Reach

Still Sick!!!

2010-03-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

I'm so bummed that I had to cancel "Reach" tonight. I'm still so sick and after working today I just didn't have the energy to have the meeting tonight. Sorry ladies. However we are taking a vote on where everyone wants to go for "Girls Day Out" (more like a couple of hours)this Sunday. Penera or Figaro's??? Post a comment or Text me!!!

Love you all

Morning Group...

2010-03-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't get to go to the morning group this morning because I'm S.I.C.K. ugh...but it's a good thing, not that I'm sick, but that I didn't go...I forgot all about having to go to Colton's Walk Through The American Revolution performance at school this morning...wow it was long and I was miserable but what's a mom to do...Hope you girls had a great time this morning...missed you I will post where we are going for "Girls Day Out" this weekend after the evening meeting tomorrow...I'll be looking forward to seeing you.

Brandi

Our next adventure and Josie...

2010-02-28T20:58:00.000-08:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this woman...I consider it an honor to call her friend...I love looking through her eyes to see life...she inspires me to be me...she is adventurous, funny, beautiful...she is a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter a dancer, a loyal friend who loves her God...She continues to press on toward the goal through her questions, concerns, passions, and desires...I could go on and on...

Josie is heading up our next "Reach" adventure...during this trip to Mexico that you see above. God stirred up her passion that has always existed for the people there. Like God does he has placed an overwhelming desire to do "something" inside of Josie that just wont let her go...and so...she brought her thoughts and heart to our group and in true Josie fashion with her words and her tears of passion we all felt the tug of our God pulling us in to see His vision through Josie's expression...as she spoke God began to unfold a plan that was undeniably His...by the end of the conversation we had a trip planned for summer, 4 solid connections and a place to stay...we are planning our trip for July and everything is still falling into place...it looks like we will be reaching out to an orphanage so far and who know what other doors will be opened...HOW EXCITING...every time this happens I never cease to be so incredibly honored that he would choose me to do His work and to serve next to you incredible ladies...

Love you all,

Brandi

Sorry!!!

2010-02-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Oh girls!! So sorry...I'm finally catching up with my life...Alright so where are we? As you know God is always up to amazing things!! First a little in house biz...Our Tuesday morning group is now meeting on Monday mornings!! This happened because of my NEW job, which I'm loving and is a complete fit for me...God has definitely worked out the details!! Our girls were able to switch our day without a problem and so we are officially moved to Monday mornings same time same Bat channel...9:00am-10:30am! I will fill out the calendar this weekend I promise!! I will also write more this weekend about where God is taking this group. It's EXCITING stuff! He just never stops blowing my mind!!!

Love you so much,

Brandi

BTW: if you are reading this and not apart of our group yet...we would love to have you!! Join any time! We meet at Sarah's house for the morning group and my house for the Tuesday evening group!! Join the adventure...call email or shoot us a comment and we will contact you asap...

Thank God it's Tuesday!

2010-01-26T14:36:00.001-08:00

The day started out like any other day. It wasn't light yet when the alarm went off, but even without the incessant beeping there was no going back to sleep. The small one was already up and begging for a cup of milk. How is she so chipper first thing in the morning!?!

I gulped coffee and tried to see through the haze of sleep - remembering all at once that it was Tuesday! The day my beloved friends come over to pray, laugh, cry and of course drink lovely tea and simply be with one another.

Oh - by the way...this is Sarah. I apologize to all that it has been so long since I came on here. I do keep up with reading it. I have little as far as an excuse - first children were sick for a long long time and then I am embarrassed to admit...but I forgot the password and had to beg Brandi for it.

But I am here! We had a lovely REACH meeting this morning. We felt God was leading us away from discussing the book for the week and we were able to just sit and talk about our struggles as moms and minister to one another that way. It is amazing the peace that can come from knowing we are not alone in all this; from knowing that none of us can do this without God's help and to simply pray for one another. Of course, perhaps we were not so off topic as we thought. We have been learning about our assignment, our shape - what God has created us to be and do. How amazing that we have the chance to be God's tools in helping to hone our own kids to fulfill his purpose. I feel so very blessed that I get to watch while God creates in my children the passion and desire and the specific and VERY individual personality traits they will need for their own ministry someday. It truly takes my breath away.

Thank you God, for the work you are doing in me as an individual, as a child of God and as a parent to fulfill the purpose you created me for. I pray that you will continue to do your work in me and in my kids. Thank you so much that I get to be a participant in helping to shape these amazing gifts you gave me. I pray for my sisters, that you will bless tonight's meeting and continue to work in the women there. Thank you for Brandi and all she has done to further this ministry. We love you! In all things - Amen

Monday Prayer...

2010-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

I'm praying for you ladies today...if you have any specific needs you want prayer for please let me know...Love you...B

I am so thankful that God is a God of second chances...that when you give your life to Him there is always hope...it is not possible for our lives to be hopeless...I know I am living proof of that...I have made terrible mistakes in my life...I think the biggest lie I believed when I wasn't fallowing after Christ was that I would never see hope again...but truth prevailed my God STOMPED out the lies and filled my life with hope and turned my ashes into beauty...and guess what...we will never deserve it He gives it to us freely because He paid the price...Thank you God for loving me in spite of my self...remembering where you have brought me from and feeling so thankful for my life that You have given me...

Jan 5th meetings

2010-01-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hey girls...we had great meetings this past Tuesday...in the morning group we talked about chapter 23 "How we Grow" from The Purpose Driven Life book...mostly sharing with each other what we are doing in our lives to grow spiritually...what a great conversation girls and one I really needed to be a part of...we also talked about making a fresh commitment to read our book...we talked about this in the evening group as well...we confessed to each other that we really have not been giving it the priority it needs to have as a foundation to grow in this group... and helping us to get focused on the things that God is wanting us to learn to help shape this group into what He wants it to be...we had a great conversation in the evening group about this and I really believe God was in the middle of it...sooo yes I had to confess and make a fresh commitment my self...we also talked about keeping some type of journal/record of what we are learning individually as we read so we can discuss those things on the days and nights we meet...we are going through chapters 25,26,27,28 to discuss at our next meeting on Jan. 19 I'm really looking forward to hearing how God is speaking to you through this book and I'm praying for you guys...

Love

Be there or be square!!!!

2010-01-07T16:13:00.000-08:00

When: This Sunday (1/10/09) from 2:00-4:00pm....lets have some hang out time...can't wait to see you guys...
B

Happy New Year!!!!!!

2009-12-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

I am sooo looking forward to spending 2010 with you ladies!!! God has truly blessed me with your friendship...
ox B

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Ladies!!! Merry Christmas to you all...I am missing you all ready and looking forward to the next time we meet...I hope you have a super holiday season and get lots of good things to eat and rest...Sandra I hope you are feeling better...please know you are in our prayers for a speedy recovery!! Remember girls we will be through chapters 21 22 23 24 I am hoping we will all be caught up and on the same page by the time we meet again...well I guess that's about it...looking forward to hearing all of your news when we get together...btw...who wants to bring the snacks for our next meeting???

Talk to you soon...

blessings,

Brandi

Santa's Secret Shop!!!

2009-12-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

As I sat and thought about the day...I realized that we had this event on "reaches" 2 month anniversary...isn't that cool!!!

What an amazing day...God was in every part of this event...I am so honored He chose to use "Reach" to bless these families...looking forward to our next adventure!!!!

Thanks Guys for all your hard work...

monday prayer...

2009-12-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

God is in the details...remember nothing catches God by surprise...He knows every detail of our lives...I know we don't always understand His ways, His answers, His motivations...but...we can have faith that He is always shaping us just as we need to be in every aspect of our lives through every circumstance...
Praying for you today...ox B

Monday Prayer...

2009-12-14T08:45:00.001-08:00

I want you girls to know I'm praying for you every Monday...I do this on my blog and my facebook but I want you all to know I'm specifically praying for each of you and this group every Monday...if you have any specific prayer requests you can leave them here or if they are too private you can email them to me...I love you all...B

Here is what I'm praying today:

That God stirs a passion for Himself in us all...that we remember the reason He came...and share Him with others...
ox

Another Revelation...

2009-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well I'm still on day 19 in purpose driven...at the end on page 151 i love what it says and the truth of it all...and as i read i believe God is unfolding the purpose of "Reach" even more and I love the picture that is being painted...on page 151 it gives the characteristics of biblical fellowship which are:

authenticity: we will share our true feelings

mutuality: encourage each other

sympathy: support each other

mercy: forgive each other

honesty: speak the truth in love

humility: admit our weaknesses

courtesy: respect our differences

confidentiality: not gossip

frequency: make group a priority

this is what this group is all about...isn't that just soooo cool...I love God...and I love our "Reach" community!!

Purpose Driven Life...

2009-12-08T05:22:00.000-08:00

Day 19

This morning as I read Cultivating community takes humility on page 148 I've decided to shift my focus today to Romans 12:16 that says "live in Harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people and don't think you know it all" (NLT) and Philippians 2:3-4 "Give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others" (NCV) As I sit and think about living this kind of life style...I wonder how different things would be if even just Christ followers alone lived this way...and then it make me think about how often we leave out these parts of the bible in our life style and I wonder why...I guess because it is sooooo hard to live outside of our own life...I know it is for me...I also love the way this lifestyle lines up with our challenge of the week...do you guys remember what that is? Hold the door open for someone or offer to help carry their grocery's...its in these simple day to day things that we can live these scriptures out...and then as we do it becomes who we are because of Christ inside of us...so I'm focusing on others and seeing how it builds community...wow GREAT challenge from God today...I'll let you know how it goes...

More pictures

2009-12-07T21:44:00.001-08:00

Here's a snapshot of some of our other donations just in case you weren't at Penera on Sunday...I thought you might want a sneak peek...
Can you believe it!!!!
Brandi

Special Delivery!!

2009-12-07T21:33:00.001-08:00

YAY!!! I received this package from my friend Andy today!!! Isn't that amazing...she lives in Seattle Washington...she sent lots of great stuff!!! Her friend makes hand painted night lights and she made 12 of them for us for SSS...she sent those along with a bottle of perfume for each mommy and lots of other stuff!!! God is soooo amazing isn't He...

Talk to you guys soon...

Brandi

Purpose Driven Life....

2009-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Hey guys...just wanted to let you know where we are in the book...we will be doing days 19 - 22 to discuss at our meeting on Dec 15...we cut our reading down because we were all having a hard time getting the reading done...and we really wanted to absorb all God has for us I mean that's the point anyway right??? So there you have it...days 19 -22
Love you guys,
Brandi

I love this group!!

2009-12-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

Ladies let me start off by saying...thanks for a great time at Penera!!! I enjoy all of your company so much and always look forward to our time together...sooo lets catch up...sorry it's been so long since I've posted...

Well our Santa's Secret Shop project is coming along beautifully!!! God is ever so faithful and our donation pile is stacking up...I'm excited about the doors He is opening for us and the connections He is giving us with the people in our community...what an amazing journey we are on!!! Our out reach date is set for Sunday Dec 20 at 2:00pm...some of us will need to get to the shelter early to set everything up...I think an hour will be plenty of time if there are enough of us who can be there then...we decided in light of Sarah just getting settled in her new place...Yay Sarah...we should bake our own item the night before the event to bring with us...hope that sounds ok to everyone...I will be setting up a meeting this week too with the ladies at the shelter to kind of fill them in on what our plans are and see if they have any input on the event...I'm looking forward to meeting with them and seeing what some of their specific needs are...I will fill you in on how the meeting goes to keep you in the loop...I think everyone knows but just in case you don't...we are all supposed to bring our donation items with us to our Dec. 15 meeting...that way it will all be in one place and I will have everything to take with me to the event on the 20th...also that will enable us to see all that we have and set the amounts of items everyone will be able to choose per stocking...also don't forget we still need stocking stuffer's for our toddlers and infants also stocking stuffer's for our 1 teenage girl (she is 13)...

Well I guess that's about all for now...remember we wont be meeting this Tuesday...

Blessings

Brandi

no meeting tonight!!

2009-11-10T16:03:00.001-08:00

By the way...no meeting tonight...
B

catchin up...

2009-11-10T14:24:00.001-08:00

Hey guys...just a few updates since we met last...well first of all concerning the book...we are just reading the first 2 weeks...since most of us didn't do all of our days we want to take this opportunity to catch up and really absorb all the Lord has for us so...when we meet again we should all be through day 14...hope that works for everyone...

Girls Day Out:

We had a great time on Sunday for our very first Girls Day Out...who was there do you ask??? Well me of course and Sarah...Jenn, Debbie, Debra and a new friend Named Kasi...who was VERY pregnant!!! A week over due in fact...no not any special deliveries during our fun...but maybe by now??? Not sure... But during our time together we planned our Holiday plan for allowing God to use us to bless our community...here is what we came up with...

OK so we are going to create and Santa's Secret Shop for the Woman's homeless shelter in our community...so this is how that looks...we are going to supply (make) Stockings for boys, girls, women and men and allow the children along with moms and dads fill each others stocking for Christmas of course the items will be free of charge which is one of the many places we come in...but we really need to start getting donations right away...stocking stuffers for girls boys of all ages and men and women...we will get more specifics soon as far as children's ages...anywho we will set up two rooms at the shelter one for parents one for children...making it a wonderful experience from the moment they walk in until the minute they leave...they will pick a stocking and fill it with items...how many items will depend on how much is donated...we will be excepting gently used items so if any of you or anyone you know is planning on cleaning out yours or their kids toys before the next hall at Christmas you have a place to give them!!! This is sooo exciting!! I can't wait to see how God moves through this experience...there are lots more details we will discuss but if you want to ask any here I will answere them asap...ok so this post is way too long...I'm going to stop here and post more tomorrow...

Love you guys and praying for you all!!! On a side note stop by Josie's facebook page and see her cutting a rug on Sunday...she looks absolutely beautiful and the joy on her face is contagious...

Me again...

2009-10-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hey girls...yes it's me again...had some thoughts on the day 2 reading and thought I'd post them...hey that's what this blog community is all about right? I would love to hear your thoughts on today's reading too!!
Day 2 You are not an accident

As I read this Psalms 139 came to my mind...especially 13-16 it says:

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be

That whole concept just blows me away...in the book on page 23 at the bottom it says God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything He creates...amen

I love the verse to remember through out our day today...You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2

Question to consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

Finally!!!

2009-10-28T07:32:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone Brandi here...I'm finally getting on here to post!!! I was having the hardest time figuring out how to log on...I know duhhhhh...but what can I say???

Great meetings yesterday!! I loved the discussions...and for those of you who were unable to attend we are praying for you and you are missed...we discussed day one of our book "The Purpose Driven Life". How this life is not about us...I know this may come as a shock to some of you as it did me(lol)...but it's about God...and we talked about practical ways we can apply that concept in our everyday life...we came up with some great strategies...of course praying that God show us our weakness in this area and when we get there to stop and think "OK...it's not about me right now...how can I responded the way God would want me too in this moment...one really super idea from Michele was find a verse in the bible that actually tells you how God expects you to handle that moment...or in my case many bible verses for my many it's not about me moments...I'm planning on writing the verse down and having it in a place accessible to me so when I'm in that moment I can meditate on it and hopefully do it...and of course my ultimate goal is to memorize the verse so that God's word will be hidden in my heart and at the ready when needed...

but in thinking of yesterdays topic...I wanted to share this video with you guys...

Loving every minute with you all!!!

Brandi

Our first week - Reach is just a baby!

2009-10-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

I hope many of you were able to come to our first meetings this week! I made it Tuesday morning and it was so nice to just sit and relax with other moms. Brandi had some very good questions for us to think and talk on. Funny how sometimes all it takes to think deep about ourselves is a simple question. We talked about our passions, what we are good at and on the flip side, issues God is working on within us. I like to refer to them as God and mine arguments - I haven't won one yet, you would think I would learn?

We are starting the book "The Purpose Driven Life" For this week read the intro (just how the book works) and the first day. Tuesday of next week we will talk about working the reading into our daily schedules and keeping one another accountable. If accountability is not for you, you have found the wrong group! Or perhaps it means you need to take a good long look at yourself.

I know it is far too easy to be to busy, or even forget to take a moment for ourselves and for God. So to make things easier on you (because you know, we live to serve!) we have given you a wonderful excuse! Now you can tell the kids, a husband or perhaps yourself that you HAVE to take 10 minutes today to pamper yourself. Sit on a comfy couch and read and relax for a moment. We as woman have a tendency to take care of everyone else first and let ourselves fall on the way-side. Don't fall into that trap, take some time to focus on yourself and what God has for you. Then come on Tuesday and tell us all about it!

I really feel this first few weeks are all about building our core. We are more then just a group of ladies that like to hang out every so often. We are a team of strong individuals here to lift one another up; in prayer, laughter, emotionally and perhaps even a time will come when we will have to physically be there to keep someone from falling. Isn't that amazing? It feels like such a gift, to know there are others right here that I can be present for in their time of need. And even more amazing to know that the moment I need one of you, you will be there to pray for me and help me through even the toughest of times. Of this I have no doubt. This core is what God is building on to further serve, to further reach those around us.

I had such a blast Tuesday morning - but I haven't heard yet how Tuesday night went. So do tell!! What did you guys talk about? What was learned? What was laughed? I would love to hear. Also, how is the reading going so far this week? Have you taken those moments to be with God, to let him reach you? What gets in your way? How can you come up with ways around those obstacles?

Until Tuesday my friends, be well!

One more week!

2009-10-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

I wanted to introduce myself. I am Sarah - Stay at home mom of two little girls and a lover of seasons. I love autumn and the smell of cinnamon the most at the moment! Of course, give me another month or two and I will be as giddy as my three year old waiting to decorate our Christmas tree. Seeing magic, blessings and joy through the eyes of my kids is such an amazing thing!

I will be the person up-dating this blog (well, most of the time). I will try to do it at least twice a week. Once to make sure all info for the upcoming week is available and clear. And that way, any questions can also be answered through here. Second, I will post a summery of our meetings. What we focused on, what inside jokes came to be (we don't want anyone in the dark!) and of course, that gives everyone an opportunity to give their thoughts/feedback on the meeting. Feel free to make this group/blog your own. We are a community of believers and this is one way we can stay connected! I do want to cation those who would post to make sure that what is offered here is positive and uplifting. We are here to support one another.

Ah, but on to the topic at hand. I met with Brandi this morning to talk and pray and we are so excited to kick off our group next week! She has some meetings with some more ladies that feel called to join us in the next few days. But aside from that, we are almost completely ready to dive into this head-first and just see what beauty God has waiting at the top when we break through the surface . I get all shivery just thinking about it! Don't you love God shivers?

Our first meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th at 9-10:30am and 7-8:30pm. Moms with kids are welcome at the morning meeting (no childcare will be provided - but we will have good things to eat!) we ask that kids stay at home for the evening meeting. Both meetings will cover the same topics - we just want to be able to include everyone, no matter their schedule.

I truly can't wait to share this time with all of you. We have been praying for each and every woman called to join us. Yes - that means we have been praying for you even if we don't yet know your name. There are great things in store that we have all been called to be a part of - will you join in our adventure?

REACH

2009-10-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

A place for all woman to come to be blessed and be a blessing to others. Reaching out to one another, to our kids, our husbands, our friends, our families, our communities and most important - reaching out to our God, knowing he will reach back to us.