God is Good. Yesterday I had my annual mammogram test. I passed with flying colors. Two years ago this week I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. We spent a year fighting the disease. My doctors told us that it was important that we go for the win, and that meant surgery, chemo and radiation. It wasn't easy. It was humbling.
We cannot "do" this life without Faith in God. Every step of the way my God was with me. He was in the cards of friends and neighbors, in the food that people sent me. God was in the Prayer Quilt the Liberty UMC gave me. He was in the encouraging emails from girlfriends all over the USA.
Breast Cancer is nearly epidemic. Not everyone's fight is as successful as mine. But, I know that whatever happens in life, God will be there.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
5th Annual Meeting
I think everyone in attendance would agree that it was a glorious day. The weather was perfect for travel to our gathering this weekend. The event started off with 39 women visiting the campus of Ozark Methodist Manner in Marionville. They are doing such wonderful work there with Seniors.
We visited the main building and were treated to cookies and punch by the Marionville Unit of UMW. Then we toured several apartments and free standing cottages. Even the Marionville white squirrels appeared on command.
Our meeting on Saturday began with music, worship and greetings from the Ozark North Superintendent. The women of Schweitzer UMC really went overboard with their RADICAL HOSPITALITY. Many thanks to Lynette, Connie, and Janet for working overtime to make Saturday a special event.
We accomplished all of our Official Business on Saturday morning, including making a Pledge to Women's Division of $420,000. We are honored as a Conference to make the largest pledge to Mission in our Jurisdiction. Last year we topped our goal! And, speaking of goals, Kay Dodd, of Canton, sold nearly $1,000 in Ribbon Corsages. What a woman! And, what wonderful support by the women of Missouri, to our Mission effort.
Ms Tracy Milsap gave us our Keynote Address on Saturday afternoon. She is a noted speaker and animated storyteller from St. James UMC in KCMO. Tray's inspirational message really highlighted our theme, "Called By Name".
We all sang the hymn "We Are Called" as our closing. The words of that song are so meaningful to our organization. We are truly called as Christians to "seek justice, love one another and walk humbly with God."
As we travel around the state, trying to hold our meetings in various settings, it is such a blessing to see and hear of all of the terrific mission projects of United Methodist Women. Next year we'll meet in Poplar Bluff.
We visited the main building and were treated to cookies and punch by the Marionville Unit of UMW. Then we toured several apartments and free standing cottages. Even the Marionville white squirrels appeared on command.
Our meeting on Saturday began with music, worship and greetings from the Ozark North Superintendent. The women of Schweitzer UMC really went overboard with their RADICAL HOSPITALITY. Many thanks to Lynette, Connie, and Janet for working overtime to make Saturday a special event.
We accomplished all of our Official Business on Saturday morning, including making a Pledge to Women's Division of $420,000. We are honored as a Conference to make the largest pledge to Mission in our Jurisdiction. Last year we topped our goal! And, speaking of goals, Kay Dodd, of Canton, sold nearly $1,000 in Ribbon Corsages. What a woman! And, what wonderful support by the women of Missouri, to our Mission effort.
Ms Tracy Milsap gave us our Keynote Address on Saturday afternoon. She is a noted speaker and animated storyteller from St. James UMC in KCMO. Tray's inspirational message really highlighted our theme, "Called By Name".
We all sang the hymn "We Are Called" as our closing. The words of that song are so meaningful to our organization. We are truly called as Christians to "seek justice, love one another and walk humbly with God."
As we travel around the state, trying to hold our meetings in various settings, it is such a blessing to see and hear of all of the terrific mission projects of United Methodist Women. Next year we'll meet in Poplar Bluff.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
On the Road for Mission
I was off bright and early yesterday morning. My first stop was the Church Women United Quilt Show at St. James UMC, in South Kansas City. The ladies of the Kansas City Unit of CWU
had prepared a beautiful high tea, featuring the cup and saucer collection of Ms Bobbie Faulkner.
The Rev. Joyce Holley and I had a fine time discussing United Methodism and I also had the opportunity to talk at length with former KC Councilwoman, Joanne Collins.
Joanne and I have quite a lot in common. She knows many of my friends in KC North. We are both committed to political issues rather than political party....at least AFTER the primaries. And, we are both KU Graduates and Jayhawk fans. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
However, we both had to leave before the Quilts appeared. They were supposed to be shown from 10-3 p.m. They were not there by 11:30, so I moved on to my next objective.
At 12 noon, the Board of Directors of Della Lamb Community Services met. Della Lamb is a United Methodist Related Mission, supported in part by the GBGM and especially Women's Division. They currently have 472 students in their Charter School. Much of the work that The Lamb does has always been related to immigrants in the Northeast Area of Kansas City.
After that meeting, I headed to Office Max to do some copying work for UMW Annual Meeting.
This Saturday we will hold our 5th Missouri Conference Annual Meeting. It's difficult to believe this is our fifth one. We are meeting in Springfield this year, and we have pre-registered around 300. Annual Meeting is a time of celebration and recognition of our Mission effort for the past year.
had prepared a beautiful high tea, featuring the cup and saucer collection of Ms Bobbie Faulkner.
The Rev. Joyce Holley and I had a fine time discussing United Methodism and I also had the opportunity to talk at length with former KC Councilwoman, Joanne Collins.
Joanne and I have quite a lot in common. She knows many of my friends in KC North. We are both committed to political issues rather than political party....at least AFTER the primaries. And, we are both KU Graduates and Jayhawk fans. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
However, we both had to leave before the Quilts appeared. They were supposed to be shown from 10-3 p.m. They were not there by 11:30, so I moved on to my next objective.
At 12 noon, the Board of Directors of Della Lamb Community Services met. Della Lamb is a United Methodist Related Mission, supported in part by the GBGM and especially Women's Division. They currently have 472 students in their Charter School. Much of the work that The Lamb does has always been related to immigrants in the Northeast Area of Kansas City.
After that meeting, I headed to Office Max to do some copying work for UMW Annual Meeting.
This Saturday we will hold our 5th Missouri Conference Annual Meeting. It's difficult to believe this is our fifth one. We are meeting in Springfield this year, and we have pre-registered around 300. Annual Meeting is a time of celebration and recognition of our Mission effort for the past year.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
District Supers
Today, I met two of our Missouri Conference District Superintendents at one Church Service. Neither was in attendance in an offical capacity. I think they were just traveling through and happened to choose Kearney UMC, to visit this morning. Fred Leist was more than a bit surprised to see them, I think. Anyway, they got a great sermon, a wonderful anthem from the choir and as a bonus they got to meet the Conference UMW President.
"My Lord, what a morning."
The fog was so thick this morning on our drive to Kearney, that we could not see the oncoming traffic in the Southbound lanes of I-35. The countryside was invisible and all we could see was a few hundred yards in front of us. There was a lot of trust involved in our commute this morning.
We made it to church and back safely. God is Good.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
September Musings
Believe it or not, I am thrilled that I just had another birthday. This was the big one when I became eligible to receive Social Security Benefits. Wow, 62 and still counting!
Each birthday we have should be a celebration of God's blessings. We should honestly be excited that we have been granted another bit of time to experience all of God's greatness. Anyway, I'm thrilled. Woo Hoo. I've signed on for another 365.
Now, the Social Security Experience....that's another matter. I thought by the time they were finished with the interview, I would end up paying them money.
Each birthday we have should be a celebration of God's blessings. We should honestly be excited that we have been granted another bit of time to experience all of God's greatness. Anyway, I'm thrilled. Woo Hoo. I've signed on for another 365.
Now, the Social Security Experience....that's another matter. I thought by the time they were finished with the interview, I would end up paying them money.
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