guest blog: where are you from?

In ministry, we often move around a lot. But when does where you live become where you're from?

I lived eighteen years in Duncan, OK. Then three months in Pearland, TX. Four years of college in Abilene, TX. One year in Allen, TX. A few months in Bakersfield, CA. Then six years around the Raleigh, NC area. Now I live in south/central Penn. When someone asks, "Where are you from?" this easy question is actually difficult for me to answer.

I want to ask follow up questions. Do you want to know where I grew up (this question is usually to figure out my accent), where I moved from, or where I live now? You can see how this question can lead to a five minute story!

When I was visiting my parents in Texas recently I was asked where I was from. I said, "We live in Pennsylvania." I immediately felt guilty. My husband and I love our church. We love the area where we live. We hope to be there for years and years! So when will I be able to say that I'm from there?

Those of us who are taken to places other than our "homes" for ministry have a hard time feeling permanent there. But I am where God has placed me. Acts 17: 26 says, "...[God] has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings..." So it is not my husband, our church, or a job that has placed me where I live but God. To not put down roots where He has placed me is to doubt His love, wisdom, and plan for my life. So, I'll get on Facebook right now and change my "hometown."

What has helped you be able to put down roots where you live?

Sandra Peoples and her family live and minister in Pennsylvania. She blogs at Today's Housewife with friends.

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3 things i would change about my church

Vent time!
Can you list three things you would change about your church? Doesn't have to be all deep and spiritual (unless you want it to be), just things that get on your nerves on a regular basis -- your church pet peeves.

Here are mine:

• the service isn't streamlined and we very rarely get out before 1:30-2p.m..
• the children's ministry is an afterthought.
  
• innovation, cutting-edge methods and ideas, change, creativity = blank stares.
  

What are yours?

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how green is your church?

In celebration of Earth Day, I figured we'd green-up the conversation.

So, is your church intentional about going green? Does the church office recycle? Do you reuse/recycle bulletins?

Here are some recommendations for the congregation:

• Car pool to church once a month.
• Hold a local foods potluck with ingredients coming from within 150 miles of the church.
• Use CFS bulbs.
• Use glassware instead of paper or foam products.
• Use recycling bins.
• Use shade-grown, fair-trade coffee and reusable mugs.

How is your church encouraging members to take care of God's creation? How eco-friendly is your church? Tell us about it.

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in our shoes Bible study

I discovered this Bible study, In Our Shoes by Jennifer Landrith and Rachel Lovingood, at the ministers' wives event in Nashville last month. Have any of you done it? Do you like it? Do any of you plan to do it with other PWs? Would love your feedback...

If you want to learn more about the study, click here.

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How can we pray for you?

Inspired by the Global Pastor's Wives Network's call to pray for pastor's wives worldwide, we're moved to ask how we can pray for you...the women in our own little under-40 network.

We're committing for praying for you specifically, by name and situation, every day for the next week. For me (Delina) personally, it's refreshing to pray for other people and get out of my own head, issues, problems, stresses for a bit. I'm looking forward to praying for you.

If you're inclined to join us in praying for one another, please lift up these prayer requests on our behalf.

Delina: The next few months hold a lot of changes , decisions and transitions for our family (babies on the way, should we move closer to family? should he find another job? etc. etc.). We want to hear God clearly about our next moves. We want to move in faith and not rely on our own plans, fears, strategies and schemes in our decision-making.

Sarah: We've been pummeled from every side lately - first baby on the way, recently told I'm losing my job at the end of the summer, my PH's mom just diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia (she's his only living parent and they are very close), my father's health in decline, and seeking to lead wisely in our church through some current turmoil. My husband especially needs energy and discernment while he juggles all these crises on his plate.

How can we pray for you?

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