The Effects of Abuse

If you have been abused, I’m so sorry. I wish I could wrap my arms around you. I would whisper in your ear …“the abuse does NOT define you…you have worth…you are precious to God…He loves you.”


I’ve been there.

I was molested as a child.

No, I don’t talk about it much. Only when I feel a prodding sense that someone might need to hear it.

A “friend” of the family took a child whose self-esteem was already dangling by a thread and violently tore it away.

Abusers don’t consider the pain they cause. They are selfish.

They don’t care that they leave a crumpled little girl struggling to understand. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? Where are my protectors?

Can you relate? Maybe your abuse came in a different form. Maybe it was actual bruises that peppered your fragile frame, or maybe the bruises hid quietly behind a shy smile that you painted on when someone started to see the angst in your eyes.

My scars were not visible but I saw them every day. Like a scab that I unconsciously picked at until it bled and I could no longer deny its reality.

Chosen last for the kick ball game at recess. The boys teased me about my crooked teeth. The teacher overlooked me despite furiously waving my hand when I knew the answer.

They all seem like innocent actions, but I knew. I knew it was because I was not important. I belong in the background. I was used. I was only beneficial to appease a demented man’s needs.

It wasn’t until many years later that I learned how distorted my thinking had become.

My heart is heavy for those who through abuse or neglect now turn to horrible self-destructive behaviors such as cutting, substance abuse, bulimia etc. Please if that is you, seek Christian counsel. Sit down with someone who will pray with you and help bring healing, comfort and hope to you.

God knows you and loves you and I am praying for any victims who read this. You were made for a purpose, to KNOW your creator as Father, friend and Savior. You were not made for the abuse you’ve suffered. It does not define you. You are beautiful, you have worth, and you are loved.

I’d love to hear from you.

Whew, I didn't break out in hives.

I can hardly believe the LIVE webinar went off without a hitch. I didn't break out in hives, the dogs didn't attack the UPS man and Mitt Romney didn't call, not even once.

The webinar went a bit longer than I had hoped for and of course I have a million more things I wish I would have said, and why did I make that funny face so often and good gravy what was going on with my hair?

But here you go, if you've been thinking about starting Praise and Coffee Nights this video shares the heart of them with you.

The ladies that attended were truly a delight. I wish they had all been here in my kitchen. I would have baked them something fattening and yummy.

Here are the links for the Ebook:

And webinar:

This is a fresh approach to women's ministry. Sharing conversations that matter as REAL women with real hurts, joys and trials.

• No agendas, just relationships.
• Gathering 3-12 women together, facilitating conversation and allowing God to intervene.
• Based on Matthew 18:20, when 2 or 3 gather in His name, He comes.
• Meeting outside the four walls of the church with women from all backgrounds, churches (or no church) and walks of life.
• Sharing life.

And this is me. Watch the webinar, you'll understand.

Thank you Denise for all the behind the scenes stuff that you did while sitting in my dining room all alone, I really should have baked you something. I love you to pieces.


Have a great weekend!!!!
Sue

PS: I almost forgot...if you would like to join in with women all over the nation world starting Praise and Coffee Nights on March 15th, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/susankcramer#!/events/290042004382067/

A Fresh Approach to Womens Ministry

Edited to add:
If you missed the webinar, the info is here:
http://www.praiseandcoffee.blogspot.com/2012/01/whew-i-didnt-break-out-in-hives.html 

Ok girls, I’m scared and excited and nervous and overwhelmed all at once. Yes, I need to lay off the caffeine but this really is BIG news.

We are hosting our first ever Praise and Coffee webinar. We will be helping to train and equip women from all over the nation world to host Praise and Coffee Nights.

No airplane tickets or hotel reservations needed...in fact, you don't have to brush your hair or get out of your jammies for this! Although, I will be on video, so I'll try to freshen up so as not to frighten you.

The interest in hosting a Praise and Coffee Night has been growing and women want to know the what, when, where and how’s of starting them. So if you are interested, jump in on our online webinar this Thursday at 1:00 PM EST. No commitment necessary, lookey-loo’s are more than welcome.

RSVP here: (or leave a comment on this post). https://www.facebook.com/susankcramer#!/events/231394873604052/

Praise and Coffee Nights are a fresh approach to women’s ministry. The fresh-ness is that we’re not looking to create a mega-ministry, but instead create a movement. Real women meeting in small groups at cafés and kitchen tables, connecting-encouraging-and inspiring one another.

You don’t have to be a minister’s wife or even part of your church ministry team…we want every day REAL women to start with the influence that God has already given them and take it one step further. Invite 3 or more (we like to keep it under 12) women out to a coffee shop or over for a cup of coffee and some encouragement. Note: Coffee is not actually required :)

This is NOT your Momma’s Bible study group, this is girlfriend time with the only agenda being connect-encourage-inspire. Share life, and watch how God intervenes.

Matt. 18:20 says that when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He comes. I love that! And honestly, I desperately need that. I don’t know what I would do without the girlfriends in my life that have been Jesus’ heart to me.

Do that Bible study, memorize that scripture! But also connect with women in a relational way that deepens your life and gets us out of the four walls of the church and into the world that God put in front of us.

To join us for the online webinar, click this link on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM (if you miss it, we are recording, I’ll add the link to watch it when it’s available):

https://connectpro19068335.adobeconnect.com/_a1007933682/praiseandcoffee/

Enter as a guest and type in your name! It’s that easy. You can chat with other women who have already started them and many who are about to start.

We also want to invite you to start your first Praise and Coffee Night with us on March 15th with women all across the world.

That info can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/susankcramer#!/events/290042004382067/

Use the comments for any questions or drop me an email! I can’t wait to hear from you.

OH! I almost forgot!! During the webinar we will be giving away TWO...yes 2 SIGNED, yes signed copies of Lysa TerKeurst's new Made to Crave devotional!

And...because we love you...TWO...yes 2 SIGNED, yes signed copies of Mary Snyder's new book too!

Hope to hear from you!!
Sue

PS: Local friends, here is a link to the training I'll be doing at my house in February:
https://www.facebook.com/susankcramer#!/events/214266648657988/ 

Cruising, Comedy, Lysa TerKeurst and Dogs

Hello, hello girlfriends!
This is pretty much a random 'catch you up' kind of post....

First let me share what it looks like here in Michigan:

Isn't that gorgeous? My daughter Stephanie took this while I was gone...

I can not believe that as I write this shivering in my office, that one week ago today I was sailing the ocean blue. No, I did not see the news about that OTHER cruise ship until I was about to come home thankyouverymuch.

Yes, Melissa Mashburn and I went on a cruise/writing conference. It was so much fun.

One of the best parts was seeing my son perform with 321 Improv. Sad to think I had to go all the way to Mexico to see him perform. I have seen him do his stand up, back when he won Funniest Person in Grand Rapids 2010, but this was the first time watching him with 321 doing improv. They were hysterical. Stomach ache hysterical.

Yes that's Chonda Pierce laughing at them too! I adore her. She is not only funny funny funny,

but also has a beautiful heart.

I had so much fun meeting online friends and making new ones!

 Heather Williams who Denise  interviewed for our latest magazine.

And the most hilarious and fun Mary Snyder who screamed "Sue Cramer is the bomb.com" every time I saw her. (She's also in the current magazine.)

I did not lay in the sun one time. I tried. I walked up on deck to get some sun and it was a bit cloudy so I jumped in the hot tub instead. Cue thunderstorm and I was back in the room sitting on my balcony with Mel.

One afternoon Mel and I ordered room service, all desserts, and sat on our balcony. Seriously, every dessert on the menu. When they delivered it they asked where the kids were...no kids just us. They smiled and nodded and told all their waiter friends that we were complete freaks. I know they did.

But we didn't care. We saw dolphins. Yes dolphins, jumping right outside our window. We screamed and called Matt. He ran up to our room but the dolphins went away. As you can see it was rough seas on the way back from Cozumel.

I also got to see and have breakfast with my sweet friend Lysa TerKeurst. Oh mercy I do love her. We have so much in common it's a bit scary and I've actually lived her post from this week.

And speaking of dogs, cause Lysa did...this is my neighbors dog looking in at me while I'm working in my office:

His name is Shadow and he's come over to make friends with my dogs. One of my dogs loves him, the other would like to put her shock collar on him and hold him over the fence line.

But when I bring our dogs in, cause it's downright freezing here, he barks at me, begging to let him in also. I try ignoring him but then he whines and crys and finally does this:

What's a mom to do?

Eventually I cave in and against my better judgement I let him in and this is what I get:

I suppose I could spiritualize this and talk about how God brings us in from the cold hard places of life and lets us rest in Him.

Cause He totally does.

Love you, hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Sue

PS: What would a post about cruising be without a pic of the fun towels they left in our rooms:

Thank you Royal Caribbean and Premiere Christian Cruises, you are awesome!



If the Shoes Don't Fit, They Might Not Be Your Shoes

I have huge feet.
There I said it.
I'm 5'9" tall and wear a size 11 shoe. I've always been so embarrassed by the size of my feet. When I was little I was in ballet class (they were attempting to teach me some grace) and they had to place a special order for my ballet slippers because of course they did not carry my size.
I desperately wanted to be petite, but couldn't even come close. I was a knobby-kneed Olive Oil.

The school put on a play about the circus and I was cast as the "tall lady." I didn't realize circus' put tall people in the same categorie as lions, bears and bearded ladies, apparently they did.

Did I mention my teeth? You know how sharks have several rows of teeth and they're all over the place? It was worse than that.

I wished that I could be someone else, just for a day...a small "normal" sized person with cute hair and a pretty smile.

I just wanted to wear my friend's shoes, but heaven knows, they would not have fit. Even today I don't have a girlfriend that I could exchange shoes with. If I tried, I'd look ridiculous and be very uncomfortable. I'd walk funny and be miserable by the end of the day. The only shoes that work for me are my own.

Just like walking around in shoes that don't fit, I've tried walking around in someone else's calling, and guess what? It doesn't fit me. I see someone doing something that I think looks really exciting and I assume that I could step right into those shoes and do it too, only to find out that it's uncomfortable, and awkward and doesn't fit me at all. And at the end of the day, I'm pretty miserable.

What about you? Are you trying to walk around in someone else's shoes?




God has uniquely called each one of us. We were created by Him, to have relationship with Him and reflect His love in this world.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

It's taken me many years to come to the place of being comfortable in my own skin. Not only physically but also my identity. Who am I....where am I going...what is my calling??

Identity is a complex thing. Am I what I do? Am I the hats I wear? Oh I hope not! They are what I do, but they don't define who I am.




My bio says "wife, mom, speaker, writer and coffee drinker who loves the Lord." The things that I do help others figure out who I might be...but truly, who I am is not a bunch of titles- thank God! Because what happens is, when life changes and the titles are gone (and I guarantee, titles will change or disappear) we're left struggling to "find ourselves."

I've been there. It's a lonely scary place to be.

It forced me to search for who I am. In my searching I realized that I will never find my identity in a title or position, no matter how noble the cause. But now I'm content to know that I am first His daughter, the rest we can figure out together. I will walk the road God has in front of me and let Him handle the "why" and "how" of things.

Her shoes are not your shoes.
So, if the shoes you are wearing don't fit, they might not be your shoes. Slide your feet and whole self into Him. Start with a simple prayer, just have a conversation with God. He promises that when we seek Him we will find Him. Start "finding yourself" by settling into His love for you. Dare to believe that you are completely accepted and loved by Him and go from there...in your own shoes.

Life is a Series of Moments

I am thankful.
My family and friends give me reason to smile every day.

Even when I look back at the events in my life that brought intense pain, I see how they have served to mold me into the person I am. I was not always thankful for those times but I was thankful in them because I believed that God loved me and even if I couldn't see His purposes at the time, I trusted in that love.

There were desperate days that I clung to the hem of His garment begging for things to change...and in His grace they didn't. But that past pain has now brought depth and feeling to areas in my life that could have remained numb. It's brought deep growth when complacentcy could have kept me shallow.

Most of all, it's made me thankful. Embracing the good times with family and cherishing my sweet friends that I share laughter and tears with. Holding moments of love tightly in my heart and turning from the clutches of bitter unforgiveness and offense.

Life is a series of moments.

Don't let the moments get lost in the momentum.

And laugh. Laugh a lot.

This is an entry from a my journal when Lauren was 5 years old...it still makes me laugh, I hope it brings a smile to your face today too.

Hearing loud music coming from her bedroom, I crack the door to hear Toby Keith blaring and see this child siting on the bed with her motorcycle helmet on surrounded by our two large dogs while "talking" on her cell phone. She looks up at me and says without a second's hesitation..."oh good you can be the Grandma."

I hope your Thanksgiving has many wonderful moments.

Much love,
Sue

Is It Time You Became an Author?

A few weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to meet one of my online friends, Lysa TerKeurst. It was a last minute, flybytheseatofmypants kind of trip. Thursday I thought I would be home all weekend while hubby was out of town, bright and early Friday I was on the road headed to Extraordinary Woman conference in Fort Wayne, IN.

I have to tell you, Lysa is sweet, genuine, fun and made me feel like we were old friends. And honestly, it did seem like I’d known her for years. And Holly Good, well I think she is about as nice as God. We connected about things that make you soul sisters for life! I was honored and blessed by their sweetness. I’ve met a lot of people and I’m telling you, they are the real deal.



Lysa’s book "Made To Crave" is fantastic and if you are one of the three people that hasn't read it yet, what are you waiting for?!

Her next book, “Unglued” is coming out next summer and it is a MUST GET! She read me some of it, and take it from me, it’s a good one. Watch for it! Of course we’ll splash it across the magazine when it’s available!

But, as amazing as Lysa and her assistant Holly are, I actually want to focus on someone else I met that weekend, someone whose name I don’t remember.

While Lysa was sharing part of her book Unglued with Holly and I, one of the caterers shared that she really wished someone would write a book about a subject that is near and dear to her heart. She is a counselor for young girls and she has a heart to help them understand how important purity is. She said that she’s seen many girls as young as 12-13 years old that are pregnant. She was very frustrated at the lack of resources out there for these young girls and asked if one of us would please write a book to help them.

We all agreed that a book should be written, but that she should be the one to write it. She has the passion for the girls and the proximity to the issue.
She lit up a little at the thought. She admitted that she had been doing some writing on the subject but didn’t think she had the skill to do it. We encouraged her to step out and do it. I hope that she does.

She has the passion and proximity.

What about you?

Have you thought about writing a book?

Is there something that you have the passion and proximity to write about?

Maybe it’s time that you became an author. Put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and throw down your thoughts. You might just be the person that is supposed to write that book.
Lysa also has some great resources to help you in your journey to become an author, in fact she offers a conference every year in July that could be just the thing for you.

Not only do they offer classes to help you become a better writer, but they are unique in that She Speaks offers you face time with agents and publishers!
What has God given you the passion and proximity to write about?
Get to it and check out that conference too!

Much love,
Sue

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Motherhood

Motherhood is not for the weak.

There's the screaming, crying, sleeplessness and constant emotional roller coasters that women have to deal with.

AND THEN we become a mother.

Now suddenly we're living in a home with one or more other highly irrational individuals.

No one prepared us for this.
They didn't hand out a manual when they set that darling little bundle in our arms and wheeled us out the door of the hospital.

Sure, those women at our baby shower sat there smiling and oohing and cooing about the cute little outfits and bath towels. They had no problem telling us the horrors of labor, but they failed to mention what life with children is really like, or that we would never actually use those silly little bath towels.

They didn't tell us that it's the most frightening, wonderful, terrifying yet glorious experience this side of heaven.

Each season of raising children has joys and trials of it's own.

The euphoria of being a new mom wrapped in the stark reality that we will never-ever enjoy another selfish moment to ourselves.

The joys of toddlers, the adorableness of watching them experience a butterfly while trying to corral them from wobbling into oncoming traffic.

The enthusiasm of pre-schoolers learning to speak in sentences while hushing them before they tell the world that mommy yells at daddy.

The thrill of our school age children playing sports while we sit in the wind and the rain cheering and shivering til we lose our voice.

Then the teens years of figuring out the gentle balance of parent, friend, mentor and confidant. No one prepared me for when that ice-cream smothered smile who wanted an underdog would wish that I didn't walk into school with them.

Suddenly, we blink and they are moving out of our homes and starting new lives. Spreading their wings while we pray that they don't make all the same mistakes we did.

But they will.
And then some.
And it's ok, they need to.
It's how we learned, and they will too.

My children are 23, 21, 19 and 7.
I tease that I've become my own mentor.
Sometimes I think I got another chance to get it right, and then I see how great my kids are doing and think- maybe I didn't get it so wrong.

Raising Lauren is so different from the first three.
My first three were so close together and life was crazy!
But with Lauren, things are much more subdued and I enjoy a lot more one-on-one time with her, which is good because those first 2 years in an orphanage left her filled with internal scars and needing a mommy with time for her.

I am so blessed also to have the opportunity to speak to so many MOPS groups. I love these women and the precious time of life that they are in.
I remember needing encouragement.
Needing someone to say, "you will get through this season, and you will be thankful for it!"

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Elisa Morgan, founder of MOPS.
She is a little powerhouse. A precious woman with a heart of gold. Check out her latest book, "She Did What She Could."


Thank you Elisa Morgan for starting this amazing ministry and lifting the hearts of young moms everywhere!

Please encourage a mom with young ones today, and call her on your way to the store, chances are she could stand to have you pick something up for her.

To find a MOPS group in your area:
MOPS International

My Cat Story

I figured it was a good day to humilitate myself so here goes!


Many years ago, I had this cat. Her name was Baby. She was very sweet, but had some rather annoying traits. One was her voice, she had the kind of meow that sounded like nails on a chalkboard, but at least she only did it in the middle of the night.

She also had this strange habit of backing up to something and shaking her tail as if she was spraying it, but thankfully, nothing ever seemed to come out. I had heard of male cats doing this, but never females. When I had my first child it became very annoying because she would do it around his things, as if to mark her territory.

So one day I decided to call the vet and ask if there was something I could do about it. As I explained to the receptionist how she would back up to things and shake her tail as if she was spraying, the woman seemed just as perplexed as I was. She sat there silently for a moment and said “who is doing this?” and I explained once more that it was my female cat and I wondered if she had any advice for me. She then very sweetly said that I should probably call a vet, and it was at that moment that I looked down at my address book and realized that I had called my gynecologist.

I hung the phone up as fast as I could. I was so embarrassed that I never even called the vet. I picked up a spray bottle and drenched the cat whenever she shook anything.

I've shared this story many time to illustrate that it's so important to think about who we are calling. A friend or family member may seem the most logical choice but is it really the one who is most equipped to help us?

If our heart is broken or we are struggling...the Father wants to be the first call we make.

Pray first.

And never. Never. Call the gynecologist about the cat.

What's UP?! I Miss You!

Before I even start with this crazy rambling post, I have to say Happy Birthday to Zoey, she is 1 year old today (she's the one in the tiara).

(Lauren, Zoey and Stephanie)

I can not believe that I haven't blogged in a month.
I apologize.
I just figure you're probably so tired of hearing from me on FB and Twitter that I don't want to bore you.

But I miss blogging. I think I'll make a New Year's resolution to start doing it more. I'll start next year.


So what have I been doing???

Well, I've been busy on the magazine. The next issue comes out in just days and I really hope you like it half as much and I like doing it!
If not, just tell me that you do and you'll make me very happy.

I'm also going to start doing more with our Praise and Coffee Blog Talk Radio Show.
Never heard of it?
That's because we've never done one.
(Don't worry, you're not out of the loop...there's no loop, just a circle. A circle of friends, and you're in it! I'm totally singing that song by Point of Grace)

But we are starting in two weeks when Melissa Mashburn (Praise and Coffee Nights co-Founder) and Ronel Sidney (Praise and Coffee Nights National Director) are here- in Michigan- sleeping in my guest room!

Here is the link to that show, you can chat with us when we're talking...it's really easy!!!
"Starting a Praise and Coffee Night in Your Community"

October 6th at 11:00 AM EST.
Please come chat with us, we'd love to hear from you too!


And tomorrow night...September 22, 2011 at 8pm EST (7pm CST) I will be a guest on The True Vine Online Radio Show. If you're not busy watching Friends (oh wait...that was years ago wasn't it?) then feel free to listen. I'd love that. I promised all my FB friends, so I will promise you too, I'll bake you a cake if you come.

And because you're my sweet blog sisters, I'll also come to all your kids football and soccer games.

All of them that fall on Monday night...that's when I'm not busy.

Here's the link:
True Vine Radio Show

And if you're not completely sick of me by now...here's my article at the Cafe'

Building Your Team with Unqualified People

Now it's YOUR turn, what are you doing?????
I want to know.

Who Did God Call Me to Lead?

With so many needs, where would God have us share our lives?
I tackle this one in my latest post at the Internet Cafe.

Who Had God Called You to Lead?

I hope it brings you hope and peace.

Catching Up

Hello girlfriends!!
I hope you are having a great summer. We have been busy and this week is Lauren's 7th birthday so the celebrations have begun!

I apologize for not blogging so much anymore, I've been putting my time and energy into the magazine and a few other projects I'm working on. I'll share more on that later.
Thanks for sticking with me, you all are precious to me!

Today I'm over at the Internet Cafe' talking about keeping it real as a leader.

The number one complaint I hear about Christians and church leaders these days is that they are not genuine. People are put off by the seeming “network
marketing” style technique that seems to be pervading churches lately. Of course
this is not true of all Churches or Christians, in fact I would say it’s not true of most. But I admit that I’ve found myself responding with caution and
wanting to ask “what’s in this for you?” as I’m charmed by certain leaders.

Click here to read the entire article: Keeping It Real In Ministry

Also, if you have always wanted to attend a Praise and Coffee Night and you are on Twitter, I want to invite you to a
Twitter Praise and Coffee Night!

Thursday, July 28th from 9-10 PM EST.
Use the hashtag #pcnight and come join us as we connect, encourge, inspire and giveaway some fun stuff!!!
Here is the Facebook event page if you want to RSVP and leave us your twitter name (RSVP is not required though). Find me at: @praiseandcoffee
Twitter Praise and Coffee Night!

Stay cool this summer girls! I know you could never NOT be cool! :)

And to my local girlfriends, the next Plainwell Praise and Coffee Night is August 11, hope to see you!

You're Not Doing Enough!

So, we declare our God to be the burden removing, yoke destroying One. But then we turn around and put the pressure on ourselves and others to DO more.
We exhaust ourselves trying to build a huge ministry and "keep up" with others.

If you relate to that in any way, check out my post on the Internet Cafe' ~ Ministry Counter. If not, go back to laying in the sun and enjoying your summer :)

Much love!
Sue

You're Not Doing Enough!

June Praise and Coffee Giveaway!

Hello girlfriends!

It's June.
It's my birthday month!
So, to celebrate ME, I would like you all to come for cake and coffee on the 13th.
Oh, and if you could bring some cake that would be great! :)

As much as I would love that, I know you're probably not able to make the trip so I'm going to ask you to do something else for my birthday...

Since we know that God has created each and every one of us unique and beautiful, I want you to tell me what quality or talent that God put into YOU that makes you beautiful and unique.

I know, I know...you're like, "that freaks me out a little, that would be pride!"

But, it's not. I want you to share what the Creator has done in you.
Let's give Him the glory. He's made all things beautiful and you are included in that!

It's time to celebrate YOU.

And yes, that's what I want for my birthday!
Nothing blesses my heart more than when a woman embraces who God made her to be :)

SO...
if I draw your name on the 10th...no, let's make it on my birthday and give you til the 13th to enter...this month's praise is: Lysa TerKeurst's amazing book, "Made to Crave!"



Seriously, I love this book.
It is so encouraging and uplifting and I admit, I am crazy about Lysa too!



She is such a genuine sweetheart, I so wish I could sit down over coffee with her! I think we could chat for days.

You will enjoy this book tremendously!! I have!

In fact I think that if you want this book, you should pick one up or order it today.
If you win the contest, then just give it to a girlfriend. Trust me, this will be one you want to share, I've given away several.

Here's a quote from the book:

‎"Whatever your situation is, keep asking God to be your daily portion - of
companionship, provision, patience - over and over. One day you will find
victory over those things instead of looking back over a pile of tears and
crumbs."

Check out Lysa's website here:
Lysa TerKeurst


And then we have our awesome coffee from Barista deCasa!

Have you checked them out on Facebook yet?
Here is their page:
Barista deCasa
AND, don't forget to follow them on Twitter too:
Barista deCasa on Twitter
Click on the logo to go straight to their website and pick up some delicious coffee!

To enter the drawing, it's simple:

1. Leave a comment on THIS post.
REMEBER to tell me how God created you beautifully!

2. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win, or check back to see if you won. I can not stress this enough! Fill out your email on intense debate and check back here to see who the winner is.

3. If you have any of my blog buttons on your blog, let me know in your comment and you will be entered twice.

AND....check it out...we have some *NEW* buttons available now, update your sidebar!

4. Note: Past winners are eligible to enter again 1 year after they win.

Please tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter about the giveaway and thank you if you do!!

The drawing will be on the 13th and the winner will be posted to THIS post so check back!

And if you haven't read the magazine yet, be sure to check it out and share it with your friends. Our Summer issue will be out July 1st, here's a sneak peak at the cover...


Click here to read! Praise and Coffee Spring Magazine

Enjoy and we pray that you are Connected ~ Encouraged & Inspired!

EDITED TO ADD:

The winner is: JULIE!!!
Congrats and contact me with your home address Julie!

May Praise and Coffee Giveaway!

Note...if you enter, check back on the 10th to see if you won.

Hey Girlfriends!!!
This month we have another amazing CD to give away:

Laura Story's latest "Blessings!"
I know it will touch your heart and lift your spirit.

Love, love, love this!!!



And then we have our awesome coffee from Barista deCasa!

Have you checked them out on Facebook yet?
Here is their page:
Barista deCasa
AND, don't forget to follow them on Twitter too:
Barista deCasa on Twitter
Click on the logo to go straight to their website and pick up some delicious coffee!

To enter the drawing, it's simple:

1. Leave a comment on THIS post.

2. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win, or check back to see if you won. I can not stress this enough! Fill out your email on intense debate and check back here to see who the winner is.

3. If you have any of my blog buttons on your blog, let me know in your comment and you will be entered twice.

AND....check it out...we have some *NEW* buttons available now, update your sidebar!

4. Note: Past winners are eligible to enter again 1 year after they win.

Please tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter about the giveaway and thank you if you do!!

The drawing will be on the 10th and the winner will be posted to THIS post so check back!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And if you haven't read the magazine yet, be sure to check it out and share it with your friends.

Click here to read! Praise and Coffee Spring Magazine

Enjoy and we pray that you are Connected ~ Encouraged & Inspired!

EDITED TO ADD:
Winner is Shellie Paparazzo!!!

Don't just fit in!

Hello,

I'm over at the ministry counter at the Cafe' today talking about "fitting in verses leading".

Stop over and see me and join in the conversation!

Woman, It's Time!

Florida Trip, Bloopers Included

What a great trip, oh how this Michigan girl loves South Florida in March!

Before I even got out of the gate, I met a Twitter friend Lisa Lehmann aka @thebeadgirl she was also flying to Ft. Lauderdale, but I think she spent a little more time in the sun than I did :)
Check out her Twitter page and amazing jewelry on her website!
Studio Jewel by The Bead Girl

So basically I traded this:

For this:



And this:

We had such a great time! My sweet friend and ministry partner Melissa Mashburn and I drank lots of coffee while making plans for the ministry of Praise and Coffee Nights, including videos, but more on that later.

This is Jill, she is the pastor's wife at the host church for Melissa's Praise and Coffee Night. She is such a doll! She's from Michigan so completly understood my almost weeping at the beautiful weather we were sharing.

~~~
This is Melissa and I with Lisa, she traveled 3 hours to attend the Praise and Coffee Night! She even brought hubby and kids and stayed at a local hotel! She will be starting Praise and Coffee Nights in the Cocoa Beach area soon. It was so great to meet her as we've been online friends for a while.





~~~
This is Mel and I with Juliana, just one of the many women on Melissa's incredible team for Praise and Coffee Nights. Loved her! I think I need me a Juliana too!

And yes, I was the only one there without sleeves. They thought it was chilly, I was basking in the warmth.

And this is a shot of some of the girls! See them all congregating over in the corner? That's because they had the most beautiful cupcakes you've ever seen!!! AND tasted :)

And this is the shot everyone asked for...Melissa's famous back porch! It is heavenly. Wild parrots singing in the background while we visited over some cafe de'luche or something wonderful like that...from a beautiful little Argentia coffee shop.

~~~
And then there was Louie the Lizard that thought is was really funny to sneak up on me every chance he got. He looks huge in this picture. He wasn't that big. But you would have thought he was by my reaction. I'msuchagirl.

And then my husband took this of me after I was home.
Wool coat and snow on the ground. The booboo lip says it all.

It was a wonderful trip, I'm so thankful that I was able to go and visit with Melissa for 4 days. And believe it or not we actually accomplished a few things!

So many of you that want to host Praise and Coffee Nights but don't have anyone to lead, have requested videos so we made a few while I was there.

Check out our YouTube page for the "Praise and Coffee Conversations"

Feel free to show them on your computer at your Praise and Coffee Night!

They are all under 10 minutes and leave you with discussion ideas so it's super easy to host a Praise and Coffee Night now.

Just invite a few friends and plug us in!

(I tried to upload the videos to this page but after having the program crash several times and great chunks of hair pulled out of my head, I decided to just post links *insert clenched teeth smile here*)

Here is a link to the channel with all the videos: Praise and Coffee on YouTube

Here's the video: "What are Praise and Coffee Nights"

And here are the "BLOOPERS"

I hope the bloopers don't scare you away.