March 2011

Well, welcome to Spring!! Our meeting was held on the 11th, and yes... I'm slow but here it goes.....
As always, we had a wonderful time of just fellowship. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And yes He was!!

Margaret Stringer was our speaker for the evening. She spoke about being an encouragement. Some verses read: Gen 39:21, 45:4-8; Pslam 46:11; John 11:21 & 32. These were by no means the only ones, just a few to name. She talked about Joseph and his trials. One could look at all he went through and say, "ok, where's God at during all this?" Well...............God was there the whole time. He never left Joseph. And the same is said of what we go through. He is ALWAYS there. Oh, we may stray but God never leaves us. God can see the "bigger" picture that we can't. I'm sure Joseph would never have imagined where his life would take him, especially after all he endured. But, God knew the rest of the story.
How often do we ask ourselves, "what now?" God will never give us more than we can handle. We are meant to go through our trials for a reason. That reason may just be to help someone else deal with that very same problem. But at the time it happens to us, that's the furtherest thing on our mind. I'm guilty of this myself. However, God has proven to me that I did not go through it alone or in vain. This is such a blessing and encouragement to know.

Karen Haley led "craft time" for us. We got to enjoy some more tea-bag folding. This time she gave a more indepth view of just where tea-bag folding came from. So, we had a history lesson and play time! We all enjoyed learning new folds (butterfly and tulip) and going over the kite fold.

Every JEWELS meeting is different, and we all take something "different" from that meeting. But, each and every meeting has been a blessing and encouragement to all who attend. Our next JEWELS meeting will be on April 15, hope to see you there.
~Kim Haley