Awesome East Area

Senior boys and Dads travel to Indy for college visit.

2011-11-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

John L and Patrick P took the Senior boys down to a JAG day at IUPUI, for prospective students! Here they are, with Joan Mattimore too, who lives in one of the women's households, along with Katie Anne Havard, at the triangle in Indianapolis.

40 Anniversary Celebration continues...

2011-10-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

East Area Wins - go BLUE!!!!!

2011-09-14T05:52:00.001-07:00

Cheerful participants, an amazing parade with chants led by our fearless leader, John, and team flags by Kris D and Sheila L, stationary and non-stationary teams, cheers for OTHER teams (led by our amazing teen boys!), and more. What a fun day!

Thank you, Lord, for 40 years of life together in the People of Praise!

Seders 2011

2011-05-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Our area had Seder meals in small groups this year. There were various configurations and times....here is a glimpse of the dinner at the Pingel home.

To life! And, to our victory in Christ!

"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

2011-03-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Let the good times roll!

Our area was joined by the Rowland area on Sunday evening for a meal and party, to celebrate Mardi Gras. For some who had never seen or eaten King Cake, or heard of Moon Pies, it was an enlightening experience. :) It looked like people enjoyed the food, the fellowship and the music. Kids got to run, dance, sing, throw, jump, and....eat lots of CANDY.

Many thanks to all who helped make the event work, including Betsy C, Chris U and Mary Ann G, who orchestrated the meal, and to Christen Marie and Jenna and Sophia O who painted faces, supervised mask decorations and more in the craft area. So many of you pitched in to help at various points that it really WAS a group effort to pull it off and make it work. Thanks to you ALL!

Praise God for the Body!

Changing of the guard....

2011-02-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

Patrick Pingel is transitioning to lead our music ministry, so John Loughran has been appointed to lead our area now. So, change is afoot! A hearty welcome to John Loughran, and Sheila and the children - we are excited to have to join us in the area. And a sad goodbye to Patrick as our coordinator, though we are thrilled you and Beth and the family remain in our area at this time. Thanks for all the love and service you have shown us for several years, as you have cared for us, and nurtured us.

Praise God. Good things will come out of it all!

Minute to Win It!

2011-02-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

What a crazy, fun gathering - we have seen Bob Waymouth, Nancy Neal, and Emilie Grondin in a new way (to name just a few)!!! And, let's not forget the great job that the kids did, beating several of the adults along the way (like Tess, the Face the Cookie champion!). Cheers to Daniel Pingel for PERFECT execution of the cup-stacking game!

Red team will get the blue team next time!!

Special thanks to John and Mary Behrens for heading up the teams!

Here are a few photos sent by Beth Couch (thanks Beth!):

Tubing Time!

2011-01-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

We got together on Sat night at Baugo Creek for a bi-area tubing event, that included Work College and Action folks as well. It was a fun time, with lots of snow, laughing, and screaming outside, and warmth, food and fellowship inside. Thanks to all who came and helped us all have a good time together!!!

If anyone has pictures they want to include here, please email me (Jen) and I will load them up!

Small Grouping Smorgasboard!

2010-09-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, members of the area were able to choose from 4 events going on throughout the weekend. There was a wine and cheese gathering of adults at the Pingles, a family bike ride with the Feeks, a football party at the Havards and a chili backyard supper with the Behrens.

Pictures from the gathering at the Pingels are posted here - anyone with pictures can send them to me and I will add them in.

Praising God for the Body!

We will miss you, Jean!

2010-09-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Last week, we said good-bye to our dear sister, Jean Chambers, who lost the battle with cancer, but won the victory in Christ! Her husband, Stan, is still here with us, and we celebrate, and grieve, with him.

Thanks to everyone in the area who served & loved the Chambers so beautifully for all these many months. Special thanks to Bob Stahl, Melanie D and her WG, and to Beth P who coordinated the funeral lunch. There were so many powerful moments of God's Glory shining through you all.

Thank you Father for the gift of Jean & Stan!

From Marge C to the area...

2010-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

After 8 happy years in the East Area, I'm transferring back to my old geographic area, the NW. I will miss all of you! Two memories especially stand out: Dale's death, wake and funeral, filled with the glory and power of God; and the women's luau, filled with laughter and the beauty of God. My life has been changed because of you; so has my house: there's my new kitchen, made possible by the demolition project you brothers carried out, and the good advice Maureen McDonough and other sisters gave me; and my new fence, masterminded by John and Phil DeLee and implemented by so many others. There's a special spirit about the EA that comes from the close bonds of a long-shared history. Thank you for sharing your life with me, for serving and loving me, and letting me serve and love you.~Marge

Irish Party

2010-03-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

St Patrick was well honored by our area party that was combined with the Loughran area. There was face-painting and Irish food, Irish trivia, music and decorations!

That's Amore

2010-03-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

The men cooked for the women, and served it to us with style, for St Valentine's Day! From the appetizers to the desserts and everything in between, it was a first class Italian meal, planned out by Randy P and executed by most of our area men and older boys. The young men served the ladies (and their moms) at the tables, and cleared tables at the end.

Thanks guys!

60 years of marriage, Harold and Joan

2010-03-29T13:28:00.001-07:00

Looking pretty happy down in FL....

Small group gatherings....

2010-03-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

Betsy Cotter hosted a Lord's Day gathering for the single women of the area, while everyone else met in men's group formations (with spouses). It was a nice opportunity to relax and visit and talk, sharing our lives together. I heard of one group that met over drinks at Hacienda on a Thursday night, another that had a wine and cheese party on Sunday night. So, each group worked out its own time and place and format. It would be interesting to hear what other people did too. (You can post a comment and tell us what you did if you want to!)

Praise God for the Body!

Tubing Extravaganza!

2010-01-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

We combined with the Loughran and Was areas in a night of tubing at St Patrick's Park...the weather was just right, the snow was slick and the cabin was warm!

God is so good to us, isn't He?!

Christmas Caroling Extravaganza!

2009-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

We gathered at the Couch home in Winding Brook for our Christmas party on Saturday night. The teens from Action were invited to join us, along with teens in our area, and together, we made a wonderful multi-generational bunch! There were also guests from the neighborhood with us.

We celebrated with a huge spread of food and drink, and had a really good time caroling on the porch to the people going by touring the lights. Lots of smiles and laughter, beautiful harmonies, and waves to the crowds.

Emmanuel, God is with us! He certainly was with us this night.

Women's Retreat 2009

2009-11-02T08:54:00.001-08:00

With Craig Lent, the women were introduced to the meditations as a tool to get to know the Lord better. Lots of good prayer times and discussion groups, primarily by women's groups. There were fun moments of movie watching, football spectating and cheering and dancing, meals together, walks, "stretching with Mary" and more. God is SO good to us, and has given us such a rich life together.

To make it easy for those who want to continue to use the meditations in prayer times, as Craig mentioned, I've included the link here: http://peopleofpraise.org/meditations/ There are audio and video files there as well. Mike Zusi's sharing, My Experience with Meditations, that Craig mentioned, is at the bottom of the page. There is also a link to the book, A Friendship Like No Other, that he referred to, Mary Francis' talk on discernment, and Paul Decelles' talks on Love and Friendship. What a great resource!

If anyone took pictures on the retreat they would like to post here, please email them to me!

Pancake Breakfast Pt 2

2009-10-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

More breakfast moments together....

Pancake Breakfast

2009-10-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Good times, fellowship, good food, sharing, play time in the soccer arena....

Candid Sr. moments! :)

2009-10-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sue S and Jaci, and Sandy H, all joyful in the Lord!

Fun loving sisters!

2009-10-23T11:36:00.001-07:00

Upper: Maureen, Joan, Pat and Gwen
Middle: Barb and Connie
Lower: Melanie and Marti

Gloria!

2009-10-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

Marge C, proud grandmother, sent this:

"This is just a quick note to say that we had our little gal, Gloria Marie C on Saturday, October 17 . . . nearly a week early. She weighed 8 lbs and 2 oz and was born during the first half of the Notre Dame-USC game, despite strict orders from our doctor to come any time but then!

Both mother and baby are healthy and happy. We look forward to seeing all of you and thank you for your prayers and for all the help and encouragement you've given us."

I thank you God for most this amazing day!

2009-10-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JouB6jWWnM&feature=related

This is the video that Colleen P mentioned at the WEPP tonight. Inspired!

Saying goodbye...

2009-10-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

to Dan and Anne was bittersweet! John and Gwen hosted a lovely party at their home, and we gathered to celebrate them and especially honor Anne for all her love and service as a handmaid. Link to the WIKI is still active at: http://eastarea.wikispaces.com/

We are a fun bunch!

Exciting night!

2009-09-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

All the areas met together tonight for an exciting and memorable night of fireworks at the Center! Music, rain, refreshments, fellowship, playing, and LOTS of fire power in the sky...and a little fire power close the ground in a scary moment or 2. Praise God no one was hurt, and all enjoyed the fabulous display of light.

Anyone take any pictures I can add? Send them to me and I will post them!

Change

2009-09-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

There has been a change in handmaids for our area, with Anne Brewer headed out, and Beth Couch and Beth Pingel headed in. Anne has done SUCH a service for so MANY years for us. We are so grateful!! She's done so much that they had to appoint 2 to take her place. :) Thank you, Anne.

Some like it hot!!!!

2009-08-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Some cool shots of our hot gathering.

Jackie's 75th

2008-03-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

What an awesome party for an awesome lady!!!! Jackie's family was so gracious and anxious to meet all of us. Jackie was sooo happy! It was so great to hear all the fun stories of the many aspects of Jackie's life. We love you, Jackie! Thanks for all your service to the East Area.

Seder Meal

2008-03-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful Seder we had this year! Thanks to everyone who fixed a dish or dishes for our meal. It was so great being in the kitchen and seeing everyone working to get the tables set, the drinks poured, the ceremonial foods divvied up, the lamb cut, and the food served. Then afterwards people worked hard to wash dishes, put away tables, and clean floors. Everyone did their part to make the whole evening work so smoothly.

Women's Cook-off

2007-07-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Area cooking night

Here's some fun pictures of the women of the area cooking up a storm in preparation for Judy's needs after surgery. Fun night of fellowship. Thanks Jennifer for getting us organized.

Week of April 15th

2007-04-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Praise God as we continue to celebrate Easter! So great to have the sun shine!

In an effort to make our communication more exciting I thought I'd start an area blog page. Some people will not be able to access this info so I will still send it out via e-mail. Please feel free to send me stories and pictures from your lives that we can all share. This is a great way to see each other's faces and encourage one another during the week.

The week-end of April 28 -29 is small groups. I sent the list as an attachment to the e-mail.

Praise God Dan is still anti-biotics free! This is a real victory! He is feeling so much better. Keep praying for him and for Irene R., who is now home from Indianapolis, for Colleen, Chris and all our needs.

In honor of Dale I included everyone's comments from last week. They were very moving.
Have a great week!

Our delightful brother, Dale

2007-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is the same Dale who weathered out into a blizzard one night in December, 2003 (and got lost driving around in Winding Brook) to pray with my niece, Gloria. She was here from Seattle, in answer to her prayers to come to South Bend for Christmas. Gloria was battling stage four cancer and had been through a bone marrow transplant a few months earlier. Dale shared his belief that she would be healed. His prayers and words of encouragement brought - and still bring - such hope to all of us. Thank you, Dale! -- Bev B.

Ken and I are still snug under our roof put on 10 years ago by Ken and Dale in an absolutely scorching week in June. We'd just bought the house with the stipulation that it had to have a roof put on within 10 days of purchase or something along those lines. Several others helped but Dale was here day after day, and making us both feel he wanted to be just where he was. And that's only one instance.

We love you so much too, Betsy, and I know how you often were marking time at home while Dale served--and served. That part's not easy, but you supported him. Thank you for all you do too. Two great servants and most of all, great friends. It's hard to put into mere words Ken's and my feelings for you both. --Pam P.

I still remember about 10 years ago when Dale had his close encounter with the chain saw and it went throiugh the prayer line to pray for him. Dale called the community office from the hospital about an hour later to say that he couldn't do his community service that night. What a wonderful brother. --Mike Z.

An awesome guy. A servant leader. The true Energizer Bunny. The best chair setter-upper and taker-downer I ever knew (tho Jim Feehly is great at that too).God bless Dale who lives through his family and through all of us who knew him and were so well served and loved and encouraged by him. Praise God. --Mary Lou