Wednesday, September 19, 2007

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would've done the same thing. You weren't asking the group as a whole to do it. It was an "FYI, in case you're intereested" thing.

Sorry for the drama :(

Amy W said...

As a scrapbooker, heck ya I want to know about all the scraps I can go to, no matter what the cause...

And yes, that is nuts they wouldn't just forward the message on. I would have done the same thing.

Beth said...
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Mrs. Booms said...

I would have done the same thing. That is unbelievable to me. As the mother of a premature baby that we lost I know first hand you cannot support that cause or any other cause enough. I can understand not wanting people to feel obligated but to get the word out causes no harm and can only be good.

You fight! You crack me up. How cute are you? It's exactly something I would have done!!!

Julie said...

That's ridiculous that they wouldn't forward it along. I guess they learned their lesson telling you no! : )

As a scrapbooker I'm also looking for places to go to crop - if I could support a worthwhile cause at the same time everyone wins!

Dani said...

Okay, first as a scrapbooker. Hell ya, I'm always looking for places to crop. Especially if it benefits a good cause.

Second, as a mom of a premature infant. March of Dimes is an amazing organization that needs all the support it can get.

Third. It's ridiculous to tout yourself as a "Christian" group if you're not even willing to help out people. That should be one of you primary goals.

Good for you to be brave enough to stand up to the leadership!

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

It's funny that you bring this up, because a friend and I were just talking about how some stay-at-home mothers have so much energy that it's almost scary. For example, I know a mother who's a former lawyer. Now that she's a SAHM, she has all this brainpower and energy that she has to channel in some way, so it all goes into her son's preschool, which is great, but also a bit overwhelming for some of the other mothers.

That could be part of the problem with these women from your group.

Alternately, they could just be Queen Bees who feel the need to micromanage the world.

Either way, I think you did the right thing and those other women need to get a grip.

Unknown said...

I'm one of the meek and while I would have taken it upon myself to forward it I wouldn't have told them the leadership wouldn't do it because I fear conflict. At least I know my flaws. :) Wish I could be more straightforward like you were.

As for helping "everybody" I can see where the "church" might think that everyone would be knocking on their door (isn't that what they wnt anyway) but it's like when I worked at Home Depot, we helped out with March of Dimes but couldn't help out with everything. However, the word would get passed there even if it wasn't a group thing. Don't know if that made sense.

Sherry said...

You were very tactful and you did the right thing. It's really sad but you will find most in a "volunteer" leadership position, feel thay have super powers or something, and can make others feel very very small.
The power some people wield is sometimes ridiculous but it works on people like me. I am "shy" in some aspects and my self confidence isn't at the point where I would just go for it like you do.
I admire people like you, wish I had a fraction of your character. If everyone had a fraction of it just think of how the world would be. No power trips all equal, I like that!!
You did great by sending out the email, you also did great letting others know the leaderships feelings on it also!!

Anonymous said...

My wife is a SAHM and she barley has the energy to tend to the kids, house and etc let alone take on other tasks. I am not a SAHD but I am sure I would be more tired staying at home then going to work. Work is sometimes like vacation from reality of home life and the crazyness that comes along with it. I really think it is the SAHM's that don't really want to be a SAHM or feel that being a SAHM is not satisfying enough so they feel they will feel purposeful by making a difference somewhere else. I am not sticking up for the person that wouldn't send the email out. It sounds like it wasn't a big deal to send out the message.

Debbie, I'm glad you are a fighter and that you are not afraid to fight for something you believe in.

Anonymous said...

Did you take a chance to stop and think about the fact that the same women's ministry has planned their own cropping weekend just 3 weeks before? (It was on the events page that we received at the 1st meeting). The moms group has an obligation to encourage and support the other events within their women's ministry and not to support those events that conflict (within a month timespan). I don't think this whole thing has anything to do with the event you want advertised...but I would rather see moms encouraged to be at an event where they will hear the gospel and be encouraged in their walk with Christ before attending a "worthy cause" where the draw of the event (ie scrapbooking) is the same.

Happy Working Mom said...
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Anonymous said...

Wow...you sure are outspoken! Let's remember that when you post negative things about your church and what not...you are not representing Christ the way you should be. I'm not saying you can't be upset for them not doing what YOU wanted them to do...that's your right. But to blog about it...come on! Especially b/c in some of the comments people left you...they are questioning Christianity and the integrity of our church and people in it. You really think that that is profitable? And...this group that you speak of, I'm a part of it. And I know they have have a table at all the meetings for you to advertise on. What you should have done is printed out all the information about the event and those interested would look at it on the table...just b/c they didn't send an email out for you...like they have said they wont for anybody for obvious purposes doesn't mean they aren't wanting to help great causes like the March of Dimes. Also, what you did by typing in everyones email address and sending it out yourself was wrong. You knew that it was against the rules of the group and you even asked and they said no. So what you did was not right. And if you really think about it, you should send out an apology. What makes you think it was ok for you to do that? You were mad and wanted to get your way. It really didn't have anything to do with the cause, you were just mad b/c you disagreed with them saying no. And now that you are bad mouthing the leadership people who told you no...maybe you should rethink being a part of this group. It's ok to not be friends with everyone...but let's be respectful. Even w/out you naming names, I know who the leadership team is...and you bad mouthing them, what is that doing for you? It sure shows the leadership team that you can't be trusted. What are you going to do next? Send out a bulk email again to everyone saying how horrible they are like you have said in your blog? Well, your drama, drama, drama that your write about is sure that...drama that you brought on. The person above me didn't leave their name and you said that you didn't value what they said b/c of it. Well, you don't know me and whether I leave my name or not doesn't matter. But I sure hope you rethink what you've done and PRAY about what you've done. I bet the Lord will open your eyes to what you have done and you will see that you owe some people an apology.

Beth said...
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Bethany said...

Why do such seemingly simple things generate so much backlash?

I have avoided the women's group at my church for some of the same reasons.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I think what "Happy Working Mom" is trying to say to her blogging friends is that she is going through some issues or problems she is having. (if you would read past blogs she does this regularly) Then what generally happens is her blogging friends give her some encouragement and some advise. I think we all get passionate over things we strongly believe in. I know I do. That is what makes us all unique in our own little ways. I want to thank "Happy Working Mom" for entrusting her blogging friends to give sound and honest advise and hope she keeps doing this. It really makes me feel that there are other people going through similar things I go through in my daily journey's.

Anonymous said...

Ladies:
I recently heard about all this nonsense and turned off my soap to come read this drama. Everyone should stop and look at the original request and stop trying to to be so defensive. I guess happyworking mom really struck a nerve with some people. I see this as the work of the devil SO STOP with all your gossip(this coming from a preacher's wife!!!!) Let's remember what a blog website is for. Anonymous needs to stand up and sign her name.

Happy Working Mom said...

Thank you, thank you to the comment above (3:20). That's what I have done, do and always will do...this is my "diary" and up until recently it was my PRIVATE (as in no one actually personally knew me) diary. So I would like to thank whoever passed around the blog address because it has appeared to create quite a controversy. I will be reposting on this issue, but first I had to comment on the comment made to me by 3:06:

First of all, I had no idea that ANYBODY I knew (or go to church with, except for Beth) read this blog. Secondly, we are working it out. This is between one lady and me and we're fine. There was serious, serious miscommunication between us. I don't think she needs you fighting her battles, she's pretty darn strong herself! And You have no right to judge my Christianity. Just like I don't have the right to judge anyone else's (and I haven't).

Obviously you know me, so please, if you have problems send them to me directly and stop hiding behind "anonymous." That way maybe things can get worked out like they did with the real person that was involved in this.

Jill said...

I'm sorry this happened. and I dont believe for a minute that people serious about their Christianity are going to "take back" their belief in God. In general, it shows that we are all sinners, sometimes we do bad things and need forgiven for them. Perhaps the church, like all businesses, has not quite caught up with the times, and perhaps, people ought to keep their "too much time on their hands" noses in. Why gossip? I believe that's a sin. Even if anyone else doesnt. So all in all, do what's right and what you believe to be true and dont' be hard on yourself. you'll never get the apology-btw i can barely piece together what the issue is just responding to the comments, but i get it. you just be your Christian self and rise above. What would Jesus do? I thought so!

Anonymous said...

Hey there Debbie,
Thanks for reposting and deleting some of the comments. It's so clear, as you and others have already said, that the one fighting the battle here was not you and that individual, the leadership team, SAHM's, working moms, church goers, church-avoiders or anyone else involved. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12 Satan's happy when we make a mess of something good. Moms2moms has a great year ahead and Debbie, you stated you want your blog to show others what God has done in your life. Both have great intentions...for God's glory. I am confident He'll redeem this situation for His name, fame & honor.
I AM NOT the pot calling the kettle black, b/c I've been a pawn in Satan's hands many a time. The beauty is that God has used my mistakes/words/outrages to humble me and teach me much about life, and I've still got much to learn!

As other commenters have said, "You go girl! You fight!" I encourage you to use this blog to fight for truth and God's glory in this dark world. Many are obviously listening! :-)

Amy W said...

Glad it was all resolved!!

Kelly said...

OK so I think I've missed something..cuz I'm totally confused....but I'm glad you resolved all the miscommunication!

Edie said...

I was MIA last week on vacation, so I don't know the whole story. It sounds like it was a very difficult time for you and I hate that you had to put up with nasty comments from people. I just think that's terrible.

I'm glad you've gotten things resolved though and are feeling better.