The Preacher's Wife

New Blog Design is Live!

2009-10-31T22:42:00.002-05:00

Hello girls!

Haven't posted on blogger in a while but wanted to jump on to let you know my new design is live at the new blog location www.apreacherswife.com. Please update your readers with this address as I will be deleting this blog in the next couple of weeks. I hope you will follow over to the new site!

xoxoxo,

Lisa

Update your bloglines..:)

2009-07-14T12:09:00.002-05:00

Hello girls!

I'm getting several emails about my posts not updating in Bloglines. Have you changed the address? My new site is www.apreacherswife.com. I really hope you'll follow over!

Much love,

Lisa

A NEW HOME!

2009-06-16T22:35:00.003-05:00

It's official. I have a new home at www.apreacherswife.com! I'll be redirecting soon so if you still have any interest whatsoever in hanging out with me then update your readers, girls!

Still Tinkering...

2009-06-16T10:16:00.002-05:00

{Pay no mind to the man behind the curtain}

A Temporary Move

2009-06-12T20:57:00.002-05:00

So I've been working on my blog design for hours upon hours upon hours. I used my test blog to work out a lot of kinks but when I tried to upload it here, my posts went haywire. SO, temporarily, I'm moving to www.thepreacherswife1.blogspot.com. If I can't work out the template issues here, chances are I'll be moving to a dot com. Y'all please be patient with me and come tell me what you think so far!

Lisa

A New Design?

2009-06-11T00:27:00.004-05:00

In my little blog hiatus I've been playing around with designing a new website - all by myself!

Just in case you are impressed at my skillz? This isn't the one I'm working on. Mine is much less colorful as in currently my header consists of 'The Preacher's Wife' in a non-descript script. I'm having layering issues in Paint.net. I could read the instructions but that would be way too easy.

I found this template on Gosublogger.com and thought it would be fun to look at for a few days until I can get my ducks in a row and return to full-blown writing. I'm almost ready.

Almost.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Lisa

A Break..

2009-06-02T21:40:00.012-05:00

I'm stressed.

That's not exactly the word I want to use to characterize myself during summer break nor do I want to be depressing but it's just the simple truth. Long story that I won't even pretend is short, my debit card was stolen (or rather conveniently picked up by a McDonald's employee in the window where I accidentally left it) and a 22-year-old girl went on a shopping spree that has pushed me right off the edge of compassion into downright unrighteous indignation. My days have been filled with more visits and calls than I care to count between the police department and bank. I'm hoping to be able to soon report that my financial institution has replaced the missing funds. As of right now, they have not and I'm pretty well aggravated that the tax dollars we contributed to buy out the entire industry seemingly have not purchased any accompanying customer service. I'm assuming you only get that if you have more zeros at the end of your balance than we do and if that were the case, this whole fiasco wouldn't be as much of one! If the issue isn't resolved soon, I'll be sure and let you know who it is so you can AVOID THEM LIKE THE DERN PLAGUE. I'm on the fence about whether we will keep our accounts there.

I'm sure they are devastated.

Anyway, instead of also worrying over the fact I haven't written regularly in a while, I am going to give myself permission to relax. I've got some revamping to do so I'll be gone for a little bit but hopefully back rejuvenated and ready to go at it afresh. I want to be sure and thank all of you ministry wives who filled out the Woman Beside the Man questionnaires and to apologize for not posting those as frequently as I should. You are top of my priority list when I return. Thank you for your patience!

Hope you are having a summer filled with everything you wanted to do! I'm having a long overdue yard sale the end of this week to get rid of all the things we've accumulated in the past four years. After that, it's the pool baby!

Be back soon!

Eyes Tightly Open

2009-06-01T21:48:00.001-05:00

Last night our church observed a day of prayer for missions in remembrance of the Pentecost. Judith (our missions coordinator) led the program and showed a well-done IMB video on the fascinating Sayang people of the Pacific Rim. Afterwards, we went to the track next door to prayer walk for this virtually unreached people group.

I took the kids over with me and gave each of them a bullet point on the prayer guide to concentrate on. I noticed Number One (he's 13) looked a little perplexed but then he looks like that often. I've told you about him before, but the best way to describe him is wonderfully, naively, innocent. The kid has amazing book smarts - but the street smarts? Notsomuch.

After I'd told the kids what to pray, One looked at me and said, "Momma, can I just pray with my eyes open so I won't run in to anything?"

Just when I thought I couldn't love that precious boy more...

More Fun at the Fields

2009-05-30T10:11:00.007-05:00

One guess where we spent Thursday night.

Ball fields, you say?

Why, how'd you ever guess?

This game was a little more exciting because it happened to be a Do Over from an unfortunate second game of a double header. It appears in the coaches' zeal to get two games made up from our schedule, no one (But me! No one would listen!) noticed the other team played with an altogether new and refreshed group of boys while our rag-tag, mad-cause-they-wanted-to-be-elsewhere kids barely drug themselves on the field. Yes, the other team played with an illegal roster and we ended up losing which put us in a playoff situation for first place in our league.

Now I know that I've told y'all I'm over baseball and I really am. Really I am. But, when things get close and your kid is completely invested in the outcome, it would take a Supreme Loser Mom not to care just a little about that. I'm pretty certain I'm in the running for Secretary of the Loser Mom Organization but President is not an honor I'm hoping to hold anytime soon.

So, with all that said, Thursday night was the Boy Two's Do Over. Did I say that already? And yes, we played the Real Team instead of the Stunt Team. I can promise you, however, there was no overconfidence on our part. This photo of the team going face down is evidence of that. (By the way, Luke is the official Chaplain for all our boys' teams. He is the calm one who invites the Holy Spirit onto the field and isn't afraid to have a Come-to-Jesus-time-out with overwrought parents and coaches and a certain nameless Chaplain Wife when things get a little insane.)

Here's Boy Two taking his stand. It's obvious here why his brothers call him Pipes.

Here's Boy Three and his girl, Whit. She's the first girl he has 'gone out' with that I'm pretty sure can kick his tail. That's a must if this relationship is going to make it.

Three's Ex Girl. And yes, they all hung out together for the game. I will forever love Olivia because she is the one who introduced me to the goodness that is sour gummy worms. We shared an entire container of them at the fields last year and my life hasn't been the same since.

And finally, here's Luke - chaplaining. Can you just hear him saying, "Lis, you better not be putting my picture on the blog again."

Sorry, babe. This new camera is fresh crack to my blog addiction and I just can't stop myself. And besides, look how cute you are! If posting your picture and bragging on what a blessed woman I am is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Unless you force me, of course, with those Mad Chaplaining Skillz.

(If I don't come back it's because he's killed me.)

Okay, I'm off to do some summer/winter clothing switch out in The Girl's room and clean out her booby-trapped closet. Just what I'd hoped for on a beautiful Saturday. But, never fear, there is another ball game tonight. It's for the league championship so say a prayer the game is calm. I don't even care if we win as long as everyone loves one another after it's over.

And I mean that.

Really.

But it'd be great if we won AND loved each other.

The End.

It Is With Great Joy I Can Now Show You Stufff

2009-05-26T21:02:00.003-05:00

I told y'all the other day that I'd been having some camera issues that had greatly impeded my ability to document our important family days much less capture any fascinating blog content.

That, my friends, has all changed.

Sunday, we ate lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant with our dear friends, Sam and Lou. Imagine my surprise when she handed me a shoe box and told me she wanted to give me some shoes that didn't fit her. I knew something was up when Sam said, "Yeah, Lou said you had a big 'ole foot and she thought you may could use those." First, Lou would never have said such a thing. Second, you have to know Sam, but his being involved with this mysterious gift had me full well expecting something to jump out and bite me.

It didn't bite. It was this.

Oh my gosh, y'all. I absolutely love it. The pictures are beautiful and it does every single thing I could ever want and more. I would say I can't believe they did this, but again, you have to know Sam and Lou. They are forever on the look out for ways to bless people and my goodness, have they blessed us. I've hugged them a million times, but it only seems appropriate to thank them once more.

Now that I've taken pictures of everything in the house, I thought I'd show you a couple of projects I mentioned a while back.

The Girl got a comforter for Christmas. Remember my telling you I finally painted her room pale yellow to match? It really looks great. You will think me overprotective, but I'm a little weird about showing her whole bedroom. Even so, here is the fabric of the comforter. I've finally gotten over how grown up it looks.

I bought white letters at Hobby Lobby because she wanted her name on the wall. These were on clearance for $1.50 each. I painted them brown but they were too boring. I started playing with the idea of outlining them in green but when I got across the bottom of the letter, I decided I liked the look. I originally planned on using the ribbon to hang them, but that was looking awkward. That's when I decided to hot glue the bows and mount them straight to the wall. I think I like the result? I can't help but think they need something more but for right now, I have to turn attention to the curtains. I'm embellishing some white ones with fabric scraps from the bag the comforter set came in. Believe me, when they are done, you'll be seeing pictures!

Welcome to Under My Bed. What's so great about that you ask? The fact that you can see the floor - what else? There is now nothing living there but a few residual dust bunnies and my sewing table. I can't even talk about how giddy that makes me. While I was at it, I had Luke help me rearrange all the furniture. He wasn't thrilled until we were done. The new set up is so much more functional and if I can make enough money from my upcoming yard sale, I'll be shopping Target for my own new comforter. And guess what? I'll take pictures of it! *squeal*

Finally, this picture is of The Girl wearing more colors than should be allowed in one day.

Just because I can..

Deep Sigh

2009-05-22T15:01:00.022-05:00

It's over.

The school year that is and I couldn't be any more pumped than if I had just finished 30 Days of Shred and discovered my arms had morphed into the exact representation of Jessica Biel's.

Okay, so maybe I'd be a tad more excited about the arms than the school being out but the thoughts of either one - no matter how unlikely the buff biceps - make me plain giddy.

It truly doesn't take much anymore.

So, this week has been filled with Awards Days and Kindergarten Graduations and year end luau's. If I weren't such a Loser Mom, I would have tons of great pictures to show you. Unfortunately, the camera fiasco has severely limited my ability to capture thousands of words in a single image. (Thank you for all your suggestions! I'm watching sale papers now that you've given me some direction.) You'll just have to settle for significant verbiage and a few charity pics from girlfriends who love me.

Let me see if I can succinctly summarize all these events: My kids are brilliant and they received lots of accolades for being so. I know that sounds totally obnoxious but that's okay. They deserve to be applauded, loved on, acknowledged and if their momma won't do it then I don't imagine anyone else will feel so inclined. I'm incredibly proud of what great little human beings they are becoming and full well recognize they outshine any example I've been (or failed to be) for them. This is where I give full credit to their daddies (Heavenly and earthly) for exemplifying biblical manhood for the boys and the adoration of a doting father over that precious girl. Yes, I am one blessed woman and my heart is overwhelmed within me as I sit here telling you so.

Here's Boy One (far left) getting a medal for being on the Scholars Bowl Team. He couldn't get that thing off his neck fast enough after the ceremony. Someone tell me why a teenager wouldn't want to walk through the halls in a Team Nerd necklace? I only felt slightly more sorry for the guy who received a ringing liberty bell as an award. I have to give a major shout to the teacher who gave her Spelling Bee Champ a gift card to Rue 21. Can you spell C-O-O-L?

~~I don't have any pics of Boy Two at his awards yet~~ {Nice save, Deb! Thank you!} but I have to show y'all this one that I love so much I could wallpaper his room with it. We had Buddy Pictures at school this year and this is Two (far left) with his besties. Anyone thinking Saul, David and Jonathan? (No, Saul is not standing on a box and yes, he's the same age as the other boys.)

Here's the picture Deb just sent me. I had to add it because I'm not altogether sure y'all have ever seen Luke and this is a great picture of him. He's threatened me in the past about putting him on the blog but I think he was just afraid I'd show the 80's mullet.

If y'all hang out with me on FaceBook, then you know every night of our late-winter, early spring lives are spent on the baseball fields. Thanks to the photographic prowess of my bff homegirl, Deedra (who also took my new bio pictures), my Boy Three's aka Big Daddy's pitching debut has been captured in great detail. Check these out. Smoltz-y better guard his mound.

What about it, Catch? Fast ball or slider?

Boy's got a booty like his momma. You can thank me now that I haven't worn baseball pants since the 80's nor do I plan on doing so ever again.

Maybe if I hold my tongue just right it will be a strike.

One spout short of a teapot.

And now that I've unintentionally paid homage to all the Male Children, here's one of The Girl and her BFF Forever. These two are the epitome of All Things Frou Frou.

It's official: The relief of summertime has been overshadowed by the joy of completing this post.

Y'all have a fabulous weekend!

Freeze Frame

2009-05-20T08:52:00.006-05:00

May is not the ideal month to be without a camera. My good one broke some time back and my backup has officially bit the dust. I'm not ready to invest a huge amount of cash into a new one because there is this little thing called vacation I'd like to be able to enjoy with my family next month.

Here's my question: Do any of you have a $100-ish digital camera that you are particularly fond of? What brand and model is it? Obviously, I'm not expecting professional quality, but there's got to be a standout in this price range. I just don't have the time or energy for research so who better to ask than you girls?!

I'd love to hang around but gotta run to the school for a luau.

Here's hoping my camera isn't the only one broken. Me in a grass skirt is not an image that needs capturing.

Y'all have a Happy Wednesday!

Old School Sunday School

2009-05-17T20:31:00.015-05:00

It's no secret that the face of the post-modern church is changing. One of the trends I've read more and more about is the restructuring of Sunday morning bible study or the removing of it altogether in favor of small groups that meet at alternate times. Now, on this I have no word from the Lord, but I've got to give a shout out today to traditional church. To perfectly calculated roll books and offering envelopes. To SBC Literature and a basket of pencils in the center of the table. Call me irrelevant, but I love me some Old School Sunday School. Were it not for our age-graded classes, I wouldn't have the opportunity to do life with a group of people whose paths would typically not cross mine.

A couple of years ago, Luke and I encouraged some friends, Clay and Tammy, to consider teaching the College/Career class with the offer of my joining them as moral support until they were comfortable. They got comfortable quickly and apparently so did I since I never left. There's just something that speaks to me about experiencing life with 18-year olds to 20-somethings who are always on the brink of some huge Number Next. They are choosing careers, getting married, praying their way through term papers and state boards, and serving the military just to name a few. I'm pretty convinced there may even be some future ministers among us. Each one is making plans, but whether they realize it or not, God is taking the steps. (Prov. 16:1)

Perhaps what I love the most is being in a class where I'm the old one and have been in most of the places these are just now going. Of being able to laugh hysterically over spats of young marriage and relating 150%. Of being able to promise that if Luke McKay and I can make it twenty years, then anyone can. Of admiring fresh tattoos and gently (or sometimes not so gently, right B?:) reminding the one who continues to get them how distorted they'll appear when he is a senior citizen. Of celebrating when the mile is swam in the combat boots, the test is passed, the semester is over, the degree is finally in hand, and the job is landed. Of witnessing when the Lord has already or is in the process of answering the prayer. Of watching two people I love so much grow in ministry by seizing an opportunity that scared them to death and bonding with a hard-to-reach, transient age group.

I don't know why I waxed all sentimental today, but I just want you guys to know how much I love starting every Lord's Day with you - even if I do drag in a few minutes late and make you endure the fizzy, crunchy sacrifice of my drink (Diet Dr. P) and grain offering (Granola Bar). I won't try to make a list because I'll inevitably leave someone out, but you know who you are....

See you next Sunday. Or I'd better anyway. :)

Held

2009-05-16T07:42:00.012-05:00

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Some of our dearest friends on this planet, Bruce and Ruby Pritchard, lost their treasured 18 year old daughter Kaci in a tragic car accident. Dear God, I can barely type it. This family took us under their wings in our first pastorate in North Carolina and ministered to us much more than we ever did them. Most of you have a Kaci in your life - a vivacious young woman who loves family and Jesus and for whom the world is full of promise and opportunity. We love this child so much and to think she is gone is more than I can put my mind around. This is my favorite picture of her and the boys taken a few years back. There was never a darlin' girl who enjoyed my kids so much. The affection was completely mutual.

My favorite devotional is called Daily Light for the Daily Path. It is simply a stringing together of like verses and my ritual is to pray through each of the scriptures each morning and then journal what resonates with me. Reading yesterday's entry, He proved once again that His Word never falls upon us accidentally:

"God raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6) Do not be afraid;...I am He who lives, and was dead. (Rev. 1:17-18) Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory. (John 17:24) For we are members of His body. (Eph. 5:30) He is the head of the body, the church , who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. You are complete in Him, who is head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:10) As the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release from those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15) This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this moral must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:53-54, 58)

These words are balm and I would ask that you would pray them into the gaping wounds of this family and those who love them.

Also beyond coincidence, just two weeks ago I discovered Natalie Grant's song, Held, on an old WOW cd I found in the car. Can you believe I'd never heard it? I've cried every single time it has played. Now, it not only speaks to my heart but from it.

Bruce and Ruby, Stephanie, Bryce, and Ryan, family and friends: We love you so much and grieve deeply with you. May the God of the Universe gently, tenderly hold you in the palm of His sovereign hand.

Week End

2009-05-15T07:01:00.004-05:00

For the past few weeks, I've quasi-intentionally laid off writing hoping that a mental vacation would somehow energize the firing of the proper brain cells that produce interesting blog content. Turns out it doesn't work that way. The longer my brain has remained dormant, the stupider I've gotten.

In a phrase, I got nothin'.

I'm pretty certain you are sick of hearing about The Shred. I'm on Day Sixteen. It still hurts. The End.

You already know we are at the ballfields every single night watching one non-descript game after another. Don't judge me if I say having four kids on four teams has been exhausting and I'm over it. Of course I think my offspring are fabulous whether they strike out or make an excellent play. For the nanoseconds they are batting or actually touching the ball, my excitement level does rise. I wouldn't dare not be there to support them and the team filled with children and parents we love but the truth is, I can't wait for the season to be over. I would rather be on my sofa than in my folding chair. I would rather eat a meal on my kitchen table than on a bleacher. The End.

Lost is over until next season. I am completely baffled with the exception of discerning the overtly-obvious, uber-religious overtones that are no longer deniable. I'm afraid I'll be forced to recant my love of the show once ABC has their way with it. But I'll think about that next season. The End.

Luke just sat down to with me to share his sermon notes for Sunday. If I don't listen, he'll silently shame me into a more intentional blog hiatus and it will really be The End.

Y'all have a great weekend!

The Unveiling

2009-05-13T16:34:00.005-05:00

UPDATE:

Thank all of you so very much for your exuberant responses to the book cover! I'm pretty stoked myself, but it makes it so much more real to celebrate with you. The book is not releasing until February 1, 2010. Don't worry, you'll hear me shrieking when the thing is actually on a shelf. Truer still, you will probably find me sobbing on the floor in a fetal position at the Chattanooga Life Way. Just step over me and buy the book, 'kay? :))

Y'all are so precious!

*******************************************************

There are some things just too enormous for words. Indeed, in this case, a picture is worth a thousand of them. Or more like 49,000. The photo I am about to show you embodies a mixture of dream and providence. What an amazing thing when the two collide. And now, allow me to introduce you to my newest baby.

May, May, Go Away

2009-05-12T10:55:00.004-05:00

Will you think less of me, friends o'mine, if I tell you May is my least favorite month of the year?

Oh sure, there's the whole May Flowers jazz. And Mother's Day. And the return of warmer temperatures. All good things but who can enjoy them when the school and baseball calendar go seven kinds of crazy?

I full well realize that our school officials shouldn't be expected to check with me when planning end of the year award ceremonies and activities. But, is it too much to ask for a little lumping? Do I need to go teach a crash course on multi-tasking as in having elementary award day immediately after Kindergarten graduation so we can get a couple things over with at one time? Anyone else feeling robbed of the last weeks of School Year Bliss a.k.a. 9 months of 7 hour days of Me Time?

And perhaps that last sentence sounds like I'm not looking forward to Summer With The Children.

Well, of course I am. What kind of monster do you take me for? What mom doesn't look forward to kids foraging the cabinets through the night only to leave your kitchen looking like a mob of rabid raccoons ransacked it during the wee hours? Or eagerly anticipate dragging their lazy bums out of bed every day and forcing them to take a shower sometime before 3 p.m? Or the fighting that is a natural by-product of four siblings who aren't used to spending 24/7 on the same piece of real estate?

Yeah, baby. I'm SO looking forward to that.

So let me ask......What kind of routines do you girls have in the summer months? Are you Devil May Care or do you have some guidelines for keeping the family sane? I'd love to hear your plans because I've got nothing.

I'd love to hang around but I have to go to Field Day. Apparently there was a May Day without something planned so we've decided to feed the kids sugar and then line them up to race.

It's how we do the Derby in Alabama.

A Couple of Things On My Mind

2009-05-08T10:49:00.009-05:00

There have been all kinds of happenings this week and if I were a more dedicated blogger, each would have its own post. As it is, my brain is fried and the thoughts of putting to screen any series of coherent thoughts is just not working out for me at the moment. So, how about a random list of stuff that you can weigh in on if you feel so compelled?

1. Miss California. This could really be a full-blown rant but I'm sure there is nothing I could say that you've not read elsewhere. However, have you ever watched the movie Tombstone? (If you watch it, see it on cable because it bleeps the bad words.) One of my favorite Doc Holiday lines in the film is, "Wyatt, your hypocrisy knows no bounds."

And apparently neither does the hypocrisy of Keith Lewis and Shanna Moakler. According to this article on Fox News, several former Miss Teen USA's and former Miss USA's are filming a PSA to hail the diversity of California. Among the lines included are: "I believe when I express my opinion I have a responsibility to do it in a way that respects others who may not agree … I believe in love … I believe when two people with opposite views communicate with love and respect both points of view can be heard … I believe no one should be silenced if they are speaking from their heart with respect … I believe in the beauty of California."

Are you stinkin' kidding me? No one should be silenced but we will pressure you to resign your position and try our best to discredit you with photos taken in an underwear photo shoot? And if that isn't good enough, then we'll 'respect you' by photoshopping a few more to call your faith into question. But we, the Tolerant Ones, love you and agree everyone should have the right to express themselves. PUH-lease.

And let's not forget that Katie Blair WHILE SHE WAS REIGNING MISS TEEN USA, was partying with THE REIGNING MISS USA, Tara Conner (who entered rehab for alcohol and drug abuse while being allowed to retain her crown) and the two reportedly kissed one another during MISS UNIVERSE's birthday bash! I guess as long as they were expressing free love then we can celebrate them and put them in PSA commercials. Or of course, we could be like Shanna Moakler and strip down to nothing for Hugh Heffner. I know that's a role model I want for my daughter.

Okay, so I said I wasn't going to full-blown rant, but it's too late now. It may sound fatalistic to say this is the sad condition of our United States of America and I really don't believe the overall climate will ever improve. Personally, I believe these things - the utter collapse of any moral and financial structure - must come to pass in order to set up the return of Jesus Christ. For myself, I've concluded this is an exciting time to be alive because we are eye witnesses to His Coming Kingdom!

What has become urgently important to me is making sure I am teaching my children and calling on Christian women to be counter-cultural. That we preserve ourselves as a holy remnant. That no matter how much we are in the minority, that we are not afraid to speak out and be set apart from this current age. Our stage may not be that of Miss America's, but we can not fool ourselves into thinking the days are not already here where these same defining questions will be asked of us and we will have to be ready to give account for the hope that is within us.

We are here for such a time as this.

2. See Number One.

On Popularity and Strange Hair

2009-05-06T10:12:00.009-05:00

Years ago when I was in grade school, there was never any shortage of ways to rate one's popularity. I'm a child of the seventies so Star Wars typically dominated our recess re-enactments. (Anyone remember with me, North Rossville friends?) There was one girl who took gymnastics that always got the role of Princess Leia - primarily because she could do a mean back spring and her mother prepared her to claim the role each day by fixing her hair in side buns.

You can't argue with a finely executed side bun.

So, I was usually given some lesser role that involved either being a man or alien. Thank the Lord Jar Jar Binks wasn't around yet to complete my humiliation. After a few days of watching everyone bow to Princess Leia, I decided it was time to defect and be my own superhero. I embraced my inner Jamie Sommers and led all the other disenchanted non-Princesses to the swing set where we were free to channel our favorite heroine. We were our own Justice League where every one's bullet proof bracelets and bionic ears were needed to overcome the baddest of the bad guys - be they random boys who liked to throw rocks at us or gymnasts with perfect side buns.

{Can I believe I just romanticized playground discontent in such a way? The vertigo must be having its way with me..}

So that little trip down memory lane may have little or nothing to do with why I am writing today other than I am going to propose a little popularity contest of my own. We have arrived in the point of my book publishing that we are seeking out a known pastor's wife to approach in writing the Foreword. In essence, this will be a popular girl introducing an unpopular one to her besties.

I precluded this request with my little story because I want you to make clear in the Justice League of the Christian World, there are many, many pastors/wives who influence us equally but in different ways. I am often ashamed at our proclivity to make Christian Superstars from those called to minister the Gospel. Those ministers I hold in regard are sickened by the thought of such a thing and contributing to that environment is not what I suggest we do.

What I am asking of you today is to share the names of those pastors/wives who both A) through the obvious empowering of the Holy Spirit's work in their ministries have a national name recognition and B) who have greatly influenced your own lives through their humility and right-handling of the Word of Truth and C) whose introduction to this book would help you rely on its content as biblical, relevant, and trustworthy.

The names you give will be the ones we ask to write the foreword and read the book to endorse it for you. Your suggestions will be weighed carefully but please keep one mind: No weird-haired princesses will be considered.

(I should make it clear I adore the Princess in the above story just in case she happens to read. I'm not bitter. Really.)

I've added a poll with a few name suggestions but please feel free to add your own faves by using the Other box. If you choose this option, don't forget to provide the name when prompted. Also, add the name in the comments of the poll as it appears the 'other' answers are not showing up. And one more thing, this is NOT JUST FOR MINISTRY WIVES. I want to hear from ALL of you! I'm thanking you once again for all the input you've given in this process. I could never have gotten this completed without you!

Which Nationally Known Ministry Wife Should Foreword Lisa's Book?(online surveys)

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round

2009-05-05T07:16:00.010-05:00

As if I have time for any incapacitation whatsoever, it now appears I can add vertigo to the list of ghosts in my machine. After some quality internet self-diagnosis and advice from my FaceBook friends, my conclusion is either A: I'm having inner ear issues related to the floating death called pollen that is coating everything here, or B: I've Shredded too much and gotten dehydrated. That may not be the case, but it sounds like a good reason to take a couple days off from it. I finished through Day Ten and can I just say that even though Jillian is a beast, the woman can flat get results. I've already lost a couple pounds and several inches and feel quite a bit stronger - except for the fact I can't stand up without falling over. She may kill me but dern if I won't look buff in the casket.

In other news, I have to tell y'all the coolest thing we are doing as a family during our nightly devo times. I have struggled to find a family devotional that is appropriate for both Luke and me as well as the kids. I think I mentioned the other day that I'd been sent the Fireproof Bible Study to review and included was The Love Dare. As I began reading through it, I realized, "WOW! This could be so easily adapted for families!"

I don't know if your crew is like mine, but can I admit that sometimes we need to reboot? Just shut it all down and start over? Our lives are crazy stressed and it is common for us all to be grumpy, impatient, and generally unloving towards one another. Luke and I have been re-writing the lessons in The Love Dare to apply to the kids - as well as ourselves - and tweaking The Dares. I can honestly say that after only a few days there has been a marked changed in the atmosphere in our home. Praise Jesus.

I've laughed my head off at the kids' interpretations of The Dares. Day One's task is simply not to say anything negative. We also added, 'No Retaliation'. Apparently the boys think that is a license to be silently annoying until the point a brother/sister is ready to lose his/her mind. At the breaking point, the offender will sing-song, "Remember...Nooo Retaliatioooooooon." Obviously, Luke and I are learning we are having to write a lot of qualifiers into The Dares.

An example would be on Random Act of Kindness Day. Each kid was assigned another for whom they would have to do something nice. {Boy Two - the fabulously witty one - asked his assigned brother, "Would you like Roses or Carnations, darling brother?" He's funnier accidentally than I could ever hope to be on purpose.} Here's where another qualifier comes into play. Boy Three - The Stinker - was in a foul mood this morning so we've now added that if you are being unkind to a sibling, you have to do forced Random Acts for the person you've wronged. His list currently includes making his sister's bed two days in a row and cleaning my toilet.

Man, I love this.

Okay, it's time to gently lay the computer aside and try to do household chores that don't involved bending over, turning my head from side to side, or getting up. So basically, I'm going to sit on the couch and catch up on movie watching. And write in some more failure clauses into the Love Dare: Family Edition that will benefit my inability to do housework.

I'm sunk if the kids start getting the point in all this.

Y'all have a Happy Tuesday!

Woman Beside The Man Tammy Worsham

2009-05-02T21:09:00.010-05:00

Hey Girls!

Please forgive my lack of posting WBTM for the last couple of weeks. I have no good excuse! I am excited to introduce you to sweet Tammie Fay whom I got to meet at Nashville's Deeper Still back in '07. Y'all give her a big welcome and be sure to visit her personal blog. I am enjoying these spotlights so much and I truly hope you are too. Now, let's hear from Tammie Faye!

1. Please share your Real Name and Blog Name:

Name: Tammie Worsham Blog Name: TammieFay

2. In what area/areas of ministry do you serve alongside your husband? How long have you been in ministry?

I serve in Women’s Ministry and teach Adult Women’s Sunday School. 28 years

3. What is your favorite part of being a ministry wife?

Watching people “get it”! Being a part of that. Seeing them fall in love with God’s Word and develop a hunger and thirst for Him!

4. Describe your personal giftedness. How do you exercise that within the church?

I am a teacher. I walked too long in Biblical ignorance as a Christian. 11 years ago I began to pray Psalm 119 over my life. Being the gracious, merciful and truthful God that He is, He answered and my life has been transformed by His living Word. I do not mean to sound over dramatic when I say this, but it is true…I cannot live without it and what is even more amazing is that I don’t even want to try! I am awed by the revelation of Himself that God has left to us. There are too many women in our churches today who are as I was….it is my heart’s desire to see them develop a hunger and thirst for his Word and to know it! To that end, I teach, admonish and encourage through Sunday School, and Women’s Bible Study.

5. If you have children, what’s the most embarrassing PK thing they’ve ever done? If you do not have children, have you committed a blunder yourself that you can laugh about now?

We have 4 daughters, and it has always been important for us to be truthful in all things with our children. For that reason, we made the decision to be truthful about “Santa Clause” with our girls. They always knew their Christmas gifts came from us and of course, we always related the spiritual significance of that. We never wanted to leave an opportunity for any doubt to be placed in their minds about the existence of Jesus (my husband was devastated as a young child when he learned the truth about Santa). When my youngest, who is now 15, was in elementary school, she went about “enlightening” some friends on the playground about Santa. One of them was in our church….got a call that afternoon from her Mom….wanted me to know what my child had done….wanted to know why….wanted me to do something…..wanted my child to recant! I told her I was very sorry that my child had upset hers and then I started trying to explain where my child was coming from….I don’t think that’s what she wanted!

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would like to offer other ministry wives?

This might fall on some differently than others, depending on the denomination you serve in, but hear me on this…..God is our security! In the denomination I serve, job security is about as “iffy” as a SEC College football coach’s. We might be tempted to think that our husband’s welfare…our family’s welfare, rests in the hands of fallible men. Our God is Sovereign….He IS in control!
“He is your constant source of security. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom. He gives all this to those who fear Him.” Isaiah 33:6 (NET)

7. Do you have a question about ministry life you’d like answered by those who reading this spotlight?

When you have received criticism about your husband, do you always share with him what you have heard or do you keep it to yourself to shield him?

8. Where can we visit you on the web? (blog url)

His Word Is Life To Me/www.psalm119-5.blogspot.com

Better Off Shred

2009-05-01T09:33:00.006-05:00

It’s a quiet morning at home and I’m sitting in my living room listening to a wonderful summer storm. The thunder is a low constant rumble and the rain is coming in bucket-sized drops. I’m no fan of violent weather, but a benign slow soaker can soothe the stress right out of me. It reminds me of being at my great-grandpa’s house as child in the same type of skies. His house had a metal roof that would multiply the crash of angry clouds. Pop knew I was scared so he would stick out his dentures and all other manner of ridiculous things to make me laugh until the storm had passed. He was wonderfully, hysterically crazy. I never doubted that he delighted in me and I loved him better than life. He’s been gone for 15 years and I still miss him so badly I could just cry my eyes out.

Nix that. The tears have come. Good thing I haven’t gotten out the mascara yet today.

I wasn’t planning on waxing nostalgic. I actually wanted to share something profound that Jillian Michaels said in the 30 Day Shred Video. Y’all may have heard a thing or two about it around the web. I could share how sore I was the first few days but honestly, who can tell that tale better than Melanie? The girl is a comedic genius and I bow at her feet. Today, that is. On days 2 and 3 of Shred, I could barely bend my legs to use the bathroom, much less pay homage to Big Mama.

So back to Jillian. (Can we all agree she has an evil smile? It never quite travels to her eyes. It’s like she knows we expect one but can’t quite convince herself she can do it. Or wants to. Scary.) On Level One – which I’ve ventured past once only to quickly return – she made a statement I loved. In convincing us that the hard work was necessary in order to see changes she said, “You can’t phone this one in.”

That statement completely resonated with me. How many times have I practiced a phoned-in faith? Wanted to get big spiritual results with minimal effort? Believed there could be huge gain with no pain? I heard David Jeremiah on Moody yesterday say something to the effect of, “Many of the men and women of faith with whose names we are familiar have been completely crushed in order for God to use them mightily. I had always hoped I could be the exception.” Amen, my brutha. I would totally high five you if I could get past your security guards.

I’ve got this on my mind this morning because during my time with God, I asked Him to do something in me that will probably hurt. My prayer went something like, “Lord, I want you to help me change (a personal issue). But, can you please do it gently?” And in a way only He can speak, He said, “For you to be truly changed may require my shaking you up so badly that you’ll never want to go back. “

And then I might have said something like, “Okay then, I take it back.”

Okay, not really. But I wanted to. That is until I realized I was just phoning it in. Wanting to be different without any sore muscles involved. Of falsely believing I can transform into some spiritual giant while sitting on the couch eating Kettle Cooked Lay’s Potato Chips. (Oh my word, those are the best.)

So I resolved my prayer with this thought: It may hurt, but I’m better off shred. The end will justify any temporary discomfort and hopefully, prayerfully, I’ll be one buff warrior when it’s said and done. I ask that for myself, and I hope you don't mind if I do the same for you as well.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
~2 Corinthians 4:16-17

And the Projects Keep Mounting...

2009-04-29T08:45:00.005-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that I was going to tackle cleaning out the closet. Tackle it I did and after two full garbage bags of throwaways, I can finally see the floor. However, I am still missing one tennis shoe and favorite flip flop that I'm hoping are under my bed. Under the bed just happens to be my next project.

*sigh*

Being a ministry family, we've moved a lot. As in we've lived in 9 houses in the past 11 years. Obviously there are lots of negatives to that type of gypsy/semi-nomadic existence. However, the one good thing is that instead of spring cleaning we just packed up everything and moved pretty well guaranteeing my closets and cabinets stayed acceptably presentable.

In June, we will have been at our current pastorate for four years. I think we have already beaten the record for the length of time ever lived in one home. That makes me 37 kinds of happy but the negative is there is not one organized, decluttered thing in my house - except for my closet. We've accumulated and it's major time for a purge.

With that said, I may be a little scarce. As if I haven't been anyway. But, I will try to document some of my project completions for your grins and my own sense of acccomplishment. Am I the only one who will stand and stare at a freshly painted room or organized space just because I'm so proud I finally got it done?

Yeah, it doesn't take much to thrill me anymore.

Okay, it's time to crawl under the bed.

Here's hoping nothing gets me.

Have I Mentioned Lately...

2009-04-27T10:55:00.009-05:00

...that I love Jesus and can hardly get over that He didn't just save me, but gave me a ministry that keeps on saving me? If He didn't give me opportunity for working out my salvation, I would be a shriveled up wreck. Of course, I still am at times, but not one without hope or a confirmed direction when I need to get back on track. I'm horrified of less-traveled roads, but I've not walked one yet that didn't thrill me. Who ever dreamed God could be so much fun with a side order of roller coaster terror? I can't tell you the number of times lately I've screamed through a grin at the things He's allowed me. Is there someone out there today that needs to know that God isn't just flat out mad? That He laughs and will get one out of you eventually even if He has to scare you to death to get one?

I need to quit now before I have me a spell.

Before I got sidetracked, I meant to tell you how much fun I had this past Saturday. I had the joy of speaking at a women's tea for New Liberty Baptist in Ringgold, GA. They did one of those fabulous luncheons where a woman hosts and decorates each table differently. Seriously. I don't know how many different ways there can be to theme a table scape but it appears you wonderfully creative girls out there have no where near exhausted all the possibilities because every one was completely unique to any I have seen before. I could just kick myself for not having a camera.

Wanda, my precious new friend and contact for this event had the greatest idea. Her theme was, "Through the storms of life, with God, you can dance in the rain.." She had a darlin' rubber rain boot as her centerpiece with a spring arrangement and get this - the fabric from a hot pink disassembled umbrella as the foundation. Who would have ever thought of that? Certainly not this girl! I just couldn't take my eyes off all the details.

I also can not overlook how cool God is in making connections. It turns out that the girl who was asked to introduce me is my second cousin! What?! I had no idea she went to church there and she had no idea it was me coming to speak until a couple days prior. Is that not a hoot? I loved seeing you, Jenny, and your beautiful, grown-up Kelly! I hope we see one another again outside of a funeral or reunion. :)

I can not even begin to communicate how much I enjoy these frou frou get-togethers. It still amazes me that a guy's idea of a good time is offing Bambi, gutting her, and dragging her lifeless corpse to a grill to enjoy with his buddies. No, thank you. Chicken Salad and Quiche will serve us girls just fine. And I have to give a shout out to the men who served us. Y'all, they had on matching white aprons WITH THEIR NAMES EMBROIDERED ON THE BIB. I've never seen such awesomeness in my life. You guys have set the new high bar for every other group of church men out there. I need a picture of you to blow up as poster boys of servanthood. You were spectacular and I know we all appreciated your loving on us so extravagantly.

New Liberty: THANK YOU. It is humbling to me to know the amount of prayer that you put in to bringing in a teacher and that in some miraculous way, God gave you my name and you extended this invitation. I loved every minute with you and I pray God's Word will be an abiding one to every single lady there. You can believe me when I say He road tested that message in every figurative and literal way. May it change us all.

Okay, so now I'm off to clean out my closet. I would show you a before and after, but you would judge me. Oh, you say you wouldn't, but trust me. It's just that bad. There are not two of my shoes within a foot of one another in the bottom of that thing and I'm certain I'll find several Christmas presents hidden in the top that never made it to their intended recipient. Oh well. Maybe I'll have a head start on this year.

Y'all have a wonderful Monday!

An Unlikely Convert

2009-04-23T22:07:00.003-05:00

....but aren't we all?