Laugh Your Way story

Here is a story that came out of our conference in Coeur d'Alene, Id the first weekend in May. Monique and I have been privileged to present 8 of these conferences over the last 10 months. If you would like to consider hosting a video conference, please email us at woodward@lywpresenter.com You can view video clips at www.laughyourway.com

I had the opportunity to attend our church's Laugh Your Way conference this weekend.

I went knowing that because we have been married 30 years, this might be helpful and give us some new things to work on.

We totally enjoyed and laughed our way through the day, I, gleening info that I could use to grow, and Carl really enjoying the humor.

The sharing and total disclosure and testimony of our leaders , Vic and Monique, helped me realize that because I felt our marriage had gotten to the unhealthy point, that we might be gaining the tools to pull through. I prayed and prayed and felt so good after we left, as I had just had the worst week of my life and I know God had me right where He wanted me and was speaking DIRECTLY to me.

When I got home I was very troubled with myself for the way I had been hiding lots of feelings inside and after hearing Monique's testimony and handling of a similar situation in her life, i began to feel the need to share. (not sure if you want this next part with your name mo in or out so feel free to edit)

I had been very attracted for about the past 2 months to a co-worker that had been helping me with my problems and had become quite dependent on him for his understanding because my husband didn't seem to see the importance of so many of my feelings. After talking to Monique and feeling very able to share with her, I totally unpacked my feelings and she realized that i was feeling so much shame. As she lovingly listened and encouraged me as I felt no judgement from her. She listened and we prayed. I left feeling like i had more work to do than ever.

24 hours later, i felt an urging to revisit my feelings with him on this and he was NOT ready to listen. In the old days, before LYW conference I would have been mad and dropped it again. But KNOWING that the mail brain has that direct canal in and out the other ear, I approached it again.

I talked, I cried, HE LISTENED and realize how important my feelings were and that we DID need to keep talking:) I felt strong afterwards and ready to continue in our marriage and have more patience for him as i have all the tools and knowledge from the conference that can help:)

This conference not only fired me up to help fire us up for another 30, but it gave me an avenue to let go of some things I wasn't hiding from God, as I had been praying non-stop and couldn't get over the feeling of shame, but it gave me a release and a direction! I can't recommend the workshop and presenters highly enough:)

Here, there and everywhere

Wow! What a spring it has been for us. We have traveled all over the place these last four months. Some of the travel we've done together as a family, some times just one or two of us have hit the road, so to speak. Monique got the ball rolling in February attending a TrueFaced Intensive in Scottsdale, AZ. Then in March, Ellie and I visited Erin in Mexico at Rancho Sordo Mudo.

We were home for a few weeks and then took Spring break and headed to Little Rock, AR to see Damon and Lindsey. When we got back from that wonderful visit, I went with neighbor Jeff Fitts and his sister to the TrueFaced Intensive, Scottsdale, AZ, in late April. I think we were home just a couple of weeks, enough to reacquaint ourselves with the animals, and then we were off to Concrete, WA to see our friends there for the weekend.

We are now preparing for our mission to the Dominican Republic with Children of the Nations, www.cotni.org You can catch up with us on Facebook as we have a "Like" page, "Woodward's Dominican Republic Mission 2010 or tune into a blog we have especially made for us to journal throughout the six weeks we will be gone. Find our blog at: http://www.woodwardgroup.blogspot.com

In our next family page post I will put up some pictures that tell the story of our Spring and connections with friends and family. God is so good! He has protected us on the many roads and airways we've traveled and given us the open doors to share of His love for people. Stay tuned.

Restored and Remarried

Monique and I are very excited to bring a unique marriage conference to Friday Harbor - San Juan Island. We desire to share with you our friends Gil and Brenda Stuart, who have a passion to see couples like themselves, thrive in their remarriages. Their ministry has been birthed for such a time as this to give tools and encouragement for men and women who are considering remarriage or are in remarriages. Gil and Brenda are journeying through the challenges of blending two families and have some great insights to share with you. See their website: www.restoredandremarried.com

Whether you consider yourself a step family or a blended family, Restored & Remarried is a hands-on resource for you. Been remarried for awhile or just contemplating the idea? Restored and Remarried will encourage and equip couples for the step family adventure. This seminar is fun and interactive and it's most definitely, "guy friendly." Here are the sessions that you will experience on Friday night and Saturday.

Session 1:
Expectations, Myths and Restored Foundations

Session 2:
The Wall

Session 3:
“I Didn't Think it was Going to be Like This”

Session 4:
“I Didn't See This Coming!”

Session 5:
Those People

Session 6:
2 Countries and an Elephant

Session 7:
Sex and Money

Need a getaway? Why don't you consider joining us; here are the details.

When: Friday April 16, 7-9 pm --- Saturday April 17, 9 a.m. - 3:30 pm

Where: The Earthbox Motel and Spa, 410 Spring St. Friday Harbor,WA
For motel reservations call: (360) 378-4000, ask for conference discount
Cost: $60 per couple, which includes catered lunch on Saturday
Conference registration: Call Vic Woodward - (360) 378-8435 or email: woodees5@yahoo.com

For the latest ferry schedule, go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Shouting out What?

Last Saturday night our family attended the Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach Camp near Stanwood, WA. The "Lights" are just spectacular and the evening is filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas. A majestic nativity scene is the highlight for me and I also love the Victorian Carolers, "Bruce the Spruce" the talking Christmas tree, hot donuts, apple cider, amazingly gifted musicians, holiday theater, and on and on.

A funny thing happened as we arrived there by car. The parking attendants were waving their flashlights directing traffic and we got headed towards the wrong parking area. I realized it pretty quickly and shared with one of the traffic directors that we were staying overnight at Deer Mountain Lodge. He had me turned around and that is when the fun started.

When we got turned around, he shouted to the next traffic director, at the top of his lungs, "Deer Mountain Lodge", "Deer Mountain Lodge", who then passed it on to the next traffic person at the top of his lungs he shouted, "Deer Mountain Lodge" and then the next person, and on and on it went from person to person. We all cracked up. It was so funny! We were being announced to all the people within earshot, that we were headed for "Deer Mountain Lodge".

We now have another Merry Christmas memory for 2009.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas time news

One of the many blessing of our fall season leading into Christmas was our involvement with 5th/6th grade basketball here in Friday Harbor. Daughter Carly, #11 in the picture, is in 6th grade and part of this team of girls, the Friday Harbor Tigers. Monique and I, along with two other fathers, coached these girls. Due to limited gym time available to us, we practiced at 6 a.m. in the morning on Tues. and Thurs. for 7 weeks. Wow! It was tough enough for the adults to rally up at that hour for a basketball practice, but the girls persevered, showed up regularly and really grew as friends and basketball players. We traveled each Saturday on the ferry to play games in the SWISH league, which was located in Mt. Vernon, WA

The reward, a SWISH league and tournament championship. As you can see, the girls have big smiles on their faces with trophy in hand.

Now the high school basketball season is in full swing. Daughter Ellie, in 8th grade, is practicing with the J.V. which Vic is coaching. Monique helps out with the varsity two days a week. Our passion for basketball was rekindled in the Dominican Republic with our mission trip. More hoop news will be coming soon.

Thanksgiving Preparations

It is Wednesday evening, just before Thanksgiving day and the kitchen is a buzzing. Grandma, Mom, and Carly are busy preparing pies, decorating the table and just plain having fun together. This is what Thanksgiving is all about for us as a family. Wherever we are, this pre Thanksgiving day kitchen flurry is part of the family tradition. The last few years we have been in Whittier, Calif. at brother Tom's house. Aunt Marti is always busy preparing for the big day and has often completed most of her work a few days ahead of schedule.

Thanksgiving traditions are so rich for the Woodward family. Thanksgiving has always been a time to bring family together, connect, relax and enjoy each other. This Thanksgiving will be no exception. We will see what the morning brings, more kitchen buzz, maybe a run through town, The Turkey Trot, or maybe not. Have a blessed day, one rich with American traditions and filled with the Spirit of God, who makes all things possible.

Here is our gift to you from the Scriptures this Thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:14-16 (The Message)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Friends

Our friends, Bob and Alli Benz make the trip to Warm Beach Camp extra special. One of the things Alli and Carly like to do together is mountain boarding. No, the dads don't get on those boards, but we are the go-fer's. We pull the boards up the hill for the girls. Have our daughters got us trained or what?

Father/Daughter with Carly

I finally have a few minutes to sit down and tell you about my two days with Carly at Warm Beach Christian Camp in Stanwood. I have taken Ellie and Carly to Warm Beach for four years now. There is a special father/daughter weekend that features a two night stay and tons of fun activities for dads and daughters. We had a blast, literally and figuratively.

The actual blast-off occurs Sunday morning with a rocket launch, which is one of the activities you can choose to do with your daughter. Building a rocket together, selecting the paint and decorating it is all part of the fun. The launch is a site to see and the rockets ascend out over the horse barn and corrals. Most of the rockets are retrieved, but occasionally one will stray into the trees and get hung up forever.

Another activity she and I have challenged ourselves with is the rock wall climb. They have a 40 ft. climbing wall and this year the two of us made it to the top. Yahoo! I am so proud of Carly, overcoming her fears and pressing on to the top. She was awesome!

Our friend Bob Benz and his daughter Alli have been going with us the last three years and have made it possible for us to go through their generous giving. We are so grateful! There are so many fantastic moments to reflect on; creating a massive whirlpool with all the dads and daugthers during swim time, shooting BB guns at targets, archery, horse back riding, mini-golf and evening devotions (time with God) together.

See the next post for more on friends, Bob and Alli. The devotions this weekend were particularly powerful for me. Our leader for devotion time, Ed McDonnel contrasted living a fear-based life with living a love motivated life and how those who follow Christ are empowered to live a life of love. Wow!

Ephesians 5:1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.