Thoughts from a Pastor's Wife 
by Cris

So many memories flood my mind at this time of my life: Thoughts of good times and bad, sorrows and blessings, heartaches and achievements.  Soon, however, all these thoughts may become a thing of the past .  .  .  Times past of a past church.  

My husband is about to candidate at a church in another state, after being at our present church for nearly ten years.  This was our first church, and with it came all the first church mistakes and blessings.  There are things I know now that I wished I had known from the beginning.  However, that is all a part of living.  We make mistakes in order to learn and to have God teach us a better way. 

I find myself torn now as I think about the prospect of leaving this present ministry.  There are so many that I have invested time in and have become a part of their lives.  I have seen their children grow from young children to married adults with children of their own.  There are also those who have invested time in me such as the woman who gave hundreds of dollars so that I might go away on a retreat, because she felt I could use the break. 

I also find myself torn because for the first time in these many years of ministry, I have a true, in the church, friend.  This person began coming to our church a year ago and what a blessing it has been.  Like flowers in the spring, God placed this person in my life after having gone through a long winter of my life. 

This could all change in the next few months.  In as short as three months I could be living in a state, very far away from this present one and life will take on a whole new meaning.  A part of me is excited.  I know that we have done the work that God called us to do.  I know that if it is God’s will that we leave, we should leave.  I also know that you can not stay for the one friend.  However, as the wife of the Pastor that is easier to say than to do. 

I have always considered myself a chameleon, and I know that upon arriving at the new church I will eventually get back into the swing of things.  I am thankful for the good memories the Lord has given me at this present church.  I also know that whether we stay or move on He will be there for me and will find new ways to bless our family’s lives. 

It is the letting go that is so hard.  I wonder if Paul struggled with this too as he went around starting new churches, throughout the early church years.  Letting go and Letting God, as mentioned by so many in present day Christianity can be a faith builder or destroyer.  I know that if I try to go with my feelings and emotions, I will mess the whole process up.  So, I will let go and allow God to lead, wherever that may be. 

I made a vow, to God, when I first said I do to the man that would be my "Pastor" husband.  I vowed that I would go ‘Anywhere with Jesus.’  This is again a time of testing.  God is seeing if I will remain faithful and will hold to that vow, no matter where it leads. 

I know that many of you will face the same feelings and emotions that I myself am going through.  I pray that the Lord will show you as He has shown me that it is OK to let go and let God.  I also pray that you will open your hearts to go "Anywhere with Jesus."
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John 20:21 
Jesus therefore said to them again,
"Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
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GUEST GALLERY & SPECIAL GUEST CHAT!!!

We are pleased to announce to you our first special guest chat with published children’s author, Susan Taylor Brown! Susan is our July guest!

You can read more about her by visiting:
http://www.sarahstent.com/Guest%20Gallery/July%20Guest1.htm

NEW PASTORS' WIVES WEB RING 

If you know of a pastors’ wives web site that you’d like to see included in the ring, please write either Amy@pastorwives.org or Shannon at Sarahstent@aol.com with the URL address of that site.
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I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse the something I can do.
~ Helen Keller

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REQUEST

PastorsWives – ‘Thriving in the Fishbowl’ is in the process of prayerfully planning future retreats. 

In order to make these retreats a blessing to you, we want to know what you want!  Please visit http://www.pastorswives.org/retreatform.shtml and complete the survey.   

If you do not have internet access or can not get the survey to work for you, please let me know via retreats@pastorswives.org and I'll send you a survey via email.

Thanks for your help!

Amy
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 WINNER!!!   WINNER!!!   WINNER!!!

  Joie Fiels found last week's colored ball. 
Her original art print is in the mail! Congratulations Joie!

Click Here to learn more.

Contributing a prize is a great way to show off your talents or business! 
Contact Sarahstent@sarahstent.com for more information.
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John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 
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YOU are a potential sponsor to bring hope and encouragement to pastors’ wives around the world when you sow into Sarah’s Tent.
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"Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God." 

- (Mother Teresa)
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Today I am sharing a recipe that is a "MUST HAVE" in your file as a Pastor's Wife!   It's been a favorite at our house for years as a company recipe.  My favorite is using one butterscotch and one vanilla instant pudding instead of lemon.  Chocolate is also delicious! 

LEMON LUSH 

1 stick margarine, melted

1 cup flour

1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts)

1 8 oz cream cheese

1 cup cool whip

1 cup powdered sugar

2 small package instant lemon pudding

3 cups milk 

Mix and press first 3 ingredients together  into a9 x 13 inch pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool.  Blend together next 3 ingredients.  Spread on cooled crust.   Mix pudding with 3 cups of milk and spread on layer 2.  Cover with cool whip and chopped nuts.  Refrigerate.  Serves 14 - 16.

Can use 2 small packages any flavor instant pudding to change from lemon to pistachio to chocolate, etc.  Your choice.  Enjoy!  (or you can also use one type of pudding for 1/2 of it and another for the other half...duel purpose.

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CHUCKLES & THOUGHTS

Submitted by: tomwilloughby@tri-lakes.net

  On a flight to Florida, I was preparing my notes for one of the  parent-education seminars I conduct as an educational psychologist.  The elderly woman sitting next to me explained that she was returning to Miami after having spent two weeks visiting her six children, 18 grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren in Boston.  Then she inquired what I did for a living.

 I told her, fully expecting her to question me for free professional advice.

 Instead she sat back, picked up a magazine and said, "If there's anything you want to know, just ask me."

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Submitted by: Delores D.

Finding one of her students making faces at others on the playground, Ms.Smith stopped to gently reprove the child.  Smiling sweetly, the Sunday School teacher said, "Bobby, when I was a child I was told if that I made ugly faces, it would freeze and I would stay like that.”  Bobby looked up and replied, "Well, Ms. Smith, you can't say you weren't warned."

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Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 20