Sisterto
Sister
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
etter from the Editor
Welcome to the first issue of our new publication from
the Women’s Ministry, Sister to Sister! We, the staff, are very
excited and hope all of you will find something useful or
uplifting. We encourage your participation and suggestions.
Our goals are simple: Keep the ladies of our church family
informed of opportunities within the Women’s Ministry; list
any needs within the church family where we can reach out;
get to know each other, really know each other! Since this is
our first issue, we are “testing the waters.” We all hope you
will find something interesting and uplifting in each issue.
Many Blessings --- Martha Noe
Beginnings
by Nancy Anderson
“In January, anything is possible.” This was the first line
in a recent newspaper article about gardening. However, it
sums up how most people feel about a new year. Each New
Year, people make promises and see possibilities that they
do not make or see other times of the year. Beginnings seem
to be full of promise, such as the beginning of a new job,
the beginning of a marriage, a move to a new city. We as a
society tend to choose New Year’s Day as the time to make
promises to ourselves to make positive changes in our lives.
After all, who makes July 1 resolutions? These beginnings
are seen as a new start – a psychological break in time that
allows us to put the old behind us and live up to the promise
of the future. In God’s world, the time to make a new start
is anytime. January 1 doesn’t mean anything to God; His
calendar is totally different from ours. In Psalm 51:10, David
asks God to “create in me a new heart, renew a steadfast
spirit within me.” You can ask God for this at anytime and it
will be granted. On January 1, February 1, or July 18. They
are each the best time to start fresh with God.
Sister to Sister Staff:
Nancy Anderson Sarah Bates Barbara Brooks
Melanie Brunett Sharon Daniels Diane Ellison
Melanie Evans Martha Noe Sallie Nurse
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Volume I, Issue 1: New Beginnings
Interview with
Jan Lira
by Diane Ellison; introduction by Martha Noe
I don’t think you will find a person in our church family
who doesn’t know Jan Lira. She has been an active part of
this family for years. About 8 years ago, Jan and her husband
Danny made a prayerful choice….she would leave her full
time, well paying job with Lancôme to take on the more
than full time, non-paying role of Women’s Ministry leader.
She felt God’s leading and because she and Danny trusted
in Him, our Women’s Ministry is growing and reaching
out to our congregation with weekly Bible studies, prayer
ministries, visitation and many other areas. As Jan followed
the leading of the Spirit, there aren’t many whose lives she
hasn’t impacted in one way or another. Let me introduce you
to my friend, Jan. Jan is married to Danny Lira and has two
beautiful daughters. Mary is attending Harding University
and Emily and her husband, Adam, live in St. Petersburg,
Florida. Now you can get to know Jan… in her own words.
Q: Since the theme for January is “New Beginnings,”
I thought you might like to talk about your life’s new beginning
in Christ.
A: Sure, my favorite subject!
Q: Knowing you were raised in a
Christian family, what do you see as the
turning point in your faith making it
yours (not just how you were raised),
giving you your personal relationship
with Christ and a new life in Him?
A: I was raised in a loving home
and in a very conservative church. I
began questioning some of the more
legalistic views even while in college. (And I went to Freed-
Hardeman.) I have always loved God and always
prayed often.
Looking back, my faith was very selfish. It was what
God could do for me. Come on, God, I am doing ____ and I
want Your blessings and Your help. I did not understand that
I needed to be seeking what God wanted me to do until I
began to hit crisis after crisis.
The change came during the time of my second divorce,
the death of my Dad and some other revelations that were
even more devastating than the others. I became desperate
enough and humble enough to cry out to God to show me
the way. And, boy, did He! God came crashing out of the box
that I had Him in and pursued me and loved me and forgave
me and very clearly showed me His will for my life.
contined on page 2
Inter view contd.
The miracles that came from letting God be in control
could fill a book! The more I allowed God to work, the
more He showed me. That is when my
relationship with God became the most
important part of my life. God came
Living dependent on God and His
Spirit might sound like a boring way to crashing out
live, but let me assure you, it has been an
adventure. Believe me, I do not always get of the box
it right, but I believe with all my heart.
Examples of this adventure are that I had
the way that God brought Danny and I
together, Danny’s business, and so much Him in...
that has happened with our girls. Life with
God has been the most fulfilling, fun, peaceful, rollercoaster
of adventure that I could ever conjure up or imagine.
Q: What is the basis of your faith? In other words, why do you
believe in God and Christ?
A: I know that there are a lot of very intelligent people out
there who spend a lot of time thinking about and showing
proof of God’s existence. But for me to say that I did not
believe would be as silly as saying I did not know if Danny
existed. I know because I have a personal relationship
with Him.
I KNOW that God is who He says He is and that His Son
came to this earth to die for my sins and yours. And I KNOW
that when He went back to Heaven to live with the Father, He
sent His Spirit to live in His followers to help us and guide us
to Heaven. I KNOW that His divine Word is alive and God-
breathed. I KNOW all this because I experience it all daily.
As my own transformation happened and I began to
experience God and believe with my whole heart, soul and
mind, I began to hear His call to me to start this Women’s
Ministry. It is my passion on earth to be God’s vessel to show
other women that they have help in God, and to be authentic
and real and encouraging to one another and to love each
other with God’s love.
Women’s Bible Study
Please join the ladies of our congregation for weekly Bible
Studies lead by Jan Lira. These will resume on Tuesday,
January 25, 2011 from 7 – 9 p.m. at Jan’s home. Or join us on
Thursday morning’s beginning on January 27, 2011
beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church building. This session
will be a study of the Book of John. Feel free to contact Jan
for additional information.
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I hope and pray that others can know and love God
without having to go through some of the devastation that I
had to go through to start to understand God’s love.
Q: What advice would you give to women just
beginning their faith walk or struggling with
their faith?
A: First of all, I would say that God is ALWAYS
faithful. If you go to Him with humility and a
desire for truth, even if you are questioning, He
will show you.
I think that you need to be deliberate in
your walk with Him. As you would with any
relationship, you need to make an effort. I started
with writing my prayers to God. I tend to be very
A.D.D., and writing helps me focus. Also, because I was in a
bad place, in the beginning, I started with writing to Him all
the things I was grateful for that day. Then I would pour my
heart out with all the pain and questions. I still write out my
prayers or I get on my knees and talk out loud.
When I have a big issue that I need a word from God
about immediately, I will do a 24-hour fast, and I will write
out what it is that I need His advice or help about. I have
never failed to hear from Him in a big way when I took
that step.
I would also say that it is important to be in the Word
daily. That is why I am always in a Bible study; it helps
me to be accountable, and I am less likely to be lazy about
that when I am in a group study. I also think that when you
are in a group, you find out that you are not alone in the
areas where you struggle. That has been one of the most
rewarding things about the Bible studies - the way the
ladies have reached out to one another with encouragement
and help.
It is always good to have a friend that you can trust to
help you and have someone to vent to and bounce stuff
off - just make sure that friend is in a good place in her
relationship with God.
Community Outreach
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WEAR USED UNDERGARMENTS
Inspired by lessons during Pinnacle a group, led
by Martha Noe and Myrna McGimsey, has organized a
continuing ministry donating new underwear to the Center
for Women and Families four times a year. There is need for
men, women and children. Adult sizes should be larger, XL,
XXL and equivalent. Please leave items in the large basket
near the library book display just off the foyer. Please keep in
mind there will be a continuing need so please remember us
throughout the year.

Ministry Leader
MOMs: Sandi Haustien

MOMs, our church’s ministry to mothers with young children, exists to give women the opportunity to journey through
motherhood alongside others just like them. Our purpose is to learn from one another, share ideas and struggles, and to
encourage each woman to grow in her relationship with God and as a wife, mother, and friend. If you
are a mother of a child aged newborn through elementary-aged children, we would love for you to
come be a part of a fun morning with us!
MOMs meet at the building on the 2nd and 4th Monday, September to May, from 9:30 to 11:30
a.m. Childcare is provided by loving, experienced women. At our meetings we share in breakfast
and a devotional together before enjoying a presentation on fun topics that relate to marriage,
parenting, friendship, or household management. We also spend time in prayer and have fun together
with icebreakers and small giveaways. Some of our remaining topics for the year are: The Ins and
Outs of Housecleaning, Growing in Service as a Family, Pamper Me Day, and Navigating Difficult
Relationships with Parents and In-laws.
If you are unable to come to meetings on Monday but are still looking for ways to connect with
other moms, please join us for our MOMs Night Out! They are scheduled every other month -- watch
the bulletin for details.

Motherhood, Beginning Anew

by Sarah Bates

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . .

.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
It’s my opinion that in the pantheon of new beginnings,
becoming a parent ranks first as the most challenging a
person will ever undertake. It’s far more mentally taxing
than starting a new job. At least in most cases, new
employees have the luxury of receiving hands-on training
for the tasks they’ll be asked to perform. It’s also more
emotionally grueling than moving to a new city. Cities are
easy to navigate thanks to mobile device apps that provide
everything from directions to restaurant recommendations.
And while it’s true that parenting classes and apps abound,
I learned very quickly that being armed with all the
knowledge available on the World Wide Web does very little
to soothe your rattled nerves when your infant is awake and
screaming from
2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
I remember feeling calm and confident
before our first child was born. I had ...I became
read extensively on everything from the one of those
importance of establishing a bedtime routine
to the order in which you should introduce bedraggled new
pureed foods. I solicited insight from friends
and family members whose parenting
mothers who
skills I respected and politely listened to can’t manage to
the unsolicited advice of everyone who felt
inclined to give it. Everything else, I believed, take a shower.
must fall into the category of common sense,
and so trusting that my husband and I were proficient in that
category, I felt adequately prepared to raise a child.
I learned very quickly after our daughter was born that
my confidence was ill-founded. I remember talking to a close
family friend and father of three about our “plan” for teaching
our infant to sleep peacefully through the night. He smiled
knowingly as I referenced a book that had been given to me
by a friend whose own children were champion sleepers, and
when I had finished, he quietly responded, “The problem is,
the baby hasn’t read that book.”
As it turned out, very little of the advice I gleaned from
books proved effective in my earliest days as a mother. Not
only had my little bundle of joy not read those books, but she
very rarely exhibited any “typical” infant behaviors, and so
the books went out the window.
At my lowest point, I became one of those bedraggled
new mothers who can’t manage to take a shower. After
wondering for years what was so difficult about plopping a
baby in a swing or crib for 15 minutes, I learned exactly what
was so difficult about it. Namely, the baby never cooperated.
Since my daughter’s preferred napping spot was on
my chest, showering during naps was impossible. When
not sleeping on me, my daughter demanded my undivided
attention and was quick to voice her discontent if she didn’t
have it. When faced with the choice of listening
to my daughter scream her head off for 15
minutes or being clean, I often chose to simply
slap a ball cap on my head until my husband
got home to relieve me.
After weeks of sleepless nights and
exhausting days, I began to question why in
the world God had entrusted me with a child.
Having been largely unsuccessful at following
the wonderful advice I’d received, I felt like a
supreme failure as a mother. Added to that self-
doubt was the stress precipitated by my rapidly
approaching return to work. Almost everyone I had talked
to before my daughter was born had extolled the benefits of
having the baby on a “schedule” before returning to work.
It allegedly made life easier for everyone, yet I had failed to
execute even that one seemingly simple task.
contined on page 4

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Motherhood contd.
It was in that frame of mind that I began sifting through
the mail one morning. After several weeks of a steady stream
of good wishes, our daily delivery had returned to its more
normal array of catalogues and credit card offers. But on
that day, one small, hand-addressed envelope stood out from
the rest. I slit the envelope and pulled out a single note card.
In sprawling script across the card were the words “Can’t
wait to see that baby!” At the top was printed, “Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up . . .”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
The words were like salve to my wounded spirit, and
tears rolled from my eyes. The Lord knew my pain, and He
had sent that message from Tom Meadows to reassure me,
to build me up. My strength and faith in myself restored,
I returned to the work of being a new mom with more
confidence and joy than I had felt in weeks.I even managed
to establish a “routine”, if not a by-the-clock schedule, before
I returned to my day job several weeks later.
And so, as we begin a new year, let us all resolve to
encourage new parents as they embark on the journey that
is parenthood.

My Story
I am Martha Anne Elkins Noe. It would probably
surprise some of you to know I have been at this church
(off and on) since birth. I have three wonderful children,
Anthony – age 35, Laura – age 34 and Erika – age 31. I have
two precious granddaughters, Brianna – age 13, and Katie
– age 6, with two more grandbabies on the way. If you have
been around awhile, you might remember my kiddos. They
were raised here. Brianna is an active participant in our
Youth Group. I have been single for about 25 years now. So
what’s my story? Here is the one that brought me home to
Westport Road.
I thought my professional life would be smooth sailing
until retirement. I was wrong. It began to crumble in 2005.
Over the next four years, the downward spiral continued. In
June of 2009, while indifferent in my faith, I decided to take
a leap of faith and leave my job without another job. I really
thought it was the right thing to do but talk about anxiety. I
decided it was time to ask for help. I sent a message to a few
friends I knew would stand in the gap and pray for me. One
was to the Lira family. Well, within ten minutes of hitting the
send button, I got a phone call from Danny Lira... “Can we
talk?” The rest is in the history books. I started to work as
Danny’s office manager in July 2009 and so started this leg
of my life’s journey. After four agonizing years, I was finally
where God needed me to be so He and I could take the
next step.
I tried to walk with God, but needed to learn how
again…to trust Him with 100% of my being. As a control
freak, that is hard! I needed to take the time to listen to God.
Though I tried, I failed!
So the trials of life kept coming…and coming…and
coming. Why was all this happening to me? I just didn’t
understand. I was trying so hard. I was going to church
regularly. I was spending time with God daily. Why, why,
why?
I was lamenting about my trials…having a bit of a
breakdown. Slowly the realization came; I was fighting a
spiritual battle. I pleaded “God, please bring me some hope.
I need some assurance so I can have peace. I can’t take this
any longer!” I opened my Bible, looking for some “sign”!
Well, wouldn’t you know it, at that very moment on my
deck, in Oldham County, Kentucky, the God of the universe
spoke to me…me. My bible opened to John 14. I began to
read as Jesus comforted is disciples. Verse 27, “Peace I leave
you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do
not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Verse
30, “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of
this world is coming. He has no hold on me.” God’s peace
came over me, the peace that passes all understanding. Yes,
it is a spiritual battle. Satan is alive and well and living close
by. But “he has no hold on me.” I am a child of God and He
will fight for me.
How does my story end? I will continue to have trials and
struggles in this world that is not ours. My story ends when I
see my precious Jesus and he welcomes me, His Child.

Women’s Ministr y Leaders

Bible Study – Jan Lira Prayer – Jan Lira, Myrna McGimsey Visitation – Blenda Fields, Gina Miller
Singles – Carol Leigh Greeters – Nan Swanson Wednesday meal prep – Nan Swanson
Food Committee – Carol Gilmour Children’s Ministr y – Connie Pape Note Writers – Linda Engler
Crafts – Raegan Lalli Events – Diane Ellison Showers – Tara Baldwin
Sister to Sister – Martha Noe MOMs – Sandi Haustein MDO – Erin Simmons
Preschool – Faye Holley