Lawton First Assembly

4 fall 2016/winter 2017 Lawton First Assembly Women's Magazine Women's Pastor Debbie Pratt Assistant Bethany Kuehny Art Director Heather Chatterjee Editorial Assistant Sallie Koll Editorial Assistant Ashley Ghrayyeb Publishing Consultant Laura Clevenger Contributors Ashley Ghrayyeb, Rene Wilkins, Sarah Everitt, Valorie Burton, Kristen Clark, Bethany Baird, Ashley Caldwell, Lynn Bennett Advertising Opportunities (580) 536-9325 E-mail: girlfriends@lawtonfi rst.org G-Life Magazine Lawton First Assembly of God 2201 N.W. 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 eff ort 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 fi nd G-Life magazine, or how to become a distributor, call (580) 536-9325 or e-mail girlfriends@lawtonfi rst.org. Copyright 2016 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 2016 All Rights Reserved Volume 10, Number 2 girlfriends@lawtonfi rst.org lawtonfi rst.org/ministries/girlfriends facebook.com/lfagirlfriends twitter.com/lfagirlfriends Connect With Us G LIFE has a purpose! YOU! You are the reason we have been publishing this magazine for 10 years! You've told us that the "real" stories of "real" women have inspired you! You've said that you look forward to every issue. I believe you will be INSPIRED by this edition. However, if you are reading GLIFE for the fi rst time, WELCOME! Many of our readers have become contributors to GLIFE over the years. We believe that EVERY woman has a story and EVERY woman has the power to encourage and to inspire. You will fi nd in this issue of GLIFE 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! As you read this edition of GLIFE, my prayer is that you will think about how you live your life every day. Do you make choices that will impact others in a positive way? Do you look for ways to inspire someone along the journey? Webster's Dictionary defi nes inspiration as the following: • arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity • a product of your creative thinking and work; "he had little respect for the inspirations of other artists" • a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem • divine guidance: (theology) a special infl uence of a divinity on the minds of human beings; "they believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance" • arousing to a particular emotion or action We actually hear this word a lot. My question for you is, "Who or what inspires you?" Often when this question is asked, we answer with someone famous or maybe our parents. I've found inspiration to be in many diff erent and even unorthodox places. I have been inspired by many of the women who have written and shared their everyday experiences, their struggles, and maybe their visible or invisible scars of life. When I read a Girlfriend's journey, often I fi nd peace, love, and happiness, and I am inspired by their tenacity to lean into God. Many Girlfriends have shared that they are inspired by the stories I have shared in GLIFE. I am so very GRATEFUL that I have managed to fi nd true happiness and have a very full, enjoyable life; I am a regular, normal, human being. I only share stories from my experiences to share HOPE and to inspire others to open up their hearts and minds to a God that loves them and wants to encourage them along their journey. roughout my life, I have been inspired by family, friends, bosses, co-workers, sunrises and sunsets, the beauty created by God, and SO MUCH MORE. I enjoy sharing experiences of my journey…but most of all I LOVE to hear your journeys, your struggles, your INSPIRATIONS. It is a beautiful thing when we can all share and learn from each other. Living and Loving Life! Grateful! ■ welcome

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