Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Mostly a Tribute to Friendship ::snort::

This year's PWOC leadership team has come up with a summer schedule  which  allows for a bit of structure while taking advantage of the nice weather and the PCS season. It  allows one Tuesday a month without an activity.  Once a month we'll have a Drop-In Study. We're using Bible Studies on Demand - a variety of speakers, no homework, and great discussion groups.  One Tuesday a month we'll have breakfast and prayer. One week will be Japan 101 - Learning to Thrive in Japan. I"m not sure how attendance will be in  June, but as word gets out I think this will be a hit.  The following week is an Off Base Excursion ...hoping to have same women from Japan 101 join us, they'll be getting familiar with us and Japan at the same time.

Tuesday was the first Drop-In Study. We haven't usually had summer studies and were thrilled for 32 participants.

I rushed from Bible Study to the Parish Advisory Council meeting.

The next stop of the day was the  airport where we had to say goodbye to the BA family.  Rick is a chaplain whose ministry has consistently blessed his squadrons and his service (as well as his fellow staffers).  Ricky is a doll with a smile that lights up a room.  Renee has been my pedicure/ministry/travel/accountability/onsen partner for the past two years. I'm sad  our time together is over. I could rail against military life or realize we'd never have met  if  our husbands weren't military chaplains assigned in Misawa.  I choose joy....and I pray for my dear friend and her family as they move. The fact that so many hearts are feeling a bit bruised is a testament to the lovely friendship Renee offered so many.

We've explored Japan together.... 

She's a pretty good parade dancer....

Wonderful train partner

Served together on the PWOC Asia Region board

We shared many chapel projects, brainstormed women's ministry ideas ...

and planned a few retreats together....I spoke at a couple of them, she at the last one and we were blessed!

 I treasure our friendship. I strive to extend to others the gracious friendship Renee extended to me.  It was a joy to connect on so many different levels. I know God has rich blessings for the BA family and they will continue to bless every chapel community in which they are called to live.

Until we meet again....Godspeed!

Choosing Joy!

©2011 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

5 comments:

Linda said...

No homework sounds like a great idea for the summer!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

I love it as it gives me the freedom to spend as much time as I want on my life journaling and "soaping". I really like simply digging into the word and sharing it with other women - but most seem to want 5 days of homework and videos these days....This group has been great about offering a bit of everything....

Anonymous said...

Im sorry, Mom. Goodbyes are no fun. But you are right....the goodbyes are worth the hellos.

Bre G

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

I raised you well, my girl.

Anonymous said...

praying you and your family will be blessed/blessing and praying your friends family will be blessed/blessing also. Friends are friends forever. love/prayers - Mom T.