Exciting News!

Hey sweet ladies! (Its Jaime).

First I wanted to announce that the Girlfriends Bible Group was given an award from the FRC..

'Volunteer Group of The Year'.

I have the award and I will be bringing it to our next meeting. We were not expecting an award at all, and I know we are all very thankful for this. It goes to show that good deeds don't go unnoticed and a big thanks for the volunteer work we have done!



A few upcoming things!

• Please remember to wear your GBG shirts to our next meeting! We want a big group picture of us in our shirts.
• IBC Food Giveaway Saturday May 21st. Please let me know if you can help out any time from 9-1. Any time at all is greatly appreciated!
• Backpack program Thursday May 19th. If you are available to help, let me know :)

Thanks girls for keeping everyone posted on our wall for prayer requests.

We also have a few of our girls graduating this weekend. We love you and are so excited to see what the future holds. :)

Also, if you have missed some or all of the meetings...do not let that hold you back from coming! Please come join us!!! It is very easy to get caught up and get notes from other girls.

And one last thing...HAPPY MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND TO ALL OF THE AMAZING MOMS IN OUR GROUP!!

See you loves soon :)

A Contest for a Queen

This past month, our study has focused on Esther 2, and the "contest" held to find a queen. We really got to know Esther this month, and it was interesting to learn some of the things she went through. At our meeting last Tuesday, we answered several questions together that were in our workbook. The main focus was the choosing of the queen and how it was done. Several of us girls, me included, were quite offended at the way a queen was chosen. It was basically a beauty pageant and a merry-go-round of women in and out of the king's bed. It was so interesting to hear the girls' opinions on this. Hannah pointed out that it's actually not that much different today with celebrities. Women, and some men, will do anything to be linked to a celebrity, including throw their morals out the window. But what we discovered after talking is that, while many were forced, some of these women WANTED to be there! They wanted that honor of being chosen queen in that way. Can you imagine the thoughts that were going through their heads as they were paraded in and out, just hoping the king liked them enough to see them again? I can't begin to think about what this process did to their self-esteem.

In the end, Esther was chosen not only for her outward beauty, but for her inward beauty as well. We still don't know what it was exactly that drew the king to her. My thought is that this is one area where we see God "written" all over the page! :)

The last part of our study and discussion centered around Mordecai and his saving the king. We all decided this is a pivotal part of the storyline, and we can't wait to see where this goes!

The video this week focused on a topic that apparently means a lot to Beth, mean girls! Oh she got into it this week! Ladies who missed our meeting, I would highly suggest getting the video and watching it. It was hilarious! Sounds like it's going to be an interesting month of study... :)

We had another great turn out this time. While we were missing several of our normal girls, we added a few new girls, who are great! I know we're all excited about following the story of Esther and learning more about ourselves and each other in the process! :) Enjoy some pictures Jaime took. Might I recommend a different photographer next time?? One that doesn't catch us as we eat, talk, or make a funny face? Haha. :) Love you Jaime! :)

~Meredith~

The Walker Run

On Saturday, April 9th, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in The Walker Run. Our group has been following the story of Sara Walker for several months now. Sara and her husband lost a full-term baby in December, and during the tests after their loss, the doctors discovered she had stage 4 colon cancer. It has been a struggle for her, her husband and their two sons. She keeps everybody updated through her Caring Bridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarawalker. The thing I admire most about Sara is her amazing faith in and love for God. In a time where many people would withdraw themselves, she has put herself and her faith out there for everyone to see and follow. She gives God the glory for every milestone and triumph. I have grown to love and respect this woman so very much.

My friend Lori is actually Sara's husband's cousin (did you follow that?). :) So, Levi and I joined her, and we walked to help Sara. I walked on behalf of the GBG, and showed Sara the support she had from all our wonderful ladies. Lori walked to support her cousin and the battle he and his family are going through. We walked to glorify God and all the good He has done in all of our lives. 1200 people registered for this event, and they all walked to show Sara that she in NEVER alone-NONE of us are!

Sarah, her family, and her wonderful PT class who put on the event

It was truly and honor for me to be able to walk on Sara's behalf. I know she has the love and prayers from all of our girls. I'm so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of women!

~Meredith~

Coupons Coupons Coupons!

Hi ladies (and possibly a few interested gents). :) This is Meredith typing, so this post might sound a little different from the rest. I'd like to fill you in on the coupon class we participated in on Thursday, April 7th.

Beth with the FRC had mentioned to Jaime that the FRC was hosting a financial help seminar. Through conversations, they realized that couponing would be a perfect fit for this educational series. Malorie and I taught a coupon class several months ago, so Jaime asked if we'd be interested. We, of course, said yes! We both love couponing and love to share it with as many people as possible!

So we showed up Thursday with 4 bags full of coupons, a powerpoint, and the desire to share this with people who really needed and wanted to learn about ways to save money. Summer and Morgan both came to help and support, and we ended up with a crowd of around 15.

Everybody was so open and welcoming. It was super easy (well, for me-haha) to get up and talk to these wonderful people. Several of them couponed a little bit already, so we got lots of feedback and questions. They were all excited about the idea of couponing and thanked us many times for showing them how to do it.

Everybody who coupons does so for their own reasons. I started couponing simply because baby stuff is expensive. Now, it's my way of helping my family financially so that I may some day get to stay at home more with my son. No matter what the reason, it's ultimately to save money. We could all use a little extra money I'm sure! But this wonderful group of people doesn't need the extra money for a new car or fancy clothes. They're looking for ways to save money so they can have a place to live and food to eat. I'm sure I speak for the other girls who were there as well, but this was a very gratifying experience. I feel like we really helped them, and I pray that they are able to take the things they learned and use them in their everyday lives.

I want to say a special thank you to Beth and all those who helped with this. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing work!

ROAR Run

Hey ladies! As most of you know, the 3rd annual 5K Roar Run took place this past Saturday. It started at College Hills Church of Christ and took you around Hartman, beside Byars Dowdy...and back down Leeville Pike. It was AWESOME! Way to go girls who got out and enjoyed the beautiful hot day :)

We wore our GBG shirts and got lots of compliments (way to go Libby). If you have not gotten your tshirt, Malorie will have them at our meeting tomorrow night.

There were lots of precious babies being pushed! :)

Byars Dowdy's PE teacher, Jaime, and Anita (BD 3rd grade teacher)

Just showing everyone how its done. hahaha.

Nice form!

Malorie, Bobbie-Jo, and Jaime

Summer, Bobbie-Jo, Jaime, and Malorie...and the babies :)

I haven't gotten the info yet, but while the Roar run was taking place...our GBG girl Meredith was supporting Sara Walker. If you remember...Sara is the lady we have been praying for who has two small boys, she just lost a child, and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Way to go Mere, we love you! :)


our next meeting...

Is tomorrow night (Tuesday) at the same location as last month. We hope everyone can make it and dont forget to bring a few dollars for pizza and drinks :)

GBG teamed with FRC at IBC!

Ok---that all means:

Girlfriends Bible Group teamed up with the Family Resource Center at Immanuel Baptist Church! (for those who may have had a confused look on their face)



Food Giveaway!

We had 7 of our GBG girls helping out at the food giveaway on Saturday. Personally, it was my first...and I didn't know what to expect. I did prepare myself for what I may see, just because it doesn't take much to get me emotional over precious children.

I can not put into words the awesomeness of Gods work that day. Before we knew it, people were pouring in and taking a seat around us waiting for their turn to get good to help them make it through Spring Break. Me, Malorie, Bobbie-Jo, Marci, and Hannah's jobs were to help the people with surveys, lend a helping hand to those who couldn't see well or write or even read, and walk the groups over to get their buggy full of food.

Talk about an overwhelming feeling. We sure do take for granted the necessities we have that come so easy to us. These people need help even just to have a good meal.

The kids were precious. So innocent and in need of our help. I admire the parents for going who did. I can not imagine how it made them feel to have to get help like that from strangers...but as a mom I know I would do whatever it takes to make sure my babies were getting what they needed as well.

Bobbie Jo and I realized we should NOT be paired up to do anything like this together. Every time we turned and looked at each other we had big tears in our eyes. Our hearts went out to these kids, and elders, and the entire families. At one point I had to walk completely away and get out a good cry.

How can I explain it better than God's work was in clear view on Saturday. And we are so thankful we could be a part of it.

Our other 2 girls were over helping to fill the buggies :)

Clothing Giveaway!

Tuesday, March 22nd is our clothing giveaway at the FRC. We still have time to get clothes together to send over there! Also if you are available to help volunteer that day let me know :)

I love you girls and I love what we are doing!

Jaime :)

March Meeting

Ok girls, are we all in agreement that the GBG just keeps getting better and better?!?!

I have known most of these girls for a very very long time. But seeing them in this way, in Faith, in hope, in prayer, and in the work of God is something new for me. And it's the best way I have ever seen any of us!

To those who had to miss our meeting, we really really missed you! And to those who got to come...

that was a phenomenal lesson from Beth Moore!

A few of my favorite notes:

"You can not amputate your history from your destiny!"
I am not sure. But I think that hit home for a lot of us. I know it did for me.

"History: Learn from and be humbled by"

Collosians  2:10
and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.


I learned a lot within our hour of study. I wanted to sit there and keep going! I hope all of our GBG girls are anxious and excited for our next meeting today.

If you havent had a chance to pay Malorie for your tshirt(s), please get with her and do so. Our shirts will be coming in soon!

The ROAR run is fast approaching. Remember to get your form in soon if you want the Roar Run tshirt, but we will be wearing our GBG shirts that day!

I am excited about the Food Giveaway this Saturday! Thank you to all who will be there to help. I keep reminding myself already to hold my emotions and keep it together...this is a GOOD thing and we need to keep a warm smile on our faces for these families! :)

One last thing.
Our meetings will change just a bit. We are going to try and keep our prayer list updated via Facebook, email, text, and phone calls. And unless its extreme important we will keep all info about 'roar run, community meal, and other upcoming events' on here..our blog, Facebook, email, etc etc.

Why do you ask?

Because we are going to take that time, and get to know each other better. If you have a story, share it. If something has happened in your life...look around the room and see the solidness of everyone to be there for you.

Many of us know each other, but there are quite a few who have a lot to learn. We have built a wonderful Bible group...now we can build trust, friendships, love, and prayer for each other.

It is a GREAT thing we are helping our community. But lets not forget that our main purpose is to be a Bible group...and we're expanding our minds and gaining more knowledge learning from the #1 book in all of our lives.

I sure do love me some Libby. Is she a mind reader? How did she know I needed someone to be my rock? hahaha.

This is also why we mentioned planning  the group trip to Dinosaur World, and to a Sounds baseball game. I promise I wont say "I told ya so" when some of you get to know others in our group and find how amazing of a friendship you have found ;)

Love you girls so much. Oh so much!

Thank you Leah for making our name tags! :)

Love this picture! This is a framer! :)