God is Calling

A wonderful team of ladies has been praying for several months. Blanca, Joyce, Anita, and Susan agreed to pray together about God's calling on our PWOC board for 2009-2010. Thursday at our regular Bible study times, the slate of officers was presented.

President - Lisa S.
Spiritual Life - Cheryl L.
Programs - Megan P.
Administrative - Donna S.

Will you join us in hearing God's affirmation of these ladies to lead us for the next year? An installation service will be held this month.

Of course there are many other opportunities for YOU to hear God's call. Would you consider praying about how God might lead you to serve in PWOC? Here are some ideas to get you started...

• Volunteer to watch children for program nights
• Help with decorations and program planning
• Lead prayer ministry
• Teach Bible study
• Welcome new guests
• Write articles for the blog
• Create postcards and brochures for events
• Coordinate special outreach events

You Might Have Noticed...

You might have noticed that our blog is long overdue for a post. But don't think the ladies of PWOC have spent the past two months idling away their time. On the contrary, Check out what we've been up to:

• Mothering Without Guilt led by Blanca has been meeting on Tuesdays at the Solid Rock Cafe. We've enjoying meeting many new ladies and their young children. How wonderful it is to reach out and share fellowship and prayer with each one! This study will end in April 28, and we hope to offer another short study this summer.
  
• Many of our number have been enduring struggles over the past two month. But we rejoice that in the midst of medical issues, family changes, financial struggles and personal stress, we are victorious every time we go to God for our needs. Our study, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, causes us to reflect on our priority of prayer. Many ladies have stepped up to led the discussions.
• Our leadership selection committee has been diligently praying for God's will for Sheppard PWOC this coming year. As we approach this PCS season, we realize that our fellowship changes. I hope that you are able to look back a this year and cherish memories with your sisters in Christ. And then look forward with confidence that God will bless you in the upcoming months as He draws together a special group of women to share your journey.
• God has strengthened each of us to be the body of Christ as we serve one another. We've delivered meals, watched each others children, prayed in times of strife, visited in the hospital, and passionately stood in the gap in each others absences. What beautiful Martha moments we've blessed each other with!

We have some great events coming up soon! Watch you email for details about the evening program May 7th and our WILD traveling training on May 16th.

New Studies Coming Soon!

Our recent study by Beth Moore has been so wonderful. Kaitlyn, Crystal, Donna and all of their assistants have blessed us so much as they lead us through the Psalms of Ascent. Many of you have shared how God has spoken to you through this study. Please leave a comment on this post for all to read. Others will take delight in knowing how you have been blessed!

We have two exciting studies coming March 12 and volunteer opportunities abound! We are looking for ladies to sign up to help with refreshments and watchcare. Would you be willing to sign up for one week this spring? Be praying about how you can help.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

I have several calendars, a stack of post it notes and a car full of junk to show all of my Martha personality. But how do I schedule those Mary moments? One way is by setting aside time for prayer, study and worship. This season in PWOC we are going to share Mary Moments as a group on Thursdays during out study and fellowship time. Then we'll encourage each other to make time in our busy lives to sit at the feet of Christ in a daily time of prayer.

Mothering Without Guilt

When I was pregnant with our first child, I was certain that I'd never say "No" to her. She'd just want to do the right thing. I would also puree my own babyfood, use cloth diapers (long before the cool ones they have now), and dress her in stylish clothes. When reality hit, I felt like a failure. What choices were the right ones? I spent time feeling guilty that other moms were doing a better job than I was. Or even worse - feeling a sense of pride that I was better than other moms.
Let's talk about being godly mothers and encourage one another in making the best choices for our families. New and experienced moms encouraged to attend.