No one knows we’re back (LOL).
By Amber
@AmbiePam (103398)
United States
September 22, 2025 8:20am CST
We came back Saturday morning, but my dad asked my sister and me not to tell anyone we are back. 
It reminds me of my old church when we got back from vacation a few days early. My dad parked behind a barn (of a friend) four houses from our actual home, and then we walked down to our home, and in through the back door. Why? Because when you live next door to the church people show up 24/7 to your house wanting a piece of you. A basketball tournament in the school gym (connected to the church) at night? Can I come in and take a nap on your couch? Make sure you’re quiet while I sleep; no matter you have two girls to rear and work a full time job (my mother put up with this; my dad was at the tournament). Oh, you want a drink of water, but you want ice, and the church doesn’t have it? Well, come on in, and get some from our freezer. Those were real life examples!
This church is NOTHING like that one, but when you can get a break from everyone wanting a piece of you, you take it. My dad and his wife actually went to a different church Sunday of a pastor my dad met at a conference, and they loved it. I’m glad they got to attend.
*Pastors serve the Lord, and they serve people, but hopefully, people don’t take advantage of that.
*And pastor’s families aren’t called to put up with bias against them. Translation? Snide comments about their children don’t get past me.
Had to get that off my chest. I wish I could have said that to people growing up.
Okay, now, anyone ever hide the fact that you’re back from vacation early? Isn’t it funny?
It reminds me of my old church when we got back from vacation a few days early. My dad parked behind a barn (of a friend) four houses from our actual home, and then we walked down to our home, and in through the back door. Why? Because when you live next door to the church people show up 24/7 to your house wanting a piece of you. A basketball tournament in the school gym (connected to the church) at night? Can I come in and take a nap on your couch? Make sure you’re quiet while I sleep; no matter you have two girls to rear and work a full time job (my mother put up with this; my dad was at the tournament). Oh, you want a drink of water, but you want ice, and the church doesn’t have it? Well, come on in, and get some from our freezer. Those were real life examples!
This church is NOTHING like that one, but when you can get a break from everyone wanting a piece of you, you take it. My dad and his wife actually went to a different church Sunday of a pastor my dad met at a conference, and they loved it. I’m glad they got to attend.
*Pastors serve the Lord, and they serve people, but hopefully, people don’t take advantage of that.
*And pastor’s families aren’t called to put up with bias against them. Translation? Snide comments about their children don’t get past me.
Had to get that off my chest. I wish I could have said that to people growing up.
Okay, now, anyone ever hide the fact that you’re back from vacation early? Isn’t it funny?20 people like this
17 responses
@AmbiePam (103398)
• United States
22 Sep
@sallypup That would not have flown in my parent’s home! We were going to behave, and that was it. Plus, I respected my parent’s so much, misbehaving just wasn’t going to happen. My stepmom remembers my sister and I as children, and she said she always remembered how well behaved we were. I surely never wanted to disappoint my mother. 
That would not have flown in my parent’s home! We were going to behave, and that was it. Plus, I respected my parent’s so much, misbehaving just wasn’t going to happen. My stepmom remembers my sister and I as children, and she said she always remembered how well behaved we were. I surely never wanted to disappoint my mother. 1 person likes this
@xstitcher (35679)
• Petaluma, California
23 Sep
No, we never did that I can think of.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (86288)
• United States
23 Sep
I don't blame you and your dad for wanting some peace before letting everyone know that you're back home.
It must have been very hard growing up as a pastors child and also basically having open house for church members to just pop in any time or day or night.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (86288)
• United States
23 Sep
@AmbiePam that would have scared me too. Gee that's crazy
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (201515)
• United States
23 Sep
I can certainly understand not letting anyone know you were home. Why would they make snide comments about their children?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (103398)
• United States
23 Sep
Well, in this case I was talking about a Mylotter, but at the old church there were some upsetting incidents. I was 6 and my sister was 8 when a lady in her 60s cornered us, and chewed us out about something my dad said in his sermon. A fellow church member overheard, grabbed my sister and me, and found my mom, and explained to her what happened. Incredibly, the lady never apologized, and kept attending the church.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (201515)
• United States
24 Sep
@AmbiePam That's awful. The children have nothing to do with what their father says.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (196536)
• United States
22 Sep
Oh boy, I guess pastors and their families have to out uo with alot. I name we thought about it before. My sympathies!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (154000)
• India
22 Sep
You had kind of an open house siituation where people walked in any time all the time.
That ws wise to steal yourself into th ehouse
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (55174)
• Canada
22 Sep
Yes, people in your Dad's capacity can get overly used.
My uncle was an RC Priest, and he had such a difficult time 'turning it off' and even would leave the area for his 1 and only day off a week.
I can completely understand and respect your Dad's request, and I hope that he enjoys some downtime as a result.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (89190)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Sep
My strangest transitions came the last couple of years at the end of the 1990s when Martin and I visited the states, When we returned I had to keep reminding myself where I was 
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (9217)
• Philippines
22 Sep
Even Jesus needed His peace to pray, so he went to a place where He could be alone with Father God.
It is normal to take a break from everything.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (53551)
• United States
22 Sep
I can appreciate that they need to have some time to themselves.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (122779)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Sep
I don't blame them for wanting some extra time.
1 person likes this
