Weekend Wrap Up

Its been a full weekend! Friday evening we held a Fashion Show and Baby Contest. The participants have been working on this for months and boy did they out do themselves! Four babies raised over $4,000 for our building campaign. Again...the people of WABC continue to amaze Marc and I with their dedication to this church. Its very humbling actually.

Marc didn't have to preach this weekend so he spent most of Saturday working on the cars around here. The last photo cracks me up because Nicki took this picture of him in the back of his work truck looking for a tool he needed for her car which decided to break down on Saturday morning just as she was leaving to work a booth at the local Strawberry Festival ( I find it ironic that she ended up at the Verizon Booth, being that her dad worked for them way back when and now has his own telecommunications business. At least she had the experience to answer questions....sort of).

Sunday was baptism Sunday at WABC. Marc probably enjoys baby dedications just a bit more, but this runs a close second! LOL

Marc and I went out to dinner after church, which we had not done in a while. The plan was to head home and chill in pj's, that was until I noticed that I had three 50% off coupons (two for Michaels and 1 for AC Moore). So Marc, Quisha and I got in the car and hightailed it to the store. I picked up  few cute decorating pieces from Michaels and a scallop punch from AC Moore so that I can use to create these. After that we headed to his bestfriends home so that we could wish his 15 year old son Happy Birthday.

I'm starting to realize how busy our life can get and how the first thing to usually fall by the wayside during that period is our family time. So starting Friday I'm going to start unplugging more. Fridays are suppose to be "date" day or in some cases errand day for us. I've made a commitment to Marc to do better which will mean stepping away from the computer, and especially twitter and facebook!

Speaking of being busy, life is about to become even busier as we gear up for our VBS Camp 2011. Our VBS is free to everyone who comes (and includes a great meal....not just a snack). A lot of this is done with donations from church members! I'm telling you...never let "budget restraints or the size of your church deter you from reaching out to others. God always provides a way! I'm excited about Main Street , but I'm especially excited to see my girls in character again!

We decided to scrap our plans to visit with friends in Florida (originally we would have been there for a vow renewal, but Kelli has postponed it until their 30th ) and Marc the girls and I are now looking into a cruise of some sort. Nothing is written in stone...but that's the plan so stay posted. I love Disney but with all we have going in right now the prices just don't match the pocketbook!

In the mean time I am excited to announce that several friends have agreed to be guest bloggers here over the month of June. I intentionally picked women from diverse backgrounds to feature and I'm happy to say each one them said yes!!! So please make a point to check in every Tuesday and Thursday over the next month. I promise you won't want to miss it!

Missions Ministry

Marc and I are praying for our Pastor and his wife who are on a mission trip to Ecuador right now! I can't recall a time in all our years of knowing them that they did not talk about this. Actually they were the first people I even remember speaking to about the subject of ministering to those in foreign lands with! I'm so proud of all that they do and their heart for ministry! I'm not sure I would be that brave....although at this point in my life God has been stretching me so much, I am learning to never say never (to anything...lol)! Although just in case your listening Lord....I really don't think I need to be stretched that far...yet!

The Village Has Arrived!

I'm so proud of my big cousin (our entire family has been beaming). Last month he launched the start of what I'm hoping will be a big success. He wrote a book and released it to the public! Then this week I got word that the book can now be purchased at Barnes and Noble!!!! Lowell is living his dream. As a writer there is no bigger accomplishment then seeing your words put to paper and then published!

Lowell was the big brother I never had. My first year in high school was his Senior year, but yet even in the midst of all of the changes that come with your senior year he took time out to watch over and protect his little cousin. I recall many times when we would pass each other in the hallway and he would give me that nod, and smile of his....as if to say "I got your back cuz"! It made my Freshman year just a bit better knowing he was there if I needed him. Over the years we were able to keep in contact and one point he and his wife even trusted me with the responsibility of his most precious gift from God...his son.

It would be many years before I knew of the many challenges he faced as a person with epilepsy. Of the struggles he would encounter on the job, within his own personal life, and the determination it would take for him to keep moving forward. But my cousin has a very special gift. He would probably tell you its his love of writing, but I say its his faith in God and his ability to connect with people that makes him special.

The book is a fictional account of a man who is dealing with epilepsy, the journey that he takes; and the people he comes into contact with along the way. I know I may seem a bit bias (and I am) but I promise you won't be disappointed. I suggest that you read this book whether or not  you know of someone who lives with epilepsy ( notice I did not say suffering with it) ...because as Lowell would say...."I may have epilepsy but it does not have me! We could all take a lesson from him. It doesn't matter what you are going through...it's how you handle it that counts!

Leading and Loving It!

Leading and Loving It is giving away a copy of John Acuff's book Quitter, Closing The Gap Between your Day Job and Your Dream Job (you have until Wednesday to comment for a chance to win the book)! Brandi asked the question what would qualify as your dream job? That's a easy one for me since in many ways I am doing exactly what I dreamed about doing. It was pretty apparent early in my marriage to Marc that at some point and time he would be called into ministry. I mean we met as young leaders in church! From the moment I was old enough to dream big dreams I dreamed about being a wife and mother. For a brief moment in high school I wanted to be a airline stewardess because the job looked romantic and adventurous! Of course that was before I realized I had a fear of flying!  Then after graduating from High School I went to school to study Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design. That was until TJ came along and I started my now 28 year career as a wife and mother. Which when I think about it has always been my dream job.

 I grew up during a time when having a single mom as your parent was not the norm. So in my mind...being a stay at home mom was at the top of my priority list. The only thing I love as much as being a mother and wife  (other then Disney) is party and event planning. I'm sure if you checked my pulse it would be racing when I'm in the party planning mode. Short of living in Florida and working at the Disney Wedding Pavilion I am doing exactly what I wanted to do. I'm a wife, mother, party planner and ministry leader. I don't know that I would change any of that even if I could. Over the last few months I have come to realize that not only am I living my dream, I'm Leading and Loving It!

Legends Luncheon, and the diversity of generations!

Last Saturday our women's ministry team hosted a "Legend's Luncheon for the women of WABC. I got the idea from the Legend's Luncheon that Oprah held a few years back. As you know I'm passionate about women, children and especially passionate about diversity in the church. Diversity isn't always about the color of your skin. Sometimes its about economic barriers, sometimes its generational. Having grown up in the church the one thing I can honestly say that has effected me becoming the me I am today has been the influence of women in my life. Throughout my life I have come into contact with women of every race, background, and age.

My grandmother and my aunt helped influence my love of fashion, my mom influenced my thoughts and ideas on becoming a women of strength. My daughters have influenced how I see myself as I grow older (they help keep me young), and my goddaughters have taught me too savor life. Then there is my 90 year old aunt who teaches me everyday the importance of being a woman of influence in the lives of the women you come into contact with. Over and over again I have been influenced by women from different generations (and races). That is one of the many things that I love about WABC. Each Sunday you will find women from every generation sitting in the pew together worshipping God.

So often we concentrate on one age group and we forget the importance of learning from one another. Last Saturday we had a coming together of generations (mothers, and daughters, aunts and sistas)! The seasoned "legends" of WABC, sat down and broke bread with the "youngins' and the "babies"! How much richer would our ministries be if we could bring not only the races together but bring together the generations...all for the glory of God!

Kelli's Creations

Many of you asked about the necklaces the team was wearing at the retreat. My friend Kelli from Kelli's Creations made them! Honestly I am not sure how she has the time to do this, but somehow she makes the time. Kelli and I started out as cyber buddies, but that was nearly 7 yrs ago! Kelli and her family have an amazing story of faith, strength through adversity and survival that I admire so much. Whenever I want to complain about my life I think about all that Kelli has to endure on an everyday basis. And the fact that she does it with such grace and mercy; I shut up and stop complaining about my small issues. I am hoping that one day Kelli will turn her story into a book. Even though the Armed and Dangerous necklace is not available for purchase (it was a personal gift to the team), I did want to share Kelli's info with you all.

Armed and Dangerous Part 2

Last week was life changing for me. God stuck me soo far out of my comfort zone that I'm surprised I'm still standing, let alone breathing. Not only did I get to be a part of the most exciting event I have ever had the privilege to be a part of, but I came back that weekend and spoke at WABC for only the second time in my life (three if you count the panel discussion at Armed and Dangerous). And thanks to the ladies of Leading and Loving It I came back equipped, connected, encouraged and uplifted. I came back.........Armed and Dangerous!

I loved Lori from the very first moment we connected nearly three years ago. She took me under her wings and loved on me like a mom even before she met me in person. Tiffany felt like a sister from the minute we started corresponding on each others blogs ( I probably stalked her blog so much she really just thought she had better get to know this crazy PW who commented each day...lol). Jess.......sweet Jess sent me a letter of encouragement over two years ago when she didn't know me from Eve...but she did it just because a PW on her staff and I had become friends and knew that Jessica could encourage me like no other. Lisa is just one of those girls that you know will be the girlfriend every girl wants to have in her corner. I have the feeling that once Lisa has your back, she has it for life! But I have to admit that out of all of the women on the team, Brandi intimidated me the most, in part because the image of Brandi that I had in my head was that of a woman who seemed to have it all together!

Then Brandi got up to talk last week and literally  blew me away. When she told us that speaking publicly did not come second nature to her, I was floored. I wish now we had taped those sessions because each of the ladies did such a great job, but Brandi spoke to me in a way that no one else did.

See (and I apologize in advance if this story gets a bit long. I'm sure I'm breaking a few blogging rules, but its important that I get this out even if its just for my own good) I have a secret to share. I've had a bestfriend over the years who has taken the place of my husband, my friends, my family but most especially my God! That bestfriend has been fear! Then Brandi spoke directly to my fears and said "Don’t let fear and inadequacies set the limits of your influence.  Fear builds fences that keep you from going to new territory for God. And…Jesus broke down fences so that we could have his limitless power".


I realized right then and there that I have let fear keep me from going to new territory for God! I don't know about you but that messed me up. As a young girl growing up I felt like a mistake. My mom was a single mom the first nine years of my life. I spent my first year of my birth living with my grandparents. I never knew who my biological father was. And even though I was surrounded by loving family members, I felt lost and alone. In my early years as a teen, I had a family member tell me I would never amount to anything. That no one would ever love me and that there was no purpose or plan for my life. As you can imagine, those words said at the most pivotal point of a young girls life, colored everything I thought about myself from that moment on. 


Then about nine years ago I read the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. In the opening of his book Pastor Rick quoted the scripture, Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you". Pastor Rick went on to say, "you are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. He thought of you first. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that you are breathing at this very moment!" 


When Lori first asked me to become a part of the team, a lot of the same insecurities I felt as a child came flooding back. I grew up being the girl on the outside looking in. In my head I was being asked to be a part of the "in" crowd and I felt inadequate and ill equipped for the job. As the only PW on the team coming from a single staff church with less then 100 members, I honestly did not see what I could bring to the table among such prestigious churches as Cross Point, Peoples Church, Central Church, Bay Area Fellowship and Church by the Glades! I felt way more comfortable being the "Behind The Scenes" girl for social media. Then last summer God spoke to me at a Women of Faith Event in the form of Beth Chapman. I listened as she talked about feelings of inadequacy, about doubting the path God seemed to be taking her down despite the fact it wasn't the plan she had envisioned for her life! She had gone through struggles way bigger then anything I was experiencing and yet God was using her to speak into the lives of others. I remember sitting in the Verizon Center balling like a baby. If I really believed in my heart that God has a purpose and plan for my life, then who was I to doubt what God can do in and through me? I didn't matter how small and inconsequential I felt I was...I served a great big God, and he did know me before I was formed in my mothers womb! I had a story he wanted me to share, not because of anything I did, but because of who he was and how my testimony could benefit others. 


Any doubts I had that I could make a difference went out the window when I met you lovely ladies last week. So many of you came up to me to say how much you appreciated what I had to say ( that's most definitely a God thing and had nothing to do with me) and in many cases I was surprised at how similar some of our stories were. Never again will I assume that the grass is any greener in someone else's yard. To those of you who may be struggling with God's purpose for your life....just remember that only God knows the path you should take. Lean into him and let him be your guide. All we have to do is follow his lead and the only way to do that is by studying his word, meditating on his word and praising him for the sacrifices he has made on our behalf. 

Armed And Dangerous Part 1

Its taken me a few days to get my thoughts together about the retreat, about meeting all of the great ladies and especially getting to hang out with the Leading and Loving It Team! I'm not even sure I can put it all into words. First of all this was not your average Pastors Wives retreat! Actually, its unlike any retreat or conference I have ever been to. The fact that I had even a small part in its planning is still mind blowing to me. I have to say my favorite part of the week was meeting so many PW's from so many different places. These are a few of my favorite things, or take-away's from the retreat.

1) It doesn't matter how small or large your church is, whether you are a church planter or not... we all have the same issues and concerns!

2) Pastors' Wives are some of the coolest people around. They just need more chances to be their own authentic selves!

3) Don't get in the way of a PW on a mission to win the Amazing Race!

4) Green Tea Latte from Starbucks is going to be a must have in the morning for me from now on!

5) Cross Point has some amazing volunteers and staff! My husband does not impress easily but he went away with a new respect for the contemporary church. The worship portion was a much needed blessing in my life, and I know from the comments of others that I was not the only person blessed by it.

6) Lori's Team was just as amazing. I'm not use to being treated so special, but they poured just as much love into the L and L It Team as they did the other 150 ladies who came to be refreshed. It gave me a new appreciation for my girls at WABC and all that they do for the ministry!

7) Lisa Young is probably one of the most authentic Pastor Wives I have ever come into contact with.

8) Lori and Lisa placed me with the Youth Ministry ladies. At the time I was not sure there was anything I could add to the conversation...but those ladies made me feel like the "cool" PW at the table. Thank you ladies for being so open to this ole lady. I'm kicking myself for not taking a group picture with all of you.

9) The giveaways were off the chain! Thank you to everyone who donated to this cause. Our bags were soo full! This was the one time I was glad we drove into Nashville.

10) When we first started planning the retreat I remember the team talking about how important it was that the women who came left Armed And Dangerous! I can't speak for anyone else but in the days since the event I know it not only left the women who came equipped for ministry...but it definitely gave me a much needed boost!

I don't know of a lady there who did not leave armed and dangerous in their pursuit of God’s purpose for their lives! Watch out world, God just released some powerful sisters out there!

Ohhh. one last note. I could not finish this post without thanking Steph Thomason for connecting my husband Marc with her and Liz Reed's husbands. They did not have to let Marc tag along with them to Cross Point but the fact that they did and the fact that my husband came back with a smile on his face and a new bounce in his step was worth dragging him to Nash with me. Thank you ladies.

Church Diversity Book Winner

Congratulations scshouse ! Please email me at witfour@hotmail (.) com so we can make arrangements to get the book out to you. Thanks everyone for your participation. If you are interested in hearing more about Church Diversity or about the author Scott Williams you can go here .

Nashville Here We Come!!!!

I don't know about you but I have been counting down the days until Armed and Dangerous! Not sure that Tennessee is ready for a slew of Pastor Wives running the streets of Nashville, but oh well......here we come! LOL

Thought I would share a glimpse of what I'm packing up for the big trip ( with a little encouragement from some ladies in Florida )! Again, I can't believe that I will be headed there in just a few days. I'm soo excited I can't stand myself. I think my biggest concern has been hanging out with all of the gorgeous ladies from Leading and Loving It. The way I understand it, a pair of big earrings are a must...the bigger the better!

The bottom of my bag is filled with shoes (notice the platform heels....I figure I'm going to need a pair of high heels since I will be hanging out with Lori and Jessica....HAHA ), not that I will get to wear them all. But a gal has to be prepared just in case. I even threw in a pair of boots.... I mean I will be in Nashville! My black boots are no where to be found so I need to find them asap and finish up my packing.

I'm not really a jeans kind of gal but there are at least 4 pair in my bag along with a pair of leggings, and a comfortable sweatsuit for traveling. I even took Holly Furtick's advice and brought a pair of skinny jeans! Several ladies have asked what to pack, honestly pack what makes you comfortable. There is no set dress code and Lori, Brandi and the rest of the team really just want you to have a good time laughing, connecting, being encouraged, uplifted and leaving prayed up! See you ladies in a few days. Oh, and by the way don't forget a cute pair of pj's !

Church Diversity

It's sad to think that 40 years later Rev. Martin Luther King's words still ring true..."We must face the sad fact that at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, when we stand to sing...we stand in the most segregated hour in America." Well my friend Scott Williams has decided to step up to the plate and confront the elephant in the room! His new book " Church Diversity-Sunday the Most Segregated Day of the Week delves into this tough issue and offers a forum for conversation. You may think this subject does not effect you, but if you take the time to read the scriptures you would know that this subject was very close to our Abba Father's heart and because of that it should matter to us. I love Scott's  quote when he says "Church diversity is not just about the color of skin, but rather the wages of sin". This is a must read for every church leader, every church goer, and anyone who truly wants to make a change in the world. Thanks to the generosity of Scott and New Leaf Publishing Group I am able to give away a copy of this book for free. If you would like a chance to receive a free copy just leave a message here, and I will randomly select a name on Friday!

Sunday Best

I woke up this morning with a fierce headache. So much so that I almost didn't make it to church. As a matter of fact I spent part of the service in the office with ice on my head. Two Excedrin tablets later I'm feeling a bit better. I had been eyeing this trench coat a while but wasn't sure I wanted to spend $30.00 to get it. Then last weekend I went grocery shopping at Sam's Club and the coat was on clearance for $15.00! I ended up getting it in red and royal blue. Got to love a good bargain! 

Today was Family and Friends Day at WABC. Our good friend Rev. Addie Peterson and the congregation from Messiah Presbyterian came over to join us in celebration. Marc and I have a had a long relationship with their church. Briefly while they were searching for a pastor Marc stepped in to do services for them. Since that time anytime that we call on them for assistance they have been there to help out. They are just like family. So what better choice for family and friends day then family.

Marc spoke this morning on the subject "Royalty Has Its Privileges". For a minute I thought my Wedding Breakfast Party would become a part of the sermon! He said that your family is what makes one royal. That royals all have an impressive title ( by now you may know where he was going with this ). He talked about the fact they we all come from royalty. That when you give your life to Christ that you become a part of God's royal family. And that only the blood of Jesus makes you a part of the royal family of God.

Well that's how my Sunday unfolded. How was everyone else's? 

1 Peter 2:9  ⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.