Christmas Cookie Exchange - was a Yummy Event!

Lori helps us think about the "Perfect Gift"

Are you thinking about giving

THE PERFECT GIFT?

Here are things to consider:

1. Is it Usefulness? What we need is through Jesus. We need Him everyday.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

2. Does it have Value? God gave us Jesus. He is the son the Highest King! Upon seeing the infant Jesus, Simeon said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation” Luke 2:30.

3. Is it Precious? Does it have meaning? Jesus did not stay a baby! “You are redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:19.

4. Is it Wrapped Beautifully? Some of the names for Jesus are: Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Counselor, Creator, Emmanuel, and Faithful.

Do you have the Perfect Gift? JESUS



Yum!



Crunchy,

Chewy, 

We filled our plates full of cookies
during the Cookie Exchange!



Yummy in the Tummy,

Cookie Exchange!

 

Click here for 12 of the recipes

Thanks for all your hard work in the kitchen to fill us with holiday cheer!



Mashelle read a fun story during our White Elephant Gift Exchange

You opened;

You heard Ooos and Ahhs;

But you swapped;

You laughed;

And you went home with a:

      White Elephant??

Thanks for the fun White Elephant Gift Exchange! It was neat to see home-made soaps, a home-made coffee mix, knit dish towel (did you make that after our October LIFT??), candles, chocolate, and other fun gifts from home.

Two DIY Projects.
The Cookie Cutter Wreath was given away to a name that was
pulled from facebook posts. Hope you enjoy it Amy!!

Here are two
DIY projects. LEFT: Create a cookie cutter wreath by attaching cutters with paper clips (on both sides), add red twisty-ties between cutters, and hang with a ribbon. RIGHT:  Get your kids to make this easy luminaries. Cut a strip of aluminum foil. Draw a design on the non-glossy side. Place foil on foam tray. Let children use a nail to poke holes around the drawn design. Wrap foil around glass jar and attach with one piece of tape.



The older children's class
enjoyed Christmas crafts provided by
our Awesome Childcare Givers!



The GREATEST Gift of ALL: Jesus

Cookie Exchange on December 14

REMEMBER
DATE CHANGE:

LIFT Cookie Exchange

SECOND Wednesday
December 14, 2011

9:00am - 11:00am

Merry Christmas Ladies!
We look forward to getting together soon.
You may bring (optional):
 * About 3 dozen cookies to exchange and an extra container to put your new cookies in.
 * The recipe for your cookies
 * A wrapped White Elephant gift (gift from home)
 * A friend that could use a blessing of a retreat.

WAR Int'l Party at LIFT Nov. 16

Shopping WAR Int'l Jewerly at LIFT

 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Beautiful clean jewelry gave a positive light to the dark evil of human trafficking.

The November 16 LIFT event sparkled with WAR Int’l jewelry and began with the committee reading “Wonderful Women”. We read about the amazing things that women can do. But we ended the reading by saying, “If there is one flaw about women: They forget how much they’re worth.”

Lori led us in prayer and a time of reflecting on God’s word. Read her devotional below. We had yummy snacks. Check out the Blueberry Jello Salad recipe here.

Thanks Janessa for sharing WAR International with us. The video was eye opening. We are not immune to the evils of sexual abuse. Tears were shed as two ladies hugged while one shared the pain their family has dealt with recently.
I’m glad the LIFT ladies could be there for you!

YOU all have WORTH.

 LIFT purchases help support a Woman At Risk for 3 Months.

You were God's Hands and Feet!

Find more photos on our facebook page:
"Juniata Ladies In Fellowship Together (LIFT)"

WAR International Facts:

http://www.warinternational.org/
• 800,000 people are illegally trafficked against their will every year. 50% are children, 70% of the women are sold into sexual slavery chained to beds of honor. – US State Department
• The New Slavery…Human Trafficking, is the fastest growing segment of organized crime. 100,000 are trafficked inside America. – FBI
• Babies are sold into slavery globally for as little as $100.
• 114-200 million women are “demographically missing” due to infanticide, dowry deaths, domestic violence and all manner of risk. – US Secretary General

Help More Women At Risk by:
* Hosting a WAR Int’l party of your own. Learn more at: http://www.warinternational.org/

YOU Have WORTH



We have worth in the Master's Hands

 “YOU Have WORTH”

Lori began by reading “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” about an old, seemingly worthless violin being sold at a high price. Part of the reading said,
“Now you know many a man with a life out of tune is battered and scarred with sin And he's auctioned cheap to a thankless world, much like that old violin. Then the Master comes, and the foolish crowd. They never understand The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought, Just by one touch of THE MASTER'S HAND.”
Read the whole story here: http://www.godswork.org/emailmessage33.htm
• Take time to care and show someone worth.
• We have no idea the potential that someone has (but God does).
• There was a price paid for our soul. So, therefore there is worth to YOUR soul.



Thanks Sarah for sharing your refreshing recipe.
Blueberry Jello Salad

2 small black raspberry jello (I had used peach)

1 can blueberry pie filling
1 large crushed pineapple
2 1/2 c boiling water
Mix jello in boiling water, add pie filling and crushed pineapple and place in dish

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c sugar
1 c sour cream
1/2 t vanilla
Mix together and spread over chilled jello.

Thanks for bringing gifts for the Christmas Angel Project.

Thank you to each lady that contributed to the
Christmas Angel Project.
You made Christmas a lot more merry
for two children in Juniata County.






Ready to be Merry next month?
**REMEMBER we meet on the SECOND Wednesday next month:
December 14
9:00am – 11:00am
Bring several dozen of Christmas cookies to exchange along with the recipes. We will also have a White Elephant gift exchange so bring something from your home to give as a gift. *You never have to bring anything. Just come!

Keep Being God’s Hands and Feet.
see you again soon

Christmas Angel Project

Community Christmas Angel Project

If you picked a name

for the community

Christmas Angel Project,

remember to bring your

wrapped gift this

Wednesday at LIFT.

                                   Thanks!

Great Cause - Great Choice - November 16

"Wrapping arms of love around women and children, whispering the message that they were created for purpose and dignity." - This is part of the mission statement of Woman At Risk, International (WAR, Int'l).

At LIFT we believe all women have value and should never have to suffer abuses including human trafficking/sexual slavery. WAR, Int’l desires to give voice to the silenced cries of these woman. Watch a great short video at http://www.warinternational.org/

On Wednesday, November 16 we will have
TABLES FULL OF: 
Jewerly,
Home Decor,
Toys,
Scarves,
and more
created by women at risk.
Our goal is support one woman for a month from our purchases.
Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.
THINK CHRISTMAS... THINK BLESSINGS!
**You Do NOT need to buy anything!! Please just come to enjoy the company of other women and learn more about WAR Int'l.

We meet at Lost Creek Mennonite Church, Oakland Mills
http://www.lostcreekmennonitechurch.org/
Wednesday, November 16
9:00am - 11:00am
Hang out with other moms.
Snacks provided, Prayer Time, Devotional, and Event.
FREE CHILDCARE by our awesome staff.

Not just another thing to do, but a blessing we want to share with YOU.

LIFT October 19 - Learning to Crochet



LIFT on October 19, 2011. We're So Glad You Came!



Melissa's skillful hands
showed us how to crochet.

We made loops,

We made chains,
We pulled through,

We crossed over,

And SOME of us crocheted!!


Thanks to Melissa Fossey for her wonderful effort to teach us crochet. A lot of the ladies quickly picked up on the craft while others went home with the provided needle and yarn to keep trying if they wanted.

But, we all had a good time together. Bright sunflowers and chocolate filled favors meet each lady. Many women and children filled the room. Lots of chit-chat and laughter were heard. It was a wonderful place to be!

We had all levels from beginner to advanced.
There seemed to be plenty of people available to help.

________________________________________________________

Remember to LIKE us on facebook

"Juniata Ladies In Fellowship Together (LIFT)"

Doorprize drawing for those that post comments or post to this blog.

________________________________________________________



PENCILS and POSTAGE STAMPS Devotional

Thank you Lori for your inspirational devotional after our prayer time.
Like a Pencil:
1. Everything you do will a mark

Important reminders from a
simple pencil and postage stamp

2. You can always correct the mistakes you make.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
3. What’s inside is what’s important. Just like a pencil is useless without the lead.
“Instead, your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3: 4
4. In life, you will go through painful sharpenings that will make you stronger.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1: 2,3
5. To be the best (pencil) you must allow yourself to be held and guided.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
“The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11
Like a Postage Stamp:
1. Endurance: The postage stamp sticks to something until it gets there.
2. Our destination is eternality.
3. Follow the Lord to the end
4. Don’t quit.

-----------------------------------------------

We enjoyed the refreshments that were brought! Thanks for sharing!!!

Here’s a recipe from a mom that made those yummy muffins…



Pumpkin Muffins - thanks!

 Pumpkin Muffins
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
3 Eggs
½ cup oil
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 20 oz. can Pumpkin

Cream Cheese Filling
1 pkg 8 oz cream cheese
1/2 C confectioners sugar (I used 1C)
1/4 C milk

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and milk. Beat with a mixer until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Mix all muffin ingredients together. Bake in paper filled muffin pans at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

____________________________________________

The children seemed
to have fun too
 in their age divided classes!

  See you next month.

November 16

9:00-11:00am

WAR Jewelry Party

http://warinternational.org/

Because YOU Matter

These beautiful flowers will brighten the LIFT tables tomorrow and hopefully...your day!
See you soon.