The coffee date went....well! Nothing was ever mentioned or brought up... which to me says that she truly asked me to coffee to just hang out for hanging out's sake! At one point in my mind I was thiking "if your going to do it, do itnow and get it over with" but it never came up.
See... what happened is, some students of mine told me they would be somewhere for me at a certain time. So some other students and I waited, and waited, and waited and they showed up finally, over an hour late. It caused us to comepletely mess our program up, and I was already stressed. My attitude may not have been right, and I do admit to being a bit sarcastic. After the fiasco program in church that night, their mother stopped me at the end of the pews, and demanded I apologize to her kids.
While everyone filed out around us.
Not only was I humiliated, but I know I was lied to by someone, as I recieved 2 different stories. You know what? Be mad at me, maybe I was wrong... but Do Not Yell At Me in front of other people. So I've been avoiding her. She has never apologized, even after I sucked it up and apologized to her kids.
Its made me angry, and its made me bitter. Some of you suggested trying to become closer friends with other pastor's wives... but thats very hard. I'm already not your convential PW. This is a very traditional area, and lets just say I am much younger and dress much younger than some of the other PW's. And it is so sad to say, but I can spot the "fakeness" in some of them. The obligatory laugh, the nod of the head while you talk, you know?
Nate and I have considered moving. But we don't fell led to. God still has work for us to do here. So we stay, for the time being.
Number 3 of this week's series... doesn't he look like a little model in this one? The turkey! The same day I caught these of Seth... I noticed the first Crocus peeking through, Spring is trying to appear! Come on Spring! Of course... Its a blizzard right now, and the poor crocus is probably dying.
You all have a Perfect Day! Thanks for stopping by and listen to me ramble!
18 comments:
Beautiful flower pictures!! I love the contrast and the vibrants purples!!!! And of course Seth is always as cute as can be.
I am sorry that you are having such a rough time. I can't even imagine being a PW at all. I hope that it gets easier for you and that other people start being more accepting.
I'm so glad that it went well. I was praying for you yesterday and I'm so glad to hear that!
And can I just say, even though you may be in a traditional area, I think it's great that you are "a little hipper" than the other PW's! That's what our students need- someone they feel comfortable with! Mark & I worked with the youth at our previous church for a few years and that's one of the things that we were encouraged by- other people in the church that were glad that we were involved with their kids. Teenagers need someone to look up to and feel secure with. I bet that you and Nate are just that!!
I've been reading your last few posts and thought I'd "delurk" to give you my support! I don't even know you but you seem like a wonderful person with so much talent (gorgeous photos, btw). I LOVE your photography links and am trying to learn how to be a better photographer myself, even if it's just for my family! Don't give up and don't stop being who you really are--those rude, disrespectful people are missing out on getting to know a great person whose heart is in the right place. I'm sorry that you are having a tough time. Anyway, this is long (and I'm a stranger!!) but hope you have a great day!!
I'm so glad to hear your coffee date was just that!!
Your photos are stunning as always! I was laughing when you called Seth a turkey though-that's what I always call my boys too!
Yes, your photos are beautiful! I love flower photos. :)
I think it's wonderful that you are following God's leading to stay put, even while going through a tough time. I hope some fresh, hip, young couples move into town for you! ;) We have moved often in the past few years and I am so thankful for IMing with my out of town friends!
Hey there, girlie! I've never posted at your blog, but felt that this was the time to do it.
First off, let's get the easy things out of the way...your pics are AMAZING! Colors are sharp and vibrant and oh my...Seth is just the cutest little guy ever. Make sure he stays single as he gets older....Ava's going to want a cutie like this someday! ;)
Now for the more serious stuff. You are a wonderful person. I've known you for a good while now and I am just amazed at how much more I like you each time I see something you post. Seriously...you have a heart of gold and you just love Nate and Seth so very much. It shows every time you post a message or make a LO as a tribute to them. You are doing God's work, and while it may not be easy, keep in mind that the best battles won were the hardest fought. My church is similar to yours, it seems. We are a very small, community church with the majority of our congregation being elderly. This makes it very hard for them to accept anything "new" or "young". VERY frustruating to people my age who are just trying to make ends meet so we don't close down.
As for being lonely...I hear 'ya! It seems like my best friends any more are the ones I have online. My "real-life" friends just aren't cutting it lately. Too self absorbed or just in a different stage of life. (i.e. no kids/husband...) I've decided to distance myself from all of this as it has just been bringing me down. Do I really want to talk to someone who has a whole 15 minute phone conversation and never asks once about me?!? I don't think so. So...I totally know where you're coming from. I'm sure being the pastor and pastor's wife doesn't help either. People are just so weird and have such bizarre thinking processes. Instead of accepting you with open arms, they are pushing you away. I couldn't even imagine how hard this is when you are trying to reach out to all of them.
We really need to make a point of getting together, ya know. As soon as this crappy weather turns around again, let's get to it. Truly...we only live about an hour apart and I would just love to have another "real-life" friend to hang out with and talk to.
Sorry so long. Your posts just hit my heart and I wanted to let you know that all us digi girls just love ya so! What would we all do without your gorgeous pics/kits/LOs/posts?!?! Hang in there! {{HUGS}}
so glad you had a nice coffee date. pics are amazing as always- my poor crocus that was peeping through is probably dying today as well.
I'm sorry you are going through this little struggle at the moment. Hopefully things will get better as the congregation gets to know you and your family better with time. Hope you and DH hang in there and continue to rely on the Lord's strength. Sometimes it is a lonely road we travel. And you know what, sometimes it doesn't matter. DH can tuck his shirt every day from know on and sometimes people will just find something to complain about. You can't please everyone, so just follow the Lord's leading and aim to please Him.
Oopsie...that last post was by me :)
karen (Hom74)
Hey girlie! Here's something for you to check out!
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery_maint.asp?layout_id=803148
I'm so glad the coffee went well and that she was genuine in wanting to get together with you. Maybe she disagrees with how her friend spoke to you, but still wants to be friends with you and kind of stay neutral?
I know what you mean about the phoniness and not being your typical... on the military side of things we have officer's wives who are notorious for what you've described. Now that my dh is an officer I'm going to have to play that game and I still haven't figured out how I'm going to swing it.
Anyway, I hope things will continue to get better and Spring is on its way to your house very soon!
Andrea, be yourself. Be who God made you to be. You may not be like the other PW's, but that may be just the reason God has placed you in this church for this time. (But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. 1 Cor. 12:18) Don't let their "fakeness" get to you. Rejoice that you are doing what is right in God's eyes, not man's. I will be praying for you and your family . . . and your church!
Hi Andrea! I'm now reading too. I just stumbled across your site as I stumbled across digiscrapping altogether! I'm a web designer, SAHM and minister's wife, and I'm also away from my friends and family. I totally identify with your ministry woes.
I love your work and your writing, so I plan to visit often!
Aww Andrea! I hate to hear of people who are doing God's work being discouraged.
If you want to move to Southern California, my church (www.sundridgechurch.org) is looking for both a new high school and junior high school pastor. :)
Chele :)
hi andrea, i am loving reading your blog! I am not a PW or anything, but I certainly know about that fakiness in the church. It can be so hard! I hope that you are blessed with some (or even just one)good true friends soon. I know how important that is. :) Take care!
oh wow, the flowers are AMAZINGLY beautifull! Darnit I wish spring we're here. I want to plant FLOWESR this year!
Andrea,
Your photographs are stunning! Wow you're self taught!! You need to give us some pointers.
Sara
WOW--you are a gifted photographer!
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