Here is what you missed!

For the ladies that were not able to attend our first big W2W event...the Salad Supper, here are a few pictures of the event...just so you can see what you missed!

We were so excited, as the ladies kept lining up at the door, with their salads in hand. We had so much food, that we had to arrange an overflow table for extra salads. Baptists like to eat, and apparently they can cook too. There was every kind of salad imaginable, but not one that required a dressing...my personal favorite was the cornbread salad, and I always love that salad that has the Ramen noodles in it and the vinegar. And wasn't the spinach salad with strawberries good? Mmm... Can I get an instant replay on the food?

Cucumber water? I'd never heard of it. Lisa Slocumb brought it..her own personal favorite, made with those long English Cucumbers  sliced in it, and I have to admit, it was rather tasty.

3 tables loaded with food. I had to remove flower arrangements to make room for the food.

The "Overflow Table".

A place to sit...a survey to fill out. This is how we plan to gather information about what the ladies of Trinity are interested in seeing happen with the W2W ministry AND is will be a great tool to also find out where you are interested in serving.

When the survey was turned in...COMPLETED, it was traded for a raffle ticket. Check out all the raffle gifts that were donated by the community and lots of W2W ladies. Haircuts...manicures...scentsy...Pampered Chef...Creative Memores...Candles...Jewelry....Hats... Photography sessions, you name it, it was on the raffle table.

Lisa Slocumb and Tracy Tadlock did a fabulous job decorating. (Everyone did a great job with their piece of the pie). Aren't these centerepieces cute and springy? Bet you didn't know that the base is a roll of toilet paper did you? Yep, totally recyleable.

The whole Activities Room looked great!

Name tags to match our banner...great idea. You did notice the banner, right? In the first picture?

Total ladies in attendance...approximately 106. Fabulous. It only strengthens what we already knew...there is a huge desire for fellowship among our ladies.

Afterwards, there was an opportunity to sign up for Summer Bible studies, "Babes"..(apparently a weight loss thingy that Dovie Mclerran is doing on Mondays) and the Book Club, as well as our new Care Calender for meals. If you have any questions about any of the things mentioned above, email me or leave a comment and I'll be glad to explain.

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Thanks everyone for attending. We hope you saw a familiar face, made  a new friend, and enjoyed yourself. Now, what to do next time...hmmmmmm.

PAGE TURNERS

At the Salad Supper lastnight, I heard it more than once "WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MEET?". Okay, so first on my agenda this morning was to set a date for our 1st official discussion. So mark your calenders. April 11th...that's a Monday night. In the Commons Area @ 6:30. We may move to a room if one is available, howeve,r book club to me is "loungy" and "comfy" and those big chairs and tables in the commons area, outside the Safari...they say..."pick me, pick me!". So for now, that's where we'll gather, until I see how big our group is.

If you haven't read either book yet, it's not too late to start. Both books are fabulous. Which one do I like the best? I like them both the best for different reasons. :-)

I smell......SALAD.

Don't forget...Salad Supper coming up: one week from this Friday! There's still time to make a shopping list and decide what you are going to bring! We have lots of fellowship and fun planned! Who is coming?

The picture above is what I'm bringing...mmmmmm.

6:30 to 8 ish in the TBC Activities room.

no Childcare for this event.

Bring a Salad to share!

Drinks provided!

"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?