July 2016

Sarahs 9 Month Graduation

My name is Sarah. Im 30 years old. I found out about the Refuge from my
mother. She knew someone who went to counseling at The Womens Refuge.
At first, I was very resistant to go in to the program. When I saw that I wanted
a change in my life I decided to go. I realized that I needed structure in my life.
It was time for me to mature and stop hurting those around me whom I loved
and who loved me. Since Ive been at the Refuge Ive learned that
co-dependency is a sin. I no longer feel responsible for others peoples actions.
I have also learned how to control my anger. God has done a miracle in my
life. He has turned my life around completely. After my graduation I will continue my job search and will be able to apply all the principles that I learned
here in my daily life. I want to thank all the counselors, staff, house managers,
interns and residents for supporting me through this process. But most
importantly I thank God for never letting me go! ~ Sarah

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.
Ps 46:1

Waiting
Dear Friends and family,

Sarah & Donna

Gods timing is always perfect!

Mark your calendars!

2016
GOLF TOURNAMENT
FUNDRAISER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 8:30AM

ORCHID ISLAND GOLF CLUB

MENS, WOMENS & MIXED FLIGHTS

WOMENS REFUGE OF VERO BEACH

772.770.4424 www.womensrefugevb.org

Meet our Board Members

Rebecca Oliver is a Florida native
and is the Associate Pastor at FUMC
of Vero Beach. She has over 28
years of experience in Christian
Education and holds a Bachelor of
Arts Degree in Religion from
Florida Southern College. Becky is
married to Bob Oliver with two
grown sons, Luke and Jacob. They
have one daughter in law
Jacqueline, who is married to Jake.

Time truly does not stand still. It does not wait on anyone
regardless of the persons circumstances. Standing on the
edge of the water at the beach, I experience an awesome
act of time when a wave separates from the vastness of
the ocean and touches my feet and then goes back out
again. Then, one after another comes and leaves me
standing on the shore. The old saying, Time after time
becomes clearer as one takes the time to stand at the
edge of the water and waits for the waves. This act of
God tends to comfort me as I stand and wait.
Dear souls come to the Womens Refuge seeking answers
to the agonies they are experiencing. Their words are like
those of the writer of Psalm 130:1 when he says, Out of
the depths I cry to You, O Lord! Let Your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy! All of us tend to want
answers to the troubles we face, but are we willing to
wait for them?

Rebecca
Oliver
President

Langie Mannion has lived in Vero

Beach for 20 years, moving here
with her husband, Bill, from the
mountains of Colorado. She met
Donna at her Friday morning Bible
study soon after the Womens
Refuge opened. Langie has been
involved in all aspects ever since,
Langie
from being a counselee to being on
Mannion
Vice-President the Board, and is still attending the
Friday morning Bible study!

measure of assurance that something is forthcoming. We

believers call this faith in God. A believer who comes to
the Refuge may struggle with anger, fear, or guilt, but she
still wants to trust that her Creator will help her in her
despair. Thus, often the women at the Refuge wait when
they are studying, working, and occasionally walking on
the beach.
I remember times when Ive waited somewhat impatiently for relief from the trials that I was facing, and I quoted
from Psalm 130: 5-6, I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more
than watchmen for the morning, more than
watchmen for the morning. Sometimes the relief or
answers that I was seeking were not what I wanted, but
even those were answers from our Sovereign Lord who
knows and even plans the future.
When the prophet Habakkuk faced a vast enemy advancing towards his country, he said, I hear, and my body
trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters
into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will
quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people
who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and
the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the
LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the
Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deers; He
makes me tread on my high places (Habakkuk 3: 16-19).

During these difficult times in our country and our world

at large, we are encouraged to seek answers from our
Creator, and we are also encouraged to trust Him as we
worship, walk, work and wait.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but
in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The person who sincerely waits for an answer has a

Isaiah 40:31 assures us that they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they
shall walk and not faint. May you be encouraged and
renewed in Christ as you wait on the Lord and trust Him
with all of your life. ~ Donna

Kates Three Weeks

Due to the tremendous trauma I have endured over the last

three years, I was depressed and emotionally drained. My biggest goals were to begin the
process of forgiving my ex-husband and to learn some skills in dealing with my teenage
daughters. Through the books, counseling and confrontation I can see that God has done far
more than that. Ive always known I was controlling but not to the level I was. Ouch! God has
begun to gently point out to me when I am trying to control things that arent mine to control. Its a comfort to know I dont have to do anything and God will love me stillthat I am
completely forgiven and righteous and in Christs life. Also, to know that all my girls are
sitting in the heavenlies with Christ has freed me from being responsible for their lives and
actions and allows me to just love them. Walking this out is going to be a challenge but Im
grateful for the knowledge and tools Ive gained to trust God completely with all of our lives.
Thank you all for the sacrifices you make every day so that women can find their identities in
Christ and lives of abundance. ~ Kate
. . . so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come
again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him . Hebrews 9:28

Is your tongue out of control?

The tongue is one of the most exercised muscles of our
body. However, for the Christian, the use of the tongue must
be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. The Bible
warns believers who dont bring restraint to their tongue
and speech have been deceived and without control over
their words, their religious acts are worthless and hypocritical. If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not
bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this ones
religion is useless (James 1:26). Elsewhere James gives
warning of the evil poison of the tongue. Some try to use
their tongue as praise and blessing to God then turn to use
their tongue to speak evil of one another. With it we bless
our God and Father, and with it we curse men . . . Out of the
same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not to be so (James 3:9-10). If you realize your tongue is out of control, seek His forgiveness and
allow Him to change the attitude of your heart so you will be
pleasing to Him. Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD,
my strength and my Redeemer: (Psalm 19:14).

Our Conquering Co-Dependency class is

a Christ-centered 12-step process which
helps you recognize the painful problems
of codependencythe compulsion to fix
everyone and everything. It offers sound
Biblical strategies that give hope and
promise healing from the damage
codependency can do to your life.

Down time from our studieswe do have fun together!

Volunteer

Donate

For current residents and

those coming into the
program

At our Resale Storean

immediate need during
our ongoing expansion

Furniture, clothing and

household items to our
Resale Store

Computer technical help

in the office

New computer

For a new Public Relations Director

Are you determined to please others,

even if you harm yourself emotionally in
the process? Do you feel you must
succeed at all costs? Are you inclined to
perfectionism?
Do
you
often
experience hurt, anger and guilt?

Pray

For upcoming Fundraisers

Portable CD players and

earbuds

Leadership Conference
August 7th - 13th

New classes starting 6/29

This class will help you:

Ways you can help

For our Board and Staff

wisdom to lead and guide
others in Gods Word

Conquering CoDependency

and

For almost 20 years, the Womens Refuge has

provided healing and wholeness through Christ
to emotionally and spiritually wounded women
from around the world.
Our unique program model will be shared at
the 7th Annual Leadership Conference. We
welcome women who have a desire and a
calling to develop their leadership skills.
The conference will cover topics such as:

Learn a Christ-centered 12-step

process
toward
recovery
from
codependency
Acknowledge
compulsions

Staff and class attendees looking over material

define

your

Understand the role your parents

have played

Deal with painful guilt

Depend on God through Christ to

restore you to spiritual and emotional
health

Our next Conquering Codependency

class starts Wednesday, June 29th from
3-5 pm. The cost for the 12 week class
is $50 which includes the workbook.
Call our office today to sign up!
772-770-4424

Starting a Refuge

Identity in Christ

Fundraising and
Public Relations

Gods Will for Your

Life

House Managing
Anger Management

Facilitating Support
Groups

The Surrendered
Servant

Life HistoryTelling
your story

The cost of $350 includes training manual,

seminars, meals & lodging. Space is limited.
Make plans now to attend!

Call today to make your reservation.

772-770-4424