Being the hands and feet of Christ

We had our last team meeting last night for our short term mission trip.  We are going to be going to Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky and I am very excited about it!  One of the things that I am most excited about is the collaborative nature of the trip--32 people of all different ages (from 8-80) from 7 different churches are joining together to be the hands and feet of Christ!  Woot!  Woot!

Here's the shameless plug for us....we need your help!  We need your prayers as we put the finishing touches on our preparations, prayers for safety, prayers for the presence of the Holy Spirit's presence and prayers that our hearts and minds will be focused on serving others.  We need your help financially too!  Each person is responsible for raising $225 for team fees.  Our family needs to raise about $700 more.  Can you help?  If you can, please contact me.  You will be a blessing...to our family and to the families of Frakes, Ky!

A Mother's Prayer

My girls are visiting their grandparents this week.  It is a nice reprieve from parenting and it is especially timely as I am going to be starting working full-time in just a few weeks.  One of our goals this week is to get the house cleaned up and put back in order which can be a daunting task with kids running around!

As I was cleaning the kitchen yesterday, my gaze fell to the windowsill over the sink.  There sat a little framed poem that I have had for many, many years.  My Aunt Sharon gave it to me when Anna was a little tiny thing.  It had sat in her windowsill while her children were young.

It is looking a little rough, but it has been in the windowsill of two mother's, five children, four states, twelve homes....it is precious.  It has served its purpose of reminding of my most important responsibility.  I will pass it along to another young mother when it is time.

Here is what is says:

A Mother's Prayer

God, give me the wisdom to see that today is my day with my children,

That there is no unimportant moment in their lives.

May I know no other career is as precious,

No other work so rewarding,

No other task so urgent.

May I not defer it nor neglect it,

But by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by thy grace realize

That the time is short and my time is now,

For children won't wait!

written by Helen M. Young

Just a few years ago....

Chicken Farming: How it all started....

One of the items on my bucket list was to be a "backyard" chicken farmer.  I know it sounds strange to some folks, but it has been a dream of mine for a long time and Abby began to share in my dream this past year.  So....after some mighty persuasion, the rest of the family agreed to jump into the chicken farming adventure.

On a very snowy morning, March 21, Abby and I traveled to the local feed store in a crazy snowstorm to pick out our little flock.  After looking over the chicks, we chose six Buff Orpingtons and braved the slick roads to get them home.  

See the snow in the background??

They were so cute!  Abby was already late for school, so we let her stay home for a little while.  She held each little one to make sure that it was comfortable it her new home.

They were so fluffy and sweet!

Our little flock was so stinkin' cute!

The most difficult part of the first day or so was introducing the little flock to our cats!  The cats were very, very interested in the little chicks.  

Fortune couldn't figure out what was in the box.

Pumpkin and Fortune were enthralled with the chicks in the brooder.

Stay tuned for more adventures with our little flock!!

No one ever said it was going to be easy....

Over the last five years, I have been slowly plugging along on a masters degree.  I have done this while working full-time (for the majority of it), managing a family with two very active daughters, supporting a husband who was going to school full time, and being an active church member.  There were many times that I questioned whether I should be going to school, if I was smart enough to go to school, or if it was worth the sacrifice that was being made by my girls, husband, extended family and friends.  I simply was not available to folks as I wanted to be.

Most of the time I felt that I wasn't doing anything well.  It was a rough few years, and I never want to repeat that kind of situation.  I literally felt that I was stretched so thin that I was going to be pulled apart.  There are folks who encouraged me along the way...sometimes gentle prodding, sometimes speaking the truth in love and sometimes giving me a "slap upside the head."  For those individuals, I will always be grateful.

On May 25, 2013, I walked across the stage in Wilmore, KY and received a Masters of Arts Degree in Christian Ministries, Servant Theology.  I don't know who was more excited...me or the family!

Since I "earned" most of my degree while sitting on a soccer field, the girls wanted to take advantage of the goals for this picture!  There's nothing like doing homework on the sidelines!

I survived and thrived!!  Woohoo!!

The 'rents were pretty excited too!  Both of their girls have now finished  master degrees!

So excited that mom is finished!!

So....no one ever said it was going to be easy, but it was worth it!  As I sat in the graduation ceremony, I couldn't help but think of all those who do not have the opportunity to learn...maybe it is because of their gender, race, economic situation or belief in their ability.  For them, I am saddened.  It may not be easy...but anything usually worth doing isn't!

Being a preacher's wife: the lessons learned during my rookie year

I have been a "preacher's wife" for almost one year.  It has been a great year as we transitioned from being seminary students to being in full-time pastoral ministry.  There have been a few bumps and bruises along the way, but it has been an incredible year!

Here are a few things that I have discovered:

1.  No matter where you go, people need God.  The peace, love, grace, and acceptance that is available because of the acts of Christ are needed in the hills and hollers as much as it is needed in the inner city or the growing suburbs.

2.  There is nothing sweeter than sitting on the porch visiting with neighbors and friends.

3.  Ministry is about relationships--forming new ones and nurturing old ones, but most importantly, not neglecting one's own relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is imperative that it takes precedent over any other relationship.

4.  It is humbling to be the face of God to a community of believers and non-believers.

5.  There is no better food than what is prepared for a covered dish dinner!  Be open to trying different things.

6.  You need to keep some "go-to" items to whip up a dessert or dish for a neighbor in need--emotionally or physically!

7.  Do not underestimate the power or need of a home, hospital, nursing home, school or any other type of personal visit.  Always accept the glass of tea or water that is offered.  Allow people to show you hospitality.

8.  Plan for the unexpected.  Do not schedule your time so much that you have no time for the things that will become the most important.

9.  If the house is a mess, you will have company!  Folks don't come to the parsonage to check up on your housecleaning skills...well, at least most of them don't!  :-)

10.  If the wind blows, the sun shines, it rains, snows or hails...the electricity will go out.  Be prepared with extra water, flashlights, etc...do not be caught without water or you won't be able to flush the toilet!!

11.  When you feel like you cannot face one more situation of despair, remember that you are not in this alone.  You have a God that is bigger than the worst situation, who loves you and all of those around you, and who desires the very best for all of his beloved creation.

12.  There is nothing more powerful than prayer--your prayers and those of others.  Be transparent of your needs so those in your faith community can pray for you.

13.  There will be folks who take advantage of you...don't be bitter.  Keep offering assistance and love.  Those are the folks who need it the most.

14.  Learn how to cook deer, fish, squirrel....anything that can be shot, trapped or caught.  Don't be squeamish!

15.  Don't try to be perfect and don't expect your kids to be perfect either.  Be real...and authentic!

16.  Laugh....be willing to laugh at yourself.  You are not going to do everything right....laugh when you need to do and ALWAYS be willing to apologize when you have offended.

Back to blogging....

I woke up today and realized that it has been over a year since I had written a blog!  It hasn't been because I have been lazy....just very, very busy!  Here are a few of the BIG changes and activities that have kept me from the world of blogging:

Abby's team won the KY state championship in June 2012 (and again in 2013!)

Aaron graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree

We moved to lovely Narrows, VA!

Aaron became the pastor of Kathleen Memorial and Hales Chapel UMC