(Otherwise know as The Women’s Ministry)

 Sure growing up with three older brothers is fine in and of itself, if you liked being constantly teased, picked-on and tormented.  But you know what I really longed for?  Yep you guessed it – a sister!  And I can’t begin to tell you of my disappointment when my parents refused to stop at the local plant nursery to get me one.  But you can imagine my delight came when I inherited wealth, not just the blessing of having two wonderful sisters-in-law, but the richness that comes with having ‘Soul Sisters’, fellow followers.  And how much richer I am to have you too, as my ‘Soul Sister’.

 Richard and I took on the role of ‘Ministry Leaders’ for Soul Sisters mid last year but were blessed to have the ‘hard yards’ paved for us by Pauline Tabalujan and Debby Rowley who co-organized our inaugural bi-annual seminar titled, “Being a Woman God Can Use” led by Tomya Peters.  We had a total of 56 ladies in attendance from various congregations.  We were encouraged by Tomya’s lessons as they were filled with examples from women in the Bible and many stories from her own walk with God for the last 30 plus years. It was a wonderful day of sweet fellowship, great food and best of all, fantastic and practical day to day lessons to take home.

 And I am sure you are, as I am, eagerly awaiting our next bi-annual seminar late in 2011.

 Then came Christmas “just around the corner”, where we joined in fellowship for our Annual Ladies Christmas Dinner kindly hosted by the Permezels.  Jennifer organised the caterer, the delicious menu, and created the most wonderful ambiance in her home. We shared in a few lovely Christmas carols led beautifully by Nancy with a thanksgiving prayer by Rhonda and a touching devotional by Debbie Carpenter.

 Again, we were so blessed to have joined in fellowship with so many ladies from various congregations.  We were also enriched and touched by the generosity of those who donated through Kris Kringle, a wonderful assortment of clothes and gifts for 8 orphans in Sathupalli, India.

 Soon we will once again find ourselves on the last Friday of November (Friday, 26 Nov. 2010), joining in sweet fellowship, singing those ole’ familiar Christmas Carols, and wondering where the year has gone.

 In the latter part of 2009, a small group of ladies met fortnightly and discussed the book “The Power of a Praying wife” by Stormie Omartian and came together in prayer to form what we are now call the LPG (Ladies Prayer Group).  Throughout this year we have been blessed to get together on the second and fourth Thursday of the month where we have been led in thought by Cath Donnelley, Melba Abney, Tomya Peters, Pauline Tabalujan, Jennifer Permezel, Debby Rowley, and Lesley Christensen, all varying in style but none lacking in substance.

 With only 24 hours in a day, and seven days in our week, I must confess I have struggled to organise our usual quarterly “Over the Table” get togethers, and have been rescued by the sweet Debbie Carpenter, who has taken on the scheduling of events for OTT for the next 12 months.

 Though I am the one sitting here late at night frantically typing this article up, I must confess I am working from notes that Richie has given me from our coffee date.  This role is a partnership, and I thank my darling husband for being the one to look after the budget side of things and so much more.  But this partnership also includes you too, Soul Sister.  And I look forward to fellowshipping with you again soon.