New Year's Challenge

Hey Ladies...I would like to present you with a challenge, but you have to be completely serious about it if you decide to take it on. Take time to read the LPM blog (Beth Moore's blog) to read all about the challenge that I'd like to pass on to you. I have prayed for years and years for God to send me an accountability partner, and last night I received an email from a very dear friend of mine in another state. She had decided she wanted to participate in this challenge and wanted to know if I would be her accountability partner. I still long for someone that I live nearby to be accountable with in life, but I cannot tell you how excited I am to begin this journey with my dear friend - a journey that will take us on a ride together for an entire year! I had read the challenge posted on Beth's blog, but just hadn't taken the time to give it much thought, so I am so thankful that God sent my friend to tell me about it and used her to encourage me to do it.

If you decide to sign up on Beth's blog, I would love to know about it so that I can be praying for you this year. Just post a comment here and let me know if you are participating.

May your New Year be one that you stick to the new commitments you make. Most of all, may you see God take you places you have only ever dreamed of going with Him.

Take Note

Well, sometimes little snafus happen, but I can now report that after I tell you about this newest change, no more snafus! Please, if you have already signed up for retreat in April, take note that we have our final date change. The new dates for retreat are April 24-26. If you are no longer able to attend on those dates, please remove your name from the sign-up sheet. If you still haven't signed up, please do so very soon. Spaces are limited and your first deposit of $25 will be due mid-January. The total cost for the trip is $100, so we have adjusted it so you can have a payment plan of $25 a month and make your final payment in April before we go.
If you have any questions, please feel free to grab one of us and we will answer your questions as best we can....Barbie George, Amy Hickman, Ashley Kay, Bonnie Moody or Allison Taylor.

ATTENTION THIS NIGHT HOSTESSES!!!!!!!! Please meet up front in the Worship Center this Sunday, December 21st, to receive your ticket packets for This Night. If you are unable to be there, please let me know by email jeffamy111@netzero.net or just post a comment to this blog, and we will get your packet to you before Christmas so you can sell or distribute tickets to those attending your table.

Updates Volume II

Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies that signed up to hostess a table for This Night. We now have all the hostesses we needed. For those of you who signed up to be hostesses, please meet with the Aroma team after church on Sunday, December 21st to pick up the tickets for your table. You will need to have these tickets sold and money collected for them by Sunday, January 4th. Begin now to invite your friends. Our menu for the night is:
Italian Salad
Bacon and Chicken Fettucine Alfredo
Broccoli
Bread
Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

If you have anymore questions, let us know!

Updates

Just a quick minute to update you on some things going on.....

We still need about 5 more hostesses for This Night. If your name is not on the sign up sheet, but you want to host a table, please sign your name there so that we can keep a record of who will be hosting. You may have told me, but please don't count on me remembering. I NEED it in writing! ;)

Note: There's been a change in retreat dates for this year. Many of you heard the original dates in March, but due to a decrease in price for our cabin if we switch to April, the new dates are now Friday, April 17th-Sunday, April 19th. We have limited availability, so as soon as you see a sign up sheet and you know for sure, for sure that you can go, please sign up. If, for some reason, you have to back out, you are responsible for filling your slot or paying your fee.
Our theme for this year's retreat is The Chocolate Boutique. 'Nuff said, right? :) Come and take this weekend out of your crazy lives and soak in what God's word has for you to take back to your family, friends and community. A very special friend of mine, Elizabeth Johnson, has written and taught this study that deals with Aroma's very mission statement of being "an aroma leading to life" in a world that, well, stinks! Begin to pray now that you come back from this time changed!

As always, if you have any questions, contact one of the Aroma team members. We're here to serve you. We love you!

December 1st - Ornament Exchange

Hey Ladies...Hope all of you are gearing up for a wonderful Thanksgiving, and looking ahead to time with friends and family during this holiday season.

Don't forget our Ornament Exchange on Monday, December 1st from 6:30 pm - 8pm! Here's what you need to know. We would like for each of you to bring your favorite appetizer. If you don't cook, cheat and buy something that looks like you made it! We are counting on you to help us out, so bring something yummy. Secondly, you must bring a wrapped ornament (spend no more than $5) to swap. We also have childcare available, but would love an idea of how many of you will need it, just in case we need to provide more workers. You can just comment in the Post a Comment section of this blog and we'll get the word to Bonnie Moody who is heading up this night of fun.

AND, just a reminder! We still need more hostesses for This Night. Since I was unable to be in services on Sunday, I did not get to bring the sign up sheet for those of you interested, but please sign up here on the blog if you would like to host. All info is in the post after this one. Don't make me come hunt you down. I know where you live and I know you've got talent, so I will seek you out with pen and paper in hand and sign you up! :)

Take time to spend with your friends this season, and come to our Ornament Exchange to meet some new faces and kick your feet up and relax before it gets BUSY!!

This Night...A Night of New Beginnings

****Update**** (As of 11/18 - 9:15 am) We have 10 spots left!

Hey Ladies...As many of you have seen firsthand our This Night outreach event has reached more and more women each time we have had one. We have seen more women from our community to come to LifeSong and be confronted with the Gospel, all the while enjoying a great meal and fellowship. Due to the busyness of the Christmas season, we have chosen to focus on the New Year for our next This Night. We are all usually looking for a fresh word - some new motivation - after Christmas, which is why we have entitled our This Night..."A Night of New Beginnings." The night promises to be filled with fun, and we will have the opportunity to hear a good word from a great speaker, too!

We are looking for any of you ladies that would be willing to be a hostess for a table. Remember, you will decorate your table, provide a party favor, be responsible for set up and clean up of your table, and sell tickets for your table...or you may choose to buy tickets for your whole table and give a ticket to someone you have been wanting to visit LifeSong. We will be providing all plates, napkins, cups and utensils. Our color scheme for January is WHITE! We're thinking snow, new, twinkling lights...you get creative, and you just need to stick with White as your predominant color. Fun, huh? So, I know some of you Martha Stewart wannabes are chomping at the bit to sign up for a table. We will be holding a sign up beginning this Sunday, November 23-December 7. This will give you plenty of time to get your plan together and you can keep a look out for some decor while shopping during the holidays. Act fast, though! We only have room for 15 tables, so we just need - you got it- 15 hostesses! You may partner up with someone, though, if you so choose. So, all of you blog readers have a jump start. You can respond to this blog and sign up now if you would like, or you can wait until Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Hickman, Bonnie Moody, Barbie George or Allison Taylor. We'll be happy to help you out.

Praise

I have been sitting here this morning with tears streaming down my face. I have taken some time to sit back and let God's presence wash over me. It's true...I don't always do that like I should. I fail at it A LOT! Truth be known, we all do. But switch gears to the times that God's presence falls on you and shakes you to the core. To me, when I am dealing with a lot of LIFE, like I am right now, His power and the praising of His name has an affect on me like I cannot describe. It is coming face to face with my Maker, the one who knows my name. I love Him. I cannot go through my day without acknowledging His presence in my life. He alone is worthy. Ladies, let me tell ya, the power of silence in our lives can be overwhelming. The silence of God not speaking to us at all is the kind of silence that can make us cringe. But, it's the silence where we take some time out to sit back and let Him speak is what brings us to a point of asking ourselves, "What am I going to do with this today? Am I going to let it change me, or am I going to remain the same?" Today, I choose change. I choose to be clay in the Potter's hands and praise Him because He is NOT finished with me yet. I encourage you to take some time to praise Him right NOW - not later! I have provided some songs on the right sidebar that allow you to worship alone with God, or how about just sitting still and let Him speak to you. When you spend this time with Him, I'd love to hear how He touched your life. Comment on this blog and let me know.
Ladies, you are beautiful! You mean more to God than anything. You are His precious creation. Praise Him today. Worthy is the Lamb!

Connecting

Just a reminder that you have another great opportunity to connect with other women from LifeSong and around the community next Saturday, November 15th, as we load up and go shopping in Gaffney. Each opportunity we have to get together fosters new relationships and enhances ones that already exist. The "getting Christmas shopping" done part is an added bonus!

We hope that you are looking forward to the coming holiday season. What a great time to impact lives. Everyday I look around me and see a need. Take time to invest in someone's life this season. The gift you give them of being the Gospel in real life may very well be the best gift they receive all year long. We, in Aroma, desire to continue to give you those opportunities to meet people right where they live, work and play. Coming up, we will begin "O Taste and See" dinner club ministry. We will basically be taking the mold of what small groups already do, but we'll be providing monthly opportunities for you to meet with other women in homes across our area and you will be cooking and spending time together. The bonus is you are preparing a meal(s) to freeze for your family and provide that same opportunity to fellowship around the table with them just like you'll be doing with other women. We hope that you'll use the opportunity to pay it forward. We want to see this mindset occurring in all that we do together as women...just arming you with the ideas, passion and "go to it-ness" for how you can be in your day to day lives.

Just this week, while voting, I met a very special lady who packed her whole life up and moved to South Carolina after living out west in Nevada and Arizona for the past 15 years. She told me she just wanted a change of pace, a change of scenery. She came here not knowing a soul! She began to share with me a time where, recently, she took a bad fall and injured herself. She began to make calls to local churches seeking assistance from them in the way of providing transportation to her doctor, as well as help with preparing her meals. She was told from one church that "we don't do that." My mouth dropped to the floor. My question was and is, "Why not?" Why are people not doing that. This lady was not asking for a random handout. She had very specific needs that she desired to be met. She shared with me her hunger for relationships with other women her age, which is 70, by the way. She has a zeal for life and a desire to share it with other women. She began to ask me questions about how my church is different. I am so glad to be able to share with her that we are a people that don't care about our building, but we desire to be the Church where we "live, work and play." She listened intently as I told her of other women just like her at LifeSong that I would love for her to meet. She told me before I even asked her to come visit, "You know what? I think I really want to come and check you guys out at LifeSong." I pray that she does. I want to use that opportunity God gave me to meet her and encourage her, and take it further. This is who I am talking about when I encourage you to look around you for opportunities to invest this holiday season. The possibilities are endless. I just went to vote on Tuesday, and God provided an opportunity. It may not be a time that is all lit up in neon lights, but it may be His quiet whisper saying, "reach out to her." I hope you will share the times that God gives you over these next few weeks with us. We want to rejoice with you.
It is our pleasure to serve you, Ladies. We look forward to the days ahead with you. Check back frequently for updates and new opportunities.

"Fitting In"

We've all heard the term "fitting in." What kind of emotions does that phrase evoke in you? For me, I personally do not like it when people say, "oh, you fit in just perfectly," or "you'll fit in fine." I'm a person that feels most of the time I do not fit in anywhere, or when I'm told I CAN fit in, it makes me wonder "what do I have to do" in order to have someone tell me I fit in. Hey, it could just be me that feels this way, but I wonder who else may feel like I do.
I thought a lot about this during our Bible study "No Other Gods." We talked about how sometimes phrases like "fitting in," "accepted," "part of the group," etc., can become like an idol to us. We may dwell so much on these things that we become obsessed with just fitting in and being accepted and lose sight of the fact we already very much matter to our Father God. People may make us feel like we'll only fit in if we are beautiful, talented, are witty, stylish, but God says to us, "you matter to me because you are YOU." I don't know about you, but I am thankful for a God who sees past all my "stuff" and says, "just be you."

As I seek what God would want for us during the next few months in Aroma, oddly enough "fitting in" comes to mind. We want to foster opportunities for you to be a part of what is going on in the lives of women at LifeSong and in our community, but what we don't want to do is ever make you feel like if you can't or don't come that you don't "fit in." We want you to know that you already "fit in" just because you are YOU! That is what I love about LifeSong. It's a place that says, "we all have a lot of life going on...sometimes it's ugly...sometimes it's full of joy, but it's your life, and you matter." We can all walk through the doors of LifeSong and know that we fit because we all have the same God. Thank goodness we won't hear from God in heaven, "you sure do fit in because you do such and such so well, so I'll let you stay in the group." Rather, He says, "you fit in simply because you are my child and I love you." I pray that you know that for your life today. He sent His Son so that we would fit, but not for some exclusive group, but that we would fit in the palm of His hand for eternity because we named the Name above all Names, Jesus! Ladies, I pray that you know Him. Aroma exists for two reasons, the way I see it. We drive toward the cross in all we do in order that you may know Him, and secondly, we provide an outlet for relationships with one another, in order to spur one another on. I pray that you go today knowing that you matter. Go today knowing that you fit in because you are you, and you don't have to jump through any hoops. Most of all, thank you for just being YOU. You know, I hear the word is out...God says you are BEAUTIFUL!

Coffee Connection

Join us Monday, October 13 for a Coffee Connection. Great time to hang out with your girlfriends over a nice hot cup of coffee. Childcare is provided. Contact Barbie George for more info. See you there!

Outdoor Movie Night

All ladies are invited to join Aroma Women's Ministry for an Outdoor Movie Night on Sunday, October 12 from 7pm - 9pm. We will be watching the Hallmark movie, "Magic of Ordinary Days" on the outdoor stage. We'll enjoy popcorn, hot chocolate, s'mores over the fire and great, great fellowship.Bring your favorite two liter drink to share, and make sure you bring a blanket and lawn chair. Bring a friend and come out and get to know other ladies from LifeSong and the community. Contact Bonnie Moody for additional information (by commenting to this blog post). Childcare is available on a sign up basis ONLY.

Family Day at Niven's

24:7 Moms is sponsoring a Family Fun Day at Niven's Apple Farm on Saturday, October 4th from 10 am until 12pm. Come out and bring your entire family. This is NOT just for moms...we want the dads to come, too! You choose your activities. You can pick pumpkins, take a hayride, go through the corn maze, shop in the gift shop, or just come and hang out in the fresh, fall air. There's no set price, only what you decide to do with your family. At 11am, everyone will meet at a designated location for a picnic lunch. You will need to provide your lunch, but Aroma will provide soft drinks and juice. Please see Jennifer Greene for more information, or for directions.

A Word for Thursday!

Apologies, again, for big chunks of time between posts. Today, be encouraged by the Word! Hope what the scripture says today fills your heart, moves you to action and reminds you of a Father who loves you wholeheartedly!
Stay tuned for many exciting announcements for Aroma Women's Ministry! If you are new to Aroma, hope you'll join us soon and allow us to introduce ourselves and get to know you more!

May God's Word penetrate your heart today, on this crisp Fall day.
Psalm 136:1-8; 23-26

136:1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:3 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:4 To Him who alone doeth great wonders, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:5 To Him that by understanding made the heavens, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:6 To Him that spread forth the earth above the waters, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:7 To Him that made great lights, for His mercy endureth for ever;

136:8 The sun to rule by day, for His mercy endureth for ever;

136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate, for His mercy endureth for ever;

136:24 And hath delivered us from our adversaries, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth for ever.

136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven, for His mercy endureth for ever.

Mouths Open....Or Shut!

I realize it has been a long time since I posted on here, but thankfully that doesn't mean a pause in life, because I've been living it and I know you have, too, because I've been living it with YOU! We sure have had a busy summer and while busy sometimes isn't a good thing, I am so thankful that is not the case for what has been going on at LifeSong. I am so thankful that God has been right here with us, guiding us and building us.

I've thought and prayed long and hard about what I would post today. Would it be something witty? Something inspirational? Something deep? Something informational? I just couldn't decide, and well...I didn't have to. God always leads me in a variety of ways and most of what I write...EVER...is from living life with Him. Sometimes life is hard and confusing, and that is pretty much where I find myself these days. With all that is within me, I desire to be what God wants me to be and let me say, on the flip side of that is a desire to NOT be what people think I should be. The two worlds often collide for me...do they for you? Sometimes God has us do, say or be the hard thing, all for a purpose in the end - His Glory! How does this play out in your life?
I often find that just because I'm a woman that I must try to fix it all because that is how God wired me. I want to nurture, protect, take care of... It gets hard doing it all by ourselves, doesn't it? I don't want to do it anymore, though. I want Him to do it for me, don't you? One thing I have felt a great burden about lately is "unwholesome talk." How almost funny it is for a women's ministry blog to "talk" about unwholesome talk. I mean, come on, we're women for Pete's sake! Women, whether you want to hear it or not, talk...and I do mean talk! We can, in name of "I'll take care of it", fixer mode open our mouths to fix it, take care of it, make it all better, etc., just because we think we are supposed to. Pause button! We're NOT supposed to let "any unwholesome talk proceed from our mouth." I have a real hard time with this. I am a "if you think it, you say it" kind of person and sometimes that means I just need a Holy Shut up and let God handle it, right?
Let's not confuse the notion of unwholesome talk with the other side of things...saying that which builds another up, and edifies. That sometimes is really not pretty to hear either, is it? Have you ever made the comment after you hear a sermon, "Wow, sure did get my toes stepped on today"? I have! Sometimes what we need to hear hurts, doesn't it? Sometimes being the one to have to say the tough stuff hurts, but I just want to say today...say it! When it is for the purpose of building and protecting the Kingdom...say it!
Read this... In Jeremiah 15:19, we're told...."...if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be My spokesperson." This verse puts so much in perspective on how we use our tongue. I don't know about you, but to be found worthy to be God's spokesperson is much more appealing and purposeful when I stop and think about how I want my life to influence. You know the great thing, too? The truth is that we all fail when it comes to how we use our words. If you don't fail, then you must not speak at all. Our words get the best of us by swallowing us up sometimes. The great thing is that we don't have to remain that way. We CAN make a turnaround. Our talk can become that, which we've designed our mission for Aroma to be..."life leading to life." Let me encourage you today. If you find yourself in a place where you feel bound to unwholesome talk, make that turnaround today and allow God to show you the way to those "worthy" words.

The Boogey Man

Growing up, my dad pastored Washington Baptist Church in Greer. We lived in the parsonage there, which just happened to be right beside the cemetery (Sidenote...the house is not there anymore...they actually picked it up and moved it years ago). My sister's and my bedroom was located across the hall from the guest room, and the guest room overlooked the cemetery. Many a night, I had trouble going to bed because I could "just swear" I saw ghosts rising from the cemetery and looking in the guest room window. My parent's never really bought into the whole "I see dead people" theory, so you can imagine their "understandingness" (yes, I made up a word!) when I was still crying and hysterical at 10pm at night, and they couldn't get me to go to sleep. Let's just say I got many "a Holy talking to" and we'll leave it at that! Irregardless, in my young mind, I still felt as though I saw the spirits of church members past rising up to greet me each night, only to cause me great angst and a mounting fear of the unknown. I wouldn't exactly say that this is the root cause of my fear today, but it certainly isn't unlike me to fear the unknown...whatever the situation. Until this Bible study on "No Other Gods," I hadn't really realized what a grip fear has on me. I am terrified of my children being hit by a car (really, I am!), which is in part because I was hit by a car when I was five. I am somewhat scared of the dark, due in part to my nightly visits from the ghosts in the graveyard and in part to too many Dracula movies watched as a child. I fear "not measuring up." I obsess, all too frequently, over not being what others think I should be, or even fear who God sees me as. I fear losing friendships. I am not too sure why I fear this because I really have only had to part ways with one friend my whole entire life, yet I still fear it. I fear what God may ask me to do, and yet I thrill in what God could ask me to do. You see, fear is such a strange thing for me. Half the time I am fearing, I don't know that I'm doing it at all. The part of fear that scares me, however, is how much I take it for granted. I know that we are told all through God's word to fear Him. This isn't something that means what I just previously described as situations of being scared or afraid of Him. This is a good kind of fear. It's an awe of a Holy God that has my very best interests in mind. A God that desires to see me soar and not remain stagnant. A God who will love me no matter what my past is, or how I screw up my present, and quite possibly try to control my future. He is a God that just sees me for me, and that's that! Typing those words overwhelm me because I see in them such hope and promise. I know that if it were just me on this earth, He would still love me just the same - wholly, completely, utterly!
Sunday night something happened to me that I don't have happen much. In the midst of our class in "No Other Gods" having a time of prayer God spoke to me so clearly, that while it wasn't His audible voice, it might as well have been. I heard God so loudly in the midst of ladies in the room praying to lay certain idols at His feet, that I almost had to look up to see if the Father Himself wasn't really standing right beside me. God clearly spoke to me, "pray for the one who needs to lay fear and worry down." Again, "pray for the one who needs to lay fear and worry down." As I began to pray a loud, again, "pray for the one who needs to lay fear and worry down."
I prayed it, ladies. I prayed it as best I knew how, as God told me to. The result of this has been just like God is and always wants to be in our lives. Specific lives needed to hear it. Two ladies in particular have shared how the thought of laying fear and worry down shook them to the core. At first I was surprised, but hey...God was trying to tell me something, wasn't He? He wanted them to know just how much He wants to take this fear, which had become an idol in their life, and wanted to remove it from their life. What a promise He has given us to "never leave us or forsake us." Today, I just want to grasp this...to wrap my little mind around it and just BELIEVE it!
All those years ago, I believed the Boogey Man was out to get me every night. As ridiculous as it sounds to be so scared of ghosts today, the reality of fear is still there. The other reality is that there is the same notion of the Boogey Man being out to get us. Lives were shaken Sunday night because the Boogey Man, or Satan, if you will just indulge me for the purpose of this illustration, is out to get us. He is prowling around, looking for those who desire to name the name of Christ...just so He can destroy us. Giving fear a foothold is just what he wants. Let's make way for the greater fear, though. Today, let's just see how a Holy fear of God will take us straight to the door of freedom, because it's there we find a Savior waiting to take it all on our behalf!

A Good Thing

This Night was such a good thing, and the effects of it are still being talked about and felt, so I thought you might like to read about what Susan had to say after she came to speak! Thanks, ladies, for all you did to make it successful and to remind us that God truly does and is "immeasureably more"!
Susan's blog (click on link)

Thanks to all the ladies who attended Coffee Connection today. It was such a fun, relaxing time. Thank you to Barbie for doing a great job putting it together. Can't wait until the next one!

Reminder to join us next Wednesday, July 15th for 24:7 Moms morning at the park. See details on sidebar, or contact Jennifer Greene for more information or directions. We will be handing out invites to the upcoming concert with DecembeRadio. Hope to see you there!

Aaaaah!!!

Don't you just love those times in life where you feel filled up? Lots of things bring that about into our lives...like a really good meal that satisfies, or how about a night out with friends to watch a movie or just hang out? Last night at our "This Night...A Night to Reach Our Community" we felt that same filling up! I thank Susan High for coming last night to not only bless us through her words and encouragement, but she also challenged us. Don't we have an inclination to always categorize our sin, and also to stay stuck in our past? The truth of it is, however, is that we just all sin! Not one is worse than another, but they all break God's heart, and please...the effect that it has on us is suffocating, isn't it? I feel like we are being challenged on every front lately to "rise above" this. God is wanting us to live victoriously, to grasp hold of the promises that He has given us (and believing that He is truly going to give them to us!). I don't know a whole lot, really. I know this, though. Something has got to shift in our thinking. Why are we staying rooted and stuck in believing that once we mess up that God wants nothing else to do with us. I think our response to people when they have messed up has certainly messed up the way we view God. This one thing I know is that people are going to fail me. They just are. God, however, is not ever going to fail me. We have got to start loving the sinner. I sin everyday and I need you to love me. Let's start showing the sinner that God loves them, and stop just saying it. That is when we are going to start seeing victory in their life, and even in ours. When you keep hearing this over and over, don't you just wonder why it's the train of thought lately, or the subject of many a sermon, or a Bible study? Hellllloooooooo???? God is wanting us to pay attention to this. So, my prayer is that we will grasp hold of it and believe it. Let's start making some changes ladies, and realize that you can praise Jesus in it all! I'm posting the song that we praised Jesus to last night. Take some time to praise Him freely....go grab a flag if you have to!!! :)
Revelation Song (Just click on the link)

Lies

What a dart right between the eyes our new Bible study on Sunday nights has been. "No Other Gods" has been exposing some things to us - no, let me correct that - God's word has been exposing some stuff to us that I personally know has been stepping on my toes. Without fail, when we start a new Bible study I will get up and say something like this, "Beware...Satan doesn't want you to grow closer to God, and now that you are committing to Bible study, he wants to have a field day with you." When will I learn to wear that big, padded suit to protect me from the fiery darts he is throwing my way?! I am not so sure this time, though, is completely just Satan's attacks on me. He is definitely attacking from every angle, but the more I dig into God's word and see what it says for me about idols in my life, the more my layers are being peeled off to reveal some things I don't like about myself.
We discussed on Sunday night how the very idols we have in our life that we want to rid ourselves of are also the things that are our protection - our identity, if you will. For me... get ready, I'm about to be a little vulnerable (I don't like to be!) ... I struggle with a lot of fears in my relationships with others. There is a point in my life that I can go back to that I didn't have those fears, so I can go back those "safe" relationships today and feel perfectly ME, myself and I. There is a definite shift, however, without going into the sordid details, that all of that changed for me. What I despise is that it has taken much longer to weed myself out of the fears that negative relationships have played in my life. I've been hurt. My family has been hurt. The result, for me, has been a lack of trust even in this most blessed time in our lives. The season of hurt in my life started off like the very best times of my life - happy, joyful, "go get 'em," and safe! It turned to hurt and pain, and quite frankly made me negative and cynical. That is just not who I am, but it's a season I find myself getting stuck in a lot, unable to break the cycle. What do I do? We talked about it on Sunday night. We believe God! So, how do we do that? I am finding it is allowing Him to peel back those layers and say it's OK to be vulnerable, to be exposed. Satan feeds me lies all the time that those I think I feel safe with now will, too, hurt me, so don't give too much to them. I can say I have learned some lessons along the way, though. Sometimes you have to go through a season of hurt to learn who to trust and who to give yourself to. I know that for me, I try to surround myself with people that exude the love of God, and that is what drives them. I know that I've found myself in relationships of just wanting people to like me, so I would talk about others with them (gossip), group myself off with certain people while excluding others, and really just trust anyone that came along. Some time and being burned have shown me that you can't always be what everyone wants you to be, and yet it is the very fear associated with this that holds me at bay from completely believing God. In essence, I am believing Satan's lies instead! I just don't like that I do that, do you? For me, I have a hard time knowing that I teach my children to ask for forgiveness - not just saying sorry because there's a wide chasm between saying sorry and asking someone to forgive you - and yet those that hurt us, and even those that loved us and allowed others to hurt us, have never asked for forgiveness. It has made me a cynical person in many regards. I have had many that loved me through this, but I think sometimes even the ones that love you, just don't know what to do with you when you get all desperate and at your breaking point. Thankfully (I'm saying that as loudly as I can) we have our Father God to be the One who fills us. It is, once again, believing Him to do it and that is simply enough for us.
What lies are you believing, or better (worse) yet, what lies are you holding onto? Lies are destructive. It is not just the ones we tell, but lies can be secrets we keep for fear that our lives will change if it is exposed. It can tear us apart, a family apart, and most of all, our relationship with God can be fractured. I am holding onto some lies! I said it! I can't look past the lies to see that there are people who love me for me, that I won't be hurt, or that people will just stop going through "it" with me. Our lies become our idols, too. I feel sick writing this. I'm supposed to have it all together, right? The same could be said of you, too. So, let's make a deal. I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me! Pastor Jeff talked about walking through "it" with people, but as we do, we are pointing them the right direction, and that is UP! I was reminded today of this passage, "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The deeper we dig into this study, the more uncomfortable we might be. I am feeling a new resolve coming on to just GO WITH IT! I need to see my Jesus without this clutter in my way, don't you? Press on, today, ladies. I may not always get to verbally tell you face to face, but know I love you dearly. I may have fear, but there's a truth I cannot waiver on, and it is the love that I have for you. Live in victory today.

Got Idols?

Last night we began our study "No Other Gods" for our next Women's Bible Study. A flood of emotions came over me as I watched 33 women enter the cafe to participate in this journey over the next three weeks. As they entered the room, I heard most all introduce themselves to one another, everyone enjoying fellowship over food, and many were anxious to look through their new book. There seemed to be an excitement in the air as we got together for the first time. I believe that God ordains each day with a purpose, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God ordained yesterday be a day that we gather together to begin this new journey together. I want to encourage you, ladies, to stand firm and stay committed. I want the very best for you, and deeply desire to see you soar over these next 8 weeks, so that you can soar for a lifetime! Know you are being prayed for and prayed over. We are seeking God's favor on your behalf, and we pray with great anticipation that God is, and will, do something extraordinary in your life! Seek God today with renewed purpose and vigor. We found out last night that we all have some sort of idol in our lives, but we were challenged to make God the one and only object of our affection. Memorize the verse that the study is based on, "They worshiped God, yet they served their own idols." (2 Kings 17:33) Seek today to change that in our lives, that we might say "We worship and serve our God." I love you deeply. Have a wonderful day!!!

Good Books?

I posted this question on my facebook, and I thought I would post it on here, too, and hopefully get some responses. What is everyone reading this summer? I'm curious. I love to read and summer is a time for getting myself lost in a good book. I have some here at my house courtesy of a good friend, but I am still curious to know what you are reading that you would recommend to anyone that reads this blog. You can just mark this under "random thoughts" for today. Can't wait to read your responses!

This Night...A Night to Reach Our Community

As most of you remember, our first This Night sought to steer our focus to the world. This coming June 30th, we will seek to focus on our community, knowing that our God is bigger and better and He can use that same focus to impact our country.
I am so grateful to many of you for volunteering to be a hostess. Know that your willingness is crucial in seeing many come that night. I still want, and need more hostesses. Many have opted to partner up and they have committed to bring others from the community that night as their guests. Let me just take this opportunity to say...This Night is NOT about entertaining ourselves and dressing up pretty tables and hearing a speaker just to say we went out and had a good Monday night. This Night is what the extension of the title says. We are seeking to reach our community for Christ. We want you bringing your lost friends, your friends that are looking for a church to serve in, or friends that need to hear a Word from the Father. We can get together any 'ole night and have a good time, eat, and fellowship. What we have set This Night aside to do is to be intentional in reaching those around us. Let me just say it in some good southern twang..."We ain't messin' around, ladies." This is another stepping stone to building up the kingdom. So, bring your friends. That place should be so packed out that we'll have to find somewhere else to go the next time we do this.
I want to enlist more hostesses, so please email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net if you are willing.
Information can be found in recent blog posts, as well as on the Aroma page on our website .
I am also linking you to the Wellspring Living Gift registry We are asking each person attending to choose an item from this registry to donate to the new Wellspring Home in SC. Please, please, please drop by Target and pick out something special. If you have any questions, you can email me
Thank you, ladies. I love you to the depths. Looking forward to an awesome summer with you.

Reminder

Just a reminder, Ladies...time is ticking away as we prepare to launch our two new Bible studies.
Look for sign up sheets on the Aroma table on Sunday, or you may contact me by email at
jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up. Don't miss this opportunity to dig into God's word together on Sunday nights or Tues. nights. I promise you, this time will be the highlight of your summer and you will build some long lasting relationships. Look at the post below for information on both Bible studies. Childcare will be provided for both, but you must make a note that you need childcare when signing up.
Looking forward to walking through God's word with you this summer. Serving you...Amy

Summer Opportunities for You

I apologize for the lack of blogging about upcoming events lately. As you can imagine from (most of you) being moms yourself, our Aroma team has very busy everyday lives and sometimes we get out of sync in our planning. Do not take that as our hearts not looking out for you, though. We very much want to provide opportunities for you every week, every month, or every time we can, but sometimes we just need to take a break and let God show us which way to go.
In the coming days, Aroma will be meeting and planning things for you to participate in this summer. More than that, however, we would love to just give you some ideas that you can even implement in your day to day life as you "pay it forward" in your investment in others. I want to make you aware of some things we have planned thus far so that you can be making plans to attend yourself, or invite someone you know to attend. A couple of things require your participation.
As Pastor Jeff encouraged us on Sunday... we are to make everything we do point to the Cross. That is our goal as we invest in your life. You, or even Aroma, may not be able to attend everything we have planned, but we desire to provide as many opportunities for you so that you have some options. I ask that you bear with us as, once again Pastor Jeff said, we are in a process of growth. God is molding us and shaping us as we go, so that one day we will truly do everything we put our hands to with excellency. So, that being said, mark these things on your calendar. Also, any interests you have for Aroma to promote, please give us your ideas...or better yet, let God use you to lead whatever it is you have in mind!

June Bible Studies:
"Surrendering the Secret" - by Pat Layton...This study will be led by Amy Hickman, and is for anyone that has suffered an abortion and desires God to heal their past. We will meet on Tuesday nights, beginning June 10th at LifeSong Church at 7pm. Your anonymity will be protected. You may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up or ask any questions. Please read the following description of this Bible study, and share it with any friends you know that may be interested...
Many women hide the secret of abortion deep in their hearts, and they are suffering severe consequences. They carry a great burden of shame and failure afraid to reveal their hidden pain, and by doing so are forced to endure the long-lasting effects in isolation. Surrendering the Secret will allow women to release this burden and find freedom through 'redemptive community' while experiencing hope and joy as shame and failure are replaced with beauty.


"No Other Gods" - by Kelly Minter...This study will be led by Amy Hickman on Sunday nights, beginning on June 8th and is open to women only. This is an 8 session study that will lead you to placing God right in the center of your day to day life, amidst the busyness and chaos. We will enjoy a warm atmosphere together of sharing in the recipes the author offers (sharing a meal), as well as a living room atmosphere. This book is the first of Minter's "Living Room Series." Cost of book is $10. Please bring any friends interested. Look for sign-ups at the Aroma table, or you may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net


This Night...Our second This Night will be on Monday, June 30th. Our theme is "This Night...a night to reach our community". Our guest speaker will be Susan High, who is bringing Wellspring Living SC to Lyman. We will be participating in providing a registry item for the new Wellspring House in Lyman. Here's a little info from Wellspring's site, www.wellspringlivingsc.org

Wellspring Living connects a caring community with women seeking a way out of unhealthy behaviors, promoting healing, wholeness, independence and family restoration through Biblical principals.

At Wellspring, our desire is to expand our vision of God's transformational power, unify cultures and denominations, provide connection between issues and solutions, restore women, protect children and challenge people to live dangerously for God.

Susan is an awesome speaker because she is a woman with a heart of passion and compassion. You don't want to miss all she has to share, and how we, too, can touch the lives of these women she desires to reach.
We are now taking names of anyone that would like to hostess a table of eight. For our summer This Night, you will only be asked to provide a summertime centerpiece and party favors for each of your guests. We will give you your color scheme when you sign up. You will need to set up your table the night before after Sunday evening worship. Tickets are $10/person. Proceeds will also go to help give a love gift to Wellspring. For more info about Wellspring, check out their website and read Susan's blog! Link to www.wellspringlivingsc.org
Please contact Amy Hickman at jeffamy111@netzero.net if you would like to be a hostess. You may ask a friend to help you. Deadline for hostess sign up is June 15th.

Just Be Still

How many times have you heard yourself saying to your child, "Would you just be still?" I know that this mom here says it every, single morning as I am putting hair in ponytails. "Don't squirm." "Just be still." When things get uncomfortable or chaotic, we just want to move around a little and squirm, don't we? Truth is, life is just plain, ole uncomfortable all the time, isn't it? If it's not busyness, it's sickness. If it's not rushing, it's confusion. It's really always something.

This has been on my mind alot today. As we were sitting at lunch today, we were discussing the good, ole days when our Mamas made Sunday lunch. This is a tradition that I still very much like to hold on to. Grant it, there are times when we like to go out after church with friends, but usually you will find me getting up on Sunday mornings and putting something in the Crock Pot, or defrosting some meat to prepare when I get home. I truly enjoy the feel of Sunday lunch with your family. Here lately, I haven't had the opportunity to prepare Sunday lunch for my family due to various meetings or birthday celebrations that we've had, and chances are, I won't be fixin' lunch this Sunday because I am pretty sure there is some Scripture in the Bible that says, "Mama ought not cook on Mother's Day," so ok...I won't, then! Anyhow, where have those days of just being still gone to? I, for one, am getting almost perturbed at the number of people I talk to that just can't seem to catch up with themselves. I might be one of those. No matter when you see them, they are busy...their lives are chaos...they are always negative about the "next thing" they have to do. Well, I'm here to proclaim, "Chill out!" It's time for us to be doin' some be stillin' and knowin'. This might hurt a little, but no matter what you have on your agenda, take some time to just "Be still and know that He is God." He, ladies, is the knower of all things...the peacespeaker....the calm in our raging sea. I know that my soul craves this peace. I crave it for you. Gone are the days of our parents. We can learn from them on this. There is nothing more important....NOTHING...that should come in the way of being still and knowing that He is God...of being still and knowing that our family, our KIDS are right here in front of us just wanting a little piece of us....of listening to that friend that is hurting...of chucking that chore you said you were going to do today, and just having a little quiet instead with some hot tea. Do you see my point? I feel burdened for those of you who are just getting caught up in the chaos and you're missing the blessings staring you right in the face. Take a little encouragement from me and from the One who loves you most. Stop what you are doing right now, take a deep breath and just BE STILL!

Thank You Jesus Responses

Thanks to some of you for responding to our Back Door Guests blog, in conjunction with our Thank You Jesus Party. You will find a couple of responses to the Back Door Guests in the comment section under the blog. A few of you wrote to show specific ways you show hospitality to others. Many said you go to lunch with others, write notes, pray for, invite over to your home, etc. Some made plans to specifically carry out an "extend your hand" to others act this week.
The overarching message I hope you take from this is that no matter what you do, or for whom you do it....I'll pause to borrow a popular slogan....Just Do It! We could get caught up in feeling left out or that no one includes us in their group, but the point is when everyone is extending a hand all around them, people don't get left out. The only warning would be in the process of all of this that you not put yourself in a clique, but rather you are always looking for opportunities to extend yourself to others that may not be a part of who you normally associate. If you think about it, it's easy to have people over to your home that you find it easy to connect to, but how about try inviting someone that's recently visited LifeSong. That may just be what they need.
It's in those times that I, personally, have really gotten to know someone a little better. The truth is, we need to work at this like busy little bees....everyone together. One person can't do this all by themselves. This is why I like to hear your testimonies...to see how we are succeeding at reaching out to others. It's easy to get caught up in thinking you are all alone sometimes, but when you hear the opportunities that God gives us individually, it's cause for a....help me out here....THANK YOU JESUS PARTY! So, press on, my friends. Let God continue to use you to build relationships that last.
Finally, I want to post a very profound response to our Thank You Jesus Party post. It specifically outlines just how great of a God we serve. It encouraged me and let in encourage you, too. This, my friends, is the real deal. Jane writes the following.....


"Since your Thank You Jesus Party blog I have been thinking about what I could write. I feel unqualified to even start, but here goes, I’ll step outside my very quiet, secure box …

Since the death of my husband in 1999, I have been feeling a little lost (really very lost). We had a lot going for us. He was in a managerial position that he worked very hard for, I was in my 26th year at my job, one child living on his own and one child graduating from high school. We had talked about retiring, playing golf, traveling to play golf and spending quality time together. He lived two years, 3 months after his diagnosis. I often wondered why him? Why not me? He was a good husband, father, manager and just a good person. He was always working, providing, making our life and the life of our community better. After his death, I knew I was missing something else, but didn’t know what. I grew up in the church so I thought I knew what church was about. In 2003 my grandson was born, my daughter divorced several years later, my mother had a stay in the hospital with several critical issues and then finally my son got married at 37! I dealt with each issue with prayer and God answered. I was invited to Life Song Church in the spring of 2007. I had tried several churches that had a different style of worship (not traditional as I had grown up in) but they just didn’t fit. I said OK, I’ll bring my grandson. He will love being there learning about God, Jesus, the Bible, etc. And, the rest is history. Thank you Jesus for showing me what church is really about…not just attending church, but how to show your love to everyone I come in contact with, even those who have hurt me.

I learned more in 2 months at Life Song than I learned in my 60 years of being. Thank you Jesus for Life Song, my pastors and my new friends."

Have a great weekend, Ladies. I love you wholeheartedly!

Back Door Guests are the Best

I'm sure you have all seen or heard the phrase, "Back door guests are the best." I personally like it's meaning a lot. I love for people to come to my home and feel comfortable enough to go to the back door, come inside and make themselves right at home. I have been thinking alot about "being hospitable" to others lately. I can remember a day (don't I sound old saying that!) when families were at their gathering places - grandparents' homes, aunt's/uncle's homes, church social halls - just enjoying being together. Today, however, things seem constantly in fast-forward and no one is bothering at all to push PAUSE. I am guilty of it, too. I get so preoccupied with myself and my life that forsake doing what I love the most - just hanging out with people. I have a theory that all too often we don't see people returning to church or to Aroma women's ministry because we choose not to let them into our personal lives. We keep them at arm's length. All too often I hear excuses people make like, "my house isn't clean or good enough"; "my cooking skills are not up to par to have anyone over"; "I'm just too busy to take time to have lunch with anyone"; "I have to work too much"; "I don't have anything to say when I spend time with people." The list could go on and on. I don't think any of us, however, think of so many excuses when others do extend a hand to us and desire to spend time together. Of course, sometimes schedules conflict and we can't make plans, but doesn't it light up your day for someone to be hospitable to you? 1 Peter 4:9 says, "Be hospitable to one another with out grumbling." Hey, there's nothing that says "I love you" more than someone saying, "I can't have you over to my house right now, but one day I will...when it's clean, or when I live somewhere else." (That was a hint of sarcasm...sorry). By then, you may have lost your opportunity to extend the hand of fellowship. Let me tell ya....I have never been to someone's home, or gone out to fellowship with others and thought of the trivial. I find myself thinking of how much that person must love me - that they would want to spend time with me...no matter what. However, I've been to plenty of homes and done plenty of activities with a grumbler (I'm sure I've been the grumbling host a time or two, too.) where I left feeling like my cup had not been filled. On the flip side, too, I've seen a lot of people take, take, take...never to give, give, give. That might bother me a little because I see the purpose of giving to others is to also instill in them the notion of "paying it forward." Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly, entertained angels." Wow! I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss an opportunity like that! You may be reading this with the argument, "I just don't have the gift of hospitality." Well, maybe not in the physical, visual ways we think of it sometimes, but Ladies, if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have something so very precious to offer another!
You've got LOVE. That is all I want people to say when they leave our home, or leave from spending time together doing whatever! I just hope and pray they felt loved and wanted.
There are still several days left in our 30 Day Give. Maybe someone needs you to pick up the phone and show hospitality to them. Maybe it's telling them you love them....write them a note...take them out to lunch....invite them over for burgers on the grill...go for a pedicure together. Get creative! So, I'm asking you again to post. I can tell ya, you didn't respond a lick on our Thank You Jesus Party, so I'm showing some mercy and giving you a second chance to give God some praise. Share with us how you show hospitality, and that, my friends is part of our Thank You Jesus Party. He deserves praise for bringing people in our lives that we can show a little hospitality to. If you need an idea of who needs some encouragement right now, write me. I happen to know someone that needs a little pick-me-up. Once again, you can write me at jeffamy111@netzero.net

Renewed Perspective

Today, I'm asking for your involvement. As I told you Sunday, one cannot go on a mission trip and not be changed, but one also cannot hold back praise when God works in one's life. To keep it to ourselves would be "beside the point." God has really impressed several things on me lately. Number one...His Word is alive and active among us. He is up to something! Number two...He is looking for us to be real. I may be blunt in saying this, but I'm a little tired of people coming to church just for what it can do for them. I hear, and yes...even at LifeSong...some say how they won't come to such and such event if it doesn't meet their needs or if it isn't in their realm of interests. As the old 80s saying goes, "well, gag a maggot!" Let's be challenged to live beyond that, ladies. How about let's get out of the mindset of what the church can do for us, and let's just start being the church. In the end, the result will be more abundant than if you are depending on your activities at church to make you feel good. The end result will be lives changed for the glory of Christ. I have talked about it before, but people are just looking for what is true and genuine if you call yourself a Christ-follower.

This morning, on the Today Show, a man spoke of his personal journey to find out why religion is so divisive, when it is supposed to be the chord that binds us together. He was challenged by a trip to Africa where he saw people giving their whole lives up just to see that one person might have a chance at life...a better quality of life. He said, in the end, he discovered that we here in America care more about being right than being genuine in our love. He, at the end of the interview, summed it up in a nutshell.
He reminded us that Jesus told His disciples that the greatest commandment is to "LOVE one another." (Does this sound familiar to you, LifeSong?) His challenge was to have us as a nation return to that. You know what the ironic thing is? This man was not saved. He is just a man searching for truth as to why Christians aren't real in what they say they believe. Ummm! That ought to shoot you square between the eyes. He really spoke words of truth, except for this. He did not talk of relationship with Jesus as being the difference. It's no wonder why. If Christians are showing no more than religion, then we are failing. We must be showing relationship, because certainly if we do, we would be showing love, right? Chew on that a little while will you?
I said chew on that! Don't read any further until you ask God if that was a word for you.

Number three...I believe that God is calling us to be change agents. We can't do that unless we have been changed by the One who gave His everything for us. He "loves us with an everlasting love," ladies. Doesn't that just wash over you like a refreshing spring? I can love ANYONE because of that great love.
I tell you...Being on mission in Las Vegas changed me. Maybe you don't care to hear about it. That's ok. I am always amused by the fact that if someone doesn't share your experience, then they really don't care much about what happened to you or what you learned. Not a problem. We share it anyway because we brag on the One that did a work in our lives. I want to celebrate with you when God changes you. That is what life is all about. We must share Christ's victories. We must thank Him for His great mercy and grace. What is Christ doing in your life right now that you want to thank Him for? Maybe He's given you victory in a particular area and you want to share it. Now's your chance. Write us here at AROMA and tell us how God is using you or working in you right now. We'll post these testimonies and have us one big "Thank You Jesus" party! Come on now. Write us and let us rejoice with you. Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous, and when describing your situation God is working in, use discretion in sharing names or places. We will proofread these for content before posting, so email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net We are so excited to hear what God is doing in your life!

Nanoo

I posted a personal blog on our family blog today and I think it really speaks my heart, so check it out and I hope it speaks to you. www.hickmanhappenings.blogspot.com

Aroma Monday Mingle Presents…

“Guesstures” Game Night


A game of split-second charades! Act up! Act out! Just act fast to get your teammates to guess words - without talking!

Monday, April 14th 2008
6:30pm-8:00pm

623 Brushwood Road
Woodruff SC 29388
Bonnie Moody: 864-486-0167
Bonniebmoody@bellsouth.net

An Adopted Family

Almost 19 years ago, my family, while living in Venezuela, was approached by a pastor who knew of a 15 year old girl that was due to have a baby "any day." Knowing that we had expressed an interest in adopting a child, he contacted us. Already having two girls in our family - myself and my sister, Missy - we were kind of thinking of adding a boy to the mix. The baby due to be born, however, was thought to be a girl, but we didn't care. We wanted to proceed on.
From the time we were approached, to the time this baby girl was born, we had about a week and a half to prepare for her arrival. My parents were 40 at the time, and in the event they are reading this...they are STILL 40...not a day over it! :) You can imagine that we didn't have the first thing for a baby in our home. I was 15 1/2 and Missy was 13. Our baby stroller, crib, and diaper days were over! We called on our missionary family to help us out and everyone rallied together to provide what they could so that we could welcome a new bundle of joy into our home.
The day came to welcome this new little girl, named Esther, because that was her biological mother's and grandmother's name...and also the name these two women studied about in the Bible when they prayed to receive Christ and desired to see this baby put in a Christian home. Baby Esther was born right at 5 lbs., and quite literally was the smallest baby I had ever seen. Being a family of giants, you can imagine how small she looked in our arms. I remember my parents bringing her home and I was overtaken by love that I didn't think I possessed for one that was not blood related to me, yet penetrated the very core of my heart with a love that only sisters can know. I was, without a doubt, smitten with this baby! I thought I would be afraid to have her come into my life, but all of that was swept away when she was placed in my arms and I gazed on her jet black hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. She was MY baby sister and I, at that moment, would have done anything in the world for her. We named her Kathryn Elizabeth Ann Cashion. She became "one of us." She did not, for one second, ever NOT belong to our family. God made her just for us to love and cherish all the days of her life.
Remembering this time gives me great joy because God, too, made us His own. He created us in our "mother's wombs" and "knew all the days ordained for us before one of them ever came to be." He becomes our ABBA, Father...our Daddy...when we allow Him to take up residence in our home. Just like Katie became a resident of our home, God has done the same for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take up residence in our hearts (our home)...to become love to us in a way like none other could give it. You know, we had not even seen, heard or held Katie and yet we loved her. In the physical sense, we have not seen, heard or held Jesus, yet we, too, can love Him. With faith and trust in the One who gives us life, we have One that wants to know us and love us unconditionally. Are you feeling without a home today? Do you feel like your dwelling place is not a dwelling place at all? Are you characterizing your day, or your life by lonliness? Grab hold of the One who loves you most. Call, cry out, bawl like a baby for your Lord today. He is there to fill you up, to make you whole.
Katie continues to be a blessing to our family today. The love just keeps growing and growing for her. God does the same. He never stops being the ultimate love giver. Take some time today to let Him wrap His arms around you and just be His child. He wants to be your Daddy.

He's Alive

Just wanted to take some time to encourage you to relect on what this weekend really means to you. I tell ya, being a part of The Witness last weekend was just what I needed to help me focus on what my Jesus did for me. I have found myself dwelling on it ever since. At the same time, why did it take that experience for me to dwell on it all? Oh, that I would remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for me each and everyday. It truly overwhelms me. I don't know of another time that makes such a mark on my life as Easter. I love Christmas and remembering the gift of God's son for all mankind, but it is Easter that brings me to my knees in such great humility for my Savior. He died for me! And I know that even if it was just me that was put on this earth, He still would've died for me! You know, it's hard to wrap your mind around that sometimes. If you are reading this today and you have never truly grasped just what Jesus did for you, take some time to ponder these things today. Not only did God send His one and only Son to die for us, but Praise the Lord, he rose again, too! We weren't left to be alone, but He gave us His Holy Spirit, "a counselor, to be with us forever...the Spirit of Truth." Ladies, we have been given it ALL. We have been offered love's perfect gift. It is always there for the taking. Choose it today. Maybe you are reading this and you needed to know today that someone was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you and you want to know more. Well, it's your day because I want to tell you more! Inviting Jesus into your life to reign and rule is simple. The Bible says it just takes a "childlike faith." Don't go another day thinking you have to live this life on your own. He is waiting and ready for you today. It was 27 years ago this coming summer that I exerted that "childlike faith" and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. What does a seven year old really know other than what is simple enough for them to understand? All I knew was that I felt alone and that something in my life was missing. Yes, my Daddy was (and is) a pastor. I was raised in a loving Christian home. I grew up in Church. All those things, of course, contributed to me wanting to know more about this Savior who had come to save me. It was, however, the steadfastness of a Sunday School teacher, who willingly, lovingly, and simply shared that "Jesus Loves Me" that ultimately made me realize that this was the gift. This was what was missing.
So, I dropped the guard of fear I possessed as a little seven year old girl and I went forward to tell anyone that would listen that I was accepting that gift. I wanted Jesus in my life. The road since has been full of bumps and it was a curvy road, but ultimately, ladies...I didn't do it alone. My Father, God, has always been there to guide me, to fill me up, to show me the way! I could've stopped right then when I invited Jesus into my life, but let me say...NO WAY, NO HOW! I don't want to stop. I want to live for Him, just like He lives for me! I want to KNOW Him. I want to SERVE Him. I want to TELL everyone about Him. Hey, He saved me! He wants everyone to know it! So, let Jesus be Lord of your life today. If you need someone that can help you, write me. It would be my honor today to introduce you to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net

Allison

Today, I conclude introducing you to the Aroma Team by having you get to know Allison Taylor.
Allison is someone I have known for around 2 years or so, but someone I really feel I have gotten to know more over the past year. Allison's husband, Junior, has been someone especially dear to my husband, Jeff. Without a doubt, it has been Junior whom God has used to encourage Jeff when he needed it the most. Most times that encouragement came because God told him to do it, and that is what made it all the more special - just knowing that God inspired it.
When we met Allison, it was because Junior told us that he had found someone special and had begun dating. Being the private guy he is, when he actually wanted us to meet this special someone, we figured it had to be a big deal. We went on a double date with Junior and Allison to PF Changs, which I can now thank them for putting that restaurant up at the top of my favorites list. We had a wonderful time getting to know Allison more and seeing firsthand why Junior thought so much of her. Jeff and I had the honor of later attending their wedding ceremony and sharing in that special day with them. It has been a joy to watch these two families come together and put God first, then each other, and then the children. They truly love one another, and out of that pours a love for those God puts in their lives.
Over this past year, I have watched Allison pour herself into others. You may not always know exactly what Allison is up to, but many times it's because of Allison that special things may randomly come into your life. Oftentimes, it is Allison that initiates a special surprise for someone, just because she has seen that person needs a special touch in their life. Anytime you need to bless someone with a meal, Allison is always more than willing to help. And more times than not, it is Allison who brings that one in need that we might not notice, to our attention. She has an unbelievable gift of mercy.
It's been a joy to have Allison on the Aroma Team. She is our newest member, and she has come in full steam ahead. Her hands were all over Ladies' Retreat, but my guess is that many of you never knew just what exactly is was she organized, because she is just one of those people that is behind the scenes, handing out the special touches, making things shine. Right now, Allison is in prayer about an exciting new ministry, and I can't wait for the day that we can share that with you. For now, though, look for Allison to be a busy bee. She will be the one that goes that extra mile to serve you.
Allison is the wife of Junior, mother of Adam and Jackson and special Allison to Jared, Nathan, and Summer. She is a good friend, faithful servant and lover of her Lord!

Jennifer

Today, we continue getting to know the rest of the Aroma Team. Join me today and meet Jennifer Greene. I met Jennifer about 2 years ago, I think it was. My husband, Jeff, had visited her husband, Jeff, and became fast friends with him. They began attending the church where my husband was pastoring. It really wasn't until we began LifeSong, however, that I got to know Jennifer more. All of us in the core group of LifeSong were a part of watching Jennifer's tummy expand with who we now know as Brady! Each week we bombarded her with questions of "how much longer until he comes?" "Will your shoes fit you much longer?" "What are you craving this week?" And so on and so forth. We surprised her with a diaper shower and one of her favorite meals one night at housechurch, all of us very excited to watch Jen become a first time Mommy!
It has been a journey we've taken with Jen, and one that has led her personally to see a calling God has put on her life to invest in the lives of other moms. In her own personal journey to discovering it is that God wants her to be as a Mom, she takes other moms along for the ride and spices things up for us a little. Thanks to Jen, we have 24:7 Moms, where we can get together for a little Mom time, go to the park, enjoy parties together with our kids, or share ideas we implement for raising Godly kids. Jen is not afraid to extend herself outside the walls of the church and invite unchurched moms to come and hang out with us, and she is always willing to make sure that when a mom in our church has a need, that the need is filled. When we have a new addition arrive within our church family, you can be sure that you will receive a call from Jen scheduling meals to be delivered to your home so you can enjoy time with your newborn. She heads up that ministry for us and does an exceptional job.
Jen has been a good friend to me. My favorite thing to talk about with Jen is COUPONS! She and I share a love for saving a penny. Right now, I have her beat because I saved so much one day at the grocery store that I crashed their system and Jen all but gave me a trophy! Her day is coming, though, when she'll probably pay $5 for a whole cart of groceries. Hey, it's like a sport to us! For me, it's nice to have another woman, mom, friend that takes pleasure in the simple things, like clipping a really great coupon.
I hope you take time to get to know Jen. She really does care about you and wants to see you Moms take a little time for YOU, so join her for the next 24:7 Moms event she plans. You are sure to walk away with a little more peace than you started the day with.
Jen is wife to Jeff, mom to Brady, and one of the best cupcake bakers ever. She desires to follow Jesus and without a doubt, she will beat herself up if she doesn't do her very best at anything she puts her hands to. Thanks, Jen, for giving everything your all!

Barbie

I promised that over these next few days I would introduce you to the Aroma team members, so if you are reading this as your first post, scroll down a little and get caught up on our testimony of God putting together this team of five ladies.

Today is a very special day for me because I have the honor of writing about my best friend. God has afforded me the blessing of having best friends at every important juncture in my life, and knowing Barbie George is no exception. I always look at Barbie and think, "that is me back when my mom was talking for me and I didn't speak a word." Barbie need not say a word to be heard, because it is the heart she has as a listener that speaks the loudest. She lets me talk and talk without saying a word, lets me get done and then just encourages me. I think that God put Barbie in my life to remind me to slow down and let it all sink in. She is one of these friends to me that can read my mind. Seriously, we can be in the same room, look at each other and know what the other is thinking. I like that about a person.
Not only that, but she makes me laugh. There's just some people who's humor you get. That's Barbie. Sometimes we just get in a "you got to bend over and laugh" kind of laugh. We always have a good time, and I think anyone that is around her will agree with me.
These last few months have been awesome to watch God work in Barbie's life. We've had many a conversation where we talk about where it is God wants to use us. Back in the day that I wrote about a couple of days ago where God profoundly showed me what my role as pastor's wife was while in Dillon, God showed me some very specific things and since then, He's just grown those in my life. Watching Barbie these last few months I have been reminded of that time when God takes a heart that is willing and He gives them life-changing things to do. No longer does Barbie have to wonder "where do I fit in?" She isn't waiting around for some lightning bolt moment, but she is digging in and loving on people in a way only Barbie can. And you know what I love the most about her? Never will you hear, "look what I did for so and so" or "that's not my job description" or "I'm too scared to try". Nope, never. Barbie serves out of the overflow of her heart. Hey, I am one life that God sent her to restore. Barbie, you will never know what your friendship means to me - to have taken this heart of mine and just loved on me when I needed it the most - well, that takes us deep, girl. I love you like my sister.
Barbie has a heart for all people. I really think she would serve just about anywhere and do a job "well done." In Aroma, Barbie has a job that is pretty much behind the scenes because she does a lot of publicity related stuff for us, but Barbie also has a ministry in Ladies' Coffee Connection. After seeing that women just need to get together and talk sometimes and let the kids run around, Barbie has organized this time just for you! She wants you to come and feel like you can kick up your feet and talk about whatever. And you know what? After spending an hour or so with other ladies, you begin to see how to pray, who has a need, and who just might need a break. Barbie does an exceptional job and organizing this. I hope that next time she does one that you will come and be a part of that time You are bound to form a relationship that you might not have expected.
Yesterday, I asked Jeff if he'd been reading these blog entries and he said he had. When I asked him what he thought about how I was introducing my team, he answered, "well, you are writing about your relationship and experiences with them...from your perspective." Thinking he must have thought that was a bad thing, I got a little defensive. He said, "no you are writing like you know them." Well, I hope this is helping you ladies reading this know them, and that something you read may take you deeper in a relationship with them. Sometimes it's just hard to trust that someone wants to serve you until you know them firsthand. We desire for you to know the Father firsthand, and I assure you that knowing one of these ladies, you will also feel as though you know the Father, too. They model Him to me each and every day.
So, get to know Barbie George. Her birthday is March 14 - that's tomorrow for all you busy people that don't know what day it is. Wish her a big 'ole Happy Birthday and give her a hug!
Barbie is married to Brian, Pastor of Missons/Administration at LifeSong. She is the awesome mom to Addie, Aiden and Austin, with whom she loves on at home each at everyday. She is my dear, dear friend - a true kindred spirit!

Bonnie "Guesstures" Moody

(Read the post below before reading this)

There is a reason for calling Bonnie "Guesstures." Just recently, on retreat, Bonnie surprised us all for her keen "Guesstures" playing skills. Her skill at the game truly points to how I feel about Bonnie. She always keeps me guessing! She is full of surprises in the way that her talents are endless, and her giftedness always apt to grow stronger and be added to. She is a woman's woman. Women just want to be like her!
Bonnie holds a very dear place in my heart. I can almost remember the day that I met her. I actually met her at our former church, but I didn't really "know" her then. When God began to do a work in our hearts to begin LifeSong, we met in our home with about 26 other people, two of which were Bonnie and her husband, Eric. I always admired Bonnie, but first I have to admit it was all vanity. I just love the way that Bonnie dresses! She has got some style going on! I just couldn't wait to see what she came to Housechurch wearing next! My other impression of Bonnie is that she was a fellow coffee queen. I love me some people that appreciate a good cup of Joe. Bonnie shared with me several months ago that our coffee at Housechurch always kept her coming back. I shared my Venezuelan stash with everyone, and apparently that was God's will because it kept Bonnie coming back.
My heart has always been bent toward Bonnie. Immediately, when we wanted someone to lead ladies in a fellowship ministry, Bonnie popped in my mind. She loves to serve others, hang out with people, and has a tremendous gift for hospitality! Thus, we began our Sweet Monday ministry, which is now known as Monday Mingle. Every first Monday of the month, we meet at Bonnie's home for pure fellowship. No one has ever walked away unhappy. She always does a super job.
However much of a fan of Bonnie I am, no one recently has impacted my life as much as she! She is a pure example of how our God takes a person and puts them right where He wants them to be, right at the right time! God used Bonnie's heart for Sweet Monday to get her listening to His voice. When it came time to meet for a new Bible study about this time last year, Bonnie ended up in my small group discussion. No sooner had we sat down did she look at me and say, "I need to be led to the Lord!" What? I never imagined such a sweeter moment in all my life. God had brought Bonnie to LifeSong, put her in an actual place of service, only to lead her to her Maker.
Never in all my life have I been so blessed to pray someone to the feet of Jesus, that He would walk straight into her heart. As Sarah Davenport and I began to pray and talk with Bonnie, it was abundantly clear that she did not feel she had truly accepted Christ years and years ago, and that that very day we were in Bible study would be her day of salvation...the difference maker in her life! So, in that very moment, she bowed her head, and in her very own words begged for Jesus to come inhabit her heart. Since then, Bonnie has been even more "full steam ahead." She loves to do whatever it takes to see women, and all people, changed for His glory. She never whines, complains, wishes she were somewhere different. She always goes the extra mile, without ever being asked. Aside from leading Monday Mingle, she always has a hand in organizing any details to make things beautiful for our gatherings, she manages our money and whatever else is asked of her.
Bonnie is married to Eric. They live in Reidville and have two very spunky dogs. She crochets, gardens, quilts, shops like a superstar, and is a true friend. I am honored to have Bonnie on the Aroma Team, but especially my dear friend.