March, 2015

It's March!  I'm hearing songbirds in the mornings, and the long-lasting snow is beginning to melt.  I have a window open as I write--can you smell spring in the air?  It's so exciting!

Spring always follows winter, and it's a lovely hope to ponder.

This month, don't miss Julie's interview with Nicole Maust in the Life Stories column.  My "one-minute" devotional this month, Just Let It Go . . . is in the At His Feet column.  As usual, feel free to browse the archives on the right side of this page.

Happy Spring! :)

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

February, 2015

Welcome back, friends!  It's cold and snowy out, but we can choose to have warm hearts no matter what time of year it is.  If we choose to be thankful for what we have and what we are able to do, that gratitude warms our cold hearts.  God gives us so much, and he deserves our gratitude! 

We may be walking through a dark time in our lives, but we know He is with us and has a reason for what He allows, even if we can't possibly understand.

We may feel more isolated this time of year, but we have shelter from the storms.

We may think we're doing everything wrong, but God loves us in our imperfection and has redeemed us!

There's always something good to be thankful for.  Sometimes we have to look for it!  Let's focus on being warm-hearted ladies by choosing gratitude! :)

While you're here, don't miss Julie's interview with Trish Martin in the Life Stories column.  My devotional, Deeper Than Devotions can be found in the At His Feet column.  As usual, there are archived articles for different interests on the right side of this page.

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

January, 2015

Hi friends!  I sincerely hope each one of you has had a beautiful holiday season, celebrating the birth of our Savior and the birth of a new year!

Oh, goodness, I've been thinking about how now starts the l-o-n-g-seeming part of winter.  The glow of the holidays is behind us, and now we wait. For. Spring. To. Arrive.

Right?

But let's choose to hold on to some of that holiday cheer in our hearts and allow it to shine on those around us.  So often, we can beat the winter blues by taking our eyes off ourselves and looking for people to bless.  Whether that's the people in our own homes or people beyond our walls (or both!), there's always someone whose life we can touch in a positive way, giving the glory to our Heavenly Father.

Let's just see how many icy hearts God will melt through our willingness to be His hands and feet and mouth.  If we need to start with our own hearts, let's be willing to allow Him to work there.

And, sisters, let's be encouraging to one another with our words and actions.  We don't always know what a single word or act of encouragement can accomplish!

While you're here, you can read my devotional for this month, To Belong, in the At His Feet column.  Julie O.'s interview with . . . well, with me (that was so awkward to type--it was all Julie's idea, and I'd better publish it fast, before I change my mind!) can be found in the Life Stories column.  Feel free to read all the former articles in those columns and in the archives on the right side of this page.

Happy New Year to you all!

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

December, 2014

Merry Christmas, lovely ladies!

The birth of our Lord Jesus is an amazing event to celebrate!  God the Father gave up His precious only son, giving Him to the likes of us to provide what not one of us deserves.  Can you imagine the feeling of sending your beloved child to a place where only a few would welcome him, knowing he would be mistreated and brutally killed?  Can you comprehend the love behind a sacrifice like that?

The very least we can do this Christmas season is slow down enough to focus on The Light that we're celebrating.  He's done SO much for us--let's not forget about Him in the hustle and bustle and expectations and stress and family issues and . . . anything else that might distract us from Him.

While you're here, check out Julie O.'s interview with Dee Hurtle and my Christmas devotional called The Light, Our Light.  If you're new to the SGC Women's blog, there are a few years' worth of articles in the tabs above and in the archives on the right side of this page.  Enjoy!

You are Loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

November, 2014

Hi, lovely ladies!

Welcome to a brand new season of SGC Women's blog, where our mission is to encourage ladies of all ages to choose joy during the cold months of fall and winter.  Whether you're new here or have been reading for years, we are glad you're here!  This ministry began years ago as a printed publication for the women of Sugar Grove Church, in Goshen, Indiana, and morphed into this blog, available to women all over the world.  Our main purpose has remained the same, though:  To provide you with encouragement until spring arrives.

This month, you won't want to miss Julie O.'s interview with Rolonda Graber in the Life Stories column.  My encouragement from the Word, "The Passive Gossiper," can be found in the At His Feet column.  For information on women's events and Bible studies, please check out the SGC website!

Can you take a moment to encourage each other by telling us one thing you're thankful for this month?  Just comment below. :)

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

April 2014

Well, we made it through the long, long winter, didn't we?  Spring hasn't "sprung" completely, but we can probably safely say we are past the days of snow and cold every day.

This is the most wonderful time of the year, when we celebrate our risen Savior, who brought us hope eternal with the most deeply sacrificial act anyone has ever done for anyone else.  And He did this knowing that He didn't deserve to die and that we could never deserve His gift.  That's the purest love possible.  He loves us!

He loves you!

This is the last edition of WoW Connect! for this season.  Be sure to catch Julie's interview with Joyce Miller in the Life Stories column and my devotional, When He Called Her Name, in the At His Feet column.  Over on the right side of this page, there are archived articles on various topics if you care to peruse. :)

Enjoy your spring and summer, which I'm sure we all will appreciate a little more this year, and, Lord willing, we will see you back here in the fall!

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor

March, 2014

Oh, ladies, we're almost there!  It's March!  Surely we'll be seeing signs of spring before long.  All winter long, I've kept thinking about Laura Ingalls Wilder's book, The Long Winter, and realizing how we really don't have it all that bad!

So, let's enjoy our warm drinks and fireplaces and moonlit snow and snuggly blankets a little longer, thanking the One who provided them for us.

While you're here, be sure to check out Julie's interview with Jayme Yoder and this month's devotional, A Dust Bunny and a Star.  Click on the Archives at the right of this page for articles on various topics.

Enjoy, sisters!

You are loved,
Laurie Ness, Editor