Welcome to our NetNews Archives.... Oct, Dec 2006 and February, May 2007
Here we have past articles and stories that are too good to just dump in the
recycling bin!!! Enjoy!
Here we have past articles and stories that are too good to just dump in the
recycling bin!!! Enjoy!
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copyright 2006 all rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission of website owner.
October 30, 2006
I’ve talked about there being no such thing as a ‘coincidence’, but that’s it’s a GOD-incident instead. And once again, I’ve come face to face
with my own theory. When you least expect it, and when you need it the most, God sends you your very own pep talk --if only you’ll stop and
listen!!
It’s been a crazy few weeks. I thought that when summer was over, and school started, and my Alaska cruise was behind me, things would
start settling down, and I could find my new standard of ‘normalcy’. (I’m not sure what normal is, anymore!!)
Then, in the middle of September, I looked at my calendar, and discovered that I was going to be out of town 5 of the following 6 weeks (ok,
ok, most of it was pleasure!!) and then I put in special weekends with my grandson, plus family matters out of state, and well, I was covered
up in ‘stuff’. The website was getting more hits, and favorable feedback, and the New Year’s Eve Party was finally buttoned down and ready
to go. With Lucy and Jenny’s help, we committed to a Chili Cook Off as a fundraiser for our Sister in Christ, Mercy Hukill. Plus, my full time,
deadline intensive career began taking up more time (and stress!) than usual.
Frankly, last Friday night, I thought maybe I had committed to too much. Ticket sales for the Chili Cook Off were not coming in as expected,
we had certain fixed costs that had to be covered, and none of us were in the position to donate that kind of ‘seed’ money. I was tired,
physically and mentally, and actually entertained the idea of ‘throwing in the towel’…..
This morning I opened my email…..I usually don’t even look at it over the weekend!….and there was a short message from a new friend. I
met him several months ago at a Theater Arlington event. I couldn’t make the performance, my grandkids were in town unexpectedly…and
well, grandkids do come first! But, I did make it to the pre-theater dinner, met this 'new guy', and learned that he had been widowed recently,
and was just, well, lonely. He was hesitant to join a singles class or Bible Study group…he was afraid of those ‘hungry single women out
there’…(my words, not his!!) , and while I invited him, I could tell he wasn’t ready.
So, I kept him on the email list, ran into him in church, and eventually, convinced him to try our Tuesday night Bible Study group. With the
help of a couple of other friends, I see him now at most of the events, the study groups, and he’s become a regular! He’s still in healing
mode…..everyone has their own time clock for that…. But his message this morning put everything into better perspective for me, and,
ultimately, for this whole PartyFish Ministry.
His brief message said, at the end..….”Continue your ministry of fellowship as it is a medication for us who need involvement with
others, and are too shy or lazy to do on our own.” How perfect those words. How to the point of exactly what we are trying to do.
I’ve been there….too shy (yes, me!!) and sometimes too lazy to get out of my rut, to make an effort to make new friends. Maybe that’s part of
my motivation with PartyFish.net. You can’t sit on the closed side of your door, waiting for LIFE to come knocking …..you’ve got to make
yourself available to LIVE LIFE. It can pass you by too quickly!……
Bless you all with a passion for living your life to it’s fullest, to fulfilling God’s plan everyday!
Karen
<><
I’ve talked about there being no such thing as a ‘coincidence’, but that’s it’s a GOD-incident instead. And once again, I’ve come face to face
with my own theory. When you least expect it, and when you need it the most, God sends you your very own pep talk --if only you’ll stop and
listen!!
It’s been a crazy few weeks. I thought that when summer was over, and school started, and my Alaska cruise was behind me, things would
start settling down, and I could find my new standard of ‘normalcy’. (I’m not sure what normal is, anymore!!)
Then, in the middle of September, I looked at my calendar, and discovered that I was going to be out of town 5 of the following 6 weeks (ok,
ok, most of it was pleasure!!) and then I put in special weekends with my grandson, plus family matters out of state, and well, I was covered
up in ‘stuff’. The website was getting more hits, and favorable feedback, and the New Year’s Eve Party was finally buttoned down and ready
to go. With Lucy and Jenny’s help, we committed to a Chili Cook Off as a fundraiser for our Sister in Christ, Mercy Hukill. Plus, my full time,
deadline intensive career began taking up more time (and stress!) than usual.
Frankly, last Friday night, I thought maybe I had committed to too much. Ticket sales for the Chili Cook Off were not coming in as expected,
we had certain fixed costs that had to be covered, and none of us were in the position to donate that kind of ‘seed’ money. I was tired,
physically and mentally, and actually entertained the idea of ‘throwing in the towel’…..
This morning I opened my email…..I usually don’t even look at it over the weekend!….and there was a short message from a new friend. I
met him several months ago at a Theater Arlington event. I couldn’t make the performance, my grandkids were in town unexpectedly…and
well, grandkids do come first! But, I did make it to the pre-theater dinner, met this 'new guy', and learned that he had been widowed recently,
and was just, well, lonely. He was hesitant to join a singles class or Bible Study group…he was afraid of those ‘hungry single women out
there’…(my words, not his!!) , and while I invited him, I could tell he wasn’t ready.
So, I kept him on the email list, ran into him in church, and eventually, convinced him to try our Tuesday night Bible Study group. With the
help of a couple of other friends, I see him now at most of the events, the study groups, and he’s become a regular! He’s still in healing
mode…..everyone has their own time clock for that…. But his message this morning put everything into better perspective for me, and,
ultimately, for this whole PartyFish Ministry.
His brief message said, at the end..….”Continue your ministry of fellowship as it is a medication for us who need involvement with
others, and are too shy or lazy to do on our own.” How perfect those words. How to the point of exactly what we are trying to do.
I’ve been there….too shy (yes, me!!) and sometimes too lazy to get out of my rut, to make an effort to make new friends. Maybe that’s part of
my motivation with PartyFish.net. You can’t sit on the closed side of your door, waiting for LIFE to come knocking …..you’ve got to make
yourself available to LIVE LIFE. It can pass you by too quickly!……
Bless you all with a passion for living your life to it’s fullest, to fulfilling God’s plan everyday!
Karen
<><
December 20. 2006
Being Single………
I’ve had the opportunity to consider this phrase in several ways
this Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS
Certainly, as a single parent, I’ve had my share of ‘lonely’ Christmases, as I sent my kids off to the other parent with love and laughter and
brave smiles, only to turn back into my house with extreme pangs of hurting and loneliness.
I learned really quickly that the only person to FIX that was me…and since then, I’ve spent Christmas Eve in a movie theater with my
girlfriend (“Steel Magnolias”…a perfect chick flick, and we had the theatre to ourselves!), in a couple of C&W dance clubs and bars (with 4-5
other dancing ‘orphans’), the bowling alley (yes, it’s open on Christmas Eve!) and my favorite….in my home with friends, or in the homes of
friends.
I’ve learned that ‘orphan’ isn’t a bad word…it doesn’t mean you are sad and lonely with no friends or family. It just means that for whatever
reason, your family is out of place for that day or, even, that hour.
Maybe your Christmas will be later in the week, or earlier, or maybe it’s too far or too expensive to make the family trek. If you have no plans
for Christmas Day, we want to invite you to Val’s Open House…(click for details EVENTS .)...food and games and fellowship. Val lives in
Southlake, and wants to make sure you know that all ‘orphans’ are welcome.
DANCING
“I can’t ask a man to dance with me….if he says ‘no’, I’d be so humiliated!”
“All these men are paired up and they’re not asking the other women to dance.”
“I asked, he said no, and I just can’t do that again.”
“Well, if this is the way it’s going to be, then I just don’t want to come here anymore.”
Sorry, ladies, but we seriously need some attitude adjustment here. I heard all of these ‘complaints’ at a recent Friday at the Stagecoach.
And yes, I did take a couple of gals by the hand and try to set them straight. And yes, they did have their eyes opened, as I pointed out that
the ‘pairs’ were not really pairs, and that everyone dances with everyone.
But what was disconcerting was that these ladies were well over 50…and they had the confidence of a teenager!!! Pitiful!!!
Ladies, I’m gonna tell you right now…
you wanna dance?
Then go ASK that guy out there to dance!
What’s so wonderful about Stagecoach is that EVERYONE knows it’s open to singles, and doubles who love to dance. Dancing is what
brings us all together, and most men (and women) have been taught, in the various dance classes, that you should always, ALWAYS dance
with the person who asks you. If you are going to hold out for Mr. or Ms. Right ….just for a DANCE.... you may be waiting a LONG TIME.
Frankly, our somedays are TODAY, and no sense wasting time!!! Why wait? Just do it…no one is going to think less of you for asking, and
guess what, you might find yourself on the dance floor!!
RELATIONSHIPS
A recently widowed friend of mine has been coming to our Bible Study, and is interested in putting together a singles program at his church.
He said, “You know Karen, I don’t come here for the Bible Study. I have plenty of Bible Studies at my own church. I come here for the
fellowship, the friendship, and the warmth of being around other Christians who let me be myself, who let me learn to be single at my own
pace, with no pressure.” He went on to say that, “when I was married, I never knew what ‘being single’ was all about. It was as if I knew
there were singles, but it didn’t touch my life. That whole phase of ministry totally passed me by. But now, I see that ‘being single’ doesn’t
mean that I’m out there looking to pick up dates, or meet the ladies. I’m grateful to have other singles my age that have been or are going
through the issues I’m facing with my kids, my friends, my social life, (or lack thereof).”
God doesn’t want us to be alone. The Bible tells us that. But rather than the traditional meaning of a man and wife, did you ever think that
He meant for us to meet other people, men AND women, to enlarge our circle and to include them as part of our lives? Our Christian friends
are our family, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and therefore, we should make that a priority…to increase our ‘family’, and to treat each
other as family.
May you all increase your ‘family’ in this new year!
Your Sister in Christ,
Karen
<><
Being Single………
I’ve had the opportunity to consider this phrase in several ways
this Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS
Certainly, as a single parent, I’ve had my share of ‘lonely’ Christmases, as I sent my kids off to the other parent with love and laughter and
brave smiles, only to turn back into my house with extreme pangs of hurting and loneliness.
I learned really quickly that the only person to FIX that was me…and since then, I’ve spent Christmas Eve in a movie theater with my
girlfriend (“Steel Magnolias”…a perfect chick flick, and we had the theatre to ourselves!), in a couple of C&W dance clubs and bars (with 4-5
other dancing ‘orphans’), the bowling alley (yes, it’s open on Christmas Eve!) and my favorite….in my home with friends, or in the homes of
friends.
I’ve learned that ‘orphan’ isn’t a bad word…it doesn’t mean you are sad and lonely with no friends or family. It just means that for whatever
reason, your family is out of place for that day or, even, that hour.
Maybe your Christmas will be later in the week, or earlier, or maybe it’s too far or too expensive to make the family trek. If you have no plans
for Christmas Day, we want to invite you to Val’s Open House…(click for details EVENTS .)...food and games and fellowship. Val lives in
Southlake, and wants to make sure you know that all ‘orphans’ are welcome.
DANCING
“I can’t ask a man to dance with me….if he says ‘no’, I’d be so humiliated!”
“All these men are paired up and they’re not asking the other women to dance.”
“I asked, he said no, and I just can’t do that again.”
“Well, if this is the way it’s going to be, then I just don’t want to come here anymore.”
Sorry, ladies, but we seriously need some attitude adjustment here. I heard all of these ‘complaints’ at a recent Friday at the Stagecoach.
And yes, I did take a couple of gals by the hand and try to set them straight. And yes, they did have their eyes opened, as I pointed out that
the ‘pairs’ were not really pairs, and that everyone dances with everyone.
But what was disconcerting was that these ladies were well over 50…and they had the confidence of a teenager!!! Pitiful!!!
Ladies, I’m gonna tell you right now…
you wanna dance?
Then go ASK that guy out there to dance!
What’s so wonderful about Stagecoach is that EVERYONE knows it’s open to singles, and doubles who love to dance. Dancing is what
brings us all together, and most men (and women) have been taught, in the various dance classes, that you should always, ALWAYS dance
with the person who asks you. If you are going to hold out for Mr. or Ms. Right ….just for a DANCE.... you may be waiting a LONG TIME.
Frankly, our somedays are TODAY, and no sense wasting time!!! Why wait? Just do it…no one is going to think less of you for asking, and
guess what, you might find yourself on the dance floor!!
RELATIONSHIPS
A recently widowed friend of mine has been coming to our Bible Study, and is interested in putting together a singles program at his church.
He said, “You know Karen, I don’t come here for the Bible Study. I have plenty of Bible Studies at my own church. I come here for the
fellowship, the friendship, and the warmth of being around other Christians who let me be myself, who let me learn to be single at my own
pace, with no pressure.” He went on to say that, “when I was married, I never knew what ‘being single’ was all about. It was as if I knew
there were singles, but it didn’t touch my life. That whole phase of ministry totally passed me by. But now, I see that ‘being single’ doesn’t
mean that I’m out there looking to pick up dates, or meet the ladies. I’m grateful to have other singles my age that have been or are going
through the issues I’m facing with my kids, my friends, my social life, (or lack thereof).”
God doesn’t want us to be alone. The Bible tells us that. But rather than the traditional meaning of a man and wife, did you ever think that
He meant for us to meet other people, men AND women, to enlarge our circle and to include them as part of our lives? Our Christian friends
are our family, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and therefore, we should make that a priority…to increase our ‘family’, and to treat each
other as family.
May you all increase your ‘family’ in this new year!
Your Sister in Christ,
Karen
<><
February 28, 2007
Last night,at our Bible Study, our discussion was Manna from Heaven. Jesus is the true food, provided by God, to provide our every
need. As we went around the room, each person shared a time or place in their lives where they received Manna, where God provided for
them in profound ways. We heard about kids, jobs, divorces, money strains, relationships, deaths, survival, strangers, friends,
kind words. Over 24 individual stories, some similar, all powerful, remembering a time where they felt the hand of God upon them,
providing for them, blessing them. We were drawn closer together by this sharing, and by realizing that even today, God provides us
Manna….in so many forms that we forget to appreciate or recognize it!
Our Bible Study, even, is Manna. So many dear friends, new and old, from so many backgrounds. We’re there for support and friendship,
through the study of the Word. It’s like an addiction…you go once or twice, and you feel so good, you know you want more of it! Before
you know it, you’re working your personal schedule around to FIT the Bible Study nights, and you feel ‘lost’ when you miss a meeting. It’s
not just the study, or the food (which is pretty awesome!) but the welcome you get whether returning or a first timer. You fit. You feel
comfortable. You realize that this group of people share not only your life trials, but also a profound love for Jesus, and wow….that is
some pretty powerful stuff.
If you haven’t found a connection like this, through your own church, then consider the independent study groups listed at www.partyfish.
net . Or maybe, start one yourself, with a few friends. It’s not hard, and there is so much to gain. And who can’t use another friend
these days?
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. --Acts 2:41-43
Last night,at our Bible Study, our discussion was Manna from Heaven. Jesus is the true food, provided by God, to provide our every
need. As we went around the room, each person shared a time or place in their lives where they received Manna, where God provided for
them in profound ways. We heard about kids, jobs, divorces, money strains, relationships, deaths, survival, strangers, friends,
kind words. Over 24 individual stories, some similar, all powerful, remembering a time where they felt the hand of God upon them,
providing for them, blessing them. We were drawn closer together by this sharing, and by realizing that even today, God provides us
Manna….in so many forms that we forget to appreciate or recognize it!
Our Bible Study, even, is Manna. So many dear friends, new and old, from so many backgrounds. We’re there for support and friendship,
through the study of the Word. It’s like an addiction…you go once or twice, and you feel so good, you know you want more of it! Before
you know it, you’re working your personal schedule around to FIT the Bible Study nights, and you feel ‘lost’ when you miss a meeting. It’s
not just the study, or the food (which is pretty awesome!) but the welcome you get whether returning or a first timer. You fit. You feel
comfortable. You realize that this group of people share not only your life trials, but also a profound love for Jesus, and wow….that is
some pretty powerful stuff.
If you haven’t found a connection like this, through your own church, then consider the independent study groups listed at www.partyfish.
net . Or maybe, start one yourself, with a few friends. It’s not hard, and there is so much to gain. And who can’t use another friend
these days?
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. --Acts 2:41-43
May 16, 2007
The other evening, several of us were together, talking, and someone started listing all the ‘couples’ that
have come together the last few years. These were people that met in home teams, or Bible Studies, or
on cruises, or weekend retreats. We’ve had lots of marriages and engagements, more the last few
years than ever. It’s a wonderful thing to see two people that you’ve seen ‘connect’ and grow and
become friends, and eventually, get married.
Then, someone started apologizing for the emphasis on the ‘couples’, because they didn’t want those
singles present to think that all we were about was getting engaged and married, or to place our
emphasis on ‘not’ being single, by emphasizing marriages.
It’s a fine line to toe, in a social group with lots of singles.
First, as a single, you want to be with other single people.
Second, as a single, you DON’T want to be in a meat (or ‘meet’) market, where there’s so much
pressure to ‘hook up’ with someone.. .. too fast, too wrong, or too ‘unequally yoked’.
But, if you’re honest with yourself, you do hope to find a partner to live your life with, to grow old with, to be
a companion and friend with. We’re programmed for that from day one. Many of us have been there, in
the ‘forever and forever’ thing…and now, we’re single again, perhaps more cynically so!
And, as we get older, some of us are entertaining that small, faint, but persistent, thought in the back of
our heads …. “I may never get married again”, whether from being too stubborn, too independent, too
lazy, or too particular!
The experts say… relax, discover your true self, cultivate friends, male and female, and learn about all
the different personalities out there. Do new things that are fun with new people. You learn SO MUCH
about a person (and yourself!!) by DOING…either serving, studying, traveling, even dancing!
PartyFish recognizes this, and we promote FRIENDSHIPS. Our ‘Who We Are” states that this is a social
network for singles and marrieds…because our married friends were our friends when they were
single, and we liked them then. In many cases, the singles friends attended the weddings and cried
with happiness at the event. So, who says the single friends and the married friends can’t still be
friends? Not PartyFish! In fact, it’s a bit comforting to know that there are some people who are
genuinely interested in you as a friend, and not a potential date. Wow..think about that for a minute!
So, if you are the ‘professional’…entering every room, every event, sizing up the ‘selection’, making a
stab at a quick pick up, and wondering why you’re not making a connection…. PartyFish probably isn’t
for you. But if you want to step back, relax a little, and make a sincere effort at making ‘friends to live life
with’….then, FRIEND, you’re going to enjoy PartyFish!!!
The other evening, several of us were together, talking, and someone started listing all the ‘couples’ that
have come together the last few years. These were people that met in home teams, or Bible Studies, or
on cruises, or weekend retreats. We’ve had lots of marriages and engagements, more the last few
years than ever. It’s a wonderful thing to see two people that you’ve seen ‘connect’ and grow and
become friends, and eventually, get married.
Then, someone started apologizing for the emphasis on the ‘couples’, because they didn’t want those
singles present to think that all we were about was getting engaged and married, or to place our
emphasis on ‘not’ being single, by emphasizing marriages.
It’s a fine line to toe, in a social group with lots of singles.
First, as a single, you want to be with other single people.
Second, as a single, you DON’T want to be in a meat (or ‘meet’) market, where there’s so much
pressure to ‘hook up’ with someone.. .. too fast, too wrong, or too ‘unequally yoked’.
But, if you’re honest with yourself, you do hope to find a partner to live your life with, to grow old with, to be
a companion and friend with. We’re programmed for that from day one. Many of us have been there, in
the ‘forever and forever’ thing…and now, we’re single again, perhaps more cynically so!
And, as we get older, some of us are entertaining that small, faint, but persistent, thought in the back of
our heads …. “I may never get married again”, whether from being too stubborn, too independent, too
lazy, or too particular!
The experts say… relax, discover your true self, cultivate friends, male and female, and learn about all
the different personalities out there. Do new things that are fun with new people. You learn SO MUCH
about a person (and yourself!!) by DOING…either serving, studying, traveling, even dancing!
PartyFish recognizes this, and we promote FRIENDSHIPS. Our ‘Who We Are” states that this is a social
network for singles and marrieds…because our married friends were our friends when they were
single, and we liked them then. In many cases, the singles friends attended the weddings and cried
with happiness at the event. So, who says the single friends and the married friends can’t still be
friends? Not PartyFish! In fact, it’s a bit comforting to know that there are some people who are
genuinely interested in you as a friend, and not a potential date. Wow..think about that for a minute!
So, if you are the ‘professional’…entering every room, every event, sizing up the ‘selection’, making a
stab at a quick pick up, and wondering why you’re not making a connection…. PartyFish probably isn’t
for you. But if you want to step back, relax a little, and make a sincere effort at making ‘friends to live life
with’….then, FRIEND, you’re going to enjoy PartyFish!!!
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