Monday, November 10, 2008

AT THE WELL... getting to know you


Welcome back to AT THE WELL. Each Monday we gather around the well and discuss life changing topics. This week, CHELSEY, is our discussion leader and she has given each of us "name tags" and asked us to go around the well and introduce ourselves and give some feedback on "who we are".

Before I get into telling a thing or two about who I am, I was thinking about those silly personality tests. I don't mean one of those technical psychological tests ~ but the dime-a-dozen types that are constantly advertised on the covers of the magazines in the check out lines or those personality tests that seem to circulate time and time again on the Internet in our email messages. You know ... the ones that ask:


  • "Are you a couch potato or a Daredevil?"
  • "Cat person or a Dog person - which are you?"
  • "Which famous leader are you - Gandhi or Hitler?"

The most recent one I saw (and the far most corniest...):
"Are you a Charlie Brown?"

Following a slew of questions such as "what is your favorite color" and "What type of movies do you prefer?" - you can determine if you are a Charlie, a Snoopy, Dexter or maybe Sponge Bob Square Pants!

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE THESE SILLY TESTS?
~ Some people think they are fun.
~ While others find it interesting and it gives them a glimpse of who they are.

These type of tests don't really show you who you are...only through Jesus Christ can you know who you are....

  • You are a new creature in Him.
  • You are the apple of His eye!
  • You were bought with a price.
  • You are redeemed by His blood!
  • You are a beloved child of the King!!

NOW ISN'T THAT BETTER THAN BEING A SPONGE BOB OR CHARLIE??

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 " If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things passed away. behold, new things have come."

WHO AM I?
IDENTITY: defined as "set of characteristics by which an individual is recognizable or known" You can recognize me as the following...


DAUGHTER
(yeah...that's me with dark hair - a very long time ago! )
At my Grandma's funeral with Mom, and brothers Don and Larry
I was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin - living with my Mother and 2 brothers. I was the baby of the family. I grew up father-less until I was reunited with my birth father just a few years ago. (you can read my restoration story HERE!)

No doubt - I am a daughter of a King!

WIFE
(married to the love of my life!)
I married my high School sweetheart at the young age of 17. We have been married for 27 years now. I am thankful for the godly heritage that his parents raised my husband with and I am blessed that he has been a man of godly character not only in our marriage, but in his career, with his children and in our community.

It's been a wonderful life!!

MOTHER
(this is the last time all of my children were together!)
Since we married so young - we started our family young. Our first was born when I was just 19 years old and the last when I was 32 years old. 3 of our beautiful 4 children are grown and I could not be more proud to say that each of them are serving the Lord.

CHILDREN, they are truly a blessing from God!

FRIEND
(at my son's wedding with friend and Mother of the Bride - Barbara)
I have heard it said that sometimes in life a true friend comes around once in a lifetime. I have been blessed with many true friends over the years.

I love Proverbs 17:17 that says "A true friend loves at all times."

I cherish my friendships!

PASTOR'S WIFE
(missions trip to Ecuador - getting down and dirty for Jesus!)
WOW! What a honor for the past 8 years to stand at my husbands side as we pursued the call on our lives to enter ministry full time. It has been a whirlwind experience. First of all that God would have confidence in us is an awesome thought and secondly, that God would teach us and mold us into the vessels that He could use! Have I said Wow yet?? I remember asking God, when we were first called into ministry, "God how can I BE a successful Pastors wife?" and God spoke to me very clearly and whispered in my ear..."Love the people" and that has been what I have tried to do these past 8 years.

I just love the people!

ROYALTY
For those of you who may not know this .... I come from a royal family. I am a princess... a daughter of a King! My daddy has a crown, a mansion with so much gold and fine things, and He has even prepared a place for you to come. You are a child of the King too and the King is waiting at the gate for your arrival.

We are family!

1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

When it's all said and done...as I take my final breath...I do hope that someone will say that I have been a good daughter, a loving wife, a devoted mother, a trusting friend and a supportive pastors wife, but the most important thing I hope people will know about my identity is that I was a child of God. A daughter of the King who loved, served and honored her Heavenly Father.

??WHAT IS YOUR IDENTITY??

Join us over AT THE WELL and see what others are saying about their identities. CLICK HERE! Thank you CHELSEY for leading us today!












BLESSINGS, Laurie

16 comments:

Denise said...

Thank you sweetie for your prayers, please add me to your prayer blog. Love and blessings to you.

Unknown said...

Laurie,
Thanks so much for sharing about yourself today. It was a delight to get to know a bit more about you! I am so glad you are part of the Well community.

Jennifer said...

Laurie, I don't have to wait until you draw your last breath to testify that you are an amazing godly woman, loving and devoted wife and mother but to me...you are a wonderful and beautiful, true friend...inside and out. Girl, I love you more and appreciate you more than words can say! So, I'm not going to wait until you die because I want you to hear me say "Laurie, thank you for many, many years of being a godly example, encourager and devoted friend!". Thank you for the sweet words you said about me this morning...so many days...I don't feel that way about myself and you made my day today. I love you! Have a blessed day!!!

LauraLee Shaw said...

Love the pics and the information on your background. Wow, I thought I was married young (19), but then I met you. No wonder you are such a good teacher. You have had a TON of experience! Loved getting to know you.

Sunny Shell said...

Hello sister Laurie!

GREAT to get to know you better! And, YES, I did happen to know you're royalty....after all, we are in the same Family! I LOVE that!

Bless you sweet sister,
Sunny

Laurie Ann said...

Thank you so much for providing this glimpse into your life! I loved the pictures you shared and getting to know you better!

lori said...

GREAT post today!!! The pictures were great!! I have to ask...born and raised in Green Bay....Packers Fan???

Beautiful...thanks for coming to the Well...this has been so fun!

peace,
lori

june said...

As usual you supprise me, I never
know what you are going to post.
And as always it was terrific.

Sarah June

Joyfull said...

Thank you for sharing about yourself today. It is a pleasure getting to know you better, love the pictures you shared. Truly you are a blessing and inspiration to many.

Ashley Wells said...

Laurie,

What a wonderful post! It is so nice to get to know you better!

-Ashley

Blessed Among Women said...

Such a beatufil post!! Wow, I thought I was ready at 19 to get married,but boy I wasn't. God knew what He was doing. I was 24 when I married Mike. Love the pictures!!

momstheword said...

What a blessing to get to know you a little bit more today. I loved the pictures you shared. I am a pastor's wife too!

Sharon said...

Great post, as usual Laurie!

BTW- you look good with blond hair! :0)


~Sharon~
A Hoosier Family- http://hoosierfamily06.blogspot.com
Assembly of God Blogs- http://assemblyofgodblogs.blogspot.com

Betsy Markman said...

You have been very blessed. Thank you for spreading that around by being a blessing yourself!

Laura said...

You are such a blessing to me! Thank you for your encouragement and prayers! Hope all is well. How's your son and his new bride. We're a little over a month away from Whit's wedding. I can't believe it!

Unknown said...

Wonderful pictures and a great look into who you are! Thanks for sharing about you.