I would love to connect with you at the US Staff Conf. We'll be staying in Ft Collins, but only Eric will be attending the meetings. And I'm afraid I'll be all alone (stuck with my kids) with no way to find you!! So, anyone who wants to get together, let me know when and where to meet! I'd love to have you over, as we'll be staying about 5 blocks from campus, in a house. So if you need a calm place for your kids, let me know.
You can call on my cell phone: 720-519-7723,
leave a message on our vonage number 720-221-7515
or email: kara.coe@uscm.org
I'm really looking forward to seeing you there!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
We came, we saw, we conquered...
The Mom's Conference in Kansas City was a special time of connecting for GPI moms. For those of you who weren't able to join us, I wanted to give a more clear picture of what it was like. For those of you who were with us, this will be a slightly cheeky stroll down memory lane.
The first night's theme was Simply Have Fun. We had dinner together at Buca Di Beppo, a feast that Kelly Woodman put together for us. Back at the hotel, we did introductions and then had a "surprise" that was supposed to be a fun filled night of karaoke that people would be talking about for years to come. The six of us who participated had a really fun time with such hits as "Love Shack", "Jesse's Girl", "Hit Me Baby One More Time and "You Sexy Thing" among others. Sorry, no "Shout to the Lord" this time around. For everyone else who politely listened while trying to carry on a normal conversation, thank you for your kindness. It turns out that alcohol consumption is an important ingredient to a successful karaoke time and we didn't have that. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy...
("Let's Hear it for the Boy..." by Rebecca Burgess and Aubrey Dorsch
with back up by the boy himself, Eli)
("American Woman, stay away from me..." sung by American women
Emily and Gracie Lewis, Kelly Woodman and Kelly Verge)
Rebecca Burgess walked us through our week together as our lovely emcee. She reminded us of the joy of being with other women who "get" our lives as staff moms.
We started our first morning (Simply BE) with worship led by our token male, Mark Brende. Liz Thiessen also shared with us about some things she has been learning about loving others "as unto to the Lord". We had some time to process in groups what we are needing from the Lord and then were given extended time to be with the Lord, led by Angela Johnson. Special thanks to Pat Runyon for the Anglican Beads that directed us to pray for ourselves, our marriages, our children, our staff teams and end with communion.
In the afternoon we chose between two "chat rooms" (our word for discussion groups or group therapy) on the topics of sex or anger. I was in the one on anger and found it very encouraging and helpful. But it made me angry that I couldn't be at both discussion groups.
(Nikki Coorts and Terah Wiekamp processing life)
That evening our time was focused around the theme Simply Free. If you have not heard about the Mrs. Crusade 2009 Pageant that will be happening at CSU this summer, we got the opportunity to see the 3 finalists for the GPI region. They are Emily Lewis, Sherri Armstrong, and Stephanie Toigo.
(Two of the GPI Mrs. Cru finalists Emily and Stephanie joined by
Liz Thiessen (an alternate) and little Gracie Lewis
Okay, it was just a skit. There is no pageant. It was to make us laugh while also making the point that we don't need to be the "phantom" staff mom. Phantoms are creepy anyway. On a more serious note, Nikki Coorts shared with us from what God has been doing related to identity. Then Brenda Brown led us in an activity that related to boundaries. We learned how we have the power to make choices to say "No" or say "Yes" in our lives and live in freedom.
This time of processing was very helpful and applicable to us as staff moms. I know I am now practicing the art of saying "no". It turns out that I am quite adept at saying it to my children, but outside of my home? Notsomuch.
(Brenda Brown and Sherri Armstrong)
The theme of Wednesday morning was Extravagant love, Simple faith. During this time we heard from Dawn Dishman about what she has been learning from the book "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller and the book of Galatians about our God who is lavish and spent everything on us. She also jumped up and down for us, which was a triumphant moment.
(Dawn on the phone with Dave, "First you boil the water. Then you add the
macaroni...")
I spoke on having a Simple Faith in the midst of a complicated life and despite the fact I was among friends, I was sweating like a man. A large, out-of-shape man. We then had discussions about living out the gospel as we grow in Christ. We were reminded by Rebecca, as she told us of her experience, that doing the mom's PDP is a great tool for us as we trust God in whatever stage of life we are in. These were given in hard copy and will be on the Wiki as a resource for you to do and then review each semester. This is not intended to be burdensome to you, but instead to be freeing.
After having the day free for whatever activities suited our needs (yes most of us shopped) we gathered by stage of life for dinner. This is where Rebecca and I made a impulse decision to refer to the groups as small (moms of preschoolers), medium (moms of elementary aged children) and large (moms of middle schoolers or beyond). I must apologize for the fact that this latter group would be referred to as the "large women" for the remainder of the conference.
(Renee Begay gleaning wisdom from Nancy McKinney, a mom in
"the group formerly known as the large moms")
When we gathered for our final time together back at the hotel, we had talked about ourselves as women, wives, friends, mothers and children of God. The last thing left to talk about was what we all have in common: this crazy life on staff. This night's theme was Simple Treasures
(Amy Karst and Jenni Brende)
This was a powerful time of remembering our call and trusting the Lord together with wherever we are in ministry right now. The night closed up with us sharing together our Best Practices. These will also be available on the Wiki. Thanks to Nicole Spears for compiling those ahead of time.
While we were gathered, two darling interns(Daley Dodd and Teresa Barry) had their hands full with the precious nursing babes who joined their Momma's on this trip. They gave of their time to be a blessing to the moms. And it was a pretty fun job given the collective cuteness of those little ones. Laura Watkins used her gift of service to be available to the moms who brought their babies along.
Making all of this possible was Paula Hink who arranged for our incredible hotel. The hotel was a great location on the Plaza and the suites in each room were a helpful amenity. Paula, along with Kelly Woodman, were our Techie Momma's.
(Paula working her magic)
It was such a joy for me to see mom's using their different gifts to be a blessing to other moms in our region. Don't tell the other regions, but we really are the best region. We look forward to being gathered together again this summer in Fort Collins.
The first night's theme was Simply Have Fun. We had dinner together at Buca Di Beppo, a feast that Kelly Woodman put together for us. Back at the hotel, we did introductions and then had a "surprise" that was supposed to be a fun filled night of karaoke that people would be talking about for years to come. The six of us who participated had a really fun time with such hits as "Love Shack", "Jesse's Girl", "Hit Me Baby One More Time and "You Sexy Thing" among others. Sorry, no "Shout to the Lord" this time around. For everyone else who politely listened while trying to carry on a normal conversation, thank you for your kindness. It turns out that alcohol consumption is an important ingredient to a successful karaoke time and we didn't have that. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy...
("Let's Hear it for the Boy..." by Rebecca Burgess and Aubrey Dorsch
with back up by the boy himself, Eli)
("American Woman, stay away from me..." sung by American women
Emily and Gracie Lewis, Kelly Woodman and Kelly Verge)
We started our first morning (Simply BE) with worship led by our token male, Mark Brende. Liz Thiessen also shared with us about some things she has been learning about loving others "as unto to the Lord". We had some time to process in groups what we are needing from the Lord and then were given extended time to be with the Lord, led by Angela Johnson. Special thanks to Pat Runyon for the Anglican Beads that directed us to pray for ourselves, our marriages, our children, our staff teams and end with communion.
In the afternoon we chose between two "chat rooms" (our word for discussion groups or group therapy) on the topics of sex or anger. I was in the one on anger and found it very encouraging and helpful. But it made me angry that I couldn't be at both discussion groups.
(Nikki Coorts and Terah Wiekamp processing life)
That evening our time was focused around the theme Simply Free. If you have not heard about the Mrs. Crusade 2009 Pageant that will be happening at CSU this summer, we got the opportunity to see the 3 finalists for the GPI region. They are Emily Lewis, Sherri Armstrong, and Stephanie Toigo.
(Two of the GPI Mrs. Cru finalists Emily and Stephanie joined by
Liz Thiessen (an alternate) and little Gracie Lewis
Okay, it was just a skit. There is no pageant. It was to make us laugh while also making the point that we don't need to be the "phantom" staff mom. Phantoms are creepy anyway. On a more serious note, Nikki Coorts shared with us from what God has been doing related to identity. Then Brenda Brown led us in an activity that related to boundaries. We learned how we have the power to make choices to say "No" or say "Yes" in our lives and live in freedom.
This time of processing was very helpful and applicable to us as staff moms. I know I am now practicing the art of saying "no". It turns out that I am quite adept at saying it to my children, but outside of my home? Notsomuch.
(Brenda Brown and Sherri Armstrong)
(Dawn on the phone with Dave, "First you boil the water. Then you add the
macaroni...")
After having the day free for whatever activities suited our needs (yes most of us shopped) we gathered by stage of life for dinner. This is where Rebecca and I made a impulse decision to refer to the groups as small (moms of preschoolers), medium (moms of elementary aged children) and large (moms of middle schoolers or beyond). I must apologize for the fact that this latter group would be referred to as the "large women" for the remainder of the conference.
(Renee Begay gleaning wisdom from Nancy McKinney, a mom in
"the group formerly known as the large moms")
(Amy Karst and Jenni Brende)
While we were gathered, two darling interns(Daley Dodd and Teresa Barry) had their hands full with the precious nursing babes who joined their Momma's on this trip. They gave of their time to be a blessing to the moms. And it was a pretty fun job given the collective cuteness of those little ones. Laura Watkins used her gift of service to be available to the moms who brought their babies along.
Making all of this possible was Paula Hink who arranged for our incredible hotel. The hotel was a great location on the Plaza and the suites in each room were a helpful amenity. Paula, along with Kelly Woodman, were our Techie Momma's.
(Paula working her magic)
Finally, if you want to see something that you missed, you can watch this on You Tube. Warning, it's a little bit spicy, but very funny.
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