Priority Ministries | Encouraging Women to Give God Priority | You Glo Girl!

How to Hit the Ground Running in 2010 by Laurie Cole, Founder & President Having a hard time getting into gear this New Year? I can so relate. But God gave me a word the other day that’s got me up and running into 2010, and I’m thinking that it just might be a word for you, too. My rough start into 2010 had its roots in 2009 when a cloud called “cancer” descended upon three very important people in my life: my dad, and my friends Janet Valentine and Debbie Todd. Daddy’s initial diagnosis (prostate cancer) was frightening, but his treatment was successful (thank you, Lord). Janet was diagnosed and continues to receive treatment for myelofibrosis (a rare form of leukemia). And Debbie’s husband (Bill) was diagnosed and began treatment for pancreatic cancer. Three of the dearest people in my life faced a frightening, formidable foe in 2009. And it broke my heart.	In This Issue How to Hit The Ground Running in 2010 Priority Passage of the Month Welcome Wes! Jots from Janet Priority Prayer Points Join Laurie for a Conference Glo-ing at Home
A big move in 2009 brought big changes to the Priority staff and me. In June, we made a much-needed move into our very first office space. For years, we all worked out of our homes, met in each other’s kitchens, and coordinated hundreds of details and projects via emails and phone calls. Moving into an office together streamlined our efficiency and increased our productivity. That was the upside of the new office. But unfortunately, there was also a downside . . . which brings me to the second reason why 2009 was tough on me. After working from my home (and enjoying being a homebody) for nearly 30 years, the new get-up-and-go-to-the-office schedule was a huge challenge for me. My daily routine including the most important part of it – my quiet time with God – was turned upside down in 2009. By the time January 2010 arrived, I had not only witnessed three of the most important people in my life suffer because of cancer, I also had evidence that was, to me, solid proof of my own personal failure to spiritually thrive in 2009: I hadn’t finished reading my 2009 One Year Bible. As someone who has been called to teach and encourage women to give God and His Word priority, I felt like a frustrated failure. Disheartened and discouraged, I began 2010 convinced that God was ready to bench me. But that’s when God caught me totally off guard. Like a Divine Coach speaking to a weary runner, He drew me close and gave me a pep talk instead: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame . . . Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT In the second week of January 2010, on a day when I was desperately trying to finish my 2009 One Year Bible while simultaneously beating myself up because I felt so behind in every area of my life, God reached out and touched me through the pages of His Word. And the power of those words revived and refreshed this 52-year-old runner. So what about you? Did 2009 take an emotional or, maybe, a physical toll on you? Perhaps you feel like you’ve fallen behind in your spiritual walk, too. If so, then would you to read Hebrews 12:1-3 again? It’s God’s divine pep talk for you. No, He doesn’t want you to quit. And no, He doesn’t want to bench you either. In fact, according to Hebrews 12:1-3, nothing could be further from the truth. God desperately wants you to know that heaven’s grandstands are filled with the men and women of faith – people just like you – who have run the same race you’re running. Yes, it took a toll on them, too, but they did it. And so can you. How? By looking forward by faith and keeping your eyes on one thing and one thing only: Jesus. Getting back in the race may also mean that, like me, you’ll have to strip off a few weights that are slowing you down – the sorrow, sadness, sin, and failures of 2009. And realistically you and I both need to face the fact that 2010 is going have its own heartaches and challenges. But if we’ll keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (and not on ourselves, our sins, or our circumstances – which is where I lost my footing and got sidelined), we will not grow weary and give up. Sounds good, huh?! I may be off to a slower start than I’d hoped for in 2010, but I’m so grateful to be back in the race again. Sister, don’t settle for the sidelines. C’mon, get up and running with me. And remember: I’m 52. So if I cross the finish line first, I promise to head straight to those heavenly grandstands and cheer you on. See you at the finish line! Your sister, Email Laurie
Priority Passage of the Month In this extra-snowy, colder-than-usual winter, here’s an encouraging passage to bring warmth and hope to your heart as you give God’s Word priority this month: (Don't forget! Click the Scripture above to view a printable format.)
Welcome Wes! Priority is thrilled to announce a new addition to our Board of Directors: Rev. Wes Holloman. Not only is Wes one of our very favorite people in the world (to know him is to love him), he has a wide variety of knowledge, experience, and creativity that will be a tremendous blessing to this ministry. Wes has been on staff at Sagemont Church in Houston , Texas , for over twelve years serving in a variety of music, youth and family ministry roles. He is currently the Associate Pastor/iCONNECT Ministries, formerly known as the Education and Family Minister. God called Wes to ministry when he came to Sagemont Church in 1997. He received his degree in business from Baylor University and is now working on his Masters of Christian Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kelli have been married for 12 years, and they have five children – Lanie, Cole, Maley Jane, Cooper, and Georgia. Wes joins Reagan and Lezli Busbee, Janet and Lee Valentine, and Laurie and Bill Cole on Priority’s Board of Directors. Please keep our Board members in your prayers as they undergird, oversee, and provide wisdom and leadership for Priority’s mission and ministry.

Jots from Janet by Janet Valentine, Director of Marketing & Events Priority needs your help, and it will only cost you a little time and computer savvy. If you’re a Facebook girl or if you have email addresses for a few (or a lot) of your girlfriends, your influence can help us in a BIG way. Here’s how: We want others to find out about Laurie, her speaking ministry, and Priority Bible Studies. And because word-of-mouth (your recommendation) is the most effective way to spread the word about anything, we’re asking you glo girls to help us by: Posting a brief recommendation or personal testimony about Laurie and/or Priority Bible Studies on your Facebook page with a link to our website (priorityministries.org). Becoming a fan of Laurie and Priority Ministries on Facebook, and invite your friends to become a fan, too. Posting a comment, recommendation, or personal testimony to our Facebook fan page. Sending an email to the women in your address book. Just a short and sweet note from you can introduce Laurie and Priority Bible Studies to many, many women. Sharing a brief testimony or recommendation. You may even cut, paste, and include the website links to the right so they can check Laurie and Priority out for themselves. Recommending Laurie and Priority Bible Studies to your church’s Women’s Ministry Director. Bless you and THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping us. We love and appreciate you!	Here are some links where others can connect with Laurie & Priority Ministries:

Priority Prayer Points by Nancy Campbell, Prayer Director We covet your prayers for Laurie and Priority, and we invite you to read and intercede for the following requests. Thank you! Pray for Laurie as she begins her 2010 speaking engagements. Pray for Laurie and the Priority staff as we prepare to pilot and produce an exciting, new Bible study project (we’ll share the details with you in next month’s newsletter). Pray for women all over the country who are beginning one of our Priority Bible Studies this month. We’d love to pray for you, too, so please send us your prayer request. We promise to pray for you faithfully and confidentially. Can’t wait to hear from you! Email Nancy your prayer request

Join Laurie for a Women's Conference If you live in the Houston area, you’re invited to join Laurie, the Priority staff, and the Sagemont Church Women’s Ministry for *Rooted in Royalty, a glorious women’s conference in February. We’d sure love to meet you there, so get the details and register online by visiting Sagemont’s website now! Dates: February 26-27, 2010 Time: Starting Friday, 5:00 p.m Where: Moody Gardens Conference Center , Galveston Cost: $60 - includes Friday dinner, breakfast & lunch on Saturday; conference notebook Conference Speakers: Mary Jo Sharp and Laurie Cole Special Entertainment: Louise DuArt and SQuire Rushnell: “One of America ’s most dynamic husband and wife duos to combine their talents into a hit show of inspirational comedy.” Praise & Worship Leader*: Jennifer James Sapaugh Hotel reservations are separate from this registration fee and must be made on your own. Call Moody Gardens at 1-888-388-8484 and ask for the Sagemont Women’s Ministry Retreat price of $149/night. Click here for more information or to register online

Glo-ing at Home by Jan Hart, Administrative Support The culmination of the busy holiday season and the beginning of a new year always encourages us to become better by improving our personal health, family priorities, or by organizing our homes and lives. Because “life can be crazy,” we are always thinking of simple ways to make life easier. For instance, we can eliminate much of our frustration and stress by taking a few minutes each day to remove clutter and organize an area or drawer in our homes. Personally, I do not function well if my home is not organized. And since I’ve spent many years juggling both work and home, allow me to share some of the things that have worked well for me and my family. Everything needs a place. When something new arrives, find a place for it soon! And yes, that may mean getting rid of something. Set your alarm clock 30 minutes to an hour earlier before your family is awake. Spend a few minutes with the Lord in prayer and in His Word, and also use this time to gather your thoughts, make your lists for the day, and de-clutter from the night before. This is #1 in my books. I strongly dislike coming home to clutter so I take about 30 minutes each morning to tidy up, put in a load of laundry, do dishes, make beds etc. It definitely improves my attitude in the evenings! Ask for your family’s help in putting their belongings in the right place. Provide labeled baskets and containers for each family member. Use a basket by the front door for keys, schoolwork, library books, etc. that will be needed for the next day. This will eliminate those frantic last minute searches the next morning. You can’t hide everything but you can contain it. Recognize where the clutter collects and set up attractive ways to deal with it – such as baskets, bowls, folders, boxes. Remove clothes from your closet that no longer fit or have outlasted their usefulness and give to a local charity. This will free up space and help someone with a need. Prepare an inventory of your pantry in a category/list format. List each item you use on a regular basis including food, cleaning and personal items. This makes creating your weekly grocery list a breeze and eliminates those unplanned trips to the grocery story – plus, it will save money. You might want to add an area for those new recipes or special dish ingredients. Sure hope a few of these ideas will prove helpful to you *glo* girls and make 2010 year of less stress and more joy! This month’s yummy recipe is a low-calorie version of a favorite soup. Delicious *and* figure-friendly! The perfect combination. Click on the recipe below to print!	Here's where Laurie & Janet are going and *glo-ing* soon. Please pray. Thanks! January 29-30 Women's Retreat Pantego Bible Church, Fort Worth, TX Contact: Dottie Williams February 26-27 Sagemont Women's Conference Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX Contact: Lezli Busbee Wanna book Laurie for your event? Here's how. ______________________ Priority Bible Studies __________________ Quick Links Visit our website Shop our online store Priority Bible Studies See our newsletter archives Email us __________________
Gotta Glo We gotta glo for now, but be sure to read next month’s issue of *You Glo Girl!* We’ve got some very exciting news to share with you about Laurie’s newest Bible study. Hint: it’s something *lots* of you have been asking for, and we’re so grateful for the way God has used you to encourage us. It’s a new year! It’s a new decade! It’s the perfect time to get up and run the race God has for you in 2010. So if the winter winds are blowing – or, even if it’s snowing – you keep *glo*-ing, girl!
Loving Him most, seeking Him first, Your sisters at Priority, Priority Ministries Staff Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Courtney Hays, Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart, Debbie Todd, Stephanie Cole, and Nancy Campbell (not pictured) “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart…soul…(and) mind.” Matt. 22:37 “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt. 6:33 Contact us at www.priorityministries.org Priority Ministries 711 West Bay Area Boulevard Suite #214 Webster, TX 77598 832-632-2197 Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit ministry.