You Know When You have Your Own Voice

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when he gets sick, you teach his lessons at youth group, and then discover your own voice.

Recently, Nathan got sick over a weekend.  The bug came on quick Thursday afternoon and didn't leave until Monday. I found myself offering to lead both JH and HS youth groups, so he could stay home to rest and heal.  Both times, I found out he was going to take me up on my offer about an hour before youth group was to begin--he always holds out hope that he can make it!

For the Junior High lesson, I took Nathan's outline that he had prepared and did my best to teach from it.  It went ok.  But, I realized it wasn't a topic that I had any current passion for--I delivered the lesson, filled up the proper amount of time, shared relevant life stories and even used the proper object lesson involving vinegar. I was using my mouth, but his voice to teach from God's word.

When Sunday night came around and I realized Nathan wasn't feeling any better, I volunteered again to share with the students. This time I knew that I needed to share from my heart and not just from his lesson plan.  I was able to use the verses that he had chosen for the night, but I put my own twist on it--from what God had been speaking to me over the past few months.  I would sum it up as, "The darker the world, the brighter we shine." I loved every moment of it (well, after the first few minutes of being very nervous) and I'm thankful I had the opportunity to use his theme, yet have my own voice.

Photo: me and my healthy hubby on last week's HS Mission Trip

You Know When you Promise

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you make promises selectively and seriously. 

As a youth pastor wife, there have only been two promises I have made to young ladies in the youth group.

First Promise and a confession: I think toes are ugly.  So, to help them out, I am a proponent of toe rings.  I wear four. Two on my left foot and two on my right foot.  When students notice them, I tell them that I've been wearing the toe ring since before they were born.  And, that if they decide to wear one and still have it on when they are 21 years old,  they are to come back to town, find me and I'll take them out to lunch!  So far, no one has lasted this long, but I have my hopes up for a few certain girls!

Second Promise:  When I hear that a young lady has a desire to become the wife of a youth pastor, I promise to pray for them to have this desire of their heart realized.  When God moves the heart of a young lady to ministry, I feel it is a very special time and a unique calling that God only gives to a few.  Since being a youth pastor wife requires a youth pastor husband, I promise to pray for her as she lives life and waits to see how God will arrange for the special young man to come across her path.

I've been blessed to see young ladies with this desire meet spouses that have a desire to love and serve the Lord in ministry. I'm currently praying for another young woman and I'm excited to see what God will do!

You Know When He's Loved

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when he's loved by other women.  You know when he's surrounded by beautiful ladies and you are not jealous, but thankful for each of them!

You Know When He Lies

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you're playing the "Liar" card game as a family and he's caught every time. He can't lie to save his life!

You Know When You're Jealous

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you are jealous that he is in church and you are not.

Today I'm jealous of my husband. 

I love church.  I love attending church! I love the people, the encouragement, the challenges, the worship...all of it!  I really don't like to miss church, but here I am. at home. missing church.  Why? Because I've got a child with a fever who needs to stay at home to heal and rest.

One thing I didn't ever consider is that when my husband and I would have a family--I would be the one to stay home every time a child got sick.  There are no taking turns. On a Sunday, I win every who-will-stay-home-with-the-sick-kid-this-time conversation.

I guess this is a good problem to have.  I'm thankful that church is a place I want to be. When I miss the fellowship of believers and community time with God, I'm at the same time thankful that I can care for my little ones...and am a little jealous of my husband.

You Know When He Reads Your Diary

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when he opens his lesson with this statement, "I'm going to be reading to you from my wife's diary tonight....oh, I forgot to check with her....it's ok, right?"
And, you are actually ok with it. :)

When You're Complimented on Your Outfit

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when one compliment by a teenage girl (who was probably 6 years old when you BOUGHT your outfit) tells you she likes your outfit and that she wants to get pants just like yours!
Especially if it's after one of your children tells you, "You look like Jessie, from Toy Story 3...you know, the movie that makes you cry."  
And your other child looks up at you during church and says, "Mom, you look like a train conductor."  Thanks.

source: 

http://www.moviestillsdb.com/movies/toy-story-3-i435761/d63ed3b6

When you Think You've Seen it all

When you're on a Junior High Retreat and you think you've seen it all...and then realize you haven't seen it all.  And when parents/friends/relatives/church members ask you how the retreat went, you don't even bother to explain some of the crazy, sad and amazing things that happen and just say, "it was great! (which it was but no one has time to hear all the details and you feel a bit like Jesus' mother, Mary, where you just store up and treasure these moments in your heart)."

You Know When you Sweat

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you play 'Bump' with a group of 7th and 8th grade boys and consider it your exercise for the day.  And when you get second place and feel like you've won a gold medal in the Olympics. 

You know when he's acting

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when you console his nerves before the Children's Christmas Play with very little sympathy and tell him, "Maybe if you shaved off your beard, they wouldn't ask you next time."

You Know When you Get 'er Done!

You know you're the wife of a youth pastor when hubby comes to you during youth group and asks, "Can you come up with 15 questions to ask the students for our next game?"
Three minutes later--done, no sweat.  And they are good, too.
 

You Know When Shopping for Him

If you have ever felt this while shopping for your youth pastor hubby on the day after Halloween or Easter purchasing cart loads of candy, or shopping for an event that involves 10 liters of Mountain Dew for a breakfast.