GN!VdC Newsletter November 2010

NOTE: This column is only the opinion of person writing this article and does not represent or speak for GNVdC but from his/her own personal view.

"Weekend Thoughts"
by Diane Kauffman

I never thought that anything could top my experience with my own weekend, but I was wrong. This is the first time I have served on a weekend. I didn't know the blessings I had coming my way. The first team meeting I was assigned to be a chapel cha. I questioned my abilities, but trusted God that he had placed my name in Judy Cook's heart to assign the job to me. I worked with Michele Wandrei and the two of us served well together. We poured our hearts out for God to use us mightily to pray for the many needs of the weekend. He was so present in our prayer chapel I almost felt like I could hear Him speaking to everything we prayed over. I likened our prayer room to the "upper room" where Jesus met with his disciples. Prayer is a mighty powerful tool to help Gods people stay close to Him. I was blessed beyond measure ministering in this way. To be with so many Godly women, united to serve Him and each other is amazing. I look forward to serving the community again. God is good all the time.

In His Blessings and Grace,
Diane Kauffman
Weekend #44 - Table of Lydia

"God Will Provide"
by Pat Nicolai
Weekend #21 - Table of Salome

"Call Judy Cook," the note on the counter read. I had just returned home. It was Tuesday evening, October 12, eight days before the beginning of Women's Weekend #47. I had a strong suspicion that Judy was calling to ask if I could fill in on the women's team. Judy and I had talked about this possibility several months before when she sent me a letter of call. I was excited to be invited. We have known one another for several years and have served together often. Judy is a fun and spirit filled woman and I knew that working with her would be inspiring and uplifting. I was disappointed to discover that vacation plans conflicted with two team meetings. Team meetings are important for planning and building community so I turned down Judy's original call, but reassured her that if she needed me at the last minute she should call. So on October 12 I checked my calendar and called her. She asked me if I would be able to serve on the team as a server. I was pleased to be able to tell her that she could count on me.

By Wednesday evening set up our head server had to withdraw for health reasons and I was "promoted" from server to head server. Part of the responsibility of head server is to offer some comic relief. On Thursday, as I prepared for the weekend, I was talking things over with God and wrestling with how best to handle the comic relief angle. I wanted to be prepared. It occurred to me that my position as head server had some similarities with my former occupation as elementary principal. I was inspired to gather up a variety of hats that we had around the house and then let God inspire me as to how to use all of this on the weekend.

What a blessing to be able to work weekend #47. I did not know any of the women called to be servers, but they were dedicated, hard working and fun. We had a wonderful, spirit filled time together. I had the privilege of watching the 17 participants grow from tentative strangers to sisters in Christ. Receiving hugs at the door to the dining room didn't hurt either. In the end I was reminded of the verse from Genesis 22: 8, "Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide...' When we step out in faith, not knowing exactly how things may turn out it is good to remember that God will provide.