Upcoming Events … January
Here is a quick look at upcoming L&L It Local Events for the month of January. Click here to see the complete list of our Local Events or to get information about hosting a Local Event.
Click HERE to register and get more information on a free coaching event for Senior Pastors’ Wives and Church Planters’ Wives that is being hosted January 10th from 9:30-5:00 at Bay Area Fellowship in Corpus Christi, Texas by Jessica Cornelius. Contact Aaron Guevara at aarong[at]bayareafellowship[dot]org with any questions.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the event at Mount Hope (3 McGinnis Dr, Burlington, MA 01803) Janury 27th. For more information or to help host this event contact Wendy Picariello by email at wendypicariello[at] gmail[dot]com and on Twitter.
Fun Friday…What Do Your Friends Tease You About?
Posted By: Jessica Cornelius
I am going to let you in on something that Lori, Brandi, Tiffany and Lisa tease me about (in love, of course). They just can’t believe the way I dressed my boys when they were younger!
You see, I feel like boys have their entire lives to wear jeans and khaki slacks, so why not dress them in the sweet baby boy outfits while they are still young? I just love those shortall or smocked outfits with knee-high socks for boys! Well, I finally had to stop dressing Mason in my favorite traditional outfits because a little girl walked up to him in church one day and said, “You’re not a girl!” It was Christmas and I had him dressed in a precious green velvet shortall.
Here’s the part where you are going to think I’m weird-he was four years old! It had to take a comment like the one from that little girl to make me realize it was time to put away all of those sweet little boy outfits. Bil says that when I would walk into church with the boys dressed in their smocked outfits, his guy friends would just die laughing! The nursery workers would never keep Mason’s long white knee socks pulled up to his knees. They would push them down to his ankles (I don’t think they had seen that style on a boy before). I have pictures of the boys in some of those outfits and they have said, “Why did you dress us in girl clothes?” I wasn’t expecting them to ever have an opinion on the way I dressed them when they were little, but they certainly do now!
I learned very quickly that only a handful of moms like this style, so I stopped giving these outfits as GIFTS to my friends!
So what is something that your friends tease you about?
The Christmas List
Posted by Tiffany Cooper
Hey, Friends! Guess What? Christmas is 10 days away. That’s right! You can thank me or hit me later for this reminder. As for myself, I have now accepted the fact that I will not complete everything on my usual list before Christmas day arrives.
Here’s what I’m enjoying this year:
- my family looking at pretty Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate.
- my kids made gingerbread houses. (Artists in the making!)
- my family tradition of sitting around the Christmas tree each night to talk about Christ and what Christmas means to us as a family.
- going to my kids Christmas parties.
- my family is enjoying some “Elf on the Shelf” fun. (Thanks, Brandi and Alicia.)
- worshipping with my church family.
AND…
Here’s what I’ve accepted as no-goes this year:
- my long list of homemade goodies and Christmas punch will not be made. Store bought instead.
- I will not send out my usual year-in-review Christmas letter.
- I will not take my kids to get a picture with Santa.
- I will not sit and watch hours of Christmas movies.
Shockingly, despite my lessened Christmas activity, I’m still having fun! It’s great to finally accept what I can and can’t do. It’s freeing really. Sure, I could wear myself out getting every thing done but that would greatly impact my ability to enjoy the season. I don’t even have to ask my family if they prefer my goodies or a happy, fun mommy and wife.
So, what is my deep, clever, inspiring last thought? Brace yourself, enjoy what you can do and say no to the rest without guilt! That’s it! I want you to have a great Christmas…I’m going to. I like what Bob Hope said:
When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.
We want to hear from you? How are you making this Christmas season enjoyable for yourself? What are the simple things about Christmas that bring you happiness?
Through the eyes of…The Director of Spiritual Development and Community Life
Posted By: Jessica Cornelius
Karen Davis is a Jesus follower, wife, mother, Bible teacher, leader and avid reader who adores her Kindle and a good cup of English Breakfast tea. She is passionate about the Word of God and loves to see the “light” go off in women. Karen currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Development and Community Life at BOSS Church in Sacramento, CA. She and her husband, Dwayne, have a very active son, Darius.
1. Which famous female (past or present) do your friends say you remind them of? I have more people tell me that I remind them of Tootie (Kim Fields) from The Facts of Life. I don’t see it.
2. How did you know your husband was “the one” you were going to marry? I met Dwayne at a church conference and instantly disliked him. As the weekend went on, I got to see a softer side that I didn’t see in the beginning. He lived in another state so I didn’t think much of our meeting, but when I mentioned him to my mother when I got home, she said she knew I had met my future husband because I never talked about anyone that way. It took me a few months and a lot of phone calls, letters and emails to figure it out, but I think it was when I realized I actually liked him as a friend more than a boyfriend.
3. If you could do one thing all day long, what would that be? I would love to lie in my hammock in the backyard and read my Kindle. Either that or spend the day handbag shopping-I’m a handbag addict!
4. What is the best leadership lesson you have learned lately? I am a high-capacity person (and a control-freak), so I have a hard time delegating because I figure it’s easier if I just handle things myself. I oversee seven different areas of ministry and there is NO way I can do effective ministry on my own. Looking to Jesus’ model for leadership, I realized that there were some things that only He could do while He assigned other duties to his disciples. Who am I to think I can do everything that needs to be done in ministry? This year, I have become more intentional about using the people God has placed around me to grow the church and the ministries in the church.
5. How do you expand your capacity for ministry? I’m really blessed to have a pastor who understands the demands of ministry and the need to rest and recharge so I can be the best leader possible. He makes sure the staff takes a paid “Day With the Lord” once a month so we can spend some time praying and seeking the Lord about the church and the ministries we oversee. Sometimes that involves just being quiet and listening to what He has to tell me about ministry vision and implementation. Other times it means spending time reading books or magazines or learning from other leaders and churches about new ways to do ministry. I think it’s very important that leaders continue to grow and learn.
6. What do your children say they love the most about your church? My son, Darius, is 8 years old and loves his church! He is always inviting his friends to attend “his” church because it’s cool and they read the Bible, play games and learn about Jesus. Being on staff means he is often at multiple services and I love that he wants to go to church and participate in class each week.
7. When do you get stressed out? I get most stressed out when I try to do everything I have to do-at home, at work and in ministry-in my own power.
8. How do you balance family, work, friends, ministry, and life? Church ministry is 24-7 and it’s easy to get caught up and stay at the office that extra couple of hours to get things done or catch up on that project. It’s easy to get out of balance when what you’re doing is “kingdom work”! I am blessed to have a great support system. My husband and son let me know when things get out of balance and I’ve spent too much time on the computer or away from home. I have a close girlfriend and a community group who pray for me, hold me accountable to my schedule and get in my face when needed.
As a ministry leader, what leadership lessons have you learned lately? We’d love for you to share!
Opinions, Please…
Posted by Brandi Wilson
Today is all about practical! It’s the time of the year where I begin texting a few pastor wife friends and ask the question, “What are you getting your staff (executive team, campus pastors, etc.) for Christmas?”
I think we’d all agree our staff is precious to us. They’re the people we do life and ministry with. They implement our vision and jump in the trenches with us. We want to show them our sincere appreciation around the holidays. Let them know how much their dedication means to us and the church where they serve.
Let us hear your ideas! What are some great gifts you’ve given fellow staff members. What are some of the best gifts you’ve received from your bosses.
When our staff was smaller we could do more personalized gifts… gifts we knew would fit each staff member likes and preferences. But as the staff has grown and we’ve had to decide how/who to gift we’ve gone with more general gifts like dinner and movie gift cards or even mall gift cards.
Can’t wait to hear your ideas.
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