The other day signed my four year old son up for preschool so that he can start in the fall. I had no idea what an ordeal this was going to be. My, oh my! The doctor’s forms, the emergency forms, the behavior contract, the daily habits form…it goes on  and on. The preschool is at our church, and I knew we would get some sort of discount with my husband working full time and everything, but I didn’t know all the details. So the day all of our forms were due I made sure my husband came in with me to get all of our discount stuff squared away. So I hand in my paperwork. I ask the lady about the discount with my husband standing right next to me. She looks at my husband and says, “Can you prove that you work full time at this church?” He says “Yes.” She says in an unbelieving tone, “If I call upstairs to HR they can tell me you work here and verify your information as an employee?” “Yes.”, says Jeff. “Well, what is your name?” she asks…blah, blah, blah. We go through proving who we really are so that we can get the magnificent discount (hardly). So at the end of it all she says like a flash of lightning has hit her, “Oh, no wonder! You are just the youth pastor, I was wondering why I couldn’t figure out who you were.”
My husband was so glad he came with me that day, a real boost for his ego.
(I tell ya, the youth pastor perks are unbelievable!)

Yesterday our neighbor friend (age 8 ) came over rather early (8:45am) to see if my son (age 4) could play. Jeff and I were a little leery, and said no because we were eating breakfast anyway. But, a little later we were doing something in the garage and opened the garage door. Our dear ol’neighbor friend was waiting right outside with another buddy, again asking for Dylan to come out and play. My son overhears that he is calling for him and happily bounds outside to play with the older boys. He gathers two rackets and two balls to give to the boys so that they could all play together outside. As he approaches the boys they immediately pull out two water guns and start shooting away at my helpless target. Stunned, Dylan stops and I can tell is confused and fighting back the tears. I step in and call off the water execution of my kid. I make the kids apologize and take my wet, sad son inside. We talked a little about what happened and why that guy would be so mean, but then Dylan saw something shiney and went on with other business.

But about an hour later he came and crawled in my lap with tears in his eyes again and asked why his friend would be so mean to him. I told him that I thought the other guys probably were not trying to be mean, but just thought it was funny, even though it wasn’t very funny. And then my next piece of wisdom came directly from the Holy Spirit, I’m sure…

“Get in the car Dylan. We’re going to Target to get 4 Super Soaker Water Guns. We’ll be ready for them next time.”

It is amazing what relaxation and refreshment can be undone in a single moment.

As I came home from a morning at the beach with my family, arriving fresh from vacation last night, I lay both my sleeping children into bed for a nap while my husband went up to shower. I sat at my kitchen table to write my most inspired blog yet. As I pushed the “publish” button on my computer, I felt a trickle of water run down my back. I had to think, “Am I sweating?” Another trickle. “Did I spill something?” Another, followed quickly by another trickle. I look above me, right where my husband would be showering to see where the trickle is coming from. A huge water leak, and split in the ceiling! I run as fast as I can to stop him from showering and we come down stairs together knowing and fearing the worst. I can see both of our shoulders start to become tense and raise up, the stress of real life is hitting us smack in the face right about now!

Ahhhhh vacation. It was nice when it lasted.

It’s been a while since I posted last, but we have been on our family vacation. Jeff is not allowed cell phones or computers, so I had to oblige the same, its only fair.

We spent a refreshing and relaxing week with my family in San Antonio, Tx. Its not Hawaii, or Paris, its not even Yosemite, or Disney World, but there was no church, no students, and I had a husband all day every day for an entire blissful week. Praise Jesus!

I indulged in Rudy’s BBQ, Puffy tacos, TexMex galore, and all the Bluebell ice cream I could eat in 7 days. (I am so jealous of any of you that are able to have these tasty treats all year long.) I tell you, I’m 20 pounds larger and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that I am 7 months pregnant!

In this season of my life I am not very involved in the HS ministry with Jeff. I try to be seen, but don’t lead anything and usually don’t even make it to a service except at the end with my kids. So the other day I checked my kids into child care and decided to go to the HS service with Jeff instead of “Big Church”. I got inspired and wanted to sit at a table with students to talk and lead some discussion. So I scoped out a table of students that looked like they were not connecting so well. To pump myself up I thought, “I’ve done this before, I’m good with students, I’m pretty cool, here I go…” I approached the table, introduced myself to the 4-5 girls and sat down with them. Within seconds all the girls got up and moved to a different table! So there I was, sitting alone at a big round table feeling so good about ministry. Awesome.

What do you do? Keep trying? I don’t know that I want to, or have the energy.
Sometimes it is hard to just accept that this is not my season, sometimes I’m fine with it.
Does anyone else flip-flop like me?

Marriage and Family podcast with Doug and Cathy Fields
Thursday, May 29 at 1:30 pm PST

http://www.ustream.tv/simplyinsider

He’s home! I feel exhausted, yet sorta like I made it to the top of Mt. Everest successfully! I did it!! Alone for a week and everyone is alive. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t all snuggles and hugs. There were a few tantrums, spanks, and time-outs (and that was just me)…by Sunday I would have given my kids away for free! But Jeff came home, took Tuesday off of work and I am a NEW WOMAN! Bring it on sisters!

I’m glad I don’t have to do it again for a few more weeks.

Amanda

and my husband is at camp! No fancy dinners tonight, just me, the kids and pizza. I’m not too bummed, we will get ourselves some “reservations” next week. Well, I thought I would take this time to remind myself and publicly affirm just how great my husband is. He really is the smartest person I know. He makes me laugh even when I don’t want too. I know he loves me and our kids more than church and work or anything (except God).  He knows how to make me feel safe, and  good about who I am. He always tries to understand what I am going through, even if there is no possible way. I know our family is blessed by God because of Jeff’s leadership and faithfulness. He puts others first and tries to see the other perspective. He knows he is not always right, and doesn’t try to be. I respect him, I respect the way he works, I respect the passion he has for people and  the Lord. He is a good man. I am super lucky, and I love him so much.

Happy anniversary Jeff! I love you.

Amanda

Now ladies…go kiss on your husbands and tell them how much you love them

Some of you that read this blog are the Youth Pastor at your church, or working in ministry at some capacity. There is a forum set up for those who might want to chat. It is hosted by Simply Youth Ministry, there is no one steering conversation. Just a place for those who are in the same boat to touch base.

To get there click on Simply Youth Ministry under my heading “friends”.

On their website go to “Community” and then “Forums”, there you will see the bold Women in Ministry.

Go for it!

Amanda

I just dropped my husband off at church ready for camp. Round 2 of 6 trips this summer, here we go! Being Memorial Day weekend I am finding that a lot of friends and family are going to be away as well these few days that Jeff is gone. Boo for me. So I’m ready with lots of DVD’s for after the kids go to bed, a trip to Disneyland to wear everyone out, and planning on eating out as much as I can ☺.
Ugh, I really am not looking forward to this…
I have mentally prepared for this for a while now, and still feel like I am holding my breath until Tuesday. Hopefully we will all stay healthy and lice free this trip! I’ll let you know how it goes.