Mrs. Lauren Stewart...Wife of the Week

 

How long have you been married? 8 years

How many children/grandchildren do you have? How old are they? Our daughter, Leah, is 6 and our son, Jamieson, is 5. We have another girl on the way (due Sept. 20^thJ)

1.      Where/How did you meet your husband? At our home church, Buckley Road Baptist

2.      When did you get saved? I was 7 years old

3.      Can you share your testimony? My father was saved when I was just 4 years old. At the time, my family was very devout catholic and my mother was a religious instruction teacher in the catholic church. My brother and sister were 7 & 10 years older than myself. So, for awhile, it was just my dad and I attending a Bible Believing church.  There was a lot of friction in our household because of this, but my father stayed a faithful and patient witness to our family. He would pray with me and witness to me every night and day. When I was 7 years old, I knelt by my bed with my dad and received Jesus Christ as my Savior. I knew then, that I was lost and needed a Savior.

We then prayed for my mom for about 3 years, and she got saved. Eventually, my brother was saved when he was in college, and we are still pleading and praying for my sister, Kristin, to get saved.

I’m so thankful for my dad’s faithful witness and that salvation came to our family!!

4.      How long have you been in the ministry? About 7 years

5.      How did you know the Lord wanted you in the ministry? Was it hard for you to submit to that or did you know 100% sure right away that this is what God wanted for your life?

Well, I’m glad I decided to go to a good Bible College. I really grew in my walk with the Lord there, and it was there that I realized the great need for full-time Christian workers. I surrendered to whatever the Lord had for my life, whether it be to marry a preacher or faithful layman…whatever He had for me. I wanted His will. When I met my husband, he shared his burden to start a church in Deposit, NY. I knew the Lord had put us together and I was excited to be able to serve alongside him in the ministry.

6.      How old were you when you your husband first held a position of leadership?  23

7.      And if you were young, did you have a hard time adjusting because of your age? Did you feel “ready” to be in that position? Did you feel you had a harder time being respected or taken seriously because of your age? There were times (and still are) that I felt a little insecure in being a leader over ladies that were twice my age or that had been through much more than I have. (And if you know me, I still can look like a teenager and my 4’11 stature doesn’t help J ). But, I’m reminded that it’s not me that is ministering to these people, but it’s the Lord working in and through me. I remember that God put me right where I’m at with these ladies for a reason, and He will enable and give me the wisdom I need. I’ve learned to get over that and to put my confidence in the Lord!

8.      Once you had children did you find you did less in the ministry and was that hard for you? Well with my first two babies, we had a small church plant in Deposit. So, even though we pretty much did everything…the church was small enough that it wasn’t as difficult to juggle the kids and the ministry.

But at the church we’re at now and with me about to have my 3^rd baby here soon, I’ve had to give up some responsibilities. The ladies in our church have been a blessing in taking some things over. It was hard at first because I like to feel like I’m carrying my “load” in the ministry, but I know that my husband and children need to come first. I’ve gotten a little better at delegating and I find that the ladies in the church want to do more and feel that they are being used of the Lord, too!

9.      What are some ways you included and involved your children in the ministry?

a.      Baby… just bringing them along to everything

b.      Toddler…singing specials as a family, training them to sit still under the preaching, and having them help with little jobs around the church.

c.       School age/teens…Mine are only 5 and 6, but they go on visitation with us, they sing in Jr. Church Choir and family specials, and they help hold up the Scripture signs for our street preaching ministry. We live on the church property, so we find lots of little things for them to help with.

10.  Do you ever worry that your children would resent the ministry and what are some ways you tried to make it fun for them? There are times I worry about this, but we strive to have our family prayer/devotion time with them and to keep the “troubled conversations” of the ministry away from their little ears.  We also make sure that we set one day of the week aside for a family day. We strive to keep the music and laughter going @ home so they can always remember that its fun serving Jesus!!

11.  What would be the best thing you would tell a mom who is raising her children in the ministry? To keep her walk with the Lord and quiet time a priority!

12.  Are you naturally a submissive person or do you sometimes have a hard time easily following your husband? I’m not really a strong-willed kind of person, so submitting and following aren’t as hard for me. Plus, my husband makes it easy. But, I certainly have my days and areas of my life that I need to humble myself and get things right in the area of submission.

13.  What do you do to encourage your husband when he is discouraged with the work? Just be there to listen to him and I try to put little notes or cards on his desk to encourage him.

14.  How do deal with any criticism toward your husband from others? I haven’t had to deal with this much…but I just make sure that when it comes, I refer them straight to him. I’ll always back him and tell them to take the issue directly to him.

15.  How do you deal with personal criticisms? Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with much of this either (at least not that I’m aware of). If it’s something that’s been said that needs to be dealt with or that’s really affected me, I’ll try to go to the person face to face and communicate. If it’s a small, petty criticism, I try to move on and shake it off. I heard a really good message from Bro. Eddy Wyatt on this subject that stuck with me called “Shake it off”.

16.  Do you set aside date nights/days with your husband? We try to make sure we keep the date nights regular, but we’re definitely overdue right now. But, I’m thankful for our long talks and coffee time in the morning before the kids get up.

17.  What is the biggest thing you have learned about being married to a man in the ministry? To be his prayer warrior, because I realize I got the “cream of the crop” and that the devil is always at work.

18.   What are some ways you protect your husband from “those” women in the church? If I suspect or get a bad vibe about someone, I’ll just let my husband know or be aware of it. And…I try to “keep up” and not “let myself go” for my husband too. I think that’s important.

19.  Do you and your husband have devotion or prayer time together daily? Not daily

20.  Do you have a hard time sharing your burdens with your husband in fear that it will discourage him? No. Aside from the Lord, he is my best counselor, friend, and encourager.

21.  What do you do to encourage yourself in the Lord? Prayer and Bible reading and listening to some good music always gets me encouraged again!

22.  What is your favorite Scripture? Psalm 61:2

23.  Do you have a favorite song? I have lots of them, but if I had to pick one it would be…”Nail it to the Cross”.

24.  What is your biggest struggle in the ministry? Probably just worrying that I’m not being a good pastor’s wife in reaching out to the ladies and making time for them. My husband has helped me with this by encouraging me to make a “sweetheart” list each week of one or maybe two ladies to reach out to that week. That helps me not to get overwhelmed.

25.  Do you have find that you are not able to have close lady friends in your church? I guess I’m careful not to get too close with one person….but I’ve been blessed with good friends and fellowship from the ladies in our church.

26.  When you are discouraged, do you feel like you can “show” that feeling to ladies in the church? Or, do you feel like you always have to portray the “perfect” happy Pastor’s wife? Well, I sometimes have the tendency to keep things inside and I don’t really “wear my feelings on my sleeve”….but I express some of my struggles and discouragements during our prayer times on Wednesday nights or in my devo’s at ladies meetings so they know that I’m not Ms. “got it all together”. I’m far from it!

27.  Have you ever made a big mistake or offended someone, and if yes, how did you go about restoring that relationship? Can’t think of anything right now…but I know there have been small things in the past where I just had to go to the person and admit my fault or ask for their forgiveness. Usually going to the person and communicating and humbling myself always helps in getting things right with someone.

28.  Do you have other lady ministry friends that you go to for counsel and “venting” purposes? There are a few that I have gone to for advice and counsel.

29.  Other than praying, what is the most encouraging thing ladies in the church can do for you? Just being a friend or asking how they can be a help. I recently had one lady write me an encouraging card and put it on my Bible on Sunday morning. That was such a blessing to me and encouragement.

30.  What is your favorite way to serve the Lord in your church? Playing piano, singing, and teaching the kids!

31.  Do you currently have special Ladies Bible Study, meetings, or fellowships? Yes, we usually have a ladies meeting/fellowship once a month. We’re overdue for one now, but with being very pregnant…our ladies are very understanding.

32.  What ways to you encourage your ladies to get involved in the work of the church? If they have musical talent, I’ll ask for them to do a special or sing a duet with me. I encourage them to get on board with nursery or church cleaning or decorating. I also try to call a sister if I need help with something around the church or a ladies meeting…and I find that they want that…..they just need some direction as to how to get involved.

33.  What is the most important thing you want to pass down to your children? Just to love the Lord sincerely and serve Him no matter what!!

34.  In all of your business, how do you fit your personal time in with the Lord each day? I find that mornings are best for me before my kids get up. It’s a new day, it’s quiet, and it’s before all the chaos beginsJ.

35.  Out of all that you have learned being in the full time ministry, what is the most important thing you have learned? To keep my walk with the Lord a priority before all the service. Everything will fall into place if I keep fellowship with my Lord.

36.   How would you describe the “perfect” Pastor’s wife? Just one that stays in close fellowship with the Lord and is an example of loving her husband and children!

Mrs. Lindsay Harris...Wife of the Week

Husband’s Position- Associate/Youth Pastor at Victory Baptist In Talihina, OK

How long have you been married? 8 years

How many children/grandchildren do you have? How old are they? Matthew 7 and Madisyn 3

1.      Where/How did you meet your husband?  We grew up in the same church at Central Baptist in Ponca City, OK/ We were in the youth department together

2.      When did you get saved? August of 2000

3.      Can you share your testimony?  I grew up in church and had made a profession of faith when I was younger but not until August of 2000 did I make Jesus the Lord of my life.  We were in Teen Time with Bro. Schuyler and all I could think about while he was teaching is “I am not saved”.  After Teen Time was over I took a youth worker by the hand and asked if they would pray with me and I accepted Jesus as my Personal Lord and Savior.  It was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders because I had pretended for so long.  I am so glad that the Lord doesn’t give up on us.  That same year my husband and I started courting and a few years later he proposed on July 4^th 2002.  I was still in high school and he was attending Heartland Baptist Bible College, I knew that is where the Lord wanted me to attend when I was through with high school.  Well, May came around and I was fixing to graduated in a few days when my dad was life flighted to KU Med and a few days later he went to be with the Lord, this was on May 21^st, 2003.  I went back home and graduated May 23, 2003 and then Danny and I got married May 31, 2003 and went to OKC to start college that fall.  I tell you all this to tell you how good God is and how He knows best.  God has shown His hand through all this and it has made me a stronger person and has allowed me to help many others already in my short time in the ministry.  Now we are in a small town with very loving people who want to serve the Lord and God has blessed us with 2 great children that are growing way to fast.  God is good All the time.

4.      How long have you been in the ministry? 7

5.      How did you know the Lord wanted you in the ministry? Was it hard for you to submit to that or did you know 100% sure right away that this is what God wanted for your life?

I was at Sagmount in Joplin, MO and that week at camp I surrendered my life into full time service.  I just knew that the Lord would show me when and where He would have me to serve in His time

6.      How old were you when you your husband first held a position of leadership? I was 20 and He was 23

7.      And if you were young, did you have a hard time adjusting because of your age? Did you feel “ready” to be in that position? Did you feel you had a harder time being respected or taken seriously because of your age?  I was young and felt that I didn’t feel I was qualified to be in that position.  Some did not take us seriously but most did.  We didn’t really worry about it to much because we knew God wanted us here.

8.      Once you had children did you find you did less in the ministry and was that hard for you?  I do about the same…I have wonderful ladies and teens who help out a lot

9.      What are some ways you included and involved your children in the ministry?

a.      Baby… took them everywhere with us

b.      Toddler…the same but we left them with our preacher and his wife when we went on youth activities

c.       School age/teens…Matthew will sing with me and they both help clean the pews before church and get the offering baskets and shake peoples hands

10.  Did you ever worry that your children would resent the ministry and what are some ways you tried to make it fun for them?  I have at times but we pray that the Lord will watch over them and help us to train them in His ways.

11.  What would be the best thing you would tell a mom who is raising her children in the ministry? Your husband and your children are your first ministry

12.  Are you naturally a submissive person or do you sometimes have a hard time easily following your husband? No but I am learning with God’s grace and guidance

13.  What do you do to encourage your husband when he is discouraged with the work? Tell him how much I love him and pray for him

14.  How do deal with any criticism toward your husband from others? I have to hand it over to the Lord.

15.  How do you deal with personal criticisms?  I try and examine myself and pray about the matter in which they are criticizing and if I need to change something I ask the Lord for help.  I know I can’t do it on my own.

16.  Do you set aside date nights/days with your husband? We spend as much time as we can together as a family

17.  What is the biggest thing you have learned about being married to a man in the ministry? He has a great responsibility.

18.   What are some ways you protect your husband from “those” women in the church? Praise the Lord we have not had to deal with this.

19.  Do you and your husband have devotion or prayer time together daily? We have family devotions together with our kids

20.  Do you have a hard time sharing your burdens with your husband in fear that it will discourage him? No he is my best friend and he is good to listen.

21.  What do you do to encourage yourself in the Lord?  SING

22.  What is your favorite Scripture? Proverbs 15:1

23.  Do you have a favorite song? I have been blessed

24.  What is your biggest struggle in the ministry?  My attitude at times

25.  Do you find that you are not able to have close lady friends in your church? We are in a very friendly church so no I do not find that hard

26.  When you are discouraged, do you feel like you can “show” that feeling to ladies in the church? Or, do you feel like you always have to portray the “perfect” happy Pastor’s wife?  I feel I can show my feelings to some point…they understand I am only human too

27.  Have you ever made a big mistake or offended someone, and if yes, how did you go about restoring that relationship? When I offend someone I pray and ask God for forgiveness first and then I go and apologize to them and ask for forgiveness. 

28.  Do you have other lady ministry friends that you go to for counsel and “venting” purposes?  Yes and I love them dearly

29.  Other than praying, what is the most encouraging thing ladies in the church can do for you? Love my family

30.  What is your favorite way to serve the Lord in your church? Singing

31.  Do you currently have special Ladies Bible Study, meetings, or fellowships? We go to Ladies Meetings that other churches put on

32.  What ways to you encourage your ladies to get involved in the work of the church? By letting them know that we appreciate it and they are a huge help because no one can do it alone. 

33.  What is the most important thing you want to pass down to your children? To love the Lord with all their heart and to let them know how much the Lord loves them

34.  In all of your business, how do you fit your personal time in with the Lord each day? It is most convenient for me at night

35.  Out of all that you have learned being in the full time ministry, what is the most important thing you have learned? Put god first

36.   How would you describe the “perfect” Pastor’s wife? One who puts God first

Mrs. Barbara Furan....Wife of the Week!

Husband’s Position- Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Niagara Falls, NY

How long have you been married? October will be 19 years.How many children/grandchildren do you have? How old are they?  4 children; Eric (20), Joshua (16), Christina (14) this week, Andrew (10)

1.      Where/How did you meet your husband?  I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the Air Force and he was stationed there with the Marine Corps.  We met in a nightclub.  I had orders to leave Japan and he had orders to stay so we married only after knowing each other a month and had our orders extended there.  There was no proposal, just a question posing the idea of marriage.  My response to the question was, “You don’t even love me.”  His response was that he could learn to.  We obviously did not have the Lord in our life at that time, but it’s amazing that his answer was so true!   

2.      When did you get saved?  I was saved the Spring of 1991 on Gate 2 Street in Okinawa, Japan.

3.      Can you share your testimony?  I was raised in a single-parent home in El Paso, TX.  At the age of 18, I joined the Air Force to get out of El Paso.  My life was a mess and that was my only out.  I immediately found myself stationed in Okinawa, Japan (where my mother is from and the place I was born).  At the age of 19, I was pregnant with my first son and alone.  It was when I was six months pregnant, that I first believed that there was a God.  Throughout my pregnancy, I verbalized on many occasions how I wished I would lose the baby (not really meaning it in my heart).  Even as a lost person, I did not believe in abortion, but was scared to death about becoming a single mother.  When I was six months pregnant, my appendix ruptured and I knew that there was a God and He was fully prepared to answer my request that I had verbalized.  I begged God that day to spare my baby and immediately after I got out of the hospital, I began my search for a “church,” knowing that I needed my life to change.  I visited many to include Seventh Day Adventist, Mormon, and the Base Chapel.  After my son was born, I was shopping alone with him on Gate 2 Street.  A group of people approached me with gospel tracts.  They presented the gospel to me and I didn’t hesitate to kneel there in the shopping area to pray.  I knew without a doubt that Jesus was the answer to my sin.  The only way my life would have hope and could change for the better.  I visited the church that this group was from, but they were charismatic and the Pastor could not explain tongues to me, so I quit my search for a church.  I was married about a year later.  It wasn’t until I was married for 2 years and was transferred to Air Traffic Control, where I met 8 people who attended Maranatha Baptist Church (a military missionary work in Okinawa).  I had been in the military for 5 years at that point and that was the first time I met people who professed to be Christians and actually lived it.  It was 6 months later when my husband agreed to check out this church.  When we arrived there, he counted how many people shook his hand.  Sixty people had shaken his hand that night and told him that they had been praying for our family for six months.  At the time, he had no idea what they were talking about.  We later learned that my co-workers put us on the church prayer list for salvation.  Two weeks later is when my husband got saved and God has done and continues to do a tremendous work in our lives. 

4.      How long have you been in the ministry?  Full-time ministry since May 2002; served an internship from May 2002 to May 2003; full-time deputation from June 2003 to October 2004; Missionaries to Sri Lanka from January 2005 to September 2007; Pastor’s wife at Calvary Baptist Church from March 2008 – present.

5.      How did you know the Lord wanted you in the ministry? Was it hard for you to submit to that or did you know 100% sure right away that this is what God wanted for your life?

My husband “surrendered” or answered the call into the gospel ministry 5 months after he was saved (September 1995).  We returned to the states in November of that year.  The week before my husband and I met, I re-enlisted into the Air Force for 6 more years.  We were transferred to Oklahoma City and became members of Southwest Baptist Church.  I followed the secular philosophy and I figured that I could continue my career while my husband did his thing.  It wasn’t until January of 1998, through the preaching of an Evangelist, where I surrendered my will to follow my husband in his calling.  A couple of months after that, Pastor Davison announced the possibility of Heartland Baptist Bible College coming to Oklahoma City.  My enlistment with the military would expire that September, which is when school started.  I knew without a doubt, that I had kept the doors shut for my family for 3 years because I was living my life and God and my family were secondary.  

6.      How old were you when you your husband first held a position of leadership?  We’ve held positions through our time in the military, but for ministry, we were both 31.

7.      And if you were young, did you have a hard time adjusting because of your age? Did you feel “ready” to be in that position? Did you feel you had a harder time being respected or taken seriously because of your age?  Even though we were older, my husband looked and still looks young.  I never feel “ready,” not even now.  I just do my best to humbly submit to the Lord, trusting in His promise that He will equip us and enable us. 

8.      Once you had children did you find you did less in the ministry and was that hard for you?  I had the privilege to graduate from Heartland Baptist Bible College with my husband in 2002.  At the time, my kids were 11, 7, 4, and 1.  When we were interviewed for the internship in Indianapolis, I asked the Pastor what my responsibilities would be in the church.  His answer to me was that I was to be a godly wife, mother, and model Christian in the church.  I have to admit, I was a little disappointed since I, too, had just graduated.  During that year, I was so thankful for the Pastor’s wisdom and not placing specific demands on me in regards to the ministries there.  It gave me the flexibility I needed with young children and the focus was always to serve alongside my husband in whatever he needed. 

9.      What are some ways you included and involved your children in the ministry?

a.      Baby…we rarely utilized babysitters and kept him with us when working with the Junior High kids during our internship (although, I didn’t hesitate to step back from the ministry if my baby or other kids had a need)

b.      Toddler…we were on deputation, so he was in church all of the time.

c.       School age/teens…singing, visiting, nursing home, tsunami relief work, nursery helper, teaching Junior Church and Patch the Pirate, church greeters, cleaning, some office work, song leading, preaching. 

10.  Did you ever worry that your children would resent the ministry and what are some ways you tried to make it fun for them?  I used to worry about it more when my older two were younger.  They all have experienced times of discouragement where I became concerned.  I am thankful for a godly husband who is a wonderful father to our children.  He purposes to take time to speak to them and listen to their struggles and uses the Bible to help them recognize God’s working through the trials.  We keep a close eye on the younger two, fully aware that they are just as susceptible to those feelings.  My husband regularly checks on them by asking them how they are doing or asks them how God has worked in their life. 

11.  What would be the best thing you would tell a mom who is raising her children in the ministry?  We were told by a Veteran Missionary once that he had to sacrifice his children in order to have the ministry he has.  My counsel would be to NEVER sacrifice your children for the sake of the ministry.  My first influence in ministry is to my children.  They watch and learn from the things we do and how we respond.  Our goal has always been to raise them to have their own, personal relationship with the Lord.  They need to know that God is real and that God will direct them as they learn to obey.  We have always stopped what we were doing to recognize when God provided a need or blessed our family.  We would always let the kids know that we needed to thank God for those blessings. 

12.  Are you naturally a submissive person or do you sometimes have a hard time easily following your husband?  No, I am definitely not “naturally” submissive.  You can figure that one out through my testimony.  I will say, that through many years and lots of conviction, the Lord has shown me and I am a lot better in that area.  I don’t ever want to be responsible for hindering what God wants to do through my husband.

13.  What do you do to encourage your husband when he is discouraged with the work?  Continue to pray for him, talk with him, listen to him (and do my best to keep my feelings out of it).  Thankfully, we have never been discouraged at the same time! 

14.  How do deal with any criticism toward your husband from others? The Lord has given him a lot of wisdom from the Word of God and he is so much more able to handle those criticisms than I am so I let him deal with it, trusting that God will guide him.  I do, however, do my very best not to treat those involved any differently if I am aware of the criticisms.  I try to show them God’s love and longsuffering and do my best to keep my feelings and emotions out of it. 

15.  How do you deal with personal criticisms?  I examine myself and speak to my pastor/husband for guidance and do my best to make things right if I am in the wrong.  This is difficult for me because I would rather avoid a situation because I don’t like confrontation. 

16.  Do you set aside date nights/days with your husband?  Not regularly, but we do have date nights and lunches.  We spend a lot of time together as a family.

17.  What is the biggest thing you have learned about being married to a man in the ministry?  That it is the hardest and most demanding job I know of.  He, along with other Pastor’s carry a “burden” that only they understand.  The burden to handle the Word of God correctly and to “shepherd a flock” in order to minister to a needy people. 

18.   What are some ways you protect your husband from “those” women in the church?  He purposes to never put himself in a situation to be alone with another woman.  I warn him if I see things that present themselves as warning signs.  I stay close by if a woman speaks to him for any length of time.  We homeschool at the church so that I am always available if he has to make a visit to a lady or if a lady comes to the church for counseling. 

19.  Do you and your husband have devotion or prayer time together daily?  Not daily, but we do on many occasions listen to preaching CDs (from our home church) as a family and have discussed how God spoke to each of us through the preaching.  It has been through the preaching where God was able to minister to my family and help us through the trials and victories. 

20.  Do you have a hard time sharing your burdens with your husband in fear that it will discourage him?  No, because he is my best friend and also my Pastor.  Now, there is a difference between sharing my burdens or just complaining.  I try not to do the latter because that does discourage him. 

21.  What do you do to encourage yourself in the Lord? Pray, Read my Bible, practice the piano (I’m new at it, but it just gives me another opportunity to focus on the music and get some practice in…and get my frustrations out!)  J

22.  What is your favorite Scripture?  Romans 8:28 because it is TRUE!  I think about how God has changed my life.  I look at my son, Eric, that when I was pregnant would verbalize how I wished I could lose the baby because of my fears.  I see Eric now and am so blessed because God did make a bad situation in my life good.  Eric is 20 and just finished his first year in Bible College.

23.  Do you have a favorite song?  How Great Thou Art

24.  What is your biggest struggle in the ministry?  Worrying about what others think.  Thankfully, my husband primarily worries about what God thinks!  Actually, he doesn’t “worry.”  That helps keep me straight. 

25.  Do you have find that you are not able to have close lady friends in your church?  I’m still trying to figure that one out.  Depends what you mean by close.  I try to be friends with them all, although I have more in common with some than others.  I’ve reached out to all of them, but have found that some desire a closer relationship than others.  I, however, don’t share all of my feelings with any of them.  My husband is that friend for me.  

26.  When you are discouraged, do you feel like you can “show” that feeling to ladies in the church? Or, do you feel like you always have to portray the “perfect” happy Pastor’s wife?  I try to be real, understanding that through my discouragements, my goal is still to glorify God.  So, even in discouragement (that they may see), I try to recognize and share with the ladies how God has helped me through the discouragement.

27.  Have you ever made a big mistake or offended someone, and if yes, how did you go about restoring that relationship?  Of course!  I’m bad about timing and quickly restoring the relationship, but I will ask for forgiveness and seek reconciliation. 

28.  Do you have other lady ministry friends that you go to for counsel and “venting” purposes?  No, I only “vent” or seek out counsel from my husband (in other words, I don’t personally call other ladies for that).  Now, I do take opportunity when the Lord sends Missionaries and Pastor’s wives our way, to ask them their experiences and testimony and to receive any counsel they have for me.  I’ve so appreciated the many lady ministry friends that God has given me.  

29.  Other than praying, what is the most encouraging thing ladies in the church can do for you?  Serve God, be faithful to God.  That is the biggest encouragement!  They don’t have to do a thing for me.  If they do it for God, we all benefit!

30.  What is your favorite way to serve the Lord in your church?  My least favorite is the piano!!!  Oh, sorry, that wasn’t the question.  J  My favorite is organizing ladies meetings, teaching kids.  I would love to one day host a lady’s retreat.  With help, of course!  I just know that as a lady, those types of ministries helped me when I needed it.

31.  Do you currently have special Ladies Bible Study, meetings, or fellowships?  When we first came to Calvary, I started doing them once a month.  With homeschooling and other areas of ministry, I scaled it back to a few times a year primarily focusing on a Christmas Cookie Exchange and a Ladies Banquet or Tea in the Spring.  We host church Fellowship meals for our Missions Conference, Revival Meeting, Thanksgiving, and a few more throughout the year.

32.  What ways to you encourage your ladies to get involved in the work of the church?  I ask and my husband asks from the pulpit.  When they do get involved, we do our best to show our appreciation for their help.

33.  What is the most important thing you want to pass down to your children?  To love the Lord and do right according to the scriptures.  The Word of God has to be their standard, not man. 

34.  In all of your business, how do you fit your personal time in with the Lord each day?  During the school year, my life seems more structured and I find it easier to do that in the morning.  It was nice as missionaries when we did school all year long!  As far as prayer, I do that several times throughout the day. 

35.  Out of all that you have learned being in the full time ministry, what is the most important thing you have learned?  He’s still working on me!  I know that the ministry is a small part, the bigger part is that God is working on me and molding me! 

36.   How would you describe the “perfect” Pastor’s wife? I wouldn’t because there isn’t one!  J  The “perfect” Pastor’s wife is one that knows she is not perfect!