Lawton First Assembly

4 fall 2020/winter 2021 Lawton First Assembly Women's Magazine Women's Pastor Debbie Pratt Assistant Bethany Kuehny Art Director Heather Chatterjee Publishing Consultant Laura Clevenger Contributors Heather Chatterjee, Courtney Mount, Debbie Pratt, Lindsay Dryer, Sheila Harper, Dorcas A Schroeder, Laura Clevenger, Bernice Baran, Sarah Bates, Megan Gundy, Family Features Advertising Opportunities (580) 536-9325 E-mail: girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org G-Life Magazine Lawton First Assembly of God 2201 NW 82nd Street, Lawton, OK 73505 G-Life magazine is published by Lawton First Assembly. It is distributed free of charge throughout Southwest Oklahoma. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. G-Life magazine is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to G-Life magazine will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. For information on where to find G-Life magazine, or how to become a distributor, call (580) 536-9325 or e-mail girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org. Copyright 2020 by Lawton First Assembly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is forbidden. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchaser, user, or patronage. ©Lawton First Assembly 2020 All Rights Reserved Volume 14, Number 2 girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org lawtonfirst.org/girlfriends facebook.com/lfagirlfriends twitter.com/lfagirlfriends Connect With Us G LIFE has a purpose – you! You have told us that the real stories of real women have inspired you! You have said that you look forward to every issue. I believe you will again be INSPIRED by this edition! However, If you are reading GLIFE for the first time, WELCOME! Over the years, many of our readers have become contributors. We believe that EVERY woman has a story, and EVERY woman has the power to encourage, to inspire. You will find in this issue real-life stories full of hope and encouragement. We believe you will be inspired, and if you are, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! I love this time of year, not necessarily the cold weather but the holidays that are part of this beautiful Winter Season. It's crazy. As much as I dislike the COLD weather, winter is the season I am most drawn to because it calls me to focus on what I hold most dear, and that is family. All year long I look at Pinterest for new ideas for decorating for anksgiving and Christmas, as I prepare for our family to be home. I search for a new breakfast casserole. I think about how I can rearrange my Christmas village decorations, and I think about the moment I will be able to sit in front of my village display with our GRANDS and talk. I love spending time with my family. Every year, I still have to remind myself to slow down and experience the beauty and wonder of it all. With that being said, I know that this past year, 2020, has been (to say the least) the most discombobulated year we have ever experienced, and this anksgiving and Christmas Season may have the appearance of being the most discombobulated Holiday Season – EVER! Our family traditions may have to take on a different appearance. Our time with one another may need to be a virtual gathering instead of a traditional one. We may have to find a NEW way of navigating this unprecedented season. Without a doubt, this holiday season is going to be different. It just is. It's not what we want, but the fact is – Covid-19 doesn't care that it's a holiday! So, we may have to celebrate differently. Instead of looking at the downside, I want to encourage you to look at bringing in new traditions. e holidays do not need to be canceled or minimized. While it's easy to focus on the things that we can't do right now, let's defeat the enemy and determine to make the most of the traditions that we can still safely continue! We can still decorate. We can still send cards and gifts. Figure out how to do the ZOOM thing. We can still have a virtual gathering, even if we can't be together in person with our friends and loved ones. Last anksgiving, our son, Matthew, was deployed to Korea and our Son-In-Love, Adolfo, is a Texas Trooper and had to work. We missed them being with us for our holiday, but we made sure they were part of the family picture, differently. Getting to "see" everyone when you can't be together in person is one lesson of the pandemic that I hope we keep. No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember that it is okay to feel bummed about the holidays not being the same as years past. Truth is, life is full of disappointment right now, and it is difficult. Girlfriends, if you can look at the holidays this year and the changes that the pandemic is imposing on us as an opportunity to make new memories, YOU JUST MIGHT BE SURPRISED and discover a new way of celebrating that will become a new family tradition. Friends, don't lose heart. I want to remind you of what the Bible says about going through difficult times. Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." In this passage, God is telling the Jewish people that He will be with them in their most troubling time, supporting them through their struggle, giving them the strength to move beyond and delivering them out of danger without harm. is scripture encourages me to TRUST in Him through my difficulties. I hope it encourages you, too. Still Surviving; Still Trusting! ■ Living and Loving Life! GRATEFUL, welcome

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