Women’s Ministries

there is no me without you June 29, 2010

Book Review by Lynn Wolter

there is no me without you

by Melissa Fay Greene

This is the story of Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian woman who reluctantly agreed to take in two of Addis Ababa’s thousands of AIDS orphans after the loss of her husband and daughter.   Through the years many more orphans found their way to her doorsteps.  Teferra’s home turned into an orphanage and she facilitated adoptions to homes all over the world. From this book you will learn about Ethiopia’s history, the AIDS crisis, and the pharmaceutical companies.  Bottom line:  it’s about children and their parents wherever they live, and I promise it will tug at your heartstrings.  Enjoy!

(Click the book to go to Amazon where you can buy the book. Part of the proceeds go to NSB.)

California Pasta Salad June 26, 2010

submitted by Nancy Sodeman

Here’s a recipe for California Pasta Salad that we like to have in the summer as a side-dish or even main dish. It’s nice because it’s easy to personalize…add this or take out that…and it’s just what you had in mind for a warm summer evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound thin spaghetti, broken into 1-inch pieces
• 3 large tomatoes, diced
• 2 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 1 sweet red pepper, diced
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 2 cans (2-1/2 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained

Dressing:

• 1 bottle (16 ounces) Italian salad dressing
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; Drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the vegetables and olives.
• In a large bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Drizzle over spaghetti mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Yield: 10-15 servings.

Vent June 22, 2010

A coworker calls to critique something I’ve just done.  At one level my coworker is correct.  At another she’s wormed her way right through my vulnerability, struck blood and is causing pain.  Further, she has her own laundry list of faults that have contributed to this particular situation, although none of the items on the list jump more than vaguely to mind.

And then, as she talks to me and I struggle to find words of protection, there’s that background noise in my head that’s moving to my heart, “how would you want to be treated…she’s making a good point….you could acknowledge that she’s right about this one…” And the head-heart noise is getting loud enough that I have to pause from talking and listen more carefully to what my coworker is trying to say.

Then,  I try to give way to the Voice (Whom I love and Whose friendship I prize), acknowledge a better way to have done things to my coworker, commit to that approach in the future,  hang up and:

1) Give thanks for the opportunity to learn

2) Cuss

3) Both of the above in reverse order.

I’m sorry to say it was three.  After quickly (this time) confessing and turning away from that behavior (and giving thanks that it was only one vile cuss instead of a diatribe of anger), and thanking the Lord for His patience with me, I sent a quick note thanking my coworker for so quickly communicating with me so we could address the situation before it festered.

At one level I hate corrections.  At another level, I hate imperfection in myself and impurity even worse.  At a deeper level (and usually a bit after the fact) I’m so grateful that Someone’s still willing to give me feedback and help me through the process towards a kinder more gracious future as He loves me for who He’s made me to be.

So here’s to feedback that helps us, as often as we can handle it, and towards a path of increasing kindness and grace.

by Worker Bee

‘Manna’

Read the story of this beautiful piece of art done for Chumno -a Cambodian  man of God who has dedicated his life to helping the children of Cambodia. The drawing is of Chomno’s adopted daughter, ‘Manna’. Click on the picture to go to the artists website and read about the picture.

Art Gravity and Grace Blog

Mommy Tip of the Day: Free Summer Movies! June 19, 2010

by Lauren Neal

Regal Cinema has a treat for us, this summer!

Every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from June 22, thru August 25^th at 10am they show pre-run G or PG movies, such as ‘Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything’, ‘Planet 51’, ‘Charlotte’s Web’, and ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’. Now, before you head over there, here are a few life experiences I’d like to share to make your trip more enjoyable.

1. Get there early. Like, really early. Like 9:15-early. The day camps roll in around 9:30, and if you’re parking and see a sea of orange shirts, then be very afraid.
2. The concessions are not free. And your children will want some. Since its difficult to share, and Daddy won’t be there to assist, you will have to improvise. Bring enough SOLO cups (the big red ones) for each child, and water bottles. You know, in your big ol’ purse or diaper bag. Get one large popcorn (and a pop for mom!), and share among you. This way each child can have their own food and drink, and you’re not going poor on concessions at this “free” movie.
3. Either go with another mommy-friend or find someone who looks “trustworthy” and buddy up for potty breaks. Invariably, with all the popcorn and water, a potty break is in your future.
4. Make sure your children have shoes on before you leave the house. This is just my own personal “issue” from last summer. Child #3 didn’t get the memo when it was said, “Ok guys, get shoes on and hop in the car” that she was actually to insert feet into shoes. Luckily the good friend I was meeting, had a stroller, but you won’t always be so fortunate. This is really a good tip for leaving the house at any time, actually.

Ok, moms! Have a great summer! See you at the movies!

For movie times and locations click here.

June Blog Contest June 18, 2010

Everyone who comments on the Women’s blog in the month of June will be entered into a drawing for a prize (think gift card)!

The beauty of a blog is that it allows people to connect! We know this maybe new to some of you so we are running this contest to give you a little encouragement. Your comment doesn’t have to be wise or poignant…just a little bit of your voice is what we are hoping for.

So…go for it…you have nothing to lose…and something to win!

Sing the Gospel June 15, 2010

by Julie Guest

Do you have a favorite song? One that you sing out – even when your headphones are on. One that you turn up loud in the car when life is hard and someone you love has let you down. One that helps you remember what the Lord has done for you. One that makes you know that you are not alone and that He is there all around you?

That song for me is I Am by Mark Schultz. I love the piano. I love the intensity. I love the lyrics. I love that it is sung from God’s point of view.

On Sunday Pastor Jonathan encouraged us in our journey of faith to practice the gospel – to sing the gospel. This is one of the songs I will be singing.

What song will you be singing as your practice the Gospel this week? I’d love to hear about some of your favorites.

(Click here to see Pastor Jonathan’s blog on rehearsing the gospel.)

I Am by Mark Schultz

I Am the maker of the Heavens
I Am the bright and morning star
I Am the breath of all Creation
Who always was, And is to come

I Am the One who walked on water
I Am the One who calmed the seas
I Am the miracles and wonders
So come and see, And follow me

You will know, I Am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I Am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I Am

I Am the spirit deep inside you
I Am the word upon your heart
I Am the One who even knew you
Before your birth
Before you were

I Am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I Am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I Am

Click here to listen to a sample of the song on Amazon.

Summer Reading Recommendations June 12, 2010

by Tina Bustamante

For a thoughtful summer read – THE HELP by Kathryn Scott.

THE HELP tells the story of three unique women during the 1960’s in Jackson, Mississippi. I laughed out loud in a few parts, got choked up a time or two, and thought long and hard about the things in our lives that bring us together as friends, and the areas that exclude us from one another.

(Click on any of the book photos and it will take you to Amazon. If you purchase the book through this link, NSB gets part of the proceeds.)

For Reflective, spiritual input - THE ME I WANT TO BE by John Ortberg

Summers are a unique time in my year to slow down, enjoy long walks, and think about what God has done over the fall and winter months. I make new goals, and try to hear where He is leading me, and what He is calling me into during the upcoming year. John Ortberg is the Senior Pastor at a church in California. This is his latest book. I bought it on my kindle! Yes – my kindle! It is a book about becoming who God created us to be. Ortberg is a gentle teacher who consistently reveals the kindness of God, and how He is genuinely for us, rather than against us. It’s a good read for reflection, journaling, and cultivating your intimacy with Jesus.

For a hearty biography – BONHOEFFER: PASTOR, MARTYR, PROPHET, SPY by Eric Metaxas

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor before and during WWII. He is well known for his book titled, THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP and his attempt to assasinate Adolf Hitler, for which he was ultimately martyred. Metaxas writes in an easy style and brought me into the book within the first few pages. I enjoy studying the lives of people who have gone before me, and how they learned to walk with God in their generation, and stand for truth in their time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a remarkable man who followed out his commitment to God in the midst of horrific and terrifying evil.

For fun, lighthearted, and witty book series – The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Andrew McKall Smith.

For a few years now I’ve been reading books in this series. They take place in Botswana and follow the life of a charming lady detective name Precious Ramostwe. They are wonderful vacation books – for the airplane, or beside the pool, on the bicycle, or in the morning before Vacation bible school starts. While they are light and fun, don’t be surprised at the hidden wisdom and kind tenderness you discover in the character’s lives and hearts.

*** Check out the King County Library system on-line at www.kcls.org . You can put your books on hold now and they will email you when they are ready to pick up at the library of your choice!

Women’s Blog Is Back! June 7, 2010

We are so excited to be launching the new Women’s Ministries Blog!  So many of you asked about the blog– we decided it was time to re-activate it! 

This will be the place to connect and find all sorts of information…

• Recipes
• Book reviews
• Recommendations
• Articles & Testimonies
• Humor
• Encouragement

It’s just what you’re looking for! 

We will publish on Tuesdays and Saturdays – you can count on it!

We would welcome any comments/suggestions/feedback for the blog.  This is a place for YOU.  Let us know what you are thinking, or what you would like to see on the blog!

~Julie Zager – Director of Women’s Ministries  ~Julie Guest - Blog coordinator