Changing Normal

Ahhhhh, have you ever had a conversation with someone that just brought peace to your soul? Refreshing & encouraging? DreamGirl was just here & we talked about our church's Women's Ministry (or lack thereof) and it was a breath of fresh air. We're on the same page, and both have a heart for where this is going. We talked about NegativeNelly's leaving the church, and I found out some of the deeper issues, and now I feel like I can pray more specifically for them. The Negatives both suffer from bouts with depression. A few months ago, a new couple came to the church & visited our Thursday night choir practice & what he said has stuck with me ever since. I think I've shared it before, but what I learned about the Negatives today really confirmed/validated for me that these words were spoken for me/us because of this whole situation (not that they haven't applied themselves in other areas, too, but this is a pretty specific case). He said, "There aren't so much problem people as people with problems." That mentality, spirit, attitude can help us react out of love instead of spite or bitterness. I'm a people with problems as much as the next guy, so I'm not trying to "diagnose" the Negatives by any means. It jsut became apperent to me today, though, that all my ideas or suspicions about the Negatives weren't crazy or just in my head. They're real, and I saw that....or the Lord showed it to me, more like...I had no idea of how deep it really went, though, and how personal it was for a lot of people.

Okay, enough of that. We had a pretty productive meeting!! :) We set a date for our first luncheon!! :) We're going to hand out personal invitations to all the ladies in the church, and announce it, too, during Sunday worship. We talked about it being a potluck, and how we wanted door prizes, ice breakers, a devotion/testimony time, and free it up to be a good time of fellowship. Isn't fellowship the crux of our relationships? Isn't that how we get to know each other & start to trust each other so that we can eventually share on a deeper level with one another? Can you see what my tidbits have all been about? Women's relationships with (not just each other) but the Lord, most importantly...

I'm excited, can ya tell? It's TIME for this ministry...actually, past time...

Oh, and another thing. It was so hard for our Women's Retreat to really be effective, because we didn't have the foundation of fellowship beforehand. At both retreats I went to it was like getting re-aquainted with each other each time, because we had no follow up from the retreat...

WOW, DreamGirl & I had a very productive talk, can you tell? I just keep thinking of stuff...

Tonight's AWANA, and Princess is GOING!! :) LOL I've GOT to take down the church Christmas trees....can you believe they're still "up"? They removed them from the stage (fully decorated, mind you) this past Sunday, but they still need to be torn down & put away. Princess's earache really put a wrench in my plans for that. My tree is partially down. The ornaments are off, but the lights are still on...that's my project for tomorrow.

EnglishTeacher's birthday is next Wednesday!! :) I ALWAYS forget her birthday, but since I got hooked up with Birthday Alarm, I know exactly when it is, and I even know what I'm getting her :) But I can't tell, just in case she's reading :) LOL I was thinking of asking Carebear & Daisy to come over the Friday night after & surprising her with a little cake or something (WW friendly, because I think she's still doing that). We'll see :) Maybe brownie sundaes...I think she likes those a lot...

Well, I'd better go...I need to piddle around on the computer for a minute, and get Princess's invitations started on...

Talk to ya'll later :)