Happy New Year! 2011 has arrived -- the GIFT of a new year is waiting for us...and we wonder, what will it bring? We think of new hopes and the anticipation of a fresh start. There is an eagerness, despite the chill of early winter and after-holiday quietness from a pile of celebrations. Have you unwrapped your gift of this new year? Every new day is a gift, but somehow I'm always unwrapping mine in haste, ribbons and bows tossed aside too quickly. I get busy, slice up the cake and start serving. I'm pondering this GIFT of the new year, and still looking at the ribbons. I'm waiting patiently to slice the cake, knowing that God is calling me to some real resolutions... GRATITUDE... Not for abundance and blessing, but for the hard times that bring difficult and unexpected lessons, for the joy of discovering a hidden treasure under the dirty soil of my everyday toilings. INTEGRITY... Not just of word and deed, but of heart... resolving to do the difficult job of tearing down pride and control, of seeking God's heart and will, not mine. FAITHFULNESS... Not purely for believing in God, but in believing that God's plan for me is perfect, and that I can rest in that assurance despite my circumstances. TIME... Not because it is expected, but because time with God and for God is a reflection of the perfect love He gives me. So this is my G-I-F-T for the New Year, resolved to... Gratitude - Integrity - Faithfulness - Time. Special gifts to give throughout the year... . To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To the poor, generosity. To your associates, integrity. To all, charity. To your neighbor, friendship. To the burdened, help. To your spouse, respect. To a friend, your heart. To our children, a godly example. To God.... yourself." "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken..."  Eccl 4:9 Women's Bible Study starts THIS WEEK  Begin the new year with a commitment to study God's Word ~~~~~~ Tuesday Evenings, beginning January 4th - 7-9pm Wednesday mornings, beginning January 5th - 9:15-11:15am Thursday mornings beginning January 6th - 9:15-11:15am ~~~~~~ ALL women are welcome to share in the blessings of small group study Call or email Louann to get connected ~ 610.431.0300x109 ~ lrodgers@comcast.net www.RootedToGrow.com New Years Blessings from Louann Rodgers & the entire Women's Ministry Leadership Team Christ Community Church, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380 610.431.0300 x109  ~  www.RootedToGrow.com  ~   women@rootedtogrow.com