Fall-Christmas, 2015

Needlework Circle-Velma Deats

The following Girlfriends met on Sept 8th to create the banners for All

Saints Day: Jeanette Appleton, Velma Deats, Kay Kelly, Ann King, Charlotte

Randolph, Lu Spears and Rachael Trevino. Nancy Brown researched infor-

mation and created the pictures that told the story of each Saint’s inter-

ests. The banners were displayed in the Sanctuary on November 1st.

Betty Hayes was organizer and hostess for the Fall Girlfriends Luncheon held at Los Patios. It was not too busy at

our reservation time so we had our own room and were able to take our time, relax in the atmosphere of this

beautiful restaurant and enjoy the delicious food. Nothing was rushed, so lots of talk and fellowship were en-

joyed by all the Girlfriends. Several members went shopping in the unique shops that are located around Los Pati-

os Restaurant.

Girlfriends Fall Luncheon-Judy Thurow

Concert Babes-Jonette Simpson

Concert Babes attended NESA's exciting production of Mary Poppins November 15th, enjoying aerial acrobatics by Mary and Bert. NESA productions just keep getting better

and better!. They're always ... wait for it! ... Super! -- califragilisticexpialidocious!!!!

PERFECT LESSONS FROM

WORK CAN BE FUN

One of the lessons from Mary Poppins that the Banks children learned was that work can be fun. Work may have a negative connotation, but it doesn’t have to be a negative experience. It can be fun. As Mary Poppins skillfully taught, you can make any job more fun; you just need to change your perspective. If you are dreading an upcoming project at work or home , try to look at it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and learn.

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR

A tune in the Mary Poppins movie, and it is also very true in real life. Something sweet will always help you swallow a bitter pill. When you have to do something that you really don’t like doing, reward yourself at the end. For exam-ple, if you hate cleaning the house, go out to a nice dinner afterwards. You will have something to look forward to while you are scrubbing the bath tub. LAUGH OFTEN

Laughter is so important; it lightens your mood and lifts your spirits. Who could forget the scene where Burt, Uncle Albert, the Banks children, and Mary Poppins all end up on the ceiling due to their laughter? It truly lifted them up! To keep your spirits up, try to laugh every day.

YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF

In the movie, Mary Poppins exclaims, “I never explain anything.” This may seem like a bold statement, but it points out that you don’t have to explain yourself all the time. You don’t have to explain all of your decisions and why you like certain things and dislike others. You get to be who you are without always explaining yourself.

YOU ARE PRACTICALLY PERFECT

Mary Poppins is not the only person who is “practically perfect in every way.” Without even trying, you are also “practically perfect in every way.” Just by being yourself, you manage to be perfect. Everyone is unique, and every-one is perfect just as they are.

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR

Mary Poppins’ carpet bag was a bottomless pit that contained everything a person could want. Its appearance would not suggest that it could hold a lamp, but it did! Judging things only by their appearance is never a good idea. You don’t know what is really behind the person or the object in front of you.

Never stop dreaming

If there’s one thing that anyone who has seen Mary Poppins would agree with, it’s the fact that with the right amount of imagination, anything is possible. Mary instills this idea in the Banks children, and it’s something that anyone who has ever accomplished anything that seemed impossible can attest to.

Girlfriends Christmas Luncheon

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This was the theme when entering the

Fellowship Hall because of the beautiful decorated tables! Nancy Brown, along

with the help of Bev Harris decorated each table with fresh flowers, ribbons and

colorful plates. The activities during the party were discussions of Christmas’

past, delicious food and drawings for gifts. Betty Hayes gave a presentation of

Christmas legends. It was a beautiful presentation with interesting stories and

information that most of us didn’t know. The donkey story brought tears to

many eyes.

Mary Martha Circle

Mary Martha Circle adopts a family from House of Neighborly Services

every Christmas. This year, a family of 5 (parents & 3 children) received

an early Christmas. HEB & Payless Shoes gift cards, toys, diapers, cloth-

ing, personal items and two special baby blankets made by Lisa Meng

were delivered December 17th by Judy Thurow, Rachael & Gene Trevino.

Each Christmas this special gift is given to a deserving family due to the

donations by members of Mary Martha Circle.

In January, Carolyn Gaedke will continue teaching the series of dealing

with everyday problems using the Bible as a guide. Mary Martha meets

the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Fireside Room at 10:00 AM.

Girlfriends is SPPC Women’s Ministry

This program includes:

G! Groups

Smaller Common Interest Groups

G! Events

Larger Themed Experiences

Girl’s Night Out

Casual Fun Filled Gatherings

Purpose

Discover in a whole new way a significant relationship

with Jesus Christ and nurturing the heart, mind,

and soul of friendships.

Goal

Empower! Get giggles! Encourage! Inspire! Get God!

We follow the four B’s:

Befriend, Belong, Believe, Become

We BEFRIEND women, so they feel like they

BELONG. Then they will be open to hear about

what we BELIEVE, which will open their hearts

to BECOME someone different...a follower of

Christ. To complete the circle, we want women

to FRIEND others, and help them BELONG, too.

Girlfriends Leadership Coordinator-Diana Grippi

Girlfriends Assistant Coordinators- Charlotte Noll

Newsletter Editor & Coordinator-Judy Thurow

G! Group Facilitators:

Concert Babes-Jonette Simpson, Charlotte Randolph

M & M’s (movie & a meal)-Kara Juhl

Gardening Gals-Susan Guerrero

Urban Explorers-Jonette Simpson

Lit-N-Lattes-Betty Hayes

Sassy Scrappers-Libby Fleming

Needlework Circle-Velma Deats

Lunch Bunch-Kay Kelly

Mary Martha Circle-Lynn Hodges, Charlotte Noll, Janet Osterloh

Lit-N-Lattes-Betty Hayes

The beginning of 2016 is a great time to make a resolu-tion to join the SPPC book club and enjoy interesting books and lively discussions. We meet every third Mon-day at 7:00 in the Fireside Room. We would love to see some new faces!

Here is our list of books for 2016: January- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty February- Alaska-Visiting Author-Teri Wilson March- Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall April- Circling The Sun by Paula McClain May- Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia Macneal June- A Dog’s Journey by Bruce Cameron July- The Rosie Project by Greame Simson August- Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase by Louise Walters September- The Nightengale by Kristen Hannah October- The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly November- The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

A murder…A tragic accident…Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead. Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she re-members everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness be-yond her years. These three women are at different cross-roads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

Terri Wilson

Terri Wilson will be our visiting author in February!

Teri Wilson grew up as an only child and could often be found with her head in a book, lost in a world of romance and exotic places. As an adult, her love of books has led her to her dream career—writing. Now an award-winning author, when Teri isn't traveling or writing, she enjoys ballet, knitting and having fun with friends, family and her dogs, Bliss and Finn, both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Teri lives in San Antonio, and loves to hear from readers!

Teri Wilson is a romance novelist for Harlequin Books and contributing writer at HelloGiggles. Her most recent book, Alaskan Homecoming, is the ballerina romance she always dreamed of writing. She's also the author of Unleashing Mr. Darcy, which is current-ly being adapted for film by the Hallmark Channel/Crown Media. A few of Terri Wilson’s books: