For Our Gail

For Our Gail

If ever there was a Christian woman
Who wholeheartedly loved the Lord
It was our wonderful friend, Gail
Never wavering even when times were hard.
Gail was a woman of integrity,
She was honest, loving and a woman of her word.
She listened to you when you shared with her
And listening, your heart she heard.

Her mission was to seek God for his purpose,
Her life goal was to follow his plan,
And let her life be a witness to knowing God
And lead others to the Promise Land

God wanted to use Gail
And she wanted to be used by Him
She wanted to be a living testimony
And share the reason for her joy with them.


Her praising God
Was not to be stopped by anything
Not cancer, not circumstances
And not pain.

She knew that no matter what happened to her body
On this earthly plane,
In Heaven with her Savior
She would be whole and live again.

We are sad only for ourselves and because we miss her,
For we can not reach out to hug and kiss her,
But we can not help but rejoice when we realize with a sigh
How she must be rejoicing and singing her Hallelujahs in the sky!

Sing out, sweet friend! Sing out to angels bending near
Sing out so sweetly that those of us on earth can hear
For it will a sweet song that we all shall someday sing together
Praising God with you again forever and ever and ever.

Author.......Thena Smith

Many of you know how much I love scrapbooking, what you may not know is how big a network scrapbooking is on-line. Last year when Gail died I asked a scrapbook friend to write a poem about her. No she did not know Gail personally but she read the blog entry on Gail and from that “For Our Gail” was birthed. Thena Smith is a published writer and I am still amazed that she took time out to write a poem for me in honor of my friend. I can’t believe its been a year since she left us. Sunday a few of us got together with Rev, Rev and in her name we sang at a music program at Messiah Presbyterian. Greta remarked at how much fun it felt to get together and sing some of the songs that Gail (can you believe now I can actually say that? All of the time I knew her she was Mrs. Davis to me but now I know that she was my Gail also) taught and even wrote for us. My daughter Marquisha who grew up learning and loving under Gail told me later that she knew Mrs. Davis was there with us Sunday. I felt it also and I know the others who “sang” felt her presence also. Last year we promised to stick together because that is what Gail would have wanted…She loved the women of Women In Touch…we know that because she said it over and over again. So today I am reaching out to my “wives” and I am challenging you to do the same. Call or email at least three WIT wives (and not just the ones you talk to on a regular basis). And while you are at it stop and have a little conversation with Gail and her God…you know “She is Watching You”.

Cyndi (the not soo quiet one anymore).

Oh, by the way you can read about Thena and find books written by Thena here: http://thenaspoems.com/books.htm

October Updates and Information

Sorry this is a little late ( its been a rough week ). These are the following updates for the month of October.

Teresa Harris ( along with Bonita Harris and Pat Pickett ) will be one of many speakers at a Drama Workshop on October 14th from 9 am to 3 pm at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Chesapeake. See me for more details if you are interested in attending.

WIT family and friends will be singing ( in honor of Mrs. Davis ) on Sunday, October 15 @ 4:00 pm at Messiah Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA. Rev. Davis said he would like to rehearse on Monday, Oct. 9 @ 6:3 pm. Joyce has agreed to let us have rehearsal in her schoolroom @ 6:3 pm. Even if you can't come with us on Sunday, it would be nice to see and sing with everyone at Joyce's on Monday. If you can't be at rehearsal at 6:3 pm come as soon as you can. I know this time could conflict with some people's work schedule, but we don't want to keep anyone out to late on a school/work night ( Teresa Harris ).

Rev. Clyde Lacewell will be guest minister at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church on October 23rd at 7 pm for their youth revival.

Rev. Ricky Lee will be preaching at Greater St. Andrews for their men's revival on October 12-13 (Thursday & Friday) at 7 pm.

Rev. Pamela Lee will be preaching at Oakwood Chapel Church of Christ in Norfolk, Sunday, October 22 at 11:30 am.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness several companies are offering "Pink Products" for sale and a portion of the purchase will go towards research for Breast Cancer. Here are just a few ( you can easily do a search for more participating companies ):

Brighton

Coach

Target

Bed Bath and Beyond

Kodak

Please show your support to companies and organizations that give back to breast cancer research. God's Blessings,

Cyndi

Pam at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Pam really brought the word to Ebenezer's Womens Day Celebration. "It's in the Water" gave the women there something to think and shout about. Thanks Pam, I know it was much needed food for my spirit this weekend. Until later ladies ..be blessed in the Lord.

Cyndi

Reminder

Sorry I did not get pictures from Rob's ordination. It was a wonderful service. And it was great seeing so many WIT Wives and MIT Men. This is just a reminder that Pam will be preaching this coming Thursday and Friday at 4th Baptist Church in Portsmouth at 7:30 am, and on Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Va Beach at 11 am.

Latest News

Congratulations goes out to Joyce and Keith on a very beautiful and special 25th Wedding renewal. Hope you two had a great honeymoon.

Congratulations also go out to Baby WIT. Miriam had a baby girl a few weeks ago. Teresa is seeking to get more info.

Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church is having a Womens' Lock In on August 25th at 7 pm. Please see Teresa for more info.



Rev. Pam will be preaching locally during the month of September ( Hallelujah ! ).

September 21st and 22nd at 4th Baptist Church, Portsmouth 7:30 pm
September 24th at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Virginia Beach 11 am

Rev. Robert Robinson will be ordained on September 17th at Christ Pentacostal, Norfolk. Rev. Ricky Lee will be the speaker.

Ordination Service

Once again WIT Wives ( and MIT Men ) showed up when needed. I would like to personally thank WIt Wives Pam, Teresa and Diane for your love and support during Marc's ordination service. Marc felt especially honored to have Rev. Ricky and Rev. Pam's support during the ordination process. Now each time we look at his ordination certificate and see your signatures we will remember how God blessed us that day. Also in attendance were our Men In Touch..Rev. Ricky, Rev. Rob, and Rev. Clyde. Thank you.......Cyndi

WIT Happenings

Wow, it may seem as if WIT has not been active since forever. But that is not true. You just may have missed it. Over the last few months some of the ladies have traveled by van with Rev. Pam to Chase City. Others have attended Easter plays ( Mt. Bethel ), Women's Workshops ( GMZBC ) and Womens Day Services ( Christ Pentacostal ). There is lots of news on the WIT homefront. Our very own Miriam is due soon with her first child. Sis. Joyce will be renewing her vows with Bro. Keith in July. There is a wedding shower scheduled for June 11th ( more info to come ). And there will be a WIT Bible Study Meeting at Sis. Dashica's home on Saturday June 24th at 3 pm. Hallelujah !!!!

Our MIT brothers are busy also. Rev. Marc will be ordained on June 3rd at 3 pm at GMZBC, and Rev. Ricky has invited everyone to come help them celebrate their Youth Explosion at Bethleham Baptist Church on June 10th at 3 pm in Chase City.

As you know Sis. Ruthie had her surgery last week. Well for what had to be done it was successful and that surgery went well. The news from the biopsy came in: There were pre-cancer cells in some of the surrounding tissue and she had to have the same procedure done again. I believe she is now taking visitors. However this has changed her radiation schedule so if you signed up to provide transportation to one of her sessions all of that is cancelled and an updated schedule has been sent out. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. Ruthie is encouraged that this will be over soon and that it is a Test(imony).

Congratulations goes out to Sis. Greta who has been promoted to manager at her job. Way to go Greta Mae.

Note : The pictures are from the Womens Workshop at GMZBC. I would like to send a special thank you out to Cynthia SW, Sonia, and "San Lee". Thank you ladies for making my day (smile). And a special thank you to Pam who showed up and showed out ( just a little bit ). Love you ladies,

Cyndi

Slumber Party Update/Other Annoucements

Well, if you were not there you missed a blessing. The slumber party Sunday night was a success and lots of fun. In attendance for the evening was Sis. Greta, Sis. Tammy, Sis.Cyndi, Sis.Cynthia, Sis.Teresa and two guest. We had a hearty discussion ( including a thought provoking discussion about the Sabbath day and keeping it holy ). We had an awesome testimony from our very own Sister Tammy. All I have to say is that we all have a lot to give thanks for during this New Year and a lot to reflect on about what God's purpose is for our life and also for that of Women In Touch Ministries. By the way, we finished our bible study questions ( Yah !). So Sis. Teresa should be sending more questions out......SOON ( that was for you Teresa ).

As many of you know Sis. Lula lost her father in - law this past week. Our prayers are with her and husband Leroy during this time of bereavement . Please call them or drop them a note to show your support and love. ( Also please check your email for further info regarding this ).

We need to have a WIT Family Choir Rehearsal with Rev - Rev. Sister Teresa will be calling with a plan soon.

God's Blessings to each of you,

Cyndi

January Slumber Party

Hello WITWives and Friends,

I thought it would be fun to start off the New Year with something a little different. For those of you who were at the November meeting of WIT, we SIS at Mt. Lebanon, have been unable to settle on a Workshop date for or by February, so I'm working on it happening in the summer. Women In Touch Ministries and Sisters In Spirit are going to do "She's Watching You" Workshop before this year is out.

YOU ARE INVITED TO MY HOUSE: I thought we'd have a sleepover/slumber party for Jan. I also thought that since our weekends are so busy that having it on a Sunday leading into a holiday might make it possible for more of us to find some free time. When I origanally thought this, I was not working, but I later realized I might not be off on MLK Day, so I had to wait to find out if I was going to be off too. I REALLY HOPE THIS WORKS OUT FOR EVERYONE OR MOST EVERYONE:)

WHERE: Teresa's House ( see original email for address )
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15th - Monday Jan. 16th, Starting at 5pm and ending ...whenever you leave on Monday.
WHY: Bible Study, Food and Fun!! Fun:) Fun:) Fun:) Fun:) and lots more fun:)
BRING: Your bible, Favorite Video or DVD of your Favorite Movie (new or old) and your Favorite Junk Food or Snack Food (enough to share).... so if you bake, bake enough, if you make, make enough and if you buy, buy enough
BRING: Your Favorite Board Game or Card Game or Game of Any Kind and Something to sleep In and Something to sleep On
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Any children or Husbands or Trouble....well okay you can bring a little trouble...but nothing else!!!!!
R.S.V.P.: So I can know who can come, by Wednesday?....Friday?.... okay before Sunday, by email or call and leave a message...don't assume I'll know your voice....leave your name.

P.S.
I hope someone's favorite food is chicken or pizza because whatever we bring is what we have to eat....I ain't joking!!

F.A.Q.:
Q:" Can I bring someone else?"
A: If they can stand...I mean enjoy your company I'm sure they'll like the rest of us...so absolutely.
Q: "Is Teresa's house clean?"
A: It is as clean as anyone's is with 3 young children, a husband and a full time job... well anyone named Teresa.
Q: "Will she clean up especially for us?"
A: Yes..No...Maybe...It depends on how I feel when I get home from work on Friday...and Basketball and Cheerleading practice...And Basketball Games on Saturday....And church all day Sunday.....NO!!!!!
Q: "Will there be enough room for everyone?"
A: There is plenty of floor space. But if you bring your air mattress or recliner it might be tight.
Q: "Does she have any pets?"
A: I'm sending them to their grandma's and back to their mama's...Oh , you said Pets not Pest....NO, no pets.
My Frequently Asked Question: "Is Teresa okay/crazy?"
BEST Guess Answer: Okay...no. Crazy..uh, yeaha...that's why she invites people over on a day off.
Q: " Will the Christmas Decorations be Down?"
A: "You know!!" And they'll be plugged in and Lit-up. Just so people can find the house...hehehaha:)

God'sWord!God'sWill!God'sWay!Let Us Pray....for

Teresa