Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday

The Food!!!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving Day. Spent the morning chilling with the family watching The Macy's Day Parade and then the girls and I created some of our favorite dishes to take to share at my cousins home for Thanksgiving Day dinner. My oldest daughter Quisha made hummus dip with chips to share as an appetizer. I'm surprised we brought any home. I made macaroni with cheese, cornbread and Marc smoked a turkey. My youngest daughter Nicki found a bean salad recipe online. Anyone who knows Nicki knows she rarely darkens the door of a kitchen unless its to drop off take-out to put in the refrigerator. LOL

Family!

We had a great time hanging out with my cousin Pat and her family. My mom decided to take a break this year, and my sister went to meet her boyfriends family for the first time. I'm hosting Christmas dinner so my cousin Pat invited us to join them. It was great for the girls because they got to visit with their cousin Trice who now lives to far for the girls to hang out with on a regular basis.

The Shopping!

We left G-Town around 10:30 after hitting the WalMart in my hometown. Somebody had the bright idea to shop at the country WalMart (I don't know what I was thinking) I (she) forgot it was the only WalMart for miles so of course everyone and their mama was there. We then headed back to the beach so that I could shop at Kohl's. We pulled into the parking lot right at 11:45...again who's idea was this? Honestly....I love Black Friday...so its not that big a deal. The picture above is the line of people wrapped around the building waiting to get in at 12. Thanks to a church member that works at Kohl's I found my two argyle sweaters right away, only problem...we spent 45 min. in line! We finally made it back home around 2 am, and crashed...just to get up and head out again at 7:30 AM. The good news is that the majority of our Christmas shopping is complete. I even picked up a few things for Mrs. Claus! Over the next few days I'll work some magic with the flowers I brought from Michael's and start taking down the fall decor so I can decorate for Christmas. So that's my Thanksgiving Day weekend in a nutshell. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day. Time to deck the halls and prepare for the most important birthday of the year!!!

Bonus: Did you happen to notice the chocolate fountain? I picked it up at ACMoore. Its originally $70. but Friday it was on sale for $40. Thanks to a 30% off coupon we ended up paying a little less then $30.00 for it. I'm so excited...this has been on my wish list forever. I can't wait to use it for our first women's ministry event of the new year!

Almost 50!!!

Next spring I will turn 48! That's so close to 50 its not even funny! Have to say in the last few years I have learned your age really is only a number. Its how you feel about yourself that makes the difference. Some days I look in the mirror and I see that nineteen year old girl that just got married, then some days I look in the mirror and see my mom, some days I even see my grandmother in the mirror! Now I know to most people I don't look my age, let alone like the mother of three adult children..but this old girl can feel it in her bones, in the nighttime bouts of insomnia, the sudden onslaught of a hot flash or now more then ever in the fact that I have to tip my glasses down to the bottom of my nose to see the words on the page (granted that may be caused by a need to go get the eyes checked). Recently I realized I have been in ministry for close to 18 years. We have seen generations of youths that we worked with grow up, and have babies of there own. If you look at the media today you would think ministry is only for the young (not the young at heart).

The wording has changed, the wardrobe has changed. Everywhere I look I see young leaders conferences, young leaders magazines, young leaders small groups, and the list goes on and on. Now I'm not knocking young leaders or the people who follow them....but there are a great group of "older" leaders out there who still have something to offer. It disturbs me that we continue to separate ourselves down generational, economic, racial and denominational lines. Thanks to the internet we have an opportunity to learn from some of the best leaders around. Don't confine yourself to listening to just one voice!

Sidenote: this post was inspired by a post by Kelly. Kelly was insightful enough to see that just because she was young did not mean that all of her readers were. Some of us over the age of 40 enjoy peeking into her life as much as those who are her age. And she was even willing to give us a place within her space to gather! Thanks Kelly for not forgetting us old folks! I'm proud to be an older blogger! LOL

Sunday Morning Wrap Up (Random, Very Random! LOL)

Our weekend started with us buying turkeys for our Thanksgiving Day basket giveaway. Although things were a bit tight this year we were still able to bless several families with a meal (and I mean with all the trimmings). Next year we are considering making meals for many of the widows within our church in addition to the baskets for family's in our community.

This little sweetie pie was one of four babies in our nursery. If you missed it last week we had an influx of toddlers and had to make a "instant" nursery within a matter of minutes. This week our teens stepped in to help out so that our children's church directors could still conduct their class with the older children. At the end of service Marc prayed over the children and for the children's ministry. It does my heart proud to see so many young ones at WABC. 

My youngest daughter was absent from our media ministry today because her church held a powder puff game (Nicki attends early morning service at her church and then comes to WABC to help out. Recently she even took on the role of personal assistant to Marc). She's the last one in the bottom row on the right hand side. Her team won, but apparently she busted her lip, ran into someone's elbow (for which she has a bruise) and peeled her nail back! When I asked how she was she kept saying...but we won the game. Apparently that is all that matters! LOL

My oldest daughter has been busy at school with her new class (she recently moved up a grade at the Christian preschool she teaches at) and trying to keep up with her two godchildren. Not sure what she will do the day she actually has some of her own! Or what her daddy will do since he is soo eager to be a granddad! 

Speaking of Marc, he did an awesome job Sunday morning with his message on "We Can Always Give Thanks". There was lots of praising going on in service. I'm in awe of the way God is using him and the blessings that I see on the horizon for this ministry.

I've been on a sweater buying binge the last few months. Marc has been speaking a lot lately (not to mention we have attended several events), and my winter wardrobe was in serious need of an upgrade. As much as I would like to dress casual all of the time the area in which we live and the people we come into contact with just doesn't allow for that. Granted I don't have to dress like the typical "first lady" but I should at least look presentable while standing beside my husband. I mean....have you seen how he dresses? Hello? LOL

It seems like all of my friends have already put up their Christmas decorations! Well even though I picked up these cute chair covers this weekend for my kitchen chairs, we will not be putting up any decorations before Thanksgiving Day has officially passed us by!

Well that's my very random weekend update through the eyes of the Pastor's Wife! Marc has to speak Wednesday night and then Thanksgiving Day we will be hanging out with family, followed by Marc and my usual Black Friday dash. The good thing is we actually got an early start on Christmas gifts this year so mostly it will be for fun (yes, I'm one of those strange people who loves the hustle and bustle). So heres hoping everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Our 3rd Year Anniversary at WABC

Marc and I celebrated three years at WABC on this past Sunday. His professor spoke during the morning service. Dr. DeLong did a great talk on the importance of unity. After he spoke we sang a song together about us all being one in Christ! Dr. DeLong did not know in advance our stand on unity among the body so the fact that he talked about that very subject was even more of a confirmation to Marc and I that we are headed in the right direction!

WABC really outdid themselves in the gift department. Marc received a flat screen tv for his office and I received several beautiful gifts including gorgeous red roses! Thank you WABC family! Speaking of family.......

I was so happy to see my mom, several members from my church as a child, and also my aunts and uncles at the service. I'm so grateful for my family and the way they have always been there as a support system to not only me but to Marc. As my mom stated on Sunday....he is part of our family!

The cake above was done by my Aunt. She makes some of the best cakes around. The last time she made a cake for us was during our house warming. Once people got a taste of it they tried to take huge chunks of the cake home. That's just how good it is!

I can't end this post without thanking Dr. McDonald who spoke in the afternoon. Dr. McDonald is a family friend who's been very supportive of Marc and his ministry. It was a great way to end a great day!

Monday Morning Wrap Up

We had an awesome Sunday at WABC. We had close to fourteen children/babies at church yesterday. This may not seem like a big number to you guys but for us its been a major "hallelujah" moment for our church. A church with youth is a sign of a growing church! Our Youth Directors stepped up to the plate and created a makeshift "nursery" in the office. Next time we will be better prepared but I have to say there were a lot of folks beaming with pride at the sudden growth...most especially my husband! 

There are some major changes happening in my life. I spoke for the third time ever this past Saturday at our Fall Prayer Breakfast. I spoke on the subject...The Power in the Prayer! I'm so amazed that God has chosen to use me in this way. And I'm so thankful for the support of my husband. He's been my number one cheerleader and encourager! Speaking of prayer and change....I'm proud to announce a partnership with some really special friends, including my pastors wife for a local PW Network in my area. We will be concentrating on the Hamptonroads area right now but hopefully in time my prayer partners will establish their own networks in their perspective areas (which includes the Midwest, Canada and Belize). Blended Souls connects my heart for Pastor and Ministry Wives with my passion for racial diversity and unity among churches and christian organizations. 

I have to give a shout out to my daughters. They have been a great help over the last few weeks. We held our second Fall Fest last week and they stepped in and helped wherever they were needed. I even got into the spirit of the day and dressed up in a sparkly cowgirl hat and feather boa!

Of course I can't forget my sweet hubby! Next Sunday we will celebrate our third year at WABC! I'm soo proud of this man and all that he has done and continues to do for the Kingdom! Happy 3rd Anniversary honey!

Well hopefully this will explain why its been so long since I have blogged! I have promised myself I will do better!

Mid Week Catch Up!

Any doubts we had about dropping everything to go to Alabama last weekend went out the door when we arrived and saw these two lovely faces!

I had planned to meet with some ministry friends along the way...none of that panned out! Why? I believe because God knew we were needed in Birmingham more so then anywhere else. These pictures were taken Sunday morning before we traveled back home to Virginia. The girls were heading to a dance rehearsal so Nicki offered to do their make-up for dress rehearsal. Funny how a bit of mascara, and some colorful eye shadow can brighten up a girls day!

We got back Monday morning close to 3 AM! Marc and Quisha (Quisha actually flew into Birmingham Friday night hours after we arrived ourselves by plane. She couldnt get off work to travel with us but felt like she needed to be their with the family) had to go to work after getting a few hours of sleep. Nicki and I just vegetated the entire day. Who am I fooling.....I have been vegetating for days! My bp has been off the chain so I'm on a very restricted diet right now.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night Marc spoke at his home church for their Fall revival. I wish I could say we get to rest for the next few days but we wrap up the month at WABC with a special service for the church which is celebrating over 70 plus years in the community. That same evening my "local" goddaughter will be in a play at her church. Then next Sunday we will host a Fall Harvest for the kids.

Please pray for me because November's schedule is just as crazy. We have a prayer breakfast the first Saturday in November and then the very next Sunday Marc and I will celebrate 3 years at WABC.

And did I mention we are in the middle of re-decorating several spaces in our house?

Sunday Night Mind Dump Through The Eyes of The Pastors Wife!

Wow! Its been a long time since I did a Sunday Night Mind Dump! There is a lot going on in my life. Some really good (some not) so I figure I might as well share it here.

We just came from having dinner with ministry friends that we had not seen in over 20 yrs! Bishop Rodgers and his wife Linda were stationed in Germany at the same time as we were. They were visiting from MD today so we hopped in the car as soon as services were over at WABC so that we could connect with them.

We surprised our associate minister and his wife today in honor or Clergy Appreciation month. You can tell by their faces that they were surprised! We wanted them to know how much we appreciated the things that they do for WABC.

Speaking of WABC.......We took a big step in moving forward with plans to expand the vision of WABC this week. The building next door to the church came down and will make way for the future site of our new sanctuary, improved restrooms, and eventually (a third phrase) which will include additional class and office spaces! The original sanctuary will become our fellowship hall! Its a process that will take a few years to put into place but the move this week was the first hurdle out of the way sort of speak...lol!

We are in the process of redoing some of the spaces in our home. For years my favorite color was blue so every room in my house was blue (minus the girls room). In the last few yrs I have started mixing it up with more natural colors including my second favorite color...green! Friday while checking out a local thrift store I noticed a glass table and chair set that I thought would fit perfectly in with the direction I wanted to go with the spaces we were updating. Saturday morning my uncle and Marc headed back over there to pick them up. The entire set cost what it would have cost me to get one parsons chair! I'm soo going to enjoy decorating for the holidays, but I'm especially enjoying sprucing up the old place for the fall!!!

Now the sad news....we are traveling this weekend to Alabama to the funeral of my godchild's grandfather. It was an unexpected death and Marc the girls and I just couldn't stay home while our second family were suffering. Please pray for safe travels during our 14 hr ride. We will be turning around and coming right back because next week Marc will be speaking at our home church for their revival week services.

Fall Decor

I love decorating, especially for the fall. And I love looking at decorating blogs. One of my favorite blogs is Liz's Savvy Seasons! She is having a fall giveaway on her blog right now! Better hurry up to enter though. If I'm not mistaken it ends in a hour! But even if you don't win I guarantee Liz will have some great decorating ideas that you will want to grab for your own home!

I'm Still Here!!!!

I can't believe its been this long since I posted! Life is a bit crazy around here right now. We just finished up revival, celebrated my oldest daughters 26th birthday (and next month will celebrate my other two lovely children) add in the fact that Marc has been speaking outside of WABC a lot this month (and will be speaking again in a few weeks)....Whew!!! Just looking at my schedule causes me to shake my head! I'm in the process of connecting and forming a network with some local pastor wives in our area so that and my regular ministry responsibilities have been taking up a lot of my time. Our youth ministry is gearing up for our 2nd Annual Fall Fest and in November Marc and I will celebrate three years at WABC!

I've also been spending a lot more time taking care of hearth and home which is the most important thing that I do (and is my first ministry). I'm trying to do more walking in the things that are near and dear to my heart and a lot less talking (or in my case spending too much time online). I'm excited about where God is taking me right now, and my focus is better then it has been in a while.

I know I have some prayer partners out there who I can count on so I have a few request.

1) Please pray for Marc as he continues this journey of pastoring.
2) Please pray for me as I step out on faith and walk through some doors that have opened for me.
3) Please pray for WABC as we move forward with the next phase of our building process.
4) Please pray for our women's ministry which will be hosting several "prayer" events in the next few months. If anyone has some great prayer devotions, or prayer event ideas please let me know.

If there is any way I can pray for you please don't hesitate to ask.

Thought I would give you a glimpse of me in a hat. My daughter Quisha had a Hat and Pump Tea Party for her birthday. That's as "First Lady" like as I am bound to get. I can guarantee it won't happen that often....so enjoy!!!  HAHA

Peace In the Midst of the Storm!

This year has been one of the toughest years of my families life....at least at times it has seemed that way to me. Sprinkled in with the many disappointments, losses, and heartache has been moments (almost glimpses) of heaven and God's unconditional love for us.

It started this year with my mom's accident, included a fight to keep our home of nearly 15 years, ministry highs and lows, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and most especially the lost of dear family and friends. But I have to say that my good days have outlasted my bad days.

Sometimes (most of the time) we tend to look at our life through a filter. Sort of like when you step outside an airconditioned room and your glasses (or camera lens...lol) appears foggy. But that condition last only for a moment. Given a little bit of time you can see the grace of God in your life. If you stop long enough to acknowledge it!

That's what I did this past weekend. I was sitting at dinner with Marc and Nicki and this overwhelming sense of peace overcame me. It probably helped that Marc had just spoke on peace in the midst of the storm in his Sunday message, or it may have been the fact that my family had just recently survived the earthquake and hurricane that hit us the week before. All I know is that in my heart something in my brain had shifted.

 All around us people are struggling with day to day issues. Some are without a job (some 1 or 2 years), many have already loss their homes, some have buried their children! Yet here I sat on a Sunday afternoon eating at a fancy (fancy for us) restaurant with my family who are all doing well....I hadn't lost my home, my husband who has experienced health issues not to mention the lost of several jobs over the last few years is healthy and has been successfully managing his own business while pastoring a church. Has life got any easier (NO)? Am I still struggling with day to day highs and lows (Yes)? But I realized that God has been good to me.

Sometimes he lets us go through some stuff so we can wake up from the fog we have been walking around in. But through it all one thing stays consistent ..,,he loves us unconditionally and offers us his grace and mercy. When the disciples woke Jesus up in the middle of the storm he spoke to the storm...and said Peace! Somehow the disciples forgot who was with them on that boat. We should never get soo distracted by the storms of life that we forget that he promised to be with us always!

My Ikea Experience!

Who knew there would be soo much fun stuff to do and see at Ikea! I (Marc) would be in soo much trouble if we lived near this place!

Of course any trip with my friend Maggie (who was so sweet to come and pick us up) is fun! If you could hear Maggie's laugh you would understand. She really did save us from being stranded in DC another day but more so then that she proved that friendships started over the internet really can turn into something more. Maggie and I "met" nearly ten years ago on the Disneyboards (we actually have had several "meet" ups since that time). Over the years we have watched each others children grow up, shared good days and bad days and been a support system for one another (a group of us have been buddies forever). I told Maggie it was a good thing that Nicki was with me all week or she would have had to come to DC to pick me up vs me picking me up on the metro line. Her answer to me was....you know I would have come to get you. Now that.......is a true friend!

Women of Faith, Trains, Earthquakes, and Hurricanes!

Nicki and I left Thursday on what was suppose to be a two day event for Women Of Faith! I should have known when we got hit by an earthquake the day before that this was a bad sign (just in case you missed my tweet about feeling the earth move under my feet). But I've been told lately that I need to be more positive in my thinking so off I went! We had an awesome time at the conference and got to see a lot of the behind the scenes stuff (we were guest of WOF). The highlight for Nicki was getting to ride on the same shuttle as MaryMary and getting to go through the "secret" entrance of the hotel with all of the WOF speakers and staff (who by the way are awesome). I got to take my first train ride, go hiking in a natural park for the first time (the hiking and the park) and experience the inside of an Ikea store for the very first time. Those were the high moments.

 The low moments were being stuck in DC while my family road out hurricane Irene. That and the long journey that it took to get back home. Our train was canceled three days in a row which meant......what was suppose to be a two night trip turned into a 4 night five day ordeal. Sunday night was the last straw....when around midnight that night I noticed on the TV screen that Amtrak was going to be still shut down on Monday. I called a friend who lives in Northern VA (after calling Marc and my mom) and we devised a plan. Come heck or high water Nicki and I were determined to go home on Monday come what may!

So Monday morning we caught a ride on the metro (another first for me) to connect with my friend Maggie, who picked us up and drove us to Potomac Mills (hence the first trip to Ikea....honestly I think Maggie just wanted to go shopping) where my mom and sister met us (two hours for them). Two hours back to Richmond where we dropped my sister off and picked up my nephew Alex with  Nicki driving the two hours to my moms home (who by the way still does not have electricity). From there we waited until Marc could pick us up....he would have come to DC to get us at that point but he had a funeral on Monday. I finally returned home around 10:30 that evening and was never so happy to see my home and bed...oh and my kids! LOL

So what should have taken us 4 hours by train, ended up taking an additional 11 1/2 hours! Thank goodness for friends who like to shop at Ikea and family who will come get you wherever you are....even if its in the middle of a hurricane!

Between Nashville, Orlando and DC this year I think I am all traveled out. But crazy person that I am (according to my mom) I'm already planning my trips for next year. Including a possible trip to California to visit friends.....and I'm starting off right now by praying that there will be no earthquakes, landslides or forrest fires while I'm there! In the name of Jesus! Amenz! #Justsayin

VACATION!!!!

Just returned from spending a week in Orlando. Wish I had time to chat but I'm unpacking just to re-pack for a train trip (my first ever train ride) to Washington DC this weekend for the Women of Faith Conference! I will be posting a trip report on my return...but until then please keep us in prayer. Hurricane Irene is suppose to make landfall the day we return!