Cross Timbers G.R.O.W.

A Mother's Heart

2008-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

By contributing writer Dee Burdick

November is National Adoption Awareness month. Our family was greatly blessed by adoption. We have five (2 sibling groups) beautiful, healthy, loving children that came to us through adoption. While life is never dull, we are completely blown away by God's work in our lives and the lives of our children.

In 1992, my husband and I first felt a desire to be foster parents. We took a leap of faith. I quit my job and we waited for a call. It came, and with it, a brother and sister ages 2 and 3. They were precious, but a handful. After raising two daughters, then teenagers, I wondered what I was getting into. Amanda & Nathan had been in several foster homes and had health and emotional issues.

We grew to love them so much that we couldn't imagine them leaving our home. In 1995 we adopted them. It is not always easy, but we know we are doing exactly what God called us to do.

When Amanda and Nathan were 13 and 14, we felt the call again. We went through the state, but we all felt we would not foster this time, just adopt. There is a long and wonderful story that followed, but I'll just say that God has a sense of humor. Exactly nine months after starting the adoption process, our precious David, Derek and Jasmyn came home. Our family and friends thought we were out of our minds, and so did we. Our family proves that God is bigger than we can hope or imagine.

Many people tell me they could never adopt or have seven children. It was never in my plan either, but it was in God's. I'm so glad I listened when he called. My five younger kids did not grow in my womb, but they grew in my heart. I am so blessed!

Could God be calling you to adopt? Someone you know?

There are over 3,000 children just in the state of Texas waiting for their forever family.
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Child_Search/default.asp

Our kids where adopted here in the US, but there are over 60 million orphans in the world.
http://www.precious.org/results.php?from=waiting
http://www.howtoadopt.org/

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

International adoptions can be expensive and so if you are not being called to adopt, could you help someone else on their journey?
http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer

Could you help children who are living in orphanages, that may never be adopted? http://www.precious.org/help.php
http://heartlineministries.org/heartlinestore.aspx

I would love to talk to anyone who has questions or wants more info. Contact me at ddto4@yahoo.com.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Blessings,
Dee Burdick

It's HOLIDAZE Time Again!!

2008-10-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

Who: You and Everyone You Know

When: Sat. Nov 8th, 10a.m. to 4p.m

Where: Cross Timbers Argyle (1119 S. Hwy 377, Argyle, 76226)

What: A Huge Market for Crafts and Gifts

Do you like to scurry around town shopping at seventeen different stores to buy for everyone on your Christmas list? Maybe you would prefer our one-stop-shopping event,
Holidaze.

You will find unique gifts and crafts as well as a festive atmosphere.

And... if you volunteer for a two hour shift your name will go into a drawing for a mani/pedi. It doesn't get better than that ladies. Unless your middle toenail fell off last month from rubbing wrong on your running shoe in which case your feet should not see the light of day until next summer. You know who you are.

Ahem... if you plan to help out you can contact the lovely Jessica Rolf at jessicarolf@hotmail.com

Remembering Seth

2008-10-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

We were so blessed to be a part of a beautiful life. Marci wrote a tribute to the Sturman's on her blog. It is uplifting and insightful. Click here to read it.

The Bra

2008-09-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

The Cross Timbers scrapbooking group joined together for a good cause. The local scrapbooking store hosted a bra decorating contest to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. The scrapbookers pooled their creativity to make this AWESOME brassiere:

Along with raising "support", the bra was a tribute to many women and one man (they can get it too) who had breast cancer. Here are the names of the loved ones included on the bra:

Alma Latiolais Robin
Sondra Stone
Michael Barnes
Rhonda Harrison
Janice Moseley
Sharon Spohn
Donna Adler
Mildred Zunker
Jackie Fisher
Aunt Dean
Karen Brown
Vicky Leighton
Effie Jennings
Cheryl Mayes
Cherie
Aunt Bitsy
Mary Ramsey
Joan Seymour
Becky Barnett

Reading the names gives me a lump in my throat.

Tracy Machado, scrapbooking group coordinator wrote:

There are 19 total names on our hot pink bra... the sad thing here is that every single one of us knows at least one person who has suffered this disease. On a brighter note, 84% of our loved ones were able to overcome & survive. Those other 16% live on in our hearts & prayers.

The mini-bra that you see in the photo reads:

"This bra was decorated with much prayer & thanksgiving by the members of the scrapbooking group at Cross Timbers Church - Argyle: Tracy Machado, Barbara Johnson, Denise Burns, Sarah McMinn, Ambera Keton, Heidi Garrett and Coeli Wagner. "

Blessings everyone! What fun this project was! Tell your friends to say a little prayer for all of our loved ones....especially those still in the midst of battle.

Tracy Machado

If you are interested in joining the scrapbookers please see the icon on the right for meeting details.

Ripple Effects

2008-08-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

Today I made our second grocery store trip of the pay period. Its the trip I detest because we are already out of everything, but can only buy the essentials without busting up our budget. I felt Dave Ramsey perched on my shoulder like Blackbeard's parrot eyeing my every selection. "Cubed cheese?," he chided. "CUBED CHEESE? Buy the 8 oz chunk and hack it up yourself, you lazy over-spender!" He carried on like this the whole time... it was terribly exhausting.

At the register I loaded up our stuff on the conveyor belt, keeping an item or two aside for emergency re-shelving in case I underestimated the total. A friend of mine got in line behind me and we chatted for a minute while we waited, though I was distracted by the increasing total on the register. When the checker finished I went for the scanner with my trusty debit card. Suddenly, I heard a "Wait, Don't run that!" from my friend. I looked up thinking I was mistakenly overcharged or something, but instead she gave the checker her card.

Girls, she bought my groceries. All of them.

"You don't have to do that!" I said, but I could see by her smile that it was a pleasure. I couldn't help it. I started crying right there in line at Super Target. THEN, the cashier started crying. I mean really, who goes to Super Target to be nice? I thanked my friend profusely and got all of our stuff in the car.

I was so stinkin' blessed, I had to call a few friends and tell them. Since I am usually complaining after I go to Super Target, it was a refreshing break for them. I dialed and talked all the way home. Here is the cool part: Everyone I told was inspired to do the same thing for someone else. I am getting chills just writing about it.

So, today, because of the overflow of love in one woman's heart, the ripple effects of blessing are as follows*:
Me
My boys
Cashier
Greg
My mom
My Sister
4 different friends (so far)
Unknown number of people who will soon be similarly blessed by those named above

And of course... you.

That is a huge return for a simple act of generosity. So, what could you do with $93.86?

*I had to add a few new people to the list since the original posting on Tales From the Running Mama. I can't keep it in. Whoop whoop!

Denton GROW Groups

2008-08-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies! I wanted to add the Denton Campus class choices for the fall Bible Studies. See below. (Tuesday is purple, Thursday is green, and Sunday is orange.) Argyle, your studies are listed in the previous post or on the link at right. ;-)

Please Note: On line sign-ups are not available yet for any campus on the CT Website. As soon as they are I will link it directly from here. Until then, you can look at the offerings and think about what you want to choose.

Beginning Tuesday, September 16
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Women of Faith Study Guide "Understanding Purpose" by Carolyn Curtis James
Child care provided with registration (which will be up soon)

Beginning Thursday, September 18
10 a.m.-Noon
"Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver
Child care provided with registration (which will be up soon)

Beginning Sunday, September 21
6:30-8:30 p.m.
"The God Empowered Wife" by K.B. Haught

Love you all!

Unveiling: The New Bible Study Class Line-Up!!!!

2008-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well ladies, summer is finally coming to a close. The recent rain makes it tempting to pack up your flip flops and tankinis for good, but we all know this is just a little trick of weather. In a day or two, we will swelter again in our Old Navy shorts and try not to keep the newly hatched mosquito babies fed.

If that doesn't cheer you up, try this: Our Fall classes are decided!!!

Breeze through the list below and shop for your perfect Bible Study home. Wednesdays are purple, Fridays are green, and Saturdays are orange.

New this session: a Friday and Saturday morning option, and 9:30 start time for Wednesday mornings.

Drum Roll.... DadadadadadadadadaCrash!

WEDNESDAYS
Beginning September 17th
9:30-11:30am
Childcare Provided

"He Speaks to Me"
Priscilla Shirer
Led by Brandy Ziegler

Description: Based on 1 Samuel 3, we will learn six characteristics found in Samuel applicable to women today as we tune our hearts to hear God's voice. These characteristics are: A Simple Relationship, A Set Apart Holiness, A Still Attentiveness, A Single-Minded Worship, A Sold Out Hunger, and A Servant's Spirit. By listening to God's voice and obeying Him, we will draw into a closer relationship to God that brings a deeper desire to serve Him faithfully.

"BEHIND CLOSED DOORS~ Finding Intimacy with your Husband"
(CLASS ALREADY FULL)
Led by Robbie Page

Description: Discovering truths that will lead you to discover the freedom, holiness, and beauty of sex in marriage and why it all begins with a servant's heart. When honestly see the differences between men and women, we find ways to bridge the gap with the honor, intimacy and security that great sex, and a great marriage, needs to flourish.

Little House on the Freeway~Help for the Hurried Home
By Tim Kimmel
Led by Jamie Hackney

Description: Has your cozy little house on the prairie become a harried house on the highway? Discover God's plan for rest and peace with your family, work and relationships. This study details seven marks of the harried family, and shows you how to change your thinking so you can slow down to God's grace.

Women of the Bible
By Ann Spangler & Jean Syswerda
Led by Kelly Snyder

Description: Undaunted by the passage of time, their lives impact ours and generations to come. Women are called to fill a multiple of earthly roles. Our successes and failures stem from the flow of our personal relationship with the Lord. Join us as we learn to nurture and grow our intimate relationships with the Lord through the legacy of these women. When we know our savior and have a real, growing relationship with HIM,we are set free to be the best daughters, friends, wives, and moms. . . the best women we can be!

WEDNESDAY EVENING:
Beginning September 17th (Meeting every OTHER week)
6:30-8:30pm
Childcare Provided

"Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed-A study of David"
By Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, Kay Arthur
Led by Liz Hogan and Wendee Long

Description: This class is the audio and video portions of the Deeper Still conference featuring Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. You'll laugh with them, cry with them, and learn to love God with them. Each segment focuses on the life of David at different stages: a young man (by Priscilla Shirer), a middle-aged man (by Beth Moore), and an older man (by Kay Arthur).

FRIDAYS
Starting September 19th
8:30 AM-10:30 AM
Childcare Provided

"Heart Check"--The Life of a Wife
Led by Carla Shellis

Description: It's time to stop dreaming and discover the power you have to experience God's best for your marriage! Discover what God placed within how it can transform your marriage, your family and YOU!

SATURDAYS
Starting September 20th
9:30am-11:30am
No Childcare Provided

Battlefield of the Mind
By Joyce Meyer
Led by Kristi Thomas

Description: This class will take a deep look at how we think and how our thoughts affect everything we do. Learn to identify where Satan has taken over your thoughts and give them back to Christ. This is an intense, but extremely beneficial, class to help you release Satan's strong holds and reach for ALL of the promises of our Creator and Lord.

Reading, Beth, and Business

2008-07-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Reading...
One of my favorite things to do. Books are quiet, always available, diverse. I thought it might be fun to share some of your favorite reads of late. Let us all know the good stuff you have read by posting a comment (See "How in the Heck Do I Comment" on right if you have no idea how.) Include author, title, and non-end-spoiling blurb about the content. Seriously girls, we want to hear about some awesome books to keep us entertained while our hair melts into steaming piles of greasy frizz from the stifling humidity.

Imagine my pleasure when I received an email from a sweet G.R.O.W. friend announcing a Beth Moore Simulcast coming this August at Trietsch United Methodist Church in Flower Mound. Beth is my hero not only because she has the coolest hairdo and funkiest clothes, but because she is a profoundly gifted Bible teacher. This event is Aug. 1st and 2nd. Click on the beautiful picture of Beth to the right for more details and ticket purchasing. (Also the colored words above are a hyperlink to the event. I'm just keeping it real people...)

Don't forget A New Day Has Come THIS WEEKEND!! Right here at our own church taught by one of our own G.R.O.W. friends, Carla Shellis. It will be amazing so DON'T MISS IT!! Click on the link to the right for more information. (Do you see a trend here??)

Remembering Lindsay

2008-07-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Our Denton campus experienced a tragic loss this week. Please pray for them as they grieve a special person. Here is a beautiful tribute to her posted by one of her friends. (click on the pink words)

Summer Begins...

2008-06-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

In Texas summer begins shortly after Valentine's Day, but we can pretend that it started on Saturday so the rest of the world doesn't get too jealous. They don't have to know that by May it is so hot down here your fingernail polish melts off your fingers and drips into sizzling puddles on the sidewalk.

Summer has that beachy, fun-loaded mystique that we crave during the gray monotony of winter. Overall, it lives up to its renown. However, even the greatest of all seasons has its downfalls. Kids are pinballing between frantic activity and bored lethargy while moms long for peace and quiet. If you work, a different kind of stamina is needed to clink away on a keyboard indoors while you imagine everyone else lounging by a pool sipping iced tea.

Maybe you are having the greatest of all summers, vacationing on the beach and enjoying your tan little self because you are on sabbatical Toby Slough. But for the rest of us, we must rely on our air conditioners and creativity to survive.

On that note, I would like to reveal my secret summer indulgence, a little treat that keeps me happy when its 185 degrees in the shade. It is more enjoyable when your kids are napping or occupied by the Wii, or if you can sneak off to a corner of the break room at work so you don't have to share. (Sharing is over-rated.)

Here it is:

White Chocolate Covered Strawberries

THIS RECIPE IS FOR ONE SERVING!!!

5-6 Strawberries, washed and dried
1-2 squares Almond Bark
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Use small bowl or mug to melt the Almond Bark in micro for 1 1/2-2 minutes at 50% power (or until creamy). Dip strawberries into chocolate one at a time. Immediately dip in chopped pecans. Lay on wax paper to cool. Wait 10 minutes for coating to harden (or save for later) and eat!!

Yep, I do this every afternoon when my boys take a nap. It is so heavenly. But, hey I'm no Toby Slough.

Please take a look at the new icons to your right highlighting some of our summer activities. Click the graphic to find a sign-up sheet and more information.

En-joy.

News Flash 6/19

2008-06-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!

Just a few bits you should know about...

Brenda Kuketz, a member at Cross Timbers, called this morning. She is legally blind and needs a driver 3 days a week to help her with errands beginning July 1. She lives in The Settlement in Argyle and has 2 children. If you know of someone who can help her out please have them call 817.808.7050 to make arrangements.

Tuesday, June 24 we are meeting in the lobby @ 9 a.m. to make lunches for 120 kids in the CCA Kids Eat Free Lunch program. At 11 a.m. we are heading to Lewisville to deliver the lunches. E-mail me at glennam@crosstimberschurch.org if you would like to help with this service project. If you are not able to join us we are on the schedule to make lunches and deliver on July 29 also.

Saturday, June 28 we are having an ice cream social (right after the 5 p.m. service). Bring sandwiches to share and your best homemade ice cream. We’ll provide chips, drinks, games and a bounce house for the kids. One of our games is a contest to see who can make the tastiest ice cream. The entire church is invited, but need some early commitments from some of you to make this a great event. Please e-mail me at glennam@crosstimberschurch.org with what kind of ice cream you are bringing.

Love you all!

Tidings From the North... The Denton GROW Group

2008-06-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is a synopsis of the Denton campus GROW group by the co-leader, Carol Wolfram. What an amazing thing God is doing with them!!

Hi! I am Carol Wolfram, the lesser co-leader of the Denton Campus GROW Group. Our brave and courageous leader is Terri Gilliatt, who, despite her reticence and misgivings about public speaking, is our marvelous lead teacher for our current study, Choosing to Change. Of course, she is doing a wonderful job!

We started our group as a mini-mester for the month of April. Since we were new, we decided that we all needed to get to know each other better, and try and create a more intimate and trust filled atmosphere for our ladies. As a result, five of us shared "our story" of how the Lord brought us to Him in forthright, brazenly honest terms. Because we were willing to share our foibles, I believe it helped open the door for our group to feel welcome, not matter what, and to gain excitement that we have God given hope -- the confident expectation of the future fulfillment of a present promise -- and that "He who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:16 (one of our memory verses).

The original plan was to cease further meetings after April, and then start a more in depth Bible study in the Fall. God, however, did not want to wait to fellowship with us! A good bunch of our group was eager to continue meeting every week. We all prayed, considered a number of options, and chose to engage on a 2-3 month study called Choosing to Change. This study explores from the Word our choices to move toward God in an authentic way, and allow Him through His Holy Spirit and His Word to transform our lives.

Our thematic memory verse is Romans 12:2 -- "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will." Each week we have a new memory verse, which Terri hands out so we can tape it up in some prominent place at home or work and read it all week so we can learn it.

Choosing to Change is an eight week study, although we are in reality taking a little longer because sometimes the Lord has other plans. This week, we will be on Week Three. We meet at 6:30 on Wednesday nights, usually in the Garage at the Denton Campus CT Kids Building. We are supposed to be finished at 8:00. although sometimes we run over.

One of the most precious gifts each of us has received through this group is our group prayer life. Each member of the group has made a covenant promise to each other that what we share in the group stays in the group, unless express permission is given to share outside the group. As a result, we have been open to intimate and sometimes gut wrenching sharing and prayer requests. A prayer chain update praise report and prayer request email is sent out to the group, usually the following day which details answers to prayer, continued prayer requests, and new prayer requests. It is an awesome God thing!

When we get through Choosing to Change, we anticipate starting another study. There is a good possibility that we will elect a Beth Moore study. We are encouraging our class to participate in the church Fall Retreat.

We do have a need for child care, if that is possible.

We do have a need for a morning GROW Group, as a number of our group cannot meet at night, but wants to be involved actively in a GROW Group. They have requested that I send their plea along to the powers that be. The ladies who would help start the core morning group are awesome, and would be great mentors for some of the newer Christians who would join up.

I can say confidently that our GROW Group is a God experience. It is such a blessing for each of us, not just on Wednesday, but throughout the week. We get emails periodically during the week from class members, giving us updates, and asking for mid-week prayer requests. Just the fact that Terri and I are the co-leaders is incredible. We had not met each other before our group started, but we have discovered that both of us have daughters named Laura Beth, who sometimes go by LB, who both want to be teachers, etc. It is eerie how our family lives on other matters have such common factors. How cool is God for that?

Well, I hope that you have a glimpse into what our GROW Group is about here in Denton. If you need further information, just holler!

Carol Wolfram

Cardboard Testimonies

2008-06-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

Here is the video I referred to below...

Focus

2008-06-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like your life is unraveling around you and there is no where to go for a bit of sanity? Sometimes I wake up grouchy, kids already whining, dog barking to go out, t.v. blaring Sportscenter or Thomas and Friends or some other irritatingly noisy show that is completely irrelevant to me and I just want to run out of my house and SCREAM.

Maybe I just want to open my eyes slowly and yawn and stretch and listen to the birds chatter away in the glow of morning promise and not be thinking about the white poo they are leaving behind on my patio for the kids to smear around with their shoes.

I think my eyes are squinty and fuzzy and practically blinded by chaos accumulation.

Today I ran across a video on Sheri's blog (click on those pink words to see it) that tweaked my vision into crystal clarity. Maybe it will do the same for you. En-Joy.

Oh, and you might want to grab a tissue, it's a little on the snotty side of "joyful tears".

The Little Things

2008-06-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today I finally got around to planting the leftover vinca from a very large flat my husband bought last weekend. I hate leaving beautiful sprouts without a home, but I was out of space.

Unless you count the sparse and bare container that is nurturing my "survivors". Every year at the end of May I look at my garden closely for any determined fellows that held on over the cold winter and chose to give it another go when the warm weather returned. This year I found two teensy-weensy petunias, one lone portulaca, and a "yet-to-be-determined." I transplanted these hangers-on into a large clay pot and displayed it in a place of honor at the edge of the driveway.

Now each morning I walk outside and check the progress of my feeble friends. Will they be bigger? Will they bloom? Watching the progression of a wilted seedling to a colored blossom is intensely satisfying.

I wonder if God looks at us like that. It is lovely to enjoy a flower that was given the best of everything. Good soil, fertilizer, and the right amount of sun. They grow big and colorful and flashy. But the ones who clung on even when nothing went their way... that is a different kind of beauty. Beauty with strength.

I have noticed that my life is not always one, and not always the other. Sometimes it is easy. Sometimes it is cold, dry, and lonely. Some days love spills out of me like an overflowing teapot. Some days a drop would double my stores. I hope I have what it takes to praise Him through whatever weather I find myself enduring.

God please help me hang on in all seasons and bloom just the same.

(And by the way, my vinca is enjoying a little stint in a PLASTIC container. I couldn't let those big healthy plants steal all the glory!)

Happy Tuesday!

2008-06-03T07:21:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, which means... Absolutely nothing. Tuesday is like the most boring day of the week. It is not even "hump day". Sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for Tuesday just hanging out in the middle of nowhere. But everyone has their own opinion, so lets hear 'em. What is your favorite day of the week?

Also, don't forget to sign up for the Women of Faith conference. It should be a really good time. Tickets are going fast, so grab your BFF and snag a couple before they are gone.

(Hint: The words "Women of Faith" in the above paragraph are a link to the sign up page for this event. Drag your cursor across the words and when the little hand pops up, click!)

Technology is So Darned Technological

2008-05-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Let's clear the air here, and I am not referring to the VERY poopy diaper I just took outside. I want to re-explain something about blogging. You do not have to blog to read a blog.

So, lets say you hate the computer. You have no desire to sit down every once in a while and think up something inspirational to say. Maybe all you want to do is catch up on our ministry happenings or receive a little prayer.

This is WHY we're here.

We do not want to leave the impression that this blog is only for serious blogheads. Oh no, we want to love on all of our ladies, even the ones who have no idea what a hyperlink is or how to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Welp, there you have it. Now go have yourself a wonderful weekend girls!!!

-Andi

BTW: (that stands for "by the way" in case your husband is not a youth worker that text messages you in teenager code all the time) A "hyperlink" is a sneaky way to hook you up to another site or page. On our site any word that shows up pink is a hyperlink. If you drag your cursor over that word the little hand will appear indicating a something you can click on. Once you have visited a link, that word will appear dark blue.

Prayer and Service

2008-05-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ha! How is that for a spiritual women's ministry post title. Very holy and devout sounding. Now I just need to keep from writing anything unholy or sacreligious. Like boogers. Oops.

I am so happy to tell you that CT GROW now has a prayer blog dedicated to praying for the needs of our women. Marci Woodruff is the blog manager and she is ready to roll! She has a heart for the women of this ministry and especially those of us who are hurting or struggling and want the comfort of lifting their burdens up to Him. Her blog will also provide interesting teaching on prayer for you to read and learn.

Here is a message from Leea White about some service needs in our congregation:

Let your group know they can donate their gently used children’s books and make a difference this summer. We are collecting books to be distributed through Christian Community Action’s Kids Eat Free Program. Tell your members they can bring books (age-appropriate for preschool - middle school) to Argyle or Argyle West lobbies now through Sunday, June 15.

Come join the Argyle Staff from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on June 24th and help assemble 120 sack lunches and then head out to deliver your lunches to the kids in this great program. Once you see the process, ask your group to sponsor, assemble and deliver the lunches for July (again, last Tues of the month.)

Don’t forget about our new IN/OUT Serving piece. You can pick this up at the Info Area in either lobby or you can find it on the web site under Serving Opportunities. Go serve!

How Do You Like Us Now???

2008-05-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Hello sweet friends!

I would like to introduce you to the new blog for Cross Timbers Women's Ministry. There may not be much here now, but just wait... we have big plans for this little corner of cyberspace. For those of you who blog, you know the kind of connection you can make (strangely) through the computer screen to people you know already and people you meet as you click around. For those of you who think "blog" sounds more like a new shoe style than a key component in a growing ministry, we have much to offer you too.

You can use this place as a guide to see our upcoming events, hear the heart of our women, and even... dare I say it...tell us what's on your mind. Our goal is to provide information on our ministry activities, write words of encouragement and interest, and CONNECT YOU TO OTHER PEOPLE!!!!

But you are thinking... the Internet is so impersonal. Its so invisible and scary. If I am looking for connection here I might as well adopt two hundred stray cats and have my groceries delivered to my doorstep every Tuesday morning.

Well, dear friend, you would be wrong. The truth is this: some of us are just really busy. We don't want to go spelunking down in the bottom of our purse for the Sunday sheet just to remember what day Ladies Bible Study resumes. We don't always have time to meet someone for coffee or grab a quick bite to eat. Does that mean we should just give up on the joys of spiritual friendship and growth???

This place is a bridge for those of us who have crazy lives. Those who don't live close to each other, have jobs, have kids, have husbands, have illnesses, have responsibilities, or just have a flat tire to be a part of things anyway. Since that includes us all in some way, you might be surprised at the importance of our little corner of the web.

So this is our gift to you. Now, let us know who you are. At the bottom of this post is a little place for COMMENTS. This is your voice to us and others. Feel free to click on it and tell us how happy you are that Cross Timbers Women's Ministry finally has a blog. How complete you feel now that a huge gaping hole in your spiritual life is filled. We hope you come here often. Stray cat adoption is strictly optional...

--Andi

(Andi is a mostly normal person who volunteered to manage the blog because she has a heart for this ministry and the women of our church. And she only has one cat.)

What In the Heck Is a BLOG???

2008-05-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

"Blog" is short for "Web log," a specialized site that allows an individual or group of individuals to share a running log of events and personal insights with online audiences. In the simplest terms, it is just a journal on the Internet. It is interactive so anyone who wishes can speak their mind in the "comments" section and become a part of the fun.

If you are one of us non-technical sorts have no fear. A blog is a simple format that requires no computer savvy whatsoever. You can simply read the content of our site and hop merrily on your way, or you can jump in the middle and share your own thoughts. Maybe you take the greatest leap of all (gulp) and start your own blog...

How In the Heck Do I Comment??

2008-05-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Its really easy.

First, click on "comments".

A box will pop up with a blinky cursor indicating the place to type. Write something really profound and deeply insightful. Ha! Just kidding. Say whatever you want to share with the rest of us.

Next you will have to type a few weird looking letters into a box. This is to prevent spam from creeping into our blog. Most automated systems will not be able to recognize squiggly letters so their ads for whatever new gadget will not make it through to our comments and junk it all up.

Last, you must choose an "ID".

If you already have a Google account for something else, you can use that ID and password. Just click that little bubble and fill in your stuff. You can also create a Google ID if you want, just for the purpose of our blog. This will let you set up a profile and help people get to know you better. You can also make your own blog if you do this.

If you have no Google ID and do not want one, thank you, you may choose "Name/ URL". Here you can just sign your comment with your name and be done. Very easy, but you will not get to set up a profile for others to see your interests and the like. Mind you, you don't have to use your first and last name, or even your real name if you want to feel more private. A nickname will be enough to let us know who you are.

Last, you can always choose "anonymous", but for heaven's sake please don't. The whole point of commenting is to get to know each other. Be brave, be bold, reveal yourself! Jamie Hackney put your clothes back on, we just want you to claim your thoughts not streak around the neighborhood!!

A little bonus... If you decide to make a Google account and establish a profile, your commenter name then becomes a link to your profile and (if you take the leap!) your own blog. Try it out by clicking on a name and learning a little something about another GROW friend.

Summer Happenings

2008-05-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things coming up that you might want to do...

GROW Deep:

Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition
WHEN: June 11th - July 16th (Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Room 302
COST: $20
TEACHER: Carla Shellis carlashellis@yahoo.com

Register Here or in the Lobby.

Fingerprints of God
by Jennifer Rothschild

Women and girls 11-17 are welcome! Great for moms and daughters or any precious girl in your life.

WHEN: June 18-July 30 (Wednesdays 10 a.m.-noon)
WHERE: Room 302
COST: $20 (child care available with registration)
FACILITATED BY: Janice Wolf janice.wolf@tx.rr.com

Register Here or in the Lobby.

GROW In:

A New Day Has Come
Conference for Women
WHEN: July 19th (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
COST: $20 (no childcare for this event)
CONTACT: Carla Shellis carlashellis@yahoo.com

Register Here.

Women of Faith Conference (and SPA WEKEND!!)
WHEN: August 22nd and 23rd
COST: $76.00 covers conference ticket and lunch. (Spa is seperate)
CONTACT: Brandy Ziegler BZeiglerK@aol.com

Registration and more Info Here.

GROW Strong:

Cross Timbers Cross Trainers (A workout class for EVERYONE!!)
Workout your Mind, Body, and Soul. Class is offered year round, but this summer is a great time to start!
WHEN: M,W,F (8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.)
WHERE: Small auditorium south (If you are facing the main entrance it is the furthest door to the right on the very end of the whole building)
COST: $35 a month (childcare provided)

Registration: Just show up ready to work HARD!!