Marketplace Women of Orange County members and guests gathered on Friday, December 11th for their 10th Annual Christmas Tea, an elegant evening of celebration, conversation and Christmas Cheer! With a table filled with delectable treats, a selection of heavenly teas and inspiring and sometimes touching table talk, the evening was a special way to start the Christmas Holiday.
Marketplace Women of OC Members gathered on December 3 for a girl’s night out that included music, shopping, wine, food and a lot of laughter! The event was hosted by Allison Wood of “The Best Kept Secret” in Costa Mesa, who opened her Designer Consignment Shop filled with goodies after hours for the group to enjoy. Ladies perused through racks and racks of clothing, shelves of shoes, jewelry, handbags, and sunglasses all at incredible prices. What a fun evening!!
It was a lively afternoon at Marketplace Women of Orange County's November Vital Connections event of 2015 as Nicole Ospina of MOD Design, shared seven non-negotiables that have the potential to paralyze us in fear or enable us to step forward in faith. Members and guests gathered to enjoy times with friends, make new connections, share a delicious lunch and participate in inspirational table talk.
If you struggle with worry here is wise advice to remember.
My Mother-in-Law always struggled with worry so my Father-in-Law bought this to hang on their wall to remind her, "all is well" especially when you place your worry in the Father's care.
(The House of Art, N.Y. No 236)
Nancy Gunther
Matthew 6:25-34
[ Do Not Worry ] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ...
Our October Vital connections was a fun and inspiring morning for Marketplace Women of Orange County as members and guests tackled the subject of their increasingly overwhelming calendars. Dr. Sandy Morgan, Director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University, got things rolling with some important steps to take when managing “To Do” lists and everyone left with at least one good idea for creating a “God First” schedule!
"God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business."
Proverbs 16:11 (MSG)
It was a full house at Marketplace Women of OC’s September 1st Distinguished Speaker Luncheon which featured Twanna Henderson, Executive Pastor and former Judge. After a delicious lunch and engaging table talk, Twanna shared her inspirational story of wearing her “faith” hat in a non-faith industry and knowing that her “business” decisions had the power to point someone to Jesus or away from Him. Members and guests enjoyed a time of networking, sharing and comradely as each was encouraged to intentionally integrate their professional, personal and spiritual lives for an audience of “One!” Big thanks to Paula Meyer of Paula E. Meyer & Associates for sponsoring the event!
Thank you Paula E. Meyer for your generous Platinum Sponsorship towards our Distinguished Speakers Luncheon. Check out Paula's Professional Law Corporation website to learn more about Paula and her business at www.paulameyerlaw.com
Leadership Team met for a two day retreat to review, dream and plan to finish off 2015 and start planning for 2016. As we reviewed we were excited to see all the new pieces that had come together since September and look forward to all that is in the making for next year. We look forward to serve you as we get back to gathering together September 1st for our Distinguished Luncheon featuring Twanna Henderson, Executive Pastor.
Our June Vital connections featured three of the organizations's leaders sharing how being a part of Marketplace Women has inspired their professional, personal and spiritual lives. Every guest left with a rock on which to write something they will pray over during the summer. With great table conversation, food, laughter, networking and prayer, it was a wonderful way to end the season. Below is one highlight from each of our speakers.
Kahni Bizub, Sandy Olsson and Nicole Ospina at Scott's Restaurant
June 2, 2015
Professional
"Put God first in your business. There is never enough time to do all that you think you need to do. When you focus on what God wants you to do with your time, it all falls into place just like it is supposed to.
My rock says, 'Intentional'"
Kahni M. Bizub, CPA, MST
Senior Tax Partner
www.cpa-wfy.com
Personal
"Remember that your achievements are the stepping stones to where you are today. My Rock says 'Transformation' to remind me of all that God has done in my life to lead me out of Fear into Courage so He could transform me to serve Him."
Sandy Olsson
The Master's Program for Women
www.themastersprogramforwomen.org
Spiritual
"I followed God's leading into Marketplace Women of OC and accepted His calling into leadership after spending time alone with Him in prayer, fasting and earnest listening to the Holy Spirit. On my rock is written: 'the best yes'... Which helps me remember to create quiet time at each decision point to listen for His leading.'"
Nicole Ospina
Co-Founder, MOD Design
www.modavenue.com
A few years ago, I was in the mist of designing a home that my husband Ken and I had purchased in Arizona. I was determined to incorporate our love for entertaining friends and family, with a way to cherish, remember and pray, for each person we had welcomed into our home. With numerous blank walls to be filled, I created a Graffiti Prayer Board.
Armed with an extra-large stretched 36” x 76” canvas, I painted a neutral basecoat over the entire board, with paint left in the garage by the previous owners. After the paint had dried completely, I took a roller and rolled another color (to give it depth) covering a smaller portion of the canvas. I was done.
Whenever, Ken and I invite a new guest home, whether it is a couple’s quiet dinner, or a celebration with several friends, they are asked to “Please sign and date” the Graffiti Board with a black Sharpie. Guest love writing messages, drawing odd pictures and even quoting scriptures on the board; almost as much as we love reading them.
Over the course of the years, we have made it a habit to stand in front of the canvas, and pray for each person whose name appears. Some are family and friends that we communicate and visit on a regular bases. Others are names of people we unfortunately don’t see, or have gone home to be with our Savior. This simple painted canvas is a treasured, artful piece in our home which lets us lift up our family and friends in prayer, and reminds us of all the wonderful people who have touched our lives.
I encourage everyone to be creative with how you remember to pray for your friends and family. Think outside the box, and maybe unto your walls!
Carol Holloway
Aesthetics by Carol
