Congratulations

We would like to congratulate the former Regina Crawford and Jacob Lewis, who exchanged vows on this past Saturday in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach. We wish them all of the best as they embark on this journey together.

27 Years and Counting!

27 years ago today I married the love of my life. Sometimes I love him, sometimes I want to crack him over his head. But each and every day I thank God for bringing such a sweet, funny, complicated, generous, God fearing man into my life. Marc and I met when we were 15 and 16 (in church mind you). We spent the summer getting to know each other and then did not see each other for nearly three years. The year I graduated from high school I moved to Chesapeake to live with my aunt and uncle while studying fashion merchandising. I contacted Marc to say hello since we had lost contact with each other. We spent hours on the phone talking and then he came over to my families home and we talked for a few more hours. The rest as they say is history. We have been inseparable every since then. Has it been an easy 27 years? No, not by any means. But when we got married we made a commitment to tough it out no matter what.

Marriage is hard work. It takes two people who are willing to put the other persons needs (and sometime their wants) above their own needs and wants. There are some days when we do a good job of that and then there are times when we really miss the mark. That's just life. Ministry is sort of like a marriage. It's hard work! You make a commitment because of the calling that God has placed on your life. Some days it will seem easy, and then there are days when you wonder why you do what you do. But in the end you realize that its important to stay the course.

If I could give couples one piece of advice it would be to protect your marriage at all cost. You should never sacrifice your marriage (or family) for ministry (or for work, hobbies, friends or children). Is it hard to balance the two ? Yes! But in the end if you don't take the time to nurture your marriage, then you will find it hard to minister to those who may be having difficulty in their marriage. Marc and I don't hide the fact from our children that our marriage is not always easy. We want them to know that they can work through stuff, and that they don't have to give up and throw in the towel when things get tough. As a matter of fact I hope that we have taught them that despite some tough times their father and I still love each other. We talk things out, make up and move forward. So even though the last 27 years have not always been a bed of roses, I'm thankful for the 27 years we have had together. And I look forward to 27 plus more!

Be My Valentine!

Marc celebrated his birthday a few days ago. If you asked him he would tell you he was 29 and holding. That would be a problem since our oldest is 26. Me thinks he would have some explaining to do! LOL

I don't think people realize how much is on my husbands plate. He is a work-a-holic by nature. He is not very good at laying back and relaxing so at times you have to "make" him sit still and smell the roses.

He basically holds down three important jobs. First and foremost he is a father and husband. He also makes a pretty good brother, nephew and son-in-law. My mom would tell you that in a heart beat (and that's saying a lot coming from her because she doesn't pull any punches. I'm sure she wonders on occasion where she got me from, but that's story for another time). HAHA

Secondly he is a pastor. I love the passion he has for WABC. But more then that I admire the passion he has for Christ and doing what God calls him to do no matter what! You won't find him sitting on the sidelines while others do all of the work either. He has a true gift for servanthood and if you asked him he would tell you he's not interested in being catered to, he would rather you reserve that for those in need. The ones outside of the four walls of the church.

He is also Bi-vocational. After many years of serving under others, watching as others were promoted (in many cases, people he actually trained), being laid off twice from his job, and overlooked time after time by people who never took the time to see past the fact that he did not have a degree he started his own business. Its not always easy, actually life has never been very easy for him. But he is one of the few people I know who hardly ever complains about what the world has thrown at him. Through it all (good times, bad times, sickness, financial woes) you name it I have seen this man go through it all and still come out on the other side holding firm and fast to his faith.

I love and admire him so much for what he has accomplished thus far in life and I look forward to seeing where God takes him.

So on this weekend dedicated to all things love...do you appreciate the one you love? How often do you speak words of love into their life? Why not start today? Yes, its Valentines Day, but one day on the calender once a year should not be the only time you tell (or show) your spouse how much you care. Everyday should be Valentine's Day.

Sweetheart Banquet

If you are interested in attending the Annual Minister's Wives and Widows Alliance of Tidewater Sweetheart banquet on February 12th (7 PM) please speak with Pastor Marc or Cyndi. The banquet will be held at the Edmonds Center at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth VA. The cost of the event is $40.00 per person (all money must be turned in by February 5th). The theme for this year is " Dedicated Women Serving and Surviving Through Worship, Prayer and Praise".

Marriage Weekend

The Marriage Conference scheduled for February 13th has been canceled.