Community Picnic (Country Style)!

Saturday we traveled to the country to be with my mom and family as they celebrated with other churches in their community. Several African American and White churches have been coming together for the last four years to promote unity. A few have even switched pulpits on Sunday to speak. We had a great time minus the walk from the car's to the picnic area. We got a lot of rain this week and unfortunately it caused a bit of a muddy situation on the field. The girls were not prepared for this and Nicki ruined a pair of very cute shoes. As you can see by the picture she was not very happy. My kids have never liked dirt of any kind (TJ once took off a pair of pants in the middle of the playground because he got grass stains on his pants..LOL). They come by it honestly. I'm not to keen on the stuff myself. The host pastor tried to convince us to let our hair down and take off our shoes and play in the "mudge" (my name for the slush and mud we walked in). Of course my family was having none of that! All and all we had a great time fellowshipping with everyone and I got a chance to see some people I had not seen since my grandparents were alive.

Golden Girls (Angels)

Yesterday I spent time with our very own group of "Golden Girl's" (the Golden Angels). We went on a sightseeing tour of Norfolk and then took the ladies to eat lunch at Golden Corral. I have to admit those ladies kept us "youngins" going. LOL. Our driver and tour guide were ready to pass out by the end of the afternoon, and I have to admit that if I had not had a Staff Meeting that evening I would probably have been out myself (and I did fall out when I got home. I was so tired I fell asleep with the lights on and still in my shirt from the day). Of course it did not help that the air in the van wasn't working and we had to stop and get water for everyone (our planning strategy will be better the next time). But I think those of us who were supporters (that is what my badge said) of the Golden Angels complained more then the the Angels did. Our oldest passenger was 99, and not once did she make a ruckus about our conditions. How many times have we complained about even less?

They have already started planning their next couple of events which will include a fashion show, lunch on the Spirit of Norfolk, and a trip to Williamsburg to see the " Grand Illuminations". Who says its all over at 70?

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

1) I spent the entire week at home! I did not go out to the church one night (with the exception of Friday). My home has been neglected the last couple of weeks in preparation for our Women's Weekend, but the next couple of weeks I will be concentrating on the home front.

2) Well except Tuesday. Tuesday I will be accompanying our Golden Angels (women over 70) on a tour of the city and then to lunch at Golden Corral. We have a large number of "mature" women at WABC and sometimes they are the one group (besides our young adults) that get lost in the crowd. Our goal at WABC is that "all" people will be valued.

3) Saturday my Mary Kay consultant came to our home to pamper the girls and I. I had a long list of items that I need to stock up on for the summer months (including sunscreen). We had a great time and by the end of the afternoon I felt refreshed.

4) We are slowly starting to get our offices together at WABC. This past weekend Marc and I found some really nice desk (really nice). The value of them both was well over $200 each but by the time we got to the register that day they were marked down to less then $35 a piece! Talk about a blessing.

5) I have already started the planning for next years Women's Weekend Experience. Can you say chocolate?

6) This afternoon we had a guest music group. OMG!!!! Those kids (well they are kids to me) were off the chain!!!!! Marc promised them that the next time they came back to visit we would have a new sound system. I can't imagine what they will sound like then!

7) Tuesday we have our monthly all staff meeting. We will be continuing our discussion of "The Purpose Driven Church".

8) I'm excited about the fact that our good friends David and Cheryl will be here next Sunday from Kansas. David who was our pastor when we lived in Kansas will be our guest speaker.

9) Marc's message today was "When your "but" gets in the way! I think the children will be talking about that one for weeks. Especially when he said our "but" stinks in the nostrils of God.

10) I have almost finished the planning for our summer vacation. I am very excited to be going here , here and here.

11) Last Friday I did venture out of the house for a few hours. Our youth choir went to participate in a Youth Extravaganza at my old church. They did such a good job. They went in there with confidence and held their heads high even though this was probably the first time they had performed in front of that many people. I was a very proud mama.

12) In a few weeks will host our annual "Youth Day". The children came up with a great theme for the day. I have been sworn to secrecy, but as soon as I am allowed to spill the beans I will. Its going to be a good one.

13) This morning I got to slip over to NLP for just a bit. Pastor Dan wasn't the speaker but the message was very good. It was actually a early Father's Day message.

14) Speaking of Father's Day, Marc has been asked to stand in for a really good friend at NLP's Father's Day picnic. He will be accompanying his three "nephews" who's father is a soldier and unfortunately will not be here the weekend of the event. This was actually the one weekend Marc and I would not be busy in June. I'm thinking now there was a reason for that. Don't you love how God works?

Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife).

1) I know its not Sunday but I had to get some "house stuff" done today. After weeks of focusing on our Women's Weekend Experience it was time to get back to my real job (that of a wife and mother). LOL

2) This week was awesome. Every bone in my body aches, but it was worth every painful moment just to see our women in action this weekend. These ladies worked their socks off!

3) Wednesday night I learned a very valuable lesson after attending our women's bible study.

4) Friday we started a small group study with our teen and young adult women. The feedback I got back after the evening was over was that the girls really enjoyed themselves and would like to do something like this on a regular basis.

5) Saturday morning started off with a bang. My cousin Michelle was one of our facilitators. I knew it would be an interesting session when she called me that morning to ask if it was ok if she got "naked". We even video taped it. Hopefully I will have it up on YouTube soon. It was hilarious! But it fit the theme for the day which was about being vulnerable.

6) I have never been so proud as I was at the end of the workshop when our women's ministry team held intercessory prayer on behalf of the women at the workshop. It was a very moving moment. I sat in my chair that evening and just cried.

7) Sunday morning my girl Pam brought it. I knew it was on when she kicked off her shoes in the middle of her message.

8) Marc and I had a complete role reversal this week. I was up Sunday morning at 5 AM (he got to sleep in late for the first time in a long time), and he was the one out in the audience taking pictures during service. It was great for a day, but thank goodness I don't have to get up in that pulpit every week. I'm very happy being in the background.

9) My mom came down this weekend to help out. She kept saying she wasn't ready to facilitate a group discussion but the ladies in her group raved about her afterwards. Way to go Mom!!!

10) I wish I could say things will be slowing down, but in the next couple of weeks we have several graduation celebrations, and weddings to attend (add in VBS .... let's just say I will be very busy). Thank goodness vacation is right around the corner.

I Heart Our Women's Ministry Team

This was my favorite picture of the day. I love how the members of our team came together and prayed at the end of our session. These ladies worked their butts off serving other women, pampering them by washing of feet (they were literally on the floor at times on their knees ministering to their every need), waiting on them hand and foot. Some of the women this weekend had never experienced a spa. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters all being refreshed in Jesus. And imagine, we still have one more day to go! Please pray for them (and me). Today I witnessed the women of WABC being the hands and feet of Jesus. It was awesome!

Extra Baggage

Last night we started our Women's Weekend Experience at WABC. The women had a special Bible Study time together called " Finding Refreshment in Jesus". We talked about carrying around all of our baggage instead of handing it over to God. This week I have found myself bogged down in details, binders, labels and laminates (baggage). I had every intention of fasting and praying on Wednesday in preparation for our weekend activities. But because I loaded myself down with numerous list in an effort to stay organized I forgot the one thing that needed to be at the top of the list. I learned a valuable lesson last night (actually I just had another one of my "Martha" moments). I have been an event planner for many years, and usually my focus is solely on the event. Last night should have been my one night to disengage from the planning and just rest in God's word. Even when the facilitator said to close our eye's and listen to the worship music and leave our cares behind, I was checking off my mental check list of things that needed to be done. I eventually caught myself and really started to enjoy the study. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't worry about anything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus". I came away last night "Refreshed in Jesus"!

So before it gets crazy, I want to take time to thank the Lord for all that he has done for us. I have to thank him for the women on our ministry team who have stepped up to the plate and consented to help this weekend. All of our facilitators (including our Worship Leader) have graciously agreed to lead our segments at no cost, except for their time and talent. A large number of gifts have been given, freely to the ministry so that each women who comes to our HeartSpa Workshop will receive a special gift to take away at the end of the day. I'm so excited about this weekend, but I want to give all of the glory to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for offering us this opportunity to minister to the women at WABC. Without him front and center all of this would be for nothing. And in the words of my husband....if your not in business (for Christ), you might as well take down the sign!

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

1) Today Marc spoke at our old church. Our WABC family came in numbers to support us.

2) I realized that as much as I love our old church and the people of GMZ, I'm very thankful to God for placing us at WABC. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I know in my heart that this is where God intended for us to be.

3) Our Men's choir showed off today and our musicians showed out. Its amazing what a good sound system will do. LOL

4) Our women are excited about our upcoming Women's Ministry weekend experience.

5) I'm excited about the the workshop that we are holding on Saturday. The women of WABC are about to be refreshed in Jesus.

6) I'm excited to hear from my girlfriend Pam who will be preaching at WABC on Sunday. Marc told everyone that they will not want to miss it.

7) As excited as I am, I had a bit of an emotional breakdown this weekend. Maybe it was stress or maybe it was the fact that my youngest daughter traveled alone this weekend to visit friends, or maybe its just the fact that I need a vacation. Thank you to all of my friends who lifted me up in prayer after my text message went out.

8) Speaking of vacation I'm excited about our vacation plans. If all goes well I will be visiting Kelli in a few months. Yesterday she brought me out of my funk when she asked me to be a bridesmaid at her and Mike's 25th wedding anniversary which is in about two years. Kelli is my "soul sister" and I feel very honored that she would like me to be a part of their special day.

9) While in GA I'm hoping to meet this sweet lady, her courageous husband and family.

10) After a few days in GA, Marc and I are headed to Bama to see some of my favorite people in the whole world. I also hope too spend some time with my favorite Scrap Girls.

11) Of course who could travel to Birmingham and not visit this church if given the opportunity. I'm hoping that my friend Mo will be available to show me around. I have heard so much about Church of the Highlands from Monique and Lisa. I'm looking forward to experiencing a Wednesday night service, and listening to Pastor Chris in person.

12) In the middle of all of the planning for the workshop some of the women at WABC and I have been making plans for a getaway to Washington DC to attend the Women of Faith Conference. And yes, I'm excited!!!!!!! It's been a while since I went on a girls trip to anywhere. I intend to enjoy every minute of the trip, and maybe if we are lucky we will catch a glimpse of my girl Michelle. :)

I Want A Worship Experience

How about you?

Monday Morning Ramblings

1) Of course its now Monday afternoon, but this weekend was Mother's Day and I decided to take it easy.

2) Its been a emotional week for me. I have some friends and family who are dealing with some heavy health issues. The only thing I can do is pray, and even though I know that is the only thing to do...let's just say I have felt very helpless this week.

3) We are making final plans for a couple of vacation dates. I can't tell you how excited I am. This is something Marc and I really need.

4) This Sunday Marc will speak at our old church. I'm praying I can keep it all together. Let's face facts I'm a big baby when it comes to stuff like this and him having the opportunity to preach at GMZ is a big deal to us for so many reasons.

5) Marc spent just about everyday last week at WABC working on the installation of the projector and screen so that he could present it to the church on Sunday. They were very excited, but were a bit shocked when he told them we had not just one but two new projectors. I can't wait for our first family movie night!

6) We had a really good Mother's Day, but I'm excited at the chance to do something a little different next year. Anyone want to share what they do for Mother's and Father's Day?

7) We have been given the go ahead to move forward with plans for a children's church program on Sunday so right now I am looking at various church models and curriculum's. Have to say this is something I love doing. I know I have issues. LOL This is something that is very important to me though because I know first hand what a difference it makes for a child to be taught God's word early in life, and in many cases its children who sometimes lead our adults to a personal relationship with Christ.

8) After a lot of planning and praying its almost time for our first women's conference at WABC. Our goal was for 50 women (including our team and guest facilitators) and though we came a bit short of our goal I am very pleased with the support we have received.

9) We have been working on church welcome packs and guest cards for Sunday morning. This week I finally finished the guest cards and hopefully have the order placed in time for our next meet and greet. We have had a ton of new visitors at WABC so we really need to get a system in place that keeps us in contact with them after the first initial visit. I would love to know what your church does.

10) After service Sunday Marc, Nicki and I traveled to surprise my mom for Mother's Day. We took her to dinner and then went to my cousin's home to hang out. It was a great way to spend the day. Marc enjoyed the rest so much that he slept most of the time in the chair at my family's home. LOL I hope you all had a blessed Mother's Day.

Amazing

Can you imagine baptising over 1200 people in one weekend? I can't, but it happened at my friend's church in Vegas! Don't believe me? Go here. Isn't God amazing?

Happy Birthday Marlee Anne

I don't think I have ever met a sweeter, more caring, courageous soul. I hope this day is all that you would want it to be and more. God's blessings from Auntie Cyndi.

Sunday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife)

1) We had our Family and Friends gathering today. I'm so tired I can't think straight. We had a great time. I was especially happy (and surprised) to see some of the members from our home church.



2) Last week my oldest daughter Quisha developed and inner ear infection. She has been to the emergency room twice since then. Please keep her in your prayers. Nicki spent the weekend babysitting for 6 kids. She came home afterwards looking a little harried (any of you who know her would laugh at the idea), and I swear the girls eye was twitching like the man in the pink panther movie. LOL



3) Friday night a group of us went to see an interactive play called "Judgement House". I went last year and even though the story line changed the play still effected me the same as before. Several members of our group were so impacted by it that they are still talking about it today.



4) Friday evening Marc started installing the screen and projector at WABC (he did this after working his day job). He had planned to install both but because of a call for help from a friend he ended up having to leave (the screen is up though). I love that he cared enough that he was willing to drop everything to come to the aid of a friend.

5) Sunday we went to the installation service for a pastor who fellowships with WABC. A few months ago they lost their building to a fire, a year or so ago their senior pastor died. Despite all of this the members came together to celebrate and thank God for bringing them through.

6) Our service was off a bit this morning, but by the afternoon things started to flow. Even our keyboardist and drummer seemed more alert. Maybe we should just have afternoon service (just kidding). LOL

7) My friend Diane who recently took over directing our hospitality ministry had to leave yesterday on a flight to Louisiana to be with her family for a medical emergency. I was proud of the fact that everyone working on the barbecue today came together as a team and did their job even without their leader there.

8) The rain came pouring down just before our service begin but the sun came out in time for us to eat outside. Good thing too, because there was a line backed up to get the fried fish.

9) While standing outside a few of us started to discuss our future and the future of our building project. We really are starting to outgrow our facility. There are so many things we want to do in the community including building a youth facility and a day center for senior citizens. Please keep us in prayer for these things specifically. Several computers have been donated for our computer lab, unfortunately we need more space to really make this dream a reality.


10) Our staff has started reading the Purpose Driven Church. I can't wait to hear their thoughts on the book at our meeting on Tuesday. I have to say my idea of what church should be changed after reading this book.

11) We are in the process of reorganizing our church office. Guess who gets to pick out the furniture? I have to say I enjoy this part of ministry. What girl doesn't like to shop? LOL

12) I would share more but I can barely stay awake. Thank goodness for Sabbath Mondays!

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

1) Its been a long week. As much as I love being busy at some point your body says enough is enough. I read somewhere this week that you need to make a point of having a day of rest. That it is commanded by God. Monday will be my day of rest (and if anyone ask I will just say I am being obedient).

2) Wednesday Marc spoke at one of the local churches in our area. He spoke about getting out of the graveyard. It's past time for us to get up and be about God's business. All of that old stuff that we left at the altar (or thought we did) we keep going back to. Leave it there for good! There is way too much work to do.

3) Apparently his message caused a stir, because people are still talking about it.

4) Friday I spent a little time cleaning off my front porch. I now have candles out there, along with my water fountain. I even have some worship music playing on my cd. Hopefully within the next few weeks I'll get to put out my patio tables and umbrella. I'm itching to barbecue on the old grill.

5) Our weather has been crazy hot (90 degrees) the last two days! I don't do well in heat, so no more porch sitting for a while.

6) I have not been able to be at my adopted church since Easter. Today I missed having my quiet worship time. Hopefully soon I will be able to get back on track. I don't want to be so busy doing ministry that I lose focus on what's most important. And that is spending quiet time with my Abba father.

7) Speaking of NLP. Hopefully in a few days I will be able to make an appointment with the Youth Pastor at NLP who has kindly offered to help us with any questions we may have about children's church. It's time to stop talking and make this dream a reality.

8) We have a lot of activity in the next few weeks. In two weeks Marc will speak at our home church for the first time since leaving to pastor at WABC. Please keep him lifted up in your prayers.

9) In a few weeks the Women's Ministry will host our first workshop. Please keep us in your prayers. I'm specifically asking for prayer for healing, rejuvenation, that the women will be refreshed in Jesus, and that WABC will be a safe place for which our women can be ministered to.

10) Today the wife of one of newest members joined WABC. I know this was a hard decision for her, but after much prayer she decided she wanted to be with her husband. It's time that churches stop being a place of hurt for people and start being a place of healing. There are so many lost souls out there. Those of us who have been in church all of lives should be about our father's business (not tearing down those of us who have already come to Christ. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few). Its time to stop playing church!

11) Yesterday my friend Kelli sent me pictures from Relay for Life. If you want to see a real survivor you need to read this.

12) Speaking of cancer survival, our women's ministry will be participating in the Making Strides Against Cancer Walk. This is a cause that is very important to me because of my friend Gail.

13) I didn't make my usual bedtime last night. My oldest daughter went to the emergency room for an ear ache. She is still struggling with it today. Not much pain but her stomach has been very upset so right now she has not been able to keep much down. Please keep her in your prayers.

14) While you are praying tonight please keep this group in your prayers. I'm not sure that I would be brave enough to do mission work in a foreign land.

A Real Survivor

Michala and her parents are part of a true survivor story. In Kelli's own words: "Truly nothing is worth more than this day! The doctors said she wouldn't make it. They said her body wouldn't be able to fight the stage 4 cancer that she had. Her life or her leg. We chose. Then 7 months later they told us it was time and her body had fought all it could fight. Almost 10 years to the day she is here. God willing she will take the survivor lap at Relay for her 11th time. No nothing is worth more than today" ! Congratulations my sweet girl. I'm so very proud of you, your mommy and daddy and all of the volunteers who walked in your honor and that of so many more (Newton County raised 254,000)!

Monday Morning Ramblings (through the eyes of the wife).

1) I have had soo much fun this week, I'm not even sure where to begin. Everyone should take a week to celebrate their birthday. I even decided to take it easy last night, hence the reason for Monday Morning Ramblings rather then a Sunday Mind Dump.

2) Monday we had our Easter Eggstravaganza. It was so much fun watching the kids run around and play. The Youth Leaders did a great job planning the event. I found out Sunday that some of the eggs even had money in them. I have been hosting Easter Egg Hunt's for years. Did I miss it? No, I loved seeing someone else working the gifts that God gave them. Every leader should learn this important lesson.

3) Tuesday some of the ladies at church surprised me for my birthday. If you missed the post, you can see it here. They got me really good!

4) Wednesday I spent the day resting. Yes, the whole day! I can't tell you what I did on Thursday because I really don't remember. By the end of the week my allergies were kicking my butt big time and I spent a few days in a medicated state. LOL

5) Friday a very special friend took me to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch. I ordered my favorite key lime cheesecake for desert. I can still taste it!

6) Saturday Nicki and I went to see my mom and cousins. I had not seen them since Christmas. We spent the afternoon shopping and hanging out together. I love going home, it probably has to do with the fact that life just seems to slow down a bit when you go to the country.

7) One of my favorite things to do is sit by the water. You have to cross a really big bridge of water to get to my mom's home. I kept thinking it would be so nice to just sit somewhere and watch the water. I'm thinking its time for a vacation. LOL

8) You may have noticed that there are not a lot of pictures from the week. That is because I put my camera down almost the entire week and lived the moments rather then glimpsing them through the camera's eye's.

9) We had a really good time at church yesterday. Our friend Rob who joined the church a few months ago spoke at the morning service. Marc spoke in the afternoon. You could tell he had been waiting all day to speak because he really brought the message. He has learned to let go also, but watching him yesterday was amazing. I love that he is experiencing the gifts that God gave him. I know in my heart that this is God's destiny for his life.

10) Life will not slow down this week either. We have an event to attend tonight and Wednesday night Marc will be speaking at an event. This will be the third time in the last two weeks.

11) This week one of the members of our church donated a van to the church. It needs a fresh coat of paint and info about the church, but in the words of one of the members on Sunday....it may not be a new van, but its new to us. Thank you Lord, for the blessings you are bestowing on WABC.

12) This past Saturday my friend Diane became the leader of our First Impressions Ministry (its the new name of our Ushers and Hospitality Ministry which will now be combined). Her husband Rob is the Director of our Missions and Outreach along with the First Impressions Ministry. I know that this ministry is in good hands.

13) Several members are stepping up to the plate to assist with our Youth Ministry. Hopefully by the end of the year we will have a Children's Church Ministry in place. Marc told the congregation this week that we really need to expand. There are so many things that we would like to do at WABC, but its getting a bit claustrophobic in the existing building!

14) Registration for our VBS Summer Camp has begun. I was tickled pink to see that the VBS Director picked the VBS curriculum that we used at GMZBC last year when I was Director. Once again they emphasis is on "Serving". Hopefully this will be the kick off for us doing a service project in our community.

15) Several people who visited us for Easter have returned again. I love seeing the pews starting to fill up on Sunday morning. This coming Sunday we will have our second Meet and Greet with guest. Thank you to all of you who continue to pray for our small church. I can feel your prayers, and I am humbled by the support you have shown us.

Moving Video

I cried after watching this video. Hope it touches you in some way. Never give up on your teens. God is watching over them....always.

Happy Birthday To Me

Several of the ladies from church along with a few family members surprised me today with a birthday party. I was truly surprised (see my face...lol). I got lots of cards and gifts. Flowers, a cake, a case of green tea and a pan of lasagna so that I don't have to fix dinner tonight. I even have shopping money which I am not sure what I'm going to do with. I feel so blessed. Thanks to all of you who left messages on facebook. Wow, a girl could get use to all of this attention!

Our Official Easter Photos

Minus TJ of course. And would someone please remind Nicki that this is not America's Top Model!

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

1) Happy Resurrection Sunday.

2) This week has been filled with a wave of activity. Tuesday and Saturday morning Nicki and I were at choir rehearsal at NLP for their weekend Easter Services. We sang with their choir at the Saturday night service. There were praise dancers, a flag team and a awesome worship team. I pray that they are at home resting, because they also had two services on Sunday. I only got to do Saturday night service and I could barely move in the morning!

3) Friday night Marc and I attended service at NLP. It was very different from many of the Good Friday services I have attended over the years, but I loved the way they blended scriptures and music.

4) Saturday night we were surprised to see several friends and family members at NLP for the service. I also was blessed by the presence of a very special friend who showed up to support Nicki and I. You know who you are. Thank you for being there.

5) This morning Nicki and I both slept in. It actually felt great to not to have to hurry to get ready for church. It helped that I had set out everything we needed for the morning. Lesson learned...add this to the list which includes going to bed at a decent hour.

6) I had hoped that my mom would be able to attend service with us, but they were very busy at her church this morning (they have sunrise service and then serve breakfast before giving everyone the rest of the day to spend with family). She decided to go home and rest. I am hoping that she will get to come and visit within the coming weeks. I have not seen her or my sister since Christmas. Thank goodness we talk on the phone just about every day.

7) Speaking of visitors. Marc's oldest sister, great nephew, niece and nephew in law surprised us at WABC for service today. It helped to make Marc's second Easter Service at WABC very special.

8) Marc has wanted to include the youth at WABC in training while they are young. He knows that one day many of them will grow up to be in a leadership role in some form or the other. Today he called one of the young men up to act as Worship Leader for the day. He took to it right away. I think Marc may be looking for a new position soon. LOL

9) We had lots of new faces at WABC, in part because of it being Easter. Of course it may have helped that Marc offered a special gift to the person who brought the most guest.

10) Tomorrow we will hold a Easter Eggstravaganza for the youth. Nothing on the scale of many of my on-line friends but I am excited to see what the youth leaders have planned. I plan to take lots of pictures.

11) Tuesday I celebrate my 45th birthday. Marc has a speaking engagement that morning but he told his leadership team that he will be catering to his wife's needs afterwards. I'm wondering what that means.Will let you know when I find out. Should make for an interesting day.

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

1) Its been a good week!!! Didn't I say that last week? LOL

2) I'm excited about all of the upcoming events at WABC (and at NLP). There will be a lot of back and forth between the two churches for me and my family. Starting with Good Friday Service at New Life. Then Thursday and Saturday Nicki and I attend the last few choir rehearsal before singing with the choir at the Saturday night service at NLP.

3) Easter Sunday I will be at WABC with my family. My mom may even come down. We are praying there are no repeats from last year. So just in case my sister is reading this. Stay out of trouble!

4) I'm excited about Saturday night service at NLP because I get to sit beside my husband during service. Yeah!!!! You don't know how much this means to me.

5) We have our staff meeting this week and today I decided to set up before coming home so that I don't have to rush to do things on Tuesday. Its all part of my no stress plan (well maybe low stress).

6) This week at our staff meeting our leadership will receive their business cards and a church email address. We are slowly starting to get some things in order.

7) I think this week will be the week that Marc announces the newest addition to WABC. We have been blessed to have someone anonymously donate projectors and screens for our fellowship hall and sanctuary.

8) Speaking of donations we have also received several donations of computers and screens for our computer lab. Now we just need a few desk on rollers. Space is a precious commodity at our church. Hence the need for a bigger facility.

9) Speaking of facilities we got back word from the city how many parking spaces will be needed in order to move forward with our building. Only time will tell where God will have us to be.

10) Today we started registration for our women's weekend. It was so good seeing the ladies line up for registration. They were also taking additional forms for friends and family members to invite.

11) Next week on Easter Monday we will hold a Easter Eggstravaganza. Most of the kids will be out of school so this will be a great opportunity to reach out to a bunch of kids.

12) Marc has several speaking engagements in the next few weeks. Please keep him in prayer.

13) I'm still on the path to erasing the clutter in my home, although I have a feeling some of it will get put on the back burner this week because of other obligations.

14) My plans for our backyard oasis is coming along. This week we ordered umbrella's for our patio tables (of course we don't have a real patio). And hopefully if we can get some assistance I might actually get my gazebo up in the backyard.

15) This weekend our Marriage and Singles Ministry attended "The Play: The Man Called Jesus". It was just as good as I remembered. I considered this a date night for Marc and I so I didn't even take my camera to dinner afterwards. We had a great time just fellowshiping with the members.

Burn Out

My friend Lori has been talking about Burn Out on her blog. It happens to everyone, especially those in ministry. Last year I posted a picture of my new hair-do. Now this hair-do didn't come about because I wanted a cute new look. I had been doing my own hair for years, with very little problem. Then last year my hair started falling out. Actually it looked like someone had been waiting until I fell asleep at night and was just chopping off a few spots at the top. I assumed it was because I had been doing my hair for so long that obviously I was doing something wrong and so the surprise was on me when my hairdresser informed me it appeared to be stress!

I had heard that word a few years before when I went into the doctors office for the first time in a long time and found out my blood pressure was so high that it had started to cause nosebleeds. Something I had never experienced in my life before. My bottom number was 120 and the doctors refused to let me go home until I had a battery of test. The final announcement was that I had high blood pressure and would have to go on medication. Now keep in mind at this point Marc and I had been in ministry for nearly 14 years. Marc had submitted his name for submission to be Pastor of our home church. The two, almost three year process begin to take its toll in ways that I never imagined. Long story short he did not get the position but by that point he was interim pastor at WABC and God (in his infinite wisdom) was preparing us for a move beyond anything we ever imagined at our home church.

Since that time I have found new ways to deal with stress. Not everyone agrees with the path I have taken, but that is ok with me. At the ripe old age of 44 (soon to be 45 on April 14th) I have learned a few things. One of those things is to take care of Cyndi and her family and not worry about the rest. I also started to put my priorities in place. Here are a few things I make a point of doing now that before I never put much stock in.

1) I spend time with friends and family. Something that was often put on the back burner when we were really knee deep in "ministry". My day planner is no longer filled with more ministry meetings, activities, etc appointments then time with family and friends. Its been good to unplug every once in a while.

2) I don't attend everything that WABC has going on! My need to be at church all the time for everything because I thought that was the best way to support my husband has ended. Sometimes my husband just needs me to be his wife.

3) I don't feel the need to be in charge of everything associated with ministry at WABC. The one big thing I have learned about ministry is that the minute you are gone there is someone else available to take your place. Now, they may not do it the way you would. But guess what? That might be a good thing. LOL Allow others to use the gifts that God has given them and God will get the glory not man.

4) I attend NLP a church down the street from our home as often as I can, when I can. This is a place where I don't have to wear my "First Lady" hat. Heck, I don't even have to wear my wife of Marc's hat. This isn't an option for everyone but it works for me. Its also a place where once in a blue moon Marc can slip in and just be Marc (and we can't sit together and worship together). Believe it or not minister's need to be ministered to also.

5) Most of the time I don't cook dinner on Sundays. Marc and I have dinner together after church at one of our fav. places and just sit and talk. Sometimes its with friends, sometimes the girls are with us and sometimes its just us two. Its my favorite part of the week (and to my family members who may be reading this...be quiet. I know I don't cook sometime during the week either. But I have never said I was a perfect SAHM. And frankly after 25 years of marriage, well let's just say neither Marc or I are going anywhere else). The important part for us is that we are spending time together.

6) Marc and I have a date night at least once a month. Again, its about spending time together. How can we be a good model for others (especially our own children) if we don't make our marriage a top priority. God may have called us to ministry but he also expects us to love each other. One of the great take aways for me at the Marriage Ministry Conference we attended a few months ago was that God designed marriage as the priority relationship in the family.

7) Lastly, but the most important part is taking time to hear from God. When I distance myself from God...especially when I am "busy" in ministry I am blocking out the one thing that can get me through anything. During the "process" for pastor I thought I was doing everything right. I told myself that this was what God wanted. I prayed, fasted, sent out prayer request. We even said that we didn't want to be anywhere that God didn't want us to be. But now looking back I realize that I didn't believe everything that I was saying. And the closer that we got to the end the more I relied on what I thought people wanted and less on what God wanted.

Now keep in mind I don't have it all together. Each day is a learning process. I realize I will make mistakes, I'm only human. But now I know the signs for stress and frankly where I am in life right now....you couldn't pay me to go back again.