I did a mini survey of Pastor's Wives and Women in Ministry and of the oddest, funniest, coolest gifts they had ever gotten. There is a reason behind the madness. I start laughing at the thought of the gifts that people give ministry families. I asked myself this question as I was putting away a food basket that had been given to us by a church as I had to throw out most of the food items because some of them had been dated as old as I was. One in particular can of string beans, if that's what they still were, was dated 1972. 1972??? Really??? I was shocked and then I started to laugh taking note of the person who had given us the item so that we would avoid dinner dates at their home...LOL!! In our short years of ministry I've received self help books on how to avoid conflict in my life, how to become spiritually mature, what not to wear, and how to pray as a Pastor's wife, Weight Watchers cook books, tips on how to clean and maintain a home and the list goes on. But I have also received a brand new Coach bag(my baby) from the ladies of our current church, we have received trips, a car ( not a Mercedes or Volvo but still a free car that runs beautifully), dinners, pedicures, spa massages, free babysitting, country decor (my favorite), notes and emails on how much our ministry has meant and helped (love these) and so much more. We are a very blessed family. But those that gave the previous gifts (and the following), what were you thinkin'??
Here are just a few of the gifts other ministry families and PW's have received...so funny!
4 Potatoes and a bottle of Olive Oil (That's it)...they're still a little confused.
A pot of chicken feet soup - which the PW thought was a joke but actually turned out to be a real gift. The woman was offended and never returned to the church....we all said "Ouch"
A book on Mormonism, Highlighted and doggie-eared...I think they wanted to send a clear message....READ IT!
The Pastor received a Gift Card to a suit store. "Since he does not wear a suit to preach they assumed he just didn't have one :)"
A bag of clothes with trash and half eaten pizza. They must've thought it was trash not realizing it was the bag of clothes they were donating to the Pastor's family.
"We church in the country. we get lots of food items...or items that people call food. I would call them pets."
We are a rare breed, PW's, and we are honored to serve, but I did want to let you in into our world for a little while. To let you see some of the things we experience. We laugh and we cry together. And no matter where we are in this great country of ours or even the world, we share many similar experiences. We love and are loved. We feel deeply what we can't share with the world. But we feel privileged and honored to do what we do.
I serve alongside my husband in the greatest church, Transformation Church. We are loved deeply and they demonstrate that everyday. Ministry is not easy but serving them and loving the people @ TC is. Because we love what we do.
Lesson here...laugh. I try to give what I would like to get for myself. Sometimes I do. Joe gets so mad at me and says, "I thought you got that for so and so, but you are wearing it." "I got two", I tell him. He just rolls his eyes realizing it's a lost cause. He loves me anyway.
There's nothing like being a PW! Here's to us (holding a nice hot cup of java). Cheers!
Here are just a few of the gifts other ministry families and PW's have received...so funny!
4 Potatoes and a bottle of Olive Oil (That's it)...they're still a little confused.
A pot of chicken feet soup - which the PW thought was a joke but actually turned out to be a real gift. The woman was offended and never returned to the church....we all said "Ouch"
A book on Mormonism, Highlighted and doggie-eared...I think they wanted to send a clear message....READ IT!
The Pastor received a Gift Card to a suit store. "Since he does not wear a suit to preach they assumed he just didn't have one :)"
A bag of clothes with trash and half eaten pizza. They must've thought it was trash not realizing it was the bag of clothes they were donating to the Pastor's family.
"We church in the country. we get lots of food items...or items that people call food. I would call them pets."
We are a rare breed, PW's, and we are honored to serve, but I did want to let you in into our world for a little while. To let you see some of the things we experience. We laugh and we cry together. And no matter where we are in this great country of ours or even the world, we share many similar experiences. We love and are loved. We feel deeply what we can't share with the world. But we feel privileged and honored to do what we do.
I serve alongside my husband in the greatest church, Transformation Church. We are loved deeply and they demonstrate that everyday. Ministry is not easy but serving them and loving the people @ TC is. Because we love what we do.
Lesson here...laugh. I try to give what I would like to get for myself. Sometimes I do. Joe gets so mad at me and says, "I thought you got that for so and so, but you are wearing it." "I got two", I tell him. He just rolls his eyes realizing it's a lost cause. He loves me anyway.
There's nothing like being a PW! Here's to us (holding a nice hot cup of java). Cheers!
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