About
I'm a yokemate!
It's a rather peculiar word - yokemate - but I just love the word picture it portrays.
So, how did I get here and who am I?
My name is Annette, and this coming May my husband and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary. Seems impossible! Since the day we said "I do," an amazing adventure began. Our story includes a summer internship in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, our early years in Clarkston, Washington and over 35 years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We've been blessed to raise three beautiful daughters who are now married and raising families of their own. We rejoice in watching God at work in their homes and are privileged to help nurture and love our seven grandchildren - with maybe a smidge of spoiling from time to time!
Over the years, I have grown leaps and bounds in my faith and have searched to understand God's plan for my life. In the midst of my discoveries, God gave me a passion to encourage others in ministry - and specifically those who carry the title of pastor's wife. In time, God nudged me to spread His love with other pastors' wives and opened doors for me to...
...and in the spirit of giving our lives to God for His purposes, check out this great song entitled, "I Will Go" by Big Daddy Weave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP6L2J6MCoU
Do You Speak at Events?
Over the past 35 years, I have enjoyed teaching teens and women through one-on-one discipleship, small groups and workshops - groups ranging in size from 1-40. I have also had a few opportunities to speak before groups of 200 or more. Whatever the opportunity, my heart is to share how God is transforming my life so that others may gain a greater sense of hope, perseverance and surrender in their faith and as they seek to grow closer to Jesus. Whether digging deeper into the truths of Scripture or tackling some of the more delicate topics of marriage, parenting and ministry, we have a lot we can learn together!
What drives my desire to teach?
How often will there be a new blog post?
Typically, I post weekly - but COVID19 has definitely challenged my schedule. For now, my goal has been every 10-14 days (Life sometimes just gets in the way!) I hope to get back on a weekly schedule this fall!
Blog posts often focus on something that recently happened in my life - often relating to being a pastor's wife - and how God worked in my heart. My writing and speaking has often been called 'transparent' which used to concern me. I felt naked before the world, but then I thought, "Wow! That works." There is a definite need in our world to be more authentic with each other, especially as Christians, so that we can get rid of any false pretenses or misconceptions others might have of us as pastors' wives.
Here's just one simple example of how God spoke to my heart one Sunday when I was hit hard with a communication breakdown just a few minutes after arriving at the church. How did I cope? Well, you can be the judge of that...
So, what happened?
1. I was blindsided with a change - not what had been agreed to.
Whew!
I don't know if you have that drama going on in your head from time to time, but I'm assuming it might happen from time to time. In sharing my not so glamorous roller coaster ride of life with you, I'm hopeful that God will use my human frailty to show His grace and abundant love while giving you renewed hope - and possibly a few tools to help you do better than I did in a particular situation. After all, we're in this together!
It's a rather peculiar word - yokemate - but I just love the word picture it portrays.
- Partners
- Joined together
- Committed
- United in purpose
- With my husband – my pastor!
- Single-minded
- Partnered in purpose (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- My companion and friend (Philippians 4:3)
- Learning from Him
- Resting in Him (Matthew 11:30)
So, how did I get here and who am I?
My name is Annette, and this coming May my husband and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary. Seems impossible! Since the day we said "I do," an amazing adventure began. Our story includes a summer internship in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, our early years in Clarkston, Washington and over 35 years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We've been blessed to raise three beautiful daughters who are now married and raising families of their own. We rejoice in watching God at work in their homes and are privileged to help nurture and love our seven grandchildren - with maybe a smidge of spoiling from time to time!
Over the years, I have grown leaps and bounds in my faith and have searched to understand God's plan for my life. In the midst of my discoveries, God gave me a passion to encourage others in ministry - and specifically those who carry the title of pastor's wife. In time, God nudged me to spread His love with other pastors' wives and opened doors for me to...
- Lead a weekly chat for pastors' wives on Crosswalk.com (when online forums were all the rage!)
- Self-publish a newsletter for pastors' wives for over a decade.
- Have a few articles published in 'Just Between Us' magazine.
- Be blessed to lead a few workshops for pastors' wives at denominational events.
- Introduce myself to others which then blossomed into some precious friendships.
...and in the spirit of giving our lives to God for His purposes, check out this great song entitled, "I Will Go" by Big Daddy Weave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP6L2J6MCoU
Do You Speak at Events?
Yes! Whether a retreat, workshop, banquet or conference, I'd love to prayerfully consider partnering with you in your journey to encourage other women - and especially those who are in the pastoral ministry.
Over the past 35 years, I have enjoyed teaching teens and women through one-on-one discipleship, small groups and workshops - groups ranging in size from 1-40. I have also had a few opportunities to speak before groups of 200 or more. Whatever the opportunity, my heart is to share how God is transforming my life so that others may gain a greater sense of hope, perseverance and surrender in their faith and as they seek to grow closer to Jesus. Whether digging deeper into the truths of Scripture or tackling some of the more delicate topics of marriage, parenting and ministry, we have a lot we can learn together!
What drives my desire to teach?
- The authority and power of God's Word and how its truth can impact and transform our lives each day.
- A passion for the local church and the opportunities leaders can discover and trust God to help walk them through.
- The promise found in Isaiah 55:9-12 that assures us that as we share God's Word with others He plants seeds in hearts and minds.
- The trickle down effect has a huge impact on the Kingdom. If we have a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father, we will be better equipped to influence those around us for Christ and be more effective helpmates to our pastor/husbands.
Ministry wives, regardless of their husband's title, all need encouragement and the opportunity to have their passion for and partnership with the Gospel strengthened throughout their journey. If I can help to be one part of that puzzle, I'd love to share with your group.
How often will there be a new blog post?
Typically, I post weekly - but COVID19 has definitely challenged my schedule. For now, my goal has been every 10-14 days (Life sometimes just gets in the way!) I hope to get back on a weekly schedule this fall!
Blog posts often focus on something that recently happened in my life - often relating to being a pastor's wife - and how God worked in my heart. My writing and speaking has often been called 'transparent' which used to concern me. I felt naked before the world, but then I thought, "Wow! That works." There is a definite need in our world to be more authentic with each other, especially as Christians, so that we can get rid of any false pretenses or misconceptions others might have of us as pastors' wives.
Here's just one simple example of how God spoke to my heart one Sunday when I was hit hard with a communication breakdown just a few minutes after arriving at the church. How did I cope? Well, you can be the judge of that...
So, what happened?
1. I was blindsided with a change - not what had been agreed to.
2. I was quick to blame (internally) who I thought was the perpetrator.
3. When others questioned the change I watched my words, but I could have done better.
4. Soon I found out why the change occurred.
5. I didn't agree with the process, but understood the why's and the non-malicious intent.
6. I backtracked and fixed #3 - regretting my lack of self-control.
7. I had to lower my emotions and ask God to help me 'Get over myself.'
8. I took a deep breath, let the stress flow out, gave it back to God and enjoyed worship.
Whew!
I don't know if you have that drama going on in your head from time to time, but I'm assuming it might happen from time to time. In sharing my not so glamorous roller coaster ride of life with you, I'm hopeful that God will use my human frailty to show His grace and abundant love while giving you renewed hope - and possibly a few tools to help you do better than I did in a particular situation. After all, we're in this together!
"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21
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