Being a Minister's Wife...

I have debated about whether or not to post this...obviously I decided to! The reason I wasn't sure whether or not to is because I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. I LOVE my husband and our church family so much! I know that God has placed us where we are for a purpose and am blessed more than I can express by our Maplewood family...you are so good to us! However, there are many challenges to being a minister's wife. I wanted to share these videos that were part of the Beth Moore conference that I went to a few weeks ago. The videos were shown during each of the three sessions. The statement was posed to pastors' wives and they were asked to complete it: "We thought you should know..." The reason I want to share them is because there are some of you who read our blog who are a pastor's wife and need encouragement, some who are in a church with a pastor's wife with whom you don't get along and maybe need some insight into her life, and others who I hope will just read the statements and realize that our families are human just like everyone else and we need your prayers and support. Wherever you fit into these categories, I pray that these videos will enlighten, bless and encourage you!




The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 1 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.



The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 2 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.




The Life of a Ministers Wife - part 3 from stephen proctor on Vimeo.

Answered Prayer!

Many of you know that we had things lined up to have volunteers build our church last summer, but the timing was just not right. We had some issues with the fire marshall and because things weren't quite ready we lost our volunteers. Because our loan was based on volunteer labor, that fell through as well. We never doubted that this was God's plan and even His timing, but it was difficult to say the least. So this past 10 months we have been praying and working on acquiring another loan (very difficult with the economy the way it is). It is absolutely a God-thing that we signed on the loan Tuesday and have volunteers lined up for this coming summer now! Praise God...His goodness and faithfulness never fails! Even when we go through a time of waiting, He uses that to teach us and strengthen us until the timing is right...His perfect timing!

A few of the people from our church were in McKenzie for the closing Tuesday morning at 9am, and another group of us met at the property to have a time of praise and testimony to give God the glory for all He is doing and is going to do. Many who couldn't be there joined with us in prayer at 9 wherever they were. It was such a special time! I took a group picture...I love these people! God has blessed us with such an amazing church family! I think one of the greatest testimonies from this year of waiting has been that our people have waited without the expected grumbling and complaining that so often surrounds delays in church relocations. Our "family" has been steadfast in faith that God will accomplish this in His timing. Please continue in prayer for us as the foundation is laid and the metal building is going up to have us ready for our volunteers this summer!

Lots of Catching up to Do!

Well, it has been a very busy last few weeks! I'll do my best to update as quickly as possible then get back to regular blogging soon!

Caleb has memorized the 23rd Psalm...it is precious to hear him recite God's word and know he is hiding it in his heart! Sunday the 15th was Children's Day at Maplewood...the boys had a big time singing and being part of the service. They have also really enjoyed the nice weather we've been having. They have been outside playing for hours the last few weeks! They have also been enjoying the Wii from Nanny and JR that we receive for Christmas...recently, Bennett beat Michele, David and Caleb at bowling by scoring a 210!!! Yes! He had seven strikes and several spares! It was unbelievable!We had a fun visit week before last from Leah, one of our former youth from Bemis! It's always great to get to see those youth who we invested time and effort into and see how they are growing and how God is working in their lives! We love you, Leah!
Corey was out of town at the 5th of his 6 doctoral seminars at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City all of last week. He really enjoyed the seminar on leadership. It was a long week for the boys and me, but we stayed busy with picnics and other fun things. God has been so good to provide for Corey's schooling through our church, our association, and through other ministries. It's hard to believe that this stage of his work is almost complete...his last seminar will be in June.

I have begun selling BeautiControl in addition to LoopDeLou...It's lots of fun! I am able to do spa parties in homes and offices and have been busy getting all of that going the last few weeks also. Also, I just finished the new Beth Moore bible study on Esther! Whew...I learned a lot...that'll be in another post, but it kept me quite busy completing the homework each week. It was such a great study, and I thoroughly enjoyed it...thank you Mrs. Kay! Then the weekend of the 13-14, I was able to go to the Beth Moore Ministers' Wives conference in Nashville. It was so amazing to get to fellowship and worship with others in the same ministry as mine. It was a wonderful time of encouragement! I went with 11 other ministers' wives from in the Paris/Henry Country area...what a great group of women! I am so grateful that Corey was willing to let me go out of town just before he headed to school...he had a lot on him with finishing up assignments and preparations. Thank you! I couldn't help but laugh when he came back from the grocery store to buy food for the boys' weekend...I had to take a picture ;) Frozen dinners and cereal bars...all three men need to survive!Finally, Corey and I have been trying to run lately. We are going to be doing a 5K race with some of the other young adults in our church on April 4th, so we are trying to get ready for that!

Thanks for your patience in my blogging...it's just been a super crazy last few weeks!

Hebrews

In the car yesterday, Bennett and I were singing the books of the New Testament. I understand that they don't totally get the names, because every time I say "First and Second Thessalonians" both of our boys break out laughing, "Ha, Ha, Thessalonians!" Well, after Bennett and I finished singing it through once, I heard him singing, "Hebrews, James..." And then he stopped and asked me, "Mom, why did 'He bruise James?"...PRECIOUS!

Spring Cleaning 2009

This past weekend we had a women's conference in Paris. Our speaker was Elizabeth Luter (far left) from New Orleans whose husband, Fred, is the pastor of Seventh Avenue Baptist Church. I have had the privilege of hearing him preach at the Southern Baptist Convention a few times, but have never been blessed to meet or hear Elizabeth. She is so genuine and real...it was so nice to listen to her share real experiences that I can relate to and to hear her share about the challenges and struggles brought by Hurricane Katrina and God's faithfulness in the midst of all that!

Six months ago, a group of ministers wives (pictured above with Elizabeth) were meeting together and God laid on our hearts to hold this conference. It was such a blessing for me to be a part of this wonderful adventure! Friday evening, all the ministers wives in our area were invited to meet for dinner and a time of fellowship with Elizabeth, and then Saturday the conference was from 10-2. It was such a refreshing time of encouragement! Our theme verse was, "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me!" Psalm 51:10. This is where our theme came from. What a timely message! It is my prayer that God will cleanse my heart in order that He might be clearly reflected in my life!

I want to say a special thank you to the ladies at Maplewood who worked so hard to help decorate (Becky, Carol, DeDe and Deanna), clean up after the conference, and make desserts...they were delicious! As a pastors wife, it is such a blessing to have a church family who you can depend on and know that whatever is asked will be willingly and graciously done for God's glory! I can't imagine being part of a more generous and loving church family than Maplewood! Love you all!