Update

Hi, Ladies!

Earlier this month, we had our first ladies' luncheon. Just a few of us were able to attend, but we had a great time. We have decided on the following activities for our Women's Ministry:

1. First Sunday Lunch. All ladies are invited to attend this time of fellowship, and children are welcome. :) We will pick this up in May since the first Sunday of April is the youth BBQ dinner.
2. Quarterly Events: outings/ in-home fellowships, etc.
3. Bible Study: First and Third Tuesday evenings (most likely starting the 3rd Tuesday of April). We are planning to start with Beth Moore's Mercy Triumphs. This is a study of the book of James, and we chose it because it offers several layers of involvement- from just watching the videos to memorizing the book of James! This is a great opportunity for ladies who may not be able to commit to weekly Bible study with lots of homework right now. Even if you choose to do the homework, you will have two weeks to complete one week of homework since we'll only be meeting every other week. If you can only make it a couple of times, you will still benefit from the videos. We are planning on meeting in homes.
4. Priscilla Shirer simulcast: May 4-5. This one will be really low-key. We won't be inviting the entire community, but feel free to bring a friend. If you would like to sign up, please put an envelope marked Simulcast containing $15 in the offering plate.

Now, if you would like to help... :)

1. First Sunday Lunch- I could use someone to coordinate this. This person (or people) would remind us, set the menu or theme (This month was Salad Bar. We could do baked potatoes, soups, sandwiches, pot luck, etc.)
2. Quarterly Events- I need some "fun" people to come up with some ideas and coordinate this. We just need to make sure to include some free or low cost ideas. Remember, we only need to do this quarterly. One thing I really want to do is have a mother/daughter (ladies/girls) outing.
3. Bible Study- I will take care of this, and host the first one. Y'all can just show up and bring snacks! :)
4. Priscilla Shirer- I'll let you know. :)

If you can help in any way, please let me know. If you don't feel like you can help right now, I understand. Please just come and be a part of as many activities as you can. :)

Memory Verses

So far, Kevin has gone really easy on us on the memory verses. Week one was Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Week two was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Two easy verse, but oh so important. By the way, did you see the John 3:16 commercial during Sunday's Broncos game? I'll try to post it here if I can.

New Year, New Committments

Ok, so I haven't been vey good at blogging. Like many things I do, I have great intentions that get pushed aside as life happens. As a new year starts, I always take the opportunity to start fresh and make new committments. In the past, this has looked something like, "Every day this year, I'm going to get up at 5:00 am, study the Bible, exercise, get ready for work, wake my children with praise music so the can happily get ready for school as I cook them a nutritious breakfast." Then, I remember that I hate getting up and am not really all that fond of exercise, and pretty soon, I'm back to oversleeping and throwing granola bars to my kids as we rush off to school. :)

This year, I'm hoping to be a little more sane with my committments. I will exercise with my family so my children will develop good habits. We have committed to running the Gusher 5K as a family in March. Anyone want to join us? I am also committing to reading my Bible (just not at 5:00 am). This morning, at breakfast, Kevin read Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." We talked about the importance of knowing God's word, and Kevin told the kids we would be memorizing one verse a week as a family. I have to admit I got really excited. Yes, I love the idea of memorizing scripture with my family, but it's not just that fact that has me so excited. Remember my scripture memory attempt last year, and how much trouble I would have choosing a verse? Now, I don't have to choose! I know, that's really sad, but just in case you're like me, I'll be posting our weekly verse so you can memorize along with us if you want.

This leads me to my last committment. I'm really going to try to use this blog more. I know that many of our ladies aren't online, but many are. This gives me a chance to connect with many of you in the midst of our busy lives. You can also follow me on Twitter (@KristyBrown). So please, follow along with me on this journey and help keep me accountable and sane. I'm already fighting the urge to add more committments (anyone want to learn Spanish and Greek?). :)

Also let me know your ideas for Women's Ministry this year. I woukd really like to have a Bible study (I'm wrestling with times so let me know your thoughts), and I'm thinking about a ladies' luncheon or tea.

Let's make this the year we grow closer to God and each other. I love you all!

Wow! What Happened to the Last Three Months?

Wow! So I took a few days off from blogging since I was so busy with the Simulcast. Then it was taxes, the TAKS test, Easter, the end of school, and graduation. I looked up, and it's been three and a half months! How did that happen? There was so much I wanted to do, and it all went by the wayside in the busyness of life. That happens to me so often, and I wish I was better at keeping all the balls in the air.

Now that summer is here, I'm still busy! Bible School preparations, pre-teen and youth camps, playdates and youth outings will take up most of my time (along with trying to keep a pet rabbit alive in 104 degree heat, remembering to water the plants, and trying to find a decent pair of denim capris). But, the pace has slowed a little, and I'm making a commitment to be a better blogger.

I really wanted to do a summer Bible study for ladies, and I still think I would like to try that. I bought a copy of Priscilla Shrirer's book, Can We Talk, that she mentioned during the simulcast. I think it's only six weeks long, so we could still get it done this summer. What do you think? Let me know if you're interested, and I'll try to get it together.

So, I hope you'll forgive me for being a neglectful blogger. :) Leave a comment letting me know your thoughts on Bible study, and if you would like to help in Bible school, please let me know. I still need a couple of Tribe Leaders and Assistant Tribe Leaders. I would really like to have two adults in every tribe.

Please be praying for Bible school, our summer camps, and our upcoming Beth Moore Simulcast. September will be here before we know it!

Love,
Kristy

Simulcast Registration!

We now have a Simulcast Registration page on our church website, firstontheweb.net! Early registration is open until March 11. We will also be registering at church on February 27 and March 6.

If you have questions about the simulcast, please feel free to ask me or anyone on the steering team (Claudia Davis, Debbie Quinn, Amy Brister, Maxine Hayes, Felicia Huckaby, or Debbie Harrison).

We also have a Women's Ministry page under "Ministries." Stop by and visit!

Finally, it's time for another memory verse. I still have trouble settling on just one! This time, my verse will be Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Your turn! Share your verses so we can be encouraged by each other.

I love serving with you!
Kristy

Memory Verse for February 1

I think the verse I have chosen this time is one we can all use.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galations 6:9 (NKJV)

I'm praying for a great harvest... God bless you as you continue to serve Him.

Don't forget to leave your verse in the comments. If you are having trouble commenting, sign up for a Google ID. I think that will make it easier.

Stay warm, my friends! I am in Austin right now, and it's freezing!

Kristy

Simulcast Planning Update

I so enjoyed last Monday's meeting. Thanks so much to all the ladies who brought food and to those who came to learn how they can serve in women's ministry. Our first major event will be the Priscilla Shirer simulcast on April 1-2, and there's a lot of work to be done. We still need ladies who will volunteer to help. There are several teams on which you can serve: registration, hospitality, prayer/encouragers, and publicity. We will also need ladies to serve as greeters at the event, and we may still need bookstore help. If you would like to help in any way, please let Claudia Davis or me know.

Perhaps one of the most important ways you can help is to pray. Pray for the steering team as we plan. Pray for the women God will send to this event, not only at our church, but also at churches all over the country. Pray for Priscilla as she prepares to share God's word with us. Pray that God will prepare your own heart. Pray that our technology works! :)

I will continue to post information and updates as plans continue to develop. In the meantime, start spreading the word and inviting your friends.

Kristy