Feelin’ Appreciated
My church girls are sneaky little varmints.
We planned for a few weeks to do something special for our friend, Farrah , who is having a baby in November. Jenny, our fearless leader put together a surprise shower/dinner out in which we would bring her a stack of baby gifts (Girl gifts no less. So much more fun to buy for!). I’ve been looking forward to a good GNO for a while now so to say I’ve been a little excited is an understatement.
After we showered Farrah, Jenny sprang a little surprise I in no wise anticipated. They gave me a PW Appreciation complete with precious cards and gifts. I thought I was there to surprise Farrah. She thought she was there to surprise me. And we both got punk’d but in the totally good way where we walk away with cool stuff.
To my girls: Y’all have no idea how much you blessed me. I’ve said it over and over – you love your pastor and his family well. The fact that you want to spend time with us outside of the church, the crazy way you love on our kids, that you pray for us and then tell us that you do, the way you provide for all our needs, and especially the way you roll our yard five times are just a few of the ways you put hands to what your heart is feeling. I say that is what your heart feels. I know no other reason you would be so extravagant with us. Thank you doesn’t cover it but I say it anyway. And yes, we love you with our whole heart.
In the spirit of Pastor Appreciation month, I would love to hear from both PW’s and lay people. PW’s: What things are your parishioners doing for you to bless you this month? What has really stood out? Laypeople: Give one another some ideas of ways you are honoring your pastoral staff. How do you know they love you back?
A couple of pics from tonight that do not do justice to how much we laughed.
Holly, Farrah, Katie, Me, The Girl, and Jenny. Girl was obviously past her bedtime.
Donna, sweet Bailey, Cheryl, and Debbie. They set the standard of how good, Christian women should act when out in public.
At least that is what they want you to think….hmmmmmm??
Michealle, Tammy, Deb, Brooke, and Wendy. Can you just see the mischief in their eyes? For those of you who know Brooke, well, let’s just say she was game on. Poor baby had a wreck just a couple of hours before we went out which provided for some excellent comedic material. Except, entering the competition now is Michealle. I can’t decide who makes my face hurt from laughing the most.
And a fun time was had by all. And no one even complained about my tendency to hug the shoulder of the road while driving the church bus.
Not much anyway.
Thanks again, girls! I love you!
I think the biggest thing our church does for us that helps the most is….loves my child. My child is spoiled rotten to the core. She stinks. I am surprised you can not smell her! The best thing my husband and I get to do is go on dates often and take advantage of FREE BABYSITTING. Can I hear an AMEN! There is one lady who will watch her anytime I ask and if it has been more then a few weeks since she has watched Emma Kate she will call me and set up a time. She will NEVER KNOW how much it means to me.
Why was I not invited??? There is my brooke!! I love her so.
Did anyone pray to receive Christ at dinner? Inside Joke. BAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!
You are most blessed!
What great fun.
Thanks for the heads up, I was not aware it WAS Pastor Appreciation Month
Just one more good reason to stop by yea ol Preachers Wife :)
much love,
tammy
Hey Sista! I had a wonderful time and am so glad you were surprised as well as Farrah. I have updated my blog, so you need to check it out. Have a great day and tell Ronald McDonald I said ‘Hello!’
I remember our first year at a new church, a group gave us a gift basket full of goodies for Pastor Appreciation Month. It was full of gift cards to different restaurants and lasted us for months. It was a great gift.
What a special night! I also wanted you to know I appreciated your post the other day about God’s faithfulness.
What a sweet group! Such a blessing!
We’ve had some sweet PA gifts.
Once we were given a stay at an old historic hotel in a really cool touristy town (called Little Nashville). We ended up going when it was Christmas vacation and snowing! It was a blast, they had the coolest indoor pool. We had friends from church that went too..which made it even more fun!
What a great surprise for you! That is SO wonderful.
I don’t think pastor appreciation month is celebrated in NY.
I did have an extra special treat yesterday. A sweet new friend dropped by a piece of fish breaded in a Japanese batter last night at dinner time. I just had to fry it up and it tasted amazing. It was a special treat!
I love spending time with you! You rock!! Glad you were surprised. I know you loved my gift wrapping!!
Glad you had a great time last night! I need to get your pictures for the web site. We need new angel pictures. Hope you have a great weekend! Love You!
I love your beautiful blog. I’ve been here several times before, it is just so encouraging. I’m drawn to others in ministry and particularly admire Pastor’s wives and the selfless lives they lead. I’m so glad you had a GREAT night out!
I saw you have something about Lysa Terkeurst on your sidebar. She attends our home church and we LOVE her ministry too!
Our church gave us a check. I just love a check! Money in my hands! Love it, Love it!
It was really given to my man, but being the wonderful man he is, I get more than my share!!!
Julie
Thanks for the GREAT picture….NOT. LOL
If had been thinking , which I was not, I was laughing,I would have known you were going to post pictures today……I WOULD HAVE STRUCK A POSE!! And NOT that one. Way to be introduced to your friendly bloggers. I will have to do better next time!! Thanks for a great, much needed night out!! Love ya!
They are so sweet and I can tell they love you and your family and they take great care of you! You are the sweetest, funniest, prettiest, smartest PW I know and it makes me happy that you have such a sweet fellowship at your church, even through the rolling of your yard many times. :)
I miss our Brooke!!! That girl is special and we all need to get back together. Soon.
Have a great Friday!
Love,
Patty
Farrah and I were wondering why you were hugging the shoulder and going so slow. LOL We will blame it on the big bus you were driving and the yacking women probably didnt help. HA
We had a great time and were so glad to punk 2 in 1 night.LOL
I have just recently discovered CWO on Facebook. Then today I was reading a few articles and saw the title of your column. As a Pastors wife also I was so blessed to read a few of your articles, especially the ones about friends. O.k so back to the topic :-)
I have the wonderful honor of leading our women's ministry & ladies bible study. This last week the ladies touch my heart by giving me a wonderful birthday gift & cards. I feel silly telling you it was a pair of shoes, but it was a pair that I had wanted for over a year or so. They had remembered me talking about them in passing and were also very sneaky in planning the surprise. The Lord is so good!! Many Blessings
Thanks for posting! You are truly blessed in “your girls.”
Jenny’s comment made me laugh out loud!!! Still!
Hi Brooke!!!
Love ya Lisa! Happy weekend.
Hugs,
Fran
I am so excited I found your blog. I’ve been wanting an encouraging supportive pastor’s wife blog. Thank you. Also, I love the blogroll you have, I’ll have to give you my info.
Every Spring our church ladies do a PW appreciation dessert. Last Spring we all got a gift certificate to a local spa. I got my first massage ever. It was incredible!
I am so glad you got loved on :)
I was thinking of emailing one of our pastors with kids and offering some free babysitting so they can go on a date night. Sound good?
I just send the old-fashioned note or occasional email to let our pastor/staff know that I appreciate them or that something they did or said really blessed me. Hopefully it blesses them in a special way.
Lisa: Hey girl! As hard as it is sometimes to live in that proverbial fish bowl, I am a very blessed PW. We serve some great folks and they just love us – they loved our boys (who are now grown and married – one still attends with his wife – LOVE THAT!) My oldest is a Pastor in a neighboring town – LOVE THAT TOO!
Our church gave the Pastor’s and wives gift cards for a nice dinner out the first Sunday of October.
This past June 1st my husband and I were honored by our church for our 20-years of service there. They gave him a nice love offering, me a generous gift card to Lowe’s (I LOVE THAT PLACE – I bought a fountain for my garden), and also presented us with a 3-day trip to Savannah, Georgia (which we are taking in 2 weeks – waiting for cooler weather).
It has been a joy to be in one place these 20 years, to raise our boys there, and to really put down deep roots and invest in the lives and families in our church.
God Bless you for your encouragement here as well!
Georgia Jan
How very very sweet. I love what they did. I have to say that we were blessed in so many ways over the years…and I have to agree that loving our kids was one of the highest forms of blessing.
Hugs,
Susan
As an official PW now (I’ve been a children’s PW for the past 6 years…) we just moved into a new town, new church, new schools, and the best thing our new church has given me was such a warm welcome and they have been AMAZING with our kids. We were welcomed at a good ol’ SBC carry-in and given a basket filled with gift cards to local restuarants, the grocery store, gas station, and Walmart. Also, this past Saturday they had an open house to welcome and get to know me better. So this month has been a combo of welcome and appreciation.
I am so glad your friends surprised you with such a special night. I’m sorry to say I am envious. I love our church, our church family is pretty great. However, I know they know about “Pastor’s Appreciation Week,” but they don’t do anything. Maybe a card or TWO, but that is it. My hubby (being the more mature one in our family!) says he is not working for the people, but for God, and he doesn’t need the congregation to do something special for him. But I know how much time he gives to them. I know what a blessing it is to be a pastor, but I also know the sacrifices it requires. Is there a tactful way I can encourage the congregation to show how much they appreciate him? I love him so much, and I am SO proud of all he does, I just want hiim to know I am not the only one who appreciates him.
Thanks!
Andie
Sorry…rereading my post, not Pastor’s appreciation week…MONTH. Sorry!
Actually the wreck happened one hour and ten minutes prior to when we were meeting…hahaha
Hence, the no makeup and no cute outfit like the other girls were wearing!!!! (I’m sure they love me grungy or not…hhahaha)
I was actually looking at my watch….thinking hurry officer I have a girl’s night out to get to! Ha!!!