Amanda MaguireMore PostsI HEART Mondays!

I’ve got to tell you how much I love Mondays! And today is no exception, I slept in until 9am. I cooked breakfast for my family, my HUSBAND got the kids ready and we all went to Disneyland for a few hours. The kids fell asleep on the way home, we snuck them into bed, and had 2 hours to ourselves! Tonight we will have dinner at a little Mexican restaurant down the street, my HUSBAND will give the kids a bath, we will watch Mr. Rogers together and then the kids will go to sleep…AND THEN…I will get to watch The Bachelor (I love The Bachelor, don’t hate). What a day, I love Mondays! This is the wonderful perk of having a YP spouse, he has to work all weekend, but I feel like we really make the most of having a weekday as a day off. No one is around any of the places we go, and most friends and family have to work, so we don’t share our time on this day very often. It truly is a sacred day in our home.

I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m bragging. I’m just really excited and hope, hope, hope each one of you has a sacred day with your family. Sometimes I think it’s what keeps me alive.

What do some of your day offs (“sacred days”) look like? What are some of your favorite ways to spend time with your family, husband and all?

Amanda MaguireMore PostsMy WIFE is a Youth Pastor

Recently I have been receiving comments about where the guys should go if their wife is in ministry. Well, I never intended for this site to be just for women, but I think guys desire a different kind of forum to discuss their needs and issues. A great guy, John Snyder, just started a blog for the men. If you’re a guy, I’m not kicking you out by any means! You just might want to read it from another man’s perspective, something I cannot give you.
If you are the YP and a woman, pass it along to your husband.
Enjoy!
Amanda

CLICK HERE FOR My Wife is a Youth Pastor

Amanda MaguireMore PostsA Contest to get stuff!!

Okay, listen to this…

Simply Youth Ministry wants to sponsor a contest just for us:

“What Do You Do To Encourage Your Spouse”

Tell me your favorite thing to do that encourages your spouse.

Comment before May 11th, and the top three will receive a $20.00 gift card to Target.

Sweet… Get thinking ladies, good luck!

Amanda

Amanda MaguireMore PostsTake A Look At This…

If you have time today, check this podcast out live online. It’s Doug and Cathy Fields’ first time to do this. I think it will be great!

Family and Marriage Podcast with Doug and Cathy Fields
Thursday, May 1, 1:30 pm PST

http://www.ustreamtv.com/simplyinsider

Email questions for show to podcast@simplyyouthministry.com.

If you get a chance to see it let me know what you think. It’s something Cathy and I could do for “Married to a Youth Pastor” site as well.

-Amanda

Amanda MaguireMore PostsThis About Sums it UP…

Today I asked my 4 year old, “What’s the name of our church?”

He replied, “Daddy’s Work.”

Yep. Pretty much…

Amanda MaguireMore PostsChurch-y phrases that should die a peaceful death:

“I DON’T HAVE A PEACE ABOUT IT…”
(means: your idea is a BAD IDEA, but I can’t think of a nice way to tell you so I’ll say this over-used phrase.)

“LET’S PRAY ABOUT IT”
(means: NO WAY, forget it! But I just don’t have time to tell you today, so I’ll say this over-used phrase and tell you no tomorrow.)

Now, I understand that sometimes these over-used phrases can be truthful and real. But I have found that a lot of church-y people like to just throw these out there a little too much.

Comments 16 View Comments April 27, 2008

Amanda MaguireMore PostsMy Greatest Gift

There is a wonderful woman at our church, she just happens to be on church staff, and she is our family’s greatest gift! All she does is pray for my family (I know she does more than that in her life), but for us that is how I know her. After a few years I have more of a relationship with her, but at first I didn’t know her at all. All I knew was that she felt God was calling her to pray for my family. So she did. She would bump into me and tell me what she had been praying for and I was astounded, it was just what we were needing. She is amazing. I know I have more strength some days just because of Shelly and her prayers for me and my family.
Do you have someone from the church who prays like crazy for you and your family? Find them! Pray for someone like Shelly for your family. Prayer is a great gift.

Comments 5 View Comments April 23, 2008

Amanda MaguireMore PostsCAMP SEASON

I don’t know about you, but it’s CAMP SEASON for us. I was looking at our calendar and noticing that from now until the end of August Jeff will be gone at least 1-2 weeks out of each month. I feel nauseous just thinking about it. I don’t necessarily want to go on these camps and retreats, but I don’t like to be alone either. I really have to gear up for this. Spring and Summer time can really be a lonely time for youth pastor’s wives. I don’t think the other women in our church get it.

Most other ministries are just settling down from all the holidays. This is high time in youth ministry, and low time for our family. I know you can relate, this is definitely an area where I need prayer and support. Any ideas? It’s hard to stay strong and supportive of my husband after being alone for so many days and nights. But I know that’s the deal, that’s the calling, that’s part of my role.

Comments 42 View Comments April 16, 2008

Amanda MaguireMore PostsClean heads and pure hearts

Just a lice update, I know you’ve been waiting. I think we are clear. I will continue to do mountains of laundry and hold my breath for the next week just to make sure. My husband is home and did not quite escape the pain and torture of the Rid Kit. I did a treatment on him just for fun (my fun…hehehe). And I made him vacuum the furniture a couple of times. He feels my pain. So now on to better, less itchy issues…

Comments 4 View Comments April 16, 2008

Amanda MaguireMore PostsHere’s to REAL life…

I know we don’t know each other that well, but I know you will relate to my REAL life. My husband has been away in New York City at a conference with his other Pastor buddies. Usually I am glad that he can get away even though it is incredibly hard for me to survive alone! This week I feel a little different. While he has been visiting the Empire State building, eating amazing food, and just hanging out in NYC being a grown up with grown up people, I have been at home with 2 kids and a pregnant belly, and LICE! (Now we are good friends). Lice, seriously!? What was God thinking? Did you know that when you are pregnant you can’t use the Rid Lice Removal Kit. You can’t even touch the chemicals that are in the products. My poor mom flew in from Texas to wash my kids hair and spray our home. As for me…? I guess we are going to try to pray the lice away? My lucky husband, stuff like this seems to always happen during conferences and camps. It really makes me want to cuss. Honestly, I have been (a lot). I’m sure you’ve been there.

Comments 21 View Comments April 11, 2008