Big News - because apparently God didn’t hear me.
We have big news in our family. Something exciting! Something that will mean a transition for all of us. Something that will require sacrifices but will also bring blessings…No, I’m not pregnant. (I’m sure a few of you were sweating!)
Ricky started a new job today. He has taken a position at our church and he’s really excited.
I’ve always said I’d never be married to a pastor. I grew up with family members that were pastors. My dad was on staff at a few churches. I’ve seen the frustrations and sacrifices required to work in full-time ministry. You might not know this about me, but I don’t like frustrations. I don’t like sacrifices either. So I’m sure you can imagine - I was pleased as pie when I met and fell in love with Ricky. He had a heart for ministry but a paycheck from corporate America. However, over the years, the heart for ministry has grown and the paycheck from corporate America has become less and less fulfilling. So…God did what God does. He opened a door that only He could open at the exact right time and voila! I’m married to a pastor. His title I think is “Spiritual Formation Pastor” so I really am a “pastors wife”.
Apparently God did not hear me the 87 times I made the prediction that I wouldn’t be married to a pastor. So now, I have to be nice to people in the grocery store and never give someone a dirty look in the parking lot. I can’t be caught reading tabloids in the grocery store (although I do think our Pastor’s wife might read the occasional US Weekly.) I’m going to have to always speak in sweet, low tones to my kids and gaze longingly at my husband - well, at least the gazing won’t be hard…
All kidding aside, it’s a great fit for Ricky and I’m am so proud of him and SO excited for him. The church is fortunate to have him in that role and he is fortunate to be in that role. I really think it will be a win-win for everyone.
I, however, am going to be more careful about the sweeping predictions I make about how I think my life will turn out. I always said, I’d never home-school my children. Apparently God didn’t hear the 148 times I said that, because he has really laid it on my heart in a way I can’t ignore. I am still dragging my feet on that one though, hoping he’ll change his mind. I’m also wondering if he has heard the 297 times I’ve said we aren’t planning on having any more kids. I think I’ll quit saying it - for good measure.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Well, for the record…I ALWAYS said that Ricky would be a pastor one day or at least deeply involved in something beyond just lay ministry. I just knew it. No surprise here!
But the question begs to be answered…
Every good pastor I know has a blog. When will Ricky start his?!?
Dori
December 10th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Congratulations to Ricky and to you! I had no idea that Ricky had a background in spiritual formation. That’s something I’ve thought about doing for a long time, but I’m just not in a season where I can get the necessary training/education to do it. Maybe someday! And from a pastor who’s seen how tough it can be to be on a spouse, remember that you’re human and that you’re only expected to be who you are–no more and no less.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
oh crap. i always said i would never marry a youth pastor. The funny thing is my husband was headed that way (before I knew him) and God ended up pointing him to ministering to youth through the music industry instead… but now you got me worried
All kidding aside, congrats, that’s awesome.
December 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
That is awesome Carmen. He is going to do great. He is a very sweet man just from the few minutes of talking to him. He seems real. Trust me, I love the fact that a pastor’s wife is real. If you want to read US Weekly, go ahead we all do it. If you need to give someone a dirty look just say, “bless your heart” instead, etc. Just stay real!!! That is what I LOVE about both of you.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I can’t tell you how honored we are to have him as part of the team!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Been there, done that! Except, I knew what I was getting into when we got married. God does work things out in ways we could never imagine. I know that Ricky AND his family will work well in the “ministry”. You have been doing that — ministering — for years!
Take care. Love and prayers to all to Cooks.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Yeah, you should stop about the family thing…you know how that turned out for us!
We are really excited for Ricky (and you too!). Ricky is one of those men that we really respect and we know that this will be a great place for him.
Homeschool, huh? We might need to talk soon!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
well, you’re now two weeks again… hoping you’re still as optimistic! i never thought i’d be a pastor’s wife… never in a million years would have guessed…. but here i am 12 years later and truly love my roll. crosspoint is such an amazing place to serve! so glad ricky’s on the “team”!
merry christmas!
January 6th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Carmen,
John and I are so thrilled for the orchestration that only HE can do. What an exciting transition for all of you. I’m sure Ricky will not be the only one deeply changed and sanctified through this process. Reading this made me think of an awesome documentary I watched this year on Dr. Billy Graham’s wife. The sacrifices that women made were endless…and Billy along with every child of their’s said she never complained once! Now there’s something worth striving for. I’ll be praying for you! Let us all have the deep desire to be that Proverbs 31 wife that He called us to be!
(Oh and Dori….not all good pastor’s have blogs….or at least Byron
In Him,
Lauren
February 5th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Congrats to your husband–there’s nothing better than being squarely in the middle of God’s unfolding plan! If you need any inspiration or information regarding home schooling I’d love to be of assistance. I’ve home schooled my 16 year old daughter since Kindergarten.