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I Help Because I am a Parent, Auntie & Missionary

When I participate in Operation Christmas Child, I do so as a parent on behalf of the children in my life: my 2 adult kids and my 5 nieces. I fill a box because I’d hope someone would do the same if one of my children was in the same situation.

Each year I participate in Operation Christmas Child on behalf of a child in my life. Like one year, I donated 2 shoeboxes to a boy and girl the same ages as my children. Another year I made up boxes with my three nieces who attend CNC. As I fill a box, I pray for God’s help in picking the items. I also ask God to bless the child and bring joy and salvation to him or her.

One word that describes the situation of the children who receive these boxes is lack. Because of things like famine, drought, earthquakes and war these innocents lack adequate housing, healthcare, water, food, family support, toys, and school supplies. I can’t do anything about most of these lacks, but I can help by providing toys, school supplies and hygiene products.

So I join with others in Operation Christmas Child because I am a parent.

I also do so because I am a missionary. A missionary is a person who intentionally spreads a faith often accompanied by charitable work, usually in a foreign country. Operation Christmas Child fits that bill. They consider each person who fills a box as a missionary because our work of filling a box provides an opportunity for a child to learn that God is good and that salvation is available to them.

As you fill boxes with your children let them know that they too are missionaries.

Franklin Graham, founder of Operation Christmas Child, says one of the most important things we (missionaries) can do is to pray as we fill our boxes. Let’s ask God that the child who receives the box and discipleship material that Operation Christmas Child includes will lead the child to know God’s love and salvation.

These boxes go into remote locations and are delivered by dog sled, bicycles, donkeys, and camels. This gift of a shoe box opens the way for the gospel to be shared which leads to hope. These children who experience so much lack desperately need hope. Our boxes provide that hope.

Consider today how blessed you and your families are. I know that for some of us, filling a box is a sacrifice. Maybe some of us can get together to fill a box? But do consider what a huge impact that sacrifice will have in the life of a child who knows lack in so many areas.

Here’s my prayer.

Father, Thank you that Operation Christmas Child is one way we can bring joy, hope and salvation to children living in hard circumstances. Help us to discern what to put in the box and how much to spend.

Father, we ask that you would bring extra money our way so we can participate generously in this missionary opportunity. Thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Help us to give in response to those blessings. I ask that you would pour your love into our hearts so that they are captured by the fervor of spreading the gospel. Amen.

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Journal Exercise to Complete at the End of Retreat

We just spent a lovely weekend right by Lake Tahoe. The weekend’s topic was an overview of Boundaries and presented in a low-key, sensitive manner. One attendee said she enjoyed how the topic was shared without guilt. Me too.

I also liked the word picture that boundaries, like fences, should have a gate.

Boundaries are supposed to be able to “breathe,” to be like fences with a gate that can let the good in and the bad out. Individuals with walls for boundaries can let in neither bad nor good. No one touches them.

God designed our personal boundaries to have gates. We should have the freedom to enjoy safe relationships and to avoid destructive ones.” (Boundaries by Dr. Cloud & Dr. Townsend, pp 52-53)

At the end of a retreat, class, or seminar, I like to evaluate the experience. This helps me to see what I learned and how to incorporate the learning into my life.

Below are some questions to ponder after your next retreat.

What were your expectations and hopes regarding the following: The topic . . . Yourself . . . The ladies . . . God?
Were your expectations and hopes met in each of the four areas? Why or why not? How?
What one or two ideas made a great impact on you this weekend?
What will you do with this information?
Who will you share it with?

How did you answer the questions? What questions would you add?

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1 comment .

Journal Exercise to Complete Before Retreat

Before I attend a retreat, seminar or class, I take a few minutes to write down my expectations. This helps me to be more focused during the event. I am going on a women’s retreat in a few days, I’ll be doing some thinking & writing.

What are my expectations and hopes regarding the following . . .

The topic (Boundaries)?

Myself?

The ladies?

God?

Being intentional about my actions will help me receive some of the benefits I want from retreat. Below are some ideas.

Topic – What do I want to learn and use from this topic? When/where/with whom will I go over my notes from the sessions? Complete the Boundary Building . . . On Your Own pages? Talk with others? Journal?

Myself - What do I need? Quiet? Rest? Play? A listening ear?

Friendships – This weekend will I be making a new friend or deepening an existing relationship? During the free time? During meals? While driving to and from retreat? Will I spend some time playing? Asking questions and really listening to the answers? Sharing what’s on my heart?

God- What do I need from God – a Word of encouragement, direction, wisdom and/or healing? When/where will I set aside time to spend reading, praying, journaling, being quiet?

We always have a booklet at retreat. It has notes from the sessions, resource pages, etc. The above questions will also be in the booklet so the ladies attending retreat will have the opportunity to answer the same questions.

What are some questions you’d ask yourself to get prepared for retreat?

3 comments .

Do These 3 Things to Get the Most from Retreat

Retreat is in a few days. For some this brings nothing but joy while others are a little nervous. Sometimes our nervousness can take away from the retreat experience. Following are 3 things you can do at retreat to maximize your time away.

1. Set good boundaries. Give yourself permission to take ownership of your choices, freedom and responsibilities this weekend.

Be good to yourself. Get proper sleep and nutrition. Leave your to-do list and cell phone at home so that you can be present at each activity and take in the message for you. Be yourself. You are already accepted.
Be true to yourself. If you need answers, pray, read your Bible, and/or talk with a wise woman. If you need space and quiet, don’t fill every moment with activity and people. If you need friendship, seek out someone to visit with during the free times. If you are hurting, cry and/or ask for prayer.

2. Be flexible. Retreat is not a predictable, sterile mathematical formula. There will be glitches and changes in the program, in one another’s moods, and even in your own needs. These glitches and changes are not personal. Go with the flow. But do expect God the Father to do something in your life this weekend.

3. Take your “iron” wisely. Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘Iron sharpens iron; so a [woman] sharpens the countenance of [her] friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” The Amplified Bible

Purposefully hang with one (or several) safe women this weekend.
Find a prayer partner for the weekend.
Get involved in the group events.
Get to know each woman’s name and something about each one.
Talk about what you are learning and thinking about with others.
Keep confidences.
Be gentle with one another’s feelings, needs and comments.

What would you add to this list?

3 comments .

Winner of CNC Jelly Bean Count Contest

Sunday’s Ministry Faire was busy with folks learning about 15 ministries going on at Cordova Neighborhood Church.

Our table, Women’s Ministry, had a Jelly Bean Count contest.

The four slips above are the guesses closest to the actual number of beans in a mason jar.

Samantha guessed 700; the actual # was 737. She won the jelly beans. The other three each get their pick of a pie magnet!

Passover Meal at CNC on April 9

Our church will be hosting a Passover meal on the Thursday before Easter. Mark and Kate are coordinating and leading this event.

It starts at 6 pm and is a potluck meal. The menu is as follows: sauteed veggies, roasted potatoes, green salad, ice cream, and beverage.

Besides bringing a food item help is needed with set-up or clean up.

Please RSVP today with the following information.

How many adults and how many kiddos?
What will you bring?
Can you assist with set-up or clean-up?

You can RSVP in one of three ways.You can respond to this blog post with your answer, call Roberta in the office or sign up at Church in Rudat Hall on Sunday.

This should be an informational and fun time as we gather as a church family to celebrate and learn why Passover is significant to Christians.

How Would You Evaluate a Retreat?

I like evaluating . . . programs, books, my life. The process helps me to think more clearly about the pros and cons. This is how I see what works, what doesn’t and most importantly how it can be done better.

What are some questions you’d use when evaluating a retreat? Why? Or what are some good questions you’ve answered?

Below are ones we’ve used at our retreats. Comments on these?

What did you like most about retreat?
Which aspects of the program were most helpful?
Which aspects of the retreat were not helpful or should be done differently?
When did you experience God during the retreat?
When did you experience community during the retreat?

2 comments .

What’s Missing in Women’s Minstry?

Last week I spent an hour with a woman from my church talking about women’s ministry. . .

What’s missing
What could be added
How to better help women find community with each other

Today I took a survey about women’s ministry.

Both interactions gave more focus to what I’ve been pondering in my own confused mind and heart. How can we (the women’s ministry team) better minister to the women in our sphere of influence?

What’s missing in women’s ministry today?

Ladies, how can we offer relevant, nurturing events so that women can mature spiritually, emotionally and relationally? What needs to happen so that women can meet up with and stay connected to our glorious Lord and Saviour who so freely gives us His salvation, grace and power?

Your responses, please.

2 comments .

Why We Made 70 Pies for Annual Tea

The Women’s Ministry team had a FUN time making 70 pies. However, these were big enough to fit into a bottle cap and studded with a magnet.

Giving out gorgeous magnets is expected at our annual tea. Go here for a look at some of the past years’ favors.

So, I am always on the hunt for ideas.

”This is what we NEED to make for the tea,” I thought. I saw and bought a fabic pie magnet and showed it to Heidi. Heidi did some research, experimentation and then came up with these beauties.

Each year we say, “Oh, this is the best one yet. How are we going to top it?” Well, this year really IS the best one yet. What do you think?

If you weren’t able to attend the Tea, you still have a chance to get one. March 15th we’ll be having a bake sale at church. We’ll also be selling our (all church) cookbooks. With every cookbook ($14.99) you’ll receive a free magnet. The proceeds will go towards the women’s retreat June 5-7.

If you went to the Tea, which magnet did you pick and why?

Edited to add: Photos by Elizabeth Symington. She is found here & here.