This is how it should be!
Good morning ladies!
I still cannot believe this semester is over. I feel like we just started! So when I finally sat down yesterday to reflect on this past year of Real Moms I was surprised. What a year we have had! So, I thought my last email of the semester should be about celebrating the Lord and all he has done for us this "year"!
We welcomed 2 "new" shepherds Carrie and Heather-who have done such an amazing job of leading. I don't know what we as a group and me as a co-shepherd would do without them!!
We questioned-about parenting and work; as well as "situations" with in-laws and friendships.
We prayed with each other and for each other.
We FED each other-both physically and spiritually!!
We laughed-and we cried.
We experienced the Lord in new ways together.
We learned-about ourselves and each other.
We grew-both as individuals and as a group.
Ladies, this past "year" (8 + month) has truly been blessed!! And I am praising and thanking God for each one of you and what you bring to the group. You know I can't leave you without sharing a scripture-and here it is.
Romas 12:9-21: (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Message:
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Ladies, my prayer for us today is this: that we would continue to love each other out of the abundant LOVE that we receive from our Lord Jesus. And that by doing so we will not just be blessing our dear sister, but all those in her life!
Loving and praying for you all today!
Sandy
I still cannot believe this semester is over. I feel like we just started! So when I finally sat down yesterday to reflect on this past year of Real Moms I was surprised. What a year we have had! So, I thought my last email of the semester should be about celebrating the Lord and all he has done for us this "year"!
We welcomed 2 "new" shepherds Carrie and Heather-who have done such an amazing job of leading. I don't know what we as a group and me as a co-shepherd would do without them!!
- We welcomed Libby, Evan, Michael, Ashley and Beckham into the world all without incident-Praise God!!. As well as welcoming Abby, Ryan,Elliette and Liam into the group-along with their fabulous moms!
- We celebrated and are continuing to celebrate with Allison and Heather as they await the arrival of their precious baby girls!
- We saw 3 "baby girls" Lauren, Ella and Olivia all enter kindergarten and (almost) complete their first year of REAL school. (Which is so hard for me to imagine!!) And prayed with Kelli as Emma entered middle school!
We questioned-about parenting and work; as well as "situations" with in-laws and friendships.
We prayed with each other and for each other.
We FED each other-both physically and spiritually!!
We laughed-and we cried.
We experienced the Lord in new ways together.
We learned-about ourselves and each other.
We grew-both as individuals and as a group.
Ladies, this past "year" (8 + month) has truly been blessed!! And I am praising and thanking God for each one of you and what you bring to the group. You know I can't leave you without sharing a scripture-and here it is.
Romas 12:9-21: (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Message:
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Ladies, my prayer for us today is this: that we would continue to love each other out of the abundant LOVE that we receive from our Lord Jesus. And that by doing so we will not just be blessing our dear sister, but all those in her life!
Loving and praying for you all today!
Sandy
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