Merry Christmas!

Melanie and I wanted to say THANK YOU for the undeserved Christmas gifts you gave us! We appreciate all of you so much and you'll never know how much you bless each of us. The Christmas party was so much fun! I'll never look at a clown the same way again, though! Ha! I'm sure each of you are displaying your white elephant gifts in prominent places... well, maybe one or two of you are:)

If you weren't able to be there, we missed you greatly and hope and pray you and your family are well and that you have a wonderful holiday season:) Please be praying for Melanie as she goes forward into the spring semester and seeks God's direction for our group. For no reason other than that God lead me straight to the decision, I won't be helping her lead in the spring, but I will be there and I can't wait to see what He has in store for us all next:)

Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope you make wonderful memories with your families to last a liftetime and that you never forget the miracle of Jesus' birth and the purpose of it all! God loves you so very, very passionately!

Carrie and Melanie:)

Christmas Party Soon!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! This week is our last discussion/prayer group week for the semester and then the Christmas party is next week! The kids will do a book swap... please bring a book you already own so there is no pressure to spend $... something your kids have outgrown maybe... wrap it and they will swap them next week. If you can bring goodies or drinks for the kids next week, please let Ashley Helms or Becky Bryan know.. thanks!

I hope the bloggers have enjoyed the small group get-togethers with your prayer group:) If you're able to come to the Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec. 10th at 8:30, we'd love to see you there! Call or email me for directions to the home we're partying at and for other info.!

Communing Over Chaos

So, I'm subscribed to a daily devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries and thought that this one today applied so well to what we've been reading about and discussing, so I thought I'd share it here.

9 Nov 2009Whitney Capps

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)

I am out-going and chatty. I like to make fun of myself. I love to laugh. I enjoy being with people – until I don't. You see, at heart I am an introvert. At some point I can sense my energy waning. I begin to crave quiet, silence and solitude.

This is why I cherish quiet time with the Lord. I love the stillness of sitting and reading the Word or a book that turns my heart toward Jesus. My husband knows that one way to fill my love tank is to give me an evening of going out to dinner alone: just me, Jesus and a good book. (All you extroverts just cringed at the thought of eating alone didn't you?) Don't get me wrong, I adore my family, but I need mental white space.

However, with three kids under age four, quiet time with the Lord is an endangered species. I don't often get to go the bathroom by myself. If the water closet isn't a quiet place, you can imagine the chaos that follows me to my prayer closet.

For a few months after our youngest was born I lived in a spiritual desert. My soul was parched. I was desperate for quiet time with Jesus and prayed earnestly for God to help me find time to be alone with Him. Faithfully, He always provided, but often my tired and flesh-wrapped spirit dozed off in prayer or got distracted by other things.

I couldn't consistently make it work. After several months of mostly failed attempts, I cried out to God, "I don't know how to be alone with You!"

"Daughter, you don't have to be alone with Me. Just be with Me. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you."

Rather than give up on being with Jesus because it's not like it used to be, my Savior is asking me to abide with Him all day. God has ordained this season of my life and He knows even better than I do how much my children demand of me. In the clamor of the sword fights and confusion in the playroom, He is my hiding place.

I am learning to seize each moment, and see it as an opportunity to fellowship with Jesus. While my kids recite "God is great; God is good," I have a chat with Jesus. When I feel alienated from girlfriends, I read a magazine article. P31 Woman and Today's Christian Woman magazines are spiritual lifeboats for me in this season. While my kids do art at the kitchen table, I read a psalm or two. Whenever possible I try to have praise music playing in our house. Sometimes singing those lyrics is the closest my heart may come to meaningful prayer time all day.

Please hear me. I am not suggesting that these brief moments should replace consistent, focused times of prayer and Bible study. Those habits are hallmarks of Christian discipleship and growth. I am learning, however, to rethink my ideas on fellowship with Jesus. In this season of my life it's not so much the quantity of quiet reflection as it is the steady communing over chaos. But hey, at least we are together!

Father, Your daughter longs to be with You. Remind me of Your constant presence. May I seize opportunities to enjoy You throughout my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: Look for ways in your day to carve out time alone with God. Examine first how you spend your free time.Is it possible that activities like television watching or surfing the internet should be cut back or eliminated to make time for Jesus?

Reflections: Study John 15. Assign times of your day where you can practice abiding with Christ.

Power Verses: John 15:7-8, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (NIV)

© 2009 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.

A Couple Schedule Changes and our MOMS Scrapbook

We're going Prayer Walking next week! The scrapbooking Fun Day was supposed to be next Thursday (Nov. 5th), but will be put off until the next week (Nov. 12th) instead. When you come next week, you'll take your children to their classes and then you can carpool together for the prayer walking. Please try to be at the church and ready to leave by 8:45. Bring mine and Melanie's phone numbers (email carrielwoods@hotmail if you need them) with you and call us if you're running later than that, but please don't let that discourage you from taking part. We'll also try to leave our phone numbers on the preschool desk if you don't have them with you.

Bloggers, please contribute current family photos, pics of your kids, etc. for our first MOMS scrapbooking event. After we gave a scrapbook to Truett as a farewell thank you gift, a couple of our ladies got to thinking how great it'd be if we kept our own MOMS scrapbook. So, we're going to get it started this semester and try to work on it once each semester to keep it going. You are welcome to send me your pictures to carrielwoods@hotmail.com or drop them off at the church or make your own pages and drop those off at the church. Please limit to 2 pages on 12 by 12 scrapbook paper which we'll slip into page covers already assembled into an album. If you have any current or past pictures of our MOMS group Fun Days or the kids at their MOMS holiday parties, please share those with us! These can go as far back as you want!

We're done with our Frazzled Female study now and will be moving on in a couple weeks to The Five Love Languages, which we will spend a couple weeks on but without you all buying books. We'll share info. with you from the love languages books we have. I hope you've gained a lot from the FF study and we look forward to the changes you've made making a lasting impact on your daily relationship with Christ. Because a stronger love relationship with Christ can only make us better mothers as well:) Don't let Satan use discouragement, doubt, or anything else to stop you from spending daily time in God's Word and sitting at His feet, pouring your heart out to Him and listening for His wisdom and direction.

Love you all,
Carrie;)

Have You Heard?? We Want to Party With YOU!!

Woohoo! Our Fun Day next Thursday (Oct 8th) will be in the evening! That's right... we're meeting in the evening instead of in the morning so that all the blog followers can come! So please do come... we'll have a blast! It'll be upstairs at northbrook from 5:30-8:00... you're welcome to come late if you need to.

Your prayer group leader can let you know what to bring in the way of refreshments or you can just bring whatever hits your fancy! Also bring games for our game night and we'll enjoy some big group activities as well. We'll also have time for prayer groups, so this is just gonna be great!

If you need childcare, you'll need to email or call me by Monday to let me know how many children and their ages. THANKS!

This is gonna be fantastic! I can't wait!!

(BTW, I am trying to gather all of the bloggers' email addresses so we can all stay informed, so if you think I don't have yours, please email it to me at carrielwoods@hotmail.com)

See you Thursday~!~

People Are Getting On My Nerves!

So, how many of us can connect with this? Are there certain personality types that just tend to drive you nuts? I have been enjoying this week's reading SO much and I hope you do, too. I'm excited about turning any situation into a positive one and experiencing "freedom from self"! That's one thing I say I want so much in my life is freedom from self, freedom from my motivations, from my limited thinking, from striving to please myself. And I can just taste how peaceful that can be, so I just love how she connects it all, through Scripture, to PEACE. Oh yeah, but I have to put my own desires last on a regular basis in order to do that... even when I'm right? No fair! And I have to do that at home as well as at church, at work, with friends?? Oh man! I can't wait to make it a personal aim each day to be absolutely last and to experience the joy of putting others first (and enjoying it even if I don't feel that person is right... just enjoying seeking the best for someone else). So, here we go......

Oh, and by the way, please don't give up on turning in your Scripture verses that we will compile and give to you to help combat the negative thoughts we tend to have. That is going to be such a valuable resource, so we're gonna keep asking you to get them in to us. And if you can't find a verse for the thought... send me the thought (or thoughtS!) (carrielwoods@hotmail.com) and we'll match it with a verse as best we can! Please make time today to look up that verse and send it to me so I can give it to Melanie. Thanks and have a peaceful week!

A Positive Attitude and Having Enough TIME!!!!

OK, so have you been challenged to work on a more positive attitude? And how has it been going? Can you share your struggles and victories here? You can comment anonymously if you want! Have you found verses in Scripture to combat the negative thoughts you battle with? Share them with us!

Well, I know the next part of the book will be intriguing to many of us. Time! Who has more than enough of it? Who constantly struggles with managing it? Did you notice that in the reading we're going back to part one again? Gee, how important is that quiet time every day? Why do you think she felt the need to revisit that topic again? Are you seeing a theme here for the key to becoming an Unfrazzled Female??

So please share with me here your victories and struggles as you attempt to sacrifice that time each and every day!

What Some of Us Really Needed to Hear:)

Sooo, I gather from our group discussion Thursday and from reading blog comments that last week's study started out with exactly what some of us needed to hear. 'Cause let's face it, if we're not spending time with The One True God, what else really matters right? So, are you making progress in that area? Was this a call back to a habit you used to have? And, isn't it much MORE than a habit? What a fascinating, exciting, super-satisfying life we're missing out on if we're not spending a portion of each day in sweet communion with Him!! And doesn't everything seem to go much more smoothly when we're more connected to Him? Now, get ready for Satan to attack as he sees you getting that quiet time back on track... push through and keep going and pray for each other as you do. Have you tried preparing a spot before your personal time with Him to help you be ready and be accountable? It really has helped me to do that! Also, a couple ladies shared Thursday that sitting at a table rather than on a couch helps them a lot, too.

As you read about Mary and Martha could you see important things in your life that could be taking your time and attention away from the MOST important thing? Really put some thought to that and get ready to be free from obligations. Listen to Him and try to only take on what He wants you to "take on" and it won't feel nearly as heavy if it's His will rather than your own:)

Can you grasp that Jesus LONGS to spend time with you? Keep reminding yourself of that amazing truth!! Which of Cindi's two understandings of "sitting at His feet" do you find easier? For each of you it will be different. Is it easier for you to spend a set aside time with Him each day or to consult and share with Him throughout each choice you make and experience you have throughout the day? Make it a point to put more effort toward the one that is the most challenging to you, all the while reminding yourself that it is not a task, but an invitation to something wonderful! And please take it one day at a time:)

I'm excited to hear your feedback on how spending more time with Christ makes it easier to recognize His voice when He's calling you... like little Samuel! Remember how patient He is with you, just as He was patient with Samuel and how persistent He is because of His GREAT love for you.

Love you ladies SO much and I have enjoyed your connecting through your posts, your honesty, vulnerability, and desire to see His beautiful face and hear His soothing voice!

I'll close with John 17:13, where Christ is talking to God shortly before His death.
I am coming to You that my JOY may be made FULL and COMPLETE and PERFECT in them (YOU!), that they (YOU!) may experience my DELIGHT FULFILLED in them (YOU!), that My ENJOYMENT may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My GLADNESS within them, FILLING their hearts.

Are You Having Trouble Even Getting Started???

OK... so if you consider yourself a FrAzZlEd fEmAlE then how can you even find the time to get started on learning how NOT to be one, right??!! Come on, girls... this is where a little willpower, a little perspective, and some good ol-fashioned accountability come in! Let's do this as a group! You're not alone and you CAN do it! Ask Him for help right now in this very moment and commit to give your best energies to spending time with Him. Also lift up your fellow MOMSers and bloggers in prayer! He WILL be faithful, He WILL hear you, He WILL help you! Sooo, let something go if you have to (housework, sleep, whatever) and make it happen today!


And, by the way, here are some de-frazzling tips from the frazzledfemale website:

- Slow down and relax some during the day. Take a little time to get comfortable and feel peaceful. These occasional breaks will clear your mind and help you think about pleasant things. You'll also find that this calming exercise is well worth whatever it takes, to do it. Taking this break will empower you with fuel and freshness to deal with turmoil.

- Choose to deal with negative attitudes. These disruptive thoughts cause "brain drain" and siphon your energy. Besides that, worry and frustration take up so much of your precious time. You could better use this time on problem solving or positive interaction with others. Practice replacing these negative intruders with positive and pleasant thoughts.

- Find something to anticipate. This may be an outing with family or friends. It could be a needed get-away for you to have some private time. Whatever it may be, the practice of anticipation stimulates zest and the zestful person has more energy to deal with the unexpected -- which, of course, IS expected.

- Take slow deep breaths. Slowly breathe in as deeply as you can through your nose. Then quietly and peacefully let the air all of the way out. do this at least three times a day. Getting the stale air out of your lungs helps you feel more energetic.

- Exercise. Now this has been mentioned in every other chapter. Must be pretty important, huh! A fast-paced workout for 25 minutes a day can do wonders for your physical condition AND decrease negative stress levels. The payback from this investment is well worth the time and energy involved doing it.

- Close your eyes and think Happy. As corny as it sounds, this practice will help calm you and help you relax. Remind yourself of your priorities in life. Think about what really matters to you. Maintain a proper perspective.

- Give yourself 10 minutes ... after entering your home in the evening -- to change clothes and "regroup." Don't talk to anyone before you've had this time.

- When things get really tough, confide in a friend. It's healing, talking with someone who understands.

1st Week of Study and Prayer Groups

Hey gals! I hope you're reading part one this week (chapters 1-5) and please forgive me if I get confused at what info. I've given to the Thursday group and what info. I've given to the blogger group! Here's a syllabus below of what we're discussing each week! Also, I'm going to assign each of the blogger/working group to a prayer group. Your prayer group leader will stay in touch with you and get your prayer requests and you'll hopefully be able to get together as a group from time to time!

MOMS Schedule – Fall 09
August 27th – First Day!!
September 3rd – Part One – Ch. 1-5
September 10th – Part Two – Ch. 6-10
September 17 – Spiritual Timelines
September 24th – Part Three – Ch. 11-14
October 1st – Part Four – Ch. 15-18
October 8th – Fun Day / All Bring Food/Drink
October 15th – Part Five – Ch. 19-22
October 22nd – Part Six – Ch. 23-26
October 29th – Spiritual Timelines
November 5th – Fun Day / All Bring Food/Drink
November 12th – Love Languages
November 19th – Love Languages
November 26th – No MOMS -- Thanksgiving
December 3rd – Love Languages
December 10th – Last Day of MOMS '09 / Fun Day / All Bring

Need a Book?

If you need a book, please let me know or contact Theresa in the office by emailing her at theresac@northbrookbc.com. We may have books left over after our first MOMS meeting or we may need more... we'll just have to wait and see. After Thursday, I'll get with Theresa and we'll see how many more books we may need to order.

Ladies, if you are considering following along with us through the blog, please be encouraged that you are not alone! I have a list of 8 working ladies who will possibly be taking the journey with us:) We'll also be working on a way to get all of us together a couple times during the semester in the evening. Several ladies in the Thursday group have told me that they are very excited to share along with you as well.

Please be in prayer as we get the semester started this week and I'll be praying for you as well!

Maiden Voyage of the MOMS blog!

Wow, I am so excited about this new idea for our MOMS group! We have always had ladies who cannot come to our weekly meetings, but have a desire to be connected and involved. I desire that, too, and I can't wait to see how this pulls us together! Our group begins this fall on Thursday, August 27th and we'll start the book discussion the week after that. If you want a book, I will let you know after our first meeting next week if we will have any left (most likely we will). They're only $10. Woohoo!

I will try to post an update possibly before AND after each session. Please read along with us and post comments with your insights, questions, encouragement, etc!

So, here we go!!