Caught off Guard, completely.

This morning I got up and went to church like any other morning.  Up and out the door before the kids are barely awake.  Usually Sunday and Wednesday are 10-12 hour days.  I did my usual work and prepped, sang Sunday School songs, taught confirmation class, and then headed into worship.  I did a fun announcement about grocery cards and our mission trip to Jamaica.  I did a children's sermon on the different gifts that God gave us and because it was Gifts of Women Sunday I asked the children to tell me about special women in their lives. 

I had agreed to fill in for a friend for children's church so I took the PreK kids back and taught them about Psalm 139 and how God made them very special.  In the middle of my lesson, someone came into the room and said they needed me in worship.  Pastor Kerry was away for his father's funeral so I thought something might have happened.  But, when I walked in the sanctuary, I heard a dear friend of mine describing my life and how I was a woman of God.  I was stunned.  I was selected as one of the Presbyterian Women of the Year, pinned with the PW pin and made a lifetime honorary member of Presbyterian Women. 

Needless to say I was speechless.  I am a staff person... this is my JOB!  I totally didn't think I deserved this kind of affirmation when so many people in the church give of their free time, not as their job. 

However I was honored.  I felt very grateful and surprised that others felt this way.  I am still a little stunned...

Here is a description of the award.

Honorary Life Memberships

 An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is conferred upon an individual in recognition of faithful service in some area of church work. Moderators, leaders, teachers, officers, pastors, and missionaries have been among the recipients of this honor. 

The symbol of the Life Membership pin represents and portrays the qualities of persons deserving the honor and recognition of an Honorary Life Membership. The following are some meanings found in the symbol:

• The caring, supportive hands represent women who seek to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women.
• The leaf represents growth of our personal and corporate response to Jesus Christ as we nurture our faith.
• The dove indicates our work for peace in our own lives and throughout the world, shown in the globe.
• At the center of the design is the cross, by which our sins are forgiven and we are freed to live in Christ who is at the center of our lives.
• The overall design is of a butterfly, a symbol of newness in Christ and the emergence of a new creation — Presbyterian Women.