~
There's JOY in the Kitchen ~
~When we realize that ~
Laughter Does Good Like a Medicine
__________________________________________________________________
A weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, an online
ministry tailored towards Pastor's Wives.
_______________________
Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25
______________________ MORE MEMORIES!!
By JoyfulArt
Some of you wrote and said, "More!!
More!! We want to know what REALLY happened at
the retreat!! The other ladies must have heard
you, because more stories have come in with THEIR
versions of what happened and what stuck out in
their minds the most. Read on, and if you are a
pastors wife, perhaps you would like to join us
in Alabama the last two days of July through
August 1 for another retreat for those who
couldn't make this last one!
By the way, the whole purpose of these
retreats is to RETREAT. There are plenty of
'retreats' which are really just conferences,
full of teaching and seminars. Those have their
place, but how many of you know that it is rare
to just take time out to have fun, fellowship,
and restoration? Then there is the awesome
bonding that comes from worshipping together and
sharing with one another, making new and lasting
friendships.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rom 15:32 That I may come unto you with
joy by the will of God, and may with you be
refreshed. (KJV)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LLsGran's Excellent Adventure
By: Lisa
I had just returned from a trip to Nashville.
There I attended the Women of Faith conference,
which was great! Our van was broken into and we
returned with only our clothes on our backs. I
now faced another journey half way across the
United States. With excitement, but a bit of
fear, I began to pack for my trip. Oh man, I was
going to Colorado! I was going to meet many of
those I only knew by a screen and maybe a short
conversation on the telephone.
Thursday morning rolled around, 4:30 am came
quickly after a night of very little sleep. I
quickly jumped from the bed and urged the dh to
get stirring. Didn't want to miss my flight! 7:35
am seemed to take an eternity to arrive. But
finally I was on the plane and headed for St.
Louis, then on to Denver! I arrived in Denver and
overwhelmed by the airport. Knoxville's airport
could fit in there several times over! I looked
at the overhead signs to lead my to my rendezvous
point where I was to meet JMT214 (Julia) and
JeffNet (Nettie).
I slowly walked toward our meeting area,
looking for a blue flowered vest. With no mistake
our eyes met and we instantly knew each other!
Julia jumped up and we hugged and laughed! We
took care of our business as we waited on
Nettie's plane to arrive. As we sat and chatted
we both kept looking our watches and looking for
a PINK wind suit. Several times we commented on
how late the plane must be. Finally we decided to
step over to the information desk and inquire
about the plane. Just as we stood up Julia
laughingly commented how funny it would be if
Nettie was on the other side of the escalator. It
no sooner passed from her lips till guess who had
been waiting over on the other side for us? We
laughed and hugged and laughed again. Off we
swiftly went headed for our destination!
On arriving in Winter Park we immediately went
to the hotel. We inquired where we might find the
others....ROOM 408......was the reply. ROOM
408....Almost holding my breath we knocked on the
door.
There stood Shannon and Carol, again we hugged
and laughed! Next to arrive was Christina and
Karen, repeatedly we again hugged and laughed!
There was touching and staring going on! We just
continually looked at each other, taking in every
feature so it would be engraved in the mind! How
lovely everyone looked! Were they real after all
this time?
The next few days went by too fast. I gleaned
from every word spoken, I took many long looks at
those I was about to leave and longed for more
time. Our parting is hard for me to explain. It
was sad yet I left with an a new outlook for the
future. I was exhausted, but refreshed! I
wondered what I would do the next time I signed
on! To my surprise I no longer see just a screen
before me, but beautiful faces of those who have
helped me to write another page in this
adventure, called my life!
Isa 28:12 "...This is the rest
wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and
this is the refreshing: ..." (KJV)
* * * * * *
A Bird's Eye View of the Winter Park
Retreat
by Karen (Bdwchr)
As another participant of the Winter Park
retreat, I echo the wonderful feelings of unity,
love, and warmth that we all experienced there.
It was truly a unique experience. God provided
the way, went before us, dwelt among us, and
continues to bless me with the fruit of it.
Another aspect of the retreat however that healed
and refreshed my soul was the laughter that was
shared. How wonderful it was to finally hear the
LOLs of my online sisters. We shared plenty of
ROTLs as well that left our ribs hurting.
Sleep was not an option for most of the time
that we were together. I myself feared either
missing out on something fun, or being the victim
of a practical joke. Carol had made several
hollow threats beforehand, which left me checking
for Saran Wrap and Vaseline everytime I went to
the bathroom. I planted my fake arm under her bed
(got her good with that one), and Christina
planted the fake lizard in the tub. The lizard
didn't phase any of our women, but it was
reported that the cleaning lady let out a hearty
scream. I will not share the fate of the other
poor lizard (right Shannon?).
One particularly memorable moment was when
Christina and I, after months of sharing online
across the country, finally ran into each other
at the grocery store. We staged the whole goofy
thing because we had both experienced at times in
our online friendship that it seemed only natural
that we should at some point just bop into each
other in the produce section. Of course with her
in Washington and me in Texas that never did
happened, but it did that day.
The whole weekend there was a school-girl
silliness in the air that my heart needed to
experience. Like the delight of exploring in the
attic and finding a childhood doll, I found
something among these women that I thought was
lost. I am not sure when it happened. Perhaps it
was somewhere among Shannon's 2am giggle fit,
experiencing Nettie's delightful laugh, or in
meeting Letha and Iona. Or maybe it was upon
finally hugging and seeing Christina's "big
ole" smile, Lisa's shining warm countenance,
and the spontaneity of Julia and Carol (jumping
out of the hot tub to roll in the snow, and
climbing the snow mountain because it was there).
Somewhere among it all my heart was refreshed,
and I will be forever grateful to God for placing
me there... a true retreat
~ ~ ~ ~
Ps 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with
laughter, and our tongue with singing:
(KJV)
~ ~ ~ ~
"Da Redneck heads fer them thar
hills!"
( jest anuther rags ta riches story )
By: "Justaswervn" (Justaservn)
Wow..where do I begin? At the beginning, of
course! I arrived in Denver a couple of days
early to spend some time with Shannon, and
"help" her prepare for the retreat...
<yeah, right> I think I "became"
one of my children, when I found out we were
gonna get some groceries for the retreat.
"Momma, can we get this?" And Shannon,
sternly, but politely
said.."er..ah..NO!" <Good thing, or
we woulda all junked out, big time!>
The time at her house was a much needed time
to reflect, and just spend quality time with the
Lord...and with my Bud, as well. As we were
FINALLY headed toward the mountains... <I
emphasize "finally" because you
wouldn't believe the stuff we kept forgetting and
had to go back.> The last time, was when I
forgot my camera, and tried to quietly sneak back
into her house, for sake of my own embarrassment.
I didn't want her hubby, Dewayne to know that we
were back AGAIN!
As I creaked the front door, he heard me, and
I sheepishly had to admit I forgot my camera.
Walked all over the house, and couldn't find it.
As I scratched my head, and got back into the
van, something tumbled out on my foot.
<sheesh!>
Anyway..on to the mountains! Man, she was
right.. I was bouncin! You shoulda seen those
mountains! They were so cool! I just got my pics
back and realized I took more mountain shots than
people!! We don't have mountains in my area of
Alabama. We only have "foothills."
<Them's antbeds that you stick yer foot in>
<pronounced ain't baeds>
As we approach the resort, I let out this
involuntary squeal that caused Shannon to think
about whether or not she shoulda brought this
turkey. I was glad she did! It was
"hair-letting down" time!! I was so
elated! I couldn't wait to touch the people I
have been talkin to online. Man, I had plans to
leave my fingerprints all over their faces!
As we checked into the resort...we got one o'
them valet carts. Shannon pushed it while I rode
on it. It was so fun! I took a mental note of the
postcards at the front desk when we passed em. I
thought: "I gotta git me some o' dem!"
And I did, too! Five of em!
The first PWs' that we met, were Nettie,
<NY>, Julia, <CA>, and Lisa,
<TN>. Man, we were huggin and talkin and
squeezin, and squealin. It was great! Nettie
blessed me with her annointed, awesome laughter,
Julia, with her blue tongue, <breath mint..tee
hee>, and Lisa with her soft, beautiful
southern accent. Man, me and her felt right at
home together. When I first laid eyes on her, I
had this sudden urge for collard greens and
cornbread.
She and I took turns translating our syrupy
southern drawls to the others. They got a crash
course in "redneckonics." For
instance..did you know that the word
"fork" has two syllables?
<faw-werk>
Then along came Christina, <WA>, and
Karen, <TX>....And I spied them critters in
the hall. I ran as fast as I could, much to the
wide-eyed amazement of Christina. She saw I was
ready to plow her down. And I did! I got this
picture in my mind of Dino and Fred Flintstone.
Course, I spared her the wet face...hehe. I just
couldn't believe my buds were really right there!
Then, we met two more ladies, that I haven't
talked to online YET....Iona, <CO>, and
Letha, <CO>. Iona said she was originally
from Mississippi. I grabbed her hand for a round
of: M-I <crooked letter, crooked letter>
-I- <crooked letter, crooked letter> -I-
<crooked letter, crooked letter> -I- ! As
soon as we got to the last "I", I
banged my head on the stairs that led to the
loft. <ouch!> <Battle scars already!>
Well...I could go on and on...about the fake
arm <ahem>....and the lizard....that made
the maid go ballistic...hehe. You see, somehow,
<she typed wif an innocent expression> some
o' da ladies got this idea that I was plannin
pranks...and so they came prepared. I made a last
minute decision to show mercy, so I was unarmed.
Big mistake!
I never laughed so much in my life...and it
was Shannon that pointed out...that as we all
experienced that liberty...that there was healing
in the laughter...and she was right! What amazed
me the most, I think, was, that God...took these
nine women...all different denominations....and
bonded us in less than 24 hours. He bonded us
with His Holy Spirit, because we acknowledged
that He was our common Factor. After all, He was
the one that brought us from spiritual poverty to
"Heavenly Heights!"
There was no division, only unity. Unity in
Him...and it was the most beautiful thing I ever
experienced. We hugged, we cried, we prayed...we
played...we basked in Him, together. There were
no religious facades, only an openness and
honesty that allowed God to be God...and us to be
his daughters. Every single one of these women
took a piece of my heart back home with them.
Oh! Did I mention the part about Julia and me
climbing the snowy mountain, and da redneck
jumpin in da hot tub wif all her clothes on
afterwards..? I was so cold from da mountain
climb..and I saw that steam seepin from the hot
tub...and well..<sigh> I didn't realize
that the nerves in my fingers were gonna rebell!
<talk about pin cushion sensation!>
The awesome part there, was, after this wet
rat scurried out of the hot tub in
pain...precious Julia gently cupped my hands into
her own, and said a simple, yet hearfelt prayer.
The pain left me. Talk about an Awesome God!
<Not to
mention a purty neat Sis!>
Then...the testimonies...! Oh man. God was
really moving that night. Such a beautiful night!
As Chris mentioned in her article, "forget
about food!" When the Spirit is moving...who
cares about food? However, God did provide...we
had some nacho ingredients that we whipped
together, for such a time as this. Worked out
well. A picnic in da livin room! And the
testimonies flowed...with such honesty and such
Glory to Our Heavenly Father..!
Well...this was only a glimpse of the real joy
and harmony that God brought into our lives. I
will never, ever forget the Sarah's Tent Winter
Park Retreat of 1998 as long as I live. I do pray
that these retreats continue, as God moves to
bring us closer to each other in a very real way.
They are designed to refresh, restore, and
rejuvenate the tired hearts of the precious
Pastor's Wife...and believe me..this first one
did just that! God Bless!
Carol Skipper
Justaservn@aol.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Phile 1:7 "For I have come to have
much joy and comfort in your love, because the
hearts of the saints have been refreshed through
you..." (NAS)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEXT RETREAT
July 30 - August 1 1998
Dothan, Alabama
Host for this time is: Carol (Justaservn)
For more information:
SarahsTent@aol.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Song 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto
me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
(KJV)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
POT LUCK!
Skillet Dinner
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion (chopped)
1 small clove garlic (minced)
1 6 oz. Can tomato paste
2 1/4 cups water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 dash of pepper
4 oz. medium noodles
DIRECTIONS:
Brown the beef, onion, garlic and parsley lightly
in skillet. Add tomato paste, water, sugar, salt,
pepper and mix well. Cover, reduce heat and
simmer for 10 minutes. Add noodles, cover and
cook until noodles are tender, stirring
occasionally. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Be sure to check out ministry tested recipes
at: Doffycook's
Nethome
For even MORE recipes, click on these!! More
Recipes and Once-a-Month
Cooking (OAMC) *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In the fellowship of our faith there is
communion. Marily Hickey
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ 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 PattieRWR A Joke A Day
--------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU MAY BE A PREACHER IF...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* You've ever lied to the choir director about
how good the cantata sounded.
* Your wife has amassed a huge collection of
unsolicited casserole recipes.
* You think Exegesis should be an Olympic Event.
* You love to eat lunch alone so you don't have
to say grace out loud.
* You sort of enjoy inviting the Mormons in to
"talk."
* People apologize to you after they use
profanity.
* While shaving, you've pointed at yourself in
the mirror and shouted, "REPENT!" just
to see what you look like doing it.
Posted From [Teresa's Jokers via Rehu]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pattie's Picks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>From CWeimer4 (Christina): Cooking-
Fine Cooking, ingredients, technique...
(http://www.taunton.com/fc/index.htm) from
cooking magazine. I didn' t have as much time to
look as I would've liked.
Sounds
Of Joy
(http://web2.airmail.net/pippin0/music/0music.htm)
As this site says, "Welcome to the music
room where joyful sounds abound in praise of our
Lord!! Enjoy an abundance of Christian music with
a touch of classical. " There are links with
MIDI sounds and others. This is a pretty nice
site to look through. Thanks to Christina
(CWeimer) for this link!
Doffycook's
Nethome
(http://members.aol.com/Doffycooks/index.html)-
Dorothy extends an invitation to all of us to
visit her web site with all those wonderful
recipes.
>From the CO Newsletter:- Ratings and
reviews by Michael Herman, Web content
coordinator at Christianity Online. http://www.pastornet.com/
Here's a site that's a great sight for the
interactive person involved in ministry,
specifically for pastors. You can give your
feedback on current issues and have it posted in
the Pastor's Forum, dive head-first into their
sermon preparation resources, or even search
through available ministry opportunites on their
bulletin board. There's also an interesting area
for pastoral mentoring that looks like it'll
definitely be something that will catch on.
http://www.pulpithelps.com
This week I've come across two great sites for
pastors; here's the second one. Pulpit Helps is a
print publication that has an extremely useful
Web site. Everything from a number of sermon
outlines and illustrations to "Jewels from
Past Giants" where you can hear the words of
past Christian leaders that you can now share
with your congregation. Other sites without print
versions do have more content than this one, but
it is a nice introduction to their
"helps" for pastors.
http://emanna.com/
"What is it?" It's eManna falling from
the virtual skies all over your browser if you
aim it here. I like the calendar-style approach
to getting a daily lesson from God's Word. If one
lesson isn't enough for you, search the past
months and years by keyword or flip through the
calendar for topics that catch your interest. The
navigation is easy to move through and the pages
are simple, so you can quickly get where you're
trying to go.
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!
_______________________
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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