"Love Stories" Coming August 21

Make plans to be here Saturday, August 21, 9:30-11:30 am, for "Love Stories," our fall women's ministry kickoff.  Signup for the event and childcare is August 8 & 15.

Everybody Likes Food

Shannon told me that this blog would be more interesting if we included crafts, articles on women's issues, recipes, etc.  No crafts in my world - so here's a recipe.  I served it at bunco last week & got lots of compliments.  Either it's tasty or all my friends are nice.


Tomato Tart
1 can crescent rolls
8 oz. sliced provolone cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
4 tomatoes, sliced lengthwise
2-4 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 
3 tsp. minced garlic (fresh is best)


Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray tart or pie pan with nonstick spray.  Press crescent roll dough into pan, pressing evenly over bottom & up sides; press edges & perforations to seal. Prick dough with fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.  Meanwhile, in small saucepan, combine oil, basil & garlic.  Cook over low heat just until heated.  Arrange half of the provolone cheese slices over crust; top with half of the tomatoes.  Sprinkle with 2 tsp. parmesan cheese.  Repeat layers.  Spoon oil mixture over the pan.  Sprinkle with ground black pepper if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown.  Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.  Double the recipe for a 9x12" casserole dish.

Let's Make This A Conversation

I'd love to make this blog a conversation among women.  What helps you connect with God in an intimate way? What's He doing in and through you these days? All comments welcome . . . 

Somebody Just Slap Me

So I chose spiritual refreshment over cleaning closets, pulling weeds or curling up on the couch with a novel.  Here's how I spent my day with God:

• I listened to some great worship music, sang out loud & even danced.  Robin Mark's music appeals to my wild Irish genes.  
• I re-read Exodus, Numbers & Joshua, which have been the foundation for our summer study "One In A Million."  I was reminded of all the places God takes us on our journeys through the wilderness to the promised land of abundant living in Christ.
• I enjoyed a constant conversation with the Lord, hearing so much from the Holy Spirit that I scribbled furiously throughout the day. (I can hardly read my handwriting.)
• But mostly I bathed in His grace, held fast in His love. 

Love wins out.  Somebody just slap me.

Why Is It So Hard?

I spend time in the Word almost every day.  I teach weekly and study the Scriptures in preparation.  I pray often (though not often enough).  But I'm still starved for time with God. 


Every other month we cancel a staff meeting & spend a half-day alone with God.  Our staff meetings are irregular during the summer, so I asked everyone to take a whole day off to spend with Him.  I've cancelled twice so far but the guilt of being a lousy leader finally got to me.  Mark is gone all day today (Saturday); what a perfect day to spend with the Lord.  Why do I suddenly want to clean out closets? Why does pulling weeds in 95 degrees appeal to me - for the first time ever?  Why is it so hard to make time for the One who loves me so much?

God is Always Moving

In our study of Exodus this week, we looked at how journeying toward God's promised land requires us to leave things behind - perhaps people, habits, hidden little sins, comfortable places.  We set aside fear, we grieve & we let go.  The destination is worth it.

What Would You Like to Learn This Year?

It's planning time for next year's women's bible studies!  What would you like to learn this fall?  If you have specific books of the Bible, topics or studies you'd like us to offer, please let us know.

I Get the Israelites

We're studying Exodus in our Thursday night summer study.  Here's my summary so far of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land:
God provides freedom from slavery by sending plagues that force Pharaoh to let His people go.
God provides a pillar of cloud by day & fire by night to guide them.
The Israelites see Egyptian soldiers pursuing & react with fear, doubt & grumbling.
God provides safety by parting the Red Sea.
The Israelites get thirsty & react with fear, doubt & grumbling.
God provides fresh water.
The Israelites get hungry & react with fear, doubt & grumbling.
God provides manna, every single day, enough for each person.
The Israelites get tired of manna & react with fear, doubt & grumbling.
God provides quail.
The Israelites arrive at a camp with no water & react with fear, doubt & grumbling.
God provides water (again).
To be continued . . .

Women Are the Same All Over the World

I just returned from a mission trip to Haiti.  The country is full of rubble and grief, and I hope the world doesn't forget this devastated country and its beautiful people.  I spent lots of time with various Haitian women and participated in a women's program with our sister church in Picot, Haiti.  Despite the obvious differences of color, economic status, living conditions and language, we weren't very different.  Women are the same all over the world - we want to make a difference in our communities, if married we want to love our husbands and be loved by them, we want to care for our families, we want our children to have better lives than we have, we want to know God.  Pray for our sisters in Haiti, especially those who have lost family, friends and homes in the earthquake.