Welcome Back!!

What a great first morning back we had!!!! The start of Spring session was amazing and it was so awesome to see so many new faces!! Welcome to those of you who are joining us for the first time! I hope you enjoyed the morning just as much as I did! The tables were packed, childcare downstairs was full in some rooms and we had a wonderful, Godly, spirit-filled woman for our first speaker of the session - Candace Cameron Bure! It was a blessing to me just to see her begin by being so vulnerable and real in front of all of us in the way that she was blessed to hear Catherine's devotion just before she got up to speak. Candace shared her testimony and the journey she has been on with her walk with the Lord. Although she accepted Christ as her savior when she was 12, it wasn't for a few years later until she understood that "Being Good Isn't Good Enough" after receiving the book, The Way of the Master from her brother Kirk. The lightbulb went off and Candace realized the grace that she had been given and she truly understood everything the Lord had done for her. You can listen to her full testimony again on her website and check out more information on the phenomenal girl.

Thank you Bridgette for bringing and sharing your sister with us for the morning!! It was a real treat to hear and get to know her in a more personal way, other than DJ Tanner!!

Spring Session Coming SOON!

Hi Ladies!!!

The spring session of Mom2Mom starts back up again on Wednesday, March 31st!! This break has gone by quickly for me but I'm excited to get back into the Wednesday morning routine and see all of you again!

I just wanted to remind those of you who haven't already, be sure to register and save your spot! You can print the Mom2Mom brochure here and either mail it into the church or drop it off at the church reception desk or purpose center this weekend.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!!

Love & Blessings,
Holly

So Long, Farewell...

...for three weeks anyway. This week was the last of this Mom 2 Mom session. The morning started with Jane Jeffers, one of our mentor moms, sharing a devotion on speaking sweetly. She reminded us that we as women set the tone in our homes. Are we helping our family blossom or are we choking them our with our words, tone, and facial expressions. We then had the opportunity to watch the Nooma video 'Flame' which discussed the three meanings behind the Hebrew word love in the Bible. The first is the friendship love. Second is the deep affection and longing for--this type of love is a choice to make a committment to someone. The last is the physical/sexual love which is described in Song of Solomon. All three flames of love need to be burning together to get the most heat-- all of the benefit that God meant for us to experience. When we are missing one of the flames of love, we don't get the full benefit of what God intended for us and our spouse. It was a good reminder to make sure we keep all three flames burning in our marriage!

The next session of M2M will start March 31. Make sure to turn in your registration forms in order to reserve your children's spot in childcare. Space fills up fast!

Thank you to all of the leadership, table leaders, and mentor moms for all of your hard work and time. We appreciate what you do!!

May you have a blessed time away and we look forward to seeing you all again next session.

In His Love~ Shannon

Ask a Pastor

Our speaker this week was Pastor Bob Thune, the lead pastor here at Southwest. He took the time to answer questions that you submitted earlier in the session. It was an interesting morning as he covered many topics.
-Sex and marriage
-Forgiveness
-the church
- fearing God
-salvation
-raising kids
-in laws
-the Bible~ Recommended resources:
1. "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell
2. Handbooks for the Bible
3. Study Bibles
4. "Talk through the Bible"

Thank you Pastor Bob for taking the time to answer our questions.

May you have a blessed weekend with your family!

In His Love~ Shannon

Worship With Katie and Ryan

This week our own Katie McGihon shared her testimony with us. She shared about her journey with the Lord through her son's diagnosis and continued treatment of autism--her journey of holding on tight and eventually letting go. She gave voice to the struggles we all face as moms to truly release our children to God. We say it, but do we really mean it? We had great discussion at our table after...how about you?

After she shared, Katie and Ryan Marsden shared with us through worship and song. It was truly an uplifting time.

Thank you , Katie, for sharing your heart with us.

May you be blessed this week in your conversations with your spouse, your children, and with your Heavenly Father.

In His Love ~ Shannon

God & Sex

Our guest speaker, Michelle Rendino shared on the topic of God and sex this morning. She asked the question, "Do you view sex as a chore?" My guess is that unfortunately, most of us busy and tired moms would say yes to that question, at least sometime in our marriage. Michelle provided plenty of biblical backing that makes it clear: sex is a gift that God gave to married couples. It's not only a physical and emotional experience, it is also a spiritual experience that connects husband and wife together, making us one. Two basic things that stood out this morning:

1. Are we making sex a priority in our marriage? And if not, what is keeping us from doing so? We can pray to God about it and ask for His help.

2. As moms, we sometimes forget the order of submission and priority. In Ephesians, Paul reminds us of our priorities: God, husband, and then children. We must obey God in everything He asks of us and making love with our husbands is one of those things!

Like many of you, I enjoyed the lively conversations at my table afterwards. I appreciated the candor and the honesty that was shared. It was fun to hear from our mentor moms as well. For some, sex in your marriage may come easier than it does for others. One thing I think we can all agree on is the fact that this morning's talk helped us to view sex as an important and integral part of a healthy marriage. And knowing that truth, helps us all to appreciate and love on our husbands a little more. What a perfect little message, just in time for Valentine's Day. :)

God is love and He wants us to experience love to the fullest with our husbands, in the sanctity of marriage. Whatever plans you have or don't have for Valentine's Day, please remember that you are His beloved. You are His Valentine and He adores you. xo

Service Project Day

This week at M2M Genny Foley gave us a devotion regarding overcoming fear and worry through Christ. She encouraged us with Philippians 4: 6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Our service project this session was for The Narrow Door, a ministry to needy families in the eastern Coachella Valley. We were able to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and put together sack lunches that the ministry will pass out to the people they serve. What a wonderful opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

And finally, Kameron Collins shared with us the details of the mission trip her family took to Guatemala. They went down to be a part of the celebration of the completion of the written and translated New Testament to a tribal people there. It has taken over 35 years to complete the translation, but what a joy they had to see the people receive their very own Bible written in their language. Thank you Kameron for sharing with us!

May you be blessed this week as you strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in your home, your community, and around the world.

In His love~ Shannon

**My computer is acting up so I am not able to post the pictures from the service project yet.... Hopefully soon!