Wanda's Wacky Wonderful World

Time is racing by and I haven't blogged in quite a while. I'm staying busy being a full-time college student and working part-time as a security consultant along with my pastor's wife/music/speaking/responsibilities... enjoying the warming weather - an incredible new deck my husband has built for me around our pool (after much begging/groveling! ha) - spending some quality time with my sister Pattie and her family while they visit - excited about the camper we just bought (that I have been "talking" my husband into buying for years!) and looking forward to some down time in the near future... In a nutshell - I guess I could say I am getting a lot of things accomplished that I have dreamed about (with my schooling) and getting a few of my wishes granted (deck and camper) too! Maybe its because I'm turning 50 in May and my honey is just trying to be extra nice... I'm not sure - just VERY happy! I am so grateful for the life God has blessed me with - family, ...

I woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow! I had to smile and stare - because - well, let me explain... if you know anything about this area of NC - we RARELY get snow. I LOVE getting snowed in! There is just something about the feeling of coziness when snow or ice has shut the whole world out and I can stay inside - make a pot of soup and some cornbread or yeast rolls! Everything shuts down here when it snows, so I don't have any errands to run or stores to visit... no one drops in unexpected - so I can stay in my pj's all day if I want to! We have such mild winters here, so we only get severe weather every few years. Just two weeks ago we got over six inches of snow that stayed around for three days - BUT I WAS IN LOUISIANA and missed it! I was so disappointed... and then I heard they were calling for snow this week. Everyone was doubtful because we rarely get snow twice in one winter! So I told my friends and family - if it snows again - you can just tell yoursel...

A clean page. Untouched. No mistakes. No white-out smudges. Fresh. Sparkling new. 2009! January is always a time to reflect on the past year and anticipate the new one. I spent New Year's Eve in the wonderful presence of God - then had breakfast (at 1 AM) in the presence of precious friends. Its been a long time since Jeff and I stayed out til 3 AM - but the laughter and friendship held us longer than we planned. Looking at my 2009 calendar gives me goose bumps. God has placed so many opportunities in my path. I want to fulfill His purpose in each of them. I need His Grace and Mercy to accomplish that. I am under no delusions as to WHY I have these invitations and opportunities... All that is good in me... All that is valuable in my life - comes from HIM. Last night our ministers and their wives gathered for communion and footwashing. I felt so blessed and unworthy and the same time. To be included in such an awesome group of men and women... to be a part of mentoring their minist...

We read His story this morning... my beautiful family sat in our living room with presents waiting under the tree. It was our eldest son, Brocc's turn to read the Christmas story from Luke as our five wonder-eyed grandbabies sat patiently listening to their favorite story. Baby Jesus is their hero in my olive wood Nativity set that I allow them to play with. My dad prayed a blessing upon our family and for those less fortunate... for our men and women serving on the battlefields in the middle east; while the children squeezed their eyes tightly shut - knowing that when they heard us all say "Amen" - they could rip into their stack of presents! I love this time of year, when family and friends gather and shower love. Its the one time of the year when you feel free to express gratitude and loving expressions to those you hold dear, without feeling you're being too mushy and sentimental. The leftovers are all stashed in the refrigerator and the wrapping paper and boxes h...

Its Thanksgiving week and I have loads of things to do - however, I've chosen to pause the preparations and voice my gratefulness. I am thankful for my family. My parents are my heroes and the best role models any girl could hope for. I am thankful they are still with us this holiday - maybe not in perfect health... but definitely "well" and in good spirits! If I can become half the person they believe I am... I'll be one awesome woman. They have always been my number one cheering section. They have helped me to believe that nothing is impossible for me if God is in it. My sisters and my brother are so precious to me. We will all be together this week and I feel like a little girl on my way to Grandma's house! We have so much fun together - especially with all of our wild and wonderful children and grandchildren. This year has been different. Storms have raged in my family's life. My sister's youngest daughter committed suicide; and yet peace reigns. Cance...

Saturday was our fourth annual Ribbons of Blue Day Conference. About 200 girls and ladies came - a little less than what we normally have - but a beautiful crowd. Normally, ROB is held in July, so this rainy, fall morning was quite a different setting. After a fired-up DOZ prayer time, we split up for our morning session (Ribbons and Fringes) - with ages 5-12 in the gym and the teens and adults in the sanctuary. In the gym the girls enjoyed a story-time re-enactment of my children's book; "Chloe's Ribbons of Blue"... music, games, relays and a wild-hair contest. We wanted them to see how fun it is to be holy, godly and seperate... and to realize that there are lots of other Apostolic girls - just like them - wearing their "Ribbons of Blue" with dignity and boldness! In the sanctuary we had small group discussion - and then eight attending pastor's wives gave their advice to the "real-life" scenarios we had just discussed. Ladies love giving ad...

I just returned from my Ladies' Prayer Retreat. This was our 21st annual retreat and it is always the highlight of my year. Thursday a tropical depression moved in and had us "rained in" all day - we had our Bible Study sessions, ate, sang and fellowshipped... and then we had a powerful time of prayer that night. We pulled out the old "Spring Lake Hot-Seat" and four hours later could not believe how long we had been at it! I would not give anything for these prayer meetings - when we pray each other "through" - walls come down - strongholds are broken - it takes us to new dimensions in our lives. But my very favorite part of the retreat is my "alone" time with the Lord. Friday night the weather cooperated and we walked out on the beach at around 9 pm. This setting always puts things in perspective for me. The waves roar ashore - and come to a screeching halt right where GOD tells them to. I always feel as if I am sitting in the lap of my mast...