Sunday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife).

1) We spent the weekend at a marriage conference hosted by Family Life. Two members of our Leadership staff attended the conference with us. We are hoping next year to send more of the couples from WABC.

2) We first heard about the conference through my friend Peggy who attended the conference last year with her husband. They were back this year, and because of the number of people they recommended to the conference they qualified for free registration. I highly recommend this conference to couples who may be in crisis, but also to couples who have not taken time out in a very long time just for themselves.

3) A friend of Marc's graciously stepped in to speak at WABC this weekend so that we could attend the entire weekend. We had a really great time, and the couple that went with us came back refreshed (as a matter of fact one of the members at WABC commented on the fact that they seem to be like newlyweds...lol).

4) Part of the "homework" assignment for the conference was that at the end of Saturday's session (which just happened to fall on Valentine's Day) the couples were to go on a date night. Marc and I attended Saturday night worship service at New Life Providence (this was a special blessing for me, because Marc and I do not get to sit together during Sunday services) and then went back home that evening to watch the movie "Fireproof" .

5) This week we will be in our 5th session of Beth Moore's Esther series. I'm learning that there is so much more to this story then I ever imagined. Beth's bible studies leave me wanting more and more of God's word.

6) I love planning events, and right now I am working on a Woman's Weekend Experience for the woman of WABC and for the women within our community. Part of the excitement for me will be introducing the ladies to our keynote speaker (who just happens to be one of my really good friends). We plan to use one of the resources provided by Group publishing, for our Saturday session.

7) One of the things down the pike for the Women of WABC is a possible trip to Washington DC for the Women of Faith Conference. We have several people in place who are doing a great job with our youth so I am concentrating a lot of my efforts right now on our Women's Ministry.

8) I know this is the typical area in which a lot of ministers wives find themselves (and usually not of their own free will) but I would not have volunteered to lead our women's ministry if I didn't feel a strong call to do it. Even though Marc and I have spent 17 years in youth ministry I am looking forward to the new direction my life is taking.

9) Speaking of woman's ministry...Marc requires that every ministry leader complete a Vision Statement and goals for their various ministries. As the new WABC Woman's Ministry Leader I am not exempt just because I happen to be the pastor's wife. Let me just say, this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But I did it!!!!!

10) Speaking of "Fireproof" , right now I am watching the movie (again) with my daughter Nicki. If you have young adult daughters (or sons. Nicki just happens to be the only one home right now) I recommend that they watch this movie, and if you know a young couple about to get married I recommend sending them to a "Weekend To Remember" event.

11) Lastly, each person at the conference was asked to write a love letter to their husband and wife. I have only peeked at the letter Marc wrote to me. I had to stop reading it at the conference because it made me cry (a good cry). We also reaffirmed our commitment at the end of the conference to each other. Marc started cutting up during the exchange, but we came out of this experience determined to take what we learned and actually apply it to our life. Otherwise (in the word of my husband) we might as well have stayed at home.

12) Sidebar: I know Marc is wearing a suit in the pictures, but I wanted you to know he did not wear one Friday or Saturday. He only wore one today because we were going to WABC after the conference ended. I love to see him in a simple pair of slacks and a shirt, but this weekend I have learned to accept my man just the way he is. And can you imagine if he wore torn jeans and a graphic t-shirt (lol). All joking aside, I recently saw a picture of President Obama playing golf, and one where he wore slacks and a shirt. Looked pretty good if you ask me and since we happen to be around the same age as him and Michelle I say if its good enough for my president its good enough for me.