The first I ever heard of a Silent Auction was when I began working on a church staff that seemed to have silent auctions at every event outside Sunday and Wednesday programming. I was mesmerized at the items on display, the names on a paper list set just below the item, and the downright giddiness when someone “wins.”

At the Georgia Preschool Association Annual Conference that is held in Atlanta, I serve as the Silent Auction Chairperson. I get to send out letters to statewide non-profits, museums, shows, theatres, and historical sites inviting them to partner with us to help support our educational efforts through the maintaining of the website. I also ask each Executive Board member to “invite” 3 from their respective areas of the state to participate by donating an item or a gift certificate.

This is my 4th year and it is an auction alright, but “silent” it is not. We laugh our heads off, we stalk the items we really want, and I was even “eh, eh, eh’d” by a 2 year old teacher when I leaned in to put in my bid for a Scentsy Smelly Pig. The stalkers stand guard over their favorite items ready to increase the bid when an unsuspecting gawker just happens to bump up the bid by 2 bucks. This is serious!

Items range from a $150 grocery gift card (which is a bargain if you can get it for anything less than $150) to mystery bags (GPA logo’d bags filled with whatever we can’t individually itemize.)

My personal goal is to exceed $2,000. We made it by $400. The website is sustained and there is money set aside to prepare the silent auction for next year.

I hope the Scentsy ladies return to donate next year. They had a stuffed elephant that smells of whatever scent you put in it’s zippered compartment in its back. I think it would be hilarious to respond to someone asking where the smell is coming from and I can say, “It’s the elephant in the room.”

I love conferences! By far, the best place to meet like-minded people is at a conference. Training, product sales and networking, all happen at conferences, but my all time favorite part, which I find the most valuable, is the networking and getting to meet new people who share in my passion to be a leader of those who lead children.

Mark Harper, children’s pastor of Living Word Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, explains, “Networking is like breathing. It’s not the only thing that matters, but if you don’t do it, you won’t last very long.” For me, it’s where work and friendships get beautiful.

On the last Monday of the month, you will find 4 – 20 Preschool Directors from Cobb and Cherokee counties gathering at the Cherokee Cattle Company in Marietta at 1pm. I have been a part of this networking lunch group for more than 8 years – for as long as I’ve been serving in preschool director heaven. This luncheon is a true priority for me. We have shared not only our professional concerns, but also tears and laughter over families, retirement, preschools opening, preschools closing, continuing education, grandbabies, and sons- and daughters-in-law. I can’t imagine not gathering with these lovely ladies. We usually have a leadership topic to discuss relating to preschool or Christian edcucation, which we share while we eat. And we laugh. We laugh a lot.

On the first Tuesday of the month, I also attend a lunchtime networking group specific to Christian Education in Canton at 1pm at the O’Charley’s Restaurant on Riverstone Parkway. We’ve been getting together for more than 2 years. We don’t meet in January because most of us have begun to attend the Children’s Pastor’s Conference together. We, too, discuss a leadership topic, but sometimes we just pray and share life together. This month’s topic: “How do you incorporate the danger element in Christian Education in your church?” It ought to be interesting, to say the least.

It’s easy to begin a networking group. Call a couple of other leaders in your area of interest and plan a lunch to get together. Have a start time and an ending time. Come prepared with a few written questions to ask one another. In your conversation, think of the other leader first. What can you do to help him or her? Then, listen more and talk less.

Due to the interest of those who are serving in their home churches in Christian Education in North Atlanta, but work fulltime elsewhere, I will begin an evening networking group in April. Let me know if you’d like to be included.

Harper goes on to share that “God works through relationships. When networking is done right, everybody wins. Sometimes meeting new people can be a little scary, but the benefits are out of this world!”

As I’ve been participating in the 90 day reading program of the New Testament at my home church, I’ve found that Paul asks a lot of questions in the book of Romans. I chuckle each time that the answer is, “Absolutely not!” I relate well to folks who speak in exclamation marks.

Anyway, it has gotten me to thinking of the questions that I’ve been asked over the last couple of weeks such as . . .

“What’s for dinner?” asked by Mr. Bob & #1 son. This question used to get me twisted until I read “How To Get Your Husband To Talk To You” and discovered that this one question could just be the way your man begins a conversation. My heart instantly warmed. Today, I am so grateful that it has been on this question alone that a lifetime of communication has begun. It thrills my soul when I have an answer. I do the happy dance, when I don’t have an answer and Mr. Bob or #1 son take care of it.

“This is your life. Are you who you want to be?” by Switchfoot. This is where I’d respond, as the apostle Paul did: “Absolutely not!” But I’m not who I used to be either. I’ve heard this song a million times on the radio, but having just turned the big 5-0, it seemed to be coming through the car speakers in 3-D this week. This I know: I am certainly not who I thought I’d be when I started this trip as an adult. Thanks to the books I’ve read, the people who have loved me, and the repeated surrender to my Savior, Jesus Christ, I’m way better than destiny had planned . . . or so my kids graciously tell me.

“Ever been bit by sheep?” asked an Executive Pastor during a job interview. Absolutely! It has been my experience that sheep bite out of fear. Thus they can be loved on, shepherded, and learn that biting isn’t necessary. However, it has also been my experience that goats will devour anything and everything in their path. HUGE difference between goats and sheep. Check out Matthew 25:31-33

“How are you?” asked a family friend. Several months ago, I would have responded, “Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Today, I am blessed beyond belief as the healing continues. I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who inspire me and make me laugh my head off. Sweet company, indeed.

“What are you doing today?” asked Baby Girl. Today I get to be a part of a legacy of faith. The 2011 Confirmation class of Hillside UMC, Sixes Rd UMC, and City on a Hill UMC will be coming together this weekend to begin the ride of their lives. For some this will be their first spiritual journey without their folks. For some this will be the weekend they make the most important decision of their lives to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. For some, especially those who I had the honor to teach in preschool so many years ago, they will see a Jesus freak before them again with a very familiar voice. For them all, an environment has been prayerfully and excellently prepared so that they “Ride Majestically! Ride Triumphantly! Ride on the side of Truth! Ride for the Righteous Meek!” Psalm 45:3,4

Upon a visit to every tea snob’s favorite tea room in Woodstock Georiga, I noticed a book, “100 Things I’m Not Going to Do Now That I’m Over 50,” written by Wendy Reid Crisp. I do hereby publicly agree to the following:

When I turn 50 I will not . . .

1. Show Cleavage – I remember wearing a coconut bra for an event last year and had a hard time keeping the thing above rather than at the belt line.

2. Wear inconspicuous earrings – Growing up in South Louisiana, we were raised to believe that if a little bit is good, then bigger is always better. The jewelry doesn’t even have to be real, but it does have to be gaudy.

3. Lighten up on the makeup – or leave the house without eyebrows.

4. Sing quietly – I talk loud, I hum loud, I whisper loud. It only goes to common sense that I will sing loud. If you can’t sing loud, especially in praise to Jesus, why bother.

5. Tolerate bigots – my mantra is “I just don’t see it that way.”

6. Get even – “‘Vengeance is mine,’ saith the LORD,” and I say let Him do it. He can smite and everything.

7. Avoid becoming emotional – I love deeply, so I’ll cry if I want to. And when I can’t help myself, I won’t apologize.  Just pass the tissues.

8. Put “career objective” on my resume’ – At my age it’s more important WHO I spend my time working with and for WHOM I’m working than anything else. 

9. Leave an unmade bed – The rest of the room can look like “Hoarders”, but when the bed is made, there is order in the world.

10. Travel without extra food – A habit I began when we had children that I will continue. Having served in preschool ministry for more than 20 years, no matter what time I have breakfast, snack is always at 10:30am.

I’m claiming that 50 is the new 30, especially now that I can afford to have my hair done by a “colorist” rather than a barber.

John C. Maxwell’s “Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading” showed up on our front steps on Thursday as part of Bob’s next seasonal reading endeavor for his company. During the commercials of the new Friday edition of “The Defenders,” I began perusing through the chapters since we are both students of leadership.

Chapter 2, entitled “The Toughest Person to Lead is Always Yourself,” states that one of the keys to leading yourself is to PRACTICE PATIENCE. The first paragraph goes on to say, “The leaders I know tend to be impatient. They look ahead, think ahead, and want to move ahead. And that can be good. Being one step ahead makes you a leader. However, that can also be bad. Being fifty steps ahead could make you a martyr.”

I resemble that remark. I have the battle scars of my impatience.

There is a momentum that burns within me that is fueled by several things:

1. A sense of urgency that Christ is returning soon
2. Knowing the limited number of days in the vapor of my life on this earth
3. The scriptures teach that the local church is God’s vehicle to express and give His grace and love to the world

Yes! I am impatient. Yes! It has come to bite me in the backside. Yes! I’ll probably do it again. Not because I haven’t learned my lesson, but because I am consumed with loving little people to Jesus.

Maxwell goes on to finish the paragraph with “Leaders need to remember that the point of leading is not to cross the finish line first.  It’s to take people across the finish line with you.  For that reason, leaders must deliberately slow their pace, stay connected to their people, enlist others to help fulfill the vision, and keep people going.”

Taking people across the finish line with you is the ultimate goal.  Staying connected – check.  Enlisting others to help fulfill the vision – check.  Keeping people going – check.  Slowing the pace – I guess I have some work to do.

#1 Son takes our beagle, Molly, to the neighborhood reservoir almost daily. She loves it. She runs, she drinks from it, and at times, she rolls in it. When we moved into the neighborhood 8 years ago, it was just a huge hole in the ground. It’s taken quite a while, but the reservoir now sits calmly in our backyard and offers water to our county and others from its surplus.

The 12th century abbot, St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, “If you are wise therefore you will show yourself a reservoir and not a canal. For a canal pours out as fast as it takes in; but a reservoir waits till it is full before it overflows, and so communicates its surplus.”

I have to confess that for a season I have not been a canal nor a reservoir, but simply wading in the kiddie pool of God’s grace. Although faithful to reading, praying, playing, serving, and worshipping, there has been no surplus. To be honest, it hasn’t been enough to get above my ankles. In my blue, plastic, kiddie pool, its typically taken the edge off the heat of life and that’s not abundant living.  I’ve only been stepping in, walking around a bit, and stepping out.

Today, the kiddie pool is set aside. I’ve been jumping into the deep end of the pool of God’s grace daily and there is a surplus of joy to be shared. During the month of January, I have had the time of my life reading only that which is honoring, helpful, and funny. I have eaten only that which is shared with those who love me deeply or make me laugh my head off. I have been reading the New Testament from a Kindle without notes (which really means “without expectations”). I have joined others who fearlessly wear the banner of “Jesus Freak” as we have learned new things through conferences, seminars, books, and podcasts. I have guarded the walls and stopped the leaking. I am so grateful for this season of filling.

“Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.” Psalm 71:17

Lynne is a published author, speaker, and coach. She co-led a Saturday workshop with the beautiful Carol based on Laurie Beth Jones’ book “The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement For Work And For Life.” I and a precious girlfriend/bridesmaid joined 14 other wonderful women with the goal of discovering a true filter, a personal mission statement for our individual lives.

My mission statement for the last 18 years was “to know God and make Him known.”

Today, I can write a more intentional mission statement. Now this is a working statement, but a great filter I will visit daily for a while:

My mission is to “praise Jesus by connecting and igniting servants of the local church to persevere with integrity, competence, and joy through personal spiritual growth.”

You can check out Lynne’s blog at lynnewatts.blogspot.com and get information about her children’s book at wyatthewonderdog.com

I prefer the phrase “Life Plan for 2011” instead of “New Year’s Resolution.” I think it sounds more grown up, more mature, more “in stone.”

Anyway, one item I had listed was to “attend a learning opportunity, at least monthly, with a girlfriend with whom I can laugh my head off.” Being the overachiever I can’t seem to shake, January has been filled with several of these learning opportunities.

CPC with Kate, Diane, Lauren, Lisa, and Pat (Nate was there, a cool dude, indeed) was learning-overload and filled my brain and heart that still has me reeling from early January. I returned with a burden for a more intentional presence of a conference-wide priority for reclaiming the professionalism of those who serve in Children’s & Family Ministry. Momentum is beginning and the stage is prayerfully being set . . . aka: I’m talking about it all the time with whomever will listen. A path was set before me at a conference called QUEST 6 years ago that changed my life. I want to help prepare a similar path for those who are coming up behind me. Will post more about this another day.

Then, I had the honor of sharing a luncheon with the North Ga Christian Educator’s Fellowship at the UMC Children’s Home. The lovely Rev Ellen Shepherd led a teaching on the ancient paths of self care. She read from a poem penned by Lynn Ungar (Blessing the Bread) . . . “And you – what of your rushed and useful life? Imagine setting it all down – papers, plans, appointments, everything – leaving only an note: ‘Gone to the fields to be lovely. Be back when I’m through blooming.'”

This is a great way to translate my life plan for 2011 – I’m going to the fields to be lovely this year. But the fields are much more plush when I can share them with girlfriends who make me laugh my head off. As a dear one shared at the precious bridal luncheon she and her friends prepared for my baby girl just last July, “there are bridesmaids who walk down the aisle with you, then there are bridesmaids who walk down the path of life with you.”

Yep, I’ll be sharing 2011 with the bridesmaids of my life and we’ll be going to the fields to be lovely.  Got your bridesmaids of life?  Invite them to go to the fields to be lovely with you.

A lovely colleague asked me “Why Children’s Pastors Conference?” With all the other seminars, conferences, training events, etc. that are now available to professional Christian Educators, why did we tread through the snow and ice storm of the southeast, driving on the one clear lane through Atlanta, to attend CPC 2011 in Orlando?

Lauren from Wesley Chapel responded, “because of the music and the level of excellent speakers. . . oh, and the free stuff I can use as soon as I get back home.” Diane from Mt. Bethel shared, “the inspiration and refreshment to stay up with the upcoming changes in children’s ministry, the church, and the culture. This year, it affirmed that our ministry team is right on target.” These devout Jesus freaks for kids are so right.

For a group of people who dedicate their lives and vocations to being the church on a shoestring, who barter vbs material, who share and borrow, whose offices look like storage sheds with overhead lights, and have a never-ending supply of goldfish . . . CPC treats you like the princes and princesses of the kingdom that you are. We are trusted with the latest research material on how to reach our “congregations,” trusted with access to publishing companies that invite you to play with vbs prototypes, and honored with the highest level of excellence in teaching, speaking, and encouragement.

Having said all that, the reason I choose CPC is . . . I am a better, more confident servant for Christ when I come home. Yep, after a day set aside to sleep and give my brain and body a rest, I am ready to take on the world.   It usually takes me a day to connect with all the folks I met and the workshop leaders who graciously let me into their worlds.  And it usually takes me a month to go through the box of goodies, tools, books, toys, and breakout notes.  I am reminded of my mission to “know God and make Him known.”  The consistency of excellence calls us to make plans to return every year . . . along with the generosity of those who believe in His calling upon my life.

For more information about Children’s Pastors Conference, check out http://www.incm.com

If ever two words belonged together, it’d be these two: Preschool Worship. Little people just naturally desire to dance before the LORD, assume the many positions of prayer, and respond with freedom and transparency.

Today, I have the honor of sharing a workshop for the North Georgia UMC Conference at Snellville UMC. Anytime I can toot the horn of Jesus for the sake of little people, I am thrilled.

I have my notes on the clipboard and a teacher’s pullbox filled with all kinds of goodies, er I mean tools, to spark ideas for those who’s sweet spot (sugar packets) is little people and Jesus. I even have plastic ice cubes to hand out to anyone who participates in offering other “cool ideas.”

THEN, I wake up early this morning and flip the page on my Transformation Journal devotional and find the topic for this week to be “worship.” Cool!

John 4:1-26 speaks of the unnamed Samaritan woman at the well where Jesus has His longest conversation outlined in the scriptures. Jesus lays it out for her that “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (vs 23) Sounds like freedom in worship is the goal. Freedom for my human heart to respond to and connect with the heart of God. Freedom to seek God in an honest and intimate way – not just the external demonstrations, not just the music, not just the offering, not just the order. Reminds me of David. Although David sometimes failed God with disobedient behavior, he clearly expressed his love for God with utter delight and joyful abandonment. Now we’re talking . . . sounds like a preschooler . . . sounds like me.