Don't Forget....

I love Christmas! Unfortunately, this time of year is so busy and often, we forget to stop and enjoy the season and the simple moments that make this time of year so special.

All week, I have talked with my clients about their "year in review," and some of the highs and lows of 2013. This morning, I woke up early and began reflection on the highs and lows of my year. As I contemplated the events of the year, I kept returning to this same thought, "I am so grateful."

The moments that brought me the most joy were so simple. Coffee with girlfriends, volleyball in the park, running on the trails near my home, watching sunsets from the balcony of my bedroom, throwing the football with my boys, jumping on the trampoline, making dance videos with Caleb. My boys...I am so thankful for the two young men God entrusted to my care.

Often, I creep in to my boys' rooms and watch them sleep. I sneak snuggles with them on the couch before they realize they are great big teenage boys and shrug out of my arms. When Noah and Caleb were young, I used to breathe in the smells of baby shampoo and lotion. Now, Axe body spray, smelly feet and some good ole' teenage boy, body odor are the scents that often meet me, when we hug. I don't care. I don't want to forget. I want to remember every moment we shared and this thought reminds me to slow down.

As 2013 draws to end, don't forget to stop and enjoy the simple moments. Drive a little slower and look at the Christmas lights around town. Spend the day in your pajamas and play hide and seek with your kids. Smile at people in the mall. Send texts to friends and family, and tell them how much they mean to you. Breathe in the scents of your children.

Most of all, don't forget to stop and read about Jesus. He is the most amazing gift and His birth is miraculous! Emmanuel, God with us and the reason we celebrate Christmas gets lost in the busyness of the holidays. Don't forget...

Life will never be perfect, and 2014 will certainly have it's highs and lows too. Slowing down, and enjoying the simple moments of life will breathe new life into your busy, cluttered life. Don't forget...It's a wonderful life!

Tell It To My Heart

Recently, a well meaning person asked me why my book, "Confessions of a Church Planter's Wife," was still in distribution since I'm not a church planter's wife anymore. Ouch. Her words cut like a knife and I responded in the most gracious and fumbled way I could. Our conversation left me wounded and with a sense of shame. The truth is, I have thought thousands of times that I should pull the book. It is true, I am not a church planter's wife anymore. I'm not a pastor's wife. I am not in ministry. I am divorced. My former life as a woman in full-time ministry seems like it was light years ago. Yet, I can't seem to let go of my passion for CP wives. 

There is not a Sunday morning that goes by, that I don't miss ministry, and the craziness of church planting. Each week, I think of the wonderful CP wives I know and pray that God gives them strength as they hustle and bustle about on their Sunday morning. My heart aches for CP wives and each time one of them contacts me via email or Facebook, I feel honored.

I never wrote my book to gain kudos or make a ton of money. I wrote the book because of the gross lack of resources for a group of women who are heroines. My dream was that the book convey to CP wives they are not forgotten and they make a difference! Church plants would never happen without incredible women like CP wives who stay behind the scenes and work their butts off to see new church plants launch. CP wives rock!

I may not be a CP wife anymore, but I have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. I understand the pain, the frustration, the exhilaration, the toll on the marriage and children, the financial pressure, and so on. I may not be in the trenches anymore, but I still pray for CP wives. I pray for strength, provision, protection on the marriage and children, and a sense of God's presence each day.

My head tells me to stop caring and move on with my life, but try and tell that to my heart. My heart still loves CP wives and longs for them to know, "what you do matters."

"What You Do Matters," was the theme of my book and honestly, I have struggled with wondering if the work and grit I poured into writing the book mattered at all. The conversation with the person I mentioned above, further plagued my musings. Then, I received a Facebook message from someone I have never met, who bought my book for his wife. He told me how inspired his wife was by the book and asked me to write her an encouraging letter, so he could place it in her stocking for Christmas. I was humbled and knew God had sent that person at just the right time to let me know, "Angie, what you did mattered."

For those of you who bought my book, I want to say thank you. I may not be a CP wife anymore, but a part of my heart will always beat for CP wives. I am cheering you on because, WHAT YOU DO MATTERS! 

If you would like to purchase the book, here is the link on Amazon. It is also available on Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Church-Planters-Wife-Planting/dp/1456547690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386703355&sr=8-1&keywords=confessions+of+a+church+planters+wife