28 days.

That's all that's left until our Women's conference. 

Here's the thing.  We're all busy.  We give of ourselves to our families, our employers, our friends.  We give, we give, we give. 

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. 

I'm just asking.....isn't about time we get filled up again? 

There is still plenty of time to make arrangements, change things around and get to this conference. 

Pick up your tickets at church tomorrow, stop by the office or click on the link to the right and print them at home. 

Hope to see you there for a great day of fun, fellowship and getting full!

Woven Favorites: RJ's "Chick" Dip.

What's the deal with this name?  Chick dip?  What's that even about? 
Is it for chicks?  Is it what RJ used to get his chick, Jen?  I just don't get it.

Despite the weird name, it's a great dip. 

Here's what you need:

2 cans shoe peg corn
2 cans black beans
8 ounces crumbled Feta cheese
8-10 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar

Mix corn and beans in a colander, rinse and drain well.  Then mix with the rest of the ingredients.  Serve with scooped tortilla chips.

I actually made a few adjustments.  I used leftover black beans that I had cooked earlier in the week and added a quart of corn that I had canned last summer.  I didn't see any reason to head to the store when I could use what I had on hand.  I also substituted 1/2 cup of stevia for the sugar.   That's just our family's preference. 

Very easy, very good dip. 

Thanks to RJ Soltys for sharing with us "chicks".

My own little bubble.

I was walking through my church foyer a couple of weeks ago and walked by someone I knew. Just as I passed her, I heard her friendly voice jokingly say to me "I think we can say hi to each other in real life since we are friends on Facebook". I laughed and we talked for a little while and moved on into the sanctuary. 

But the thing is, her words stuck with me.

And while I know she meant nothing bad by it, she was absolutely right.

This is how I see it. I'm in the middle of my own little bubble. And in my little bubble, closest to me is my family. And then my closest friends. And then my other friends and so on and so on, like ever growing circles surrounding me. The circles continue outward to the end of my bubble.

I take great care of my bubble. If there's a problem in my bubble, I'm there. I'm praying for them, feeding them, whatever needs done....I'm your girl.

But what about the rest of the world? OK, not necessarily "the whole World", but what about my neighbor or my co-workers or the new homeschooler at co-op? What about the people that I walk by on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights? Sure, I take the time to say "Hi" (as I keep on walking), but am I reaching out to them? Is anyone?

Am I doing all I can to make people feel welcome and loved in my church? In my work? In my life?

Not just in my bubble?

I think about all the people who have entered and left our churches thinking that the church doesn't even care. I think about the people who come week after week, who sit in pews beside us, thinking that the church doesn't care.

Friends, the church is not pastoral staff or programs or women's ministries. The church is you and I. It's each of us getting outside our bubble and reaching out to others. It's a kind word, a hot meal, a shoulder to cry on, a heartfelt prayer. It's seeing a need and doing our best to meet it.

Yes, it is harder than pressing "Like" under a post.

But just imagine the impact if each of us would take the time to reach out to just one person outside our bubble each week.

I honestly can't even imagine what that would look like, but I'd love to see it.

So can I ask you to join me in reaching out to just one person this week? Find your prayer needs list and pick someone. Anyone outside your bubble. Send them a card, give them a call, ask them if there's anything you can do to help them or if you can pray for them.

Just let them know that someone cares.


Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

We need more....

Beautiful Feet.

I love a good pedicure. There is just something about all the scrubbing, massaging and polishing that makes me feel great. Especailly during flip flop weather, which for me is anytime I don't think my toes will frostbite.

Now, my feet aren't beautiful. Well, not in the traditional sense of beautiful feet.

Don't get me wrong, I rub them with good smelling lotions and paint my toenails. I even have special cream from the dermatologist to keep them nice and soft. But that doesn't give me beautiful feet.

Not the beautiful feet I want anyway...

Isaiah 52:7

"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace,
who brings good tidings of glad things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion,
Your God reigns!"

These are the beautiful feet that I want. That my words are God's words, proclaiming peace and salvation. Letting the world know that my God reigns.

Those are beautiful feet, indeed.


This post was originally published at my personal blog www.wvurbanhippie.blogspot.com

Who wants to be Super Woman?

Courtsey of daesofourlives.blogspot.com

Stop Comparing!

Have you ever noticed how thoughts can creep up on you?

It's not like I've ever woken up in the morning and thought "Wow, today is the perfect day to covet!"

That's not how it works. Our thoughts wander, little by little, to places they shouldn't be. 

Ronnie & I both had very good jobs B.C. (before children). And to be honest, we were not frugal back then- we liked new things, we like eating out, and that was fine. Fast forward 6 years & 3 kids later and things are a little different. I don't work full time at a demanding (and well paying) job. I am a full time wife, mother, teacher, and homemaker. And I know I'm right where God wants me at this time in life. Yet, I still have to remind myself that it's not about shiny new toys like campers or Kindles - my items of covet this weekend.

So I come home.  I ask God to forgive my poor attitude. I pray to desire Him more than these temporary things. And I remember that I am here "for such a time as this". I am here to be the best daughter of the King, wife to my husband and mother to our children that I can be - with God's help.

And that's a pretty great "thing".



"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11



*This post was originally published on my personal blog at www.wvurbanhippie.blogspot.com.

Woven Favorites: Green Beans and Caramelized Onions

I am set in my way when in comes to green beans.

I don't want a goopy green bean casserole.

I don't want any kind of cheese or sauce on them.

I want good old fashioned slow cooked green beans, just like my Nan made.

If they're just out of the garden, even better.

After trying this recipe, I may have to add one addition.

Bambi Liller submitted this recipe to the cookbook and let me just say - Bazinga!

I'm kinda loving it.

Here's what you'll need:

4 strips bacon
2 large onions
3 pounds fresh green beans
3 Tbsp. vinegar
4 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

In a heavy skillet, fry bacon until crisp.  Remove and drain, reserving 2 Tbsp. of drippings.  In drippings, cook onions over low heat until brown, about 15 minutes.  Cook beans 8-10 minutes until tender and crisp.  Drain.  Stir vinegar and brown sugar into onions.  Add beans.  Cook for 1 minute.  Add crumbled bacon.  Salt & pepper to taste.

Really, what's not to love about beans, onions and bacon.  I used beans I had canned from last year's garden and only one onion, chopped.  I was just a little too tired to go out to the cellar for the second onion.  It was still delish.

Sorry, we ate it before I remembered a picture. 

Thanks Bambi for the great recipe.

Mom to Mom fun.

Those Mom to Mom girls have all the fun! 

Look what they're making this month:

I Spy bottles!

Start gathering some small items and empty soda bottles and join in the fun on Tuesday at 6:30pm in the coffee shop.  Mom to Mom will supply the rice.

Child care, crafts, adult conversation and eating with people who don't need you to cut up their food.....what's not to like.

Check out the Mom to Mom page or Facebook for more info. 

New to Mom to Mom?

Jennifer, Stephanie and Michelle would love to have you join them!

Call the church if you have any questions at 304.366.8237 or just come on out on Tuesday!

Hope to see you there.

Two good things.

Ohhhh... rigatoni. 

Ahhh......Bible study

Hope to see you tonight for the start of our new Beth Moore Bible study on the life of David.

I love David.  He was a just a big, hot mess who loved God.  Kinda reminds me of myself. 

Dinner starts being served at 5:30, Bible study starts at 6:45.

$5 includes homemade rigatoni, green beans, bread and homemade cakes.

Don't worry if your running late or didn't sign up.  Just come on out. 
Can't wait to see you tonight!

Carol Kent's Story

Mark the Date!

April 28th.  Write it down.  Circle it in red.  Call the sitter.

You don't want to miss this!

Carol Kent will be at Trinity for our annual Women's Conference. 

Carol Kent is a popular international public speaker best known for being dynamic, humorous, encouraging, and biblical. She is a former radio show co-host and her messages have been featured on Focus on the Family. She has been a keynote speaker at Women of Faith, Time Out for Women, and Heritage Keepers arena events; she has also spoken at The Praise Gathering for Believers and at Vision New England’s Congress. She has also been a featured speaker at many of the Extraordinary Women and Women of Joy events.

Interested? 

Call the church to reserve your tickets at 304-363-8237. 

Woven Favorites: Chicken Stuffed Shells

Can you say yummo?

Well, you will after making this:

Chicken Stuffed Shells, submitted by Norma White. 

Here's what you need:

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 box of Stove Top stuffing
12 oz box of jumbo shells, cooked & drained
2 cans (10oz each) cream of chicken soup
2 cans (10oz each) milk

Prepare stuffing mix according to package.  Add cream cheese and chicken.  Stuff shells.  Put in a 9 x13 pan.  Stir soup and milk together and pour over shells.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

You'll notice, I made a little change to mine.  I slipped in a packed of chopped broccoli, thawed.   My boys love broccoli so it seemed like an easy addition.  I also didn't have canned milk, so I just used plain old milk.  It was still delish.

Once again, clean plate club at our house.

Thanks Norma!

Here's your chance.

Our area has been hit with a terrible amount of flooding.

I feel so overwhelmed when I look at the pictures.

So much loss....

Where do you even start?

I think what really matters, is that we just start.

Each of us has something to offer.



Donate your time, money or extra items.  Make a meal.  Call one of the outreach centers and see if there is a need you can fill.  Buy a $10 gift card to Walmart or Lowes and take it to the church for them to hand out to those in need. 

Let's use this devastation to show our community that we love them....because Jesus loves them.

What great love the Father has lavished upon us!