The Unveiling

There are lots of books written for pastors. They even have schools specializing in training those called into ministry. But what about a pastor's wife? Often times they don't realize what they signed up for. While their husband is busy teaching, preaching, visiting, and counseling, many pastor's wives find themselves struggling.

This little blog is my perspective on life in the ministry fishbowl. I'll honestly share some of my struggles, burdens, passions, frustrations and joys of life as a pastor's wife. Being younger and very new at this I do not claim to have any answers. This is just a place for me to share my life experiences as I learn day by day to rely on the Lord in this crazy world of full time ministry.

If you are not a pastor (or a family member of one) then the stresses, challenges, and difficulties of those in ministry probably don't ever enter your mind. If that's you, I hope this blog serves as a gentle reminder to pray for those serving in ministry. And for those of you deep in the trenches of ministry: may this little blog serve as a reminder that you are not alone.

Change is Coming...

I've been gone for too long but have no fear...stay tuned because this blog is about to get a complete overhaul. New name, direction, look...everything. Creativity is brewing and I have a million things to talk about. Ministry is not for the faint of heart and living as a pastor's wife has a lot that goes with it and I think I need an outlet. I can't wait to start anew so check back soon!!

Into the Heart of Malawi

80% of the population live in poverty, surviving on less than 1 US dollar a day.

The spread of AIDS in Malawi has reduced life expectancy to 43 and threatens to destroy families and villages.

http://operationworld.24-7prayer.com/country.php?country_id=85

........

My sister Samantha is spending the next 7 weeks working with Circle of Hope International to reach out to the people of Malawi. She has been gearing up for this trip over the past couple of months and as of yesterday she landed in Africa. Please keep her in your prayers as she spends this exciting and challenging time overseas. Samantha will be posting updates on her blog as well as on the Circle of Hope website. There is also a prayer guide on the CHI website with specific requests relating to what the teams will be doing on certain days. She is going to have an amazing experience and I can't wait to hear what the Lord did while Samantha was over there. Until then I will continue to pray and I ask that if you are reading this please join with me in seeking the Lord. Our heart is to see the Gospel spread to every nation tribe and tongue and to see people set free through the powerful death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise be to God!

Overwhelmed By The Faithfulness of God!

Things I Miss About Louisville:
- My church family, especially our amazing community group
- Assorted shopping places (Borders, Old Navy, World Market, etc)
- Starbucks...awww man an iced coffee sounds amazing right now.
- Plenty of date night places to choose from
- The fulfillment I received when I could tell I was making a difference with the girls at Maryhurst.

Things I Do Not Miss About Louisville:
- The traffic and absolutely awful Louisville drivers.
- Our teeny tiny one bedroom apartment
- Working 3rd shift hours.

Now my list for what I miss about Louisville is slightly longer than the drawbacks of living there however let me share about life here in Maysville. I told Jon the other day that the longer we are here the more evident it becomes that God faithfully saw fit to place us at Lewisburg Baptist Church. The almost 18 month search was well worth the wait because I can tell you now that this small community of believers has completely taken us in as their family. God intended to display his amazing faithfulness by making this place exceed our expectations. There is something special happening here and it started way before we set foot in Maysville.

Just A Few Things I love about Maysville:
- Our church family. I have a funny feeling I may be writing a lot about this in the future. We have especially been enjoying our Thursday night small group and the church has an exciting week of VBS coming up soon. I'm looking forward to tons of Gospel opportunities.
- Our beautiful three bedroom parsonage, all of which the church pretty much takes care of.
- Walking out in the yard at night and seeing the lawn lit up with hundreds of fireflies.
- The pristine countryside.
- Oh...and did I mention the people? As a church family they welcomed us here with open arms and after an amazingly good pot luck they presented us with a cooler full of gift cards to local restaurants and hang out spots. What a blessing that was to our little family.

God is good and continues to provide for all of our needs. I am still looking for a part time job so prayers on that front would be appreciated. I guess I'll close out this post with 8 month pictures of my boy. Sorry these are almost a month late. Hopefully I can actually post his 9 month pictures on time.

Look at those teeth!

What Have We Been Up To?

We have been cleaning (and now unpacking)...


We've said tons of goodbyes...






We've been humbled by our friends who sent us out with love and lots of prayers...


With the help of our new church family we moved into a beautiful house.




We have fallen in love with Maysville and the amazing people who have so lovingly welcomed us. Hopefully soon I can actually post some faces but a picture of the church will have to do for now.




This last month has just been crazy! Even though we still have a few piles of boxes still untouched I feel much more settled especially now that the stress of the transition has finally begun to fade. Now the focus has shifted to continuing to get to know everyone (and remember all of their names), prayerfully considering where the Lord desires to lead this community of believers, and wondering how can we reach out to a town where the majority of the people do not attend church.

It took me a while to get my bearings. I struggled to spend time with the Lord daily and certainly felt the stress of having to start over and open up to a whole new group of people. Vulnerability doesn't come quickly for me but God is already beginning to address that. Next week at our Bible study we are talking about community and Biblical community can't happen unless we are real with each other. Good stuff. I have already been so humbled by hearing the heart of my brothers and sisters here as they pray for the community, friends and family around them. This is a group of believers who want to reach out. I am looking forward to seeing God teach us how to truly foster Biblical community as we hold on another accountable, grow deeper in the Lord with a hunger for his Word, a passion for a prayer and a yearning to see this community changed by the truth of the Gospel.

Things are good and I am certain that the Lord has a lot he wants to do in Maysville. We just have to listen and be obedient. Keep us in your prayers!!

And the transition begins

1 hour and 13 minutes..before I clock out for the last time.

4 hours...before we head to Crossing church for our last service with this group of believers.

3 days...before our last community group.

5 days...before we load up the moving van.

7 days...before Jon's first sermon and the start of a new phase of life.

Wow, things are getting ready to change and I'm trying to hang on for dear life. We have spent the last 5 years here in Louisville working hard, making some amazing friends and striving to serve the Lord. Now we have been called elsewhere. Jon and I are SO excited about this next step but man is it hard to say goodbye. My mind keeps wandering to the story of Abraham called to leave his home for a land he didn't even know about, at least I know where I'm going and I like it! I'm so thankful that God promises to never leave us for forsake us. I'm thankful that in the midst of everything changing I have a rock I can cling to. I'm thankful that he promised to give us life...and not just life but life more abundant. Stay tuned because I will have a lot to share over the coming weeks. I can't wait to post pictures of our new place and the new family we will soon be a part of. God is good.

Nothin' Like It

I drove to work tonight with my windows down. Spring is finally here and I'm lovin' every minute of it. I've always been the kind of person that associates music with well...everything. An occasion, feeling, memory and yes even the turning of seasons can bring certain artists or songs to mind. When summer rolls around I can't help but think of Coldplay or the Beach Boys, and possibly some Oldies too. When winter barrels in you better not come between me and my Christmas music. Okay, maybe my Christmas fever catches on a bit earlier than the start of winter but ya catch my drift.

Tonight on my way to work I broke out Andrew Peterson and couldn't help but smile. Here is one of my all time favorites.

I'm looking forward to gorgeous sunsets, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the grass between my toes, cook-outs, baseball/softball games, listening to crickets outside, and keeping my eyes peeled for lightning bugs. There is just something about spring.