Bible Study Luncheon

This Thursday is the final week of Beth Moore's ESTHER for the half of us doing that study, and the other group presses on with Erilyn Barnum's study. (Rumor has it, she'll be in our neck of the woods one of these days!) Anyway, whomever you are, this THURSDAY after Bible study, everyone is going to Chero's for lunch. We'll all go, but we'll sit with our groups. SO if you haven't let your leaders know if you can make it, please rsvp asap, so Missie can give Chero's a rough headcount. Wouldn't it be wonderful if EVERYONE could come? Enjoy your last week of homework for a while, BM people. Make it count! xoxox

November Update

What a wonderful week it has been. We've continued to have an awesome crowd on Thursday morning, we've escaped hurricane activity this fall (so far), and the weather has been stunning. I don't know about you guys, but our small group is such an incredible, inspiring group of women that I'm fired up every time I see them. I thank God for you all as I pray for our group, for this study, for the things you all give to make our bond possible. We are all parts of a whole, and when you come and participate and take your turn leading the group and bring breakfast, you help make us complete. So thank you. Thank you to Martha Ryan and Lynse Williford who made breakfast last week, and a reminder to Joan Thomas and Nancy Evans who will bring it this week. As we begin winding down this study, remember that a new one will begin in January, so think about anyone you'd like to invite.

Also remember the upcoming Christmas breakfast at Lynn Chesson's house. I'll share more information when I have it. Have a safe and fun week. I will miss you all on Thursday due to a Disney Trip with my family, but I'll be with you in spirit. Sing extra loud for me.

A Little Late Today...

I was a little late today (okay, about 30 minutes late!), and guess what? I couldn't find a parking place anywhere! I was thrilled, and I paused to give a prayer of thanksgiving to the almighty God who brings us together on Thursday mornings. I was thrilled to see such a great crowd there as I know you are, as well. We are each an important part of the puzzle God puts together on Thursday morning. It's a divine appointment for all of us to grow in Him AND for us to love and support one another. Thank you, faithful sisters, for coming week after week. Sometimes when I leave on Thursdays, I like to think of all the women going back into our own corners of the community like those old maps with little lights on the cities. We're all the little lights in our corners of the world, and we come together to fuel our lamps. May God bless you all with a wonderful week. And do your homework! This is good stuff. (and if you see me, encourage me to do the same--I need you all to hold me accountable, too!) xox

Squirrel Busters

Oh, my sweet sisters. You are such a blessing to me and to each other. When I look out at you, I see the genuine love and fondness for one another, and it's so cool! I know that we have some pretty major stuff going on with a lot of you, and rest assured, your sisters are FLOODING the heavens with their prayers. God is ON it! And after watching the Esther DVD this morning, I KNOW that He is just picking you up and pointing you AWAY from the squirrel!

Does anyone out there want to blog about Earilyn on occasion? I'd love to see that side of it represented.

Have a wonderful week-end. Do your homework out in the sunshine. Remember to pray for Belinda Baker, Rita's husband's hip replacement and her son's heart problems (and for goodness sakes, pray for dear Rita, too).

Esther is AWESOME

Who else out there is loving this study? What an amazing lesson on compassion and understanding of the 'mean girls' in our world. And I just know Earilyn is heating up, too. I've been so impressed with your commitment to the studies. Every Thursday morning it is such a blessing to me to see all your dear faces out there and hearing all your voices raised in praise. We are a mighty sisterhood in Christ. It reminds me of that song I played for you all last year, "We have been blessed, now I want to be a blessing. We have been changed, now I want to bring change." Together, we can be a force of God's loving kindness in this community. So ladies, let's roll! Have a great week! This week's breakfast is on Mary Ann White and Judy Adams. (Thanks Anne and Theresa for last week!) Dessert is God's department. xoxox

Can't wait to see you all tomorrow!

I don't know about you Earilyn students, but this Esther study is blowing my mind. Did you guys KNOW all this stuff was in the Bible? It's full of contemporary relevance; that's for sure.

So here's the deal, sisters. God has BIG plans for us tomorrow. This Bible study business is a divine appointment. Come ready to spend some time with Him. Leave all your other worries at the door, or better yet, in the car!

I lift a special prayer to all the moms with sick kids out there. Lots of stuff going around, and it's not easy to be a mom with sick kids. I'm sure there are some other needs out there, and while I don't know them, God does. And He's already working on it. So rest in his arms tonight and trust in his goodness. Can't wait to see you all in the morning. xoxox

p.s. Remember Stephanie and Teri, breakfast is on you tomorrow!

Today's the Day! Today's the Day!

I love the scene in the movie STUART LITTLE when the little boy runs into the parents' room early in the morning and sings, "Today's the day! Today's the day!" He's so excited that they're about to adopt a brother for him. Pure joy. And that's how I feel this morning about seeing ALL OF YOU! Today's the day God weaves us together in a new and exciting way. Today's the day we begin this journey of faith and love. Today's the day we get to know new folks and reunite with old. I've even missed Beth (Moore). So see you soon!

Here is the BREAKFAST SCHEDULE for fall.

September 17 Virginia HOpe and Donna Koppelman
24 Stephenie Lennon and Teri Williford

October 1 Anne Tavenner and Theresa Murphy
8 Mary Anne White and Judy Adams
15 Tammy and Wendy
22 Meredith Skinner and Virginia Wood
29 Jennifer Wood and Patti Mordecai

November 5 Martha Ryan and Lynse Williford
12 Joan Thomas and Nancy Evans
19 Anne Ellis and Susan Wood

December 3 Liz Brentjens and Michelle Benavides
10 Julie Perry and Stephanie Powell


Even as I type these names, I'm saying a prayer for each of these precious friends who have volunteered to supply our breakfasts. If you get a chance, thank them, as well. I need to run, so I can get to church to see you because TODAY'S THE DAY! xoxox

What if I can't be there Thursday, but I want to participate?

Great question! Some of you cannot make it to the Kick-Off Breakfast on September 10th, and that's okay. BUT we need to know which study you'd like to do, so we can order a book for you in time. SO if you cannot be at the Kick-Off Breakfast but you plan to participate in one of the studies, click on COMMENTS below. In the comment box, please leave your name and the name of the study you wish you pursue. (Example: Donna Koppelman, I need an Esther book.) You can pay your $30 the first week you attend. Also, feel free to comment or ask questions in this manner at any time. I'll try to check it regularly.

Bible Study Kick-Off Breakfast Thursday, September 10th

Hope you can join us on September 10th for breakfast at 9 A.M. at St. Paul's. This will be an opportunity to catch up as well as time to order our books for the year. We will be studying Beth Moore's ESTHER this fall for approximately 11 weeks. It is her newest study and seems excellent.

If you were in Erilynn's study last year, that group will continue on to year 2. It is a 30 week study (like the first one) and guaranteed to knock your socks off.

It will be wonderful to gather again after our awesome summer break. I sure miss everyone. Please invite others who may want to join us. You can forward this message, or better yet, call, invite, and then bring them with you on the 10th. If, for some reason, you must miss our yummy breakfast, please let us know which book you would like for us to order for you. Registration cost is $30 which covers your book and helps pay the babysitters. BTW, babysitters will be there on the 10th!

God bless you. Can't wait to see you!