Surprise Baby Gift for Kim Schmuck

Thank you all so very much! I greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness and love shown to our family. It's great to be a part of such a caring circle of ladies!!
Kim

Tim McGraw - Still (Official Video)

I love finding God in everything I hear and see. Often I find God and faith in country music. It's a genre of music I grew up listening to and have always loved. I hope you enjoy this video and believe the truth in it.
Lisa Fraley

What is Prayer?

Is it measured words that are memorized,
Forcefully said and dramatized,
Offered with pomp and with arrogant pride
In words unmatched to the feelings inside?
No... prayer is so often just words unspoken
Whispered in tears by a heart that is broken...
For God is already deeply aware
Of the burdens that we find too heavy to bear,
And all we need do is to seek Him in prayer
And without a word He will help us to bear
Our trials and troubles--our sickness and sorrow
And show us the way to a brighter tomorrow...
There's no need at all for IMPRESSIVE PRAYER
For the minute we seek God HE IS ALREADY THERE!

Helen Steiner Rice

Blessings

Over the last few weeks I have been reflecting on all of the blessings that God has given me in the past few years. My life has completely turned around in some areas where I felt that things were doomed to remain the same forever. Other areas of my life have improved immeasurably and I am very much filled with gratitude; although I didn't realize how truly grateful I was until I wrote them down. I started my list of blessings shortly after I finished reading "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. In her book, she mentions the Israelites who complained about everything...even the blessings that were given them just because they were still stuck in the wilderness...and the reason they were still stuck in the desert was partly because they lacked a spirit of gratitude for what God had done for them (leading them out of Egypt and oppression).
To fully understand why I am so happy about where I am and where I am headed in my life, I must first tell you where I've been. Right after I had my son, Sean in 2006, I suffered from a massive bout of depression. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful holding my new little bundle of joy but it was also extremely overwhelming. We lived in a small apartment, that I kid you not, you could easily stand in the hallway and have all of your appendages touching a different room. I had absolutely no friends. All of the people that I had called friends before I had married or had a child were in a different place in their lives. All of those friends were still single and most had moved out of the area and were still in college. With a new baby, I had no time to stay in touch and with their busy class schedules they had no time for me either.
I didn't even have a pet to coddle or nurture and this really bothered me. I had always had a pet growing up and in the apartment no pets were allowed.
I also was afraid to go get the mail out of the mailbox or take out the trash because every time I would get the courage to go to the mailbox or the dumpster I would hear catcalls from other tenants or get looks from various other people living in the apartments. There was no play area and only a small amount of grass beside the apartment and all of the kids within the apartments would play on the gravel but always had to worry about possibly being run over by a careless driver whacked-out on some kind of drug. So--going outside didn't happen. I was stuck between four walls...starved for any other human interaction and I was beginning to feel like I didn't even deserve to have someone listen to me when I did talk.
I had grown up in church and God was still important to me but now with my husband's second job we had to work on the weekends and were working every Sunday. Not going to church, not worshiping God, not fellow shipping with other Christians made me feel so unworthy, so unloved, so depressed....so wretched.
On top of all of this, I was so bored. The television was my only companion during the day and then my husband got home from his first job and I had absolutely nothing to contribute to an adult conversation. When we are "bored" is when we start to entertain some pretty unhealthy thoughts. I was really beginning to feel that I was unworthy of friendship and any one's love....let alone God's love.
The first major turnaround for me was coming to Mom's Connection. Here I found other moms, reconnected with God (who still loves me), and began to heal. I have built some pretty awesome friendships with some pretty amazing ladies. I feel accepted, loved, and appreciated. I just wanted to thank all of you ladies who made me feel special again. Thank you for the change you helped along in me though your friendship, advice, and love.
I consider being your Hospitality Coordinator one of the biggest blessings in my life. I enjoy giving back some of the love and friendship that all of you have so graciously extended to me.
I have been blessed beyond belief. Now I have a beautiful new home, two cute little bunny rabbits, a beta fish, and plenty of room for me and little Sean to play outside. I also get to mow the grass...which is almost a passion with me. In fact, when the weather was so cold and nasty and snowy this past winter I dreamed about mowing the grass....:)
Most importantly, I have a brand-new invigorating hunger and relationship with Christ. Even though I put our relationship on the back burner...he never forgot me. He has taken me into His arms like the prodigal daughter I was and it is wonderful to allow myself to feel His love once more.
It is truly awesome to stand in His presence once again and give Him the praise and worship He so richly deserves. God is good!
Tina Burton

Children's Day at the Mall

This past Saturday Mom's Connection had the privilege to set up at the Martinsburg Mall for the "Amazon Adventure" Children's Day. Many other local organizations were there to tell about themselves and to do a craft, game, or special activity with the children. We helped them make Amazon Butterflies. We also gave out purple bags to carry their stuff, special invitations to our meetings coming up, and prizes for the children donated by Chuck E. Cheese. It was a busy, busy day but rewarding to have the opportunity to promote Mom's Connection!

Introducing Roxy...

Ever since I lost my Siberian Husky, Sierra, last year, I have been praying for the right dog for me and my family. The only thing I was certain of was that I wanted a German Shepherd. During Mom's Connection leadership meeting this month I asked for prayer that God would provide the right dog at the right price and right time. The very next day He did! God is so good!

Blessings,

Lisa

Be Who You Are

"But by the grace of God I am what I am..."(1 Corinthians 15:10).

"And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your mind, resulting in your putting to the test what is the will of God, the good and well-pleasing and complete will, and having found that it meets specifications, place your approval upon it. God is a brilliant Creator. He only makes originals -- not copies." (Romans 12:2)

According to Ephesians 2:10, you are God's work of art. God made you unique. So be all that God created you to be. Don't try to be someone else. Don't try to be an ear in the Body of Christ, if God made you a foot. Just be yourself. This does not mean that you cannot improve, or grow. Growth is part of God's plan. And we can certainly learn from others, and imitate excellent actions and attitudes. But too many people are insecure and hope to gain acceptance from others by conforming to what they think will make them popular or successful -- even though they hate it and know they are not being real.

The Bible reveals many truths about who we are once we receive Jesus Christ. We actually receive new life, a new standing with God, and new ability. As you feed the Word of God into your thinking, that new life will be able to manifest more and more.

SAY THIS: I am what I am by the grace of God. I will be what God made me and fulfill His plan for me.

A devotion from www.aDevotion.org.

Give a day Get a day

This past Friday, my family participated in Disney's "Get a Day Give a Day" program where you volunteer a day of your time and in return they will give you a free ticket to Disney to be used before the end of this year.

My family volunteered at a psychiatric hospital (Brooklane) in Hagerstown, Md. We helped by sanding and painting tables, benches, and chairs. We also sorted through textbooks and boxed them up, as well as moved furniture. Our day began at 8am and ended at 2pm. The staff members were so excited to have help and even if we didn't get the ticket the looks on their faces made it worth it.

You can also choose to volunteer and then donate your free ticket to a charity. Below is the link where you can read about the program and search for opportunities near you.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day-Terms-Conditions-FAQs

Janine DiGiovanni

Testimony by Robin Coburn

How awesome it is when a loved one surprises you with an unexpected gift? We wonder what we did to deserve such a gesture. Did you know God desires to give us, His children, the best gifts possible?

I would like to take a few minutes to share just how good and awesome our God is. When we choose to be obedient in all things and to remain faithful in all situations, watch out! You never know when God will surprise you. As the Christmas season made its grand entrance in mid October, I briefly thought I will have no money for Christmas. I will have no money to buy those special gifts that my children would put on their wish list because I recently became a single mom. I have only been divorced a few short months and did not have any extra money. However, never once did I fret or worry. Then about two weeks later, I had someone in my church approach me. They had been wondering how I was doing and thought that I may need some help for Christmas. At the time this person approached me no one knew about my earlier thought, only God. God had known my thought and he made it a point to put on another person's heart. And to make a long story short God took care of that need! My children were blessed and I as well. We had a wonderful Christmas! I encourage you to always look to God, because He does care and love you like no one else. Trust in Him.

Recently, I came across this verse in Psalms 35:7 and it reads, "Commit thy ways unto the Lord, trust in him, and he shall bring it to past." Whatever you are praying or believing for, trust God!!!!

Robin Coburn

Restore

Lord,
May your living water
trickle, seep, soak,
past the shallow, stony shale
of my soul.

Grind, grate, soften,
Those stony places yet untouched by
the heat of your sacrifice
and root in me
deep and green.

Ruth DeJager

"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
John 4:13-14

Testimony by Amanda Dagostino

Angelo and Dominic got a stuffed Rudolf that sings for Christmas. They have been playing with it and it has not been working right. We thought it was the batteries, so we proceeded to change those......still did not work. Angelo was upset and said "Mommy, can you make this work?" So I prayed for the stuffed animal (as silly as that may seem). I prayed " God, my boys really like this reindeer and are disappointed that it is not working. Can you please help this reindeer work? In Jesus name I ask, Amen" I opened my eyes and hit the button and immediately it started playing!!! Angelo was in shock! It was a great moment in teaching that God cares about ALL things! No matter how "silly" it may seem to us!

Our God Heals

This week I found out that my brother's friend, a 22 year old woman, went to her doctor and was told that she had cervical cancer. The doctor painted a very bleak picture and informed her that her options may be a hysterectomy with Chemo or that it may have penetrated too far and there was nothing they could do for her. She told my brother this news and shared her fear and frustration made worse by the fact that she is not a believer.

My brother was astounded and felt like this is where the rubber really meets the road and that for the first time there was no one else to do the praying because she wasn't willing to come into church and be prayed for by his pastor or anyone else. He said he had the overwhelming task of bringing a huge need before our Lord. Daunting as that may be that is exactly what he did, not with a nicely written out guaranteed plea but with his own words and heartfelt emotions.

My brother's friend got a call this Sunday by an amazed doctor that said she couldn't wait till Monday to give her the good news. All of her tests came back cancer free! The doctor said the reason her test results took so long was because the doctor sent them back to the lab and told them they made a mistake. The second set of tests came back exactly the same. The doctor said she had never seen anything like this and that it truly was a miracle. My brother was then able to witness to his friend and tell her that God obviously exists and is paying attention and caring about her life. It was up to her what she wants to do with it.

So during this Holiday Season pay attention to everything around you and remember that God is with you and cares about every small and large facet of our lives. Most importantly in the face of daunting circumstances remember to bring it before our Heavenly Father!

Janine DiGiovanni

Keeper

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress; lawn mower in his hand, and dish-towel in hers.
It was the time for fixing things.. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away....never to return.
So... While we have it... Its best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick. This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards...... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents..... And grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends..
We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special...... And so, we keep them close in heart and mind and spirit.
Anonymous

Testimony by Janine DiGiovanni

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Anyone that knows me knows that I have a problem with patience….my attitude is usually hurry up, gotta have it, give it to me now, oh never mind I will just do it myself! Sometimes I think I try this approach with God and he is slowly but surely teaching me that it doesn’t work that way in his kingdom.

This summer I came home during the hot spell we had and my house was 90 degrees. I called my friend who does heating and air-conditioning and he came over to give me the bad news. He could bypass the problem currently so that I could have cool air but I wouldn’t be able to turn on my heat without replacing the part. I immediately said “do it! How much could that little part cost”? He then regretfully told me that they no longer make this air-conditioning system and that if he can’t find the part left over somewhere I would have to replace everything to the tune of $4000. During this same time my husband’s car died and we had to purchase him another one to commute to Frederick. The morning we signed the loan papers I got the call that the part was nowhere to be found and that I would have to replace everything. My normal reaction would be to go ballistic and be emotional and rant about where the money was going to come from. I would normally have pulled out all of my banking records and got cracking on how I was going to pull this off!

For some reason the above verse “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Came to mind and I practiced something I am not sure if I have ever used before…..PATIENCE…..I relied on God that he was going to come through for me instead of the other way around. Later that month my brother-in-law Robert who is an electrician said maybe I could replace the parts inside of the motherboard if they are generic….when he pulled the board out he replaced what he had however he was pretty sure the computer chip was the problem and there was nothing he could do for me. Meanwhile we had the cold snap and my house was 50 degrees. For 6 days we were vagabonds going to my mom’s house and my mother-in-law’s house to keep warm. I was frustrated and frazzled with packing and moving and trying to keep my kids from falling apart at all the changes.

Then when we went to the young lives program last Thursday, Julia was listening to my story and said well we need to pray about this right now! She began to pray miracles over my heater along with Lisa and Kim. That following Monday my friend John came back to hook up the heater and to see if what Robert had replaced had done any good. No one really believed that it would work; in fact I had already packed my bag to stay the night somewhere else! The only thing I can say is that Philippians 4:6 kept playing over in my mind and I felt more peaceful than I had in a long time that things were going to be ok. The next thing I knew we had heat and we haven’t had any problems since! Each day that my house is warm I am reminded of God’s love, promises, and faithfulness in all aspects.

Janine DiGiovanni

Physical Inventory

As the days on the calendar were crossed off this year, another birthday came and went. And I did the same thing I do every year around this time – physical inventory. It’s not a pleasant task, more like torture really, but it’s something I feel compelled to do. I take a good, long, up-close and personal look in the mirror, and take inventory of the effects of moving past yet another birthday. The results this year were not pretty… Hair with a serious attitude problem that also now requires industrial strength color to cover all the gray; skin that is beginning to crease and wrinkle even when I don’t move my face; parts of me are now drooping lower than ever; a rear-end which has expanded enough to need it’s own zip code. Like I said, not pretty. To call this inventory disappointing is an understatement. I was depressed – deeply depressed. As I stood staring into that mirror I thought, "I don’t know this woman staring back at me! She’s old! She’s ugly! Who could love this mess??" I felt totally worthless.

This is how the enemy attacks me. He nags at my self-esteem by pointing out all my physical failures. He tells me I’m worthless; too ugly to be loved. He tries to drag me down so low. But then God whispers to me that to Him, I am more beautiful than the rarest of gems!

And so, as I stared back at my reflection that day I began to, "…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5b. Retaking my inventory that day, with the knowledge of my beauty to God, changed my perceptions. My stubborn gray hair was now, "…a crown of splendor" Proverbs 16:31. Those creases and wrinkles became the evidence of my laughter and joy at how God has blessed me. All those drooping, sagging parts became sweet reminders of the awesome privilege of carrying life and becoming a mother to two precious little boys. And lastly, my "rear-expansion" became a not-so-subtle reminder to embrace God’s Word more, and the pepperoni pizza less. Is God amazing at makeovers or what?!

The next time you stop to take a physical inventory, be sure to use God’s perspective. I think you’ll be saying, "Hello Gorgeous!"

Be Blessed!
Donnis L. Lloyd

Our Leadership

Every first Tuesday the leadership of Mom's Connection gets together for our monthly meeting. We plan our future activities, trouble shoot any areas of concern, and pray together. We pray for God's blessing in everything we do in our meetings and in our lives. We pray for every member, their needs, and future members that God is leading to us. We ask God to go with us into every meeting because we won't go without Him. We asked God to transform our marriages and our minds as we are focusing on those areas of study.

This group of moms in leadership are smart women. Here is a list of a few of their accomplishments: Bachelor degree in Elementary Education, Associates of Applied Science in Accounting, Associates of Applied Science in Information Technology, Bachelor degree in Elementary Education and Secondary Mathematics, Piano Instructor, former student of William & Mary and a person with far-reaching knowledge of scripture.

With so many qualifications, they could do so many other things with their time and talents. Yet they have put it all aside for what God has called them to do right now. They are smart, committed, and Holy Spirit-led moms passionate in their work for the Lord and for Mom's Connection! I am so thankful for each one of them!

Lisa Fraley

Crumbs from the Master's Table

Leaving that place , Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession". Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, " Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us". He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel". The woman came and knelt before him, "Lord help me!" she said. He replied, It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs". "Yes, Lord," She said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table". then Jesus answered, "woman you have great faith! Your request is granted". And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28


I confess I never understood this portion of scripture. I wondered why Jesus would call this woman a dog. Didn't Jesus love everyone and want to help them? Yet it seems as if he is turning her away. Today however I received a new perspective on this scripture and the attitude with which we are to approach Jesus in prayer.

I believe that when we come to the Lord he is willing to grant whatever we ask when we have faith and believe we will receive it. What is often missing however is humility. This woman was a Canaanite, not a Jew. The Canaanites were enemies of Israel. The term dog was often used when referring to gentiles because it was believed that they were no more likely than dogs to receive God's blessing. Jesus knew their hypocrisy. When he uses the term dog it is to show the contrast between their attitude and his. The Lord is moved by a broken and contrite heart. This woman is not deterred. She falls on her knees before him. She says, that's okay I know who I am in comparison to who you are and I don't expect to receive the same as your chosen people. If you would just toss a crumb my way, I know that it will be enough. You see she got it. She knew that even crumbs from the Master's Table are far better than anything the world has to offer.

I am humbled and ashamed when I compare my attitude to hers. Often I don't know my place. I don't come to God with a true reverence for who he is in comparison with who I am. I am a gentile, not even one of God's chosen people, and yet he died for me. I expect that I should receive more than I deserve instead of realizing he doesn't have to give me anything. I am not thankful that even though I am a lowly sinner that he went to the cross and took my punishment so that instead of crumbs the door was open for me to enter the banquet hall and receive the fullness of God's blessings.

At our prayer gathering Sunday night it was made clear to us the attitude we are to have if we want to enter into the Presence of the Almighty God. That we are to know that we are nothing without him. The Canaanite woman just knew that she was desperate and that without Jesus there was no hope for her daughter. She knew her need and humbled herself before him. By contrast many of the Jews, God's chosen people would reject him because of their pride. A prideful heart cannot draw near to God. It cannot appreciate his majesty and glory or appreciate what God does. Let us look at this portion of scripture today with new eyes and just bask in the knowledge of who Jesus is and what he did for us. Let's give him the glory and honor he deserves and desire to draw close to him.

Kim Ratcliffe

Blessed Again!

Last Saturday I attended the Sweet Life Cafe Women's Retreat. It was such a blessing. I did not think I would be able to attend because I didn't have child care. I have only been to one other women's retreat and child care was a big problem. Thankfully God provided. Still when it came time to sign up for Sweet Life Cafe I only remembered the difficulty I had last time instead of how God had blessed me.

When I went to sign up for our directory pictures Heidi spoke to me and asked about the retreat. I said I don't have child care. She said she wanted to give everyone a chance to sign up and recommended some people for me to call about child care. But I still had to be intentional in calling. So I prayed that God would work it out if He wanted me to go. The person I called agreed to watch my kids and so I paid my money and signed up for the retreat. A few days later I found out that my child care had fallen through but that this person had been intentional to inquire about other child care for me. Once again when I stepped forward to ask it was all worked out.

I learned that not everything is going to come easy, that sometimes I will have to step out in faith and be intentional. It doesn't mean that just because everything didn't work out picture perfect that God didn't want me to go. In fact it was quite the contrary. Joyce Myer said the things that move God are faith and obedience. When I got to the retreat I felt myself immediately relax. One of the first activities was to write down anything that was on our minds that might hinder us from enjoying the retreat and focusing on God. Once we did that everything just melted away. I was able to just spend the rest of the time focusing on God and enjoying the fellowship. Heidi and her team thought of everything. I felt pampered and blessed. I hope we do it again and this time I will sign up right away and trust God to work out the details.

Kim Ratcliffe

Your Toddler

Don't cave in to emotional outbursts that are clearly designed to manupulate you or change a decision you've made.
Many young parents have been held hostage by a two-year-old who throws a tantrum in the grocery store when he can't have a cookie or who whines long enough to wear down their resistance. Once you've drawn your line, don't budge, and don't allow requests, begging, or demands to continue. In a firm, calm voice, eyeball-to-eyeball, take your stand: "I've said no and I mean it-don't say anything more about it."
However, as he progresses toward his third birthday, it will give your toddler great satisfaction if you allow him to make some simple decisions. "Do you want the red or the blue shoes today?" "Would you like to visit the park or the pet shop?" Remember that you will be gradually releasing control over to him during the next several years and that giving him appropriate (and not terribly taxing) choices will serve to remind both of you of this reality.

An excerpt from Focus on the Family's Complete Book of Baby & Child Care, From pre-birth through the teen years Foreword by Dr. James Dobson

Because Mom's Connecton and this blog is specially for moms, I thought it would be helpful to include on it parenting tips and other important matters of raising children. Most information will be based on excerpts from books not on personal opinions or feelings.
Lisa Fraley

New Friends

It's always been easy for me to make friends. They were the kind of friends that would come and go whenever things got difficult or whenever money got tight. But this year I found different kinds of friends.

I attended Bethel Assembly of God one day in the beginning of this year. I signed an attendance card the first time I went and received a free gift. Little did I know that this would be the start of meeting great new friends and a new life. A few days later, someone called me from Bethel to tell me about the church and what they had to offer. I was told there was a mom's group and that they met twice a month and did many other things all year long. She said that the leader of the group would call me if I liked. Then Lisa Fraley called and we talked like I had known her forever. It was great!

When I went to my first meeting, I was a little scared because I wasn't sure what I was getting into. But it was great! Everyone there was nice and welcoming. I felt so comfortable like I knew some of the ladies forever. I knew I was going be fine. It's almost been a full year and I have made a lot of new and lasting friendships. The kind of friends that have been with me ALL year. They always have encouraging and uplifting words to say to me and always help no matter what.

I have always known the Lord. Sometimes I made it to church but not on a regular basis. Staying in touch with Mom's Connection makes me want more of God. Life is a little difficult now with me juggling my normal tasks and working an almost full time job but WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I have been reminded of that all week from some of the mom's.

It's been wonderful that God has opened the door for great new friends and extra encouragement this year. I just would like to thank all the mom's in Mom's Connection and say that I will be back this year as well.

Marci Faro