What's Been Happening?

I just realized that I haven't updated you in a while on the happenings with Praise and Coffee, so this is my attempt to catch you up.

Next week is our first ever Praise and Coffee Around the World!
March 15th women will be meeting in coffee shops, restaurants, churches and at kitchen tables, sharing life while connecting, encouraging and inspiring each other.

We also have a private Facebook group for all the women who host Praise and Coffee Nights or who are interested and want to chat with other women about it.
We'd love to have you in on the conversation, click on the link and join us!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out our eBook that explains it all.
How Anyone Can Start a Praise and Coffee Night

Basically, it's a fresh approach to women's ministry.
No agendas or studies, just connecting, encouraging and inspiring one another along our journey as wives, moms and women of God over a cuppa coffee or whatever you feel like sipping.

I'm also working on the Spring Praise and Coffee Magazine that is coming out April 1st!!
This one is for the moms...or those of us who have moms...which should cover us all.

On a personal side, things have been busy for me. It's MOPS season! I've been speaking at a lot of MOPS groups in the area.
I love it!
I feel like I basically come in and lift heavy backpacks off the moms. Backpacks that are filled with burdens, worries and pressure to be something that God never called them to be: perfect.

Having small children can be such a trying time in a woman's life and if I can say anything that brings a little comfort and joy to this season, I'm happy to.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Watch for our new website coming real soon!!!!

Much love,
Sue

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/ 

Christmas Carol Lyrics

Tonight I'm heading out with a few friends to take part in CSI (Caroling Stars Initiative) through STAR 105.7's incentive to get people out caroling and spreading the Christmas cheer.

It's going to be a rainy soggy night but we've decided to go out anyways and stop in a couple nursing homes.

I was looking for music and realized how difficult it was to find the lyrics without a million pop ups so I thought I'd put together a post for you to use also.

If you would like a pdf file to print, email me and I'd be happy to send you one.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Jingle Bells

James Pierpont. publ.1857

Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing, A sleighing song tonight, O

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh (repeat)

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright, was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank; misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank, and we, we got upsot.O

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!
O What fun it is to ride, in a one-horse open sleigh. (repeat)

Deck The Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Joy To The World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

O Come, ALL Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!



O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.



Sing, alleluia,
All ye choirs of angels;
O sing, all ye blissful ones of heav'n above.
Glory to God -In the highest glory!



O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.



Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be the glory giv'n;
Word of the Father,
Now in the flesh appearing,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly host sing, Alleluia,
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!


Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Twelve Days Of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milking,
Seven swans a swimming,
Six geese a laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a Partridge in a pear tree.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Christ, by highest heav'n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!
Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!



The Real Moms Series ~ Moms Need a Time Out

If you're stopping by because you heard me on STAR 105.7...
WELCOME!

Moms, have you had a time out lately?

We need them. Ok, maybe you don't-but I do! A time to get away, recharge, destress and refresh!

I encourage you to grab a girlfriend and have some girl time.
Maybe it's as simple as a pedicure together or a weekend away with the girls.

Of course if you know me, you know that this has practically become my life's mission through the ministry of Praise and Coffee.

I'm constantly encouraging women to get together in small groups over a cup of coffee and share life. It helps us realize that we're not alone in this journey of motherhood and all things related to being a woman.

I spent time this past weekend with 3 other friends in South Haven at a Women's Only Weekend. We had so much fun! Lots of shopping, laughing, wine tasting and chocolate eating.
We even took turns laughing at each other when the other had a hot flash and had to stand in the open doorway of the hotel room so the breeze off the water could cool us down. Ok...maybe we didn't take turns. Maybe that was just me. But at least it was fun to laugh about it with girls that understood!

Tell me, what is your favorite way to unwind with the girls?
The "Real Moms of West Michigan" airs Tuesday mornings at 7:05 AM EST.

If you are not in the West Michigan area, you can listen online at iHeart Radio:
STAR 105.7

And visit Tommy and Brook at:

STAR 105.7 on the web

STAR 105.7 on Facebook
@TommyAndBrook on Twitter

It's here~ Autumn 2011 Praise and Coffee Magazine

You can click on the cover to read!

And if you would like to be among the first to be notified (they got an email yesterday!) when new issues come out, sign up here: free subscription

I hope you like it.
Happy Autumn!

And just to remind you that Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 11:00 AM EST
We will host our first ever Praise and Coffee Radio Show ~"Conversations"

Our first topic is "Starting a Praise and Coffee Night in Your Community"

Whether or not you want to do that...stop in and say hello on the chat.
It's super easy and we'd love to hear from you.

Oh did I mention that Melissa Mashburn from Florida and Ronel Sidney from San Diego will be here- in my house. In my living room ya'll!

It may be completely obnoxious with no real information given, but I'm pretty sure it will be fun!
Click here on Thursday at 11:00 AM EST:
Blog Talk Radio Show

Have a wonderful weekend.
You are loved!

Courage

Hello!

Last night's Twitter party was a blast, thank you to everyone who stopped in to say hello. There is nothing so sweet to me as to see women connect, encourage and inspire one another.

Much love,
Sue

Feel free to use the picture.

Praise and Coffee Night via Twitter

I love the idea of traveling to each of your cities for a Praise and Coffee Night, and while that is on my bucket list, I don't think it will be happening soon.

So instead I came up with a way to virtually host a Praise and Coffee Night on Twitter.

Yes, Twitter.
Do you Tweet? I Tweet and I love to Twitter.

So this Thursday night from 9-10 PM (or so) Eastern Standard Time EST.
We will be having a virtual Praise and Coffee Night via Twitter.

The way to join the party on Twitter is by using the Twitter search button and search for #pcnight and then using #pcnight in all your tweets.

We will be connecting, encouraging and inspiring one another online!

Also, we will host some great giveaways.
To win the giveaways, you will need to answer questions based on things mostly found in our online magazines.

Some of the giveaways are:



Coffee!!


Biggby coffee! will be giving a gift bag with a travel mug, a bag of BIGGBY BEST, a bumper sticker and a free beverage card!





Barista deCasa will be giving away 1 lb of coffee!

Books!


Uneclipsing the Son by Rick Holland
Thank you Kress Biblical Resources








What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
Thank you Melissa at The Cutest Chaos

And...

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst







Plus a goodie bag of stuff from Sephora!!

Thank you Laura Lasky of Solace San Franciso

So I hope you stop in to chat with us!

We have a Facebook event page too:
Praise and Coffee Night via Twitter

Plainwell, MI ~ Praise and Coffee Night

What a great night!

Last October I met Kim deBlecourt at the Breathe Writers Conference in Grand Haven, MI. She highlighted her story in one of the classes and I was immediately drawn to her.

Adoptive parents always feel a sense of kinship with other adoptive parents and I couldn't wait to get to know Kim better. Kim had experienced a nightmare while trying to bring her son home from the Ukraine to Holland, MI and I was compelled to know more about her and her story.

She graciously wrote about it for the magazine and then came out last night to tell the whole ordeal at our Praise and Coffee Night.

You can read about it in our magazine here: Spring 2011

Or wait for the book "Until We All Come Home"...which is coming...AND they are in talks about a movie.
It will be an incredible movie!!

Kim, thank you so much for sharing your story with us!!



Connect with Kim on Facebook: Kim deBlecourt



Stacey Davis, Sue Cramer and Char DeMoore






Deborah Brine, thank you for sharing your Stella & Dot with us before heading back to Australia!








Denise Dykstra and Kim deBlecourt




Andrea Creech and her sweet Mom!


Anne Kirby and her best friend!

Check out our website if you would like to start Praise and Coffee Nights in your area! http://www.praiseandcoffee.com/

They're talking about us...

Thanks so much Internet Cafe' Ministry Counter for highlighting Praise and Coffee Nights this week!

Check it out...

Praise and Coffee Nights

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.

More Sunday Ramblings and an Exciting New Thing to Do

So it's another Sunday ya'll.

(I'm not sure where "ya'll" comes from because I'm a Northerner. I've lived in Michigan all my life. But it's possible that my hopeless adoration of big hair makes me channel my Southern self.)

I'm not planning as ridiculous post as last Sunday, but the night is young.

Today hubby is getting over the flu and is weak so it was easy to wrestle the remote from his clammy hands. Well, not really but he went upstairs to rest so Lauren and I are watching the Daytona 500. Well, technically I'm not watching it, but it's on TV. I'm playing on my computer. Catching up on blogs and tweeting with all my wonderful friends around the world.

I love how the internet has connected us.
I'm a big "connections" kind of gal.

In fact the tagline for the ministry of Praise and Coffee is "connect-encourage-inspire."
That's my passion.

I'd like to put a little disclaimer under that that says, not: preach-teach-lead.

Don't get me wrong, I CAN teach, sometimes I DO preach and I BELIEVE in good leadership, but really, my heart for the whole ministry of Praise and Coffee is to connect women and let the Lord do the amazing work He does in honest authentic -let's live this thing out together- relationships.

Note: to state what I hope is obvious, I have the utmost respect for ministries that do teach, preach and lead...just sharing my heart for this ministry.

Which brings me to another thought (careful, we take sharp turns on this blog!)...

There are:
Praise and Coffee Nights
Praise and Coffee Magazine
Praise and Coffee Runs
(go to the main website to see more about these: Praise and Coffee)

and now- in our quest for world domination- we are adding:

Praise and Coffee Cooks!

NO, not a cookbook. Oh for the love of donuts, there are plenty of cooking blogs out there doing a morethanfantastic job, I'm not re-inventing the wheel or the donut as it may be.

This will be to encourage women to get together with one-two or three girlfriends and prepare a full meal to bring home to their family that night.

Of course this adventure should include lots of coffee drinking, laughing and letting the kids play.

I am sure that as you get together, you will also sharpen one another and realize that you're not in this dance of life alone.

Doesn't that sound like fun?!

Denise and I making The Pioneer Woman's lasagna, it was incredible!!!

Denise and I have done this a few times and just loved it. AND may I add, our husbands were thrilled too! They even ask us now..."when are you two going to get together and cook again?"

Denise is actually the one that will be leading this new venture. Which primarily means that she'll be encouraging you all to do it, take pictures, send them to us and tell us how much fun you had!

There is no big sign-up or registration, we're not building an empire girls, remember:

Connect-Encourage-Inspire!

We just want you to do it and see what happens.

We will have a special section in future magazines to show your beautiful faces and meals off, so stay tuned.

Here is a link to the info on our webpage:
Praise and Coffee Cooks

And of course, check out our FB page and add your pics there too!!!
Praise and Coffee Cooks on Facebook

Well, that's all I have right now. I have to go save the dog. Lauren is flipping a coin and yelling "heads or tails?!"

The pup is about to get a quarter between the eyes...

This Just In...

Hello!
Well it's my first Monday with Lauren in school and I'm working in the office all day trying to catch up to the stuff I put off all summer.

Today I'm over at the Internet Cafe' posting at the Ministry Counter.
You can read the post here:
"Size Doesn't Matter"
Here's an excerpt:

"So often I talk to women who lead Bible studies, seminars or even Praise and Coffee Nights, and they are frustrated at the low numbers of women that come out to their events. Unfortunately, this can often come from our own insecurities as we look at our small groups as a form of rejection. Sadly, we can relate the size of our group to our own self-worth."

I also want to make a huge announcement!

Wait for it....

Ok, I can't take it anymore!
Praise and Coffee has partnered with the online ministries of Inspired Hearts!

Inspired Hearts Media is the go-to place for Christian women in the online community. This diverse group of women has been brought together by God to unite as one in purpose.

Here's a clip from their website:
"...They quickly realized that as the body of Christ, we are better together than we are apart so they partnered with other online ministries to bring you Inspired Hearts Media, a company seeking to bring you everything you need to grow and thrive spiritually using online media. With other ministries on board and supporting one another, they are able to reach millions of women on a monthly basis."

Melissa Mashburn (co-founder of Praise and Coffee Nights) and I are super excited about this new partnership.
They are such an amazing group of women, you have to check out their website.

Also, this page shows some of the gals behind Praise and Coffee...an incredible team of women! Behind the Media

We are all looking forward to what God has planned for this next year.
Look for:
~Online magazine
~more videos
~more Praise and Coffee Nights starting in YOUR area!!

If you are interested in starting a Praise and Coffee Night in your community, go to THIS page.

All you need is a couple of girlfriends!

Praise and Coffee Night Plainwell, MI June 2010

We had a great night!
Thanks Lorilee Craker for coming out and sharing the story of writing the book "Through the Storm" with Lynne Spears.

What an amazing story! I was so surprised at the depth of faith that Lynne Spears has had and developed through everything that has happened in her family.

If you haven't read it yet, pick it up!

You can order it directly through this link:

Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World By Lynne Spears with Lorilee Craker / Thomas Nelson Lynne was just an ordinary Southern mom when the overnight success of her daughter Britney shoved the Spears family into the blinding limelight glare. Through the Storm takes readers beyond the reach of the paparazzi and outside the narrow orbit of the Hollywood glitterati to share the inside story of the Spears family-as only a mother can tell it. In this openhearted memoir, Lynne speaks about Britney, Jamie Lynn, Bryan, ex-husband Jamie, herself, and their lives together from Louisiana to Los Angeles, including: Lynne's backseat role in Britney's path to fame and how it forever changed their family Her regret in abdicating parental authority to managers, agents, and record companies The challenges that shaped Lynne and Jamie's marriage and how that affected Bryan, Britney, and Jamie Lynn Her response to Jamie Lynn's pregnancy The startling events that led to Britney's meltdown and Lynne's showdown with manager Sam Lufti How faith, family, and friendships have been her harbor in the storm of paparazzi, tabloid scribblers, and gossip hound s Sincere, self-effacing, sometimes spunky, Lynne's memoir reveals the heart of a mother who has struggled through difficult times and how she has held onto her faith and her sense of humor as she tries to hold onto her family.

Author Lorilee Craker

Here are a few pics of the evening...

Next Praise and Coffee Night in Plainwell, MI will be August 5th with guest speaker Kristine McGuire author of "Escaping the Cauldron"

She'll share with us her journey out of witchcraft and ghost hunting.

Praise and Coffee Nights meet across the country, check out our website to find one, or start one in your community!