Be Careful Little Eyes What You See . . .

Have you ever been doing something and felt like someone was watching you, to turn around and find no one?  Or have you ever done something thinking no one saw you and then found out someone was watching?  Both are awkward moments, right?

So often we go through our day-to-day activities not realizing what eyes may be watching us.  Perfect example, do you know how many times I had heard the word "stoked" before Ryan and Megan came?  Or the use of the word "stinkin'"?  Never!  Now I just chuckle everytime I see something posted on Facebook, receive a text or hear one of our students or the youth leaders use either of the words . . . They were words used by two respected individuals which were picked up by many.  Isn't it funny how things catch on!

Whether we know it or not, there's always eyes and ears paying attention to how we live our lives.  So how are you living yours? 

A few weeks ago we were on a little getaway with family friends.  One of the mornings, our little missy awoke and walked into the kitchen to peep out the back door at her friend "Miss Kim".  Immediately, she ran to me questionning where was her Bible.  Unfortunately, I had not brought hers - remembered mine, but not hers.  The beauty was that she saw "Miss Kim" having her morning quiet time; therefore, she wanted to emulate her.  So instead she just used mine and told us about Jacob and Noah.  How exciting! 

We have in our possession the greatest instruction book.  There are many in our community who are wanting needing an example of a godly life.  Live your life out loud the way God called you to live and be an example of Jesus' love to those who haven't yet met him.

Beth Moore . . .

I know many of you "Siestas", as Beth would say, are strong supporters of Beth Moore and love her Bible studies.  I just wanted to relay some bitter sweet information to you regarding Beth and her family. . . before  you panic, no, I know nothing about her ending her Bible studies!!! Shoooh!  Relief!  I can hear you Brenda, and all the rest of you!  Actually, it's very wonderful news . . . Beth's son-in-law, Curtis Jones, has been called to start a church plant in another part of Houston; therefore, Beth and her family will be leaving their home church of 30 years, Houston FBC.  I pass this information on to you to encourage you to pray over this family, the new church body and the geographical area to which they will be impacting for the kingdom of God.  For more information on this exciting news, please visit the following link to her blog. http://blog.lproof.org/2011/06/letting-go-and-welcoming-in.html

Precious Testimony

Every Wednesday during the school year, we have a group of moms and grandmoms who gather together with the sole purpose of praying over our school students called Mom's In Touch.  This prayer time takes no special speaking skills or talent, just a love for your own children and a heart that trusts God for their well-being.  Recently, a testimony was shared from another Mom's In Touch group in Georgia . . . just wanted to share this precious and encouraging testimony.

The week prior to the Tuscaloosa tornado, several of my praying MITI moms actually prayed that Emily would be protected and her campus would be protected from all the storms that seem to hit around Tuscaloosa. I would not have prayed that day for Tuscaloosa but she had asked that I pray for her and all the finals she was taking. God was so faithful to quicken both of our spirits to ask for His help when we didn't really know what we were asking for. Thanks so much to those moms who come faithfully every week to pray for our children and the schools they attend! She is still quite shaken from learning her roommate's sorority sister died. Emily was in the basement of a house that sits across the street from the campus and right beside the courthouse. Many of you know that the tornado was heading straight for the courthouse and then made a 90 degree turn.... *name changed

What an awesome God we serve.  I challenge you to make Mom's In Touch a part of your weekly schedule this fall.  Prayer time is on Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 promptly.

Take the time . . . it's worth the investment!

Do you ever get in a rush cleaning house, cooking dinner, grocery shopping and your little one is wanting to "help"?  Or your teenager helps you with laundry or cleaning and you get frustrated because they didn't do something right, so the next time you just do it yourself?  Or you have a young person who wants to know how you cooked something and you just hand them the recipe?

Discipleship is living your life out loud, allowing others to experience it with you . . . they will never learn if we aren't transparent with them and guide them in their steps. 

This morning as I'm rushing around the house attempting to vacuum, mop and dust, my little one is constantly "under my feet" wanting to help.  When  my older children were younger, I would have gotten so frustrated if they walked across my recently mopped floor or tried to sweep or vacuum where I was working.  My goal then was just to get it done - there wasn't a goal of teaching as I went.  But today as we were vacuuming and mopping together, God reminded me of the verses in I Thessalonians 2:7-8 ". . .but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."  Again, discipleship is living your life out loud, so those around you comprehend the love of Christ through us and learn to live a life of praise just through living the life God willed for us. 

So next time a little person wants to help or a young person needs to learn a basic life skill, consider it an opportunity to disciple them . . . show them how to praise God simply through living their life.

Sanity for Moms!

Every Spring I highly anticipate the Summer season . . . no school, "relaxed" days, flexible schedules!  And every Summer, I am quickly reminded how busy Summer really is. 

And these are the things that remind me that I'm not alone:
1)  Multiple graduation invitations in the mailbox;
2)  Friends, whom I and them, have to reschedule lunches multiple times and surrendering to the idea that it may be when school starts back;
3)  "I'll get back with you", means maybe one or the other of us will remember to call the other within the next month.

As exhausting as all of this may sound, we should count it all as blessings! 

Remember, the relationships in your life are what's important, they are your life . . . everything else is just a small part of life!  Jesus invested His time in people, not "to do's" or things.  So I am reminded  . . . Don't let another moment get away that's not used wisely in the investment of people.  Pray for God to prioritize your day according to His will!

Taming Technology

In this day and time, we are so well connected that we are disconnected.  All of these electronic toys to help improve our connectedness (is that a word?) are intruding on our quality time with family and friends. 

Recently while traveling down the road, my husband commented to me "I thought you didn't like texting?". . . and here I was rattling away on my Blackberry.  Honestly, I really don't like texting, but the convenience and speediness of it sucks me in every time.  We were traveling down the road and I thought of a couple of things I needed to tell a couple of people.  In fear of forgetting, I typed out a quick text message or email.  I didn't want to intrude on our "quality time" by getting in a long conversation over the phone, so I thought I would just send a quick message.  Even though it may be quiet in the car, doesn't give us permission to zone out on our text messaging, emails, Facebook and Twitter . . . Sometimes that special person just wants to know that we are focused on them, even if we are just being quiet.  How many times do our phone, email, text and social networking intrude on God's time?

In a recent post for a WM website, Amy Lively posted a great article about controlling the control our electronics have on our lives.  I have copied the article below . . . thought you might enjoy! 


Technology Tools: 10 Tips for Taming Technology in Ministry and at Home
by Amy Lively

My new smart phone is smarter than me! Its "Genius Button" does whatever I tell it. If I say, "Find Starbucks," it navigates to the nearest barista. (It does not work, however, for "Find car keys.") It synchs my calendar, retrieves my email and displays my friends' Facebook statuses. Thanks to my handy handheld computer, I have everything I need at my fingertips. That's not always a good thing. Oh, it's a lifesaver when I'm at work - but when I'm at home, it's a life-interrupter. My email dings when I'm doing dishes, and reminders about tomorrow's meeting pop up while I'm helping with today's homework. And sometimes uninvited guests crowd around our dinner table who tweet and text as we try to talk.


Taming technology allows us to minister to our families as intently as we minister to women. It's difficult to focus on family when work is calling, and I'm equally unproductive at work when trivial family matters intrude. Controlling our computers keeps us on track instead of distracted when we are working. Here are some tips to make technology work for you, not against you:


Cell Phones

• Silence alarms and alerts when you're not working. Some phones even have customizable work, home and weekend settings.
• Screen your calls by choosing special ringtones for your work and family contacts.
• Change your voicemail greeting during off-hours.

Email

• Check for new mail manually every hour instead of automatically every few minutes so you're not distracted by new message notifications.
• Create rules or filters that move messages from your boss or coworkers to a "Work" folder you review only during work hours.
• Flag messages that need follow up at a later date, then move them out of your Inbox. They'll be out of sight, but not out of mind.

Calendar and To Do Lists

• Use categories so you can view Family or Work activities separately.
• Learn how to use calendars, tasks and alarms to the max so nothing falls through the cracks.

Social Networks

• Create lists in Facebook to organize your list of friends into Church, Work, Family, Friends, etc. You can view each list's stream separately.
• Turn off notifications or have them sent to an email account you check once a day.

It's tempting to justify interruptions at home when you work "in ministry." Being available to help people is a big part of the job, but being available for our family takes top priority at home. Setting boundaries protects our personal time and makes the most of every minute at work.


So how do you tame your technology?  Post your comments and let us hear!

Blog Resuscitation

Ok, so we've had  a busy spring and I have been awful at blogging!  Just wanted to confirm the Women's Ministry is not dead, just the blogger has been running like a crazy woman . . . can you relate?  So now, I can breathe for a couple of months in between all the summer "to do lists" my family has. 

We are so excited about what the Lord has in store for us this upcoming school year.  Our leadership team will be putting the final touches on our events and studies soon.  If you are interested in participating or even volunteering for any of our events, activities or studies, please email me at salem.girls@gmail.com.

Have a great week!

Ann