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WOW Connection“In His Presence We Dwell in

2012”

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Even though the WOW Connection is a publication for women by women, we think it is important to make an exception, at this

time of the year, to give a nod to some very important men in our lives – our Fathers. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have fathers, many of who nurtured, challenged, encouraged and supported us. Fathers are an integral part of the family structure and we truly value their contribution and worth.

Statistics have shown that over 5 million children live in neighborhoods where single mothers are head of the households and 80 percent of those children are African American. So a good father – one that takes care of his family and household and is present in their lives is worth saluting. On this Father’s Day, while much of the world shows appreciation for the work of good fathers, we’d like to acknowledge the men of City Temple who are not just fathers but

“daddies”. It’s been said that “Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy”.

That said, I interviewed one of our young adult ladies who has a very special relationship with her father and by all accounts, it appears as if she’s a “daddy’s girl.”

Kathryn, would you say that you are a “daddy’s girl”? I would definitely say I am a “daddy’s girl”!

As a “Daddy’s Girl” what makes your relationship with your father a unique one? I’m the only girl; but besides that, I am a lot like my father & I admire the man he is.

Kathryn, you’ve always been a leader – high school, college and now at City Temple, serving in capacities such as YAMs, VBS and Children’s Ministry. Similarly, your dad has always served our church in several capacities as well. Growing up, were you influenced by his example of service? Definitely! His service & work ethic has always seemed pretty innate. He sacrifices a lot and never appears burdened. More importantly, he showed my brothers and I that serving others is a part of our duty as children of God.

What are some of the other influences that helped shape your life growing up? My mother, grandparents, and aunt have all had a great influence on me. Each of them being unique individuals, have exemplified various qualities that I have developed also.

What do you admire most about your dad and what qualities in him do you see yourself looking for in a future mate? Mostly, I admire his selflessness & humility. These two attributes set the foundation for many others: his chivalry, strength, respectful manner, provision & leadership of his family, tact, calm manner, kindness, work ethic, servant hood, & ability to be personable.

How are you most like him and how are you unlike him? I think I am most like him in the sense of our work ethic. He is definitely a lot more outgoing than I am.

In This IssuePage 2• Wow Prayer Breakfast• Who’s That Lady?• Welcome to City Temple• Matters of the Hear

Page 3• Fit and Faithful Living• Living Life Fresh• Keys to Emotional

Healing

Page 4• Annual Women of Faith

Conference • Birthdays • WOW Tea Party• Hat’s Off! • Upcoming Events• Condolences • Vision/Mission

WOW CouncilNorma Carter - DirectorKatrina BaileyAndrea BrownDawn DonnellJoanna HenryEllaine HoardVickie JohnsonWeslyn McNortonAngelita NwaokelemehPatricia ReedHazel RoperEvita Tezeno

WOW Connection StaffPatricia Reed - EditorThea Walker - Co-Editor

PhotographersNicole CarterNathalie Laurent

DesignTexas Conference Print Shop

irlD Gaddy’s

Continued on page 4

By Norma J. Carter

Leah Seale is a 29 year old mother of

two and has been married to Peter Seale for the last nine years. Their children, Tahj, is eight and Kimora is six. She moved from Salem, New Jersey to Waco, Texas

when she was eight years old, and remained there until her marriage in 2003. Leah and her husband then moved to Dallas from Waco for job opportunities, and to start their family. She’s been an Adventist all of her life and won’t have it any other way. Ms Seale has four brothers, Andre, Will, Michael and Troy and one sister,Tanya. She enjoys making people laugh, spending time with her friends and family, cooking, and musicals. She also loves being a Certified Scentsy Consultant on the side.

Leah joined the City Temple SDA church because of the “wonderful messages I was receiving and the wonderful people I was surrounded by. I haven’t felt so loved and a part of such a wonderful church family since my days as a kid in Salem at Mt. Calvary SDA church.” After her Mom died in 2007, Leah said she “lost her way” for a while and stopped going to church. But, “the Lord didn’t and wouldn’t give up on me.” Once she started coming back to church, her membership was transferred in March of this year, and she “got back” where she needed to be.

She currently works for Ecova Energy Management and will graduate in the Fall with a BA in Social and Criminal Justice from Ashford University.

Welcome to City Temple, Leah. The women are happy that you are here.

To City TempleThe women of City Temple would like to welcome

all our new members to our congregation:

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Christina GuydenTahj Seale Dominque Sherrell HamiltonThe May session of Matters of the

Heart was done specifically with the young ladies of the church. Conducted

by Angelita Nwaokelemeh, Katrina Bailey and Joanna Henry, there were eight youth present. The goal was to bridge the gap with the youth and the ladies of the church by reaching out to assess their needs. The young ladies had an opportunity to ask questions about everyday problems and to just talk about anything that was on their “heart”. They expressed how much they enjoyed the discussion, and that they would love to continue the bonding experience. In reaching out to all ages, WOW strives to bring a spiritual and emotional connection to every woman.

WHO’S THAT LADY?

Hazel ended her inspiring message by suggesting that we make an effort to brighten the corner where we are because there isn’t enough darkness in the world that will put out the light of even one small candle. Our young adult ladies, Kathryn and Keesha blessed us with some more special music followed by prayer time facilitated by our Prayer Ministry leader, Gloria Price. We spent a wonderful time praying with and for each other.

All too soon, good things come to an end. After closing remarks and prayer, we separated to continue our Sabbath worship. Everyone left blessed, rejuvenated and determined to let our lights shine.

• Pray• Send a card• Visit someone in a Nursing Home• Fix a meal for a new mother or a shut-in• Make a blessing bag• Donate blood• Write an inspirational blog• Be alert to countless opportunities to serve

Ikenna AkotaobiAmber Bruce

Sabbath morning March 12, 2012, dawned cloudy and cool with a promise of rain. However, that did

not prevent about 50 women, and a few men, from meeting at City Temple for our Women of Worth’s first Prayer Breakfast of 2012.

After the blessing of the food by Anne Ogotu, our Director, Norma Carter, gave us a rousing welcome, introducing out theme: “This Little Light of Mine,” and encouraged us as Women of Worth to let our lights shine. She took us on a journey on Airline WOW Flight 2012. No baggage was needed and there was no charge for our snacks, the “Fruits of the Spirit,” since our “Captain” had taken care of that.

While partaking on a scrumptious breakfast, we were blessed with special music. Lateesha Guyder shared a medley of songs that she said brought comfort in her life everyday.

Continuing with the theme, This Little Light of Mine, Hazel Roper brought us a beautiful sermonette, demonstrating how women in the Bible let their lights shine. She also left us with several examples of how we as Women of Worth can let our lights shine. Some are:

By Joanna Sookie-Henry

By Violet (Cherry) Jenkins

In pursuing a certification in Personal Training and Nutrition, I’m taken to a new level of learning about health,

coupled with a burning passion to help others.

Weight management is a long-term effort, and maintaining healthy eating habits can be challenging, but is a MUST DO! Building and maintaining healthy eating habits are the most important parts of weight management. Consuming more calories than the body needs, means the extra calories are stored in the body as fat. The number of calories your

body needs depends on how much physical activity you get, as well as your gender and age.

Tips to reduce your Body Mass Index (BMI) and balance your calories:

• Make fruits and vegetables a large part of your meals

• Have less sweets, fried foods and

pizza• Cut back on sweetened drinks• Drink water instead of sweetened

drinks• Eat slowly so feeling of fullness

has time to catch up with you• Eat smaller portions at home and

restaurants• Plan ahead, bring healthy meals

and snacks to work• Instead of eating when you are

bored or stress, take a walk or do something to keep yourself occupied

• Limit your fat intake• Broil, steam, bake or grill• Choose fats with the least amount

of saturated and trans fats (like liquid vegetable oils, olive oil, canola oil or sunflower oil)

Our heavenly Father desires that all of His sons and daughters have these blessings. If you’re living in obedience before Him, they are available to you. Is anything getting in the way of your total submission to Him;

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Into His Rest Ministries is

pleased to announce an “Emotional Healing Weekend Retreat” to take place in the Dallas Metroplex area. Many of us have longed for a more personal relationship with God and with others, but have not known how to get started. Some times we have done all we know to do, yet are unable to enjoy the intimacy we desire. Beverly Sedlacek MS, RN, Joanne Palmer MS Addiction Counseling and Andrea Brown MD, FAAFP invite you to join us in this exciting week-end experience.

Using biblical principles you will learn practical tools that will enable you to develop authentic relationships, understand how our past still impacts our present, the need and value of community and how far-reaching is God’s forgiveness.

This event will take place at the home

of Darin Boone, 175 Kelly Drive, Waxahachie, Texas 75167 on the week-end of August 24-26, 2012. The first session will begin at 4:00pm on Friday and the last session will end at 1:00 pm on

Sunday. The cost of the retreat is $225.00 and includes accommodations, meals, group and individual sessions and course materials. Space is limited and is allocated on a first come first served basis. For your convenience you may confirm your space by making a deposit of $100.00 via the internet on Paypal.com to the account of bsedlacek@juno.com. All deposits are due by July 15, 2012. The remainder of the cost is due by August 15, 2012.

Questions and comments pertinent to the week-end may be directed to Andrea Brown at (972) 977-8465. We hope you will make the choice to join us on this healing journey.

RAW MARINATED COLLARD GREENS1 bunch collard greens 2 tbsp lemon juice2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil1 onion, finely chopped½ red bell pepper, slivered1 clove of fresh garlic, finely chopped, to

taste, or garlic powder (optional)1/8 t cayenne, to taste (optional)Directions: 1. Cut the stems out the middle of the

leaves.2. Roll up 2 - 3 leaves into a cylindrical

“cigar” shape.3. With a sharp knife, thinly slice the rolled

greens crosswise into ribbons.4. Cross-chop the “rounds” for smaller,

easier to chew piecesPlace in a large bowl. Repeat steps 1- 4 until

all greens have been chopped. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and mix. With hands, “massage” greens until bulk is reduced by half. You can eat right away, or set aside to marinate for up to 24 hours.

(This recipe is similar to old-fashioned Southern greens, and helps satisfy your longing for Grand mamma’s cooking.)

people you associate with, language you use, foods you eat? If so, ask Him to remove those hindering your walk with Him today!

If you would like, download My Fitness Pal

app on your phone and start tracking your daily calorie intake. Seeing what you eat will make you think differently as you make decisions to eat.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and

lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Faithfully yours,LaChanda Dupard

Let’s Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat!www.fitandfaithfulliving.com

Last year’s “WOW with Hattitude”

Afternoon Tea was such a success that several ladies have asked if we will be having it again this year. In order to do so, we will need several table hosts who will be willing to decorate their table with their own place setting and host 8 ladies. If you would like to be a table host, please let us know. In addition, we need 3 ladies who are willing to open their homes and host a leg of the Holiday Progressive Party in December. We already have the Dessert leg covered but need hosts for: Appetizers, Soup and Salad and the Main Course.

Annual Women of Faith Conference

This year, the WOF Conference will be on Friday, September 21, 2012 from 7 – 10 p.m. and Sabbath, September 21, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As usual, it will be held at the American Airlines Center, 200 Victory Ave and the theme is “Celebrate What Matters 2012”.

Registration is $99.00 - $109.00 (standard or premium) or $89.99 – $99.00 (standard or premium for groups of 10 or more). The cost includes all sessions. Lunch is extra but can be ordered during registration. Options include a vegetarian lunch: Turkey Croissant box or Spinach Veggie Wrap box.

The line-up of featured speakers/guests includes: Lisa Harper, Max Lucado, Angie Smith, Pat Smith (wife of Emmit Smith), Sheila Walsh and CeCe Winans. You don’t want to miss compelling stories, Bible-based teaching, world-class music and unstoppable inspiration.

Please let any WOW team member know if you’re interested in going and turn in your registration fee so that we can get the group rate as soon as possible. For more information visit www.womenoffaith.com.

Upcoming Events:

•Clothes Closet (in conjunction with Community Services) •Prayer Mountain Retreat

•Car Clinic

facebook.com/Dallas City Temple’s Women of Worth (WOW).

Daughters of Zion, In His Presence We Dwell in 2012, summarizes the WOW vision and mission. WOW is a mission driven organization; a ministry of the City Temple Discipleship core ministry with the strategic objective to ‘Keep’ or develop people in Christ. WOW fulfills its strategic mission by implementing activities that cultivate church/community relationships (i.e. Prayer Breakfasts).WOW is recruiting members who catch the vision of Zion and desire to engage in a rewarding mission in ministry to women within and without our walls.

Vision/ Mission

Condolences

Continued from page 1

WOW Council would like to extend our condolences to the following individuals on their recent loss:

Helen BecketAndrea BrownCandice IveyBonnie JacksonGloria PriceKeisha RicksTunisha Wilkins

Mairelis Rodriguez – on her upcoming nuptial to Clifton Jessup, Jr.

The following graduates:

Sable BlockerKatrina Caldwell-RussellAmber CheathamTaylor HamiltonAshley Humphrey

Bailey MasonAshley MeltonDenise WadeTia WilkinsSerena Wright

WOW Afternoon Tea and Holiday

Progressive Party

2nd Qtr Happy Birthday to the following ladies:

What is the best advice he’s given you? His advice is usually exemplified compared to verbalized. However, the best advice he has given is to put God first, family second, and always help others.

What is your favorite father/daughter activity? Eating & talking together! Finally, your dad has been involved in our church for many years so we feel like we’ve gotten to know him very well; however is there something that you can share with us about him that will surprise us – something we don’t know? I don’t believe people realize that he is VERY silly, loves to laugh, and has a great sense of humor! Like his father, people think he is fairly serious. However, I grew up with a man who called himself “Daddy Man” and would chase us around the house, starting pillow, tickle, & ice fights. He would entertain us (and really himself) by mimicking characters from The Muppets and Sesame Street. One song you have never heard him sing and loves to serenade his sister with, is his own rendition of Kermit the Frog’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green” (it’s not quite what you would expect). He loves cartoons and children’s movies like Shrek and Madagascar. Thanks Kathryn for being so candid about your daddy – Jonathan McNorton aka “Daddy Man”.

APRILEunice Cummings – Apr 1Ellaine Hoard – Apr 2Serena Wright – Apr 9Laura Thibodeaux – Apr 15

MAYRhonda Blue – May 1Violet Brown – May 4Aleesha Houston – May 4Hazelina Johnson – May 5Melody Virgil – May 7Adrienne Cunningham-Smith – May 8Carla Stewart – May 9Evita Tezeno – May 9Mercedes Monk – May 21Hazel Roper – May 23Janet Lambert – May 24Adeline Brown – May 26Donna Polite – May 26

JUNEDorothy Jones – Jun 1Channon Burton – Jun 4Debbie Johnson – Jun 15Catherine Dixon – Jun 20Shirley Mason – Jun 21