The Rev Was Right...

“Are you going to blog about this?” It’s not uncommon for my husband to ask this question when something funny or noteworthy or catastrophic happens around our home. He’s got a pretty good sense of humor and he’s really a good sport about letting me share his successes and an equal number of embarrassments with my friends that live in the computer.

Just last week on the way out the door to church, a glance at the tulips trying to come to life in our yard, prompted a conversation about blog-worthiness.

I'm sharing the rest of the story over at Everyday Christian. Stop over and see me!

Please Tell Me I Am Not Alone...

I remember this old, ratty Duck Head T-shirt that my brother had when we were younger. It was so gross the armpits had rotted out! And I, having grown up with him as the only male around, was somehow under the impression that he was the only male who had such a shirt. Then I got married, and I figured out that they must all have one.

The Rev brought Old Blue and Plaidy into our marriage and if they were worn out 6 years ago, they are downright pathetic now. Old Blue is a sleeveless shirt, that has one side literally hanging on by a thread, he is past repair, but we can't throw him out. Despite the fact that Plaidy was "very well made in Hong Kong" as it said on the label, which the Rev believes dates back to 1994, he developed a gaping hole and I thought perhaps the time had come to turn him into cleaning rags. But apparently, when I think it is time for the trash pile, it is just getting good and broken in. So I wasn't too surprised when the Rev asked if I could fix it. I said sure, if I can blog about it, thinking that surely that embarrassment would be enough to get it in the garbage can and hauled away before he even knew what happened. But he said OK and so, here we are today.

That is right, folks, I had to buy some knit material and fashion patches to repair Plaidy. It was a moment reminiscent of when Michael Keaton uses the stapler to repair Kenny's wubby in Mr. Mom--I cannot believe what love will make you do... Here is the new and improved Plaidy, Plaidy 2.0 we will call him, complete with a heart shaped patch and crazy quilt stitching over that gaping hole--hey, don't ask a woman to fix your He-man shirt if you don't want it frou-froued...

So, tell me what I-wouldn't-cry-if-it went-missing item did your spouse or significant other bring into the relationship? I know I can't be alone!

P.S. Want proof that God can use something as ordinary as sewing up a holey shirt to teach a life lesson? Visit me over at Everyday Christian to get the rest of this story.

Invest in Kindness

Some six months ago, I told you in this post about Reed Sandridge and his yearlong experiment to give $10 a day to a complete stranger, all while unemployed. His blog, "Year of Giving," chronicles the challenge that he set forth for himself, in honor of his mother. Reed's experiment concluded in mid-December with a celebration that included as many of his recipients as he could round up.

I can remember being so happy for Reed when he shared in late summer that he had landed a job, just shortly before I landed a job of my own. So, I guess that's it, right? With employment secured, there is no need to practice this act of selfless giving any longer--mission accomplished.

Read on at Everyday Christian.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree fell over last year….3 times. Ornaments were broken, pine needles were everywhere, it wasn’t pretty. Those falls combined with the amount of time it takes me to find a tree that is the perfect triangular shape, with no barren spots, and strung with lights just so, caused some marital discord and the decision was made to go faux this year. I thought this is great, all problems solved—the shape is right, it was already dressed with lights, no watering needed….not so fast, my friend!

Get the rest of the story with me at Everyday Christian.

Count Blessings, Not Sheep

Recently, a friend posted on her Facebook status that she had been awakened each night for several nights in a row and found herself unable to go back to sleep. Of course, as we do on Facebook, everyone had suggestions for what might help -- warm milk, a good book, cleaning, counting sheep, and on and on.

Visit me at Everyday Christian to read more.

Worth Repeating...

October is Ministry Appreciation Month and as a pastor's wife, I would be extremely remiss if I didn't let you in on life on the other side and the myriad of reasons you should show your pastor, his family (and any other ministry staff in your church) some love.

I want to preface all of this by saying that I have been on the other side of the pulpit, so to speak, sitting in the same pews that you occupy, totally oblivious as to what my pastor REALLY did for the kingdom and his congregation....so, this is all said in love....let's put on our steel toed boots and get through it together...

Join me at Everyday Christian to find out 5 Things Your Pastor Wishes You Knew.

(Originally posted on October 15, 2009)

Would You Be Mine? Could You Be Mine?

Last winter saw a decent amount of snow here in the foothills of NC. We had bread. We had milk. What we did not have was a snow shovel or a plow. But our neighbor, Sam, did.

Click here to read more.

Which One are You?

Are you this?

Or this?Not sure? Visit me at Everyday Christian to find out.

Teachers Need School Supplies, Too!

It seems like we were just heralding the arrival of summer and suddenly its time for back-to-school shopping, with some areas of the country already in session. As you pick out backpacks, pencils, and cool binders with bells and whistles (anybody remember the Trapper Keeper--the must have binder of the early 80's?), don't forget to pick up a few extra supplies for your child's teacher.

Supplies for the teacher, you ask? Isn't that what my tax dollars cover?

Click here to find out more...

Are Your Kids Bored Yet?

The refrigerator opening and closing repeatedly, the constant hum of the air conditioner, arguments over whose scoop of ice cream is bigger, the banging of the screen door for the millionth time, countless neighborhood children running through the house, chants of "I'm bored!"...Ahhhh, the sounds of summer. I can't do anything about the majority of those issues, but we can work to cure the boredom, and if you are willing to be creative and think outside of the box, we can do it for little to no cost!

Click here to find out how!

Do You Know Your Father?

I remember that my father always had black licorice in an orange and yellow canister at his house when we visited on weekends. I remember that he brought me wrestling magazines when I was hospitalized for a kidney infection in junior high. I remember that the bed I had at his house had one of those bookshelf headboards with secret cubby doors that you could hide all sorts of treasures in. I remember that he collected coins and gemstones. I remember that I once found an antique diamond ring while walking with him through a park. Sadly, though I do not remember ever hearing him say "I love you."

Click here to read more.

Giving When It Seems Impossible

I have been unemployed since last August and I have to admit that my first thought upon learning of the elimination of my job was not how could I give more to others. How we were going to survive, how long unemployment benefits might last, whether we would have to go on a beanie weenie and Ramen noodle diet, maybe--giving MORE? I am ashamed to say that thought never crossed my mind.

Not so with Reed Sandridge, author of "Year of Giving", a blog that is chronicling his yearlong experiment in giving to others, expecting nothing in return. Click here to read more.

Very Big Shake? I Wish!

Yep, its that time of year. Its Vacation Bible School week, which is totally exhausting--but we are almost halfway done! I'll be MIA until the end of the week and then I'll be back to a normal blogging schedule AND I'll have an announcement about my first GIVEAWAY ever! Stay tuned!

P.S. If you are exhausted from your own VBS experience this week, are dreading your turn, or aren't sure if VBS is for you, I've got a great reminder about how important VBS is over at Everyday Christian.

The Other Side of Mother's Day

Before the birds have eaten all of the seed, before you have a chance to defrost and eat that frozen top tier of the cake (ugh!), and even before wedding etiquette demands that you mail out all of those thank you cards, the question comes, “So, when are you having children?” Its what society has taught us since we were young girls on the playground, singing silly songs about love, marriage, and the baby carriage. Women are supposed to become mothers.

I want to go on record before I go any further and say that I have a great mother, a wonderful grandmother, special aunts and girlfriends who are mothers to their own little ones. I love them all dearly and hope that they feel pampered and loved for their sacrifices as a Mom when Mother’s Day rolls around on Sunday. But, what about myself and countless other women for whom Mother’s Day is a reminder of what they don’t have?

To read more, visit me here at Everyday Christian.

Stamp Out Hunger

Visit me at Everyday Christian to find out how you can Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday, May 8, 2010!

My New Blogging Gig

Hi everybody!

Just wanted to let you know that I have accepted an opportunity to do some blogging over at Everyday Christian. I'll be covering all kinds of topics, some Biblically related, some not, on everything from Sports to Christian Living to World News to Entertainment. Its not full time or anything, but it will provide some extra income while I wait for the perfect job to come through. I'll be compensated based on the number of hits on my posts, so I hope you'll take a few minutes to stop by! I'll do my best to provide links here when I have something up for you over there--did that make sense?

Here is a link to my first post:

What Does Earth Day Mean to the Christian?