Cunningham Falls Trip

Last month many of us went to Cunningham Falls in Thurmont, MD. We are planning another trip on Friday, August 7, 2009. So if you're interested in packing a lunch, a beach blanket, and the kids toys and heading to the lake for a day of playing in the sand and swimming, join us.

The lake has many shallow parts which are perfect for young children, but also has deeper areas roped off for older children. There is a snack pavillion for those of you that hate to pack a lunch and bathrooms right off the beach. It costs $4 per person, however anyone in a booster seat or car seat is FREE!

If interested in going contact Janine at 304-274-2080 or email at janinedigiovanni@hotmail.com.

The Heart of the Home

I saw a very disturbing picture this week in the newspaper. A baby had been born with two heads. From the top of the skull another head had developed. It was horrendous. I imagine that when God looks at our homes and sees the same deformity in leadership, He turns His head in disgust. God is a God of order, and His plan is stated plainly in 1 Corinthians 11:3: "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ".

The struggle many men face in their marriages. They know God has called them to be the leader of the home, and yet the struggle to fulfill that call isn't worth the effort and hassle. After years of being shot down, put down, and runover, many men sit down with the remote control in one hand, a drink in the other, and a "whatever" attitude toward their once exciting and fulfilling marriage.

Just as men are called to be the head of the home, the wife is called to be the heart of the home. When we are acting as the head, it is hard to be the heart.

An excerpt from "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams" by Sharon Jaynes, Chapter 6 Two heads are not always better than one

Let me challenge you today to think about what being the heart of the home means to you!

Blessings,
Lisa

Due to vacation, postings will resume next Thursday, July 30! Please be sure to continue with us then. Thank you!

Fun Activities at Your Fingertips!

Family Camp happening right now!

Are you looking for something fun to do this week for the whole family? Come join us for Family camp at the Potomac Park Campgrounds located off of rt 11 (exit 23). They have services at 10am for ages 2-4, 5-11, 12-18 and then adults. Then take a break for lunch and join us for swimming at the campground pool at 1pm. All of these activities are completely free! If you have teenagers that are interested in doing the activites from 12-3pm please send them with $20 and come in an sign a permission slip! They are doing things like bowling, skating, miniature golf, go-carts and much more!

The remainder of events for July are:

Tuesday, July 28 Hagerstown City Park-Meet at the large playground by the concession stand at 10:30 am. You can bring a packed lunch and drinks for you and your family and a blanket to picnic on if the pavillion is unavailable. If you need directions or information on this event , contact Donnis Lloyd, at 304-283-8152 or email donnisleigh@comcast.net.

The events for August are as follows:

Friday, August 7 Cunningham Falls- Join us for swimming in the 44-acre Cunningham Falls Lake and beach. Day use service charges are $4/person. Anyone in a car seat is free. This is a full-day trip. If you want to caravan, please notify Lisa Fraley for a location.

Tuesday, August 11 Chuck E. Cheese-Join us for lunch and fun at 11 am in Hagerstown, MD.
Be sure to check out the website for coupons and reward tokens.

Friday, August 28 Back to School Bash-Our last event for the summer where the whole family can get together with swimming, snacks, and fun! Bring your towels and join us at War Memorial Park Pool from 6-8 pm. We will have a snack table set up so please bring some snacks and drinks to share.
Pre-registration is required by Aug. 7, to pay for the price of the pool rental the fee is $10 per family of 4, $1 any additional guests. Register with Lisa Fraley or Amanda Dagostino.

If you have any questions regarding our activities please contact Lisa Fraley by phone or email at momsrgreat@comcast.net. Have a great day!

God is our Healer

So in a few minutes of spare time grabbed at the end of the day I was reading a romance novel. The opening paragraphs were all about this woman’s struggles concluding when a piece of equipment that she needed to produce wine broke. She immediately started panicking and then said man, I can’t pray to God about this….I have already used up my prayer time on bigger things and bigger things may come so I will just have to handle this myself.

Of course as a Christian I don’t see my God this way….I was astounded….and then it hit me sometimes I think we do see our God this way. How often do we try to handle problems minor or large when they come our way….how often do we ignore what should be our first response, bringing it to the Lord in prayer. I was reminded of this very thing this week. For two days every time I walked I had this searing pain on the bottom of my foot. There was nothing visibly wrong with it but it was painful and annoying.

As I laid in my bed trying to go to sleep despite the pain that just kept coming from no where my mind started to whirl with what I should do….medicine, the doctor, maybe something more serious was wrong than I was admitting, etc. Finally, I just closed my eyes and said, "God I ask in the name of Jesus that you would heal my body from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I stand on your promise that you are the God that healeth me! I also stand on the promise that I should be anxious for nothing but in prayer and supplication make my requests known unto you. Then I said amen."

Immediately my foot got really warm and it almost felt like needles were poking it (kind of like when your foot falls asleep and wakes up). I have not had another pain! It was amazing! It makes you stop and think wow….my God does not just care about the big things….he cares about everything that involves me! Even if it is an annoying pain on the bottom of my foot!

Janine DiGiovanni

Contrast of Two Deaths

My mother says, "A person dies like they live." I know that's not always the case in life. It certainly wasn't for Jesus. However in regard to my dad and my neighbor, Bob, it's true. One year after we said goodbye to Bob, my father passed away. Since then I have often compared their lives and their deaths. How these two lives intertwined, lived so differently, and died one year apart in completely opposite ways. Over the last few weeks I have thoroughly described Bob, his life and death. Now let me tell you about my father's.

My father had a heart defect that stemmed from a childhood illness that went untreated. He had to have open heart surgery at 30 years old. This caused him to live everyday as a gift from God and to the fullest. He was a godly man and showed it in every aspect of his life. He cared for others, spent time with them, and helped them. I feel inadequate in completely describing the kind of person he was or how he lived. He is the greatest man I have ever known.

The day of my father's death looked quite different from Bob's. My mom found my dad under a pine tree in our yard. She recounts this for me, "I saw him from a distance and he looked like he had fallen asleep." Instead of suffering an agonizing fight with death, my dad looked like he had fallen asleep under a pine tree. What a blessing to go peacefully under a tree you had planted yourself especially since he was such an outdoors man. He died from the heart condition at only 48 years old.

The unsettled sadness we had over Bob's death was not felt for my dad because we knew where he was. It was heartbreaking and continues to be because he is missed so much. But I know I will see him again one day in heaven!!

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15 ).

Blessings,

Lisa

Our Pool Party

The pool party at Tracie McCormick's house was a great success today! Tracie really rolled out the welcome mat for us. She had lots of snacks and drinks poolside for us. Everyone enjoyed the use of her pool which had a diving board and slide. Then we enjoyed pizza for lunch. Even though a storm moved through the area, we still stayed and had a lot of fun under her pavilion. It really was a wonderful time!

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

"In what condition is your mind?" Have you noticed that the condition of your mind changes? One time you may be calm and peaceful, and another time anxious and worried. Or you may make a decision and be sure about it, then later find your mind in a confused condition concerning the very thing you were previously so clear and certain about.

There have been times in my own life when I have experienced these things, as well as others. There have been times when I seemed to be able to believe God without any trouble, and then there have been other times when doubt and unbelief haunted me mercilessly.

Because it seems that the mind can be in so many different conditions, I began to wonder, when is my mind normal? I wanted to know what normal was so I could learn to deal with the abnormal thinking patterns immediately upon their arrival. For example, a critical, judgmental and suspicious mind should be considered abnormal for a believer....

When is your mind normal? Is it supposed to wander all over the place, or should you be able to keep it focused on what you're doing? Should you be upset and confused, or should you be peaceful and reasonably sure of the direction you should be taking in life? Should your mind be full of doubt and unbelief, should you be anxious and worried, tormented by fear? Or is it the privilege of the child of God to cast all his care upon Him? [1Peter 5:7]

The Word of God teaches us that we have the mind of Christ. What do you think His mind was like when He lived on the earth- not only as the Son of God but also as the Son of Man?

Excerpt from Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Introduction to part two. Conditions of the Mind

July's Events!!

Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15 Kidz Blitz-At Bethel Assembly of God an event for the whole family, nightly at 7:00- 8:30 pm. It promises to be up lifting, high octane, and faith based.
*This is the last night to be apart of Kidz Blitz!! You and your children do not want to miss it!!*

Friday, July 17 Pool Party at Tracie McCormick's house-Join us at Tracie's house from 10am-2pm to swim in her inground pool. You may pack a lunch for your family or order Domino's pizza as well as any snacks or drinks. If you need directions, please call or email Lisa Fraley

Monday, July 20 Mom's Night Out- Join us at Amanda Dagostino's for games. Meet at her house at 6 pm and bring an appetizer to share. If you need directions, call Amanda or Lisa Fraley.

Tuesday, July 28 Hagerstown City Park-Meet at the large playground by the concession stand at 10:30 am. You can bring a packed lunch and drinks for you and your family and a blanket to picnic on if the pavillion is unavailable. If you need directions or information on this event , contact Donnis Lloyd, at 304-283-8152 or email donnisleigh@comcast.net.

If you have any questions regarding our activities please contact Lisa Fraley by phone or email at momsrgreat@comcast.net. Have a great day!

"Sweet Life Cafe" Retreat

For Testimony Tuesday let my encourage you to register and plan on attending the "Sweet Life Cafe" Retreat. At Sweet Life Cafe you will satisfy your cravings for friends, God, and spiritual growth. It's a retreat you won't want to miss. Together we will experience meaningful Bible studies, flavor-filled activities and scrumptiously delicious fun. Taking time to spend with God and other spirit-filled believers will be sure to add many more testimonies of God's goodness and blessings to you. This includes all women so be sure to invite others.

On Saturday September 12, 2009, Tender Touch Women's Ministry's at Bethel Assembly of God is having a one day retreat called "Sweet Life Cafe" from 8:30am to 8:00pm in the MACE building at Bethel A/G. The cost is $40 ($20 due at registration/full amount due by August 2, 2009) There will be no childcare provided for this event. If you would like to register for this event, you can contact the church office at 304-267-8694 or Heidi Shank.

Blessings,
Lisa

Lessons I learned from Bob...Part IV

In the years I knew Bob, he looked the same, smelled the same, and acted the same. Even though I described him as a bitter, crotchety, old man, he was always kind to me. I believe he thought of me as a daughter as well as my sisters. We cared for him and loved him back.

For a while I didn't see Bob at all. I was married and preoccupied with life on my own. But Bob requested a visit from my husband and I. It was during this visit that I noticed he was not doing very well. Physically he was going down hill. We were about to start building our house right next door to him and he was excited about it. Bob became our eyes and ears by monitoring all the construction. My dad would tell me that the only thing that kept him going was watching my house get built.

As Bob's health deteriorated, sadly spiritually he remained the same. After all the years of my family, especially my dad, reaching out to him, living a christian life and speaking with him personally about God, Bob refused to ever attend church with us or have anything to do with God. He continued to hold onto bitterness towards others and blamed God for many things.

My parents were with him the day he died. They knew it was getting close to that time and they stayed with him. My mother recounted to me the events of his death. She said, "we woke up to check on him and he had already died. He did not go peacefully. His arms were raised, hands twisted and his fingers were bent as if he was trying to hold something back. His face was distorted and grotesque and his teeth were gnashed together. He looked as if Satan himself had tried to take him." It was such a disturbing sight that when hospice came, they would not let anyone see him until they fixed his expression and body.

This was heartbreaking for my dad most of all who spent over 20 years befriending, caring, and witnessing to a man who never accepted God's son, Jesus as his personal savior. Finally I have come to the biggest, most important lesson I learned from my childhood neighbor. I learned never to let go of my relationship with Christ. I learned there certainly is a hell. And just as I have watched the play Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames several times, there is someone who comes for you. But you decide who that will be.

Blessings,
Lisa

Chuck E. Cheese

On Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Mom's Connection is meeting at Chuck E. Cheese in Hagerstown, MD at 11 am for lunch and games. Before that event you might want to check out the Chuck E. Cheese website at http://www.chuckecheese.com/.

If you sign up in advance you can get great coupons emailed to you. If you click on promotions and go to reward calendars, you can print out great calendars with things for your kids to do where parents sign off.....each calendar gets you 10 free tokens! It has things like sleeping through the night, going potty, brushing teeth, playing outside sports, reading, etc.!

Be sure to check it out now before August! Thanks!

Topics for this Fall

Whether you are planning to join the marriage study based on the book, Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes or the mind study based on the book, Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, both can be ordered on Amazon.com at a amazing low price. Used books are even available for as low as $3!! You are not obligated to purchase these books, but it will add to what you get out of the group discussions beginning this September.

Staying with our pattern this summer, here is an excerpt from Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes, Chapter 3.

"the Bible's definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13. Among other versions, here's a paraphrase you might want to consider... "

"If I teach Bible study classes, volunteer for women's ministry, and sing in the choir, but do not love my husband, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have a college degree, high-paying job, and successful career, but do not love my husband, I am emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. If I have faith that can move mountains, am quick to pray for those in need, and even have half the Bible memorized, but do not love my husband, I am disobedient and do not please God. If I keep a spotless house, maintain a well-manicured lawn, and prepare nutritionally balanced meals, but do not love my husband, it is all for naught. Hired hands can do as much."

Our Activities for July

The activities for July are as follows:

Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15 Kidz Blitz-Coming to Bethel Assembly of God an event for the whole family, nightly at 7:00- 8:30 pm. It promises to be up lifting, high octane, and faith based.

Friday, July 17 Pool Party at Tracie McCormick's house-Join us at Tracie's house from 10am-2pm to swim in her inground pool. You may pack a lunch for your family or order Domino's pizza as well as any snacks or drinks. If you need directions, please call or email Lisa Fraley.

Tuesday, July 14 Movie & Lunch- Join us at Hoyt's Regal Cinemas in Martinsburg, WV at 9:15 am to watch a movie together. Movie is free (Everyone's Hero G; Kung Fu Panda PG)/snacks available at regular prices.Then join us for lunch at Chick-fil-A in Martinsburg at 11:30 am. With the purchase of an adult meal, $.99 kid's meal.

Monday, July 20 Mom's Night Out- Join us at Amanda Dagostino's for games. Meet at her house at 6 pm and bring an appetizer to share. If you need directions, call Amanda or Lisa Fraley.

Tuesday, July 28 Hagerstown City Park-Meet at the large playground by the concession stand at 10:30 am. You can bring a packed lunch and drinks for you and your family and a blanket to picnic on if the pavillion is unavailable. If you need directions or information on this event , contact Donnis Lloyd, at 304-283-8152 or email donnisleigh@comcast.net.

If you have any questions regarding our activities please contact Lisa Fraley by phone or email at momsrgreat@comcast.net . Have a great day!

Testimony Tuesday

Definition of "testimony": a solemn statement made under oath; an assertion offering firsthand authentication, fact; something that serves as evidence.

Sharing our testimony is one of the most profound things we can do in this world for Christ. Every time we speak with someone we can point them to God. What He alone has done for us. No one can refute it or take it away from us. Our testimony is evidence to the world of Christ's life-changing power and love. By not sharing it with others robs God of the credit and recognition He deserves.

It was nine years ago that my life revolved around two things: my son, Lee and T.V.. I would watch the television from 8 am- 10 pm. I can tell you exactly the shows I watched to the very hour I watched them. I thank God He saw more potential in me than that. What bigger plans does He have for you?

Blessings,
Lisa

Lessons I learned from Bob...Part III

I have been sharing over the last two weeks lessons I learned from Bob. These "lessons" are not things he taught me himself by his actions or words. They are what I learned from getting to know him as we were trying to share the love of Jesus with him.

During the summer months when my sisters and I were trying to find fun things to do, we would visit Bob. Sometimes we were selling our mud pies which he always purchased from us at a reasonable price. Ha ha!! Or on special occasions I would make him a cake with my easy bake oven. One time particular we visited him to play hide and seek in his house. We would hide and he would have to try to find us. It was during this game that I happened upon a stack of Playboy's. I don't remember how old I was but I was old enough to know there was something wrong with these magazines. I immediately found my sisters and we left. I never told anyone about it but I made sure it was the last time we visited him alone.

Before this experience I thought everyone was like us. I thought every man was as good as my dad and every person was as they portrayed themselves. Instead I learned people are not what they seem and there are secret sins. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7) Only God knows what is inside of each of us.

I admit I didn't see Bob the same way anymore. It's sad really, how sin can change the way people see us. How wonderful that God loves us the same. After all "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Blessings,
Lisa

Happy Independence Day!

Enjoy the 4th with these famous quotes:

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~ Erma Bombeck

"We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it." ~ William Faulkner
"America is a tune. It must be sung together." ~ Gerald Stanley Lee

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~ Elmer Davis

"If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace." ~ Hamilton Fish

"I believe in America because we have great dreams--and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true." -Wendell L. Wilkie

South Mountain Creamery

Last Friday on June 26, 2009 some of us went to the South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, MD. We met at 10:30am in front of the store to begin our tour by the owner, Karen Sowers. We learned how the farm was started, how the cows are milked, and toured the facilities. You can watch the cows get milked everyday between 1:30-5pm.
We visited the baby calves. Calves are born every few days. You can feed them everyday at 4pm with giant looking baby bottles. We also saw the baby chicks where many of the kids held them.

Then we ate our packed lunch together under the pavillion and had some of their homemade icecream. You could purchase milk, icecream, jelly's, meat, and many other yummy things in their store. It was a fun time for the kids if you didn't mind the smell of a farm. :)

Study the Areas of Thoughts and Words

"How can we express the importance of our thoughts sufficiently in order to convey the true meaning of Proverbs 23:7: For as he [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he...? The longer I serve God and study His Word, the more I realize the importance of thoughts and words. On a fairly regular basis, I find the Holy Spirit leading me to study in these areas. I have said, and I believe it is true, that as long as we are on this earth we will need to study in the areas of thoughts and words. No matter how much we know in any area, there are always new things to learn, and things we have previously learned that we need to be refreshed in." What does Proverbs 23:7 really mean? The King James Version says,...As he [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he... Another translation states, "As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become." ' The mind is the leader or forerunner of all actions. Romans 8:5 makes it clear: For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit."

"Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life. If, on the other hand, we renew our mind according to God's Word, we will, as Romans 12:2 promises, prove out in our experience "the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" for our lives....So many people's problems are rooted in thinking patterns that actually produce the problems they experience in their lives. Satan offers wrong thinking to everyone, but we do not have to accept his offer. Learn what types of thinking are acceptable to the Holy Spirit and what types are not acceptable." "Second Corinthians 10:4,5 clearly indicates that we must know the Word of God well enough to be able to compare what is in our mind with what is in the mind of God; any thought that attempts to exalt itself above the Word of God we are to cast down and bring into captivity to Jesus Christ." "Don't ever give up, because little by little you are changing. The more you change your mind for the better, the more your life will also change for the better. When you begin to see God's good plan for you in your thinking, you will begin to walk in it."

An excerpt from The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, Introduction
Join us this fall as we study this book with great discussion, prayer, and friends.

What's Up, Wednesday!

Blueberry Picking Anyone?

We have been picking Blueberries at The Burkhart's every year since we moved here! We love blueberries, my daughter can't ever get enough! Every year I have the intention of filling the freezer full so we can enjoy them all year long. However, with our family's love of blueberries, we tend to eat more than we should, and we end up finished with our berries before the end of August! The Burkhart's have a passion for Blueberries too, so he decided to plant these bushes near his house, years ago and opened it up to the public to enjoy too! They are the biggest blueberries ever, and so delicious! They have different hours, so you should call before you come out, but I know he said they will be open all day Thurs., Fri., and Saturday (July 4th)! We plan on going Thursday before they all get picked out! The number is 304-229-2391 They are located at 780 Poor House Road. From Martinsburg you can take 45 to Poor House Farm Rd, on the right (it's about 3 miles?). Once on Poor House Road it's on a sharp corner, look for the sign, it's on the right. Enjoy!

Thanks, Jule Burton

The activities for July are as follows:

Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15 Kidz Blitz-Coming to Bethel Assembly of God an event for the whole family, nightly at 7:00- 8:30 pm. It promises to be up lifting, high octane, and faith based.

Tuesday, July 14 Movie & Lunch- Join us at Hoyt's Regal Cinemas in Martinsburg, WV at 9:30 am to watch a movie together. Movie is free (Everyone's Hero G; Kung Fu Panda PG)/snacks available at regular prices.Then join us for lunch at Chick-fil-A in Martinsburg at 11:30 am. With the purchase of an adult meal, $.99 kid's meal.

Saturday, July 18 Tender Touch Ministry's Survival Night-Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in the gym at 5 pm. Ladies will learn basic car maintenance, how to be firm, fit and feminine, household tips and more. There will be giveaways, food & a lot of fun. Childcare will be provided. Sign up in the foyer at Bethel or call the church office at 304-267-8694.

Monday, July 20 Mom's Night Out- Join us at Amanda Dagostino's for games. Meet at her house at 6 pm and bring an appetizer to share.

Tuesday, July 28 Hagerstown City Park-Details TBA

If you have any questions regarding our activities please contact Lisa Fraley by phone or email at momsrgreat@comcast.net . Have a great day!