Leading and Loving It

What’s Your Flavor … Design

We have serious love for HGTV at our house.

We watch House Hunters International and yell at those people to make sure they choose the right flat in London or condo in the Caribbean.

We watch Holmes on Homes and witness that cover-all clad guy fixing everyone’s houses.

But my favorites are all of the design shows. I’m not even very picky. I just like to watch them and get ideas … although I am a little partial to David Bromstead.

My design style is comfy, modern with a mid-century twist so to speak. Think Crate & Barrel-ish. And I’m currently surrounded by browns, blues and creamy whites. In fact, you’ll get to see my living room during the JustONE Conference. While this isn’t my house, it is actually my couch and tables … so, there you go.

How about you? What’s your design style? And if you watch HGTV, what’s your favorite show?

TEAM SPIRIT

Posted by Tiffany Cooper

I have always enjoyed spending time with the staff wives at our church.  Thanks to the inspiration from Leading and Loving It, we had a fun staff wives night this past Monday night from 7-9pm.  The night’s theme was TEAM SPIRIT.  I encouraged the ladies to wear team/sports apparel and everything was built around a sports theme.

Order of Events:

* Welcome: As the ladies arrived, I had a music play-list with the top sports songs.

* Game: 3 ladies were given a cup with 10 Cheetos cheeseballs.  The lady who was able to catch the most in her mouth after throwing them into the air won a giftcard.

* Team Talk:  My talk was built around famous sports quotes.  Example: “There’s no “I” in Team”  “No Pain, No Gain”

* Team Huddle:  Each lady shared 3 things about themselves.  We left the night more connected as we laughed and shed a few tears.

* Locker Signs:  Based off of locker signs in high school athletics, the ladies were given a locker sign with another staff wife’s name on it.  They used markers to write them an encouraging note.  These were exchanged.

* Prayer:  As we ended the prayer, the song “We are the Champions” was playing.  We got a few laughs out of this.

A Few Pictures from TEAM SPIRIT

I raided my boys rooms for sports decor. I had planned to wear my high school cheerleading skirt but it didn't fit:-(

We had concession stand type snacks. The water was the only healthy thing on the menu.

Each lady received a popcorn container with candy snacks. They took these treats home.

I love my girls! Notice the wonderful "Air Jordan" and the "Cowboys Fan" and "Team Edward and Team Jacob".

Of course, the Oklahoma Sooners represented strong!!!

I loved this special time together. Everything throughout the night was designed to encourage and connect the ladies.  I’m already excited about our next event.

How do you connect with the staff wives at your church? Events? One on One?

Through the Eyes of … the Young Adult Pastor’s Wife

This week we get to meet Adrienne Fuller. She and her husband have been married for five years. And just look at those two adorable boys, Titus and Malachi. Make sure to visit her blog

1. What is your role in leadership/ministry?

My husband is the young adult minister at First Christian Church Merritt Island, in Merritt Island, Florida.  I also recently took on the role as nursery coordinator.

2. What is your favorite thing about your role?

People.  The different gifts, personalities, and walks of life.  I am continually amazed at how unique God has made each one of us.

3. What is the most challenging thing?

People.  Sometimes being sensitive to everyone’s different needs, knowing where they are in their walk, and being able to minister specifically to them can be daunting…and it’s something that if you mess up-offend someone, or if they don’t feel just right in your group-it feels, to me, like a special kind of failure.

4. What do you wish someone had told you before you started in your area of leadership/ministry?

I don’t know that it would have made a difference, but I wish I had heard more often the affirmation that you do not have to be perfect.  I cannot be someone’s salvation, I can only do my best to lead them to the One that is.

5. How has God used your leadership to grow and change you?

I have often been pushed, and even sometimes forced to do something I am not comfortable doing…or don’t feel “gifted” to do.  His power is surely made perfect in my weakness.

6. For those in ministry, what does a typical weekend look like for you?

Fridays and Saturdays are pretty consistently “people” days.  We spend a lot of time hanging out with the young adults.  Sundays start around 6:30, and consist of services, lunch, small groups, and “SNL-our young adult group.

Hot, Hot, Hot…

Posted by Brandi Wilson

Last Thursday Tiffany shared some tips on how she manages home and ministry.  I have to say that I love seeing other people’s routines and gaining insight on what works for their family.

In fact, the best tip I’ve received recently was actually a comment left on this blog by Andie.  A few weeks back I talked a little about balance and how that works for my family.  Andie commented and said,

“Growing up my mom always told me the woman is the thermostat of the home. She sets the “temperature.”  So as I’m peaceful, my home is relatively peaceful.”

I’m a super visual gal, so viewing my attitude, actions, and responses as a thermostat really spoke to me when I look at the impact I make on my family.  And honestly, I can’t count the number of times I have watched it happen.  Unfortunately my frantic, loss of control, rise in temperature attitude can filter down to my family a little more quickly than my calm as a cucumber attitude!

So, Andie, thank you for your piece of advice.  You have no idea how many times the last few weeks I’ve tried to gauge if I’m a cool, refreshing 72 or rising up to hit a blazing 99!

Rumblings …

This weekend my husband preached on Acts 6. It is chocked full of great stuff, but the first verse encouraged me again this weekend. I’ve noticed this verse before, but this weekend it ministered to me again.

Acts 6:1 (NLT) But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.

Yep … the disciples … the men who walked with Jesus, ate with Him, talked with Him, lived with Him, witnessed many miracles, walked on water, and were His closest friends … yes, those disciples led a church where there were “rumblings of discontent.”

So, I wonder why I’m surprised and disheartened when, inside our wonderful church which is amazingly unified, we hear some rumblings. You know the ones I’m talking about … sometimes faint, sometimes deafening, rumblings of discontent.

My heart is always so encouraged when God whispers: “You aren’t alone.”

If you are experiencing rumblings … many or few … just know that you are not alone either. In fact, I’d say we are in pretty great company.