Bull Run Women's Connection proving an inspirational aid

Ladies, feel like you need a little inspirational boost? So do the women in the Bull Run Women's Connection (BRWC), which is why they meet monthly for a morning of food, socializing, music and inspiring guest speak-ers.

The BRWC, sponsored by Christian Women's Club of Stonecroft Ministries, held their July program, "Making Plans for the Summer," at Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville.

About 35 participants enjoyed the music of classical piano player and Brentsville District High School student Nancy Cronauer.

Feature speaker Jennifer Hoskins of the Buckland Preservation Society then shared "Secrets in our Own Back Yard," a brief history and description of the Buckland area which has emerged as an archeological treasure.

Hoskins described Buckland, which is located halfway through the Journey through Hallowed Grounds (JTHG), a national heritage area, with more than 10,000 listings on the National Register of Historic Places. During the change from an agricultural- to an industrial-based society, Buckland became a hub of business and commerce.

One of the treasures is a mill that has original equipment, the only such mill in the country.

Among other findings, historians have uncovered a distillery, home sites of freed slaves, Civil War soldiers' belt buckles, unexploded shells and gravesites. Indian burial sites are also still being discovered, said Hoskins.

Hoskins, who wears many volunteer hats including one for the JTHG, explained her involvement by saying, "In my family, you MUST volunteer!"

Part of her service includes educating people on the historic treasures here in Prince William County.

Hoskins' presentation offered listeners a trip back in time and forward again in this age of archeological discovery and preservation attempts in spite of newer homes that have been built on the historic areas.

Next came speaker Nancy O'Meara, director of property management for Continental Realty Corporation, who discussed "A Change in Plans."

O'Meara described her adolescent beliefs that she would find her knight in shining armor, live in a Victorian house and have ten children. Life didn't turn out that way for O'Meara, though.

Sharing her adult life which was intertwined with poverty and abuse, O'Meara stressed the importance of having a personal relationship with God. As a child, she said she was good because she was afraid God wouldn't love her. But she never learned that God could be anything different.

When her father passed away, she rebelled against God whom she felt had betrayed her in spite of her efforts to be good. But God had a different plan for her, O'Meara said. Struggling as a single parent, she became in-volved in a church where she found support and that connection to God she had been looking for.

"It wasn't about religion," she said. "It was about having a personal relationship with God."

O'Meara said she now has three passions: being a mom to five grown children, being a grandmother to four grandchildren and working with single-again women as they prepare and deal with changes in their lives.

In addition to holding monthly programs, the BRWC also holds a Prayer Connection the first Monday of every month and various Bible studies.

For more information on their events, e-mail bullrunwomenconnect@verizon.net.