We Need You!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

This section of the site is still under construction, and we could use your help in getting it underway. If you have an encouraging anecdote from your day-to-day walk with the Lord to share, please let us know. We would also love your personal testimonies, your insight on a passage of Scripture you've been studying, or any morsel of wisdom you have found to be helpful.

Have something you'd like to share? Leave a comment on this entry with your story, or check out the contact page to find our email address!

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To My Beautiful Christian Sisters

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

by Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting "I'm clean living."
I'm whispering, "I was lost; now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say . . . "I am a Christian," I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner, who received God's good grace.

* * * * *

I love this and just wanted to share it with all my Christian sisters!
-Vicki Tumilson-

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Serving God in Every Season

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

by Vicki Tumilson

It was a joy to meet with Myrtle Fourier in October to talk to her about her efforts for White Cross, which is a part of our Women's Ministries. Myrtle makes kimonos and layettes that are sent to Tandala Hospital in the Congo and which are then given to newborn babies. In this part of Africa, the delivering mothers walk to the hospital to have their babies, as they are too poor to obtain transportation. In most cases, these kimonos and layettes are the only thing that these new mothers have to keep their babies warm.

In addition to her White cross efforts, Myrtle also knits baby caps for the March of Dimes! The March of Dimes in turn provides them to various Neonatal Intensive Car Units (NICU) for premature babies right here in our own backyard.

These caps touched my life three years ago when I gave birth to premature twins. They arrived thirteen weeks early. Both Robbie and Tommy were given one of these caps that they wore throughout their stay in the NICU. After the passing of Robbie, I kept his cap to treasure the memory of my precious little boy.

Myrtle started doing knitting in the '60s, making kimonos and layettes for the White Cross; later, she started making greeting card pictures and rolling bandages. When I asked her if she had any idea how many she had made over the years, she stated, "Oh, I have no idea. I've done about 460 this year and 200 caps for the March of Dimes." This is quite an accomplishment for a person of her age with such obstacles as blurred vision! In order to continue doing this, she uses many lights in her sewing room and utilizes her sense of touch. The reason? "I just enjoy doing it. It gives me something to do." Because she is "up there in age," as she describes it, she relies on Diana Maas to purchase the materials and other friends to deliver items to and from the church.

Layette

Regardless of the struggles that may come her way, Myrtle continues to make the kimonos, layettes, and caps for White Cross and March of Dimes. She resides in a retirement home and looks forward to visits from her family and friends. I myself consider her a new-found friend and look forward to the next time I am blessed to talk to her.

Note: This was originally published in the second issue of At the Well, the quarterly EFCCL Women's Ministries newsletter. Please let us know if you'd like to be added to the mailing list!

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Upcoming Events

True Women '08

Fall Studies

ABF: Ruth
Sunday @ 10:45 a.m.
Room 235

A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place
Tuesday @ 9 a.m.
Led by Kim Alvarez

Journey to Freedom: Exodus - Joshua
Tuesday @ 9 a.m.
Led by Grace Thornton

John
Tuesday @ 7 p.m.
Led by Janette Dickerson

New Beginnings: Genesis
Wednesday @ 9 a.m.
Led by Nena Thornton

Daniel
Thursday @ 9 a.m.
Led by Laurel Wade

The Mentoring Mom
Thursday @ 9 a.m.
Meets on alternate weeks from MOPS

A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place
Thursday @ 9 a.m.
Led by Jenny Niemi and Mandy Sosnowski
Meets on alternate weeks from MOPS

Jesus, the One and Only
Saturday @ 8 a.m.
Led by Donna Ricci
Meets every other week

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Disclaimer

The views and/or comments on this website do not necessarily reflect the philosophies of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. To view a statement of faith and ministry details, visit www.efccl.org.