November Ministry Wrap Up

Thanksgiving weekend weekend the girls and I attended the baby shower for one of the young ladies at our church.

The following weekend was Baptism Sunday and we watched as two young people from our congregation gave their life to Christ. 

November seemed to be a month of celebration and I'm so grateful to God for the opportunity he has given us to love on so many different generations! 

I continue to be in awe of the fact that not only are we a diverse group of individuals from every walk of life but also from every generation! It's so beautiful to see young and old worshiping beside each other to further the kingdom! 

Not sweating the BIG stuff!

 

Just realized I had not blogged since before Thanksgiving! Maybe the fact that it was so laid back was the reason why but honestly for the first time that I can think of I was ok with just a quiet holiday with my hubby and kids. We chilled most of the day, ran a few errands and visited a friends home for dessert! And that was pretty much Thanksgiving in a nutshell! I missed my mom and sister but I didn't have to worry about preparing a decorative table or even making sure everything was in place and picture perfect. I cooked everything with the exception of the meet so by 12:30 the only thing we were waiting on was the turkey and roast to come out if the smoker. Sometimes it truly is worth not sweating the big stuff (or at least it's big in our mind...lol)!

Weekend before last left us.......Plum tuckered out!! lol

 

Marc is only a few months away from graduating but his work schedule has been crazy. In an effort to keep him company on those nights or mornings when hes traveling after a really busy week (or all night cram session) I have been traveling with him. So week before last I attended a mandatory 2 day session with him. The one thing I have loved about VUU is that the students and professors have been very kind to me and I've never felt uncomfortable sitting in class or other sessions with him. The Saturday session actually fell on the same day that he would be MC'ing the 45th Church Anniversary banquet for his home church. And since we both would be attending it didn't make much sense for him to travel to Richmond that morning only to have to rush back to pick me up for the banquet.

 

Me attempting to take a selfie in the women's bathroom. smh

 

It was a good thing I tagged along with him because we made it back from Richmond minutes before the banquet started. 

 

The banquet was very nice, but our favorite part was definitely seeing our Pastor Emeritus and our good friend Pastor Todd at the banquet. 

 

Sunday was Senior appreciation day at WABC. So after the morning service we attended lunch with the seniors and other church members at the local Golden Corral.

 

After the lunch with the seniors Marc and I headed over to GMZ for the closing of the 45th Anniversary Celebration and to hear our friend Pastor Todd Davidson preach. 

The photo below I added for the fun of it. My daughter snapped this picture of us the next evening. Apparently this is what ministry life does to you when you get old! LOL

November Ipsy bag

 

I loved most everything I got in my November Ipsy bag. My favorite items were the J Cat Beauty lip paint, the Laura Mercier Loose Powder/Brush and the BeaBombshell eye base. I'm still on the fence about the eyeliner (only because I'm not that good at applying it...lol), and I'm not sure that the Hair Oil will do me any good. Other then the hair oil I was very happy with this months bag, I mean who wouldn't like a glittery bag? If your interested my daughter Martinique did an Open box Ipsy video on youtube. Her box was different from mine though. LOL 

Mini Vacation in Richmond

 

Gifts during the Alumni meet and greet.

 

The first night of the convocation!

 

My view from the clubhouse at the John Marshall.

 

My favorite spot to take a nap each afternoon (a sure sign of my age...lol).

 

The sanctuary at Rising Mt. Zion BC in Richmond VA.

My view from the suite Masterbedroom.

 

One morning I went down to the lobby and people watched! Basically I watched all of them hustle and bustle off to work or school while I sat and listened to some jazz. 

 

My sister and I even went to an Art Gallery one afternoon (of course it was business for her).

 

We had a beautiful lunch one afternoon right there at the complex. A girl could get use to this life! lol

 

One surprise was a handwritten letter from the management welcoming us to the suite!

 

Me and my baby sis!

 

I actually lived in Richmond as a child and hated it. This trip allowed me to view it with different eyes. 

This past week Marc attended a week long conference at his school. Since my sister lives in the city and has access to a great suite in her apartment complex (and it just happened to be open for the days we were there) I tagged along. Most of the time I chilled in the suite but at night I attended the conference with him.

Anniversary Weekend

 

Last weekend Marc and I celebrated 6 years at WABC. To say that it hasn't been a struggle would be lying. But if you asked either one of us if we would give up ministry I believe the answer would be no. Its not the first time we have struggled in ministry (we have been at this for most of our adult life, and we both grew up in church literally from birth. Its actually how we met while teens at a church convention). We know what its like to be on the receiving end of love and on the receiving end of hate. It comes with the territory whether we like it or not! But if you go in ministry expecting it to be easy then perhaps you are in the wrong calling!

If you are looking to be in the spotlight or the star of the show then again you are in the wrong business. The majority of us in ministry will tell you this is not for the faint of heart. Its definitely does not guarantee a large salary, or a mega church or even a congregation over the size of 100! It doesn't even guarantee that the people will love you! What it does guarantee if you keep God at the forefront is a home in heaven.

What I have found out after nearly 20 years in ministry is that there are rewards that money can't buy and that the haters can't take away! Its the hugs from a child in Children's church, a quart of strawberries from a senior citizen just because she thought you would like them. Its the confidence in you from a young couple who are trying to find their way, or words of encouragement from the chairman who doesn't have an agenda to fulfill. Its hearing a church member pray for your husband and for you (and your children) when they don't know you are listening. Its having a teen feel comfortable enough with you that they are able to come and ask you a favor because they know they can count on you. Its the surprised but delighted look on one of your sick and shut in members when you go to visit. There are so many more stories like this that I could share. Small tokens of appreciation that get you through the rough days and moments at special occasions such as a wedding or baby dedication that bring joy to this work we call ministry. And work it is....our problem sometimes seems to be that we forget who the one we are working for is. I can pretty much guarantee anything you go through down here on earth doesn't come close to the sacrifices that God made on our behalf. 

The following scripture has been in my head for the last few weeks and as much as I would like to I just can't seem to forget it. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap our just rewards.

Our small church is very good at showing us love. We are blessed that we have the support of family and friends. We continue to be humbled by the responsibility placed on our shoulders as leaders but we are reminded daily that its not about us and that it really is all about God and our only responsibility is to represent him well!

Bath and Bodyworks Haul

If you follow me on Instagram you know I'm a Bath and Bodyworks junkie! I added to my stash last week during the 2 for $22 sale. With the exception of the Pumpkin Apple all of the others are favorites from the last few years. Now I'm just waiting for the bulbs and the Christmas stuff to go on sale. They gave me a ton of coupons on my last visit so I know I will be making several trips. lol What is your favorite fall scent?

End of the Month Wrap Up!

Ministry life has been crazy this month. Marc had several speaking engagements including preaching at his home church.

I am just in amazement how fast the youth at WABC have grown up since we first came to WABC. We have watched this young man grow up before our eyes. He is now off to college and Marine training.

We celebrated the birthday of one of our seasoned members. She turned 90. Which still amazes me (she is the one in the creme hat).

My mom and I got to spend some time together this month at a Missionary banquet.

We were celebrating these two young ladies from WABC.

Marc got to do his most favorite thing other then Baptisms and Weddings. This young man's dedication was so special. He knew it was his day because he waved to everyone while being walked down the aisle by Marc. LOL

We also welcomed a young lady and her daughter into the WABC family.

This past Saturday we had a prayer breakfast.

We also celebrated WABC 76th Church Anniversary on Sunday.

In the midst of the business we did lose a very special family member. Cousin Rose's memorial service was truly aHomegoing celebration with lots of families and friends gathered to remember her. Great testimonies about her life, gorgeous photos from her modeling days and jazz music playing to greet everyone at the start of the service. If you knew her you know this would have been right up her alley!

It almost became a family reunion of sorts with several of us traveling together to MD. At one point we had 14 family members sitting down to eat before and after the service. 

That is one of the many things I love about my family. They will come together when it counts the most, but not only then but whenever giving the chance we do not hesitate to gather together. Life is just way to short to be divided especially when it comes to family. The older I get the more I appreciate the one that God placed me in!

We did celebrate several birthdays this month including my girlfriends mom who just happens to be my Mary Kay lady (over 15 yrs).

And October is a big month for birthdays in my family. TJ's birthday was a few weeks ago and Nicki will turn 29 on Tuesday, This coming Friday on Halloween will be my moms birthday. October is also the birthday month for several cousins as well as my nephew Alex who turned 17! 

Again I'm just so grateful to be a part of this family.