AHW MINISTRIES NEWSLETTER 

About His Work with Janet   March 2012  

In Loving Memory of
          My "Grace Abounds"          

 

If you've heard me speak at a Woman to Woman Mentoring Training or read my book Dear God, They Say It's Cancer, you know that a tremendous blessing from my first bout with breast cancer was meeting Grace Marestaing. Grace mentored me through breast cancer and I fondly called her my "Grace Abounds" from the Mentoring Skit* where a mentee is trying to select a mentor from "Truly a Saint" "SuperMom" or "Grace Abounds."


I met Grace at the breast cancer center when I was first diagnosed. She was a patient advocate and I had written on my health application that my employer was "The Lord." She commented on my "Interesting employer," and I asked if He was hers too. She answered, "Absolutely!" 

 

On the way home from that appointment, I called a friend and told her I had my own "Grace Abounds." I wrote a poem about Grace that I included in the book and I share on my blog.       

 

Grace and I became life-long friends and soul sisters-in-Christ. Grace was selfless and always there for me and others. Dear God, They Say It's Cancer is dedicated to my "Grace Abounds" and she wrote the "Dear God," for the chapter on "Single and Sick" and the closing poem "Step by Step."

Peacefully in her sleep, Grace suddenly stepped into the arms of Jesus whom she loved so dearly. Grace had written in the book that "only God knows the number of my days" and that is true for each of us. Grace had plans for the day after she died, the next week, the next month, but God had different plans for her. Are you ready to meet Jesus and are your loved ones ready?

 

Grace fought the good fight with breast cancer but died from complications of a hidden killer, high blood pressure. Please, if you know someone with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or that someone is you, don't ignore the symptoms: change your diet NOW and follow your doctor's instructions. But most importantly have you spiritual affairs in order, like Grace did.

 

I will miss her dearly, but I know that when I get to heaven, my "Grace Abounds" will be there to mentor me again.

 

About His Work,

Janet


*The "Mentoring Skit' is found in Woman to Woman Mentoring: How to Start, Grow, and Maintain a Mentoring Ministry DVD Leader Kit and Ministry Coordinator's Guide.


PS:
Read "Meet An Author" at the end of this newsletter for an opportunity to win a free copy of Kathi Macias' book Special Delivery.       
    

   

FACE-TO-FACE 
SMALL GROUP RESOURCES 
   

 
JANUARY RELEASES!  
6th and 7th in the Face-To-Face Bible Study Series


Lois and Eunice cover
  
Face-To-Face with Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah:
Pleading w/God

LISTEN TO JANET'S PODCAST
"When God Seems Silent"  

 

Janet discusses 3 biblical women who pleaded with God: Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah. Learn more about them and how they responded to seemingly unanswered prayer. Discover how we should respond when we think God has gone silent. more>  


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What one reader says about Face-To-Face with Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah: Pleading With God

Janet,  
I am so thrilled about the new book of yours....I have read over and over about all the women in the Bible who had infertility and how God touched each one. Besides Hannah, I also love the story of Abraham and Sarah! God told Abraham that he would have descendents when the man was in his 70s, yet He didn't tell him when. And 24 years later at the age of 99 the Lord reminded Abraham of His faithfulness. WOW...he waited 24 years for God's promise, well 25 when he finally got to hold his miracle!!!! Love it!
Oxana 
 
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Previous studies in the Face-To-Face Series

 Euodia and Syntyche    Face to Face - Mary and Martha     Elizabeth and Mary  
  Face to Face - Naomi and Ruth       Priscilla and Aquila cover


ORDER NOW FOR  WINTER OR SPRING   

Woman to Woman Mentoring Orientation Coffees and Women's Bible study groups

**Leaders' Guide in Each Book    

 

 
TALK TO US 

We would love to hear your stories about using the Face-To-Face Small Group Resources. 

  

   PERFECT FOR RETREATS AND CONFERENCES
 
Contact AHW Ministries to bring Janet to your event.

 
 
 
Do You Need A Speaker?

To contact Janet
 about your event  call or email to discuss availability.

 

Janet Speaking 2011 

 

 

   

"Dear God," Series 
To find out how to use Dear God, They Say It's Cancer as a study click on the book title or email me with questions or comments.
 
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Dear God Baby Cover 

 

 

 

READ

Janet's article "People Say The Darndest Things" in the March issue of online  MTL Magazine.     

 

Your loved ones will say all the wrong things. All of us who have gone through infertility agree on this point.-Laurie, A Mommy-in-Waiting


Dear God,

People keep asking when we're going to start having children, as if I'm making a conscious decision not to! I try shrugging it off with an answer that we probably will "someday." Inside, I'm dying
more> 

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Another "Mommy in Waiting" shares:

 Dear Janet,

I really want to thank you for being obedient in writing the book, Dear God, Why Can't I Have a Baby?. God really is using it to minister to my broken heart and encourages me to not give up for He is faithful. Thank you for your servant heart!

I would like to share with you my story and how I came across your book. I had a mighty plan that after I finish my MBA, my husband and I can start a family. At that point I didn't do much research; I just believed that we would conceive right away. Well, a year and one period later, we still didn't have a baby. In that year I went through wanting a baby, hurting for a baby, being angry with God because everyone around was getting pregnant but us (facebook doesn't help matters either). more>  
 
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SHARE YOUR STORY IN MY NEXT "DEAR GOD" BOOK!

 

Dear God, He's Home!

A Woman's Guide To Her Stay-At-Home Man

March 2013 New Hope Publishers    
If you have a story to share of your husband being home due to retirement, out of work, disability, illness, home office, or military, please  send it to me for consideration in my new book.  

 

 

 
Two About His Work
  Kim and Janet July 2010
 
Book Janet and her daughter Kim  for your church or event. For details about topics.    
  Woman to Woman Mentoring
WTWM Kit 2009

WTWM DVD Leader Resources

       

Everything you need for starting your Women's Mentoring Ministry.

    


FEATURED WOMAN TO WOMAN MENTORING MINISTRY TESTIMONY 

           

Hi Janet,
We at Long's Chapel had our first full session of Mentoring which has just passed the half time period sucessfully. Our trial run was good and we launched into the real thing with 10 couples. Everyone was so ready and eager to get under way and have been doing walks, coffees, devotions, Bible studies, lunches and lots of other neat things as they experience God's plan for them.

The half-time discussions were very encouraging and a time to rethink where necessary. The next group is slated to begin
in late April and I believe there will be ladies ready to begin after hearing the results of the current group.

Our plan in the fall, is to begin a teen group as well as a men's group. Stand by as God gives us our plan, we do need prayers right now. Thanks for all the work you put into the original plan because it works.
Blessings,
Carolyn Lescalleet
Dir. of Women's Ministries 
 
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   TALK TO US   

 Share what's happening in your ministry.   Each month we feature a Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry.   

 

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The Team That Jesus Built Cover 

Now an e-book for your Nook, an app for iPad, iPhone, PC, and Droid  

  

 

    

 

   "GRAMMIE'S CORNER"    
2012 VALENTINE'S FUN NIGHT


This year Grampa and Sienna joined Daddy and Katelyn for this special evening. We ate dessert, did crafts, danced, and cake walked. Daddy and Grampa spent a very special evening together with our Valentine Sweethearts.   

 

PRAYING FOR YOUR PRODIGAL DAUGHTER 

 

Praying For Your Prodigal Daughter cover

 

Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter   applies to sons too!

Dear Janet,
I have been enjoying your book so much and it has helped me identify areas that are needing work in my life as I pray for my son.  He was addicted to drugs and is now in recovery but I still use his past to "haunt" him and me.  I find it so difficult to trust him and this hurts him.  I want him to find different friends, attend the college group at church, and other things I feel would help him grow in his Christian faith. 

He has been saved since the age of six but recently had not been living life for the Lord.  He is struggling with anxiety and depression, too, and both of us attend Celebrate Recovery at our church, which has been a tremendous support.  Thank you for pointing me to the Lord for my strength and wisdom!

I really appreciate that you have opened your heart, your life, and that your daughter Kim has also shared her heart in order to give others hope!

A Praying Mother, 
Stephanie  

 
Mentoring Moment 

 "The best Mentors don't give you the answer, they help you find the answer." Author unknown      
Meet An Author
                                                                               
      
    
 

Kathi Macias is a prolific award-winning Christian writer and speaker.  

  

I asked Kathi a few questions about her book and her writing:

   

1. What made you start writing?

 

I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I've always been an avid reader and lover of books. When I was a teenager I told my boyfriend (now husband) that I would be a writer some day. And here I am! Isn't God amazing?

 

2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

 

I sold my first book in 1988, and it was a bestseller for Regal Books-a women's devotional called A Moment A Day. But I was writing long before that. I won a lot of writing contests and worked on the school newspaper in junior/senior high school, then sold pieces to magazines, wrote for church newsletters, and even wrote a newspaper column and did some string reporting before launching my first book. Plus I've written/edited approximately 100 books for other people.

 

3. How do you handle rejections?

 

I'm a firm believer in always having a "plan B." When those rejections roll in (and they do!), I send them right back out again (or have my agent do so now). Remember, there's an old saying that you're not an official writer until you've had at least 100 rejections. I am official many times over!

 

4. Why do you write?

 

Because I love words and books and stories...and everything connected with them. Even more so because I believe God wants me to do so. I am always amazed at His hand in all my work.

 

5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren't writing?

 

Reading someone else's books. Honest! There's nothing I enjoy more, although my husband and I also like to break away for a ride in his Corvette (until recently it was on his Harley); hence, my road name of "Easy Writer."

 

6. Tell us about your most recent release.

 

Special Delivery is the second book in the Freedom (human trafficking) fiction series, following the Fall 2011 release, Deliver Me From Evil, and preceding the final book in the series, The Deliverer, scheduled for Fall 2012 release. Here's a brief teaser line:

 

Finally free from a life of slavery, Mara believes she is safe-until her uncle and former owner uses his underground connections to seek revenge....

   

To find out more about Special Delivery and other books authored by Kathi visit her website.  

For a chance to win a free copy of Special Delivery email me
a story you think applies by Monday March 19th when we will have a drawing.

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Winner of last month's book: Heather G.

Heather writes,
I prayed that I would be used to build up my husband and never stop blessing him, no matter his reactions. Instead of praying for his attitude to change, I prayed that he would be honored and respected at work, that our children would see the wonderful man he is and that he would be encouraged and refreshed when home. I know this is supposed to be how I inspired my husband, but it's more a story of how God is honored and a marriage is renewed and strengthened.

It's how my heart is restored to see I serve God, not man, and when our priorities are set straight, everyone is blessed. My husband has been pouring out love and help in ways I haven't seen in a very long time.

He is showing a loving and caring side I don't often see from my not so emotional, engineer-minded man :)  I will love him no matter what, but I have had a smile that won't fade lately and I'm so thankful God showed me the way He desires, not what I thought should happen!

Thanks for sharing new books and continuing to share your heart with others through your newsletter.
Sincerely,
Heather G
 
Thanks to all who responded. 
 

 


About His Work,
Janet
 
  
Janet Thompson
AHW Ministries
www.womantowomanmentoring.com 
In This Issue
Face-To-Face Small Group Resources
Do You Need a Speaker?
"Dear God" Series
Two About His Work
Woman to Woman Mentoring
Grammie's Corner
Hope for Parents of Prodigal Daughters Support Groups
Mentoring Moment
Meet and Author
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links

 
Speaking 2012

April 8 8AM Cowboy Breakfast  Crouch Community Church
Garden Valley, ID
email: crouchcommchurch
@frontiernet.net

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Plan Now
 
 to Attend LifeWay's
 "YOU Lead - Training Women in Ministry" 
 

May 17-18  

Central Valley Baptist Church 

Meridian, ID 

or  

October 11-12 

  North Long Beach Christian Fellowship  


I'll teach on "Mentoring" and "The Team That Jesus Built"

"YOU Lead" is a 2-day
Women's Leadership Training event preceding

"Living Proof Live"

Meridian, ID

with Beth Moore and

"Living Proof Live"

Long Beach, CA

with Beth Moore Make plans to  attend both.  

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September 21-23

Twin Falls Reformed Church

Sun Valley Inn,

Sun Valley, Idaho

Contact: Myrna Ruhter [email protected]  

 
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If you have a blog, I'd love to do a blog interview with you and do a book give away. 

Or, if you would like to have a contest with a book give away, or need a guest article, let me know.
 
 
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Coaching and Consulting Services

 

1. Coaching and Editing for new and Seasoned Writers
 
2. Coaching for Ministry Team Leaders and their Teams
 
Bring Janet to your church to: 
  • Build a new ministry team 
  • Rebuild a current team,  
  • Take your team to the next level.
Based on teaching from her book The Team That Jesus Built (New Hope Publishers, April 2011).

 

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