For 20 years, Outback has been supporting our troops.
Outback employee volunteers have traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Kuwait and aboard naval vessels to serve a taste of home, including steaks and Bloomin' Onions, to over 150,000 deployed men and women during Operation Feeding Freedom. This year, we're increasing our efforts in support of the troops and their families.And now we invite you to join us. Order off our limited time Red, White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1 Million to Operation Homefront.
Order off our limited time Red,White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1,000,000 to Operation Homefront. Select from our two new steak and shrimp combinations: the Outback Special® or the Victoria's Filet® & your choice of shrimp (Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp, or Shrimp Scampi) as well as many of our signature items. To check it out, go to www.outback.com/foodandmenus/featureditems.aspx .
Operation Homefront provides assistance for our troops, their families, and wounded warriors when they return home.Operation Homefront, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in February of 2002 to support the families of deployed service members immediately following 9/11.Operation Homefront is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and currently provides services to troops and their families across the nation.
Thank you Diana Hudson for sharing this information with us!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Walk at Home
Several moms, including myself, have been working out at home with Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home DVD's. With all the snow forcing us to stay indoors this was a great way to stay fit. Leslie Sansone has many different DVD's that all have one basic theme-walking. If you're looking for a simple way to lose weight, check out Leslie Sansone at http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/.
If you have been working out to these DVD's or trying something different, we would love to hear from you. Make a comment and let us know what you are doing to stay fit! Let's encourage each other to take care of the body God gave us!
Top Ten Reasons why In-Home Walking Is For Everyone by Leslie Sansone
1. You already know how to walk. You might not be able to master Underwater Sumo Wrestling, Advanced Yoga for Invertebrates (or whatever the fitness craze du jour...), but that one-foot-in-front of the other-thing is a no-brainer.
2. Walking is something we all do, all day, everyday - at any age. In-Home Walking is a total
body workout that uses every major muscle group to help you burn calories, lose fat, achieve
a firm, well-proportioned look, and boost your energy levels sky high.
3. You can get rid of the treadmill in the middle of the family room, if you can find it under all the junk. Oh, and how about those oversized rubber bands you were promised would take the
bulge away. Pitch it all! You don't need these to lose weight and gain control of your health.
4. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, walking just 30 minutes a day three times
a week reduces death from all causes by 55%!
5. In-Home Walking requires no fees or fancy equipment. It's really, really cheap. Like your first husband, only without the bad golf ties.
6. With In-Home Walking you don't need to spend a fortune on those workout outfits. You can
walk in your underwear - hey, you can even walk in your birthday suit!
7. You can reach your fitness goals while watching TV and never have to leave your living room.
Is this exercise a dream, or what?
8. You can go In-Home Walking anytime - 6 in the morning or 6 in the evening, and you don't
have to miss a workout due to snow, sleet, hot or cold. All you need is floor space and a
good pair of walking shoes.
9. In-Home Walking can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular health and circulation, control weight, relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and strengthen muscles and bones.
10. In-Home Walking works because people stick with it for life. The only way to maintain good
health is by exercising consistently.
Lisa Fraley
If you have been working out to these DVD's or trying something different, we would love to hear from you. Make a comment and let us know what you are doing to stay fit! Let's encourage each other to take care of the body God gave us!
Top Ten Reasons why In-Home Walking Is For Everyone by Leslie Sansone
1. You already know how to walk. You might not be able to master Underwater Sumo Wrestling, Advanced Yoga for Invertebrates (or whatever the fitness craze du jour...), but that one-foot-in-front of the other-thing is a no-brainer.
2. Walking is something we all do, all day, everyday - at any age. In-Home Walking is a total
body workout that uses every major muscle group to help you burn calories, lose fat, achieve
a firm, well-proportioned look, and boost your energy levels sky high.
3. You can get rid of the treadmill in the middle of the family room, if you can find it under all the junk. Oh, and how about those oversized rubber bands you were promised would take the
bulge away. Pitch it all! You don't need these to lose weight and gain control of your health.
4. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, walking just 30 minutes a day three times
a week reduces death from all causes by 55%!
5. In-Home Walking requires no fees or fancy equipment. It's really, really cheap. Like your first husband, only without the bad golf ties.
6. With In-Home Walking you don't need to spend a fortune on those workout outfits. You can
walk in your underwear - hey, you can even walk in your birthday suit!
7. You can reach your fitness goals while watching TV and never have to leave your living room.
Is this exercise a dream, or what?
8. You can go In-Home Walking anytime - 6 in the morning or 6 in the evening, and you don't
have to miss a workout due to snow, sleet, hot or cold. All you need is floor space and a
good pair of walking shoes.
9. In-Home Walking can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular health and circulation, control weight, relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and strengthen muscles and bones.
10. In-Home Walking works because people stick with it for life. The only way to maintain good
health is by exercising consistently.
Lisa Fraley
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March Events!!
Saturday, March 13 Bowling at Pikeside Bowling Alley in Martinsburg, WV from 9:30 - 11:30 AM. Bring just $2 per child, ages 5-12, to go towards BGMC. If you are planning to attend, please sign up at Bethel Assembly of God or contact Lisa Fraley.
Tuesday, March 23 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45 - 11:45 AM for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion. Childcare is provided.
Saturday, March 27 "Amazon Adventure" Children's Day at the Mall at the Martinsburg Mall from 10 AM - 3 PM. There will be hands-on activities for young children by local organizations that provide services to children and families. There will be a dinosaur puppet show performed three times during the day in addition to presentations by local youth and performers.
**Mom's Connection will be setting up a table to hand out information about our group, inviting moms to join us from our community, and providing a craft for children. If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please volunteer as soon as possible.**
Tuesday, March 30 Easter Party- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the gym at 10 AM for games, crafts, and fun for you and your child(ren). Then stay and share lunch together at noon.
Tuesday, March 23 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45 - 11:45 AM for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion. Childcare is provided.
Saturday, March 27 "Amazon Adventure" Children's Day at the Mall at the Martinsburg Mall from 10 AM - 3 PM. There will be hands-on activities for young children by local organizations that provide services to children and families. There will be a dinosaur puppet show performed three times during the day in addition to presentations by local youth and performers.
**Mom's Connection will be setting up a table to hand out information about our group, inviting moms to join us from our community, and providing a craft for children. If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please volunteer as soon as possible.**
Tuesday, March 30 Easter Party- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the gym at 10 AM for games, crafts, and fun for you and your child(ren). Then stay and share lunch together at noon.
Meet....Janine DiGiovanni
I feel very blessed to know a person like Janine. Words I would use to describe her include: dependable, joyful, upbeat and patient. She is the Childcare Coordinator of our Mom's Connection leadership team. This position requires a lot of patience and dependability and she always handles everything with a cheerful attitude and a smile on her face. I look forward to every opportunity I get to spend time near her because her personality is so contagious ...no matter what kind of day I've had she can make me smile in two seconds flat! Having a friend like that is awesome!
Janine has been married for six years. Her and her husband met at Trinity Assembly of God in Lanham, Md when she was 14 and he was 16. She said, "We started 'going out' as kids used to call it (not really going anywhere just giving ourselves a label and the rest was history". They were married after she graduated from college. She was 21. They have two children Samuel (4) and Cara (20 months old).
Her hobbies include: reading, playing the piano (she gives lessons and also plays the piano for the praise and worship team at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV) , singing, and watching and rooting for the Redskins, and playing Fantasy Football "with every intention of winning!"
Her favorite kind of music is pretty much anything on Christian radio that she can sing along with. She doesn't have a favorite performer that she follows in fact she "can't usually remember who sang what song." She just knows if she likes it or not.
Janine's favorite thing about Mom's Connection is the close relationships that are forged. She loves that whenever you are in need ,or have a need to pray about, the ladies gather around you and make you feel loved and supported whether through prayer or through their own actions.
Her relationship with the Lord is everything. She said, "Without Him I don't think I could wake up in the morning and face all of life's troubles and tasks. He is my support, just like it says in my favorite Bible verse..." "Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not afraid for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) She said, "I started quoting this verse in high school whenever I began to feel overburdened or afraid and it has helped me through many trying times."
I have really enjoyed getting to know Janine via Mom's Connection and I am grateful for the friendship that we have developed.
Tina Burton
Janine has been married for six years. Her and her husband met at Trinity Assembly of God in Lanham, Md when she was 14 and he was 16. She said, "We started 'going out' as kids used to call it (not really going anywhere just giving ourselves a label and the rest was history". They were married after she graduated from college. She was 21. They have two children Samuel (4) and Cara (20 months old).
Her hobbies include: reading, playing the piano (she gives lessons and also plays the piano for the praise and worship team at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV) , singing, and watching and rooting for the Redskins, and playing Fantasy Football "with every intention of winning!"
Her favorite kind of music is pretty much anything on Christian radio that she can sing along with. She doesn't have a favorite performer that she follows in fact she "can't usually remember who sang what song." She just knows if she likes it or not.
Janine's favorite thing about Mom's Connection is the close relationships that are forged. She loves that whenever you are in need ,or have a need to pray about, the ladies gather around you and make you feel loved and supported whether through prayer or through their own actions.
Her relationship with the Lord is everything. She said, "Without Him I don't think I could wake up in the morning and face all of life's troubles and tasks. He is my support, just like it says in my favorite Bible verse..." "Fear thou not for I am with thee, be not afraid for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) She said, "I started quoting this verse in high school whenever I began to feel overburdened or afraid and it has helped me through many trying times."
I have really enjoyed getting to know Janine via Mom's Connection and I am grateful for the friendship that we have developed.
Tina Burton
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Walk to the Altar
I see it over and over again in the church. The pastor gives the altar call but no one moves from their seat. It's not a call for salvation. It's a call for those who need a touch in body or a touch in their life from God. The pastor says, "Come" and there are some who go forward when the need in their life is so great that they can't stand the weight of their burden. But most of the time, the pews remain full.
I remember a time when the whole family would go to the altar. My father would stand up and that was the indication to me, my siblings, and my mother that we were to follow. Many times I bowed my head at the altar not understanding the significance of that motion. But I learned that going to the altar means you are surrendering to the authority of the Almighty God. It's a simple gesture of bowing your head and lowering your knee that speaks volumes about who leads your life. The Bible tells us that one day, "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11). But do we want to wait until then? Is God pleased with those who stay in their seat? If we can't bow our knee in church at an altar made to be knelt at, where else can we do it?
There was a time when the altar was so frequented that there were pillows placed there for your knees. But they were picked up a long time ago. I have heard many seniors complain about their whereabouts and how they wish for the "old days." But I don't see them kneeling anymore either. Yet inspite of our infrequent desire to take that walk, many will confess that they have met God at the altar. Simply by taking that walk, they have felt the Power of God move in their life. Something special happens when we move forward out of our seats, down an aisle, and on our knees. It's a way we speak without saying a word. When we go, we are saying, "I want more of God", "I need more of Him in my life", or "I can't do this without Him". But when we stay in our seats, we are saying, "not now I have somewhere else to be", "it's not for me I'm great", " or I don't need God this time".
In the Word of God an altar was built to remember God's blessings, to give thanks, and for atonement of sins. There is significance in the Altar. Here are just a few who built them to God: Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Gen. 12:7), Isaac (Gen. 26:25), Jacob (Gen. 35:7), Moses (Exodus 17:15), Joshua (Joshua 8:30-31), David (2 Samuel 24:25), and Solomon (2 Chronicles 4:1). After Jesus' death on the cross we don't have to physically build an altar and make a sacrifice because Jesus took that upon himself, however, we need to daily offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Those wooden altars in front of the church is a great place to do just that. It's a place where we choose to do Jesus' will over our own. Personally I never want to see the day when the walk to the altar becomes unfamiliar to me. I'm burdened for the day when those few steps become the way of the past. Let's not let that happen on our watch! Let's go there more often than we stay in our seats. Take the time.
Blessings,
Lisa
I remember a time when the whole family would go to the altar. My father would stand up and that was the indication to me, my siblings, and my mother that we were to follow. Many times I bowed my head at the altar not understanding the significance of that motion. But I learned that going to the altar means you are surrendering to the authority of the Almighty God. It's a simple gesture of bowing your head and lowering your knee that speaks volumes about who leads your life. The Bible tells us that one day, "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11). But do we want to wait until then? Is God pleased with those who stay in their seat? If we can't bow our knee in church at an altar made to be knelt at, where else can we do it?
There was a time when the altar was so frequented that there were pillows placed there for your knees. But they were picked up a long time ago. I have heard many seniors complain about their whereabouts and how they wish for the "old days." But I don't see them kneeling anymore either. Yet inspite of our infrequent desire to take that walk, many will confess that they have met God at the altar. Simply by taking that walk, they have felt the Power of God move in their life. Something special happens when we move forward out of our seats, down an aisle, and on our knees. It's a way we speak without saying a word. When we go, we are saying, "I want more of God", "I need more of Him in my life", or "I can't do this without Him". But when we stay in our seats, we are saying, "not now I have somewhere else to be", "it's not for me I'm great", " or I don't need God this time".
In the Word of God an altar was built to remember God's blessings, to give thanks, and for atonement of sins. There is significance in the Altar. Here are just a few who built them to God: Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Gen. 12:7), Isaac (Gen. 26:25), Jacob (Gen. 35:7), Moses (Exodus 17:15), Joshua (Joshua 8:30-31), David (2 Samuel 24:25), and Solomon (2 Chronicles 4:1). After Jesus' death on the cross we don't have to physically build an altar and make a sacrifice because Jesus took that upon himself, however, we need to daily offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Those wooden altars in front of the church is a great place to do just that. It's a place where we choose to do Jesus' will over our own. Personally I never want to see the day when the walk to the altar becomes unfamiliar to me. I'm burdened for the day when those few steps become the way of the past. Let's not let that happen on our watch! Let's go there more often than we stay in our seats. Take the time.
Blessings,
Lisa
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Upcoming Events!!
Tuesday, March 9 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45 - 11:45 AM for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion. Childcare is provided.
Saturday, March 13 Bowling at Pikeside Bowling Alley in Martinsburg, WV from 9:30 - 11:30 AM. Bring just $2 per child, ages 5-12, to go towards BGMC. If you are planning to attend, please sign up at Bethel Assembly of God or contact Lisa Fraley.
Tuesday, March 23 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45 - 11:45 AM for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion. Childcare is provided.
Saturday, March 27 "Amazon Adventure" Children's Day at the Mall at the Martinsburg Mall from 10 AM - 3 PM. There will be hands-on activities for young children by local organizations that provide services to children and families. There will be a dinosaur puppet show performed three times during the day in addition to presentations by local youth and performers.
**Mom's Connection will be setting up a table to hand out information about our group, inviting moms to join us from our community, and providing a craft for children. If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please volunteer as soon as possible.**
Tuesday, March 30 Easter Party- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the gym at 10 AM for games, crafts, and fun for you and your child(ren). Then stay and share lunch together at noon. A sign up sheet for lunch will be provided at the 3/9 topic meeting.
Saturday, March 13 Bowling at Pikeside Bowling Alley in Martinsburg, WV from 9:30 - 11:30 AM. Bring just $2 per child, ages 5-12, to go towards BGMC. If you are planning to attend, please sign up at Bethel Assembly of God or contact Lisa Fraley.
Tuesday, March 23 Topic Meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the Mace building, room 109 from 9:45 - 11:45 AM for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion. Childcare is provided.
Saturday, March 27 "Amazon Adventure" Children's Day at the Mall at the Martinsburg Mall from 10 AM - 3 PM. There will be hands-on activities for young children by local organizations that provide services to children and families. There will be a dinosaur puppet show performed three times during the day in addition to presentations by local youth and performers.
**Mom's Connection will be setting up a table to hand out information about our group, inviting moms to join us from our community, and providing a craft for children. If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please volunteer as soon as possible.**
Tuesday, March 30 Easter Party- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV in the gym at 10 AM for games, crafts, and fun for you and your child(ren). Then stay and share lunch together at noon. A sign up sheet for lunch will be provided at the 3/9 topic meeting.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Waiting God
"And therefore the Lord {earnestly} waits {expecting ,looking, and longing} to be gracious to you: and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed {happy, fortunate, to be envied} are all those who {earnestly} wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him {for his victory}." Isaiah 30:18
This verse has become one of my favorites, and it has often been a source of encouragement to me when I've had hard times. The Living Bible paraphrases the verse like this: "Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love: he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises, Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them." Let's think of that promise, it staggers my mind. The creator of the universe and the Giver of all life has chosen to wait for us--waits for us to come to our senses, waits for us to respond to His love, waits for us to turn to Him for help. That's the staggering thought, God wants to show us love. Perhaps as much as anywhere else, Satan attempts to build a mental stronghold right there. When we contemplate God's love for us, many of us can't take it in. We can only think of our failures, our shortcomings, and dozens of other reasons why God shouldn't love us. That reminds me of a kind man I've known for many years. One day he took care of a situation for me that he didn't have to. I was surprised and deeply touched. "You are probably the kindest man I know," I told him. He stared at me in shock. "Me? Kind? Oh, I can be mean-spirited and cruel, he said. For several minutes, he explained to me that he couldn't possibly be a kind man. "I live with myself all the time, and I see all my defects. " "Maybe that's the trouble," I told him. "You see your defects so clearly, you don't see your caring, compassionate qualities. You discount all those things" He never could accept that he was kind. I also used the word gentle and that surprised him, too. Perhaps that's how it is with many of God's people. We are so absorbed by our failures and all the wrong things we see about ourselves, it's hard to believe that God wants to bless us. If we read, "God wants to punish you," we wouldn't have trouble saying, "Yes, that's what I deserve." But how would we answer if someone said, "God wants to bless you"? We probably would say,I don't deserve that." How many of us believe we are entitled to God's blessings? We want the good things. We want God to loves us, encourage us, bless us, and give us victory, but to say we deserve the blessings may be more than we are willing to accept. Why do we struggle over the concept of deserving? Our tendency is to think that we have to do something to earn the blessings.....that we have to be good enough or faithful enough. We miss the point of God's powerful, gracious love. Our blessings from God are not a result of our goodness. They are the result of God's goodness. We are entitled to God's blessings for only one reason: because we are His children. It's just that simple. Those of us who are parents grasp that concept with regard to our children. We brought them into the world, and they deserve our love. We freely give them our love before they do anything good or bad. They deserve our protection and all the good things we choose to give them. They don't deserve those things because they've done something to earn them, but simply because they are our children. Satan loves to trip us up on this one. As soon as we think it is right for us to be blessed, he points to our weaknesses or our failures. God points to our relationship. That's the difference.
Battlefield of the Mind Devotional by Joyce Meyer.
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