For The Wives

As backward as it sounds, my busy life is what has inspired this posting. If you are a wife, or ever plan on being one, please read on and make a mental post it note :) First let me just say that life has always been busy for me. And now that I am a full time wife, mother, pastors wife, childrens pastor, business owner, daughter, sister, aunt and friend................I am busier than ever. We all are. The demands of each of our lives take a toll on our marriages, our schedules and our families. Today as I write I am thankful of what I have been taught over the years, about life and priorities. I want to share one of those secrets with you. It's something I have know, but that the Lord has poured out fresh in my spirit in the midst of my busyness lately. Ladies, take care of you husbands. No matter how busy I am, I always make sure to include time for those little things that I know Chris likes. Although your husband is a grown man (well, most of them anyway) and he is the provider, he is really a 7 year old inside who wants to be taken care of. Too often we are too tired, or selfish to go out of our way to do something we know he appreciates. When it's for the kids, or ladies book club or our other social agendas, we find the time and fake the energy. But we know our husbands love us unconditionally and they often get the short end. The results you will see when you respect your husband unconditionally and start to do romantic little things for him like you did when you were dating.....you will be amazed. He needs and deserves to be taken care of. Like it or not, your marriage should come before your children. And you have the power to take the first steps to make it that way. Everyone has their long strungout opinion of the John and Kate Plus 8 drama. But in their own words they have said that everything they do is for their kids. Ladies, love your husbands. Even though you're exhausted, go out of your way to let him know he is loved and well taken care of.
And here is what I want you to take away from reading this.............Life gets crazy and sometimes we need a break, we need help. And that is ok. However----if another female is helping take care of your kids, its called baby-sitting. But if another female is helping take care of your husband, its called adultery!
I am thankful that I know what I know at my age and have had the opportunity for women and God to pour these truths into me. I am so thankful for the awesome marriage I have with my husband. He is my soulmate and best friend!

Mammaw

It's been a hard week. A week ago tomorrow, the hospice nurse gave my Mammaw hours to live. And Saturday night a little after 7pm, she took her last breath and went Home to be with Jesus. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer almost 4 1/2 years ago. It was a miracle for her to make it this long. She even worked full time at Emory Eastside Hospital up until this February. Now her time on this earth is over and she is no longer in pain. God is good, He is helping my family through this very difficult time. A heartfelt thanks to those of you who have prayed, sent cards and food.
It was hard as I sat next to my Mammaw during her last few days and hours. Her kidneys were failing her and although she was in and out she knew we were there and she was sure of where she was going. I will always remember watching her frail right hand as she stroked the pillow beside her and told us she saw Jesus's face. I am still kind of in a state of shock in realizing that she is really gone. I can't imagine how people deal with the death of a loved one when the family does not have the Lord to cling to. I don't know how I would have gotten through the past 6 days without God, my Rock.
I wanted to write this blog as somewhat of an update to those of you who have been praying for my family. You're prayers are felt. I'm sure I may end up including more about my sweet Mammaw in future postings. Feel free to follow my blog and post your comments. God Bless!

Girls Night Out

I began to write some of this in the 'description' section of the GNO event. After a couple paragraphs, a wave of wisdom came and I decided it was too long for a description, haha. This post it to my GNO ladies and ladies in general. Let's just be honest. As busy women of today's society, we just don't take care of ourselves. I mean, there are days when I can hardly find time to take a potty break. Y'all know what I mean. We always seem to fall last on the list. And as you well know, most things that are last on the list....we never get to. I want to see women get back to the days of REAL friendship. Now, will things ever be the same as they were in your parents generation? Absolutely not. We live in a much different and ever-changing society. But does that mean we should never make "me" time and always put ourselves last? No way. In today's world, we keep up with our girlfriends via Facebook, Myspace, phone calls and texts. For whatever reason, we have lost the intimacy of true friendship. Some of us like it better that way. Maybe you have been hurt by a friend or family member you trusted and held close to your heart. It is easier these days to keep our friends as close as we want through electronics and not share our lives and hearts. We're less vulnerable that way. You can agree with me or not, but there is nothing that replaces a genuine hug from a friend when you're world is falling to pieces. No wall posting or text can replace having a girlfriend who loves you just like you are and understands you. To have a friend who sticks by you when you can go shopping and when you're too broke to go shopping and hardly have money to even gas up for a trip to the mall. To have a friend who knows you aren't perfect and doesn't care how many piles of laundry are waiting to be done at your house.
The Lord placed a vision of Girls Night Out in my heart for many of these reasons. Many social clubs, families and churches have similar events. But I want Ladies to come to our Girls Night Out and know that they will be accepted and not judged. They will be welcomed and loved, just like they are. Many women have completly shut off from friendship that goes past a social event to which they wear their "everything is okay" mask. The truth is, sometimes everything is not okay and you need people you can reach out to. You need women in your lives, girlfriends who can pick you up when you're down. Real friendship. Now, some of you will read this and say "no thank you, I am fine in my world of emails and texts", but for those of you who could use a Girls Night Out with ladies just like you, who will accept you no matter if you are sporting Prada or Faded Glory....please come join us. And if you need a new friend to talk with, or have coffee with. Someone who will love you unconditionally and encourage you. I want to be that friend. Get in touch with me and we'll chat or meet up and hang out. God has called me to love people. It is what I do every day that I live.
And on a last note, start making time for yourself. Buy a cheap foot scrub and soak your feet one night a week while you watch your favorite show. Do any of us really have time to sit and soak our feet? Probably not, we all have super long lists of to-do's. But, you are worth it. And when you start your day knowing you have a purpose and knowing how much you are worth...you get more done and are mory effective. Ask me how I know. Okay, I better wrap this up. It could become really really long! Take a minute to leave me a comment. And if you're in the area join us for our next GNO! I'll look forward to seeing you there.

My Little Princess

This one will be a short one, I've gotta get some sleep. It's been a super-busy weekend and the week ahead will be no different. Well, my baby girl turned one today. Who knew I'd be this emotional? I was doing okay until tonight. As the time crept by, 6 o'clock came, 7 o'clock came and memories started to fill my heart. It was around that time, one year ago when they took my precious baby girl from my room and admitted her to the NICU. I hadn't even gotten one night with her. As I put Ashlyn to bed tonight, I rocked her for a few extra minutes and prayed over her with tears in my eyes. I am so thankful for my beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Well, my heart would like to write more, but my mind is exhausted. I'm going to wind things up and prepare to get some much needed sleep. Have a super week everyone! I'll blog more about my lil mama later.

Welcome

For you, welcome to my blog. For me, welcome to the world of blogging. This is my first of what I am sure is many posts to come. Writing has always been therapeutic for me, since I can remember. And I've heard countless people say blogging/writing is therapeutic for them as well. Man, you think with the blogging revolution and all the blog therapy people are getting, our world would be in better shape than it is. I actually came across a lady today at Target who I would say was in need of some blog therapy. I was walking across from a parking aisle, to the doors (quickly because it was windy and cold), with both kids. What seemed like out of nowhere, this lady comes barreling toward us in her suv. She genuinely was not going to stop. And we were halfway across the street already. So me, in my patient, sweet, pastors wifely way. Stopped walking, caught her eye and smiled at her (you may think you know what kind of smile it was, but I promise it was genuine). And she had the nerve to give me this "darn pedestrians" look and roll her eyes as she punched the gas. Lucky for her I know Jesus and even luckier for her, I didn't pass her or see her during my entire visit to Targe'. Anyhow, I say that to say this, I am happy I know Jesus and those kinds of things slide right off my back. I didn't used to be that way so much. There was a time in my life that I would practically hunt someone down to let them know how I felt about a certain situation. I was good with words and could put someone in their place in about 17 seconds. That's not something I'm proud of. I am wiser now. And as I continue to draw closer to the Lord, he just lets his love for people ooze right out of me. So next time someone cuts you off on the road, treats you unfairly at work, gives you what you perceive to be "a look" at church, a waitress puts her hand on your husband's shoulder while taking his order, or even if someone tries to take out your right hip in the Target parking lot.....keep in mind, you have no idea what kind of situation that person is in right now and your actions speak louder than words. Don't torch your testimony by showing out. Instead, smile at them and know that Jesus loves them, just as much as he loves you and you should love them too. What? Love someone I don't even know? Who has done me wrong? Who said things behind my back? Who doesn't deserve it? That's it exactly. Too bad they don't teach that in college. How will we ever change the world if we aren't willing to change ourselves?