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.

It's Christmas Time!

The Couples and Singles ministry invites you to join Pastor Marc and Cyndi for the play "Gift of Maji" at New Life Providence Church on Sunday December 13th at 6 PM (if possible please meet us at the church at 5:30 PM). Admission is free. Please see Cyndi Jennings for more details.

Marriage Enrichment Weekend 2010

Couples mark your calender for February 13th 2010. WABC along with Pastor Marc and his wife Cyndi will host a Marriage Enrichment Workshop. Get ready for great sessions filled with inspiring speakers, resources and a special couples luncheon. Stay tuned for more details.

On This Journey Together

26 years ago yesterday I married the love of my life. We have been on this wild ride for so long that sometimes its hard to believe its been 26 years. But we have walked it together. Across oceans, through war time and peace time. Raising three beautiful kids (no, they are not perfect but they are pretty good kids, they are ours and we wouldn't trade them for anything). We have had some good days and some really bad days. Last year Marc became very ill and we found out what "in sickness and in health" really meant, yet we survived! The longest we have ever been apart from each other was the 7 months Marc spent in Saudi Arabia. At the most now we may be separated a few days. God has blessed us beyond our imagination. A few years ago Marc lost his job twice within a year. It didn't tear us apart, it pulled us closer. When we got married people said it wouldn't last because we were so young. We beat the odds!! If I could offer any advice to young couples it would be to never give up. Its so much easier to throw in the towel. It's a lot harder to stay together. Sometimes you will go to bed mad, sometimes you will want to trade him or her in for a new model (or what you think is a better model). Don't. Marriage is one of the most sacred gifts God gave to a man and a woman.The one thing I learned from the marriage retreat we attended this past February is that Marc is not my enemy. This I do know, and that is that the enemy does not want our marriages to succeed. I say he is a liar and he won't, can't have my family. Marc and I made a commitment to each other all of those years ago knowing we were in it for the long haul. No matter what. I'm looking forward to seeing what path God will take us on next. It's been a journey worth traveling. Happy Anniversary Marc.......Cyndi.

Dinner and the Theatre

The Marriage and Singles Ministry invites you to join Pastor Marc and Cyndi for "The Play", the Story of the Man Called Jesus. Info on the cost of tickets can be found here. We are hoping to obtain tickets for the April 4th performance, so if you are interested in attending please let Cyndi Jennings know as soon as possible. Depending on the time we will have dinner either before or after the play at The Applebee's on Kempsville Road in Va Beach.