BE.

I wish you could have seen what I saw last night. Hundreds of women from our church and beyond gathered for an ALL women's worship night. A team of women led us in worship. A woman spoke. Women prayed. Women of all ages, shapes and sizes with one common bond were on their faces before the Lord.

The concept was great and the Spirit was heavy. God broke many women of who they have BE.en and he encouraged others to press into who they are BE.coming.  He encouraged us all to BE. an image bearer. 

Thank you Hillside Women and thank you to all of my friends who gathered for dinner before, hung out during, and had coffee afterwards. It was a great night!!!

Brad's Ordination

Yesterday evening was Brad's ordination service. It was such a special day for Brad and our family. In his four years in ministry, Brad has had several opportunities to be ordained, but he never felt like it was the right time. He takes his calling and his position as an ordained minister very seriously. 

Many special people were a part of the ceremony. Thank you to all of our family and friends who attended! Clay, Brad's brother, spoke about Brad and the great relationship that they have.

Jody led worship.

Our friends, Ryan and Heather, came in from Dallas. Ryan spoke and did a fabulous job. My camera battery died before we were able to get a picture with them. 

The elders prayed over Brad and I, commissioning him as an ordained pastor and petitioning the Lord on behalf of our family.

It was a memorable, encouraging day!

My Birthday Week and My Wonderful Gift

It is my birthday week. 

For me, it has always been that the week(s) leading up to my birthday were fair game for being celebrated. Brad jokes about this because I like to start celebrating a week or two early and then often carry the celebration on after the actual date of my birth passes. He would rather no one even know it is his birthday. 

Since we have had kids, my birthday importance has slipped through the cracks. A lot of things have slipped through the cracks. Or gained cracks, physically speaking. Last year I had a 2 week old on my birthday. The last thing my flabby self wanted to do was go out in public. The thing is, I'm now okay with my once "important" day being overlooked. It actually pails in comparison to my family. It is amazing how your perspective changes after  these little, all-consuming people enter into your world. 

Thursday morning I am leaving for the Women's Retreat at our church. Brad will have the kids all by his lonesome until Sunday evening. I think that is better than any gift he could give me, don't you? The few times I have gone away without Brad and the kids I look forward to it, but I also carry a sense of guilt about leaving. Partially because it always seems like a good idea in theory and then when the time gets closer, I don't want to leave my family. And partially because I always feel bad leaving Brad with the kids. He is wonderful with them and can 'hold down the fort'(probably better than me), but that is a lot of responsibility to place on him. 

Before Brad popped into my life, I  knew that I wanted to marry a man that would be there when we had children.  Not just there physically. Not just at the sporting events or school functions, but that was as much a parent to his children as I would be. I had seen all too many marriages where the mother had to leave a list of instructions for the father, just to be gone for an hour. I grew up knowing women who trusted babysitters with their children more than they did their own husbands. I never wanted that. I wanted to be able to leave the house and be confident that my husband knew the drill, had the schedules down, and could handle the children. The Lord has answered my prayers one hundred fold. 

Though I feel guilty leaving my family for days at a time, in the end, I know it is good for everyone. My times away always make me feel more appreciated and loved, as well as refreshed and encouraged. 

I am looking forward to my 'retreat' and time of connection. But, as I leave, I know that it is not without the sacrifice of someone else. Thank you babe...my heart if overflowing with love for you!

Clear as Mud?

How transparent are you? How well do you allow others to get to know your heart and the deepest part of you? 

I need input. Will you take a minute and let me know about your view of transparency? 

Who is the most transparent person you know? Is being transparent always a good thing? Has the Lord ever spoken a specific message to you about being open with others? What measures have you taken to become open and honest with those around you, with the Lord? 

What benefit is there to vulnerability?

Answer one of these questions, several of of them or share anything you wish about being or becoming transparent. I am looking for input from various women for something I am working on. There is no specific answer that I am looking for, just words of wisdom, life lessons and encouragement on the subject of transparency.

Thanks!

Come One, Come All

I would like to extend an invitation to all moms in the Amarillo area to be a part of a fall Bible study. 

Our church, Hillside Christian Church, offers a variety of studies for women of all ages and walks of life. 

If you are a mom (children of any age), and would like to join a group of other moms, please come check it out. Our pastor's wife, our worship leader's wife and I will facilitate the study and would love for you to join us. 

When Wallflowers Dance, is a great book on becoming a woman of righteous confidence. Sounds legit, doesn't it? I have loved reading the book and can relate to so many of the things Angela speaks to.  I already know this will be a great study!

We will be going through the workbook which can be purchased  at our church bookstore, The Vine. 

Join a group of moms, all ages, denominations, and backgrounds as we walk though motherhood and following Christ together.

Childcare is available, but you have to register in order to hold your child's spot. Call the church offices at 806-457-4900 or here.

Tuesday mornings September 9th through November 18th.  9:30-11:30am Hillside Christian Church

A few more things:

1.  The Hillside Women's Ministry has a new blog up and running. Check it out... www.hillsidewomen.blogspot.com

 

2. There were 800 students at tonights youth kick-off!!!

3. My husband rocks!

4. Call me a billboard, but I love the ministries I am a part of :)