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The Book is Coming February 2010!M2M Blogroll
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What Time Is It?
***** Friday Night Update: WE HAMMERED THEM!!! Us 34 Them 7 !!! *****
I’ll never forget being glued to the television set during the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. One interview that marked me forever was of a man fresh off of one of the buses that transported those made homeless to safe shelter. He literally walked down the steps and straight into a cameraman who asked, “Sir, how do you feel right now?” The man answered in a single word: “Overdue.” He went on to explain that he hadn’t eaten, hadn’t showered, hadn’t shaved, hadn’t slept in days. He said again, “I’m overdue for everything.” And then he burst into tears.
I’m in no way suggesting what I am about to tell you dare rivals the seriousness of the experiences of Katrina’s victims. However; in concept only, our high school football team knows what it feels like to be overdue. To want desperately to finally take hold of the wins that have eluded them season after season. To catch one stinkin’ break. And they aren’t the only ones who have waited. Year after year our community has poured into the stadium for the opening game to see how the team will perform. Unsurprisingly, only the faithful who support the organization and its players rather than dwell on the scores have stuck around through Game 10 as our last two years’ records have settled at 3-7.
The past few years also haven’t been easy ones for our young coach who has quietly and patiently been building a program while scoffers ranted over the numbers on the board. I’ve often told his adorable wife that being married to a coach and married to a preacher aren’t altogether different. When people are joining, teams are winning, tithes are rolling in, fans are attending, then everyone is your best friend. When numbers and morale are down, it’s best to keep U-Haul on standby. Such is the fickle nature of people and yet, when you are in any type of leadership position you learn to accept it for what it is and keep your shoulder to the sled until the Lord sees fit to place you in another field.
So, yes. We’ve been overdue. Overdue for victory. Overdue for respect. Overdue for the payoff that hard work is supposed to afford. Overdue for everything.
That’s why it has been such a sweet time to experience along with this team their win as Region Champions for the first time in 29 years!
DID YOU EVEN SEE THAT COMING?
My husband has the supreme privilege of serving as the chaplain for this fabulous team whom he has grown to love as brothers and sons. Something Luke shared with them is a truth we can all remember: “Faith without works is dead.” It’s not enough just to want to win – you have to work to win. These coaches and players have done just that and are reaping the rewards of faithfulness. Most impressive to me is that these kids are not just learning how to be excellent football players. We are blessed to have a coaching staff more interested in making them excellent men. And hey, if we happen to go 9-1 while they do it, we’ll take that too.
Friday night we will play our first round state play off game and to say the town is abuzz is a colossal understatement. It’s truly a great moment to live in my tiny city and I’m praying the thrill and sentimentality of it isn’t lost anytime soon. The boys have had a saying this year that the community has adopted as a rebel yell: “It’s Hammer Time!” There couldn’t be a motto any more appropriate because there comes a day for all of us when it’s high time we go from being the smashed to the smasher.
Which begs the question, my homies and invisible friends alike:
WHAT TIME IS IT!?
If you know the answer and would like to cheer the team on, feel free to YELL IT IN THE COMMENTS!
In Search of the Perfect
Laundry Detergent/Softener Combination
Before we went to Florida last week, I actually got all my laundry done save for a couple of loads of towels that were still wet because my dryer didn’t keep up with the washer. (My darlin’ MIL took care of that for me once she arrived.) And yes, this is where I lust once again for the cherry red front load set that sings her siren song to me every time I’m in Lowe’s.
I’ve tried very hard to keep the piles of dirty clothes manageable since we’ve gotten home. I must be doing a pretty good job because Boy Two actually congratulated me for keeping his jeans washed and folded. I’ve always wanted to be appreciated but somehow his praises felt like an insult. Either way, let’s just say I’ve established that clean clothes have been on my brain lately.
You would think after 20+ years of washing, I would have come up with a detergent/fabric softener combination that would guarantee wonderful smelling clothes. I’m terrible about buying what is on sale vs. being loyal to a brand but I have finally decided that even if it costs a bit more, I’m willing to spend it to have lingering freshness. The main reason is that Luke sniffs every single shirt and/or pair of pants before he’ll put them on for fear he’ll get something soured. And y’all know how that works.. you never know if you’ve got one until you’ve worn it a couple of hours. I don’t sour clothes on purpose, but there was this certain incident years ago when my man wore a funky shirt in the blazing heat on a construction site and it’s scarred him for life. Hence, all the sniffing. So even if I have to spend a bit more cash, if I can minister to my man through fragrance, so be it.
Here’s the thing, I hit the right product combination about three weeks ago but I don’t remember what I used because – once again – I had bought something on sale. I know it was some kind of Tide and either Downy or Snuggle but for the life of me I can’t figure which. Right now I am using Tide with a hint of Downy and April Fresh Downy. That is not the combo. My clothes don’t stink, they just don’t retain that good smell.
Is any of this making any sense?
So I’m coming to you to ask simply, do your clothes smell fabulous? If they do, will you tell me your secret?
Luke will be forever grateful.
p.s. For you ministry wives playing the Scavenger Hunt, remember to get your posts ready by Monday night so I can get the list of questions prepared. I am having a BLAST reading your answers. So fun!!
M2M Scavenger Hunt
Okay, ministry wives. This event is JUST FOR YOU! Buckle down because I have what I hope is the most fun ‘get to know you’ game ever. Let me tell you about it.
You know that I started the Woman Beside the Man feature for ministry wives a few months back before I accidentally on purpose destroyed my website. Now that everything is back on track, I thought we would do a speed-friending of sorts (great idea, Mary Beth!) through the M2M Blogroll via an online scavenger hunt!
Here’s how we will play:
1. Below you will find a series of 15 questions. Copy and paste them into a new post and answer each one. NOTE: Don’t stick to yes/no responses. Feel free to elaborate on the answers. Give us some good details so there will be more info to dig!
2. Prior to the actual hunt, you will publish your answers on your blog and then add that post link to the Mr. Linky provided ON THIS POST.
3. I will give you a couple of days to visit the girls who are playing along. I will also be visiting during this time to compile a list of ‘treasures’ to scavenge.
4. I will create A QUESTIONS/ANSWERS POST where I will ask things such as, “Name a ministry wife who lives in a parsonage and is addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper and Milk Duds.” {Wait. That’s me. That answer doesn’t count.} You will place your answers in the comments. There may be more than one correct answer but each will be verified. Also, comments will be hidden so those following behind you can’t scavenge off your hard work. Not that anyone would do that.
5. The first two people to correctly post the answers will win The Pioneer Woman’s new cookbook. And no, The Pioneer Woman has no clue I even exist nor does she need my help in promoting her cookbook. I just love sharing my favorite things and this is currently one of them that I have yet to order. I’ll be getting mine when I get yours as a parting gift for myself.
6. I will place the button to this post in my sidebar so you can refer to it easily. You are also welcome to grab the button for your own post. I would give you code but since 1. I don’t know how and 2. I’m too tired tonight to figure it out, I’ll have to ask you to right-click to save the image and then load it old school. The deadline for adding your answers to Mr. Linky is Monday, November 9th. The Scavenger Question/Answer post will open Wednesday, November 11th. Answers will be accepted until 10 p.m. Thursday, November 12th. Winners will be announced Friday, November 13th. Sound like a plan?
7. RULES: There’s only one. Since we are scavenging the M2M Blogroll your blog listing must be submitted by THIS FRIDAY if it does not already appear. You can submit those through my contact pageby sending your name, blog name, blog url, and husband’s area of ministry. I’ll get all the updates done as they come in.
So that’s it! I hope ya’ll know I’m setting myself up here to look like an enormous doofus if no one signs up. But it’s okay if you don’t want to play. Never mind me as I crawl in the bed and suck my thumb for two or seven days.
Without further hesitation, here are your questions…
The Treasures
1. First Name.
2. State and Country of Residence.
3. Husband’s Ministry Title.
4. Length of time in Current Ministry Location. {IMPORTANT: There are several of you who may not be in a current ‘official’ pastorate/ministry, etc. That makes you no less a minister’s wife! You play along, girlfriends, and let us pray for you!}
5. Children? If yes, give gender and ages.
6. Number of unique homes in which you’ve lived during your marriage.
7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out?
8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not?
9. Favorite TV Show.
10. Something you watch/like/do that you would never tell the church people. (Except now you just did…lol)
11. Most annoying church-related pet peeve.
12. One thing you need to throw away but can’t bring yourself to do it.
13. The one food you can not live without.
14. Parsonage or have your own home?
15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor?
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Once you’ve answered these questions, please sign Mr. Linky below with a direct link to your answers, not your home page. Any home page links will be deleted. Questions? Leave them in the comments and I’ll respond there as well.
P.S. If y’all think this is as fun as I do, we’ll do a Civilian Version!
