Lori Wilhite - Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors Wives and Women in Leadership

HAVING WATCHED OUR husbands write many books over the years, we thought we knew what we were signing up for when this book project first lifted off the ground. We really had no idea what a team effort it would be. Without the continued encouragement and pushing from so many incredible people in our lives, it would never have come to fruition.

Thanks to our amazing agent, Esther Fedorkevich. From our first conversation, your passion for this project has been unmatched. Thank you for believing in us when we werent even sure we believed in ourselves. Happy you are part of the pastors wives club.

From seaside dinners to late-night chat sessions, we couldnt have asked for a better editor than Jana Burson. We appreciate not only your insight but also your fun sense of humor. Glad we talked you into watching all our favorite TV shows. You are much more than an editor to us; we cherish your friendship.

Thank you to the team at Hachette for taking a chance on usunknown and unproven. Thanks for caring enough about women in leadership to support this book and see it to completion.

Our Leading and Loving It team and sweet friends Tiffany Cooper, Jessica Cornelius, and Lisa Hughes: How incredible is it that God lets us work together even though we are separated by thousands of miles?! We cant convey how much we love our phone calls, video chats, texts, DMs, and trips. You are lifelines, and we cant imagine this life in ministry without your friendship. Glad we are Nacho Average Pastors Wives together. And to our virtual community group leaders and our L&L It local leaders, thanks for your hearts to love and support other pastors wives and women in ministry like you. Leading and Loving It would not be what it is without you.

Thanks to Stacy Gann, Eleana Garza, Joy Henderson, Laura Lasky, Tricia Lovejoy, Michelle Meeks, Heather Palacios, Makeda Pennycooke, Kimberly Scott, Cindy Beall, and Natalie Witcher for taking the time to dive into this book, providing not only meaningful feedback but loads of encouragement as well.

To our church families and staff at Central and Cross Point: Thank you for giving us the grace and freedom to be ourselves. It is truly a joy to serve Christ with you.

From Lori: Mom and Dad, I could not have had better role models either in spiritual life or in family life. Thanks for helping shape me into who I am today. My precious Emma and Ethan: Im so grateful that God let me be your mom. Our prayer is that the blessing we pray over you every night will be real and tangible all the days of your lives. And my amazing husband, Jud: if you asked, Id agree to be your date for life all over again. No one makes me laugh like you do. Love you, babe.

From Brandi: There is no way I could have written one word of this book without Morgantown Community Church in Kentucky, the church that accepted me as its pastors wife at the wee age of twenty-one. Thank you to my parents, who have always been supportive and full of love. Sue, thank you for your willingness to help, your support and encouragement. My Nashville community: you give me laughter, wipe my tears, and keep life full of fun. Jett, Gage, and Brewer, my heart swells with pride for each of you. Never stop chasing after His heart. And Pete, life together has been better than I ever could have imagined. Thank you for loving me so well. Sneaking out and meeting you under that big oak tree at WKU was the best decision I ever made.

Jesus: thank you seems like so little, but we are forever grateful.