announce the next month's book selection/selections.
• You'll have one month to read the book and review the discussion questions
• Look for opportunities to invite others and share the ministry
• Expect a bad book once in a while...they can't all be winners!

So what do you think? Are you in?

Women of Joy Conference

Alright Ladies...Linda asked me to post a blurb about the Women of Joy Conference at the Fair Grounds Arena. She is placing an order tomorrow/purchasing tickets tomorrow(Thursday) for Trinity. I guess if they are purchases at the same time...you can sit together...that would be my guess. Call the church office if you are interested. The number to Linda is 354-4839.

The dates are April 15th to 19th.

Friday, Noon to 9pm

Saturday, 8:30 to 9pm

Sunday, 9am to 11am

The cost is $89 for admission. This doesn't include parking of course...never does! Linda says you can just pay the church and she'll reserve you a ticket.

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Guest speakers are Sarah Palin, Kay Arthur, Karen Kingsbury, Anita Renfroe, Charles Billingsly and Michael W. Smith.

If you want to register online, and not with the church, for instance your own little group wants to go, click here:

https://www.philwaldrep.org/register/womenofjoy-oklahoma/

To read the Women of Joy Blog, about all the goings on at other Conferences across the country, click here:

http://womenofjoy.org/woj/

To download/print the pdf file of the Women of Joy flyer to pass out to your peeps, click here:

http://womenofjoy.org/brochure/

Still Waiting...

Okay, I promised you something new and exciting and I still can't tell you. I know, I'm sorry. I guess I'm going to have to give Scott the old one-two kick in the pants and speed him up on his "okay" of this endeavor...actually he has given it the okay, it just requires a monthly approval and I'm waiting on the "monthly approval"...as soon as he gives it...I'll tell you what we'll be doing every month...beginning in April. Here are a few hints to ponder:

• it incorporates my favorite smell
• it will enlighten you
• it will make some of you roll your eyes and run the other way
• it requires a monthly meeting and FOOD
• it requires getting to know eachother and being social.
• it will require you to go look for something to do it...

And We're Off!

Alright ladies...step one...establish a Facebook Page. Check. Step two, establish a Blog for the Women's Ministry. Check. This Blog will help accommodate those ladies who DO NOT have a FACEBOOK account, but DO have internet access and computer savviness. For everyone else...FEAR NOT! You will not fall between the cracks...you can run, you can hide...but we will reach you all!  We have plans...secret plans...stay tuned for frequent updates to this BLOG about things going on with our Women's Ministry at Trinity. I'm waiting on Scott to give me the thumbs up, and when he does, I have an exciting announcement to make later in the week...ciao! ~K~