Sometimes You Just Need A Little Laughter!

This has been my entertainment for the day ( the girl keeps me in stitches). She had this dress when she was a "little" girl. Today she got the bright idea to try it on. Not so "little" anymore (lol). It's a Disney outfit (of course) so I think I am going to have my sister turn it into an apron. Which if you think about it is really funny since Nicki won't go near a stove.

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

1) This picture is not flattering at all, but it was taken the day of the Inauguration (party planning can zap your energy really fast...LOL). I'm still in awe of the day and all of the people who came together on that day (especially the fact that there were so many people, of different nationalities all coming together for this historic event). Can you imagine what we could do if we did this on a daily basis?

2) I don't have much to say tonight. Its been a busy week and I'm tired.

3) No, I didn't make it to bed early last night, but we stayed up late because we had company. Two of Nicki's friends from college stopped by to see us. They have promised to visit WABC soon. I love working with young adults. Its always been where I felt a pull to lead. But sometimes God has other plans for you (at least at this moment).

4) Wednesday morning we started the Esther series at New Life Providence. That same evening Nicki and I went back for our Voice Training. I'm so excited about this opportunity to work with the NLP staff. I have learned so much since coming there, its been a godsend for me.

5) We have been tearing Marc's office up this week. There is still a lot of work left to do. He has been concerned about function, while I dream about making it more decorative. I'm sure we will find a balance in there somewhere.

6) Speaking of work, Marc and another friend spent the week bringing WABC into the 21st century. WABC has gone WiFi (not sure if my spelling is correct) !

7) Marc's message today was "A Time For Change". Got to say he even stepped on my toes!

8) Can I just say WABC seems to be overflowing with kids. If anyone has advice on how to do Children' s Ministry on a shoe string budget within tight quarters please let me know. I'm not sure we can afford to wait until we have a new sanctuary.

9) Nicki, my friend Diane and I will be attending a woman's weekend retreat on Friday and Saturday. I'm looking forward to a time of renewal.

10) Marc will celebrate his 46th birthday in a few weeks, not sure how we will celebrate but I have a little something up my sleeve.

11) Well I have a busy week ahead (not to mention a few events in the coming weeks to prepare for) so I wish all of you a blessed week.

Service

Today I watched the Inauguration with my daughters and several members of WABC. This was the first Inauguration for them, the first time they have voted for a president in which their nominee won, the first time they felt that their voice was really heard. We have always told our children that they can become whomever they want to be. I think today they felt that was possible. The looks on their faces was priceless to me. It was a day they will not soon forget, but I hope that all of us will remember who the real commander in chief is. Changes will not, can not occur unless we change and become more like Jesus. The one thing I love about our new President is his commitment to service. We owe it to our children to teach them the importance of serving others. As pastors kids our children have sometimes become the object that people want to serve. I hope that Marc and I have instilled in them the importance of being the servant rather then the one being served.

Prayers for Harper

I have never met Kelly or her family, but her mom's website has been on my list of Minister's Wives for some time. So I have been following Kelly's pregnancy almost from the beginning. Yesterday I went here to check in to see if Harper had been born and found out that she had, but that she was in need of our prayers (see the button link on the side). Please lift Harper and her family up in your prayers. We all know what our God can do, and we especially know about the power of prayer.

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

1) It was a great day. Its been a great week, what can I say (may have to do with the fact that I made it to bed at a decent hour).

2) I have been scrapping this week (that's scrapbooking for all of you who don't know). Its something I love that had been put on the back burner in the last few years. I'm starting to get back in the game.

3) I'm so excited about Primetime at NLP. I'm looking forward to reading Esther. But I am especially excited about taking voice lessons.

4) Nicki, TJ, Quisha, Trice and I all went to church together this morning at 8:30 service at NLP. It was good to be in service together (and a long standing prayer seems to be still in effect. I say again thank you Lord).

5) There is a slim chance that Marc will have help with ministry very soon. But our prayer is that this happen only if its God's will. Sorry I can't be more specific. Let's just say it will effect our community outreach in a big way.

6) It takes a lot to get Marc together on Sunday mornings (suit, ties, handkerchiefs, cuff links, shirts, 2 t-shirts, coat, and hat. Thank goodness his robes stay at church now). Usually by the time I arrive at the 11:30 service I am huffing and puffing because of all of the things we have to carry in. I told him today he was high maintenance (lol). That's ok though because I'm high maintenance also! Just not in the way you may all think. I'm thankful to God that we are each others number one support system.

7) We attended a wedding this weekend, and once again we put our photography skills to work. The son of one of our best friends got married. The wedding just reaffirmed to me the importance of Unity.

8) Once again our church service was filled up with young ones. Never underestimate a grandmother. They are well known for leading their grandchildren to church, who then lead their parents to church.

9) I didn't get a chance to count heads, but I do know we were pretty full in the back. Some of them need to move to the front a bit. I promise Marc won't bite (lol).

10) We had one young man ask to be baptized and one lady who joined based on Christian experience. Marc told me later that he told her upfront that we are not looking for pew sitters at WABC. We are a small group and there is more work to be done then workers available in the fields. I think she already knew this though. I have to admit I cried like a baby. None of this is worth it if we don't bring lost and hurt folks to Christ.

11) Marc's message today was "Three General Orders -Watch, Work and Wait" (Luke 12: 35-40).

12) We have a busy week ahead. Hosting an Inauguration party at church (still looking for a big screen TV, which will be good for Tuesday). But in the long term it will be used for a lot of our youth events. Funny thing, everyone is looking for a TV right now in preparation for the Super Bowl! Didn't even cross my mind since I'm not a sports person (lol).

13) There are several events in our area in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. Some of our members will be walking in a March in Dr. King's honor Monday morning. I'm praying for a clear, sunny day (it rained all day today and at one point some even saw a bit of snow and ice).

14) There are exciting times ahead for our nation (and WABC), but I keep thinking to myself...are our eyes focused in the right direction? I'm going to try my best this week to enjoy the celebrations, but I also know I need to be looking up to where my help comes from...and my help comes from the Lord!

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

1) For the 1st time in a long time I can't really think of a lot to say. Go figure!

2) Some of our plans for the week had to be put on the back burner. In part because we have been dealing with building stuff. And since there is but so much that you can do in a week....meetings took precedence.

3) Several couples have shown and interest in attending the marriage retreat weekend, which I am very glad of (especially since it was my idea). So that means all of my friends who have gone before had better guarantee that we will enjoy the weekend.

4) Nicki and I signed up for Primetime at NLP once again. This time we are taking a course in Training your Voice. I'm slowly (believe me I have been resisting) accepting the fact that I need to be singing at WABC.

5) I also signed up for the Beth Moore series on Esther (which just happens to be my favorite book in the bible). I will be taking this class in the mornings with my friend Sheila who I took the Daniel class with last year.

6) Marc's message for the morning was "Guest Who's Coming To Dinner". It went very well.

7) As a matter of fact most everything went well this morning. Nicki, TJ, Quisha and I made it to the 8:30 AM service at New Life Providence, then I went to WABC with Marc at 11:30. For some reason when I go to NLP in the mornings it anchors me for the rest of the day (especially when my children are next to me).

8) The youth at WABC did a really good job leading the morning service. During our youth moment it seemed as if the youth had taken over. Please pray that we are able to add a children's church to our morning service really soon (for us that means getting through this first phase of building).

9) We did some visiting after church and then came home and got the girls to go to dinner. The ribs at Smokie Bones really hit the spot.

10) We have decided to continue our food drive. As many of you know the local Foodbanks are really in need of donations. And in the words of one of our deacons this morning.....people eat at other times besides the holidays!

11) Well I guess I had more to say then I thought (lol). For some reason by the time I got home this evening I was feeling a bit down. Maybe a good night of rest will make a difference. Seems like sometime this "leadership" stuff gets a bit too heavy a burden to bare. Thank goodness God is the one in control.

Women ( just L-O-V-E ) !

By now if you have read my blog a few times, you know my views on women. The importance of women connecting, sharing, getting along and loving each other no matter what. My word for this year is to Live (Laugh and Love). Several women that I know posted this video on their websites and I wanted to take the time and share it with you. We as women have soo much to celebrate. It's past time that we ladies stop the hatin (life is too short)! God created us for a special purpose and plan which did not include tearing each other down. Make a commitment in 2009 to be more like Christ. Love one another, care for one another, nurture one another, share good godly wisdom with the young ones that will come up behind you. Now don't get me wrong, there have been many times when I have not been that compassionate, loving, caring women that God called me to be. But I have two beautiful daughters that I love more then life itself, and my hope and dream for them is that one day they will leave behind a legacy of love. So I can't ask you to do what I am not willing to do myself. It's time to turn the table's upside down ladies.....let's all just LOVE!

Prayers Please

Please pray for my friend Kelli and her family. Baby Abe went into surgery this morning. Please pray for his doctors, the hospital staff, Abe's little body, his sisters, but especially for Kelli and Mike. You can read their story here. Thank you.

Update: Just heard from Kelli. Abe is out of surgery (went well, now praying that he will extabate fine and breathe well on his on ).

Sunday Mind Dump (through the eye's of the wife).

1) I can't believe its a new year! Mostly I can't believe I'm a Pastor's wife (yes, I know its been a few months). And its not like I didn't know the day would come, its just the fact that I am here that is amazing (and shocking).

2) And did I happen to mention that I am enjoying it (lol).

3) We had a great time at our New Year's Eve celebration. There was praise and worship music, testimony and lots of food and fellowship.

4) Marc had asked us to find candles for the service and at the time I concentrated (actually I complained) more on the fact that it was such short notice, but by the end of the night I got it. He talked about letting your little light shine in 2009. Sometimes I don't get where he is going with stuff, but thankfully that is between him and God and its not meant for me to get (until much later.......lol).

5) Do any of you other ladies look at your husbands sometime and just burst with pride over where God is leading them?

6) We had a full house today (Nicki is probably laughing right now, but its a good day at WABC when you stop counting because you actually made it past 50 folks)! Granted it was Communion Sunday and that might have had something to do with it.

7) I set up our first ever information table today so that we could promote the marriage retreat that is coming up in February. Who gets excited about an information booth? Me!!!!!!!!!

8) I took all of these notes from Marc's message that I planned to share with everyone, but I left them in the car and now I'm to lazy to go out and get them.

9) This evening we went to hear my friend Pam speak. The girl is off the chain! She will be the speaker for our women's weekend event (I can't wait to introduce her to the Women of WABC ).

10) Next week we are holding our first Leaders Weekend. Please keep us in prayer (especially Marc who will be sharing God's vision for WABC in 2009). He started sharing it in his message this morning. He has told us not to get caught up in the process and forget our purpose (which is a message I probably need to take in more then anyone since I tend to suffer from the Martha syndrome).

11) I will officially be taking down the Christmas decorations starting tomorrow (notice I said "starting"). I really enjoyed the holidays but its time to get my home back in order (well, as orderly as it can be).

12) Just in case you hadn't noticed I have been making some changes to my website (including pictures of my family who are my pride and joy). I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in 2009.

13) In addition to the One Year Bible Journal, I am also participating in the 365 Photo project. You can follow that by checking in at my scrap blog.

14) Marc leaned over this evening and told me he needed a vacation! The man just came off of a week from work. The problem with that is that he didn't really take vacation (for those of you who don't know it...he is bi-vocational). He works for a telephone company in addition to fufilling his duties at WABC. He also does work on the side, so that is what he did over vacation. I think he has learned his lesson though, because I have now been given permission to start planning our family vacation (Bama watch out because here we come). Lesson learned for tonight.

One Year Bible Journey

I'm in the process of writing my "Year in Review" (lol....yes, I know it is late). But while you are waiting I thought I would share a year long project my friend Monique introduced me to. Its called the One Year Bible Journey. Basically you are given a group of scriptures to read each day. Mo warns you that you may start out good and fall down, but the important thing is that you get back up (no matter where you are at). This works good for me because I always have good intentions but fall short. No problem there, my kids grew up hearing me say if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again! So come join the journey (we promise not to judge you, especially if you don't judge...lol).

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

1) One day I will learn my lesson. I went to bed Saturday night at 1 AM! I paid the price last night though...........I slept from 8 PM last night to 8 AM this morning!

2) We had a great Christmas. There has been lots of baking, wacky behavior and tons of after Christmas shopping. But the best part was spending time with the family.

3) Marc has the whole week off, which means a chance for me to get my honey do list filled out (well hopefully).

4) In case you missed it I attended my first ever candlelight service, received my very own star for Christmas and am now the proud owner of a Christmas Village.

5) Our newest member of WABC arrived this week and Sunday she attended her first Sunday morning worship service (see the picture above). There is nothing my husband loves more then brand new babies.

6) Marc wrapped up his series on "Jesus, The Reason for the Season". His question to us now is now that you know....what are you going to do about it?

7) Marc and I will be leading the Praise and Worship Service at our New Year's Eve Service. It's been many years since we have done this together so please pray for us. And this is after we eat dinner!!!!!

8) So, I have noticed that all of my friends are taking down there Christmas decorations. My friend Kelli takes hers down on Christmas Day! Am I the only person who keeps their decorations up until after New Years Day? I still have my lights on (inside and outside) I guess I want the holidays to last as long as possible.

9) We will be holding our first staff weekend get together this month. I keep getting questions about what this means (lol). I basically said just wait and see. Marc is in charge of the serious stuff but I get to plan the fun stuff. I'm sure it will evolve over time, but this year we plan to keep it simple.

10) We are also hosting our first ever Volunteer appreciation service this month. I would love to hear ideas for this program. It will be fairly simple but the people who volunteer at WABC deserve this.

11) Can't you tell how excited I am about 2009? The last few months have been pretty amazing, which is surprising to me but apparently a few of my friends "knew" all along that WABC would be good for Marc and I.

12) Its a few months down the line, but Marc and I will be attending this marriage ministry event in February and we are encouraging the couples at WABC to attend with us. Several of my friends have attended before and its always received great reviews. You might want to look into it for your marriage ministry (one of the other new things coming to WABC).

13) We will be spending New Years Day with our family (its an annual event for my mom's side of the family).

14) Lastly, please pray for Nicki who will be off on one of her great adventures again. I am going to try real hard not to be a basket case while she is away (so mostly pray for me).

Our Little Chef

Its no secret that I am not known for my fabulous cuisine. Actually every once in a while I can pull together a pretty good meal. But its not at the top of the list of my favorite things. Quisha on the other hand must have inherited her love for baking and cooking from hubby's side of the family. His sister Gina makes a mad sweet potato pie, and his twin Marsha can cook like their mom. Quisha has been on a baking frenzy since the holidays started. Last night she baked sugar cookies and then this morning she decided to make cinnamon rolls from scratch (so not something she learned from me...lol) after she went to her Aunt's home last night and my niece Jasmine was making them (see she gets that disease from his side of the family). I thought she was going to use raisins so I put in a request for some Pillsbury rolls. Good thing too, because the made from scratch have to sit for hours and then you can bake them! Gee! A girl could starve to death by then. I think I will stick to my boxed, microwave, take out menu thank you very much!

Note: Did you notice that Nicki was no where to be found? That's because she inherited my genes. No baking for that girl. She is perfectly happy being the entertainment.

A Message to our Family and Friends

This year has been a bag of mixed emotions. We have had sickness, heartache, sadness, loss of loved ones, great family time, fun fellowship with old and new friends. We have met new people, reconnected with old friends. Said goodbye to a church family that we love and have been embraced by a wonderful new church.

Marc and I feel very blessed to have celebrated 26 years together. Our children are happy and healthy. Our families are doing well, and we thank God every day for the friends that he has placed in our lives. Thank you to all who stood by Marc's beside when he was sick. Thank you to all of you who were there with us to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Thank you to all of you for the love you showed us when Marc was installed as Pastor at WABC in November (especially those of you who attended the luncheon). Thank you GMZBC for your continued love and support, to WABC for taking our family in and showing us so much love and kindness. Thank you family for being there.......always. To our friends (way to many to name ), thank you for being you. We love you all so much and look forward to what 2009 will bring.

My wish for you and yours is that 2009 will be a good year. Remember that no matter what the news may be saying about the world we live in today...we know the one who is really in control. With God all things are possible. From our family to yours we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

God's Blessings from.......Marc, Cyndi, TJ, Quisha and Nicki.

And the madness continues.......

We moved the madness over to my cousins home after dinner. The one thing I forgot to mention was that I spent most of Christmas Day laying down (at one point even in the floor of my cousins home). For whatever reason my sinus decided to act up. I couldn't stop sneezing, my eyes were itching and running and I just felt miserable most of the time. Throughout all of this my family was great.......my nephew Alex kept giving me kisses, the girls helped my mom and sister in the kitchen and Marc even made me take it easy the next day (at one point he told me to just go take a hot bath and go to bed early). There are many things I love about my family but the one thing that stays with me is the fact that we are there for each other through thick and thin, no matter what.

Christmas Madness!

Try as we might (not), my family just does not know the meaning of a normal holiday celebration! And that is what I love about them!

The Rest of the Gang!

Marc has just about everything! So he is one of those people that it is very hard to shop for. The gift I ordered for him won't be in until next week, so I can't share yet. Que gave him pjs because he has been wearing these pants with dogs on them that Q can't stand. Nicki and TJ plan to hook him up next week. No problem, since the church got him the one thing at the top of his Christmas list (well they didn't get him a car...lol). The man has been walking around singing. Thank you WABC, cause when he is happy my house is a lot more peaceful!

TJ who is the next hardest person to shop for actually loved his gifts (go figure)! He has a new printer, lots of clothing (which his mom is very glad he likes) and work shoes (which he needed almost as much as the clothing).

Nicki received a book on make-up from a friend. This will probably be the only book she will pick up and read besides her college books. We gave her ipod speakers, a camera for her computer and a cordless keyboard/mouse for her computer.

The theme for Que this year was brown. We brought her a coat, shoes, purse, gloves, scarf and an assortment of stuff for her classroom. She really didn't ask for anything in particular but she seems to be happy with what she has gotten so far.

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all are having a blessed day. The presents have been opened and we had my famous waffles for breakfast, now I just need to get my act together and get ready for Christmas dinner.

Last year my daughter caught the expression of surprise I had on my face when my son gave me an ipod nano. This year Quisha was able to catch me being surprised by her with my very own star! Wonder what surprises 2009 will hold for me (LOL).

Note: I did not plan the green outfits for both last year and this year. It just happened! And yes that is my crazy son in the background. Pray for him......he needs a haircut bad (lol)!

Sunday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the wife)

Update: Good Morning! I was so tired last night that I knew the best thing for me to do was go to bed, get some rest and start my list in the morning. We were so busy this weekend that I thought the best way to share was through pictures (enjoy).

1) Nicki snapped this picture of me during the morning service. The one thing that stuck with me from yesterday was the prayers of one of our members who said "thank you Lord, for opening WABC up to ministering outside of these four walls". I knew then that God's vision for WABC was being manifested through Marc's teaching.

2) I snuck into GMZBC on Saturday night to see their Christmas Cantata. Just so you know (all of our GMZBC family who check in here) we miss you all too.

3) Our new Christmas tree at church (yes, its pretty sparse but we will get to add more ornaments next year). My favorite part was "Santa's hat on top (courtesy of one of our deacons)!

4) We ended Sunday service with an altar call. People streamed to the front for prayer.

5) My favorite part of the weekend was wrapping gifts with the youth for our adopted family. It took a minute for some of them to get that the gifts were all for other children, but they kept wrapping anyway.

6) The hit of the Christmas Play were our Senior Angels.

7) Another favorite memory for me yesterday was the Christmas gift exchange that took place after the morning service. Marc and I had been warned that giving out gifts was a big deal at WABC. I don't think either of us were prepared for the overflow of love that was pored out in that place (and not just to the pastor and his family). It still amazes me that such a small church has such a giving heart.

8) Saturday we took the youth Christmas caroling at a Senior citizen center (see the picture above). For many of them it was the first time, but I think they enjoyed themselves.

9) There are many more memories to come. Marc has the coming week off (yeah!!!!) so I am looking forward to spending some time with him, and lots of time with family and friends.

10) Christmas Eve we are heading to NLP for their Family Christmas Eve program, then Christmas Day will be spent with my mom and sister. I'm hoping to update throughout the week but just in case life get in the way I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!