Because I'm a Pastor Wife!

So, I really wanted to start focusing on the life of a Pastor Wife, but I've yet to write about anything in regards to being a Pastor's wife. Why? I don't know...maybe I'm not brave enough or I don't want to sound like I'm complaining or make it sound like it's a horrible position. It isn't! It's actually pretty dang amazing!

However (and this is probably true with any type of wife out there) there are so many questions that come with being a Pastor's wife. One question that I constantly wrestle with and wonder if there really is an answer out there. I think it's also a question that most adults have...

Are you my friend?

Before getting married, having kids, and all that fun stuff I had friends and still have those same friends. It was just a natural thing. We either were in the same class, have known each other forever, went to the same church, and blahblahblah. Friendship. It was easy and there was no question with the exception of, "How did we become friends again?"

Now, it's so different. Maybe I'm just making it different? I'm not quite sure, but I always wonder if people are friendly to me because I am the Pastor's wife. Will we really be friends if we're in the same small group or is everyone else "forced" to like us because we're helping to lead the church. Did you really want to come up to me after church to chat or do you feel like you're supposed to?

Paranoia, anyone?

At the same time, I feel like being a Pastor Wife gives me the right away. I'm allowed to join whatever group, jump into any conversation, or invite anyone over because I am the Pastor Wife. Now, don't think I walk around feeling superior to all, but sometimes this way of thinking helps me to not be so introverted. Most Sundays I just want to hide in the very last seat in the sanctuary and run to the car once service is done. I don't do this and I remember what I've been called to be and I use that to help me talk to others, smile, and enjoy the company.

I guess, in the end, it really doesn't matter. We all get along - or try to get along - because we are all part of the body of Christ and our purpose is to love each other regardless of whether or not we are a Pastor wife.

Queen Forever!

I was going to rant and rave, kick and scream, moan and complain that I had to get up earlier than Pastor Husband on a Sunday morning, but then...I actually didn't have to rush my shower time, I put on make-up (ok, so only a bit of concealer and some eyeliner. It still counts.), and made coffee. Now, as we speak/read/type I am enjoying this cup of coffee in my Queen Forever mug (thank you Karyn!) in complete silence. If everything stays as usual, no child should need me for at least another hour!

A Brother From Another Mother

Someone said that a long time ago when they walked into Stater Bros. and I have had it in my memory box ever since. Anyway, to let you in a bit on Pastor Husband, I will start off by saying that he is an introvert in extrovert clothing. Not to say that he is fake around people, but it does tire him out when he's around a lot of people for a long period of time; however, unlike me, he doesn't get all pouty, grouchy, or hide in a corner until it's all over. He genuinely cares about other people and their stories, which is why he is so good at making friends. His friends though are quite unique. For some reason, Pastor Husband, is awesome at making friends who don't speak English.

Since knowing Pastor Husband I now know people from all over the map. Our wedding was actually streamed so that all his ESL friends could be part of our ceremony!

Here's a list of our extended family:
Austria via England
Belgium
Brazil
Japan
Romania
Guatemala
Mexico

I think I've met most all of them face-to-face. Some have been in our bedroom via Skype...yeah, that's never strange. There's always some kind of language, accent, or new custom that I get to learn. It's all quite interesting.

Today, we had lunch with married Belgium friends. The husband is actually from Brazil and the wife is Turkish. She's four months pregnant with their baby boy. These wonderful people brought us chocolate - LOTS! - waffles, some kind of candy that tastes like violets (haven't tried them yet), and Turkish gummy candies that are rose, vanilla, and citrus flavor (these are very yummy).

I knew the rest of the world existed and it wasn't flat, but Pastor Husband has definitely expanded my horizons. I feel very international!

The stash.

Kitchen Action

I didn't think there was going to be much going on in my kitchen today other than breakfast - made by Pastor Husband, not by me. He wakes up way too early for me to get up and make food. So, usually, he gets up and makes enough oatmeal for himself and Baby Girl. Lunch wasn't at home either because there was a chicken bowl fundraiser after church. We were raising money for the young adults' retreat.

**Pastor Husband just confessed! He used one of Baby Girl's frozen fruit cubes for his own oatmeal! Haha, I told him he was going to have to tell Baby Girl about it.**

After that, once we were home, we ALL took a three hour nap! Baby Girl would have kept on sleeping if I hadn't gone in there to wake her up. It was around 5pm when we all rolled ourselves from slumber and remembered that the world was still spinning. We decided to go grocery shopping and eat as cheaply as possibly at IHOP. A great thing about this place - kids eat free every day! Baby Girl might have had some pancakes and eggs. It was cute too because we just cut it nice and small and she ate it all by herself. Picking up one piece at a time. I almost cried.

We decided to go shopping tonight rather than tomorrow because I wanted to do that thing where you make ready-to-throw-into-an-oven meal for a friend of ours. She needs some help and I remember the days of working full-time and the last thing you want to do is make dinner after a long and no-good-very-bad-day. I can't imagine doing that while pregnant and raising two young boys. I took on the challenge of making four meals, none of which take any type of cream-of-anything soups. For about an hour my kitchen had chopping, boiling, and measuring. Here are the results: Cilantro Lime Chicken with Corn and Black Beans, Pineapple Chicken, "World's Best Chicken", and Garlic Lime Chicken. Thank you to "Pretty Providence" for your easy recipes!

Baby Girl's e-ticket ride.

The beginning of the action!

My Autumn centerpiece until we eat them!!

After the action.

A "Quiet" Moment

Baby Girl is doing her best to master the art of the sippy cup. Her downfall is that she loves to talk. So, she will take a drink and start talking, which makes all the milk that was in her mouth to drool itself down her chin. It gets under her chin, coats her neck and whatever she happens to be wearing soaks it right up.

It's cute though. I love to hear her babble on and on.

A Quiet Moment

It's been awhile, but it's been awhile since I actually got up on time on a Sunday morning. These last few weeks, I've barely been up on time to get dressed before heading to church. This morning I had Pastor Husband nicely wake me up.

Ugh, it's too early! Oh well, I'm awake, Baby Girl is asleep, so all is well.

Here's a lovely picture of her sleeping from a few months ago.

She still sleeps this way :) Six more days Baby Girl and I love you more with each passing day!

Texting During Church! Shhh...don't tell!

http://bible.us/Josh1.5.NIV84

5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

A WAY Too Early Quiet Moment

I've been up since 4:30 a.m. No bueno.

I've had this tight knot feeling at the top of my stomach. My stomach has been not happy this whole week. On Wednesday it (I) discovered food poisoning for the first time, which is just oh so much fun, and my stomach hasn't been the same since. There's a picture going around on Pinterest:

Right above the belly button, that's where my stomach has been hurting since yesterday. This picture drives me crazy because it doesn't just say "Shouldn't have had that third bowl of ice cream" or "Those ribs, yeah, they were bad" or "Playing paintball without padding was a stupid idea". No, right away it tells you that you're basically dying of something. So, what should I choose? Ulcer, Indigestion, Pancreatitis, Gallstones, of a hernia? Indigestion is the least of these so I'll pick that one for now. I'll let you know if I decide on another ailment later.

Moving on...other than the food poisoning lesson I learned this last week, I also learned another and that is, "Trust the Larger Story". There has just been some things happening within my little family unit and then then I received my monthly "Ransomed Heart" letter and that's exactly what it said:

"Trust the Larger Story" (John Eldredge).

So many things, events, tragedies, planned or unplanned happen in our lives. At one point I felt as if my life changed upon the changing of the hour BUT we can either let those things become your main focus, you can be engulfed in the drama, OR you can remember that despite any one thing that may occur YOU are still asked, invited even, to be part of a much larger story. It definitely puts life in perspective, gives it that push to keep moving forward, and softens the heart. Your heart, which is asked to love others even when they are doing the exact opposite to you. You can't have a loving heart if you're letting crisis determine your course.

One thing to remember about the Story is that there is the guaranteed happy ending. No worries on who prevails. We know the ending, "God wins!" as I've heard many pastors preach. The heartbreaks, tragedies, catastrophic events that felt endless - all that pain is gone. All those tears - gone. All that weakness - gone. All the hurt - gone. You have lived out your part in His Story and now, your ending, has you basking in His presence. You are now where you were originally meant to be this entire time.

...this was a longer post than usual. Thanks to those who kept on reading! I appreciate your time and if you would like click on that follow button to the side. It's fun to get to know others that way. Be back on Wednesday!

A Quiet Sunday Morning Moment

For the first time Pastor Husband's alarm went off this morning and I actually knew what day it was and why the alarm was going off. It's nice to wake up and not be completely confused.


Ecclesiastes 5
Stand in Awe of God

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, 
do not be hasty in your heart 
to utter anything before God. 
God is in heaven 
and you are on earth, 
so let your words be few.

3 As a dream comes when there are many cares, 
so the speech of a fool when there are many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God. 

And Cue Quiet Moment

Yeah, right now, it's happening...a little later than usual. Baby Girl was awake before I was awake this morning! All during camp and this weekend she's been up at 6am or, like this morning, at 530am. I don't know why camp changed her morning schedule when she went to bed at the same time, but I am hoping, hoping, hoping that it soon goes back to "normal", which was waking up at 7am. All those times are way too early for me, but 7am is a lot more friendlier than 6am.


So, we've been up, playing, eating breakfast, and now she's taking a nap before it's time to leave for church.


Here is a verse that I am working on in my own life and it's not the easiest to bring in the qualities of being gentle and quiet when you are the exact opposite. I'm working on it though. Really working on it.


"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight," (1 Peter 3.4 New International Version 1984).

An EXTRA Early Quiet Moment

I woke up around 4am unsure of what day it was because Sunday always surprises me for some reason. Went back to sleep and then it was 5am. I decided to wake up because I really needed to pump (yay, for being a mommy!) and Pastor Husband told me to go back to sleep, but I can't...so, I'm up for the day. It's okay, Baby Girl and I usually get a nap in before church starts. 


I don't think it's the best application in the world, but I use You Version for my Bible on my phone. One thing I do like about it is the reading plans they offer. You can also set a reminder alarm to go off every day to remind you to actually read it. That alarm doesn't always work, unfortunately. This morning, I remembered on my own so I thought I would share it with you. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

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Sun Jul 15

Day 15 of 365

Proverbs 17:22

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22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Finding the Fun

Want to hear a funny story? I've got a lot of them, and they come from things that happened in my ordinary, everyday life. Now, I wasn't laughing when those stories were in the making, but I'm glad I can laugh about them now.

For example, I didn't think it was funny when I couldn't get my hair to stay in place, but if you'd seen what I did about it, you certainly would have laughed. It wasn't amusing when I tried to make clothes, especially for the people who had to wear them. And I was so irritated when Dave threw paper towels over the grocery store aisle at me, but I realize now, he just knew how to have a little fun no matter what he was doing. I'm glad I've learned to look at times like these and see the humor in them.

Now I know that not everything in life is necessarily enjoyable, but I think we all need to learn to have more fun in our lives. And I bet if you took time to think about it every day, you could find a moment that brought you joy or you can laugh about now.

God wants His children to have some fun. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. I think we all need a healthy dose of laughter every day - many times during the day. You just can't overdose on joy!

I encourage you to deliberately look for something to smile or laugh about every day, and be sure to share a smile or a laugh with someone else and brighten their day too!

Prayer Starter: Lord, Your Word says that a cheerful heart is like good medicine. Thank You for helping me to find the joy and fun in life!