With the weather changing, school preparing to close, and summer quickly approaching, How 2 Women's Ministry Team is planning a number of exciting summer adventures.

Game night was a big success last year, so the team is planning two nights of competitive fun. Thursday, June 17, and Thursday, August 12, beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the youth building women are invited to meet for fellowship. Card games, board games, dominoes, and more will be offered. Have a favorite game? Bring it along. Snacks will be served and everyone is encouraged to bring a friend.

Christmas in July is a new event being planned for Thursday, July 22. Women in the church and the community are invited to come shopping. Vendors will be set up on the church grounds and refreshments will be served. In addition to door prizes every 30 minutes, there will be a large Christmas decorating package given away - including a live tree, gift wrappers, fresh cookies, and more. Make plans now to come out and enjoy an evening of early shopping and bring your neighbors along. There are a few surprises planned that will guarantee to get you in a festive spirit.

An exciting change that is sure to provide more opportunities for fun and personal ministry will be Secret Pals. Coordinator Carol Wietstruck will be focusing on new ways to expand this special ministry. Plans are to provide monthly prayer, gift, and card suggestions. Pals are still encouraged to be creative and secretive while serving, honoring, and lifting their sister in prayer. Those currently participating will keep their pals until Christmas when their identities will be revealed. New sisters will be chosen January 1.

A fall Bible Study is being prepared. Leah Cessna will be teaching this study and the time schedule will follow the Awana dates. Watch for more details and be in prayer for Leah.

Each day brings new adventures for women in the First Baptist family and Bellville. Billie Jo Schiel is proud to share that her daughter Neelie earned a beautiful saddle as best overall in Pee Wee girls at the Central Texas Youth Rodeo program in May. Congratulations to Neelie.  Proud grandmother Gail Sisson shares photographs of her grand daughter Hayley's cupcake creations. How amazing are these?  Hayley made and decorated these by herself. Pretty good for a 14 year old.

The Children's Ministry is preparing for High Seas adventure. This Vacation Bible School experience will be June 28 - July 2 from 9 - 12. Children's coordinator Billie Jo Schiel is searching for crew leaders. The most important job of the week, crew leaders will be responsible for five-six children and will spend the week getting to know them, helping them make their way through exciting stations such as story time, crafts, and games, and become a strong witness of love and caring. Please feel free to contact Billie Jo at the church office if you are willing to give this one week to God's service and bring children closer to Him. There are other areas to work, so please, contact the church to find a place. Training is underway and children are signing up. Be sure to register your children or grandchildren online at the church website.

Women's ministry is encouraging church members to submit photos, activities, and praises to the address how2ministries@yahoo.com Your prayer requests and praises are one way that we as a church family can continue to grow.

Prayer praises include:

Praise for Susan Phillips' mother Kate Spalinger - released from rehab and returned to her assisted living home in time for her birthday.

 Praise that Clyde and Lou Reeves' grandson Gareth has been prayed safely home and is gaining weight and healing.

Praise that Charlotte Pool, Priscilla Allen's sister-in-law will not need kidney surgery.

Prayer requests include:

Prayers for wisdom and strength for Pam Baley, Vicki Porter's daughter-in-law facing cancer treatments.

Prayers for Marsha Toole as she mourns the loss of her sister Melanie Brunette.

Prayers for continued strength for Sherry Villyard, Carolyn Ogden's cousin; Brenda Flisowski, Trevor Flisowski's stepmother; and Judith Watson, all facing more treatment and surgery for continuing illnesses.

Please be sure to share your needs, praises, and reports with us to share with your church family.

Welcome to the HOW2 Ministries Church Family Blog. Our women's team is excited to have this opportunity to share the lives of the First Baptist Family. God has given each of us unique situations that allow us to share His blessings and love and this blog will hopefully provide ways for our sisterhood to keep up with all that He is doing in our lives.

This blog will be updated as needed, but is designed to share all the family activities, ministries, opportunities, and current events God uses to bless our church family. Please send photos, news, information, and any suggestions to our e-mail address at how2ministries@yahoo.comWe appreciate the opportunity to share your children's praise reports, your families prayers needs, and your life situations with our women and look forward to hearing from you. We'll share anything from your grandchild's first steps to a great book you've recently finished to a new recipe for broccoli! Sharing our lives and building relationships is one of God's greatest gifts and a way to worship Him for all He provides.

The February HOW2 Women's Conference was a great blessing thanks to the effort of the women's ministry team and all those that participated. Speaker Becky Bader, musicians the Mathis Trio, and the pull-out session speakers gave us all so much information and wisdom that we will be busy the rest of the year growing in godliness. Many of the vendors will be back for Christmas in July, so be watching for them. Plans have already begun for next year and attendees are asked to share their likes/dislikes/suggestions with the team so next year's event can be an even greater blessing.

There are many upcoming events at the church that women can participate in and help support. We encourage you to select one and call the appropriate staff member.

GOOD NEWS CRUISE children's Musical, under the direction of Teresa Howard will be presented May 2. Call Teresa at 865-1304.

AWANA'S AWARD NIGHT is set for May 5. Contact Billie Jo at the church if you can bring refreshments or help in the kitchen.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLdates are set. June 28 - July2 our children will be participating in the High Seas Expedition program. Billie Jo has requested volunteers for kitchen help, crafts, games, class leadership, and pre-school areas. Please contact her to sign up. More information will be out, but set your calendars to bring your children, grandchildren, and the neighborhood friends.

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS- Every Sunday God's most precious little ones need to be cared for while their parents grow in the Lord. If you have a Sunday that you can offer to rock a sweet baby, play with a toddler, or read to a pre-schooler, please contact children's ministry team coordinator Teresa Howard, 856-1304, for a time to serve.

Be sure to check our pages How to Grow, How to Serve, and How to Lead for more information and updates. If you have any info that you'd like to share or activities to put on the women's site, please contact Lou Reeves at the HOW2 Ministries e-mail shown above.

Ladies, we look forward to hearing from you and keeping you updated with information on women's activities here at First Baptist Bellville. Be sure to contact us with any prayer needs or information you'd like to share with your church family.

PRAYER NEEDS and PRAISES LIFTED :

Rick and Denise Evans are expecting their fourth grandchild in October. Pray for Alison Evans as she is experiencing the first trimester of morning sickness while raising a two year old.

Members of the Library staff, Trisha Williams, LaNan Baker, and Susan Phillips are working to organize and coordinate the Library services. Contact one of them if you have books of videos to donate or materials that can be used. Stop by and see the amazing work these women have done and pray that our church will continue to grow in the Lord through this ministry.

Continue to lift our sisters Lillian Schindler and Celia Kincaid in prayer.Lillian's husband Marvin moved to be with the Lord in December and she recently lost her brother Marion, and two other family members as well in the last few weeks. Celia's husband Doug moved to heaven as well, recently, and she is adjusting. Prayers for comfort and peace as they go through this time are appreciated.

Clyde and Lou Reeves grandson, Gareth, is still recovering in Neo-Natal ICU in Dallas from surgery immediately following birth. Pray for a speedy recovery and trip home.

Susan Phillips' mother is recuperating in Columbus. Pray for strength.

Vicki Porter's daughter-in-law, Pam Baley, is fighting caner and traveling to Chicago for treatments. Pam has two-year-old triplets and an older child. Remember Vicki, Jim, and family as they all work together to get through this time.

Dena Meyers' daughter, Meghan, made a recent move to Austin. She and Braeden are working to get re-adjusted. Please pray for them as they are finding peace in their new home.

Lauren Cashion need to sell her house in Sherman.

Billie Jo Schiel is coordinating VBC for June and needs volunteers and prayers.

To submit prayer requests and praise reports, please send information to how2ministries@yahoo.com