Just Imagine!
by Patsy Clairmont

Getting up in the wee hours to experience the first rays of light conquering darkness heartens me. I watch the ebony melt from the sky and drizzle behind the distant stand of trees, and my senses awaken. Those first morning moments when the sun seems to ignite a horizon of hope—a new dawn, a new day, a new beginning—who doesn’t need that?

“And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4).

Yesterday can’t be altered, tomorrow can’t be predicted, and today can’t be controlled any more than I can adjust the sun’s path. While that could make us feel helpless, I find a deep comfort in the knowledge that the one who placed the sun on its course has lit a distinct path for us. The path is filled with purpose and with the potential for interior prosperity: “You will show me the path of life” (Psalm 16:11).

While on earth, we will encounter both darkness and light, but that will not always be so. A day will come when Christ in all his glory and light will fill every shaded nook and every shadowed cranny, and darkness will be no more. Nothing will be as we now know it, and earth and God’s people will experience full redemption. Imagine that.

Just imagine!

On July 19, 1993 my life changed forever. My son Bradley (age 10), my husband Gary, and I were canoeing with Bradley’s baseball team. Bradley was grabbed by an alligator and disappeared. My husband and I had to fight with the alligator to get Bradley then canoe him to an area where we could get help. Bradley went to be with Jesus that day.

My husband, my son Brent (not at the attack), and I were devastated. Immediately following Bradley’s death, the love we had from family and friends was immense. We felt the Lord’s arms around us, carrying us through it all. Many, many people were touched by our loss and our faith during this time.

But once everyone got back to their own lives and schedules, life was not easy. How could we go on, don’t people understand I lost my son? Life never got back to normal. Not only was I dealing with the loss of a child, but also the terror of the event. I had prayed that morning that the Lord would look over us and take care of us. What happened? Where was God? Why did He allow this to happen?

For several years I went through the “motions” of being a good Christian, a good mom and husband, but I was dying inside. There were times when my husband or Brent was late that I knew they were dead. There was so much fear.

A few years ago, my friend’s mom had two extra Women of Faith tickets. I took them and invited a friend to go with me. Those two days at Women of Faith started the journey of changing me. I am learning trust the Lord to heal my hurts . . . to REALLY trust Him. I don’t understand everything, but I have the peace that no matter what happens to me at any time, HE IS THERE for me.

The Lord has used me in so many ways. He gave me the love to start a women’s group and this year I have 22 women at Women of Faith. I want all the women I know to experience Women of Faith and the healing that can take place. I can now be there for women who have experienced losses, to understand their hurts and give them guidance on what to expect and how to lean on the Lord no matter what. I know that I can be happy again! I found that sharing my story helps to heal and also touches & helps others.

Should there be anyone out there hurting or experiencing a loss, know that the Lord understands. He does care about your hurts, he hurts for you. He is able to help you when you totally give it to him to use you, and to heal you. You CAN have new joy.

―Donna W.

For [the shepherds] it wasn’t enough to see the angels. You’d think it would have been. Night sky shattered with light. Stillness erupting with song. Simple shepherds roused from their sleep and raised to their feet by a choir of angels: “Glory to God in the highest!” Never had these men seen such splendor. But it wasn’t enough to see the angels. Since they wouldn’t be satisfied until they saw him, you can trace the long line of Jesus-seekers to a person of the pasture who said, “Let’s go . . . Let’s see.” (Luke 2:15)

Meeting Schedule for 2012, 6:30pm

NO MEETING IN JANUARY

FEBRUARY 7^th – Tuesday, AMC  Kenosha

5824-7^th Ave

MARCH 13^th –  Tuesday, AMC Kenosha

5824-7^th Ave

APRIL 20^th – Friday, Infusino’s Banquet Hall – Racine Doors open at 5pm, Ticket price $15.00

MAY 8^th –  Tuesday,  AMC Kenosha

5824-7^th Ave

JUNE 9^th –   Saturday 9am, Carolyn’s Coffee Connections 1351 52nd Street Kenosha

 

JULY 10^th, Tuesday, Maria’s House 6:30pm

AUG 14^th – Tuesday, AMC Kenosha

5824 7^th Ave

SEPT 11^th – Tuesday, AMC Kenosha

5824 7^th Ave

OCT 5^th – 6^th – Women of Faith Conference Bradley Center Milwaukee

OCT 9^th – Tuesday, AMC Kenosha

5824 7^th Ave

NOV 4^th -5^th – Sunday/Monday – Ladies Retreat to Chula Vista Resort. 

NOV 13th – Tuesday, AMC - Kenosha 5824 7^th Ave  Holiday Cookie Exchange

DEC 11^th – Tuesday, OLIVE GARDEN – Holiday Dinner & Exchange

Thank you to all my fabulous ladies who attended L.I.F.T. last night.  It was a great night.  Thank you to everyone who made an effort to participate.  Hope everyone enjoyed "Maria's Favorite's".  If it is God's will, next year will be better and bigger.  Remember what we shared last night and keep it close to your heart.  With lots of love and many blessing, we would like to wish everyone a Joyous Holiday and New Year. 

A GREAT RECIPE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life.

 3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for ______________'.

 4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that are manufactured in plants.

 5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

 7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

 8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a College kid with a maxed out charge card.

 9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

 10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

 11. Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

 12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

 13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

 14.. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

 16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

 17. Forgive everyone for everything.

 18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

 19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

 20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

 21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

 22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

 23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

 24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

 25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it. 

LIFT MEETING

Hey ladies,
Just a reminder L.I.F.T meeting tomorrow 6:30pm.  Don't forget your cookies.!!!!!  Can't wait to see everyone there tomorrow.  God bless.

HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE

Information regarding 2^nd Annual Cookie Exchange:  Each participant must bring 6 dozen cookies to the Dec. 13^th L.I.F.T. meeting.

Rules for participation:

1. They must be home made.
2. Place ½ dozen cookies in sip-lock bag (You will have 12 bags total)
3. Please include your recipe with each bag
4. Bring your cookies to the Dec 13^th L.I.F.T meeting or before to:  Maria or Diana.
5. Enjoy.

 

Never Means Never

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. —Deuteronomy 31:6

When we find ourselves in the greatest places of testing, the Lord tells us over and over and over and over and over: “I will be there!” When I face new trials, I look back at God’s track record in my life, and God’s faithfulness increases my faith. When he says, “I will never leave you, never means never!”
As you look at your life today, my prayer is that you will take some time and write out for yourself what God’s track record is with you. Consider:

• When did you come to faith, or have you yet?
• What do you trust about God today that you may not have trusted him for some time ago?
• Can you look back and see God’s hand at work now in situations where you could not see it before?
• Do you love God today more than you did a year ago?
• Do you believe he loves you?

I believe that God’s love for us is overwhelming and his faithfulness unending. Whatever you are facing right now, be it the worst of times or the best, remember you are loved by a God who spared nothing of himself to show his faithfulness.