Written by Connie Coppings

Paintsville, Ky.

In a few hours we will be welcoming a new year filled with many responsibilities, and many unknowns.  Today as I thought about having to take down the tree, put away the decorations another year, catch up on all the laundry, clean the house, and, oh yes, get back on my diet, I felt so weary.  My optimism about a new year was at an all time low.

Let’s face it, being in ministry requires energy.  When i get tired, I know that I do not function well as a pastor’s spouse.  I tend to get into the “poor me” mode and find myself avoiding reaching out to others.  What a way to begin 2010.

As I thought about what I could write to encourage you going into this next year, God put a scripture into my mind.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lost heart”(Galatians 6:9 NKJV) kept running amidst my not so spiritual thoughts.  “But Lord, how do I keep on finding joy in serving?” I pondered as I went about my household tasks.

First of all, my joy must come from the very One that created it–Jesus.  When I see my role as a wife as just a list of household and church duties, my enthusiasm wanes and my world is out of focus.  Like the song says, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” and when I spend time with Him daily, I will find what I need to get through the day.  If I will allow HIm in all I do, I find renewed joy and become a better servant.

Next, when I shift the focus from myself, I’m able to share my time and energy with those around me in need.  “But don’t you get tired of helping people,” I’m often asked.  And yes, sometimes I do.  However, that usually happens when I see myself as having to come up with the solution and not allowing God to guide.  When I endeavor to see people through God’s eyes, I don’t just see the “need,” but instead see someone whom God has created and loves just as much as He loves me.  I am merely a channel of His love and direction for others in their difficult times, not the answer to all their problems.

Another vital part of keeping joy in my life is me.  Am I being selfish to say such a thing?  I don’t think so because I believe God wants us to celebrate who, and whose, we are.  Going around with an attitude that I’m ugly, or fat, or have nothing to offer others isn’t a way to find joy.  It deflates my spirit and affects my relationship with God, my spouse and anyone else around me.  Did you ever notice that frustrated people don’t exude much joy!  Criticism (it does happen in ministry) and stress (like I’m feeling now) cause us to doubt ourselves, and God’s love for us.  While we aren’t to boast of our talents, I think we do a disservice to our Creator when we fail to appreciate our uniqueness.  Try sitting down and writing out your abilities and thanking God for each one.

So, I leave you with this challenge for the upcoming year.  Find J-O-Y.  Whether the problem is in your relationship with God, others, or yourself, work it through with a friend or a counselor.  No one else can carry out the role God has for you.  One of Ralph Carmichael’s songs says, “Did you ever hear God speaking to you? Saying, “I’ve got a job to do, and I’ll sure be needing you if it ever gets done.” 

This site is meant to encourage and motivate pastors’ wives as they seek to fulfill the call God has upon their lives.  If I have shared something that speaks to you, please feel free to leave a comment, ask a question, or just share your heart.

Heavenly Father, help us to not grow weary in serving others.  Help us remember that You are the source of our strength.  Renew our joy that it might shine forth to others in this coming year.

Written by Connie Coppings

Paintsville, Ky.

This is one of my favorite times in the church’s calendar year.  I love the giant tree with the homemade chrismons (symbolic decorations of the season) adorning it, the bright red Poinsettias that fill the front of the church, and the soft candle light at the Christmas Eve service.  Of course, there is the children’s play (with numerous practices), playing for church services and the choir specials, attending the myriad of church and community services, helping needy families at the local food pantry, and caroling at the nursing home. 

But wait—that doesn’t include my baking, sending Christmas cards, shopping for and wrapping our gifts, decorating our home, and being a wife to a very busy husband.  Whew!  No wonder I (and many other ministerial spouses) arrive at Christmas with an attitude of weariness.  For those who have children, it’s even more so. 

As Christmas approached this year, I asked God to help me focus on the real meaning of this holy season.  While things need to be done, none are so important that I need miss the very essence of the Christmas story.  On that night so long ago, God had a message for His people and I believe He has one for us today, if we but listen. 

It is easy to get lost amidst all our ministerial responsibilities and miss what God tries to tell us.  Worship is hard to experience sometimes when you’re busy “doing” on Sunday mornings or at other services.  Our bodies and minds need refreshed also so that we may continue to answer His call to  service.  We need to use caution in how we give of ourselves at this very hectic time of the year.

Although I play the piano every Sunday, I’m striving this year to also sing along with the carols (not exactly a melodious sound), but it helps me focus on the words.  Last week as we sang, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” my heart was stirred.  It was as if God were saying, “Here is my message for you.”  The words at the beginning of the chorus, “O come let us adore Him” hit me in a way that I hadn’t felt before.  It’s the whole message of Christmas!  I get involved in adoring decorations, gifts, and all the other trappings, but my adoration is in the wrong place.

I looked in the dictionary at the root and meaning of adore.  The Latin root “adorare” means: ad -to- and orare - to speak or pray.  It seemed God was telling me, “I want you to worship.”  Not things of this world, but the Savior, Christ the Lord.  Ashamed, I realized how much of my focus was on the wrong things.  How could I hear God’s message when I was so busy “being” and “doing” all the things I felt I had to do to please others.

I encourage all of you reading this to seek God’s message for you this season.  If it means letting go of some of the world’s expectations, then so be it.  Christ’s birth announcement  was first given to shepherds sitting out under the stars at night, not to those on the noisy, crowded streets of Bethlehem.  Perhaps if we take some moments of silence, we will hear anew the “good news” that God has for each of us.

May your Christmas be filled with His joy, His peace, and His love.  “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

Lord, enable each of us to step aside from the demands of this world and seek to hear Your words to us.  Teach us to worship You with our whole hearts.

Written by Connie Coppings

Paintsville, KY

The Christmas season is such an exciting time of the year around the church.  Services like the “Hanging of the Greens” usually occur at the beginning of Advent in our congregation.   Special handmade ornaments called “Chrismons” are hung on the ten foot tree and people learn the meaning behind each one.   We always hold a homemade chili lunch, hosted by the youth,  just prior to this and then go into the sanctuary together for the special service.

This year our church combined with another local Methodist church and put together an “Advent” booklet.  We encouraged children to put pictures or words on paper that represented Christmas to them.  It is a good way to get all ages involved and you can use this booklet to ignite ideas for family devotions as they talk about the story of Christ’s birth. 

I believe another important activity within the church is the children’s Christmas play.  A major production isn’t necessary, but it needs to communicate the real meaning of this season in way that even the kids get the message.  This year we’re doing, “The Best Christmas Present Ever” and it involves kids and adults.  What a great way for the different generations to learn about teamwork!  My husband and I feel it is important for children to understand they are part of the church and can do things to help get out the message of God’s Word.  Getting them involved at an early age will impact their lives later on.

One of our former churches use to have a cookie exchange around this time of the year.  Everyone baked a couple dozen of their favorite treats and then we swapped so that you went home with a sample of what others had brought.  Of course ,we made extra ones for nibbling along with our hot chocolate that evening at church!  Make sure to bring you recipes on index cards so you can share those too.

We’ve always been blessed to have churches that went caroling through the town and in the local nursing homes.  It’s such a delight to see those faces light up when they hear the familiar carols being sung to them.  I love those special times when someone begins to sing with us who otherwise wouldn’t be responsive.  When we go to the nursing homes we take cards made by our kids to hand out to the residents there.  It’s another great way to teach our children about caring for the needs of others.  We’ve heard from nursing home staff and residents’ family just how much these simple gestures mean to those who live there.

This is a great time of the year for churches to reach those who’ve wandered away from their faith and those who aren’t involved in any congregation.  The innate need to belong is probably stronger during the Christmas season than any other time of the year.  With all the changes our world is going through now, people are seeking support and encouragement to make it in these tough times.

Another neat thing to do is have “family” nights at your church.  Encourage people to bring board games, family type movies, and some snacks to share.  This is an unthreatening way to bring people into a church who might otherwise not be uncomfortable in that setting.   You could close the evening with singing some of the carols and then have a reading of the Christmas story. 

I hope these ideas gave you a taste of the things a church does to reach out to those inside and outside their walls.  I would love to hear what activities your church has going on during the holiday season——and you’re welcome to use any ideas I’ve shared.

Loving Lord, thank you so much for the wonderful gift of the Christ child.  Help us to share this message in creative ways throughout the coming season with all those we serve.

Written by Connie Coppings

Paintsville,Ky.

As a counselor and a pastor’s wife, I’ve too often seen the damage gossip can do in people’s lives.  It ruins reputations, destroys marriages and friendships, and affects all parties involved in a negative way.  So why would we as Christians participate in this type of behavior inside and outside of our churches.

Speaking ill of others often begins at an early age and can lead to children taking sides against one another.  The damage done by these early words of rejection often leaves scars that last a lifetime.  Growing up I often heard from my parents, “If you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all.”

In the non-Christian world, adults continue this behavior due to jealousy, greed, hatred, and the desire to have power over others.  In order to feel good about themselves, people slander others with no thought at all for the pain they cause.  Even knowing all the chaos that gossip stirs up, more and more of this is occurring within our church walls. 

In the ministry we often privy to very personal information shared with us by those in the congregation.  I many times have had people tell me things that they’ve never told anyone else.  They many times will tell me things that they won’t share with my husband.  On occasion they will tell me to share it with my husband, other times, not.  It is an honor to feel someone can trust me with their deepest thoughts, but it can also be a heavy load to carry.

My husband told me prior to marriage that I would have to guard my tongue carefully when speaking to others, making sure not to divulge private information.  Parishioners sometimes ask what I know about certain situations and get annoyed when they get no information.   As the children’s chorus goes, “Little tongue be careful what you say.”

In some instances, I’ve had people from opposite sides of an issue come and talk to me.  It is important to not take sides and to just allow people to express their thinking.  Even thought I may agree with one and not the other, it’s best to remain impartial as it would cause further diversity if people see their ministerial leaders showing favoritism.  In ministry it is our role to “teach” others how to resolve differing opinions in ways that will bring healing to beth sides.  Not an easy job!

Serving in the ministry, I’ve had people come to me with “the latest buzz” about so and so.  I surprise many when I ask, “Do you know that for a fact?”  I’m amazed at how many aren’t sure if what they’re sharing is actually true, yet they are spreading it to me and beyond.  It is tempting to listen, but what does that say about me?  God has more than once reminded me of His disappointment when I participate in this useless activity. 

We are in ministry to help people rebuild their lives and go forth to effect others in a positive manner.  We cannot do that by allowing gossip to come from our lips.  It is vital that we teach those whom we serve about the dangers of not using self-control when it comes to their tongues.

Lord Jesus, Guide my words and actions so that they may only serve to build others up.  Forgive me when I fail to do so.  Strengthen me so that I may minister to those in need.

Written by Connie Coppings

Paintsville, KY.

When going into the ministry it often means moving away from family and all the activities that revolve around those special events throughout the year.  We’ve lived as close as a half hour drive to family and as far away as 12 hours. 

When I was first married I lived in New York State as that is where my husband served a church at the time.  Twelve hours from anyone I knew and I was a newlywed and a pastor’s wife all at once.  We wound up staying in New York for eight years and we missed being part of family gatherings.  My husband did have some family there, but they seldom got together. 

Since we had vacation time, we used it to travel to Kentucky to see family two or three times a year.  The only holiday we celebrated with them was Christmas and that was usually a day or two after the actual holiday.  We fulfilled our obligations to the church with all the services and drove all day on Christmas to get to Kentucky.  Bad weather would sometimes turn that into a two-day trip.

Here again is where ministerial couples need to talk about this matter before marriage.  Churches have all types of programming around the major holidays and they usually want their pastor there.  So, be aware of this and make you travel plans accordingly.  It’s wise to give yourselves a day at home before heading to your destination, especially if there are children. 

Let your congregation know if there are special times you want time off and work with them on getting the church calendar adjusted.  If you are fortunate, as we were many times, to have a retired minister in you church, see if they’ll fill your shoes while you’re gone.  One year we got all the way to Kentucky and received a call from our church that we would need to return because of a death.  We spent 24 hours with family and then left.

When you answer the call to full-time ministry, these kinds of things are going to happen on occasion.  Sometimes your family and friends may have a hard time understanding when this occurs, but your reactions at such times will go a long way in helping them.  If you negatively respond, then so will they.  Let them see you need to take care of this matter, but that you still plan to make time for them.

Some events you know about ahead of time and are able to plan ahead.  However, there are those unforseen times when illness or death cause a sudden interruption to your daily routine.  We moved to our present assignment three and a half years ago, less than 24 hours later I received a call that my mother had fallen and broken her hip.  We let our church people know of the situation and they responded with, “You all go and do whatever you need to do.”  We logged several three-hour trips back home during our first three weeks here.  Sadly, my mother never recovered and we buried her less than a month after coming here.  We were richly blessed with a very supportive congregation who took care of many things during those first few weeks of our assignment here.

Work with those whom you’re serving during these times and allow them to support you by helping with visiting, leading meetings, and even praying for you while you’re away.  Fulfill your duties to the best of your ability, but do not neglect time away.  Even Jesus needed to do that!

Lord, help those of us in ministry to never think that we must be all things to all people.  Remind us You are the one in charge and that we must rely on You concerning all matters of leading Your people.

Written by Connie Coppings  

Paintsville, KY

I attended a retreat last week with the theme, “Restful Hearts, Peaceful Hearts.”  The leader challenged us to spend time listening to each other and, most importantly, to listen to what God wanted to say to each one there.  Over 50 women attended and you can imagine that was a hard assignment.  We talk all the time and silence was hard for many.

When we are talking, we’re in control of the conversation and we like that feeling.  It was interesting to watch the leader as she sought to get “peace and quiet” in a room full of women.  There were times of getting to know each other, but she wanted everyone to go home understanding that being “still” was vital to finding a peaceful heart. 

I interacted with other pastors’ wives and all felt they had no safe place outside their home to express what they were going through.  Unfortunately, some experienced betrayal when they shared with others, causing even deeper hurts.  Instead of sharing their feelings, many chose to keep things bottled inside.  This resulted in physical ailments, weight gain, and even depression. 

I understood where they were coming from and we tried as a group to come up with some positive ways to deal with this issue.  I told them that one of the things I did was to use my writing as a positive way to vent some of my thoughts.  Writing devotionals has been a great source of healing for me and a way to teach others how they might be more sensitive to those around them.

Here is one of those writings that came out of a time of frustration for me.  I pray that God will use it to touch you hearts.

 A GOOD LISTENER

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and listen to their cry.                                              Psalm 10:17 (NIV)

   Ever tell someone about a problem and they redirect the conversation to themselves?  I shared with a friend about my mother’s death and she began talking about her life.  I listened, but my heart ached to share my sadness.  I wanted to cry out, “Stop! I need you to listen.”

   As I wept that night, I remembered God was always available to listen.  No interruptions.  No changing the subject.  No pretending I’m really fine.  Only a loving Father waiting to help His hurting child.  He goes beyond listening.

   God also offers encouragement during those difficult times in our lives.  As He told his disciples, He also tells us, “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). 

   Psalm 32: 8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”  God not only listens and encourage us with His presence, but promises instruction and guidance for situations.  He says in Isaiah 41:13“…Do not fear, I will help you.”

   It’s great to have friends who listen and help us, but more importantly, we have a God who wants to walk through the hard times with us.  He’s willing to listen.  Are you ready to talk?

Father, thank You for never being too busy to listen to us.  Hope us  listen to others with open and non-judgemental hearts.

As I said in my last blog, moving can bring both positive and negative emotions with it.  After 23 years of being in ministry, I believe there are things we can do to help with the negative feeling that can sometimes come with a new move. 

Different denominations have various ways of changing their ministers.  Some churches call their own pastors, but that may sometimes mean long waits between pastors.  In the Methodist system, when we move to a new location, our former church will have a new pastor in the pulpit the very next Sunday.  We know before we go to the yearly conference where we will be serving the next year.  So there is a period of time we have to say our goodbyes, pack our belongings, and prepare our hearts for the next place we are to serve.  For those starting out in ministry, here are some things I’ve learned over the years.

When you first learn that you will be moving, don’t stop ministering to those to whom you’re presently serving.  It is easy to develop the attitude that since I’m moving, I need to shut down my feelings and activities where I am.  Your congregation will need your support during this time of transition.  It is important that you transfer your duties to someone so that things don’t just get dropped. 

It is sometimes assumed by a congregation that the new preacher’s spouse will just automatically pick up where there former pastor’s spouse left off.  I have always tried to help people see that the gifts and talents of the next person will differ from mine.  It is important for the congregation to see the new spouse as being unique in their own right.  When I go into a new church I ask that they let me have some time to find my role there.  It is OK to say “No” to a job that you do not feel works with your abilities—-remember, you are serving God, not people.

Another way to help make your move go better is to drive through the town/area before moving there.  With the Internet you can find out about the geography, shopping, restaurants, housing in a town with just a few clicks of the mouse.  Contact the local Chamber of Commerce and have them send brochures about your new location.  It is especially important if you have children for them to have some idea about where they’re going and what the area looks like.

When we go for an introduction to our new church, we also schedule a tour of the new parsonage.  It helps to see ahead of time what space you will have and if there are things that need updated/repaired before you move in.  We take a tablet with us so we can measure rooms, note closets, paint colors, etc.  I always try to leave information for the pastor’s spouse following me as to what grocery stores are nearby, suggestions for doctors, when garbage pickup occurs, and if possible, a directory of church people so the new ministerial family will have a way of getting to know those whom they will be serving.

Begin your packing well ahead of time so that during your final days in a church you will have time to spend with people and not be frenzied about packing.  Allow time for people to express their appreciation for your time there.  If possible, let them help you with packing or cleaning or maybe just babysitting the kids while you take care of the details of moving.  Assure them that although you are moving, you will not forget their love and support during your time there.

One final thought about moving, arrive at your new destination with an open heart for your new congregation.  Treasure the memories you built at your former church, but be careful not to measure your new place to where you just left.  Each church deserves your full attention and that is hard to do if you cling to the past.  Moving is tedious, but with God’s help and some planning you can make those transitions easier. 

Lord Jesus, may we serve You with our very best no matter where our jobs take us.  Help us to lead each congregation we serve to discover the purpose You have for them.

 

Compiled by: Darlene G. Snyder

Lisa Malcom

Gainsville, Georgia

From the book, Bits and Bites for the Pastor’s Wife

 

As I think about my years as a minister’s daughter and minister’s wife, I can relate much of my experience to the words of a once popular song. Ricky Nelson sang: “It’s all right now. I’ve learned my lesson well. You see, you can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.” While the words might give you a warm and tingly feeling, it is not entirely true.

For many years, I tried so hard to do the right thing. To me that meant doing all the things that I felt expected of me. I played the piano or the organ for all the services, taught Sunday school and Discipleship Training courses, attended WMU, taught and directed Vacation Bible School, and prepared meals for the sick and bereaved. I did it all – sometimes all at the same time. Many times, I filled a position only because “no one else would do it.” And while I was busy doing all the ministry activities, I still worked outside my home, tried to make my children behave, managed my home,  attended college and kept my husband happy.

In 2002, God began to do some juggling of His own by moving us from our home of nearly ten years in rural Kentucky to the fast-paced lifestyle of a much larger city in Georgia. We were thrilled to be living closer to family, but soon realized God had so much more in store for us.

I soon began to realize, through circumstances in our church and in our personal lives, that “doing” all the right things was not enough to sustain me in trying times. Unable to find a job or even finish my college education was hard for me to accept. Even in our new church, capable leaders and teachers filled the positions I had held for so long. Nevertheless, God knew I needed the empty hours to find rest and refreshment in Him.

As I began searching the scriptures, trying to understand why I was feeling so unfulfilled, I read in 1 Chronicles 28:9 David’s words to Solomon.

“ And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve HIM with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (emphasis added).

My eyes were opened to three things as I read this verse:

Serve Him – Serve HIM –the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and earth, the King of Kings, our Wonderful Counselor, my Strong Tower, my Redeemer, Savior and Friend. As a young girl, I had accepted Christ as my Savior, but now I needed to reconfirm His authority over my life and submit to His Lordship.

Wholehearted Devotion – God doesn’t demand our complete devotion – He deserves it. My time and attention had been spread so thin, leaving little time for God. It humbled me to think of all He has done for me and of the great price He paid for my soul. How could I give Him so little while giving others so much? He deserved more than the leftovers.

A Willing Spirit – My service to Him should be only because I want to. The passion of my heart should be to serve Him because I chose to. He knows the motives behind our thoughts and actions and desires that we love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. His desire is for me to delight in Him and Him alone.

Realizing I couldn’t, and shouldn’t, try to please everyone was the first step in repairing my divided heart. As He became the focus of my attention and service, my heart was changed. Gratitude for all He has done in my life is now my motivation for serving. Fulfillment can’t be found in trying to please others or ourselves if we are a child of God. His peace and His blessings come to a heart that is fully devoted to Him.

My favorite Bible verse sums up my attitude toward service in the church now –

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord – you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 2:12

by Connie Coppings    

Paintsville, KY.

 As you can see, we’ve moved to a new site.  Going to new places or doing things a new way creates discomfort for some of us. For those who are in ministry, moving is a big part of our lives. Let’s explore some of the positives and negatives of that aspect of ministry.

Before we married my then “husband-to-be” and I had several talks about what moving would do to our lives. While he had lived several places by then, I had pretty much stayed in the same place most of my life. I liked the thought of settling in someplace and staying put, but knew if I planned to marry a minister, we would live in different places. I think it important to say here that moving has different effects on people. Some seem to go into a new place with great ease, others (like my husband and I) have a little more to process when we hear the word “move.”

During our ministry we’ve moved five times in 23 years. Each time we’ve left a church we struggled with leaving people we’d grown to love dearly and leaving a town where we’d put down roots. It has always been our policy that wherever we lived, that would be home to us. We tried to learn people’s names quickly and learn their individual stories Each of us looked for ways we could be involved in that particular town, mentoring in the schools, joining civic clubs, or shopping at local merchants. We were “home” no matter where we lived.

No matter how long we were there, our hearts grieved when the time came to go. These people had become our family and it was never easy to say “good-bye.” The streets of the town were familiar and it had become “our” town also. The thoughts of having to do this all over again seemed daunting and we wondered how we how we could pull our hearts and minds to yet another place.

BUT, God knew what we would need and He has provided for us every time. Arriving at a new church and a new town, we would find a whole new “family” to love and support us. In each town there would be those places we’d come to feel familiar with just like the town before.

It has never gotten easier over the years to move, but as we look back we can see how all of this has been a part of God’s plan for us and the places we’ve ministered. Each of us became better people because of the congregations we’ve had opportunity to serve. We have friends in many places that we’d never had if it weren’t for moving.

Yes, there were difficult people who we wondered “why” they were in our path, but God grew us personally and spiritually through those situations. In each ministry situation we were also given the gift of meeting those people who nurtured and encouraged us during our time there. Though we are no longer with them, these people remain in our hearts and move with us no matter where ministry takes us.

To those of you who are new in ministry I would encourage you to look for the good in each move. Each will have it difficulties, but don’t get so caught up in those that you miss the blessings waiting for you in the new situation. In my next blog, I’ll talk more about some of the specifics of moving and maybe share a few tips that have helped us over the years.

 Remember, no matter where you are serving—God always moves with you!

Father, Thank you for the new opportunities we find in each place we go to serve You. Help us remember that You never send us somewhere that You do not go also.

Compiled by, Darlene G. Snyder

Written by:

Paula Hyche

Louisville, KY

For those of you with several small children, I want to encourage you as a Pastor’s wife to always be prepared. Being a Pastor’s wife can be stressful but we can help eliminate the stress by thinking through situations that can arise with our children. Although my tips may seem too practical for most, being consistent in these small areas has been my survival guide while serving for the past six years in rural congregations with five small children. I want to encourage you today to consider how you can eliminate any unneeded stress that may come upon you as well as your child.
1) If you have several small children, always make sure you have an emergency change of clothes ready for any situation. Many times, I have found myself standing with them as they were covered in red fruit punch or had an accident going to the potty. However, I would not have to worry about leaving church because they didn’t have anything to wear, I would simply pull out my emergency change of clothes and all would be fine. Being prepared in this area was always a comfort to me as well as to my child because they knew that mommy had a change of clothes if needed.
2) If you are going over to an older couple’s home who may not have children or if you are going to a large social and if you have a infant or a roaming toddler, always have your portable play yard ready to go. If you have an infant, his or her car seat will serve this purpose, but for most children between the ages of 5-24 months, a portable play yard with several toys will ease your mind of them breaking something or falling down stairs in someone else’s home. This will also free your hands to help with dinner or clean up if needed as well as help you to be able to enjoy fellowship with your congregation members.
3) Use your stroller! Whoever invented strollers will never know how much they have blessed my life. Your stroller can be the best friend you may not have ever had. Literally, put your child in the stroller and roll! If you are at a fellowship and if you have a stroller with a tray, this can also serve as their high chair from which you can feed them. This technique as simple as it may sound will enable to you to have two free hands from which to meet and greet people as well as to enjoy your meal. The basket under the stroller is also most helpful to carry your personal belonging as well as other items that you may receive at church. (Also by having your child already strapped in the stroller, this will prevent your child from being passed around for everyone to hold and to kiss all over and thus eliminating the possibility of more sickness.)