Leadership Changes...

Welcome Robin, our upcoming Events Coordinator! She has a bright, caring, and creative spirit, and I know that she'll be an incredible example of a leader. Look for her over the next few months to take over for me as I prepare for the next season in life.

We're also happy to welcome Lauren and Allison as the active events co-coordinators. They've come to us with lots of exciting and creative ideas for active, outdoor events I know JANES of all types will enjoy. Allison and Lauren are sweet, genuine ladies who have a heart for actively experiencing life.

Please thank these ladies each and every time you see them for their dedication and willingness to serve. I know they'll be assets to reaching new JANES for Christ!

HUGS beauties!

~janel

Ropes Course...

Hi ladies!

We had a great turnout at the ropes course. Mallory had several new experiences for us, including more communication and trust activities. Then we donned our harnesses, and climbed the rock wall, and shot down the zip line. Click the picture to see our photos!

Almost Ropes Course...

Hello E-Team lovelies!

I can't believe the Ropes Course is almost here! Hooray! I have some awesome news for all of you!

1. Autumn Featherkile coordinated Bunco night, attended by 6 ladies, and I've heard great things about it. Michell Gohlke hosted this event, and we want to thank both ladies for their willingness to serve in this way! Way to rock!

2. We have lots of ladies who've RSVPed for the Ropes Course (quickly approaching, Nov. 17th), and many of whom haven't attended a previous Ropes Course. Allison Knight has offered to photograph this event for us, and I'm excited for her to serve us and the new JANES! Woo-hoo!

3. Robin McNaueal has graciously accepted the offer of being the E-Team assistant, and soon taking over as the E-Team coordinator. Her energetic, enthusiastic spirit will take the E-Team to new and exciting places, and I'm so grateful God has provided her at this time! YAY ROBIN! I'll be moving to Spain in May, and it's absolutely a relief to know that JANES' events are in such capable and creative hands.

4. The MoB, or Men of Bay Area, are beginning a grass-roots effort to reach the other half of Bay Area's adults. Let all the men you know know about what they're up to by sharing the link with them.

5. Our last leadership meeting of 2007 is coming up next Thursday, Nov. 15th. We'll meet @ Jeannie DeLaGarza's home. We'd like to offer help setting up and cleaning up, as well as providing refreshments, so if you're interested in any aspect, please let me know. This will be a question and answer meeting, and Robin and I will be there to let you know how we can use your gifts on E-Team, as well as to answer any questions you may have relating to JANES. Please ponder any of these, and meet us there!

A philosophy I hold about leaders is that they are able to show where they need support. This means showing vulnerabilities. Today I want, no, I feel led, to share one of mine with you.

One thing I've noticed over the last few months is that when I begin to feel particularly anxious about a specific area, it seems to quickly worsen. As Pastor Bil preached, I'm magnifying my problem. However, once I get over trying to figure it all out myself, and I just let God in on what I need (since He already knows anyway) I start to feel God leaning over my shoulder, whispering. And when I follow in obedience (even when I don't really want to), He rewards me with a resolution that's way beyond my expectations. I frequently used to be that doubting Thomas (and in some instances, I am a doubting Thomas still), needing to touch the scars myself to know He's real; I used to be completely skeptical of people who'd say things like, "Pray about it. You'll hear Him." Honestly, truthfully - it's real.

Once I'm willing to humble myself, in front of Him, in front of my coworkers, my family, my friends, or whomever, He's willing to begin the process of fixing the messes I've created. I'm so thankful for that Grace, and for His uncompromising love. So, I pray for each of you to find that area you are passionate in, and serve God 110% through it. Even when faced with a hurdle that seems particularly unpleasant, I pray that obedience to Him who loves through all, in spite of all, will win. And you will be rewarded with blessings beyond all imagination.

Here's an incredibly powerful passage from Ephesians 3, verses 14-21.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Hugs and love, my supportive E-Team!

-janel