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There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Love is the condition in which the happiness of
another person is essential to your own.
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A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an online
ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
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Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
______________________ CALGON....TAKE
ME AWAY!!!!
By JoyfulArt
Okay, so it wasn't Calgon, it was the Rocky
Mountains of Colorado, where I live and never
miss a day commenting on their beauty to my
family and friends. This weekend I was to not
only look at these gorgeous mountains, I was
going to spend the weekend with a bunch of crazy
and dear pastor's wives that I had met online
through Sarah's Tent.
How do you explain a weekend like this? Nine
wonderful women from all denominations flying and
driving in to meet together, in one suite to
share our passion for Jesus Christ. The sheer
fact that we were from different denominations
boggles the mind if you think about it. Yet
through the wonders of Cyber-space we had already
passed that barrier and shared many deep and
moving moments. Now we were to finally see one
another face to face.
I've met other people from online in the
'flesh' and been surprised at the awkwardness of
the experience. I was fully prepared to be
uncomfortable now, and was preparing myself out
not to be overwhelmed with so many at once.
Carol, (Justaservn) had flown out two days
earlier to spend time with me and was now in the
front seat of my white Voyager van bouncing up
and down, singing, gasping at the mountains and
taking a million pictures with her
"ready-made-instant-throw-away" camera.
You just have to know this gal to understand what
it is like to be around her. You are familiar
with Winnie the Pooh, right? Well this is Tigger
in the flesh!! She's more fun than a barrel of
monkeys ever thought of being. Carol is the type
you live to buy Christmas presents for because it
is so much fun watching her enjoy life and her
passion for Jesus and all He has created and
done.
Once settled in our suite, a knock came at the
door and we opened it up to find our first three
arrivals, one complete with blue tongue from
sucking a breath mint. What a great group of
gals!! (The other two never told her she had a
blue tongue - in fact they explained it away as
thinking it was a California thing!) Shortly
after, Carol and I left to run down to the lobby.
Tigger, I mean Carol, squealed with joy and
bounced down the hall, crashing into the next two
new arrivals from Washington and Texas. So began
our wonderful weekend!
Words can never express the love that was
shown by all of these wives towards one another.
We laughed and cried, played and prayed, sang and
talked, then laughed and cried some more. The
highlight of our weekend together was a period of
time which amazingly lasted a little over eight
hours in which we worshipped, prayed, and shared
testimonies together. As long as I live, I will
never forget that moment. Such love and
acceptance is rare. There was healing all weekend
long as the hugs, touches, laughter, and playful
teasing flowed.
God is so good. How in the world to you ever
thank Him for giving so much in such a short
weekend? You plan many more! Some day we hope to
have mini retreats all over the United States -
and all through the year. Retreats like this are
not your usual retreats. They are RETREATS, not
conferences, and are meant to be times of
refreshing, rest, laughter, fellowship and
simplicity.
Of all the things I learned during this time
away, the greatest was this. I struggled just to
relax and enjoy. It is so easy to plan the Holy
Spirit right out of our meetings with
"Him". There is great treasure to be
had and much to gain by resting in Him and just
following His gentle leading. Chewing food slowly
and thoroughly brings better digestion and
nourishment. So does drawing away to enjoy a
'slow dance' with our Saviour.
To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic,
brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit. 1
Peter 3:8 NAS
The Preacher's Wife ~ ESCAPES!
(By: Christina CWEIMER4)
My life was falling apart. I was a wreck.
Everything around me seemed to be going wrong.
The kids were getting on my nerves at the drop of
a hat, people at church seemed to find fault in
everything I did, My husband was being attacked
AGAIN by some church members, and in general I
was falling apart. I knew that I needed a break.
I needed to get away from it all, to find myself
again, to find comfort in God again, to have my
soul restored.
The retreat was the opportunity I needed in
order to find the rest and revival that my soul
needed. From the moment that my hubby said it was
ok for me to go, I began counting down the days
until the actual day would arrive. I also began
praying that the Lord would provide the means by
which to go in order that the financial burden
would not weigh heavy on me and make me feel
guilty for taking this vacation totally apart
from all that I knew in my little world.
God is so good and so loving. He blessed me
abundantly. He provided beyond my dreams and
hopes. The Lord provided me with enough money to
pay for the rental car, the hotel costs, and for
all the extras that I would encounter on the
trip. He even provided so that I might bring back
some reminders of the great trip.
Upon arriving at the Denver airport, I was
ready. The airplane trip alone was heavenly.
Being able to sit for 3 hours on a plane with
gentle music playing in my ears, reading a book,
without little ones pulling on my leg. I thought
I was on a flight from Heaven. I could not
remember the last time I was able to do something
just for myself for that length of time. If I had
turned around right then I would have been
blessed. However, the Lord was not through
blessing me yet.
The first pw I came into contact with was
Karen, Bdwchr, my friend whom I had spent so many
hours and emails talking to. As she approached me
my heart began to soar. I could not believe that
I was actually standing before my friend. God had
truly been a part of this meeting. He brought us
together through the internet but was not through
blessing us. He found a way for us to meet to get
to see each others emotions, to feel the warmth
of friendship in a way outside the computer.
Upon arriving at the Resort Hotel that we
would be staying at I continued to feel my heart
soar. The mountains were beautiful, what a
perfect setting to meet the people who had become
such a wonderful part of my life. As Karen and I
stepped off the elevator and looked down the hall
we saw Shannon (JoyfulArt) and Carol
(Justaservn). Both of them ran to meet us. We
hugged and hugged and just stared at each others
faces. Truly in awe that we had a God that loved
us so much and who was blessing our little socks
off with each moment we took into this retreat.
As the time continued I was just so
overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord. Here we
were 9 pastors wives, totally taken out of our
elements, and yet so at peace with what was
around us. There was no inhibitions, no
awkwardness, nothing but love and friendship,
peace and tranquility. There was not a person
there who could say they did not feel God's
presence around us. There must have been a lot of
smiles going around Heaven because I know the
love in our hearts was growing larger and larger
and larger.
We spent almost the entire time of the retreat
praising God. Whether it be in our singing, our
sharing, our laughing, or our crying, it was all
for the Lord. A good motto that Karen came up
with was, "Sleep on your own time"
haha. Funny but so true. There was no way that I
could sleep. Like I said before, my heart was
soaring, and sleep was the last thing I wanted to
do. My heart was desiring to spend every possible
moment I could being with these wonderful women.
Even eating was not important. At one point
during the retreat we spent 8 1/2 hours straight
praising, singing, worshipping and sharing our
testimonies. Forget going out to eat. We did not
want to miss a moment of sweet fellowship.
My heart is forever changed. The testimonies
of these women, the warmth of their friendship,
the beauty I saw with my eyes, and the love I
felt when we hugged has forever changed me. I
know that this was a gift to me from the Lord. A
way of teaching me that I am not alone, that He
will always show me ways in which He loves me.
God knew this was what I needed. He knew my
desires, to meet my friend. He knew that it would
be impossible for me to afford to go to each
individual home of these people to visit them.
So, he provided a means. He pulled us all
together from every corner of the United States,
and He showed us love in ways that we could only
have imagined.
I thought as I flew back home that I would be
able to find my heart that had soared so high
that weekend. However, as I sat there on the
plane thinking about all that God had shown me
during the retreat, my heart only soared higher.
He had restored my soul.... my cup is
overflowing. Surely goodness and loving kindness
will follow me all the days of my life....
because I have a God who loves me so much that He
provided a means of escape... for just a little
while.. from the world that I knew. And in that
escape He took my heart with His tender loving
hands and molded it to see love in a new light. I
will never be the same again. Sure things here at
home may return back to normal. My life, however,
will not be the same again. God is good to me so
so good to me. PRAISE THE LORD
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful
mind works healing... Proverbs 17:22 AMP
* * * * * *
(The retreat in Winter Park, Colorado was not
the only retreat for Pastors Wives that someone
from Sarah's Tent was blessed to attend.
PattieRWR went to a glorious retreat the week
before Sarah's Tent First Retreat. Here is her
account of what God did for her there:)
HE IS OUR PEACE
By PattieRWR
He is our peace who has broken down ev'ry
wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace. (repeat)
Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace. (repeat)
This neat little chorus by Kandela Groves was
sung at the 1998 Arkansas Baptist Minister &
Staff Wives Retreat on April 24-25, and I was a
little upset when I got home because I could
remember the tune but not all the words! But God
is so awesome, because last night as I took a few
minutes' break to play piano after writing senior
English exams, I found the very same chorus in a
music book! (It's even in a key I can play in!)
He's so cool! I was really excited to go to this
retreat, and I wasn't disappointed at all when I
got there. I had wanted to meet some younger
pastor's wives, and
I was able to meet several, along with some
who were young-at-heart! I was encouraged,
challenged, and even convicted while I was there.
My heart was uplifted by wonderful praise music
(like the chorus above), my mind was challenged
by the Word of God, and God was there with all of
us women who were "in the same boat." I
realized how blessed I truly am!
The thing I learned that meant the most to me
(and was also the most convicting) was that we
are to minister out of passion, not out of
position; minister in the Spirit, not in the
flesh. I have a feeling that this will be a
lifelong lesson, not one learned quickly in one
weekend!
I returned to "everyday life"
feeling more refreshed, and I have felt more at
peace and "sane" ever since. I wish all
of you could have been there with me, or that I
could've gone to the Colorado retreat. I wish for
all of you His peace, for He is our peace and
cares for us beyond what we can even remotely
comprehend!
Now back to those senior English exams . . .
~ ~ ~ ~
CONSIDER THIS...
Immediately upon returning from the
retreat, Carol, (Justaservn) received word that
her little baby had an accident and part of his
ring finger was cut off. Just as I was preparing
this newsletter, I received a call from Carol
telling me that Christina (CWEIMER4) also had
grievous news, in that her little boy's arm was
broken in two places and was requiring surgical
repair. Another PW, Julia (JMT214) fell at work
upon returning and has injured her back. (The
enemy does not like it when God's people come
together to pray and bring unity to the rest of
the Body.)
Please pray for these ladies and their
families, as well as your own Pastors wife, and
the rest of us in Sarah's Tent. Often the Pastors
Wife is forgotten. She stands bravely behind her
husband, receiving the brunt of criticism and
hurt brought on by ministry attacks. It can and
often is a very lonely walk, with very little
rest or encouragement. Ask the Lord where you can
minister to your pastors family. How often do
they get to go on vacation? Do they have to beg
and plead for help? Do they need a night out? Do
they need a babysitter? Are their family's needs
being met? Don't you know that the enemy is out
to attack the pastors wife, because if he can get
to her - he will strike the Shepherd, and if he
can strike the Shepherd, he will scatter the
sheep.
The enemy does not want unity in the Body of
Christ. He wants to continue to bring strife,
division and offense between all the
denominations and believers within the church.
Sarah's Tent and the precious people who are a
part of it are defying the enemy and bridging
that gap. Jesus is coming for ONE Bride - not
many. Please pray for us and considering
supporting this ministry. There are many who need
to know that they are appreciated and know that
there is help in time of need.
~ ~ ~ ~
Lean on each other's strengths; forgive
each other's weaknesses.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Drama Help Needed
Help! I'm looking for a short skit to
use as entertainment at a "Sisters"
banquet this coming Saturday...something
pertinent to "Sisters In The Lord" or
sisters in general....do you have any ideas?
Something you could scan into an email would be
great...getting desperate....thanks!
Rhonda Jones listenup@ultravision.net
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
POT LUCK!
Compliments of: Doffycook's
Nethome
GRATED APPLE PIE
1 stick margarine
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 well beaten egg
2 cups grated apples
Melt the margarine, add sugar, salt and
cinnamon, mix well. Add the beaten egg, mix and
add the apples, mix. Pour in pie shell and bake
for 15 minutes at 400 degrees, then decrease the
heat to 350 degrees and bake until the apples are
tender.
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It is our uniqueness that gives freshness
and vitality to a relationship.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ PRAYER ~
Sarah's Tent Prayer Chain Send requests to SarahsTent@aol.com
(Especially tailored prayers for Ministry
Leaders)
~ * ~ C.O.P.E. Ministries (Christians Online
Praying by Email)
C.O.P.E.
Ministries Home Page http://members.aol.com/PrayWOCsng/COPE
Prayer requests: Michelle at LazarusArb@aol.com
or to Sherry at Jcjspj@aol.com.
~ * ~
BAMPRAYER@aol.com
For special prayer JUST for marriages. This is a
ministry from Born Again Marriages. If you would
like to visit their web page. . . click here: http://www.bornagainmarriages.org/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah's Tent Book Club
Contact WeesaS@aol.com
or SarahsTent@aol.com
for more information.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CHUCKLES
Sent in by Lisa, (VCFFremont)
A little boy opened the big and old family
Bible with fascination, he looked at the old
pages as he turned them. Then something fell out
of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it
closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that has
been pressed in between pages.
"Momma, look what I found", the boy
called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" his
mother asked.
With astonishment in the young boy's voice he
answered: "It's Adam's suit!!!!!"
++++++++++++++++++++==
Those of us who have had to take little ones
shopping will get a real charge out of this one!
A man observed a woman in the grocery store
with a three year old girl in her basket. As they
passed the cookie section, the little girl asked
for cookies and her mother told her no. The
little girl immediately began to whine and fuss,
and the mother said quietly, "Now Monica, we
just have half of the aisles left to go through;
don't be upset. It won't be long."
Soon they came to the candy aisle, and the
little girl began to shout for candy. And when
told she couldn't have any, began to cry. The
mother said, "There, there, Monica, don't
cry--only two more aisles to go, and then we'll
be checking out."
When they got to the check-out stand, the
little girls immediately began to clamor for gum
and burst into a terrible tantrum upon
discovering there'd be no gum purchased. The
mother patiently said, "Monica, we'll be
through this check out stand in 5 minutes and
then you can go home and have a nice nap."
The man followed them out to the parking lot
and stopped the woman to compliment her. "I
couldn't help noticing how patient you were with
little Monica," he began. Whereupon the
mother said, "I'm Monica -- my little girl's
name is Tammy."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Two guys are bungee-jumping one day. The first
guy says to the second. "You know, we could
make a lot of money running our own
bungee-jumping service in Mexico."
The second guy thinks this is a great idea, so
the two pool their money and buy everything
they'll need; a tower, an elastic cord,
insurance, etc.
They travel to Mexico and begin to set up on
the square. As they are constructing the tower, a
crowd begins to assemble. Slowly, more and more
people gather to watch them at work. The first
guy jumps. He bounces at the end of the cord, but
when he comes back up, the second guy notices
that he has a few cuts and scratches.
Unfortunately, the second guy isn't able catch
him, he falls again, bounces and comes back up
again. This time, he is bruised and bleeding.
Again, the second guy misses him.
The first guy falls again and bounces back up.
This time, he comes back pretty messed up - he's
got a couple of broken bones and is almost
unconscious. Luckily, the second guy finally
catches him this time and says, "What
happened? Was the cord too long?" The first
guy says, "No, the cord was fine, but what
the world is a piņata?
+++++++++
THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PUT A SMILE ON
YOUR FACE! LISA
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Pattie's Picks
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This week's Gardening Web Picks are from Lambiee:
Hi, I'm Tina Oakley. =) I ran across a really
terrific gardening website that has planting
instructions for every imaginable vegetable, VERY
inexpensive seeds for sale, and so many other
tips on the website, and books to buy; everything
from building a log cabin to raising chickens to
buying horses.....you name it! If its outdoors,
this site deals with it! I thought that if any of
the ladies were interested in this sort of thing,
like I am, this may be a good website to put in
the newsletter. (Hmmm.....I'm not sure if these
two are connected; they both say Dan's garden,
but I couldn't get from one to the other,
so....I'll put them both in.)
ONLINE
GARDENING CATALOG (Click on
"index", it's FULL of stuff!)
VEGETABLE
GARDENING (This is where the gardening tips
are; very helpful)
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Today's
Christian Woman May/June 1998
(http://www.christianity.net/tcw/current/) This
commentary is from Christianity Online, but this
month's issue is terrific as always; that's why I
love to put it in the newsletter each time!
Unwise spending almost ruined Mary Hunt--until
she discovered the secret to minding her money.
"It's not how much you make that
matters," she says. "It's what you do
with what you have." Also:
- "I understood my friend's grief over her
miscarriage."
- Friendship: It can make you healthier.
- Welcome to the world of make-up believe.
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If you have any web sites you would like to
recommend, please send them to PattieRWR (Pattie)
We'll be happy to write reviews for the
newsletter!
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Joy In The Kitchen is an extension of Sarah's
Tent An online ministry devoted to gathering
together God's silent warriors, the wives of
pastors and ministers of all denominations and
cultural backgrounds, as well as their families,
for fellowship, support, laughter and prayer. Isa
51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24-25
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