Sometime's a girl has to do what a girl has to do!

Yesterday Marc had to travel out of town for work. It just happened to be in the city that my sister lives and my mom just happened to be in town also. So I dropped everything I was doing (literally) and rode with him to hang out with them. I even left my camera at home on purpose so that I wouldn't be tempted to spend the day behind the camera. I had a great time following them around while they ran errands (we even surprised one of my cousins with a visit), and then I got in the car with my mom and traveled for an hour back to her home (Marc picked me up later the night after he finished all of his jobs). My mom conveniently lives and hour between her daughters so thankfully we can each just hop in the car and be at each others door in a matter of a hours. We spent the remainder of the afternoon talking about family, my grandmother who died when I was nine and pouring over pictures of family events. She gave me a tour around the house of all of the things she had done since my last visit and shared dinner together. All in all it was a pretty good day and even though I have tons of stuff to do over the next few days (not to mention playing catch up today) I'm so glad I made the decision to drop it all and hang out for the day. My mom really is like a good friend, and I love it when I get to see my little sis. All of the "stuff" on my to do list will still be there tomorrow, but we never know how long we have with a love one. Sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do!

I had to insert a picture (I hate blog post without photos), and since my birthday celebrations for the year have come to an end.......why not include a picture of my cute babies who are now all grown up!

80's Style Birthday Party!

We surprised Nicki this weekend with an 80's style birthday party for her 25th birthday. We originally told her we were throwing her cousin Jennifer the party so we asked Nicki to pick her up so she wouldn't suspect anything. When Jennifer came through the door first, we yelled, "Surprise!" with Nicki yelling along with us.  When we yelled "Surprise, Nicki!" she was so shocked she was speechless! The photo of her on the floor was after she realized the party was for her! It was priceless. Too bad I didn't get it on video. I was too busy jumping up and down while laughing.

We played songs from the 80's, she sang karaoke (with family and friends as back-up), did an 80's trivia game and the guest acted out her favorite 80's tv shows! We ended the day with Hello Kitty cupcakes. I spent that morning cooking all of her favorite dishes (string beans, mac and cheese, chicken fettuccine, tossed salad and zucchini casserole). Its probably the last big meal I will cook for a while and its the last of the big birthday parties I will do for my kids (who are now 25, 26, and 27). As a matter of fact I think its time someone threw me a party! LOL

Why?

Can someone explain why this man insist on messing up perfectly great pictures. Well potentially great pictures! LOL

Cancer Walk: A Family Affair

I love my family! When I'm feeling all alone, they remind me that God has been good to me and has blessed Marc and I with some pretty cool kids! So I couldn't let the week go by without taking time out to say thank you to my daughters and my husband for supporting me this past weekend at the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk. This is the 4th year that the girls and I have walked in support of the cause and in memory of my grandmother and friend Gail. This year my niece Jasmine joined us. When we came across the finish line I could not help but feel emotional, but I was especially thankful for God's grace, his mercy and his favor.

Book Review: "Transforming Church in Rural America" by Shannon O'Dell

I recently read a book on leading in a rural church. I became interested in, "Transforming Church in Rural America" written by Shannon O'Dell partly because I actually grew up in a small rural town; my grandfather and godfather both lead in rural churches. The title was what first attracted me to reading the book but once I started reading I was immediately struck by the similarities between the authors story and that of my husband and mine (especially his background in transfering from youth ministry to that of Senior Pastor) even though we are leading in an urban setting.

 I believe Pastor Shannon's book is an example of transformational leadership that churches in various minitry settings could learn from. He offers some practical solutions for not only rural America, but ideas that can be adapted by main stream churches located in suburban or urban areas. Especially churches that have been on the scene for a while but who have gotton stagnant in their thinking or even given up believing that their church can make a difference in their communties. His story has a mixture of humor, some pain but a large portion of hope. You can tell that he was someone who has been humbled by his experience. He had to totally rely on God to do the extraordinary under seemingly impossible odds.

When Pastor Shannon started, he had a small congregation (which if you know most rural areas, it is pretty much the norm), but in a matter of a few years his church grew and they now minister to 1,000 of people all over the world. Talk about fufilling God size dreams! He does not offer a magical formula but his story does convey the importance of seeing the bigger picture and trusting God to work the plan even when we can't see where he is going with it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and at one point I could not put it down. I actually read several passages out loud to my husband and he too enjoyed it. His testimony gave us hope that transformation is possible especially when you listen to God's voice and his vision for ministry. Many of the things he implemented are not just adaptable to ministry but in our personal lives as well. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is leading a church in a rural area, but I would also suggest it to those who are leading in churches that are looking to transform their community, ministries or church.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their BookSneeze.com Book Review Bloggers Program. I was not required or influenced to give a positive review in any way. The opinions expressed here are that of my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, part 255

Standing the test of time.

There are only a few people in life that I call my "Soul Sister'. Many of you know about Kelli because of my blog, and a few of you who know me personally know about the Dress Sale Buddies. We were a group of ladies who traveled twice a year to the woods basically to collect dresses for our daughters. Not that big of a deal except we slept in a car overnight and stood in long lines with hundreds of other mothers to get $60 or $70 dollar dresses for $14.00! That's how it started but in the process we became life long friends. Even our husbands and children connected....all over a dress! Years later our girls have outgrown the fancy dresses, but the friendship has sustained the test of time. Last night we got together for some laughter, some good food, lots of chatter, a few tears and then ended the evening with prayers. Good Stuff!!!! It was just what this soul needed (and I felt like a teenager when I "tip toed" in the house at 2 AM. LOL).

The Randomness That Is My Life!

1)I have had writers block for the last week! Honestly I think my brain was on lock down last week when we had 5 days of nonstop rain! Not having sun does something to me.

2) I have been busy planning this, so that might have been part of the problem. Anytime I am working on a "project" it consumes me. Does that happen to anyone else? I am so excited about our first Fest. I told one of my team members that we are expecting 50 kids, but I am asking God for 100 men, women, and children to come through our doors!

3) The month of October is also grand central station for birthdays in my family. TJ turns 27 and Nicki turns 25 (add in my moms birthday on Halloween, a couple of cousins here and there, and a nephew). Well you get the picture. We had a lot of babies born in October!

4)I'm still in that fall decorating mode. I figure it will be done by Thanksgiving. Just in time to take it down to start working on Christmas. Can you believe how many Christmas decorations are already out in the stores? I am resisting because I do most of that shopping after Christmas for the next year! I have four trees this year, we will see which ones make the cut. LOL

5) Its been a great week at WABC. We had a new member and one of our little ones in Children's Church gave her life to Christ. Her grandma and I had a conversation a while back and she had told me how excited her granddaughter was to be baptised. I think at first they thought she might be to young, but Marc and I both were baptised at a young age and I think we turned out pretty good. At the staff meeting last night Marc told her grandad that if he wanted to he could assist in baptising her. I think that would be awesome!

6)Next month Marc and I will celebrate our 2nd Year at WABC. In reality we have been there almost three yrs (the first year as interim pastor). This year our home church will be our guest at his celebration service. This meant a lot to my husband because he still feels that connection to the people and especially the youth that he ministered to all of those years. I am praying that it is all that he hopes and dreams of.

7)I have been loving hearing from the various speakers at the JustOne Conference, but I have especially enjoyed meeting and connecting with so many Pastor's Wives. It makes this fisbowl life we lead feel not quite as lonely as it did in the beginning.

8)Speaking of Leading and Loving It, did you catch my twitter rant about plane fairs? I had hoped to fly Southwest for the Leading and Loving IT Retreat next May because they take you directly to Nashville, vs Delta (which I love) but which routes you through Atlanta. Well as much as I love Delta, I hate Atlanta's airport. But the prices were crazy so good old Delta it is!

9)This flight will be the first time I have taken a flight alone since 1985. Which at the time was my first ever plane ride! Technically I was not alone because I had a 4 month old and a 1 1/2 year old with me. But I had never ridden in a plane or been anywhere on my own ever and was headed to join Marc to live in Germany of all places! I was so scared that at one point my mom said I told her I wasn't going. 6 years later I cried like a baby when we had to leave!

10)This weekend I get to hang out with 4 of my best girlfriends for a "Girls Night Out"! We have been trying to do this for months (actually for almost a year). Thank goodness one of them finally said enough is enough we are getting together, nomatter what. Everyone should have a girlfriend like that. Thank God I have several! Needless to say it should make for some interesting pictures and a great blog post! So stay tuned.

11)I'm also walking this weekend with my girls in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The weatherman has promised us sunny skies so I am very excited! One year it was pouring down rain. Not the way you want to walk, especially with crowds of people!

The Girl is C-R-A-Z-Y

When you have a night of tornado watches, and flash flood warnings most people cuddle up in bed with a good book and the flashlight. Not my child! She decided to make up her face and scare the mess out of me! We are all fine, only a few limbs down here and there, but I'm ready for the rain to end and for the sun to shine! Granted I won't be bored with Nicki around to entertain me!

A Few Good Men and Women!

I am soo excited about our upcoming SlimeTime event, especially the opportunity to connect with our community. But I'm even more excited about seeing my girls in their costumes! I can always count on them for a good laugh and for pitching in when needed. The last time they were in a costume was this summer for VBS. They were my hero's! Quisha (who does not know yet that she will be the yellow light bulb) will be doing crafts with the kids. And Nicki (who has already started looking for a purple wig and "diva" catsuit) will be doing the face painting. Which is right up her alley since she loves playing with make-up! But having said all of that I am still in need of a few good men to step up to the plate and be the Dewd Drop, Fizz The Beaker and Max the Battery! Any takers? LOL

Dare To Dream, But Don't Forget God In The Process!

So many of you prayed for our ministry last week and for our "Dare To Dream" Event. I thought I would share a few pictures and also say thank you. At one point it did not seem like we would be able to pull it off (we had people backing out left and right). In the end I think I (along with our speaker) learned a valuable lesson. Anything worth having takes some time. Not everyone will see the vision until they "see" the vision. But even if that does not happen you still have to move forward. The last night of the event I got to catch the end of Pastor Steven Furtick's 24 hour message based on his new book  "Sun Stand Still". It was a "AHA" moment for me. Sometimes you have to go out on a limb to fufill your dreams. Having that kind of faith starts with believing that God can and will fufill your impossible dreams. Basically you need to have faith tell the sun stands still! I wrote down some notes from his sermon and shared them at church. I thought I would share them here also in the hope that it would bless someone in the same way that it blessed me.

1) When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something. 2) If you keep your hands open to God, you will always have everything you need to fulfill what God has put you in the position to do. 3) Don't put your faith in the strategy; put your faith in the Savior! 4) Until God is all that we have, we don't realize that He's all that we need! 5) Hearing the word initiates faith. Speaking the word activates faith. Doing the word demonstrates your faith 6) God can take the worst news of your life and convert it into the greatest opportunity for Him to shine through you."

Last week I was so focused on the process, that I almost missed the blessings. Daring to Dream is always a good thing, but when you dream don't forget to include God!

Sunday Mind Dump (photo style)!

1)Been feeling under the weather all week, but when your a mom and a pastors wife well.....there is no time for that!

2) Especially when your daughter is celebrating her 26th birthday. Happy Birthday Quisha!

3) Nothing makes a girl feel better then a little TLC from her mom, only problem is my mom was being a clown and didn't want me to lean on her. In the words of my daughter Nicki..how rude (in the end she relented)! LOL

4) I think Quisha enjoyed most of her birthday. She especially enjoyed hanging out with her sister and cousin after the party was over. I love the bond these girls have. They have learned to be there for each other through thick and thin (just like the relationship I have with their mom's)!

5) We are gearing up for our two day "Dare To Dream" event for the youth at WABC. I had this bright idea to film the kids talking about their dreams for the future. Oh my goodness it has been fun listening to them. No need to worry that they are not dreaming big! These kids have some major dreams! And I'm loving every moment of it! Hoping they will be a example for other youth their age to follow!

6) The kids were learning about Hero's today in children's church. God, Jesus,their Mom or Dad were at the top of the list!

7) Its no secret I'm not a big fan of summer, so the change in weather has been like Christmas for me. So what do you do when Christmas comes around? Why you decorate of course!

8) I started last year decorating for the fall inside the house so this year I thought I would expand to the front porch.

9) Speaking of porches have you been following the JustOne Conference over at Leading and Loving It? If so have you found your porch? If not you have to check out the conference this week. Lori will be hosting, and has some great ladies lined up to speak.

10) We also started registrations for the Leading and Loving It Pastor's Wives Retreat that will be held in Nashville in May. I'm telling you this is one retreat you will not want to miss. I can't wait to meet you all!

Monumental Moments

There are moments in your life when you hit a brick wall. When you realize that the path you are taking is not working for you. I hit that wall a few weeks ago. To read more about my journey visit me as I guest blog here. Thank you Shelley for the opportunity!

Just Being Me!

I feel like I need to make a disclaimer. This is my blog, and I have the right to post and share whatever I feel comfortable posting here. I have had a blog so long that I sometime forget that not everyone gets it. Let alone me, my random tweets, or even my facebook status. And you know what...I'm ok with that. Each of us have the choice to choose what we will and will not share with the "outside" world. When my children were younger I was very careful who I shared my blog with. I didn't use their "government" name, and for many years I refused to post our last name anywhere on line (hence how the name DisneyCyndi first started). Years later my children are grown and are as visible on-line if not more then their old mom is. My husband is now a pastor of a church and its a given that someone will run across my blogs (yes I have more then one), facebook page, or twitter account. Nothing I say here (or there) is the opinion of anyone except myself.

I do think before speaking (sometime) and I am not one to put down other people so you will not see any name bashing from me. But I'm a pretty transparent person and just like my blog says....I'm just Cyndi....Mother, wife, women's leader, youth advisor, friend, sister...who is just trying to be the me that God created me to be! I'm a daughter of the king, and the only person I am interested in pleasing is my father God! So if you love me, I love and thank you. If you don't, well I still love and thank you because that is what Jesus has called me to do.

Praying for L-O-V-E

I can still remember the day the towers came down in New York, still recall watching the tv as the first and then the second tower fell. I still recall when the report came in about the pentagon, and then about the plane in PA. I find it hard to watch the replays or even look at the pictures. But still I remember. I also remember what this country was like in the days, weeks and months following this event. And that is what I wish we all remembered today. It seems that our country has gone backwards rather then forward. Hate seems to be rampid everywhere. That love and concern we once had for each other seems to have disappeared and in its place is anger, intolerance, hatred, an increase in racism, and even those of us who call ourselves "Christians" seem to have forget the one commandment Jesus said we must all possess. And that is love for one another. Corinthians 13:2 says If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

So today as we mark the 9th anniversary of 9:11 I am praying that we as a people learn to show love towards each other. Love our families, our friends, our church, our community and yes even those who seem different from us. Pastor Rick Warren tweeted a few days ago - "If u see anyone bleeding, u don't ask "Are u a Believer? Muslim? Atheist? Gay? Illegal? U just HELP them, like Jesus did!" I think its easier to hate then it is to love. But that is exactly what God has called us to do. Love wins over hate any day of the week. I choose to love! What about you?

Sunday Mind Dump (through the eyes of the pastor's wife)!

Wow, its been so long since I did a post like this not even sure where to begin!

1)There has been a lot going on over my summer. Did way to much traveling, and loved every minute of it. Only problem was my body didn't care much for it! And the most surprising part of all was how much I missed Marc (despite the fact that he messed up my picture).

2) Was away from WABC quite a bit, but with the fall coming, comes more events to keep me busy (not that I wasn't busy over the summer, most of that just happened to be personal). We have a youth/church revival coming up, and in October I will once again walk to raise money for cancer research.

3) This week Marc performed a wedding ceremony for a very special couple. Weddings and Baby dedications are his favorite part of being a pastor!

4) My youngest daughter Nicki got to see herself on the big screen today. Its serial seeing your child in a movie theatre and seeing her name run with the credits at the end. So proud of her. This is officially her last year of college. In May we will have the second person in our family receive a college degree. I could just bust!

5) After being out of work for almost a year my oldest daughter Quisha will be returning to the classroom in the fall to teach! She has taken a position at her old school. We are giving thanks to God for his many blessings.

6)In November Marc will have been at WABC for two years (almost three if you count his year as interim). The road has not been easy, but we are committed to seeing lives changed and souls saved in the community God has placed us at.

7) This week we gave away backpacks to those in our community. I was so proud of the young lady who is heading this up. Nicole has such a sweet spirit, and I know God will bless her efforts.

8) For the first time (since we have been at WABC) we will host a Fall Harvest at WABC for the families in our church and those in our community. I ran events like this for years while Marc and I were Youth Directors. Kind of took a back seat to Youth Ministry this year, but I am picking it back up this fall as an advisor until at which time God sends us a youth pastor (something I am praying fervently for).

9) I had a great time at the Women of Faith Conference in DC. Still amazed at how God met me right where I was and whispered a few things in my heart.

10) You will get to hear more about that soon. My friend Shelley Hendricks asked me to be a part of a group of great ladies who will guest blog over this month on her website (still in shock that she asked me, but very honored). I think my post is set to go up on the 15th!

11) Speaking of Conferences...have you marked your datebook for the JustOne Conference? If not get cracking. And while you are at it....mark these dates down and get ready to join Lori and the other Leading and Loving It Ladies in Nashville next May. I will be there with bells on!

The Act of Giving!

Today I watched as a young lady in our church gave her all to ministry. I can tell from talking to her that God has placed in her heart a special love for serving those in need. To often we see "ministry" as something confined within the walls of the church. God clearly states in his word that we are called to take care of those in need. And by Jesus own actions we know that he placed a high value in reaching out to hurting, loss souls. Many of which were far from God, and disconnected from what we would call organised religion. Romans 12:13 states "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". "God's people does not just pertain to those who know him. We are all God's people. And those of us who do know him must learn to reach beyond our own needs, our own comfort zone, and reach out with grace and love towards others.

Today we opened up the doors of our church to families who may never step through our door again, but that does not matter as much as the commandments given by God. First in foremost we are here to please him, to do his bidding, to fulfill his purpose for our life. Nothing else matters! Thank you Nicole for showing the love of God to those in need. And for practicing hospitality!

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Live, Laugh, Love......I Dare You!

Last month my life seemed to be filled with lots of ups and downs. Obstacles seemed to cross my path everywhere I turned. Then last week after attending the WOF Conference I started seeing some things in a new light. Decided to open my eyes and see the blessings, not the things I considered a curse. Boy, does having a different attitude make a difference in your life.

I recently ran across a quote book that someone had given me as a gift a few years back. It was filled with quotes that had so touched me that I spent a few weeks posting some on my scrapblog. If you have noticed my facebook status lately you will have seen a few of them. My favorite one was too long to share there (and way to long for twitter) so I thought I would share it here. Hopefully it will bring someone as much encouragement as it has bought me.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light,not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest in the glory of God that is within us. Its not just in some of us; its in everyone. And when we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others". Marianne Williamson

I find it funny that I encourage my girls each day to live out their dreams, explore life to the fullest. Live, Laugh and Love...Yet I refuse to follow that same advice for my life! My daughter Nicki recently took her first ride on a motorcycle. She did it without fear, with a free and open spirit. How had I developed that gift in my child, but not in myself? Are you living life to the fullest? What's holding you back? The life you live just might change the life of someone else. So what are you waiting for...soar high, live life, dream big. I Dare you! Heck I double dog dare you!

Just One Conference

Hey Pastor's Wives and Women in Ministry....have you marked your calendars for the JustOne Virtual Conference over at Leading and Loving It? If not what are you waiting for? And while you are at it, share it with your fellow PW's! Better yet if you are on facebook, twitter or have a blog we would love it if you spread the love around a bit! The best part about this conference is that you don't have to leave the house, and its FREE!!!!

Pursuing God's Dreams

I had a great time at the WOF Conference. The best part was hanging out with my girls for three days (and loving the fact that they loved the conference as much as I did)! My daughters have come into their own and are making decisions on their own. Sometimes those decisions have caused me heartache, not because they are making bad decisions, but because it reminds me that they are adults. And that their dreams are not necessarily my dreams for them. What I am learning is that it may be God's dream for their life. Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” This verse helps to remind me that we all have a purpose. I am then reminded of my own dreams and how important is that I don't abandon them in pursuit of my children's dreams. Just as God has called them to do things for his Kingdom he has also called me and I must fight the urge to be so caught up in the life of my children, my husband and our church that I forget or even forgo the work God has placed in my heart! How are you pursuing God's dreams for you? Have you allowed the dreams of others to sidetrack you from the purpose God has for you?

There is No Place Like Home

Here is a pic of mom's new house! OMG what a difference it makes to have your own place that is not in need of constant repair or falling down around you! I am so happy for my mom, and so proud of the fact that she took the plunge. I am amazed at her spirit, her strength and her ability to plow through even when things are tough. I'm sure if you asked her that she would say it wasn't easy and there were times I know she wanted to give up (what was suppose to be a few weeks of inconvenience turned into a few months of hair pulling after several delays). But the outcome of all of her hard work and determination has finally paid off. "Welcome Home" mommy!