
Good service today with a time of people praying for those around them at the close of service..."body ministry" as we call it. And we had lots of people in the hospitality room. Some fantastic prospective people...
After church today we had lunch at the Bagel Bagel cafe with Bernie and the girls. Lisa is in Baltimore for 2 weeks on a business trip. I really, really miss her (especially on Wednesday nights...this is a story in itself but one I will not blog in detail, except to say this...Lisa is one of my armor bearers and she is the one who stays with me and takes care of me so to speak, on Wed. nights. I always have her or Cathy with me, generally. Well, she's out of town and her absence is felt. There are things that get out of control when she's not there. I can't wait til she gets back. Before her and Cathy started formally helping me it got really difficult there for a while. There were times I would be "mobbed" for lack of a better phrase and could not get to prayer, or even the platform to start service at times, or get out of the building at a decent time. By this I don't mean rushing out and not greeting anyone. That's so "not me". I am very personable with our people and I want to reach out as much as possible. But t

We had newcomer's night at our house tonight -- and it went well as it usually does. I have really enjoyed them so much since we have started doing them monthly at our house. I think it makes a huge difference. Many of our newcomers are often shocked to receive a personal invite to the pastor's home. So ma

For those of you who have never seen my kitchen, the theme is tea and coffee and it is decorated with many things along those lines including many teapots. I even have one that was a gift from Russ and Tempest which is from WW II. I rarely use it - it's just for decor because I am always so afraid to break it. Aside from the WW II teapot, I use all the others on a regular basis...so much so that most of them I don't even have to wash out every time because I am always rotating them and using them several times a week. A lot of times I use the teapots when it's just Jordan and I having a cup of tea. Dustin's friends especially love to come over for tea. In particular, Casey, Lora, Alexa, and Jasmine often talk about it. Such sweet girls...I adore them. Speaking of Casey, here's another pic of her and Dustin, below.

The photos above here are the entry way of my house, and also my dining room, which is one of my favorite areas of the house. I love serving from this table and when having company we eat at this table the majority of the time (as opposed to in the kitchen where we just do more casual dining.) Savanna calls the table (above) "the table we eat at when Bobby comes..." It's really more that that - we eat there really when anyone comes however I guess because Bobby comes so much, that's what it's called. It should be called that, or "the table we eat at when Stephen comes..." which is pretty much...most of the time. And we're glad for that! We enjoy treating our kids friends as family because that's what they have become to us.
Speaking of that, Dustin just sent me a text message yesterday that said, "Mom, thanks for treating my friends as family. It means so much. I love you."
He really doesn't have to thank me...it's just my nature and his father's to do so however I'm glad he sees that it's a blessing to be in a family that does so.
Bobby calls me a "go all outer". He says, "Momma Shrodes, you always 'go all out' when people come over." I don't look at it as going all out, just giving the very best of what I have. Sometimes that has been nothing more than a pot of tea that I have had on hand, however I pull out my best china and so forth to serve it on. It doesn't take that much more effort and it makes people feel special. Even if it's just Jordan and I...aren't we special? Yes...use whatever you have to make every moment as beautiful as possible...that's one of my core values.
Comments
I read your blog daily and I have to let you know that I love the golden tickets you share with us. You've had such a positive impact on my home life. I am extremely busy between church and preschool activities...and with my family. You're the first Momma that I've been able to find who is able to keep her home and ministry life in order....and for that I thank you. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and being an accomplisher. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with us all!
Many Blessings,
Angie