As an LSU Political Science alum, I’ve always been fascinated by how government works. Lately, my reading about the Secret Service has introduced me to a fabulous group of people known as the Advance Team — the ones who handle the behind-the-scenes logistics for a protectee’s trips and events.

These folks make sure every detail is covered — from travel routes and venue prep to press coordination and security. They arrive before anyone else, work quietly behind the scenes, and ensure that everything goes smoothly and safely. They protect not only the person they serve, but also the purpose and reputation of the office they represent.

The more I learned about the Advance Team, the more I realized: that’s what we do in ministry with children and families! We are the Advance Team for the Kingdom — setting the stage for the Lord’s people to do good work through and in the life of the local church and the community.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Coordinate People and Relationships

Advance Team members connect with every point of contact, gather details, and make sure everyone knows their part. In ministry, we do the same! We connect with people, discover their gifts and skills, communicate clearly, and build relationships that make ministry flow smoothly.

2. Conduct Site Visits

Advance agents walk through venues, mapping entrances, exits, restrooms, and layouts to anticipate needs. In ministry, we visit classrooms, fellowship halls, and event spaces to ensure smooth beginnings, meaningful moments, and memorable endings. Preparation shows love!

3. Assess Team and Volunteer Needs

Sometimes an event only needs two people; other times it takes a full crew. Ministry is the same way — we prayerfully plan the right people for the right roles so that the mission can move forward effectively and joyfully.

4. Identify Challenges and Pivots

Advance Teams look for potential problems and design solutions before they happen. In ministry, we anticipate obstacles, stay flexible, pivot purposefully, and trust the Spirit’s leading to adapt when plans shift.

5. Develop a Comprehensive Checklist

Advance Teams use detailed checklists to remember everything — little is left to chance. In ministry, a shared document or checklist from year to year keeps us organized and builds on what God has already done. It’s how we grow from good to great!

Do you see yourself in any of these roles? I sure do!

So how will you prepare for the next ministry event or opportunity? Let’s serve like an Advance Team — prayerful, prepared, and passionate to make room for God’s glory!

“Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalm 85:13

We met at a softball game in May 1982 — Graham Hall (ladies’ dorm) vs. Kirby Smith (guys’ dorm) on the edge of the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. His suitemates were friends of mine, and he’d transferred from ABAC in Tifton, Georgia, after his dad’s job moved the family to Metairie at the beginning of the semester.

He asked me out for the very next night. We had steak and salad at Western Sizzlin’, then walked and talked around the LSU lakes. We’ve been together ever since.

He was tall, handsome, with deep brown eyes and serious dance moves. He loved his parents, took school seriously, and had a rock-solid work ethic. His parents and grandparents modeled faithfulness and joy — and that gave me hope for the kind of future we could build together. I was determined to leave behind some unhealthy family traits and start something good. And did I mention? He’s still so handsome. Be still my heart!

We married on the LSU campus at the Baptist Student Union in July 1983 — the same summer as the World’s Fair in New Orleans — making us 42 years married this past summer.

Our first home was a tiny Tiger Town apartment just off campus. I bought a dining table and chairs for $50, and he had a 9-inch black-and-white TV we carried from room to room if something “great” was on. The living room “set” was two plastic lawn chairs and shelves built from blue Pepsi crates I brought home from my job at A&P. I worked nights there and weekends too, before graduating and moving into the Investment and Legal Department at Capital Bank — a clearinghouse for small banks across Louisiana.

Bob’s first job after earning his Forestry degree was with a mall cleaning company on the night shift until a full-time position opened at Auto Shack. From there, he went on to a service writer at the Chevrolet dealership, Genuine Parts (NAPA), Advance Auto Parts, and now, after decades in the auto industry, he’s retiring from Jasper Engines & Transmissions out of Jasper, Indiana at the end of this month.

This faithful, kind man has led our family to church, to historic landmarks, and to beautiful neighborhoods we’ve called home across many transfers. He’s loved golf, auto racing, and a good beach trip for as long as I’ve known him. We’ve shared the Walk to Emmaus community, enjoyed fancy restaurants and company trips across the country, and learned to manage our finances God’s way — thanks to a “wrong book” that arrived from a book club while we were snowed in up north. (Financial Peace, first edition!) That little mistake changed our financial lives forever.

I realized early on that the best gifts I could give Mr. Bob were a joyful, peaceful home — and a good credit score. Done and done!

Christine came along in 1987, and Ben in 1989. Every dog he ever rescued now lives in “dog heaven” after enjoying life at the Reilly Bed & Breakfast. We’ve lived in three states and six homes. Mr. Bob and our now adult kids are minimalists; I am not. That’s why we have a basement — everything has a story! Our rule is: nothing new comes in unless something goes out.

When we lived in New England, Bob traveled for work, and we often joined him for holidays and as soon as summer break started — crashing his hotel (kids could stay and eat free in those days) to explore Boston, Niagara Falls, Cape Cod, Memphis, Bangor, Saratoga, the White Mountains, and New York City.

Since he ate out for work on the road, I always cooked when he was home. Growing up in south Louisiana came in handy! If we went out, it was a special, “get-dressed-up” occasion — because, as he put it, he wanted our daughter to know what it looked like to be treated well and not be swayed by a boy in a truck and a drive-thru, and our son to know how to eat in public like a gentleman.

When our kids were both under five, one of Bob’s coworkers signed us up to be Secret Shoney’s Shoppers. We visited the same Shoney’s restaurant each week — rating hospitality, food, and service — and got reimbursed monthly for our meals. For almost two years, our littles learned a ton of manners to sit, eat, and talk politely in public before we moved north.

Mr. Bob is a really good dad. Our adult kids call him more than me — and honestly, I love that. Seeing him as a grandfather? He’s never been more hot in my eyes. Four little people call him Pops.

We’ve always said you shouldn’t just retire from something — you should retire to something. So, come mid-November, he’ll start a new chapter as a parts delivery driver for our local O’Reilly Auto Parts, just five minutes from home — the perfect “retirement job.” He’ll deliver to many of the same customers he’s served for decades. But first: a few weeks of sleeping in, no alarms, and catching up on long-postponed projects.

His work ethic is unmatched, and I can already see him making new friends and soaking up time with the grands. I’m looking forward to coming home to dinner ready and taking in a walk through the neighborhood right after to catch up on our day.

Our life has never been flashy, but it’s been full of faith, laughter, and teamwork. We’ve raised two adults who love the Lord, love each other, and still love spending time with us. We’ve been debt-free since 1990, and he’s called me every night he’s ever been on the road. Every single night. His last nights on the road will probably be this week.

He does the laundry on Sundays (my workday) and makes sure I get to sing “Calling Baton Rouge” at the top of my lungs in Death Valley at least once a year. It’s not his thing — but he grins that it’s mine.

I’m so proud of Mr. Bob — of the man he is, the faith he lives, and the life we’ve built together. I couldn’t walk through the doors God has opened for me without his steady love and trust.

When I started in church weekend ministry, I aimed to not be away from home any more than two nights a week, which has made me a committed planner. Saturdays are sacred for us — our one shared day off for decades. My Sabbath is Friday; his is Sunday. That rhythm may not change, but the pressure of sales quotas and hotel life will soon be gone.

Come October 31st, my faithful, hard-working, handsome husband will finally hang up his road bag — and step into a new season of joy, margin, and answered prayers of family living nearby. Thank you, Lord, for Mr. Bob, this good man of mine.

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him” Matthew 12:35a

“Faith Files” are like a mental filing cabinet filled with everything we’ve learned, experienced, and reflected on about our faith. Each “file” grows over time as we live, study, and reflect on what God’s people teach and share.

I first heard about building Faith Files nearly 30 years ago while reading A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George—back when I was on “trophy wife duty” with Mr. Bob on Coronado Beach in California.

As a self-proclaimed organization nerd, I love the idea of intentionally diving deep into specific topics as a plan for personal faith formation. Now, if we want to get all nerdy, there’s actually a term for this—schema formation. A schema is just a fancy word for the mental structure that helps us organize and store information about a subject. Our faith “schemas” grow and shift over a lifetime of study, reflection, and experience.

In the philosophy of mind and cognitive science, a mental file is a system our brain uses to store and organize information about specific objects, people, or concepts. When we encounter something, a file is “opened” for it, and as we gain more information or experience, that file is updated. 

Okay, enough of the nerdy stuff.

Here’s why I bring this up: there are three Faith Files that are especially important for our children—particularly as they transition into student ministry. These are the foundation pieces of the Christian life, learned through church teaching, lived out in daily practice, and shared by believers of all ages.

The 10 Commandments

How do Christians live in the world set apart by God, for God?
This God-given list begins with how we love God (no other gods, no idols, honor the Sabbath) and ends with how we love one another (honor, truth, faithfulness, respect). At a recent New Room Conference, I heard a preacher say, “God chose ‘Do not covet’ to close the list because if we don’t covet, we won’t worship idols, lie, steal, or dishonor.” That hit home. Keeping the Sabbath reminded the Hebrews they were no longer slaves; reminds us that we are no longer slaves to sin.

The Lord’s Prayer

How do Christians communicate with God, for God?
This prayer teaches us to speak with confidence to our holy, providing, forgiving King. It reminds us that God’s kingdom reigns both on earth and in heaven. It’s truly our family prayer.

The Apostles’ Creed

What do Christians believe—together, everywhere, and throughout time?
This is the backbone of our shared faith. No hemming or hawing, no confusion—just the solid truths that unite Christians across generations and continents.

These three Faith Files are the foundation stones we’ll keep building on all our lives. Learn them often. Teach them often. Talk about them often. Memorize them. Reflect on them. Let them shape you as you practice the historic, holy habits of following Jesus. What’s good for kids is good for everybody!

Some of my other Faith Files? The 23rd Psalm (Sheep. Shepherds. Tables. Shadows. Memorized.). And the stories of incredible women of Scripture—Deborah, Ruth, Esther, the Shunamite woman, Mary and Martha, and Anna. The Christmas Story.

So… what are in your Faith Files?
If you’re not sure, ask yourself:

What story, truth, or teaching from Scripture could I talk about for ten minutes without any notes?

Start there. That’s one of your Faith Files. Now, how will you build on it?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

No matter the temperature, when the calendar turns to October—it’s fall, y’all! The season of pumpkins, apples, chai, and college football is in full swing here in the South.

Last fall marked our first autumn as a church with both a name and a home. To celebrate, we hosted a family fun event called Pumpkin Palooza (you can read about that here!). We learned a lot—especially about how powerful personal invitations and social media can be. When we asked guests, “How did you hear about it?” the answer was almost always, “Facebook!” That came from our congregation sharing and commenting on posts the day before the event. It worked, so we did it again!

Other wins we repeated this year included the chili potluck, prizes that weren’t candy, and a short message to bridge the games and entertainment. We even started 30 minutes earlier to catch the sunset just right. Though it rained, we easily pivoted to Plan B and brought it inside to the Worship Center and the Social Hall.

One discovery from last year: while our musical guest was incredible, most community families left once the games stopped. So we prayed and asked, “What could we offer this time that people would stay for—and maybe even join in?”

Enter country line dancing! And just like that, The Round Up was born.

We found a fantastic local line dance instructor through Facebook who promised clean lyrics, simple moves, and fun for all ages. She delivered! In our conversations, she mentioned there are more and more line dances being designed for Christian music, so of course, she taught and closed out with, you guessed it: Church Clap.

The youngest dancer was four, the oldest was 87, and everyone—from dads to grandmas—hit the dance floor. Laughter filled the air as our multigenerational church family quarter-turned, clapped, and kicked up their heels together. We planned for 30 minutes of dancing; we went 45 and could’ve kept going!

Before the dancing started and while chili dinner was served in hundreds of styrofoam coffee cups with hundreds of spoons, the fun continued:

• The CONNECT Team started conversations with fresh-popped popcorn.
• The Children’s Team set up baby pumpkin decorating with jumbo black sharpies.
• Youth gals painted faces with cacti and stars, while youth guys supervised the western inflatables—an epic 7-in-1 stagecoach & bank bounce house and a dual axe-throwing challenge.
• Senior saints ran the ring toss, and Young Adults helped littles pan for gold nuggets in a kiddie pool of sand from last year’s nativity luminaries.

It was pure joy—families together, generations laughing, everyone moving and mingling.

The first line dance I ever learned was the Hokey Pokey: “You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out…” You remember! Our God invites us to do the same—to put our whole selves in. Through Jesus, He made a way for us, broken and selfish as we are, to be made right with Him. We won’t find satisfaction putting just a “right foot in” or a “left hand in.” He wants all of us.

And that’s what it’s all about.

“…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4