The Busiest Time of the Year...

Let me give you a little sampler of my December....

Th Dec 1
Fr Dec 2 - Girls Night at my house
Sa Dec 3 - Christmas parade; Feed Little Lambs (prison ministry); Neighborhood blitz to invite people in
                   town to our Christmas program
Su Dec 4 - church; Associational Christmas music program
Mo Dec 5
Tu Dec 6 - Christmas party
We Dec 7 - church
Th Dec 8 - Garden Club Christmas lunch; Date Night to celebrate anniversary
Fr Dec 9 - Christmas brunch/ornament exchange; Christmas party
Sa Dec 10 - Choir practice for Christmas musical; Christmas party
Su Dec 11 - {Eddie & my 12th anniversary}; church; Christmas party; baby shower (hostess);  Christmas
                        musical
Mo Dec 12 - Christmas party (Karaoke with the senior adults...HA!); Young Ladies Share Group
Tu Dec 13 - Christmas party
We Dec 14 - church
Th Dec 15 - Christmas Dinner Theater (I am hosting a table AND singing in the choir)
Fr Dec 16 - Christmas Dinner Theater Night #2; Rehearsal/rehearsal dinner for a wedding Eddie is           
                     officiating
Sa Dec 17 - wedding; Christmas party
Su Dec 18 - church; PM service - speak about my mission trip
Mo Dec 19
Tu Dec 20 - {Sam's 7th birthday}; Open House we are hosting for church members
We Dec 21 - Youth Christmas progressive dinner
Th Dec 22 - Sam's birthday party
Fr Dec 23
Sa Dec 24 - candelight Christmas Eve service
Su Dec 25 - Christmas!; church
Mo Dec 26
Tu Dec 27
We Dec 28
Th Dec 29
Fr Dec 30
Sa Dec 31


Soooo, as you see, I have 4 days available between December 1 and Christmas! Crazy much?! It's SO much fun to get to go to all the church Christmas parties, and we wouldn't miss them for anything. But boy, am I ready for December 26th!! And this isn't even all the Christmas parties. Eddie's secretary usually emails us the dates as they come. So I'm sure I'll be adding more to the list!

Being a ministry wife can be like this sometimes. I feel sorry for the ones that are naturally introverted. I bet December is a struggle for them.

Not to mention what this schedule does for my kids. We are so blessed that the church nursery is open for the majority of these events, but that usually means my kids aren't getting in bed until after 9 most nights. And 2 of them are still having to get up for school every morning. And one of them is having to rush to finish his homework between after school and when we have to load up to go. But thankfully, they roll with it for the most part.

Oh, and guess how many Christmas presents I have bought so far?? NONE!! EEEEKKKKK!!!! Looks like I have the 19th or the 23rd available for that!! But the 19th will be spent cleaning and cooking to get ready for the Open House! HA! Online shopping may be the ticket this year.

I am trying not to get caught up in the busy-ness of it all that I neglect to reflect and focus on the true meaning of the season.

Luke 2:8-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 ⁸ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
 ¹⁵ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child

Thankfulness Day #22....R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I am thankful that other people respect my husband as much as I do. I got this little email that is sent out to people in our area, and there was a special piece about Eddie in there. Apparently, the author of this little newsletter asked a few people from our church to write some thoughts on Eddie for this edition. Here's what they had to say:

a. I Have known Pastor Eddie for little over a year.  I’m old enough to be his “young-looking mother” and yet he is my PASTOR! 

Eddie came here and immediately captured our hearts but most important, he is a man after God’s own heart. His testimony is one that echoes humility and sincerity about his struggles and victories in his Christian journey—which makes it  even easier to relate to this mighty man of God.

The Holy Spirit continues to move in First Baptist Church and Dr. Eddie has been used as a key to open the door for greater things. There is a fresh excitement and  joy in the atmosphere under his leadership. We are seeing souls added to the Body of Christ daily. Eddie makes me laugh!!!!   Eddie makes me cry!!!!  As long as Ole Miss continues to rank low in the poles and LSU continues to be on top, I believe Eddie will continue to walk in humility all the days of his life.  

Seriously, we love our pastor and are so grateful that God sent him to us. 

b. I first met Brother Eddie at a deacon’s supper on a Thursday night before the weekend when he came in view of a call to our church.  This was a supper for the deacons to be able to get to know him and Stacy, before he preached that Sunday morning. 

I was supposed to leave for a mission trip in two days, but my grandmother had become very ill, and I was struggling with a decision about what to do.  I talked to him about it, and he gave me some very sound, wise advice.  He then asked me if he could pray for me, and at that moment, I knew he was for real. 

He called me the next day to check on me and see if I had made a decision.  Some people try to impress you spiritually, but some people just do what the Lord leads them to do.  He is in the latter group.  He was not trying to impress me or obtain my vote when he gave me advice,  prayed for me and checked on me.  That began a friendship that has deepened since then.  I followed his advice, and was very glad that I did so.

However, he doesn’t just give advice.  He also receives it, because he is a man that walks in humility.  It seems to me that so many spiritual leaders think that they are always correct, and refuse to seek advice from “ordinary” people.  Dr. W does not hesitate to ask for advice from members in his congregation, because he recognizes that the Lord speaks through other people at times, and he wants to hear from the Lord.

He is also a man of integrity.  What you see in the pulpit is what you see behind closed doors.  I know because he and I went on a mission trip to Haiti in May of 2011, and I lived in close quarters with him for a week.

Finally,  I don’t know if I have ever met any other preacher/pastor who is as down to earth and likeable as Dr. W.  Yet at the same time, he does not back down, but stands firm on principles and the Word. 

Our church has been greatly blessed by him and his family, and we have all grown to love him deeply.

c.One of the biggest challenges of faith for all of us is to trust God as we wait on a clear response to our prayers.

 

At First Baptist, our long-time and beloved pastor retired in June, 2009. and we set out to find God’s man to “shepherd our flock” for the years ahead.  Our body of believers benefitted in a deeply spiritual way in the following days and months, as we all agreed that we would not set our own expectations in the “search,” but that we would genuinely seek and patiently wait for God to clearly reveal His servant to us. 

After 15 months of continual prayer and diligent attention to this holy process, He led us to Dr. Eddie in Georgia.  He became pastor of our church on October 31, 2010.  I am positive that the Lord brought us together. 

Eddie, as he is affectionately known by our folks, has responded to this call with a heart for people and a passion for the preaching of God’s Word.  Not long after Eddie got here, I overheard several people saying, “What a great pastor!  He’s just a regular guy!” 

Later I went to Eddie, and voiced a slightly different sentiment.  I said to him,  “I am so thankful for you and your relationship skills, and even more so for your love for the Lord.  But I must tell you, I really don’t want you to  be ‘just a regular guy.’ I want you to be the best example of Christ that you can possibly be.” 

Eddie’s life experiences, especially as a child and teenager, allow him to effectively relate to so many that are hurting.  He is transparent: a quality that I greatly admire in any person, but especially in men, since we tend to keep our masks strapped on pretty tight!    

God has blessed Eddie beyond measure with relationship skills, and with a brilliant ability in the pulpit.  My prayer is that every day, for many, many years to come, Eddie will channel those magnificent gifts into actions that draw the response: “That’s Eddie W. He’s like a regular guy, but this guy is Jesus’ man. A man after God’s own heart.”  

 And here's what the editor added in: 

(Talking about the first time he met Eddie) -

Also there was DR. EDDIE W, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Eddie, who is one of the most humble, decent, and down to earth men I encounter in my faith walk, was asked to give the closing prayer. Thereafter followed one of the most heart-felt and inspirational prayers I have heard in some time.

Those residents who attend First Baptist Church are truly blessed to have Pastor Eddie in their midst and in their presence. He is truly a great ambassador for Christ and a role model for us all.

The first time I met and talked with Pastor Eddie I could sense he was a very special person and a very special pastor. We in Louisiana are blessed to have this man of God in our midst. We lift you up, pastor, and thank the Lord for blessing us with your presence.

  How cool is that?! I'm so thankful for a Godly, respectable husband!!

Weekend Recap

How did this whole week go by without a post? I know y'all are sad, so let me recap my week for you!

I got my house cleaned this week, which was HUGE!! By the way, many of you have been asking for pics of my new house. Well, like 3 people have. Whatever. Anyway. I will get some up soon! I had a sweet lady from my church who owned a flower shop come this week to give me decorating suggestions. It was wonderful! I just pointed to things and asked, "what do I need there?" And she had answers!! We rearranged my living room and talked about ways to rearrange my bedroom. So, hopefully soon, my house will be done enough to photograph! So exciting!

I also bought my first pair of leggings this week. And wore them. Big day.

We went to a Homecoming presentation which was really sweet. We had company for dinner Tuesday night and I made this fabulous Black Magic cake. It was seriously sooo good. New favorite!!! My previous favorite was The Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake, which I love. But it has been replaced as my favorite. Seriously, try this recipe!!

Sam had football practice twice, which takes for-e-vah. Ugh! I am glad he plays sports, and I know it's only gonna get worse when the other 3 are just as busy, but gahhh that takes up so much time. And this is his first year to play and he isn't a "starter" which means he and about 3 other boys sit on the sidelines for about 70% of practice. Seriously?! I have to drag 4 kids up there for 2+ hours, get home late, which means supper/baths/bedtime is late just to watch my child watch the other kids practice?! I am all for playing to win and therefore giving lots of playing time to the best players. But at practice? I want my son practicing!!! Ugh! Anyway, end of rant.

I also went to my monthly Young Ladies' Share Group with some fabulous ladies for my church. I look forward to this night every month! Next month, we are starting the Bible study "Growing Kids God's Way." Can. Not. Wait. Friday night, my parents came in and helped with the kids while I went to a Ministers Wives' Retreat with my friend and fellow minister's wife, Ellen. We had a great time learning about the love of God from Dr. Rhonda Kelley. I got home Saturday afternoon just in time to get ready for a wedding. It was so beautiful, as was the bride, Katie, and Eddie and the other minister did a fabulous job! After the wedding, we rushed home, got the rest of the family and headed to Copeland's to celebrate baby Noah's first birthday!!

 Noah loved the cake and ate and ate and ate until we finally took it away, and he then proceeded to suck it off his hand. He is his mama's child! :) He won't actually be a year until next weekend, but I will be in South America on a mission trip so we celebrated early! My mom and dad took Eli and Meri Hobbs back home with them for a few days, so I have high hopes of a productive week!! Hope yours is great as well!

Introducing ME!

Wow! I feel like I should have a dynamic opening for my first sentence of my first blog post! But I don't! So, welcome!! Let me introduce myself. Although, the 2 people who will probably read this (hi, Mom!) already know me. But just in case....

I am Stacy. First, I am Christian. If you know nothing else about me, I want you to know this! God has saved me, redeemed my life and is  in the process of changing me. And boy does He have lots to change! That's really what this blog is about. Me changing. Me growing. Me becoming....well, me. The me I want to be. The me HE wants me to be, and I'm so very far from that. But praise God, He is the potter and will finish the good work that He has begun in me!

I am also a wife. A pastor's wife! Eek! That provides me with lots of (self-imposed) pressure. Thankfully, I am married to a Godly, amazing, understanding man who reminds me that the only One I have to please is God. Everything else will fall into place. I love being a wife. I love being Eddie's wife. And most days, I love being a pastor's wife.  Because I love being Eddie's wife so much, I can get a little possessive of his time, and sometimes that is a conflict with the busy life of a pastor. But that's part of what makes our life so interesting, too.

And, I'm a mom. A full-time, stay at home, 24 hour mom. We have 4 unbelievably awesome kids! Sam (6), Meri Hobbs (4), Eli (2) and Noah (11 months). They are so much fun and I am so completely in love with being their mom. Some days are crazy and I get stressed and grumpy and impatient and complain that I just need some ME TIME, but I would not trade these moments for anything!  I want to introduce you to these kids (and Eddie, too) so I will do that over the next few days. Let ya meet the whole fam!

I'm also a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a cousin, a niece.....but I won't do a paragraph for each one...yet! :)

When I told a friend who is a pro at blogging that I was thinking about doing a blog, she asked me what my focus was. I don't really have a focus. My focus is simply life as I know it. My journey to ME! I want to be better at life. I want to be a better Christian, a better wife, a better pastor's wife, a better homemaker, a better mom, a better friend....a better me. So if you want to join me on my journey, come on!!