Life in the Bowl - Part 1

I don't often - okay so almost never - write about life in the ministry on this blog. There are several reasons for that but those are beside the point. The past month or so I have been contemplating about whether or not I should blog more about the ins and outs of ministry and then today it hit me...this blog is about the Arrington Family Journey through my eyes and well....ministry IS a part of our family's journey and in fact a BIG part of it! 

This is going to be a 2 part series about life in the ministry aka life in the fish bowl, our highs and our lows. Things that have helped and things that have hurt, and most of all...as with the majority of my posts - I hope to encourage you whether you are in ministry, know someone in ministry, or just want to know more about life in ministry. 

Before I begin - let me be very clear, if you are or have been in a congregation or ministry where we have served, these experiences are NOT directed at any one person, meant to point fingers, or even a "woest me" telling...they are simply a part of our journey as a family, a part of the journey that God has and is bringing us on so that we can draw closer to Him, advance His Kingdom and encourage others to do the same along the way. Some of them, I can tell you we are over and past, some we are still experiencing and learning and growing from, and some of them simply are celebrating moments where we have seen God bless BIG! 

I personally always like to end a series on a positive...that being said, I am going to start with 5 of the hardest moments in our 21 years of ministry...I will share the pain, the growth, and the healing. This will be the Part 1....Part 2 will be the highs, the blessings, the fun part!!! 

1.) On the move: When I share with people where we have lived, how many times we have moved, the various churches/ministries we have served the reactions vary. Some see it as a life of adventure and fun, others see it as an injustice to our children in not allowing them to settle and have roots, most aren't sure how to react. 

Here's the truth - life moving frequently is all of the above in many ways and yet none of the above. Without going into a lot of detail about why we have moved at various times - let me just say that the reasons have varied from budgets, to being asked to leave, to knowing God was calling in a new direction, to even disobedience to God's will. Regardless the reason - moving at any time is hard on a family - moving a lot is even harder on a family. All of us have struggled with different moves for different reasons - all of us have struggled with making friends, putting down roots and feeling settled. We have only actually purchased a home once...the rest of the time have been rentals....that makes feeling settled HARD! For me, as a woman, wife and mom more difficult than the actual moving itself is the assumption that is made by church members, family members, friends, etc that we are simply "running" when the times get tough. The assumption that is made that we don't really WANT to stay put or settled...these could not be further from the truth! I have prayed and cried out to God on numerous occasions to please allow us to stay in one place and put down roots, to develop deep and lasting friendships...however, my prayer is also "Lord not my will but yours" 

2.) Children on display 100% of the time/as are my parenting skills: For me, this has been the hardest to deal with and the most painful! It has taken me the better part of the past 18 years to learn that we cannot be a perfect parents 100% of the time and my children are not going to be or act perfect 100% of the time. We have 4 kids with four different personalities - they have had their ups and they have had their downs. They have made a LOT of good decisions and they have made some poor decisions. They have behaved correctly and well, they have behaved incorrectly! We have made right choices, we have made wrong choices, we have handled discipline right and wrong, we have acted correctly and incorrectly. Guess what - all of the above applies to EVERY parent! 

What has been the hardest is the lack of grace from those within the church, those who have or are raising kids and make mistakes and yet - are relentless in not allowing us or our children to make mistakes and grow from them without casting judgement or condemnation. This is real folks - you may be reading this and thinking that I am simply overreacting about this and that it really can't be that bad. I can tell you it is and then some! We were even given an ultimatum at a church - "straighten out our kids" in 30 days or else! Our kids have also felt this pressure - and because of MY handling it incorrectly the majority of the time - they felt additional pressure from me to behave and perform in an unrealistic way. 

3.) 2 for the price of 1 mentality: With very few exceptions, Joel has always been the paid one on staff, the one that was ultimately hired - yet for whatever reason, there has been at times a mentality that I am expected to work and minister with Joel in the same areas in which he was hired. Many times it has been assumed that I will teach a children's Sunday School class, work in the nursery, teach children's church, lead women's ministry, deliver meals, sing in the choir, etc. Here's the truth - God HAS called me to serve alongside my husband in SOME areas but not necessarily in ALL areas! In addition, my primary place of service is to my family - therefore I need to be mindful that I am serving them first; a lesson that I have not always practiced very well. When a ministry or church calls a staff member - it needs to be noted that unless they are compensating a spouse - there shouldn't be an expectation on the spouse. 

4.) Everyone is your "boss" and therefore feels the need to "evaluate": Imagine this if you will, you get a new job, you were hired by a group of 5 to 8 people, it was made clear what the evaluation process would be and who your direct supervisor would be. Then, within the first 3 months you begin having multiple people come to you, or to others who then come to you and let you know how you should do your job, or the way it has always been done, or what they saw at another business, etc. By the time you reach your first year...you have heard from over 30 people their input into your job and how well you are or aren't doing it...Not only that, they are also letting your spouse know their thoughts on your performance. 

This is reality in many churches for many ministers and yes, has even happened to us. Here's the truth - we aren't perfect, we will make mistakes, we are constantly learning and growing...be gracious, patient and always feel free to ask if you are unsure. When you have multiple influences trying to dictate how you do your job, some of which have no direct knowledge into your specific area of ministry...it is overwhelming, tiring, draining, and more.

5.) Anonymous letters: Perhaps of all the things that have been  hard - these are the most painful and hard to deal with in a loving and compassionate way. They are NEVER uplifting and encouraging, they are ALWAYS judgmental, harsh, and untrue. They are cutting and outrageous. Many people have said just don't open them, don't read them, etc. Of course this is an option, but here's the reality - regardless if you read them or not - you KNOW you got them and that alone hurts and cuts to the core. If you do read them, which we have at times, they are painful, they will infuriate you and break you. It is my belief and conviction that these need to be addressed head on from the leadership of the ministry - it is simply too big of a stronghold of the enemy to be ignored and if left unaddressed -they will limit the work of ministry! 

Okay - now that I have shared with you some of the hardest/most painful parts of this life in the fish bowl, I want to be sure and share with you the GOOD that God has brought through these painful times, the growth that has come, the healing that has happened because as was the case with Joseph, what others have intended for harm, God has used for good! 

A.) We literally have friends from ALL over the world as a result of the ministry doors that God has opened to us, the moves we made, the people we have encountered. Our kids have had a vast number of experiences due to the various parts of the country we have lived. They have also learned to adapt and make friends quickly. We are closer as a family as a result of having moved! 

B.) I have personally learned to not expect too much of myself or my kids. To extend grace to them and myself in my parenting. I have learned to be open and honest and let people know that we don't have it all together - this in turn, has opened up even more opportunities for ministry! 

C.) The art of knowing when to say 'No" - this has been a hard lesson but one worth learning! I have learned to trust the Lord to show ME where He is calling me to serve in each of the different ministries that we have served in and to be obedient to HIM and not man's expectations.

D.) The ability to love all people from various walks of life. Our family has crossed paths with some pretty difficult people; God has/is teaching us all to learn to love others in spite of their imperfections. We have learned to look at criticism objectively - search for those things that may be truth, learn from them, and release the rest to the Lord. He has healed us from some pretty deep wounds that we left unattended and were beginning to fester into bitterness and has opened doors to help others in the same situations.

E.) Boldness to confront and speak truth when necessary. It has taken awhile but both Joel and I have learned that Biblical confrontation done in love is healthy and necessary in church life. When sin is evident - it needs to be called out head on in love and in accordance to Scripture. 

My hope is that you have read this blog as it is intended - as a real, honest, open look into our lives and the journey of our family. Not for the purpose of making you feel bad for us or to wallow in how hard life in ministry is but for the purpose of sharing with you how God has and continues to work in and through our lives. In addition - if you are in ministry, may you be encouraged that God works all things together for good; if you know or are close to someone in ministry maybe this will give you some insight into their lives and hopefully encourage you to love on them and encourage them.

Part 2 will be about the highs that we have had in ministry!!! Look for it later this week!!! 

Marriage Maintenance

For those that have been with my blog awhile, you know that occasionally I post something about marriage. The reason for this is because having a Biblically based marriage is SO IMPORTANT!!! Not only do I long to have a strong Biblical marriage - I desire to come along and encourage and support others in their journey to do the same!

Joel and I will be married 21 years in July - can I just be blunt here and say...Having a strong, Biblical marriage takes WORK!!! It is HARD! It takes regular maintenance and SACRIFICE! It is SO worth it!!! Joel and I have to make a priority of our marriage - in a culture that teaches and screams "It's all about ME" we have to be intentional to say "NO! It's not!"

Second to our relationship with Jesus Christ - our marriage is our TOP PRIORITY! Yes, it comes before our children, it comes before our extended family, it comes before our ministry, and it comes before ourselves. It is THAT BIG OF A DEAL!

Now I say all this, but must also make sure you know - we don't get it right 100% of the time. In fact, we have fallen short many times but our heart and our intent is to keep our marriage at the forefront of it all!

Ephesians 5:33 sums it up well "However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

So, how do we do this in a world that pulls us in opposite directions? Here are a few tips:

* PRAYER: We make a habit of regular prayer time together each night before going to sleep. To thank the Lord for the great things He has done, to ask for his guidance and direction, to just praise Him! Nothing will draw you and your spouse together better than entering the throne room together! 

*COMMUNICATION: Another regular habit - talking and communication about EVERYTHING! He needs to love me enough to communicate with me and I need to respect him enough to trust his input

* HAVE FUN: We love to have fun and we love even more to have fun together! Sometimes it's playing a board game, sometimes just singing along with the radio, sometimes it's just being silly and sometimes it is enjoying the company of others but we LOVE TO DO FUN!!! This has been a HUGE influence in our marriage! 

* DATES: A regular date night is a MUST for your marriage!!! We try to do something once a month - even it is a simple movie and dinner or a walk around the neighborhood...it's time together

* TIME AWAY ALONE TOGETHER: This is one of those areas that I have to be honest and say we have fallen short...time, money and life sometimes make this hard but I am seeing that it is so essential! We need to just get away from the mundane of life and be refreshed and restored! 


Again, all of these areas take effort, intention, and commitment to make them work - but the end result is a strong marriage that will be able to withstand when the storm winds blow!

I am super excited that in our effort to work on that last one - time away alone - we are going on a retreat for Ministers and their wives! I simply can't wait - just two more sleeps!!!  

It's been a GOOD day!

The past two months have been rough...no, scratch that...they have been HARD...like down right in the dirt, crushing HARD...

Of course, the loss of my Mom was a HUGE hit but there have been some other pretty major hits as well - a child struggling in High School with grades, a child struggling in college with depression, health and just being overwhelmed, health concerns with parents, demands from work, a struggling economy due to the oil industry, friends that have been faced with mind blowing circumstances...It's been HARD!

A few days ago, a friend posted this image on Facebook and I was like YES...this is it!

This is where I have been for the better part of two months...just doing well to "have a day" literally reeling from one hit before another came...I was ready to have a GOOD day....but it just wasn't coming!!!! 

HOWEVER.....TODAY HAS BEEN A GOOD DAY!!! Today, has been the day that I FINALLY have sensed the cloud lifting, the sun is beginning to peek over the mountain top, there is hope, there is joy, there is PASSION, there is direction, there is PEACE!!! 

It began with a great Bible Study  - a time where I was challenged spiritually (which has been all but non-existent) a time where I could just Breathe...

It continued with a time with some wonderful Moms teaching and preparing some freezer meal planning at MOPS. Hearing them say how much fun they had, how much they learned, and how excited they were to share with their families - was REFRESHING!!!! 

It went all with a call to one of my best friends who was able to share a passion and exciting thing with me....

It continued with a phone call from my sweet oldest who has been struggling so much for the past two months and yet was able to honestly say "Mom, I am finally okay!" ohhh MUSIC to my ears! Maybe she isn't great yet, but it will come - for now hearing "I'm okay" is just fine with me! 

It went on with a fun lunch with my hubby and youngest which was in turn followed by my youngest saying "Mom, I want to help you any way I can - what can I do?" 

So...you see, it really has been a GOOD day!!! The sorrow and weeping may last for the night but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!!! 

I don't know what tomorrow holds...I don't even know what the rest of today holds...but I know His mercies are new every  morning, I know that He has not left me or forsaken me, I know that He works ALL things together for my good, I know He is able to do so much more than I ask or even imagine, I know that He will make a way in the desert....and I know that He has answered my prayer to have a GOOD day! 

What comes AFTER the unexpected has hit....

Wow! In some ways I can't even believe that it has been over two weeks since my Mom went to be with Jesus and then in some ways...it seems like it has been forever. Notice I don't say since Mom died or passed away - I won't be using those terms because she didn't die or pass away...she simply went on to her Heavenly Home - to be with Jesus. So...let's be clear, I am not in denial, I am not pretending it didn't happen...I just want to be sure and call it what it is. Ok...got off on a rabbit trail there but I want to be sure and make sure that people get it

So...what happens AFTER the tragedy, the unexpected, the loss? That's what has been on my mind these past few days. I was visiting with a friend online and she was sharing her grief experience and how you don't ever "move on" but rather you do learn to "move forward"...she said what I felt! I haven't moved "on" in this new journey without my mom but moment by moment Jesus is showing me how to move forward, how to do the next thing, and to live in the moments that He has given me.

For those who are on the outskirts of a tragedy, those who are watching the ones that have been affected - life goes forward rather quickly. For instance, say you hear on the news about a typhoon that hits somewhere in Asia - our hearts are sad, we pray a prayer, maybe we send money to help but then we are back to our normal everyday life. We go forward with life. Yet, for that family who was barely putting food on the table and whose home is now destroyed...there's a long period of just standstill...wondering what's next? What are we to do? Where do we go?

I believe it is the same in the lives of those who have lost someone they love...or rather, at least it has been for me. I watch as people move forward and go about their daily life and yet...I feel as though my feet are just barely inching forward. Well meaning people say "I'm sorry for your loss" or "So sad to hear about your mom" and then move forward to their next thing...meanwhile I am like "Yes, but now what?" "Where do I go from here?"

Here's the answer that I have found...I move forward each moment through the grace of Jesus. If it's an inch, it's an inch. If I can manage a foot forward...wahoo but it is ALL through Him! I am not "over it" and I most certainly am not moving on as though it never happened but each day, I do see that I have managed to move forward a little more each day and you know - that's where I need to be! Moving forward in our heartache and grief is important. God knows our hurt and brokenness but He hasn't left us there...He wants us to be held by Him, to grasp His outstretched hand and let Him help us take that very next step!

Another thing that I have learned the past few weeks is this...so many times I have read posts and blogs about what to say and what not to say when someone is grieving. Here's my conclusion from the one who IS grieving...it isn't so much what you do say, it's that you care enough to say SOMETHING! The thing that has hurt the most these past few weeks are those who haven't said a thing, that haven't acknowledged that it happened - not those who said maybe the wrong thing with the right intentions. I can deal with that. It's not saying anything at all that gets me...believe me, you aren't going to "remind me" that my mom is gone from earth...I am aware of that. Just let those who are grieving know you care by saying something. My Dad's friend did it best when he called him a few days after the memorial service and said "I really don't know what I am supposed to say, I just know I needed to call you." BEAUTIFUL!!!  Please don't feel like I am pointing a finger at you if you haven't said anything...because I have 4 fingers pointing right back at me! I have been the one who just didn't say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing...now I know how that feels and that it hurts.

I also think that when we aren't the one faced with the unexpected, when we are the ones on the sidelines - we may need to pause in our movement, stop and reach out to those who are hurting and remember that their life has just been hit hard. That they are struggling to take that next breath and make that next step. So, if you see someone struggling, remember that their world was just thrown one heck of a curve ball and they may need you to pull them through for a time!

So...where I am I headed after this hit? I am headed on a new and exciting journey in the footsteps of my Savior. There's some pretty amazing things ahead on this trail - I have had some sneak previews as we make a turn or curve and I am anticipating that it will be WONDERFUL...but in the meantime, I am crossing the muddy waters and my feet are just moving a tad slower for a time, however I won't be staying there...pretty soon, I know we will hit some dry land and pick up the pace!

Mom

(This was actually written January 29 at 1:00 a.m.  - Mom went to be with Jesus January 29 at 3:06 p.m. God is so good in preparing us for what is to come.)


Hey Mom!

Tomorrow - well actually today in a few hours - I am getting on a plane to come see you. Normally, when I come to see you I am so excited! I look forward to visiting, games, and just hanging with you.

This time, this time is different. I am really really sad. You see, the tumor that you have been dealing with is taking over and causing issues. The Doctors don't think there is anything that can be done - so I am supposed to somehow, someway figure out how to say Goodbye. I have been praying for a miracle - and perhaps God will still send one, in which case I will show you this letter and we will rejoice in what God did; however, in case He decides to go ahead and take you home, there are some things I wanted to share with you.

I don't have any regrets - you need to know that. Every moment with you was the best ever! Like seriously - even the hard times, like when we said goodbye to Sherri - you were so amazing. I know that not everyone can say that they have no regrets with their family - but I really don't. I know that because of who you were and who you raised me to be - we cherished every moment!

Here are the things that you taught me, ways you showed me how to live life, and follow Jesus. You were the best example I could EVER ask for.

First things first, you taught me to laugh and have fun! That's what I remember about growing up as a young girl...we had a lot of fun. You taught me my love of playing games which had been passed to you from your Grandmother. There was always time for a game of cards or a Forty-Two night with the Sauls and Davidsons!

Next, you taught me how to love Jesus with all my heart, soul, and mind. I don't remember a single morning growing up that I didn't come out of my room to see you reading your Bible, journaling, and praying. That was the norm for you. You dug into God's Word, you shared your faith with others, and you loved others as God loved you. When Granny A died, you talked to me about Heaven and where she was - you led me to my Savior! This, this is the BEST thing you ever did for me! You also taught me how to sing praises to my Lord! My love of praise and worship music began while watching you praise Jesus with all your being. I used to love to watch you dance and sing in church - even if I did sort of make fun of you! It was really one of my favorites! Oh and I am sure that God has your drum set ready and waiting for you cause you always said that in Heaven you would be the drummer!!!

The next thing you taught me was how to be the most amazing wife EVER!! Like seriously, I never have seen someone love their husband the way you love Dad. Your selfless love and support of him was the greatest lesson for how to love my husband well. You always made time for him and showed us girls that your marriage was second only to your relationship with Jesus. I remember well talking to you about marriage and how I would know who to marry; you said "It's not who you can live with that is the right one, it's who you can't live without." When I met Joel and told you about him - I am pretty sure you knew he was the one I couldn't live without before I did!

Then, you taught me how to grieve well. Not something most people note about their parents but then again, not everyone has to watch their parents lose a child like you did. We were all so broken when Sherri went to Heaven but you didn't let it overtake you, you didn't lose yourself in the grief, you ran to the arms of the One who made us and created us. You showed me how to pick up and move on but to also cherish the memories of those gone before. This lesson, this one is coming back to me even now as I grieve the thought of losing you but Mom, I am going to choose with all my being to grieve well! Yes - I will grieve, I have already cried more tears that I ever thought possible and I know more are coming - but I am going to fall into the arms of the One who made me and loves me and I am going to choose to pick up, go on, cherish your memory and show my children how to grieve well.

You taught me how to be a mom. You showed me that it wasn't about getting it all right and being perfect but it was about loving my children and pointing them to Jesus. You shared with me that those mornings I saw you praying - you were praying for me. You showed me how money wasn't what would make a difference for my kids; it was being present with them and living life with them. I am not sure that I am half the mom you are but Mom, you taught me well how to be a mom! Thank you!

Next, you taught me how to love women and invest and pour time into them. It was your example of mentoring and teaching younger women about Christ, that spurred me on to find my own passion of loving and mentoring women. You showed me through your example how to serve sacrificially both in the church body and in the community. To see the needs of others and to meet them when I could. Your example of serving others has carried over in so many many ways. All the church meals, buying clothes or food for those in need, taking women to shelters when they needed safety, mission trips and more - it stuck with me. I realized that this was what it meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Then, you have taught me how to be the very very best Mimi! My kids have had the best in you! You have loved them, played with them, taught them and just embraced them each exactly for who they are! You tried to pass your love of baking and cooking to me but when it didn't stick you found my Kestra and she has learned so much about baking from you; she is just like you and loves to be in the kitchen! Hannah has learned from you a sweet and calm spirit. She knows when to speak and when to remain quiet. Malachi has your fun loving teasing side! I still smile and the time he called you and your sisters "the three elderly sisters" and you all showed him by tying him up! And my Tyler - from the time he was born you showed him an unconditional love. When others just shrugged and stood aside, you took the time to get to know him for who he is and where he is at! Even tonight, without knowing the scope of the situation, he said "Mimi sure loves me". So see - you taught me and showed me the kind of Mimi I want to be someday! Most of all - my kids all know you love Jesus!!!

Finally, you have showed me how to end well. Since this tumor was first diagnosed you have continued in your steadfast faith. You haven't wavered from that. You have faced this like everything - with Jesus at the front. When I last talked to you on the phone, you were calm and cheerful and just said "keep those prayers coming". There is no doubt that when I see you in a few hours, I will see Jesus in you...This is how I want to be at the end of my days. Someone who loved Jesus through every part of their life. Someone who knew how to praise Him even when the tough waters came and the storm blew hard. Someone so in love with their Savior and so confident in where they are going that there is peace like a river!

So, Mom - I said I was coming and having to figure out how to say Goodbye. Truth is, I can't say Goodbye and well you didn't teach us to say Goodbye - you taught us that when Christ is in us it is always "See Ya Later" Today and in the days to come - I am just coming to tell you I love you and that I will See Ya Later!

Here I am, Lord

This blog is all about being open and being real as I do this journey called life...
With that end in mind, I am being open and honest when I say that it has been awhile since I have been hit over the head with a truth that stopped me in my tracks and made me think....just sayin!

This morning, I went to a new Sunday School class. Not only new for me - new as in this was the first Sunday for this class to meet EVER. Even though I have been in this church for almost 3 years, and know most of the members at least by name...I was nervous. When it comes to Bible Study and Sunday School I like the familiar, the known, the expected...Today wasn't any of those and yet it was a good thing!

We are using the Gospel Project for adults as our curriculum. I wasn't exactly thrilled. I mean hello we have used the Gospel Project for kids for like the last 5 years with children's ministry in various ways...how different could it be? Um...wrong!!!

Our class began in Exodus 2 with Moses and the burning bush. I have heard this story countless of times and perhaps you had too, however today a few things stuck out to me for the first time! Our teacher asked us what we thought Moses had been doing for 40 years while being a Shepherd. What was his mindset? What did he do and think about while in the fields all those years?
Immediately it occurred to me that he had to have talked with God for some of that time...I mean he knew and loved God. So he had a relationship with God of course he talked with him.

Now to the part that hit me....fast forward to Exodus 3:4. Moses has seen the burning bush, he approaches it and God speaks to him from the bush. What was Moses' IMMEDIATE response?

"HERE I AM"

That's what he says....He doesn't question who it is, he doesn't hesitate, he says right away "Here I am". He knew it was God. He was ready to hear from God. He was willing to respond. Now, don't jump ahead to later - we know he questions God - just stay here for a bit....

Am I so close to God that when He speaks to me in the most unexpected way that I would STILL recognize His voice? Am I ready and willing to say "HERE I AM"? When God calls and sends will I know without a doubt that it is HIM who is speaking?

This is where I want to be...this is where I have been missing it....and this is where I am working to be. I want to KNOW my Savior so intimately, so well, so fully that no matter where, when or through whatever means...I will recognize it is Him and respond with....

A New Year... A New Word....A New Purpose

Happy New Year! Happy 2016...wow, it seems just weird typing that! As I look back on 2015, I am amazed at God's plan and how we saw Him move and work throughout our lives and the lives of others.

Several years back, a Sunday School teacher of mine encouraged us to all pray and ask God for a word to define the upcoming new year. I have loved that little tradition and have had such words as flexible, purposeful, hospitality, etc. A few weeks ago, I was reminded of this and began to pray about what my word would be for 2016....

Before I go into that and share this year's word with you, I want to be open and let you know where I have been the past year spiritually. And let me tell you...it has not been pretty. Although we saw so many great and wonderful things in our lives this past year - spiritually speaking it was a difficult year for me. I struggled with my prayer life, I struggled with my quiet time, I struggled with feeling and experiencing God speaking to me. It was rough. I longed for a friend to come along and encourage me or inspire me...but soon realized that was NOT what I needed. What I needed, was to crawl up into the arms of my Saviour and let HIM speak to me, encourage me, fill me, inspire me and love on me right where I was. The past few weeks - I have done just that, I still have a long way to go and lots of time to spend with Him but He IS working on me, He IS loving me and I am excited to grow closer to Him in the coming year!

Alright - so back to THIS year and the word that He has placed on my heart. Not long ago I was watching Jennifer Rothchild on Periscope (If you haven't heard her or read her stuff DO IT! She's awesome) anyway, this particular time she and her husband were at a Dunkin Donuts and talking about this exact thing...a word for the new year. She asked us to comment what our word for the new year was and before I could think twice about it - this year's word was typed and posted and I am ecstatic about it.....

MISSIONAL

This is my word for 2016! I want to live a MISSIONAL life. For this coming year I want all I to do to reflect an attitude of missions for the Kingdom purpose. Joel and I have taught children and youth countless times that we are ALL missionaries no matter where we live, what our job is or what church we attend. However, even with teaching that, I haven't really focused on LIVING a missional life. Recently Joel was sharing with me a blog post that he had read where this writer would purposely go to the grocery store at the same time, to the same register and have the same clerk for the purpose of developing a relationship with them to open the door to sharing the Gospel. The same was true with a waitress at a restaurant - he would go to the same restaurant, same time each week, and ask for the same waitress for the purpose of opening the door to share the Gospel.
I witnessed something similar yesterday as Joel and I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful friend and mentor for a two-hour lunch. He knew the staff, had developed a relationship with them, and was able to minister to them in a personal way. I was amazed and inspired!

As I sat through lunch yesterday, God re-affirmed that MISSIONAL was my word for 2016! I need to work hard on having more than just a surface level relationship with people. To take the time, get to know them and their families. To reach out to them and be bold in proclaiming the Gospel message. I sincerely believe that throughout this coming year, God is going to grow and stretch me in this area of being missional. I am excited and yet also nervous to see what opportunities are tossed my way this coming year. I know that in living out this intentional missional life my family will be stretched probably more than we have in many,many years. We will be called to step out of what is comfortable and to be willing to act in faith.

What is God showing YOU for the coming year? What word would He have you focus on? If you were to live a MISSIONAL LIFE what would it look like? I would love to hear your thoughts and insights!

Happy 2016 friends and family!!!