| Welcome Home My Florida! |
| New Beginnings! |
| Are you new to the area? Having a hard time 'connecting' with other women? Miss your girlfriends? This month I'm dedicating the topic to getting to know others when you're the outsider. Would you like to contribute? Please email us your story. |
| December's Tea Time Talk |
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Women seem to be better at creating a core group of support, usually with other
women, because we like to share our knowledge and wisdom with our gal pals. We
derive strength from sharing hopes, passions, and dreams with other women. We
are grateful to have someone we can be fully truthful with, allowing our inner most
thoughts laid out to be examined. Women need women... We need our girlfriends.
When you're new to an area, it can be difficult if not impossible to be 'allowed in' to most circles
of women who've known each other for years. A friend of mine who's new to an area just north of
here has told me some pretty incredible stories of how she's been kept out of the inner circle of
friends. This is a woman who is as precious as they come. A woman who's dedicated to raising a family and
being a godly wife. The whole family is simply incredible, yet she's not welcomed. So she's taken the ball into
her hands, and has come to realize her new place outside the tent isn't as bad as it sounds.
She explained that it doesn't matter what they do, it only matters what she does and what she wants is to
meet people. So she has the dinners,the teas, the picnics, the parties and invites them all to see that she's not
such a bad gal... Slowly but surely, the women have started to come around, one by one to at least allow her to
get one foot in the door. She still hasn't any close relationships but she's hopeful.
If you know someone who's new to the area, invite them over. Welcome them and try to get to know them. Below
is an article I found that may help you try to get to know other women. If you've not met at least one new woman
a month, ask yourself why? You may be missing out on the best friend a girl can ever have... a girl friend.
Deborah Sheehy Welcome Home My Florida.com
women, because we like to share our knowledge and wisdom with our gal pals. We
derive strength from sharing hopes, passions, and dreams with other women. We
are grateful to have someone we can be fully truthful with, allowing our inner most
thoughts laid out to be examined. Women need women... We need our girlfriends.
When you're new to an area, it can be difficult if not impossible to be 'allowed in' to most circles
of women who've known each other for years. A friend of mine who's new to an area just north of
here has told me some pretty incredible stories of how she's been kept out of the inner circle of
friends. This is a woman who is as precious as they come. A woman who's dedicated to raising a family and
being a godly wife. The whole family is simply incredible, yet she's not welcomed. So she's taken the ball into
her hands, and has come to realize her new place outside the tent isn't as bad as it sounds.
She explained that it doesn't matter what they do, it only matters what she does and what she wants is to
meet people. So she has the dinners,the teas, the picnics, the parties and invites them all to see that she's not
such a bad gal... Slowly but surely, the women have started to come around, one by one to at least allow her to
get one foot in the door. She still hasn't any close relationships but she's hopeful.
If you know someone who's new to the area, invite them over. Welcome them and try to get to know them. Below
is an article I found that may help you try to get to know other women. If you've not met at least one new woman
a month, ask yourself why? You may be missing out on the best friend a girl can ever have... a girl friend.
Deborah Sheehy Welcome Home My Florida.com
GIRLFRIENDS
Busy women will invest time, money and home-based suicide in order to attend a retreat where they
can relax, recharge and build relationships. The types of relationship building activities to include in
your retreat should
- generate laughter
- increase guest interaction and
- build relaxation by eliminating the fear of being embarrassed.
HOLD ENJOYABLE CONTESTS WHERE EVERYONE CAN WIN.
A "Tea Tasting Contest," for example, adds no stress and is just plain fun. Hold it during breakfast on
the first morning of your retreat: Set up six tables featuring carafes of hot water, disposable Styrofoam
cups, plastic spoons, sugar packets and numerous tea bags of one kind per table. Do not identify
what kind of tea is being served at each table except by numbering the table itself.
During and after breakfast, invite each guest to make her way around the room sampling the teas and
writing down her guesses on a personal sheet of paper with only the numbers 1-6 on it. At that
morning's session, let the guests self-score their papers. Have volunteers pass out "free" tea bags to
everyone. You could even create your own tea bag packet-jackets featuring the retreat's theme verse.
HOST A GAME SHOW WITH VOLUNTEERS.
True, a few people may get embarrassed, but they would have volunteered for the job instead of being
forced to play.
- Tweak the Newlywed Game to make it appropriate for a mother-daughter
event.
- Lead a friendly game of Family Feud at a MOPS retreat.
- Host "Name That Praise Song" at a worship planner's renewal weekend.
PLAY A BOXED GAME AS A GROUP.
Balderdash, Cranium, TaBoo and many other games are ideal for large
group play with a few simple changes. Remember: Put no individual
person on the spot, but rather let the "teams" do it - or, let someone from
each team volunteer to be the spokesperson.
HOST A BEAUTY PAGEANT.
Again, recruit volunteers who LOVE the spotlight and are willing to prance around in their cute
pajamas or even in something as basic as their winter coats, gloves and hats. Since only the
flamboyant volunteer, it will be fun. If you enlist the most quick-witted-woman you can find as the
impromptu pageant hostess, and another volunteer to hold up signs toward the audience that say
things like, "Clap Now!" or "Gasp!" your pageant is sure to be blast.
There are so many things we can do that can't be done during regular meetings. Go for it! Everyone
will thank you.
Marnie Swedberg is the author of Retreats Made Easy:
A comprehensive guide providing step-by-step instructions
so you can set and accomplish your goals, enjoy the
process, and get rave reviews all in less time and with
less stress than you would think possible.
http://www.EventPlannersFriend.com/Retreat_Planner.htm
can relax, recharge and build relationships. The types of relationship building activities to include in
your retreat should
- generate laughter
- increase guest interaction and
- build relaxation by eliminating the fear of being embarrassed.
HOLD ENJOYABLE CONTESTS WHERE EVERYONE CAN WIN.
A "Tea Tasting Contest," for example, adds no stress and is just plain fun. Hold it during breakfast on
the first morning of your retreat: Set up six tables featuring carafes of hot water, disposable Styrofoam
cups, plastic spoons, sugar packets and numerous tea bags of one kind per table. Do not identify
what kind of tea is being served at each table except by numbering the table itself.
During and after breakfast, invite each guest to make her way around the room sampling the teas and
writing down her guesses on a personal sheet of paper with only the numbers 1-6 on it. At that
morning's session, let the guests self-score their papers. Have volunteers pass out "free" tea bags to
everyone. You could even create your own tea bag packet-jackets featuring the retreat's theme verse.
HOST A GAME SHOW WITH VOLUNTEERS.
True, a few people may get embarrassed, but they would have volunteered for the job instead of being
forced to play.
- Tweak the Newlywed Game to make it appropriate for a mother-daughter
event.
- Lead a friendly game of Family Feud at a MOPS retreat.
- Host "Name That Praise Song" at a worship planner's renewal weekend.
PLAY A BOXED GAME AS A GROUP.
Balderdash, Cranium, TaBoo and many other games are ideal for large
group play with a few simple changes. Remember: Put no individual
person on the spot, but rather let the "teams" do it - or, let someone from
each team volunteer to be the spokesperson.
HOST A BEAUTY PAGEANT.
Again, recruit volunteers who LOVE the spotlight and are willing to prance around in their cute
pajamas or even in something as basic as their winter coats, gloves and hats. Since only the
flamboyant volunteer, it will be fun. If you enlist the most quick-witted-woman you can find as the
impromptu pageant hostess, and another volunteer to hold up signs toward the audience that say
things like, "Clap Now!" or "Gasp!" your pageant is sure to be blast.
There are so many things we can do that can't be done during regular meetings. Go for it! Everyone
will thank you.
Marnie Swedberg is the author of Retreats Made Easy:
A comprehensive guide providing step-by-step instructions
so you can set and accomplish your goals, enjoy the
process, and get rave reviews all in less time and with
less stress than you would think possible.
http://www.EventPlannersFriend.com/Retreat_Planner.htm
This article was written as a creative way to freshen up Christian women's retreats, but I thought
her ideas would also be great for get-togethers, welcoming new women into the circle of friends.
her ideas would also be great for get-togethers, welcoming new women into the circle of friends.
"Friend, spending time with God is the most important way to begin or end your day. Not because you want to
earn acceptance from God. But because you know, only He can give you the wisdom, patience and guidance you
need!" Vonnette Bright
Christian Women Today has a great site for Christian inspiration for
those of us who need more of God in our lives. Putting Him first means
that you are dedicated in fulfilling a life to please Him. If you'd like to
receive a Daily Devotional, click this link. CHRISTIAN WOMEN TODAY
Do you know The Secret? Is it real? Is it true? Can a person 'wish'
things to come true? Learn the truth about this multi-million dollar seller.
Click here to find out: THE SECRET, TRUE OR FALSE
earn acceptance from God. But because you know, only He can give you the wisdom, patience and guidance you
need!" Vonnette Bright
Christian Women Today has a great site for Christian inspiration for
those of us who need more of God in our lives. Putting Him first means
that you are dedicated in fulfilling a life to please Him. If you'd like to
receive a Daily Devotional, click this link. CHRISTIAN WOMEN TODAY
Do you know The Secret? Is it real? Is it true? Can a person 'wish'
things to come true? Learn the truth about this multi-million dollar seller.
Click here to find out: THE SECRET, TRUE OR FALSE
SHOP AT SEARS!
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are
required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a
big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up. Sears is voluntarily paying
the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and
bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. This is
amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from
their commitment.
Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.
Please consider Christmas shopping at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell
them why you're shopping there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well
deserves.
It's Verified! By Snopes.com at: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
Here is a response to an e-mail sent to Sears verifying their benefit program for those
employees who are deployed. Please consider writing them a note of encouragement
for doing something great for our troops!
Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive
feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young
men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear
at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358
How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are
required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a
big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up. Sears is voluntarily paying
the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and
bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. This is
amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from
their commitment.
Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.
Please consider Christmas shopping at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell
them why you're shopping there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well
deserves.
It's Verified! By Snopes.com at: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
Here is a response to an e-mail sent to Sears verifying their benefit program for those
employees who are deployed. Please consider writing them a note of encouragement
for doing something great for our troops!
Dear Customer:
Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive
feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young
men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear
at this time.
Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358