He brought us OUT so that He might bring us IN

At the end of April, two groups of women began studying the book of Deuteronomy, under the DVD leadership of Beth Moore, and her Bible study series: The Law of Love: Lessons from the Pages of Deuteronomy.  It is a six week study.  Last night the Monday NIGHT group of women watched the sixth and final DVD.  Yesterday MORNING, the Monday Morning Group watched the 4th lesson.

I, being the facilitator, have had the great joy of getting to watch the DVD twice!  And both times I gleaned something new.

My view from the back row ~ it thrills my heart when
I am with women who are hungry for the Word of God!
I thank God for the 27 women
 that He brought to Women Refreshed at the Well
for this Bible Study

My Granddaughter was the youngest in attendance.
Hardly ever made a peep!
My prayer is that she too, will one day give her life to Jesus
and follow Him with all her heart!

It was always my prayer for these women (27 in all) that they would leave here with something else that took root in their hearts, and go from here and continue to grow in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  

In the first lesson, one thing I wrote was these quotes:

"He doesn't just bring people OUT to bring them out!  There is always a place He wants to takes us.   Put some obedience to our walk!  Faith that God is going to move mountains and part seas!  We were never meant to stay!"

The key verse for the series was Deuteronomy 6:23 ESV  "And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give to our fathers." The line in BOLD became our KEY for the series.

In the first session, Beth Moore talked about how an 11 day journey became a 40 year wandering in the wilderness! Deuteronomy was a book written - or the word for Deuteronomy in Hebrew is Devarim which is translated "words" .  These are the WORD OF THE LORD described by the WORDS of the Lord!!  (so have I confused you?)

This series - I would encourage you to do!  You can even do it online in the comforts of your own home, by yourself if you wish.  You can buy and download the sessions.  Deuteronomy was brought to life, and I realized that I am exactly like the people that this book was written for!!

At the end of session one, she stated that there was only one kind of person who didn't get another chance (in Deuteronomy) and it was the dead ones.  The ones who died there in the wilderness!

There is so much in this study!!  I thank God for anointed Beth Moore with His words, so that she could bring the WORD of God alive in a new way through this study!!  Lord, we praise you, and give YOU all the honor and the glory!!

He brought me out so that he would bring me in!
Every morning when I awake, I realize God has given me a fresh start - a new day - another chance at living for him.  I will say that each day finds me in a challenge - and I thank God for that - as it is in these things, the challenges and always in the hardest times, that I know, I KNOW I grow the most.

May this be YOUR awareness today - that He has brought you out - or perhaps you are still caught in something that keeps you enslaved - HE CAN BRING YOU OUT ... but rest assured, it is not just to leave you, but to bring you IN to something way way WAY better - and for His glory!!

in His Grip,  

Joy

Monday Nights - Living Water!!

It has been an hour since the women left the house.  It has been a day FULL of women!  Women from all walks of life - all ages - but all here with the same intent - and that is for spiritual retreat!!  We are studying the Word together - under the leadership of Beth Moore as she teaches (via DVD) the Laws of Love, a 6 week Bible Study.

I have learned so much under the teaching of Beth.  I love how she teaches the Word.  She brings it to life.  She is passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ, and has been obedient to the call He placed on her life to teach.

We began by offering the 6 weeks on Monday evening.  That filled up fast!  We have 11 women attending the evening sessions.  And then we offered a Monday morning study - same study, but different time.  We have 14 women in that class.

So today, after making some scones and bran muffins and making multiple pots of coffee - the women came.  We studied and they left.  Then again at 7, women came, we studied and they left.
It is a full day of just being spiritually refreshed over and over and over again.  A day of drawing from the living water!  Thank You Lord!!

~ Joy Klassen, Executive Director

Come and Be Spiritually Refreshed : Monday Night Bible Study by Beth Moore: the Laws of Love (please note: Space is Limited for this Study)

Quite a few years ago, I was introduced to Beth Moore through a bible Study called Breaking Free, which Beth wrote.  It was amazing - and it began a time of being spiritually refreshed through some intensive bible studies that she has written.  I have taken several, as well I have gone two a couple Lifeway Events, where Beth spoke.

I have been thinking of what to offer first - as a "retreat" night for women, here at 5839 Henderson.  I realize that the timing is so close to summer (we seem to have missed spring in Manitoba!) however, I wanted to offer something, and came upon Beth Moore's latest Bible Study series that she has written called the Laws of Love - a study on the book of Deuteronomy.

So it is, that I have decided that Women Refreshed at the Well will be hosting their first bible study, beginning on April 22, 2013.  It will run on 6 consecutive Mondays.  This study is not as intensive as the other ones, where you are also invited and strongly encouraged to do homework!  I actually love the homework part of the bible study, as it seems this is where I grow the most!  However this time, we are being invited to come together, to watch the DVD, to follow along in listening guides, and to have a time of discussing what we have seen and heard.  We will begin at 7 pm and end between 9 and 9:30.

The cost of the 6 weeks is $25 per person.  This will include a listening guide, and a time of refreshments after the study.  Space is limited, so please let us know as soon as you can - if you plan to come.   It will be a time of spiritual refreshment as we study God's Word together.

If you plan to attend - please phone 204-416-3531 or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com
Thanks

Grand Opening Blessings

Yesterday was our Grand Opening, and we had 200+ people come, see, greet and enjoy some refreshments.  Getting to the day was a WEEK LONG process of working, which involved many hours, many cups of coffee and family and friends.

It was things like driving just over the Canada/US border to get some parcels (because it is cheaper to drive there and pick up versus shipping to us in Canada) ~ to going to Ikea (and having my friend Jeannette fill her truck with MY things, drive it here AND assemble much of it) ~ to our kids helping to assemble/clean/arrange stuff to get ready ~ to wallpapering a closet (my sister-in-law Jody did that - and was so gracious when she realized I had a wall paper with a "repeat") ~ to a board meeting (oh so good to meet with these people!) ~ to ordering cakes/picking up cakes ~ to having some friends from my care group come and assemble my library (thanks Julie, Jean and Ann) ~ to having Kim & Kevin come and do some work on Friday afternoon and both of them Saturday night, along with Betty and Willy all helping with those last minute things that Mike and Ash, Alvin and I worked on during the day on Saturday.  Also thanks to Deb (LifeWords) who came and put the gold room name decals on the doors for me ~ Oh yes, then I was also at Pineridge Hollow picking up the last minute things, and Jan so graciously told her daughter to "let Joy take whatever she needs and we will square up this week!"  And then Sunday we woke up, and were joined by Ashley, and then later by Michael and Mattie, Elmer and Jeannette, who helped get the refreshments set up and do the last minutes.  And then it happened - the first people arrived!!

You came - in great numbers. Alvin said it was a good test of our "structure" when we realized how many people were in here at one time!  During the "ribbon" cutting ceremony - the place was packed.  We heard that some were waiting in the gazebo, and our apologies for that!!  The ceremony part of it was MC'd by my son Josh.  He included a blessing that was sent by my nephew and niece in Calgary.  Jerald Peters - architect spoke briefly.   I spoke (see below if you want to read).  Carolee Neufeld (board member) and Delbert Enns (Lead Pastor, Eastview Community Church, where we attend) both spoke blessings on us, our family, our ministry and all who will enter this place for a time of rest, renewal and refreshment.  The board that was present held the ribbon, along with Alvin, and Jerald and I ceremoniously cut it!!  IT IS A DONE DEAL!!

Many thanks is in order:  and I hope I leave out no one

Those who set up/hosted/cleaned up in our kitchen:  Elmer & Jeannette, Willy and Betty, Marilyn, and then Kim, along with my brother Tim and Jody :  Thanks!!

For the baking brought by friends - Kara Carson, Barb Campbell, my daughter Ashley - BIG THANKS

Bannock & Jam:  Doris (You are the best bannock maker cousin!!)

Cakes by Maria (tortes, logo cake, meatbuns) & Cocoabeans :  Betsy (Gluten free tortes)  DELICIOUS

For the Door Prizes donated by Irmie Giesbrecht, Kim Carter, and Ann Sawatzky:  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Door Prize Winners:  Living Books (Irmie) - Cindy Hogan won this

Hair Products (Anya's Hair Studio - Ann Sawatzky)  Doris Smith won this

Norwex Basket (Kim Carter) Emilee Thiessen won this one

For all of you who came and attended - Thanks!!  It would not have been a success without you!

For those of you who donated toward the ministry - THANKS!!  You have blessed us financially.
For those of you - who came and brought such gifts of flowers, plants, coffee, tea, candles and holders, and other gifts!!  THANKS

For those of you who are booking - We look forward to hosting you!!

To our Photographer:  Soumela Krystik - we can not say how thankful we are that you chose to do this for us - and your "retreat" days can be booked any time!! Just call!!

Prior to this opening, as part of the build, I want to add:

To those of you who worked your trade in our house - Henry Martens (plumber) Jake VanLeeuwen (electrical) and Jack Funk (electrical), Mike Krystik (heating) and Mike Frank (jack of all trades and master of them as well!! ) THANKS.

To Jerald Peters, Rick Klassen and Neil Klassen - for giving your input and coming to our aid!!  THANKS, words are not adequate!!

To Maxine Gacek - who has designed our garden and will help us get going in the Spring (which is right around the corner - we can hardly wait to see the end result!!)

To Jan Regehr and Pineridge Hollow - Your support (in so many ways) has been such a blessing to us!!  And the chairs - continue to bring beauty in this place, along with many decor items, bed spreads, etc.  Thanks for your friendship and your support!!

To Faye Hall - artist, and friend.  Thank you for allowing us to showcase your beautiful art!! You are so talented and we look forward to some possibilities in the future!!

To Janet Fast and Kara Carson (Fast Insurance) for your knowledge and dedication to getting us the best insurance for the place, and the ministry!

For all of you - family and friends ~ who have prayed for us along the way, supported us, helped swing hammers, put in door latches, plant shrubs, clean toilets, label library books and on and on (I really don't want to forget anyone - and forgive me if I have!)  THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS.

Finally, to my husband Alvin, and to my kids, and my grandchildren - I thank God for you - for your love, for your wisdom, for your care of me, for your love, for your help in ALL the ways you have helped - wow, words can not describe how my heart overflows.  God has called us to something that I think, correction, I KNOW is way bigger than what we can imagine - and I am so glad we are on this journey together!  I am blessed to be your wife, your mom, your granny.  To God be the glory!!

~~~~~

This is the email blessing I received from my Nephew Gordon and Niece Janice in Calgary:

Aunty Joy

Janice and I are so thankful that the vision you have had these many years is being realized, and grateful that we have been able to experience some of it with you along the way.  I have a prayer that I think should be prayed tomorrow, it is actually a couple of prayers from a book I have.  We will be praying it too

May God give His blessing to the house that is here.

God bless this house from roof to floor,

from wall to wall,
From end to end,

From its foundation and in its covering.
In the strong name of the Triune God
All disturbance cease,
Captive spirits freed, God’s Spirit alone
Dwell within these walls

May all be welcomed here,

Friend and stranger, from near and far.
May each be blessed and honored as they enter.

There is a friend’s love
In the gentle heart of the Savior.
For love of Him we offer friendship
and welcome every guest.
We call upon the Sacred Three
To save, shield and surround
This house, this home,
This day, this night
And every night.
Amen

and ....

This is what I shared yesterday:

In February, 2000 ~ I copied a quote into my journal. It was written by Betty Stam who had been a China Inland Missionary. This quote became my prayer to the Lord:

“Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. Fill me, and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt. Send me where Thou wilt. Work out Thy whole will in my life, at any cost, now and forever.”

That was 13 years ago.

Since that time, our lives have been an adventure to put it mildly!

And we have learned many things - about being called by God,  about waiting,

about obedience, about His timing being perfect especially when we think we know the best time.

During that time God has not only called me to this, but he has also added my kids and a husband who has felt the call so strongly that he has been doing what we have called - the Noah thing - since June of 2010 when we began to build the barn, and then the house.

You know, some people ask us - do you think women will come?  Well - we don’t know how full we will be - or how often.  

However we firmly believe that when God calls you to something - he doesn’t hang you out to dry.

Since 2000 our family has walked through deep waters.  It was after the death of our first grandson, that our kids Josh and Leah came back with a challenge to sell what we owned in Anola, and buy land and build a combined ministry house and personal space.  That is when Jerald and I met and he agreed to design what you see here today.

These last 3 years have not been easy.  Personally, we felt the call to buy the land, build the shop, and the house - and then live in a basement suite so that we could use the house predominately for bed and breakfast style retreat for women!  God has also laid other ideas on our hearts, and we continue to hold our house with our hands turned up - and look forward to seeing what God has in store here.

I believe that too many women don’t see how precious they are in the eyes of God.  My daughters and I imagined what we could do to help women feel special and to help provide a setting that leads you to retreat with God,  and today, what you see here - has all been very intentional.  I don’t think a single thing has been placed without much thought! 

Alvin, aka Noah, and our boys, Joshua and Michael - have worked long hours, from the ground up - there is alot of swet equity built into this home.  Often I would just watch, and it was when I watched that I realized that God had also called Alvin, and our kids.  And I am so blessed by that.

Will people come? 

Time will tell.

One thing we know, is that God called us to this - 

He has given people along the way who have spoken prophetically into this vision

And I have often stood, I am sure, with my mouth hanging open.

Today, we are thankful

Very thankful

For safety for the boys as they have worked

For people who have volunteered and worked alongside

For prayer, for drop-in visitors who have encouraged us along the way

Some days, it felt like “this” day would never come ...

But it has, and we are thankful!

September 15th, we had a come, walk and pray, and people walked the land, and rained on it with prayer!

During the build, several people came to visit, but also to just walk through the place, and once again, they prayed.

As a family, we have felt your prayers

As a family, we have seen God work in amazing ways.

We want to thank you for that!

Jerald - thank you for listening to the call to this vision, way back in 2002.

Thank you for your generosity - taking time out of your own career - to design this - from the walkabout we did together in March 2009 - until today - your signature is on this place!  

Thank you for believing in what we said we were called to do, and for walking alongside and meeting with us over all those coffees at Mountain Bean.

I want to thank my brother in law Rick Klassen - the one who took the plan and made it into the blueprints that the boys used.  Rick also came to our rescue over and over - right up to this past week ...

We can’t say enough thanks!

Alvin - I don’t know another man, who would work so tirelessly and endlessly - right up until the 11th hour - and be so committed.  I have seen how God has grown us during this journey toward today.

To my kids - I am so glad God has also called you to this.  It has been exciting to plan this, and build it together - and it will be exciting to see how the future unfolds with you all living so close by.   I look forward to our grandkids being a part of this as well.  We are blessed.

To our family, and our friends - thanks for your love, your support and your help.  It doesn’t matter how much time you put in, or what you did - you have to know that each volunteer hour was greatly appreciated!

To our board of directors - thank you - for your input, guidance and prayers - we are working together - and that is a blessing!

We want to continue to hold these possessions very loosely, with upturned hands, and wait to see how God will use it for his glory!

The verse that God gave me way back - 12 years ago - was Zephaniah 3:17

It is my prayer for each and every person that walks through these doors.

Zephaniah 3:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ For the Lord your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.^[a]
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

SO NOW ... IF YOU WANT TO BOOK - YOU CAN

CHECK OUT THE TAB AT THE TOP to see the ROOMS

AND CHECK OUT THE TAB AT THE TOP for the "SUGGESTED ROOM PRICES"

We are hoping that this will be the place you
come to for spiritual retreat, refreshment and renewal.
We look forward to offering you directed retreats as well.

OPEN HOUSE - Mark your calendar!!

We are getting ready to officially open Women Refreshed at the Well and we would like to do a grand opening - open house!

We will post more details but wanted to tell you all to mark your calendars:

5839 Henderson Highway
Sunday March 17
2pm - 5pm
We will do a short formal ribbon cutting and prayer dedication time at 3pm.

We would love to see you all there!

since the last post ...

There has not been any post lately - and I thought I would take a minute just to explain that silence.

The last time I wrote I believe, was the 1st of this month.  Today is the 19th.  How times flies.
I feel like I have not been able to catch my breath lately, although the visits from my grandsons and granddaughter help me to breathe!
Let me fill you in on my life lately.

First of all, I am very thankful for those of you who have made some impromptu visits, and sat with me around a cup of coffee! You know who you are - and I am thankful for your friendship.  It was one such visit, with a young friend, when I got a phone call from my sister, telling me her daughter had been in a car accident on the West Perimeter, and that she was in emergency surgery, and may not make it.  My friend drove me to the hospital since I was without a car that day.  I sat with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece ... we wept.  We prayed.  We waited.  More family joined us.  We wept more.  We prayed more.  We waited more.  That was the pattern for the rest of the day, until the evening, when after another CT scan, the doctors informed us all, that my niece would not make it - her brain injury was too extensive.

What can I say?  No words can describe the terrible feeling that comes when you hear those words.  It was strange, because somehow I just knew she was not going to make it - but kept praying.  Sometimes I don't know what to do with the "gut feelings" that I often get about things, or an "intuition" or and "insight".  I think God is the one behind all that, but still I often don't know what to do with it.

We stood, almost our whole extended family - and held her hand, touched her head, whispered words of assurance and love to her.  The whole time with tears pouring down our cheeks.  I often wonder where exactly those tears all come from.  Approximately 12 hours from when her car spun out of control and hit an MTS utility vehicle that was parked on the side of the road - we watched her pass from this life into the arms of the Almighty whom she loved.  And our hearts broke with sorrow.

Last week was full of family - and the memorial service - and more family.  I thank God for family, and never want to take our bonds for granted.  I am so proud of our family ties and love for one another.
This week, we realize that life, as hard as it is to say, life moves forward.  I know from experience that grief makes you feel like you are in a bubble, and you watch others going about life as normal, but somehow, life feels anything BUT normal.  So, I am spending time praying for my sister, brother-in-law, niece Mel and husband Grant and their kids.  I am also spending time praying for my niece (who died) Keri - for her little 4 1/2 year old.  He is the one left without a mommy.  That breaks my heart.

I am not sure if you (reading this) are a praying person!  (since I am not sure who all reads my blog)
I believe in the power of prayer.  I believe that God has a plan for our life.  I believe God had a plan for Keri's.  I believe God has a plan for her son.  I don't understand what all happens in life,  but I believe God is Sovereign!

So, I ask you to pray.  Pray for the family Keri left behind.  Pray for strength to get up each morning, and to see that God gives new mercies every morning.  Great is HIS faithfulness!!
I am posting pictures of the hand-out from Keri's funeral, which I had the privilege of planning, and doing, along with my brother (obit and eulogy) and my daughter (doing all the music) and my son (did the short sermon).  We thank God for Keri's life - and know that she is with Him, and we have just said good-bye for a time, until we are together again.  That is the hope we have because we love the Lord.

This was the inside of the card that was handed out at the service.
Yes, such a tiny little one, but she lived big!!

She was a good mom to her little guy!

Her mom found this handwritten note in Keri's purse.
She had returned to Manitoba in fall of 2011
and this note expresses how blessed she felt!
A reminder for me - to thank God for all things - especially family!

more mail - more donations - incredibly thankful

Almost a week ago, my sweet friend Audrey's life was celebrated.  Her body was laid to rest in Sunnyside Cemetary, and a celebration of life took place later at Eastview Community Church.
The church was packed.  What a tribute to her life!

One of the things that happened through her death, was that her and her husband had decided ahead of time to support our ministry.  When Arnold told me this over a cup of coffee - I was so absolutely humbled and honored that even in death, she was blessing our ministry.  Therefore, as part of the obituary in the paper, people were told that they could give donations in her memory, to our ministry.

At this point, I have begun to write thank-you notes to several people, and with today's mail, there was another three hundred or so, bringing the total donated in Audrey's memory to about $2900.

I do not have permission to post names, but you know WHO you are.  I want to say THANK-YOU for supporting Women Refreshed at the Well, in memory of my sweet friend, Audrey Voth.
I am sure she would also be blown away by this!!  I know that I sure am!