February 2015
NEWS & NOTES
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.

Friday Morning Coffee House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

From Where I Sit

Hi! Karen Salas here...From my seat, at my desk and in the Body, I have the rare privilege of seeing you lovely people live your lives with HIM. I am in awe of you! This month I invite you to welcome Lauren Edwards to our Newsletter cover....  

 

 Every member of our church family, regardless of age, serves an important role in the health of our body. Lauren (Lulu) Edwards is my personal encourager. Every morning she visits me in my office. She reminds me of the importance of "going slow", enjoying whimsy, and becoming like a child in my relationship with Jesus.   

 


She organizes my toy section. 

 

She also sends a daily morning text message encouraging my daughter Samantha at school.  In December, she served our entire church body by faithfully watering the paper white flowers that grew and bloomed so beautifully in the lobby. She also helped clean-up all of that messy fake snow.

 

Lulu is part of our Saturday small group where she builds relationships with the other children and makes sure we are on schedule to eat dessert!

 

My favorite piece of Lulu's ministry is how she greets me with a smile and a hug on Sunday mornings. It's the little things, isn't it, that make our church family so special. Thank you Lauren for being you!

Women's Spring Retreat

 

 Women's Retreat is rapidly approaching! Please send in your remaining balance to the church office or pay Cindi Stone on the patio by February 15th. Be in prayer for an amazing weekend of growth and fellowship! 

Children's Valentines Party

 The Children's Valentine Party is Sunday, February 8th at 10:15 in the Basement Fellowship Hall. Please make sure your children join us for valentine crafts and cookies. If you sign-up up to provide cookies, please remember to bring them Sunday morning. Thank you! 

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Patty's Praises & Prayer Requests
 
 

Greetings from Villeurbanne! As usual, the past weeks/months have been full and there is much to recount. God is faithful... even when I don't have time to tell you about it!  

Patty Morris 

Update from the Bashores
 
Trust in the Lord
It's easy to say, not nearly as easy to do. I think anyone walking with the Lord knows full well how trying it can be. I feel so often like the father of Mark 9 who cries out, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" Faith is a gift, something for which and of which we could always use more prayer.

This season of transition continues to stretch us. David's last day of work was December 20th, and after a wonderful holiday vacation spent in California, we were back to the "grind." Except it wasn't the usual grind, with a few scant hours in the morning for family interaction and long nights waiting up for him to be home after closing the sports desk at the newspaper. It's been interesting getting into a new routine. 
But more than that, it's been teaching us.

I know how to trust God. He's been faithful countless times, in very tangible, real ways in my life. He's called us on this journey, taking it step by step, not knowing the twists and turns ahead but knowing that He will be with us. Do we press onward toward the prize as Paul did? The cry of my heart is that I will always say "yes," and not only that, but that I will always want to say "yes" to God.

I am clinging to the promise of Matthew 7:11, "how much more will the Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him" (NIV). I'm learning everyday how much more to trust Him and His will for our family. I tuck my three sweet boys into bed every night, still in a trailer, trying not to worry about meticulous budgeting or meal planning, or whether we'll make wise choices for their future--but I rest assured knowing the God of the universe cares for them more than I ever could. I see blessings all around me, and I pray God continues to soften my heart and open my eyes even more day by day.

Bashore Prayer requests:
 
  • The growing harvest in Giurgiu (read more about our future home here)
  • Sf�nta Treime church, for growth and ministry workers
  • Pastor Viorel and his family
  • Our support to come together quickly so we can reach the field!

Please Pray
 
We are so blessed to have a church family that prays! Please click here for this month's prayer requests.