Q: What is your name, how many kids, where do you live?

Brittania:

My name is Brittania Webb | 3 daughters | I live in Benton, Illinois.

Michelle:

Michelle Raby | 2 kids: Cohen 7 & Annalee 6 | I live in Marion, Illinois

Brittania:

My favorite thing to do is travel. Big or small, we are always up for an adventure.

Michelle:

I love to spend time with family and friends, date nights with my husband, playing board games and working out.

Brittania:

The Lord has been laying the groundwork for a while now, but I felt it confirmed one Sunday at church. I had been praying about stepping out in leadership and then the sermon that day was on discipleship. My pastor’s message that day was for me! A short time later (maybe a few days) Michelle called and asked if I would be interested in co-leading an OW group with her. What perfect timing. I responded right away with such excitement, confident that God has big things in store for these “ordinary women” in southern IL.

Michelle:

As is always the case with God, He leads us to moments of decision and commitment in preparation for increased opportunities. The moment I knew God wanted me to lead and when my first increased opportunities were found was on the campus of Oak Ridge Elementary School located in Sacramento, CA.

Economically impoverished, the area was a hot spot for despair and brokenness. Some of the children who crossed my path had life stories that rivaled even mine.

For some, the opportunity would have been overwhelming, but each day I was on campus and looked into their faces, I saw the person I had once been, and I wanted to be that smile, that hug, that kind word, that would allow them to see the possibilities that existed, in spite of their current situations.

It was very clear that God placed a burning passion in me for the marginalized and voiceless in our world because of the journey I had been through. I believe that my acceptance of His leading was the key to incredible opportunities I would never have imagined or expected.

Brittania:

Fear has had such a hold on my willingness to respond when God speaks and it has kept me from being obedient in too many situations. So for me, the biggest obstacle is letting go of fear and surrendering to God’s call in my life.

Michelle:

Overcoming fear! Fear of rejection, pain, loss, and success. I wake up daily reminding myself that fear won’t win the day!

Brittania:

I’m going to have to come back to this one.

Michelle:

My greatest moment of faith was the day I sat with my 57-year-old mom that I hadn’t seen in over ten years due to so much bitterness and anger. We talked for hours about painful things and were both brave and vulnerable. My mom cried as she asked for forgiveness for all the decisions she made in her life that caused me so much pain. I held her in my arms, and the past that had always seemed so close was suddenly far away!That was the day I forgave my mom.That was the day we celebrated her sobriety.That was the day I gained a new perspective on healing.This was the day that God gifted me a wonderful ending to a broken beginning.That was the indescribable moment God orchestrated to set me free from pain and my mother free from all her mistakes!

Brittania:

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”

Michelle:

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Leaders Lauren, Shelly, and Krista enjoy a dinner at Tapa Rio with their OW group. Intentional relationships are a huge part of Ordinary Women and this group does an excellent job with making time for each other.