What I learned about God today...and the past couple weeks...

Hello!  I haven't blogged in weeks!  Maybe even a month... I cannot even remember!  
There has been so much going on! 


We have moved!  We have experienced itineracy.
Its one thing to speak about and another thing to experience.  I praise God through it all.

We've had so many adventures!  Our children were sick before, after, and somewhat during the move.... They had a tummy bug, but I think nerves also affected them- especially our younger daughter Sophia- who turned 4 the day before we moved.
Our double PK's (preacher's kids) are amazing and I am in awe of their resiliency.

Everyone said that life would be slower when we moved out of Northern Virginia.  So far I have not experienced that,  but perhaps life will have a different rhythm, once we have a routine...

My husband has two country churches where he is serving and I serve one church closer to city/suburban life...

Vacation Bible School started at my church before I arrived, and Wednesday when the truck left, my girls and I went over and we jumped right in!

My first Sunday came and went well!  The girls clung to me as I said the benediction and twirled in my stole...but somehow that all felt right.
  I had one funny and good-natured fellow say to me, "Good message today... but you need to remember...we're Methodist, not Baptists!  You need to shorten your sermons a bit."  LOL! I loved it!  Isn't this the preacher's dilemma?  I probably preached about 20 minutes....

Our girls are doing better... Sophia said on Wednesday - we were at an event at one of my husband's churches- we were late. :(  Some family who live close by had stopped in and we were glad to see them and visited a bit, and then made it out there.  Hopefully folks won't hold our tardiness against him...

While there Sophia said to me, "Mommy, I want to go home.  Not to our new home.... I want to go to my old home." I pulled her in my lap and said, "Our new home is our home.  And everything we love and all the people who love us are always with us.  And most of all Jesus is always with us.  Love is our home."  
                                 ..... Do you think it worked?
Well, kind of.  I guess she hears this kind of thing a lot from us.  She said- "Yes, I know Mommy..."

I feel like once we get a chance to paint her room and hang her pictures, put up our "art gallery", etc.  it will feel more like home.  Now there are still boxes everywhere!

My office at the church is like a land mine of books-- I thought it would be easier to just get them out of the boxes... not so much! :) But I know - it will come together.

Today was really the first slow day.  Even though we had the 4th off- we mostly cleaned and tried to unpack and organize... of course with a 4 and 5 year old around-- the minute I get one corner organized, another whole room is destroyed!  But, it will eventually come together.

Today was Friday- and it was our day off.
 Kevin and I, for the first time, have the same day off!
The girls played so well for most of the day.  We all slept in and then Kevin even let me sleep in later!
I really needed it.  I was so very tired.  I had been at a hospital visit on Thursday by 6:30am and then went all day till past midnight.... it was so nice to rest!

When I woke up Kevin got my new laptop set up for me.  And I sat in the play room while the girls played and I commenced sermonizing. My plan for today had been that I would run errands related to camp and back to school with the girls, physicals, hair cuts, school supplies... and then take them to a cool play place where I could work and they could play.  But they just played and played and played so well!  And I just kept working and working on my sermon....that it was about 6pm by the time we got going!
Thankfully the sermon came!

We got haircuts, ate at Chick-fil-a, and proceeded to Wal-Mart where we greatly helped the economy tonight getting new purchases for the parsonage..... (most importantly a microwave!)

I live knowing that at all times and in all places-- I am a mom, a wife, a pastor....
I live knowing that God will call me to live in all these roles, at all times, and that God is always putting opportunities right in front of me.

Earlier today I had an email from my wonderful secretary who checked the voicemail at church and someone had called for assistance.
I hadn't had a chance to call her back.  So after dinner at Chick-fil-a, while the girls played in the playground area and Kevin watched them, I stepped out to call her.
Before I could call her I had another pastoral call come in.  I talked with this person, made plans, and prayed and then called the person back regarding assistance and left a message. 

We got kids in the car and headed to find the local Walmart.

On our way we stopped to get gas in Chester and passed a fellow standing on a corner with a sign that said, "Choose Jesus."
 It was about 99 degrees and he didn't look like he was glad.  
I wanted to know more about his story.  His hopes for standing there with his sign.  
No doubt this is an important ministry to him, otherwise,  he would not stand on the corner in such hot weather.  No doubt he feels called to this ministry.  I know he must have a story, even though I do not know it.  Maybe some day I will.   


 I do not often have good reactions to street corner preachers because I've experienced some who were cruel, who had a limited understanding of God's grace and poor theology....all except for the guy at the exit for Arkadelphia Rd. in Birmingham near Birmingham-Southern College who held a sign that said "Jesus Loves you"  and he used to jump up and down with joy and a smile so big just so glad to share the news, "JESUS LOVES YOU!"  He'd sing-shout it to everyone no matter what and we'd all beep and give him high fives!  

We drove to Walmart and a young woman was standing at the entrance of the shopping plaza with a sign, "Single Mom, Out of work, Anything helps."
Kevin and I talked about how we could help her and decided that we'd get her some groceries.  We got two carts and Sophia and I took care of getting things for the woman while Kevin started on our list.  Sophia and I took our cart and bought cereal, milk, bread, peanut butter, and jelly.  I was worried the milk would spoil b/c it was so hot.... We checked out and walked towards the plaza entrance.  As we were walking over, I explained to Sophia what we were doing and why. She looked up worried and said-- but Momma- I want to eat these Cheerios.  I reminded her that we had also gotten a box for us and already put it in Daddy's cart and that these were for this lady and her family.  We parked our cart by the piles of mulch and walked over.  Sophia eagerly asked to carry a bag-- so I gave her the bag with the bread and cereal.  We walked over and introduced ourselves, but before I could get any words out Sophia was saying, "We have some food for you! This is for you to eat!"  The woman was about my age and I could see the joy, weariness, and compassion in her eyes. She was a mother.  She was so kind to us.  I shared that I was sorry it wasn't more and invited her to my church where I hoped we could do more to help.  She did not live close to our church.  Sophia said, "Do you have three girls or three boys?"  (Where she got the idea of 3 I am not sure :)  They mother said, "I have two boys."  Sophia said, "I want to come play with them."  The mother said, "Maybe we'll come and play someday at your church."  We prayed blessings upon her and continue too.

I was so proud of Sophia and her compassion.  I was so thankful that we could help.
I keep thinking about where we were when we had our last move-- we put everything in the move up front and were to be reimbursed.... we had no money- less than $2.00 in our checking account.... and we found out our daughter Grace was on the way the day after moving in the parsonage. God blessed us then with so much food in the parsonage when we moved in!
Today we were given more produce from new friends in our church, we've been given so many blessings and so much bounty in these past weeks!  God has been so faithful and provided such generosity through people from our last church and our current churches!
I will indeed be writing Thank You notes every day for the rest of my life!
God has provided for us- and given us so many blessings -- that we overflow -- and can give out to others.

As I walked back to the Walmart to finish our shopping and meet up with Kevin and Grace I told Sophia how proud I was of her.
I looked down at my phone to call Kevin and find him in the huge store and noticed I had missed a call from the woman needing assistance.
I called her back and listened to her need while Sophia acted like a monster trying to devour my other hand! (I am so not kidding!)
Standing in an aisle parked at the Walmart I listened and sought to comfort a woman hoping to keep from eviction while Sophia was saying, "Arraghhh!  I'm going to EAT you!"
She understood.  We made plans to discuss things further and I was able to pledge an amount similar to what two other churches had done in order to assist her.
It was almost 9pm.

We found Kevin, found the rest of the things we needed- shower caddy, kitchen trash can, new tooth brush holder, assorted groceries... the random things that make life easier...

I reflect on this day and I can see God in so many places.

The friend who brought us such beautiful produce.
The women who cut Grace and Sophia's hair.
            Their haircuts looks so cute, but this is the shortest Sophia has had her hair-- she started to cry that she wanted it longer.  I said, "Just keep eating good fruits and vegetables and you'll grow."  So later at Walmart she said, "Mommy I'm going to eat good healthy food so I can grow big and strong and so my hair will grow long.  Just like you said."  Of course we pull up in the driveway at home and she says, "Mommy- I'm ready to each vegetables!  Give me vegetables!"   What kid says this?  I washed some fresh green beans for her and she ate them right up and wanted more!

I see God in the parents we laughed with at Chick-fil-a as our children did silly and cute things.
God was present as I sat outside the Chick-fil-a and prayed with someone on the phone.
God is present even in the street preacher, looking somber, holding his "Choose Jesus" sign.  I pray that he knows that Christ has already chosen all of us-- God loved us so much that he sent his son-- even while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us, I pray that he may come to understand God's grace for all is freely given. Even if our methods of evangelism differ, God is still here working it all out.

God was present when Kevin and I saw the young mother in need at the corner of the Walmart.
God gave us the ability to give to her.
God was with me as I spoke to a woman in need of assistance on the phone.
God was filling me with patience and joy to play with Sophia and to hear and listen to the woman on the phone.
God has blessed my church so that we can help those in need.
I am thankful that we'll be able to help keep someone from eviction.
I'm thankful that we do not do it alone, but we join with other churches and agencies who are helping our sisters and brothers in need.
I'm thankful for the bounty of produce I've made room for in my fridge!
I'm thankful for the pieces of green beans I found in the hallway tonight as Sophia must have tossed them while seeking to eat the peas inside...

God is so faithful and so present....always.
God was with me and Kevin in the joy of new adventures as we laughed over him putting the new shower caddy together!
God is in so many places- all places and all the time!
God is good ! All the time!
I'm thankful for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a family that responds to God's call no matter where we are and what we are doing.

It makes for a really adventurous life... but I don't think I'd want it any other way.

Boxes and moving chaos still abounds.. and it will eventually go.

Experiencing life by loving and serving God's people-- I pray that never leaves me....

Lord, give me courage to see and accept the opportunities to serve and share your love in all places and at all times.  Give me wisdom to know how to respond in ways that are safe and helpful, in ways that are uplifting, in ways that empower, and in ways that honor others.  I pray that everyone may know your love, may be washed in your wholeness,and lifted out of pain and into your peace.  In the name of Jesus who can do all things, Amen.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Preacher's House...
There was a very cool article about how pastor's do Christmas that was floating around Facebook that I thought was pretty good.

For a lot of folks Christmas can be stressful, especially for Clergy, Clergy Moms and Dads, and I believe especially for Clergy Couples. Churches can do a lot to ease the stress off the pastor so that the pastor may be the most effective s/he can be-- especially on the night that is most the most highly attended church service of the year!

I am very very thankful for the amazing church I serve!

Messiah United Methodist Church is an amazing community of faith sharing the joy of Jesus Christ!

I've had both of my babies here. In fact we found out the day after we moved in the parsonage that we were pregnant.

I thought they would just be so disappointed! Here they brought on this young vibrant pastor and I was exhausted.... But no, they never thought or acted this way. Once my church knew that Kevin and I were expecting our first child- they were as ecstatic as we were! Then when sixteen months after our first we had our second, they joyfully welcomed her too!

Messiah has always been wonderful at offering childcare at church events, worship, meetings, etc. They were like this way before I was here.

But here's the huge thing- if I'm the only one who needs childcare at a meeting...it is still made available for me. That is huge! (Some of you will really know this!)

We have wonderful families, but neither Kevin's family nor mine live close by.
At church events, worship, etc, we do not have family who can help with our children.
One year, our children were in the nursery until 12:30am on Christmas Eve!
(We have the most amazing childcare/nursery workers ever!!! They love our children and we love them!)

We are a clergy couple- so we usually both need to be at church at the same time.
Currently, we serve at the same church (which has advantages and disadvantages to child care needs--for ex we once were both leading retreats (me for the Women's Ministry, him for the Youth on the same weekend- Aghh!)

For Christmas Eve this means four services 5, 7, 9, and 11. I lead the 5pm service for children and families. This service used to only have the children's Christmas pageant and children's music.... which is great--but I added a sermon when I came on board. Mostly because I figured that for some folks this may the only church service they attend all year, but also because every opportunity I get, I'm going to preach the Gospel. Dr. Teresa Fry-Brown used to walk into the classroom, shout out a text, and give us 3-5 minutes to preach a 3-5 minute sermon.
Even if I've got only a small window of time...its still an opportunity...

Kevin preaches at the 7pm Youth Service and then we're both at 9 and 11.

For a couple years now, one of our friends who also happens to be a staff member (although this is not part of her job!) has offered to be at our house with our children (and her kids come over too) we turn on the fire and they hang out enjoy watching movies, and our kids get to bed.

They did this again for us this year and it is a huge help- an enormous relief!

So after I finish preaching the 5pm service, I get the kiddos, take them home, get them in their Christmas pjs, and we put out Santa's cookies (milk will come out later).

I am so thankful for our friends helping us with this!

A few other kids have joined in this tradition- folks involved in the music ministry (who are also at church all night) have dropped off their kids.
SO in addition to my two-- our friends watched 2 other families' children!
With a total of 5 kids.
Before we left for church earlier in the afternoon on Christmas Eve-we pulled our pack n play out for one baby and cleaned the guest room up for another child to sleep.
Of course now- it still looks like a tornado hit our house --- post-Christmas....

Also for the past few years, one of the amazing women from our church, a Mom, and a friend, and a leader out of our PoLO's Parents of Little Ones ministry has organized "Christmas Eve Lunch" to be brought to our house on the 24th.

This is amazing and overwhelming, and I fight back tears as swarms of loving folks ring our doorbell bringing food. We were brought, turkey, ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, apple pie, salad, fruit salad, a Breakfast casserole! SO So much food!!! We ate a bit for Christmas lunch... but we are so go-go-go... that we don't tend to fill up too much on Christmas Eve... We really eat this on Christmas Day!
We have nothing to worry about on Christmas Day because of this joyful and kind service! And we are SO THANKFUL!

On Christmas Eve I tried to clean most of the day- we're having visitors coming in town this week... and since folks would be over in the evening of Christmas Eve I wanted things clean and organized... and I just wanted it to look nice for me- especially before the whirlwind came Christmas Day.
I cleaned until around noon ish-- then we ate a bit of lunch and then I put the girls in the bath by 2 ish. Gracie thought it was hilarious that she was taking a bath in the middle of the day!

I got the girls in their dresses, hair done, tights, shoes, and Kevin and I got ready and then we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

I wanted to be at church by 3:30 but didn't make it till 4 (still needed to print out my sermon and go over it a bit)-- even when its 5 minutes-- you still want it good! :)

Kevin was going to drop off girls at the Children's Choir room by 4:30 and get them where they needed to be. I had enough time to print sermon, pull my hair up, get my mic, robe, and stole on, put the nursery workers cards and gift cards together (and asked someone to take them down to the nursery for me- yay for delegating!) and got in the sanctuary to greet folks coming.

5pm came and the service went great! I'm pretty sure we had about 1000 folks at the Christmas Eve Service (but that's a "preacher's count" lol) Folks went out to the narthex...

The greatest part of service this year? After preaching my sermon- I sat with my family and together we watched the pageant together. We even got a picture!

Afterwards one of the youth helped Kevin get girls in settled in stroller to go home while I said goodbye to folks. Then I walked the girls home and got them settled with our friends.

I made it back in time to see the 7pm service. I wasn't participating in this service, so I had the great joy to sit in the pew and hear my husband preach!

You might be wondering - do preacher's eat dinner on Christmas Eve? I'm not sure how other's do it-- but I only eat and the other pastors and musicians and those involved in services at Messiah eat because of the love and generosity of the SPRC (for non Methodists- that's Staff Parish Relations Committee --they're like HR) The Staff Parish Committee sets a spread for all of us in the parlor. We have caffeinated drinks (a must), sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, sweets, etc.. Everything is delicious and we graze all night.

One of the best Christmas Eve's -- it was right before the 11 o'clock service and I said something that sounded really Southern and I laughed at myself and said, "Wow, I'm tired my Southern accent is really coming out!" And Ralph (our Sr. Pastor said), "I hate to tell you this, but you always sound Southern!" We all were rolling! He has an incredible sense of humor!

The greatest part of Christmas Eve is singing "Silent Night" seeing the light of the Christ candle spread throughout the congregation and as the light is spread, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus come up the aisle and stand with the pastors. I love sharing a hymnal with my amazing husband, holding my light high, and seeing the light throughout the congregation knowing that Christ has come!

At the end of singing Silent Night, Pastor Ralph gives this benediction:

"O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today!"

We sing "Joy to the World" and process out of the church with the acolyte leading, then Mary and Joseph, then Kevin and me arm in arm, and then Pastor Ralph and Pastor Jose side by side (they tend not to walk arm in arm!).

I love Christmas Eve! I love being a pastor and a mom and a wife-- and I love that God and my church have called and equipped me in all of the above!

Turning off....

Up at 4ish after a child wet the bed.
Snoozed with said child till 6.
Church by 7:15 -- all of us.

Amazing Day! Food Pounding-- We have tons and tons of food brought by everyone for families in our area in need of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas Shoeboxes were collected, College Care packages were sent out. Nothing But Nets collected money.
We sorted all the food after church- This year the girls were old enough to help, but I truly felt worried we wouldn't make it through when I got them from the nursery at 12:10... they were melting down!
There is a sorting party in the sanctuary, I told the girls! We're invited to help! :)
They had a blast! It was so awesome to see Sophia- 3- excitedly taking stuffing, potatoes, canned goods, soup,and other groceries. I helped her up and down the stairs, found food for her and together we sorted. Gracie (4) went right to work and seemed to know just what to do. A 6 year old handed Sophia some food to deliver to its correct place and Sophia said, "Mommy, that was so nice!"

We waited to get the name of our family we would deliver to. We got a family with a 6 and 4 year old girl! Gracie was very excited about this! We packed a full bag for each person in the family, one set for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas. Lots of food was there- veggies, fruit, pie crust, filling, yams, marshmellows, gravy, ....soups, pasta, sauce, rice, potatoes, pancakes, syrup, cereal, oatmeal--- everything for Thanksgiving and everything for every day

We picked up our turkey, milk, and bag of fresh produce. And off we went to meet our family! Gracie played with the girls instantly and the Dad from the family helped me unload the car while Kevin entertained Sophia who was half asleep. Grace and I, the Mom and Dad and two girls and I prayed together. It was so wonderful. I wished I spoke Spanish- the Holy Spirit interceded and prayed with, for, and through us.

Home- Sophia and Kevin napped, Gracie watched a show...and I worked on prepping for Disciple Bible Study.

Fixed Dinner- Fed Kids. Walked them with the help of our "adopted grandma"/ nursery worker- to the nursery.

Amazing Disciple 2 Class- Talking about what it means to wait for the Lord, trust, and have patience like Joseph! Before we focused on the study- we ordered ourselves for ministry to the Hypothermia Rotating Shelter-- We're giving each guest Christmas gifts (20 guests) a $45 payless gift card (for good shoes), the Prayer Shawl knitters/crocheters of the church are making hats for the guests, one wonderful person in the class offered to make gift card holders, we are going to give inspirational little books along with our gifts. We'll be keeping their heads warm, feet warm, and hearts warm too.

Kevin texted to me to have someone walk home with me b/c there was a weird guy outside in the parking lot... Thankful for the fellows who made sure I got through the dark parking lot safely!

Home and cannot shake conversations from Disciple 2, the day, thoughts about church, vision for church universal, UMC, and all the places and ways God is leading the church and me.

It is hard to shut all of that down....

I'm also thinking about the visit I need to make for someone having triple by pass surgery... thinking about the Thanksgiving Eve Service I need to work on, thinking about the Hanging of the Greens Service for Saturday evening. Calling folks who are going to read and participate... Hoping that folks signed up for the Crock Pot Pot-Luck Saturday before the worship service (We have Christmas at Home: advent workshops, crock pot potluck, hanging of the greens service, and watching the Charlie Brown Christmas movie).
I'm thinking about updating the new 20Something class email list... and our new study. Their questions, vibrance, the way they inspire me...

There is so much- so much in my head and my heart.... and my feet are aching and my brain is like a ricocheting ideas and thoughts....my heart is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude...

It is so hard to slow all that down and know I can stop....
There is so much to do and plan and prepare and process...

And yet I need rest and I need to stop and I need for a moment to not be planning and preparing and processing-- sometimes I just need to be. Sometimes I do not need to be multitasking.... and going, going, going....

Lord, help me, even the midst of such overwhelming joy, even when everything is good and worthy, and exciting... to calm down and to stop.... to rest in you. To honor you and the life, body, mind and soul you have given me-- but giving me- part of your creation-- time to be renewed. Amen.