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Catch the Vision

"Catch The Vision" - of Women of Vision

www.womenofvisionorangecounty.org

 

When God guides, He provides. In July of 1984 it all began when Ann McKusick “Caught The Vision” to help women and children. From there, prayer became a major part in seeking God’s direction. God kept opening doors for her and gathering in people who are still on board today. My involvement started in a prayer group with several ladies from Orange County (Karen French, Patti Johnson, Connie Linden and Betsy Tarbell) in Pat Rexroot’s office in the fall of 1989 and continued until the spring of 1990. We met once a week to pray and in the fall we attended the first Women of Vision study group at Gail Ochs’ home. Because of seeking Him in this venture, Women of Vision Orange County took root, and in the fall of 1990 WOV held its first gatherings in the homes of Betsy Tarbell, Beverly Peters and Karen French. This started the first chapter of WOV, and the Lord has blessed and blessed us, as WOV Orange County’s ladies have gone out to all parts of the world, helping women and children. Our membership is now over 320 strong.  Other chapters in America soon followed Orange County’s format under the leadership of Penny Wood, National Director of Women of Vision. 

Over these years of membership, I have had the opportunity to see the hearts of women change, grow in serving, and make an unsurpassed commitment to the mission of WOV.  In 2006, I was asked to chair the WOV Orange County annual spring fund raising event.  During this time, it became clear to me that there will be a season when the majority of the women of long standing will have to pass on their batons to younger women who can take on the passion of serving the poor.

With this realization, I presented to Leadership a program format for women with young children that would create a convenient time and a small welcoming group environment where women can learn about WOV. Here, they could create friendships with other like-minded women at this stage of life. The proposal was accepted with open arms, and over the summer I formed a committee of younger ladies to start the process of gathering names from the Partnership in order to invite women with young children to join. The committee has a miraculous God-given passion for this new project. It was really amazing to me to see God move in their hearts at the same time. I knew then that this idea was going to be of His leading and His outcome, “We make our plans but God directs our path”:  Proverbs 16:4.  Dedicated to this early vision were Laura Blackburn, Yoli Brogger, Jan Day, Jacque Walters, and Tarla Young.  Julie Alvarado joined the next year.

While this project was taking wing, this verse was so important to me to share for prayer each time the committee met. It seemed to be a confirmation that we were moving in the right direction:

Col.1:9-10 - “So ever since we first heard about you we kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what He wants for you (filled with the knowledge of His will) asking Him to make you wise about spiritual things and asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor Him, so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning (growing in the knowledge) to know God better and better.” LIV.

On October 5th, 2006, we set up a coffee in the morning during the hours convenient for young moms () and a tea in the afternoon (). We sent our invitations to over 220 ladies in their 30’s - 50’s with our “Catch the Vision” theme, along with the pamphlet “Who Is a Woman of Vision?” The day was more than successful. Our verse was Proverbs 14:31b: “...to help the poor is to honor God.” This became the committee’s passion - to honor God in all of this. 

Our WOV Leadership team came up with a great name for this new group, “WOV JRS”. With a name, we became legitimate! Our first Junior Partners’ meeting was November 9th, 2006. Since that first meeting, we have grown to 50 members.

Our long-range goal is to teach the ladies God’s passion for the poor and to keep their commitment to only one 1½ hour meeting each month, Oct. through May, excluding Dec. As their schedules open up or as they catch the passion for one WOV project or another, they can choose to serve in a more active way. There will be no pressure - just gather, learn, grow, pray - and God will do the rest in their hearts.

The main drawing card for many of the new gals was the fact that we were offering them ways to participate with their children and/or husbands. We have many projects where their children can be involved, such as the Isaiah House, the Shalimar Learning and Teen Program, 6 Seed Project, the AIDS Walk in December, New Way of Life (founded by Susan Burton in Los Angeles) and the Las Palmas project in Tijuana, Mexico. In this affluent Orange County area, the moms want their children to see and to serve the other side of life.

God has birthed yet another group called Young WOV (YWOV). This is a mother/daughter group with God leading them to learn and serve. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

My son, John, created a website for our WOVOC Chapter: www.womenofvisionorangecounty.org 

What a powerful tool as the internet is such a big part of our lives! Please visit it.

Our Web site was a success for WOV Annual Event/Auction. The information is made quick and easy by clicking on the Home page links for WOVOC projects, Who We Are, WOV JRS, YWOV, Blog, our Activities, on-going events and more. It is a place to go to get information about meetings, dates and news. Look it over!

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER JOINING THIS AUXILIARY!  Whether or not you are able to attend any of these meetings, we invite you to accept our invitation to Partner with us in 2010-2011 as we invest our faith, time, compassion, creativity and personal resources to make a difference in our world. Your annual tax deductible membership donation of $50 will support our local chapter and our national office. 

“To God be the Glory, great things He has done”.

For further information, call or email:

Cheryl Young, 

Chair: WOV Junior Partners

WOV Jr. Leadership: Liz Broedlow, Betsy Cooper, Jennifer Rudderow, Tarla Young.

Phone:  949-388-3161     

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it