Christmas Party Thank You

The following is a thank- you from the family we gave a love donation to.....

My Dear Soul Sisters,
Words can not truly express my gratitude for the gift that you all have provided. My heart is deeply touched . . . and yes, I do feel His love!
God continues time and time again to reveal His love and grace to me. My constant reminder is that God does have great plans for me. I thank you all for being a part of my life and His plans for me. Thank you all so very much!
With deep love and thankfulness!

Appreciating My Gifts

Happy Thanksgiving Soul Sisters,
     Today as I prepare to do all the pre-Thanksgiving preparations, I made a decision. I wish I had made this choice years ago when my kids were small and the messes were bigger, but I am grateful I made it today. 
     I am going to be appreciative of my gifts. Not the kind under the tree or any special talent I may possess, but I am going to be thankful for the unwelcome gifts. Like the rug I vacuumed yesterday that is full of crumbs and chocolate chips hiding under pillows and blankets because last night our living room was filled with laughter and cuddling by kids happy to be together once again. 
     I'm going to be okay with going to the store for the 100th time because my husband ate the french fried onions that go on top of the green bean casserole and my daughter's college friend ate all of my hummus. I am choosing to be grateful when one more thing is added to the already overcrowded menu because a little voice says, "it's my favorite."
     When my guests walk through the door this Thanksgiving I will not care about the smudges on my windows, my table that is not Martha Stewart perfect, or my floors that will need mopped once again. In fact, I will look at them as a gifts. Presents that will force me to see what is really important: the people who made the messes and the hearts that live in them. This year, I am going to cherish the giggles, the sink full of dishes, and the preparation that takes hours for the meal devoured in minutes. As I look around my table, I am going to be thankful for the chairs that are filled, the stomachs that are full, and the family and friends that make up my messy life.
     I wish each and every one of you a holiday full of peace and good memories.


Love your soul sister, Angie

What makes you extraordinary?

Dear Soul Sisters,
     What makes you special, unique, or worthy? Take a second and think about that question. Are you only acceptable if you reach a certain income level, drive a specific kind of car, or wear a certain size jeans?  I love what this guy has to say about being extraordinary...take a listen.



Here's to being extraordinary... 
Love you Soul Sisters,
Angie

Extremely Wise Couponing

Soul Sisters,
     I am so excited to announce our next Soul Sister event. EXTREMELY WISE COUPONING!!!
     I do not know of anyone who would not like to save 50 - 60% on their grocery bill. Please make plans now to attend this event on Saturday morning 9/24 from 10am to 12pm at the Ridgeview Library in Hickory.
     We want to share this event with the community so spread the word and invite a friend. Here is a recent report from our coupon queen, Laura Leigh Moseley, who along with her friend Amy will be leading this event:  
     At Harris Teeter last week Amy got 5 boxes of cereal, 3 packages of cookies, 2 packages of crackers, 2 gallons of milk and a carton of strawberries for 11.07 - plus all of the cereal have codes for gas card or concession stand credit!
     That is something to cheer about!  We hope every person who comes to this event will hear about the best free gift of all and that is the gift of salvation. Our goal is to give every person from the community a Message New Testament Bible. Family Christian Bookstore has them for $5.00 so if you would like to pick up a few or donate money for us to buy them, please let me know.
     I am so blessed to be around so many women who love others well! Praying for you this week,
     Your soul sister, Angie

Happy Summer Soul Sisters,

God is doing big things in the hearts and hands of the women at Trinity Fellowship Church. I am so amazed by the busy working women, moms, and college students who sacrifice their time, money, and talents to be obedient to God's calling. Women who hear His voice and respond to His plan.
We have a lot left to do. Please consider joining us. Contact Elizabeth Alexander (ealexander@trinityfc.org) and be a part of serving our children and the children of our community by becoming involved in Vacation Bible School. It is a great way to connect with other women as we serve beside each other.
Please keep checking back for our upcoming Soul Sister events and Bible Studies.  I am praying for you as we start this summer.
Love your Soul Sister,
Angie Pisel

Join our Bible Study

Our Bible study begins on Wednesday night, March 2, at 7pm in the Day Shelter of Safe Harbor.  We are beginning the DVD series entitled, "Brave: Tough Questions Women Ask," by Angela Thomas.  It is going to be GREAT. Should last 7 weeks, join us for as many as you can.  One lesson is not dependent upon the next so do not worry if you have to miss.


Special thanks to Stacey Mullis for her talk last Wednesday night.  I am sure the men in our lives have reaped the benefits from her words of wisdom.


Praying your week goes well,
Your Soul Sister,
Angie Pisel

A Lesson From Mary

Our Christmas 10 years ago....

I didn’t have any gifts to give.  No tree, no outside lights, not even a decorated wreath hung on my front door. My kids were going to be disappointed.  This Christmas certainly wouldn’t be as I expected.

Miles away from home and a few weeks before Christmas, I quietly reflected on everything we had experienced in the last few days.  Out of nowhere, our two-year-old daughter, Gracie, had been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer.  Surgery followed by chemotherapy would be needed to save her life.   Duke Children’s Hospital, three hours from our home, separated us from our two other small children who were staying with grandparents.  The miles also drug us further away from the life we once referred to as normal.  Overwhelmed with grief, I felt helpless.  Nothing I could do would change this situation. 

As I looked out the window and watched the snowfall, my thoughts strangely enough turned to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I know her life was not as she expected. Her journey took her far from home, alone with her fiancé, giving birth in less than acceptable accommodations.  I wondered if she, like me, looked at her most precious child and felt overwhelmed and ill-equipped to protect Him from His most certain sufferings.  Did she questions God’s plan and doubt His protection, or did she sense His presence and trust His provision?   Did she feel forgotten?  Did she feel like me?

Suddenly I became angry.  “God, where are you in all of this?  Are you paying attention?  My child is suffering!  My walk with you is not supposed to be this way.”

Not knowing what else to do, I flipped through the pages of my bible.  My heart was desperately seeking to hear from the God whom I had trusted my entire life.  My mind was panicking; fearing the dependability I longed for wouldn’t come. What if my God could not be trusted?

One by one I read from the scriptures. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding,” were the words I read in Proverbs.  “I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope,” cried out to me from Jeremiah.  The book of John reminded me of God’s peace, not the peace that comes from understanding, but comes when we have trust in an unfailing Christ.

“Do you know what is going on here God,” I cried out to him.  “My child is suffering. How are these promises suppose to give me comfort?”

            I turned to the book of Luke to read about Mary.  How did the most loving mother respond when presented with her unforeseen?  Clearly, not as I would have imagined.  When the angel Gabriel appeared out of nowhere, Mary didn’t run, doubt, scream, or argue.  Instead, she listened.  She paid attention as the angel explained to her the odd things that were about to happen.  Pregnant, but a virgin.  Mother, of the Son of God.  Elizabeth, aged and barren, with child. 

“How can this be?” asked Mary.  The angel responded, “Nothing is impossible with God.”  Mary’s next words amazed me. The women who would suffer public ridicule and would watch her child suffer like no other said the following:  “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.

Mary believed. The one who would be present at Jesus’ birth and present at His death believed. Mary trusted God.  She didn’t know the plan, but followed Him anyway.  Obediently, she gave all she had to give, and with assurance, she relied on God to take care of the rest.

Could I be anything like Mary?  Trusting when I do not understand and believing in what I can not see. Could I give my baby over God and say may it be to me as you have said?  

The answer to these questions did not come easily or quickly.  Trusting proved challenging the day my daughter was to have surgery. Removing the cancer meant removing our daughter’s left eye. Humbly, my husband and I pleaded for healing and lovingly God chose another way.

God’s way meant my daughter was still sick. God’s way meant months of chemotherapy.  His way would not be painless. Sadly, I watched my husband hold our daughter as the nurse attempted to explain chemotherapy.  Gracie, too young to understand, and too scared to trust refused to go with the nurse.  My husband held her close desperately wishing he could take away her pain.  She continued to resist until she looked into her daddy’s eyes and saw that is was okay.  Gracie knew the situation could be trusted because her daddy could be trusted.   She didn’t understand, but she knew to lean on the one who did. 
This holiday season my family was led to places we never expected and would receive gifts we never knew to ask for.  While waiting to find out if the cancer had spread, we saturated ourselves in God’s word.  While waiting in the many waiting rooms, we bowed our heads and asked the One who created her to save her.  It was in the waiting we received the gift of peace. 

We asked for healing and God asked us to trust.  We asked for answers and He asked us to believe.  We yearned for strength and He gave us the ability to endure.  Instead of taking away our pain, He gave us the gift of His presence.

Our Christmas has returned to normal and our precious daughter has returned to health, but our hearts will never be the same.  Because of His faithfulness, I can say now with assurance, I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.


Have a blessed Christmas Soul Sisters. May you rest in His peace and promises.