So after reading this blog last week, it was really weighing on me about being more bold in inviting people to church. I have never understood why it’s so difficult. Even when I worked at the church it was hard for me. And you would think as a pastors wife this stuff like runs in my veins, but surprise…pastor’s wives aren’t perfect!! SHOCKER!
Yesterday I was at Subway getting dinner for Brook and I before Switch like I do most wednesdays. I frequent the Subway around the corner from the church because it’s so quick and easy. There is a sweet girl that works there and I always enjoy seeing. I had on a LifeChurch.tv shirt and when she sees this her eyes get all big with an excited look on her face and she says:
” DO YOU GO TO LIFECHURCH?!!?”
Why yes I do.
She goes on to tell me that she’s really been wanted to start coming. Well naturally this strikes up conversation with the entire Subway about LifeChurch. Well…maybe not naturally but this is possible the slowest Subway in the history of the world and for once it was a good thing they are slow sandwich makers. So it was cool to share about my church with them. And why shouldn’t I? I’m very proud of it!
Anyway, the girl’s name is Liz and she’s really been on my heart today. I want to make an effort to make sure she gets connected in church. I want her to be accepted and loved. This also got me to thinking. Sometimes I take this for granted. I have it so easy. I am the Worship Pastor’s wife, everyone knows who I am. Ok…that’s mostly a lie. Most people are probably thinking “who is that crazy girl following Brook around like a little lost puppy”. But the point is, people typically accept Brook & I and want to be a part of our lives because of our involvement in the ministry (either that or they stay far far away!). But I never have to worry about going to church and no one saying hi to me or loving me. I never want this to happen to people who come to visit! (And I should know it doesn’t because of our studly host team!!)
Moral of the story is… Sometimes your mission field can really suprise you, so always be prepared.
SHARE TIME (and I’m curious):
Who can you reach out to and make them feel welcome & loved?
What are some unquie ways you invite people to church?
What is your mission field?
Been searching for a minature version of the amazing dress you just saw on the red carpet? Ok…probably not. But just in case, that’s what Little Lilly does. They create tiny outfits to match the stars!
I absolutely fell in love with this when I saw it!! I mean who wouldn’t want their dog to be dressed like Hillary Swank or George Clooney? So why not make your dog a special part of your ceremony and dress them to impress?!?!
Now I am obviously a big fan of having man’s best friend as a part of your ceremony. The only problem is…sometimes they steal the show!
Today Brook and I have officially been married for 5 months.
Somehow it seems like 5 years, and completely in a good way.
Some things I’ve learned in the first 5 months of marriage:
1) Communication is key
2) Boys don’t know how to make a bed
3) My husband puts me above everything in his life (2nd to Christ) & I am called to do the same
4) It’s not always going to be easy…but it’s always easier together
5) To always support him & tell him how proud I am of him
Some tough stuff we’ve been through:
1) Bad job situations
2) Finding new jobs
3) Death
4) Testing of our patience
5) Birth Control
Some great joys we’ve experienced:
1) Engagements/Marriages of brothers & sisters
2) Road trips & vacations together
3) “Fun stuff”
4) Living & learning together!
5) Pushing each other to pursue our dreams
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!” Psalm 126:3
With Summer being in full swing I’ve been thinking about outdoor weddings and some ways to creatively use signage to get your guests where they need to be. Here are a few of my favorite for the more causal outdoor ceremony or reception.
Now if you’re real creative, just have your dad cut out a peice of scrap lumber and go to work! You can make these look as fancy or rustic as you wish, and use your colors!
Lettering has become huge at receptions as well. Try something different as far as a cake topper goes, and spell out your names or intials on the table.
Find these that stand up, and get creative with ribbon, colored stamps and anything you can think of!
Also, a personal favorite of mine. A way to bring your new name into your reception and then hang in your new home! Letter Your Legacy (from my dear friends, Adam & Stacy!) will create your name in a very stylish way! Great for a gift table, and excellent for outdoor receptions.
A couple of good sites:
http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/
More to come…
I just wanted to brag on my husband a little today. I’m proud of him everyday, but somedays outshine others and I feel like I’m bursting with proud-ness. Today, our church hosted a deployment party for the 56th Brigade at the Naval Base here in Fort Worth. Our lifegroups are teaming up with the families there who’s loved ones are going to Iraq. Now I am thankful that I don’t even have to think about what it would be like to watch my husband go halfway across the world and fight for our country, but then I realized he’s doing that right here in Fort Worth, TX.
Hearing people talk about Brook and they way he has impacted their lives through Worship, makes me realize he is a solider every week when he gets on the “front lines” of our campus to lead people to Christ. I know he would argue that it’s no where as cool as wearing camo and playing with guns, but in my mind it’s just as important (and quite a bit safer!)
I’m so proud to watch him give it his all, sing a TON of songs, play in the 105 degree Texas sun with NO shade, and never complain once. Oh, and he also lead all morning at church! He’s pretty much my hero and I daily learn from him how to be a solider for Christ and do “and then some” to help the people who are truly in need.
Proud of you baby.
WHAT?!?!?!?!
I know you’re starting to think I fell and hit my head or something is seriously wrong with me. I’m starting to think the same thing! But it’s true… it’s not about that. It’s about building a successful marriage. A marriage to last a lifetime. That doesn’t happen in one day. My darling, sweet, and stunningly handsome husband made a post on his blog yesterday that was oh-so-true.
Now don’t get me wrong, I still think weddings are the bomb diggity. They get me excited and make me want to burst randomly into song. But I worry that too many times brides and grooms to be focus too much on their big day and not enough on what happens after that exciting send-off. Only being a newlywed for 5 months, I’ve learned a lot but I sure have a lot more to learn!
So my encouragement to brides….focus on what is to come. You can still plan the party of the century (or leave that up to me 
) and plan for your future. Learn your mate….really learn them. Learn how to LOVE them and the best ways to do it. Ask the hard questions and don’t be afraid to get out if you know it’s not what God has for you. I recently had a great friend end an engagement because she knew God had something better. It was truly a life changing experience for me to watch her go through what she did, and I’m so excited to see what the future holds for her because it’s not in her hands anymore. It won’t always be easy! But when you’re with the person God MADE for you, there’s nothing better in the world.
Even when he leaves his dirty socks on the floor and doesn’t understand your “cooking techniques”.
Ok…back to thinking weddings are everything.
What do you love? …like absolutely LOVE? I love love love love LOVE weddings. They are perfect. A picture of love the way God intended it to be. You can’t argue that! God said “it was not good for man to be alone”, so he created Eve in all her beauty. We were created to live together as husband and wife.
Thank you to the wedding industry for making a big deal out of this
But seriously….there are some things I can’t get enough of. I love photography. The way photographers capture a wedding day is brilliant!
Here are a few of my favorites recently released by The Wedding Photojournalistic Association and The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalistic Association.
It’s all so wonderful! Can’t you see why I love weddings?? What an incredible day of joy and love!
First off…thanks for making it this far to visit my blog! I’m touched. I’m excited to get into the crazy world of blogging. I read blogs all the time and always wish I had interesting stuff to write about like other people do! I’ll give it a shot anyway
PLAN FOR THIS BLOG:
To inspire. To share. To be me.
I will mostly talk on how my life is constantly changed and influenced by being a pastor’s wife. I will give thoughts on marriage and how to thrive in it! I will give some personal thoughts on ministry and share what’s going on in OUR life!
But don’t stop reading if you don’t fit that niche…I might throw a curve ball every once and a while to keep you all on your feet!
More to come….
So after reading this blog last week, it was really weighing on me about being more bold in inviting people to church. I have never understood why it’s so difficult. Even when I worked at the church it was hard for me. And you would think as a pastors wife this stuff like runs in my veins, but surprise…pastor’s wives aren’t perfect!! SHOCKER!
