Fall Happenings for Women

What's Going On For Women At Life Stream?

With the fall season approaching, we thought we would tell you what is happening for women at Life Stream.  First off, we would like to thank everyone for a great summer with the Women's Devotional Study, Adventure-Prone Study and Women of Adventure groups!  We will have more Women Adventures soon so keep a look out for information at the Women's Ministry table or in the bulletin.  Also, thanks for all who made cookies for the GVSU Women's Basketball Team...they loved the cookies!

Speaking of the GVSU Women's Basketball Team...on Friday night, September 14th, we are going to be making dinner for the gals.  Please join us for a fun night of getting to know the girls and treating them to a special dinner.  They will arrive at 7:00 p.m. so please plan on being there at 6:00 to help get things ready.  We will have the dinner in the Community Room at church.  Please sign up at the Women's Ministry table for more information.

Starting September 24, at 7:00 p.m. we will be starting our fall Bible Study.  We will be using Beth Moore's study called "James; Mercy Triumphs".  Please join us in the Community Room.

Newbies Bible Study will be starting Saturday, October 6 at 8:00 a.m. at Biggby Coffee.  For six weeks we will going through a Jen Hatmaker study.  This group is for those who have never been in a bible study before or it's been a looooong time.  This group small enough where we can openly discuss questions and learn more about God's word.

We look forward to a great year!

Hey there ladies, here are some details on upcoming events this week

Adventure Prone Bible Study
Wednesday, July 18 at 6:45 p.m. we will be caravaning to the Musketawa Trail with our bikes for our first segment of our Adventure Prone Bible study.  The ride will be from approximately 7:30 to 8:30 and we should be back home by between 8:45 and 9 pm.  If you did not get a chance to pick up the weeks homework at the women's table...no worries...come on along and we will discuss together along the trail.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Women of Adventure
Friday, July 20 at 6 p.m. We will be kayaking and paddle boarding on Lake Macatawa in Holland beginning around 6:30 and will go for about an hour.  We will meet at Life Stream Church and caravan over to Holland, or feel free to meet us at the lake (Macatawa Boat House).  If you have never kayaked or paddle boarded before...again, no worries...we will learn together.  This is a no pressure high fun time.  Afterwards, we will run over to Captain Sunday's for some ice cream.

We are so thankful for all our lovely ladies at Life Stream...and can't wait to have some sister chicks time with ya'll!

If you have any questions feel free to call the church office.  Thanks again.

Vicki Ferrier

Hey there everyone,

For the summer we are starting a new blog series called Women in the Word.  We will be asking several of our women to share a devotional.  Our first in this series is from Sherry Schut.  Sherry heads up our prayer chain ministry and the following is a devotional from her.  Thanks Sherry for sharing with us! 

Luke 6:38 - Rewards for Giving

"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

About 9 years ago, this Bible verse became one of my favorites. The economy was just beginning to tank, and Duke Construction was one of the first areas of business that began to feel the crunch. We had no work in our future, and had to live on a very strict budget. I remember sitting in church and hearing sermons about how we all needed to help those who were in need, and thinking to myself, “how in the world am I supposed to do that when we can barely put food on our own table”. I began to look for ways to make money to help out with our groceries, and started selling things we didn’t need on Craigs List. As I sold items, I would put the money in an envelope and only use it when I absolutely needed to.

One day, I felt the Lord telling me that HE needed me to take the money that was in the envelope and go to Save A Lot, and HE wanted me to give all the money that was in it to someone. I didn’t know who, but I knew that I needed to do what I felt HE was asking me to do, and I trusted HIM to give me all the details as I needed them. So, I went to Save A Lot and started walking through the store……(I really did not want to give the money away, because I knew it was grocery money that we needed, but I also knew better than to go against His will). As I walked through the aisles, I remember thinking---“is this a joke----or is this just a test to see if I would do as I was being asked to do”…..NOBODY WAS IN THE STORE! I asked the Lord to reveal to me who I was supposed to give the money to, and as I getting ready to go down the last aisle, I noticed a couple that was shopping together at the other end of the store, and as I stood there watching them, I asked the Lord to clearly let me know if they were the ones. I noticed that they were picking up items one at a time and would discuss the item and either place it in their cart, or put it back on the shelf. The Lord clearly showed me that they only had so much money to spend and had to be careful what they were putting in their cart-----they were who I was supposed to help. So I went to the cashier and pointed out the couple and asked her if she would please give them the envelope when they came to the checkout (I didn’t tell the cashier what it was), and I left the store……not sure how they reacted or even who they were…..I just did what I was being asked to do and went back home.

That envelope of money has so many stories that I could share with you, but because of the length of this devotion, I am only able to share this one with you.

Something I have not yet mentioned is, every time I gave the money away, the Lord would somehow give it back to put into the envelope and sometimes it was more than I had given away-------whether it be to have another item sell on Craigs List, to have someone pay me cash for a small favor they needed, or to have an unexpected rebate check in the mail------HE ALWAYS REPLACED THE MONEY THAT HE ASKED ME TO GIVE AWAY----the envelope was never left empty for any length of time, and we HE always took care of every need we had throughout those 8 years of not having much.

I have never felt so blessed before as when I was able to give what I had to help someone else who was in need, and I am so thankful for those years of having little so that I could feel the joy and happiness that can only come from our Heavenly Father!

I pray that all of us will be able to keep our eyes open to people that the Lord specifically places in our paths, and that when HE tells us to help, that we help with all we have (and it doesn’t have to be with money….it can also be with our time and our love, or even just a listening ear).

Blessing to all of you,

Sherry Schut

Wow!  It's been a while...so long that they have even changed the look of the formatting for our blog....so I may even be doing this wrong.  First things first, let's update everyone on all the activities going on at Life Stream.  There will be a Ladies Boat Luncheon on Saturday, June 16. That sounds so fun!  For more information on that, please see Sherry Schut or get information at the womens table at church.  Also, look for a couple of adventures this summer.  Gals, even if there isn't an event happening - still get together and do stuff!  You do not need an event to get together and encourage one another!

Now for my short thought.  I like to talk and tell stories.  I have a lot of strange and peculiar things happen to me therefore, I have a lot of stories.  This past weekend I overworked my voice and consequently lost my voice.  I have had nodules on my vocal chords in the past so I have to be careful with my voice and I wasn't.  So I couldn't talk (which was a joy to my household..."chores?...what I can't hear you?")  I thought if I had one day of vocal rest then I would be fine...nope.  This is day four and I have a voice but it's not clear and I can't sing yet.  It will be fine and I'm not worried about it but it did make me think.

I am a busy person and I love it!  But, I think God...ok, I know God wants me to shut up and listen to Him.  I've been going on a four days of limited talking and just doing things in silence...I've turned off the TV and radio and have been in quiet.  At first it was strange and I wanted to text like crazy but I didn't.  I'm still not a great listener but losing my voice was a knock on the head from God saying..."be quiet and listen".  Not only to God's voice but stop and listen to the people I encounter.  Like I said before, I have a lot of stories...a lot of stories.  God wants me to work on listening.  What does God want you to work on?

At the feet of Jesus

Here are some happenings in the Women's Ministry at Life Stream.  There are quite a few bible studies happening during the week.  A recent study has started on Friday mornings in the community room.  On February 11 we would like to go cross country skiing/snowshoeing as a Women of Adventure event.  We will go to Pigeon Creek, 1:00 -3:30 if we have enough snow.  Also, we would like to go have a great evening of laughter by watching Anita Renfroe on March 2 at Central Weselyan in Holland.  Tickets are $15 and sign up or tell Lori before Feb. 5.

Our next Chapters book is Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages". This is a great book for any relationship and just dealing with people.  Books are $7 and can be found at the Women's Ministry table or just get a book or ebook and meet us on Tuesday, February 28 in our new cafe at Life Stream.

Now for my quick thought.  Luke 10:38 -42;  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked "Lord, don't you care that my siter has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."

I have two cats and one very old dog.  I work from my home so I am home quite a bit.  My animals follow me everywhere and always want to be near my feet.  My dog Casper is a miniature Sheltie and is 15 years old.  He cannot see, hear, has trouble walking and has a bad "smokers" cough ( he is allergic to grass and our two cats..yes...I said cats)  Casper is near my feet all day long and it drives me insane.  I trip over him, step on him and roll over him when I am on my rolling chair giving music lessons.  Yet, he still stays by my feet.

I sit down and my cat Callie, our calico cat, jumps on my lap or sits on my feet.  I walk up the stairs and she runs to the stairs and lays down on the last step for me to jump over her.  I go to bed at night and my other cat Zappa paws at my feet as I lay down and sleeps on my feet.  I roll over and she readjusts to be near my feet.  If I get up in the middle of the night I have to take Zappa off my feet, watch for Casper as I get out of bed because, there he is, at the foot of the bed ready for me to step on him.  Then as I walk to the bathroom, I have to watch for Callie somewhere on the floor so I don't step on her.

What is it with my animals and wanting to be near my feet all the time?! I have a couple of theories.  One is that they are all plotting together and are trying to kill me thinking that sooner or later I will trip over one of them, be knocked unconscious and then they can eat me while the children are at school and my husband is at work.  (I really do have those nightmares)

My other theory is that to them, I am their master and caretaker.  Casper cannot see or hear me but he knows where I am and wants to be by me.  Being by my feet comforts him and makes him feel safe.  I am not a cat person so I think that the cats really are trying to kill me but if I didn't think that I would say they want to be by my side just to be near me.  They want that contact where I pet them and they can feel safe and warm curled up in my lap or curled up by my feet.

This got me thinking.  We become people like Martha running around and going nuts trying to fit "life" in and do things for everybody and get frustrated at others who are "not helping".  Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his every word.  Jesus tells Martha that what Mary is doing is right. (you have to think that his statement must have annoyed Martha to no end!)  I was going to write this thought down early this morning but then I forgot I needed to prepare for a lesson, then I taught lessons, then I had to do a load of laundry, then.....you get the point.  I found a lot of things that I thought needed to be done before I cracked opened my bible and read God's word...to sit at His feet. 

At His feet we find comfort and safety.  Even if we can't see Him we know He is there and will take care of us but we need to find time to be at His feet.  At His feet, we can take our worries and concerns to Him and curl up at His feet and find hope and courage and strength.  Jesus doesn't get bothered like I get with my animals.  He wants us at His feet, He encourages that!  We just need to stop what we are doing sometimes and lay at His feet.

Why are we so busy?

First of all let's get updated with all the happenings around here for the women's ministry.  On Friday, December 16 we will be caroling...even if you don't sing come and join us.  We go to houses where people may not be able to get out very much or don't get many visitors.  It was a blast last year so we thought we would try it again.  Meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. with a dozen cookies!

Chapters will wait until February and be prepared for some outdoor activities for Women of Adventure.

Now on to my rambling which, according to this blog, has not happened since November 1.  That's a long time so I apologize.  I used to be the sort of person that thrives on a busy schedule.  I say used to be but I sort of do now...just not as bad as I use to be.  I was the person that not only would I have what I was doing every hour down in my hour by hour scheduler, I had it down to every 30 minutes.  I loved that!  I wrote down everything that I was doing....I even planned when I would sit down for a break.....but why take any breaks?  That's a waste of time....and eating?!  Who has time?  I would even get upset if I was working in a group setting and someone thought that it was time to get lunch...at 2:30!  What?!  Let's plow through!!

I had no empathy to anyone who could not hang with my schedule and my "get 'er done" attitude.  My desk at school (I use to teach music in the public schools) was a huge mess, the house was a mess, my car was a mess, etc.  I had a friend that I taught with that had my same scheduling "quirk" and when we did projects together...watch out!  Small projects got bigger and grander and next thing you know we where going to Broadway!  Not really but in our music world it was like that.  It was very hard for me to work with people who cared about sleep and eating and little things like that.

God blessed me with a husband who is very much the opposite of me.  I think of a project and within the next breath, I'm on it!  My husband actually thinks before he does a project and helps me think of the details that are involved in my projects.  I rely on him immensely to pull my reins and slow me down.  You see, it reached a point that I was not only scheduling my life down to every 30 minutes and putting the schedule on the frig so that I could see it...but I got to the point that I was writing down what my husband should be doing every hour and then what my children should be doing every hour of the day.  When I started putting up everyones schedules on the refrigerator and stepped back to look at my wonderful organization of my family life, it hit me...."Woman, you are insane!  "Who want's to live like this?"  This was only four years ago.

I realized that this was not healthy for me or my family.  I learned to sit and rest...even take an occasional nap.  I have learned to calm my nerves down if something or someone is moving slower than I would like.  Let's just say Jeff and I could never do The Amazing Race together.  My learning to move slower has been so much better for my family life.

I did find myself recently writing down my schedule every 30 minutes and you know what?  It gave me a rush.  I loved that feeling of going here and there and rushing around.  I haven't really sat down and dug deep to see if it's because I feel needed or feel important or my thyroid is out of whack or "I got a need for speed!" (top gun quote)  Guess what also happened during the time period that I was running crazy?  I was late for appointments, late in paying bills, I didn't buy food for my family for over two weeks, laundry and dishes where left undone, I could barely get to my computer because of all the paperwork on my desk (that's why I haven't writing in the blog for a while...yeah, that's it),  and I took all my clothes that I had on my floor in my bedroom and threw them in the closet to wait for another day to put away.

I think we all secretly love being busy and in certain periods of our lives we all have busy schedules.  This is a busy season with Christmas programs at church and at school and Christmas parties and exams and the list goes on and on.  Sometimes I think that if people feel they are busy, they feel important, needed or the busyness leaves them no time to reflect on how their life is going. 

I have no real solution and no real "spiritual" thought to end with...I've rambled quite a while now.  I do know that I want to make time to laugh with my family and friends, thank God for the blessings He has given to me, and think, pray and do things for others.  If I'm too busy to do those things, then I'm being busy doing the wrong things.

Laundry

Am I the only one who feels like I'm doing laundry all the time.  I swear I just washed clothes a couple days ago.  I have taught my children since they were four years old how to work the washing machine but since I am the one at home, the duty seems to fall on me.  Today as I was putting a load of clothes in the washing machine (I don't even sort anymore...just throw it all in and put it on cold!) I was thinking to myself..."I just did this!"  Same thing with the littler box, vaccumming, doing the dishes, making the bed and picking up after the family.  When I let my thoughts think of these tasks as "burdens" I turn into quite a lovely person (heavy on the sarcasm with that last statement).  I put my hand on my hips and talk to myself (oh course in my loudest voice with the tone on the border of insanity and really wanting everyone in the house to hear me but still I'm just talking to myself) "Am I the only one around here that does anything around here?!"  My family loves those moments. (again, add sarcasm)

Today, I am going to do something different.  When I fold clothes, I am going to thank God for meeting our every need.  I have 3 wonderful children and they have clothes and shoes for their feet.  How many children in the world do not even have those basic needs?  When I put the dishes in the dishwasher, I will thank God for food on our table and thank God that he gave me a husband that is willing to make our evening meals (I can put the dishes on the table and in the dishwasher but as for making the meals - that's a roll of the dice there)  I will thank God for the blessings of a house and all that goes into having a home.  Instead of complaining about the mundane things in life, I will give thanks for the small blessings in my life.

What small chore do you thank God for today?