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. 

October Ipsy Bag

My October Ipsy bag came in the mail today. Got to admit I haven't been that happy with my bag the last few months and although I liked a few of the items in last months bag (see below) it didn't wow me. But this months bag is really promising. I especially love the nail polish from OPI. And it will go great with the Essie nail strips I recently snatched from the Dollar Tree a few weeks ago!

I've never used NYC mascara so I'm really looking forward to trying it out and will let you know what I think. The other three products are completely new to me and although they are small samples I am looking forward to using them in the future. I have an entire bag of samples that I'm hoarding to use when we travel (which hopefully next year will be just a bit more then we've been able to do this past year). 

September Ipsy bag. My favorite items were the lip gloss and eyeshadow brush. Still haven't tried the face cleanser (but its in my travel stash for later). 

Essie Nail strips. I keep telling you all not to sleep on the Dollar Tree!! lol 

And it doesn't hurt that this months bag is in one of my favorite colors! I know everyone doesn't count the bag as part of their Ipsy bag haul but I'm a bag addict (if you haven't noticed) and the bag is just as important to me as the products in them! lol 

Family

Hard to believe but in just a few weeks we will celebrate 6 years at WABC! I found this picture evoke searching through old albums for the upcoming celebration. What I love the most about this picture is that most of the people standing behind us are family! I love my family to life! I understand that not every family is as blessed as I am and it makes me even more grateful to God for placing me in the one he did! Whenever you call on them they will be there if at all possible. And it doesn't matter if its for me or Marc. From the moment we married he became a part if them and they love in him just as if we was one of their very own..which he is! That to me is what family is all about!

Making Strides Walk

This past weekend family and friends got together to support our sista Sonia at the Making Strides against breast cancer walk event at Mount Trashmore.

Some of the family and friends gathered before the walk!

 My Sister cousins who came to walk with me.

This is Sonia's youngest daughter and I. Not sure what I was talking about! lol

The start of the walk! 

We have had several family and friends effected by cancer so this cause is very dear to my heart.

Some of the WIT wives along with my cousins after the walk.

I love these ladies to life! They drove over and hour that morning just to support and walk  with me!  

The entire group of Sisters in The Fight!