I love the encouragement and wisdom you guys share with one another on this blog. I know that am not the only one who has thoughts and feelings about youth ministry. Diana shared in response to a post and I thought it was packed with great wisdom and thoughtfulness….

Sometimes I just want to take a break. To find balance.
But in these times I believe God wants rest for our souls not just balance. He wants to fuel us, to refresh us with His presence. My husband and I have had the same conversation over the past three years: How do we find GOD’s PEACE in our day-to-day lives in this busy ministry life. Busyness does not equal effectiveness, right? So, what now?
Please God show us your peacefulness–

Thanks Diana, you have given me something to chew on this week…

Amanda

Yesterday I saw, what I thought, was very funny. I hope no one is offended but gets a little giggle from this.

I was at a baby botique-y store and they had this little book called porn for moms. So I had to take a peek (sorry). It had images of men with their shirts off ironing, doing the laundry, giving the kids a bath, handing over the remote, and saying things like, “What can I fix you for dinner?” I was laughing so hard.

Then I had the thought (just a thought, I’d never do it) what would a book called porn for youth pastor’s wives look like? Maybe a guy with a collared shirt on, not an old t-shirt with something silly written on it. Or a guy walking to the front door with flowers in his hand, instead of an XBOX. How about a guy walking his own kids into the child care at church. A guy saying, “Let’s go out for a fancy dinner”, instead of saying, “Come meet us for pizza. There’s about 15 slices left over!”

Ladies, are you turned on ! (hehehehe)

God has been giving me lemonade lately, and I have been turning it into lemons.

I need to change my perspective up a little bit. I’ve been so quick to become frustrated that I don’t even see the things I should be thankful for.

Like, I was so frustrated at my daughter all day for dumping syrup on her head, that I didn’t remember to be thankful for the free babysitting I received the same day.

I dismissed the super sweet card my 4 year old made for me telling me how much he loved me, but I remembered the rest of the day how he woke his sister up from a nap!

I am irritated at my husband for working late on Sundays, and I forget all the things he does say no to so that he can be with our family everyday.

I hate when I get like this.

We have been “birthing” another baby at the Maguire home, one could say. Our church has been building a youth building for the past year or so, and it is finally open! It is bitter sweet for me to be honest. I know it is an amazing opportunity and most youth ministries across the nation do not have the support that we have from our church to invest LOTS of money into its students and a super fun building, with skate park included on our church campus (for real). I love it, and I love how already I can see how it has drawn unconnected students from our community to church that will hopefully become connected to a church family. It is awesome. But I do not love the late nights and long days that it has brought for Jeff. And I do not love that we have gone from one student service on the weekend to three. (Again, please hear my heart that I am excited to see how God is going to use this building and I love students and support my husband). But part of my reality is that I just had a real baby 4 weeks ago and I just wish God’s timing was to open this great thing a few months from now. Doesn’t THAT seem like perfect timing? Do I need to teach God a lesson in “perfect timing” again? I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the greatness at one time.

There is alway so much great stuff happening in youth ministry. Do you guys ever feel bittersweet about it?

Ladies, your posts were priceless! I loved reading them so much and got some great ideas about vacation time and what we can do as a family in the future. There really is no way to judge who does it best, that’s what made this so hard, hence the tardiness of the winner’s post. But a contest is a contest and there must be winners, so here they are…

Congratulations:

Grand Prize- FREE registration to the NYMC

Laura

This summer was really really rough…
Last summer hubby planned out the youth calendar with two camps and one mission trip, spaced out throughout the summer. Fast forward to Oct… we found out we were pregnant, due in June (totally excited!) No problem, hubby got some dedicated youth leaders signed up to attend June’s camp week in his place and thought he’d still be able to go during July’s events. The end of May we lost our son, at 36 weeks along. Needless to say, life came crashing down on us. The Lord really was (& still is) our stronghold and He’s continued to walk us through, but our summer was most definitely not what we thought it would be…..

Prize #2- Dinner for two

Jessica

I had to go and ask my parents if they would care if I went and met my husband at a hotel IN MY HOMETOWN where my entire family lived while Ella spent the night with them.? I felt naughty just asking and giggled through the whole permission asking!? My mom knowingly laughed and encouraged the clandestine meeting!? So, I hurried to Wal-mart in search of something sexy, but it was hard to come by.? Yeah, pretty sad when Wal-Mart was my only option.? But I needn’t have worried–when my husband arrived at the hotel, he had brought a gift–more lingerie.? The room had a hot tub, too! I felt like I was doing something wrong…almost!:-)? I’ll stop there!…

Prize(s) #3- Starbucks Gift Card

Monica

…As for us as a couple–there’s nothing I long for more than to go to a hotel where hubby has no access to phone or computer, and where we can sleep in, and uninterrupted by our toddlers!! So every once in a while we book a night in a hotel 30 minutes from our home in a little hicktown while the inlaws watch the kids. It’s so incredibly relaxing!!…

Andi

…we are truly learning the importance of refeshing ourselves to be effective Christ-followers, spouses, almost parents and youth workers….

Stephanie

1. We have some purposed family nights and mornings: go to breakfast, hang around in our PJ’s all day, maybe catch a few movies in the evenings, watch our kids play in the sprinkler, ect.
2. We also purposely unwind with ministry friends over dinner and such. Church “talk” is optional and avoided if possible.
3. However, the most refreshing and most relaxing activity we’ve found is going on our? purposefully romantic dates. (CHILDREN FREE) We never pay for a babysitter due to tight finances except in this season… These evenings always end with the scripturally mandated and amazing “cleaving” aspect. (this option is the most relaxing as long as birth control remains effective) =)? TMI?

Amy

I can’t afford a big vacation every year.? However, we discovered a great way to vacation at home this year.? Timing is everything…

…we were able to nap every day if we wanted, together.? We could go out to lunch with our friends, together.? We could go work out at the gym, together. We went to church, together (at a different church).? We played with our kids, together.? It was awesome and so relaxing.? We both actually felt rested and refreshed, ready to face church on Sunday.

I really loved reading every entry and idea. You all are so creative, encouraging, and wonderful! I am inspired by the way you all love your spouses and families in this crazy youth ministry world.

SO FUN!!

Love,

Amanda

Lately I’ve been feeling my age…or even older than my age:
*I was recently told I was too old to shop at the Brass Plum section of Nordstroms.
*My son just said, “Grammy wears those same pants.”
*Things seem to be so loud lately.
*I just bought eye cream and face cream to use at night.
*I talk to my best friend, Katie, about cheese for hours. Seriously its scary.
*I wake up sore in the morning, for no good reason.
*I make noises when getting up out of a chair or off the floor.
*I catch myself saying, “goodness sakes”.
What’s next???

I’m getting to it. I’ll have them posted so soon.

You guys are too good.

amanda

Today I sat at a STOP SIGN, waiting for the light to turn green. Cars passing by me, honking. I was totally unaware that it was because of me. I sat for quite awhile, I think 2 cars had to go around me. What is that about? I should have been more embarrassed (and attentive), but oh well, it was a nice rest.

How many of your husbands spend time thinking about how to recreate the show WIPEOUT for their own ministry? I swear I have the same conversation every Tuesday night when we watch this show.

Just wondering.