May/June 2007 E- Letter

Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
Practical Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 Teaching for Women
www.mentoringmoments.org

June 2007

We begin each month at MMCW with a theme in mind for the newsletter and web site. June's edition threw that thinking out the window when we found ourselves with plenty of good articles on a variety of issues--from Loi sharing how to make a beautiful (and practical) bridal gift, and Rhonda's mentoring article on respect, to Beba' s look at a new generation of women's ministry.
Speaking of Beba's article dealing with women's ministry, it serves as a kick-off for next month when we look at the call of God on each of our lives. As busy women we often overlook the gifts and talents the Lord gives us and the real purpose for which they are meant to be used. I'd love to hear from you if you are a women's ministry leader or a woman seeking the Lord for an area of service. Share your thoughts regarding women's ministry in 2007 and its relevance for today's woman.
    Spend time this month seeking the Lord for a greater revelation of His purpose for your life. Don't let the distractions of summertime pull you away from the Lord, instead purpose to draw closer.
    "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14, 16-19 (NKJV)
    In His Service,
Kellie :)
Kellie Renfroe

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Gifts for Dad in the Gifts for Dad Shop
Ultimate Gift Movie Trailer at Books & Media
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Art of Homemaking

Blessings for Baby & Mom
Jennifer Tricarico
    Bless Mom and baby at the next baby shower you host with this inspiring activity. Materials needed include a variety of interesting beads and a long cord that will fit through the beads. You may want to ask guests to bring a bead in the invitation for a "special necklace for mom." This gives guests time to choose a special one. Beads with a cross on them are available. Have some spare beads on hand for those who may forget.
    Have each shower attendee chose a bead and share with the expectant mom a blessing for her, her baby, and birth as she strings the bead onto the cord. At the end of the blessings, Mom gets to bless her baby with a bead. She ends up with a very special necklace that can be worn during childbirth or whenever she needs a reminder of all those blessings.
    Why not use the opportunity to bless in the name of Jesus? It is appropriate to hope that the Mom, who is about to experience a literal labor-of-love, will look to Jesus. He understands what it is to make a sacrifice motivated by love for His child(ren). I don't recall ever being at an all-Christian baby shower, so I appreciate these opportunities to share a picture of His love with other women.
    My own baby shower was concluded with guests gathering around and literally laying hands on me (there was plenty of real estate) and just soaking me, my baby, and the upcoming birth in prayer. I subsequently had a long, hard labor and anointed birth. I don't know if I could have made it through without all the prayers of those faithful women.

Baby Blessing Favors
Jennifer Tricarico
    For take-home favors for shower guests, make baby blessing favors. Comprised of candy, two candles, clear gift bag and ribbon, it is a simple way to say thank you and continue to keep the expectant family in prayer. Print out on pretty paper and tie with ribbon to bag.

Baby Blessings
Thanks for coming to _____'s baby shower!

    Here is a little bag of sweet treats to remind you of the sweet blessing that is about to join the _____ family. Enjoy!
    You'll also find a little 'baby blessings' candle to put somewhere you will see often.
    Before the birth, when you light the candle, say a prayer for ____ and their baby's health and development, for a safe delivery, and that all preparations will come together smoothly for the whole family.
    During the birth, if you are aware of it, light the candle and pray for a great birth.
    After the birth, when you light the candle, say a prayer for Mommy and Daddy's rest and recovery. Pray for their patience and for the older siblings. Pray for brother / sister's adjustment to his / her new sibling and for the health (feedings and sleep) of the new baby.
    As you can see they need your prayers! (That's why there's a spare candle too!)
    Thanks again for your love, support, and prayer for this precious family!

Designer Placemats: Perfect for Picnics and Gift Giving
Loi Palmer
    With summertime in full swing, parties have headed outdoors. Simplify the picnic setup by combining the silverware, napkin, and placemat into one designer bundle. With five, six-inch straight stitches you can make these functional placemats. They are wonderful gifts for a new bride!
    Materials needed: tea towel, 34-inch-long ribbon, sewing machine.
    Fold the end of the tea towel up to form a six inch pocket. Stitch along the edges. Stitch a three inch pocket on the left side of the silverware pocket. Stitch a five inch pocket on the right side for the napkin pocket. Fold ribbon in half and stitch to the top of right napkin pocket.
    Optional: Personalize the placemat with the initial of your last name. If you don't have access to an embroidery machine, you can purchase an iron-on embroidery initial.
    To see close-up photos of the placemats visit Around the House.

New online at Art of Homemaking
Sunday Morning Favorites: Three wonderful recipes. In the Kitchen
Top Yard Sale Treasures of 2007. Abundant Living
Travel
Health & Beauty
Recipe Box

Mentoring

Women's Ministries Revised
Beba Schlottmann
    When I was growing up, women's ministries were mostly about fundraising and sometimes going to special events at other churches. It was always about doing and giving. It never seemed to be about enjoying the fruits of labor because there was always an activity that required women to cook, set-up, clean-up, sell, and entertain. Sound familiar?
    I can distinctly recall helping my mother with meals for church events and how exhausted we were in the end. Yet, everyone felt so proud of their work, the aches and pains seemed minimal next to knowing we had been a part of building the body of Christ.
    A lot has changed since then. Now it's not just women's ministries that raise funds. At the church I attend we have people assigned to set-up tables, break-down tables, clean-up, cook, and entertain. It is no longer a woman's world--not that I'm complaining--it just shows times have changed and the way we do women's ministries has changed too.
    Not too long ago I had a dream in which Brian, my husband, and I were interested in buying a particular house. The house was very old, but it had charm and character. I fell in love as soon as we walked through the doors. The house had many rooms and hallways. It reminded me of the professor's home in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." I told Brian, "Honey, I love this house, but it is too large for our family, and it will take a lot of work to remodel and fix." Then I saw my two boys playing hide-and-go-seek and just knew it was the perfect house. As we walked towards the door to talk business with the owners, I heard Brian say, "This will definitely be a big project for us, but we can do it and it will be worth it in the end."
    When I look at women's ministries, I see a big challenge in front of me, much like that house in my dream. A large project full of possibilities--a sea of women out there who want more than cooking and baking for fundraisers. I see young girls who need mentoring, single women who need guidance and role models. I see widows who would love to be used within the Body and senior women with great wisdom and experience who know the how-to and still have the want-to for ministry. What I see are women on the move! I don't mean busy women, I'm talking about women who are not content with just a routine lifestyle and worship experience. The women I see every Sunday at church are women who want to face life unafraid and live it to its fullest!
    When we, who are highly favored daughters of Zion, realize how gifted we are and begin to operate in the gifts God has given us (regardless of age, background, profession, or status), there is no telling what we'll accomplish. Just because a project is challenging does not mean we give up. No! It means we group together and move! We look beyond the impossible and trust God to help us make it possible.
    I believe God has gifted each and every one of us with talents that are not meant to be buried and forgotten. Ladies, don't stay on the sidelines. Shake the kingdom! Don't shut off the gift within you. Be fervent in prayer, steadfast in your beliefs, cautious in your counsel, and passionate in your worship. Move on, move forward, and be contagious!

New at Mentoring Online
Ultimate Gift Movie Trailer. Books & Media
I Left My Heart in Budapest by Stephanie Little. Soul Food
Mentoring Library
Educating Our Children
Women's Ministry
Reaching Out

Seasons of Life

Respect for Dad Begins with Mom
Rhonda Ellis
    One of our main roles as mom is to teach our children to love, respect, and honor their father. The Lord and I have had some serious discussions about the issue of respect. I have come to realize that I am the number one key to my children showing their father respect.
     There are many opportunities to mentor respect to our children and the first way is to talk about dad in a respectful and loving way when he is not in our presence. Little comments here and there point out ways you love and honor him to the children. Although my husband may work long hours, instead of complaining, my children hear me say, "I am very grateful your dad works so hard and he enjoys his job." I've had my share of times where I've handled this incorrectly.
    When reading the Bible with my children, (we like to read a few verses from Proverbs daily and discuss them), we will bring up attributes about Daddy that we like. Today we read a small part of Proverbs 6 which talked about the ant and the how we can learn from it. The ant is a very hard worker, not lazy, and plans ahead. I gave their dad as an example saying, "He can be hard on you sometimes, but look at all he knows how to do that you can learn from. I'm glad he is teaching you to clean the pool, and I'm glad that even after a hard day of working, if he sees the next load of laundry needs to be done, he'll do it. He just helps out. I want all of you to be hard workers like your dad."
    One of the best ways to encourage someone is to compliment him in front of others. In front of other adults, my kids may hear me say, "John is an excellent cook" or "I'm so proud of the way he handled 'x'. As a family we have gone around the table and one by one said "Daddy, you are special because...I love you." The kids are being taught to look into the eyes of those they speak to and freely express specific, genuine qualities that they respect and admire. Some qualities such as being a hard worker, trusting God through trials, rubbing my back, reading books to me, teaching me to work on the car, showing me how to work in the yard, having a reputation that is good, or whatever attributes you are thankful for. Before you think to yourself "my husband doesn't do all of that," that's not the point. Your husband does have things for you to bring before your children and to compliment him on, perhaps restoring the level of respect he deserves.
    Do your children come to you for advice rather than their father? Simply saying, "Let's ask Dad what he thinks" could be a response. By going to him, it shows he is needed and we all need to be needed. It also shows that he is the authority and provider. Some of us are independent women and we need to make sure we don't plow right over our spouses.
    Here are a few easy ways to show respect:
* Speak positively about your husband.
* Smile, laugh, and call him cute names when the children are present.
* Let your children see you hug and kiss your spouse.
* Have the children run out to greet Dad when he comes home. Ask Dad to call when he enters the neighborhood so you can be prepared.
* Straighten up the house before Dad arrives home from work. Tell the kids, "Dad's on the way home, let get everything nice for him."
* Have the table set or meal in the works so that he smells the meal and knows dinner is on its way.
* Have kids write a note and leave on his pillow listing specific things they admire about him.
* Know your husband's favorite meals and teach the children how to make them.
* Refer to your husband as your best friend.
    We as moms play a huge role in the respect our children have for their fathers. Spend time with the Lord, asking Him for wisdom in this area. He'll guide you. He wants us to build up our husbands and not tear them down. The heart of our husband should safely trust in us.
    "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her." Proverbs 31:10

"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~ Harmon Killebrew

New at Seasons of Life
Dinner and a Movie: Facing the Giants. Family
Moving From Ordinary to Extraordinary. Single Again
Read Any Good Books Lately? Empty Nesters
Marriage
Young Women
Workplace
Parenting

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Mentoring Moments for Christian Women Mission Statement
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is a non-denominational e-newsletter and online web-magazine to provide encouragement, mentoring, and practical tips for women in their everyday walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our belief that God has a plan and a purpose for every woman. By dropping the masks, becoming real, tearing down the walls around our hearts, and allowing the Lord to refresh and renew us, we'll experience personal revival as we depend on Him and His Word. With tips to stay sane no matter what the season of life, Mentoring Moments for Christian Women purposes to be a breath of fresh air: bringing ideas on creating a peaceful home, transparent heartfelt testimonies, and Biblical insight for women.

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