Ready or Not -- Here Comes Change!

Change: to make (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone

Speaking of CHANGES…..I was born and raised in Dallas when there were still trolleys here. Yikes! Trolleys stopped running in the 50's -- a hint just how old this ole’ gal is. I remember those rides with my daddy. If I had been in a time sleep from then to now, I wouldn’t recognize my city. I live in Frisco now, which is just north of Dallas. This once sleepy little farm town of Frisco, is the 4th fastest growing cities in the U.S. It’s a magnet for new businesses and residential home purchases. CHANGES!

My post today isn't about fast growth in our cities. It's about welcoming CHANGE. Our lives really are seasonal and when we are unwilling to accept change, we become stagnant in our physical, spiritual and mental state. To come into a new season and to grow in our faith, we must let go of the old one. Isaiah 43:18 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." One of the many lessons life teaches us is to let go. Whew! That's not an easy one when we're sending our little ones off to school for the first time or for our high schoolers to go off to college and leave the nest. It's okay to be inclined to feel the pangs of what once was, but NEVER should we stay there.

I've developed a way of positively viewing change in my life. Watching the love of my life pass away was one of the most life-changing times for me. When he took his last breath, of course I had mixed feelings. I had joy that his suffering was over, but painfully aware that he was no longer here with me. Talk about change. That morning I was married, and that night I was a widow. Now, I think I've mastered the art of "change" -- enough so, that I can share some of the "change" lessons I've learned to perhaps help you with change:

1. Life is About the Cycle of Life -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other. Enjoy the good times, and realize the not so good times are just temporary.

2. Wisdom Is Earned -- There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to go back in time. I am so happy to be where I am, and to have the knowledge that I have. I EARNED where I am, and the wisdom I've achieved was through change and experience. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

3. Learn To Let Go -- When I hear, "That's easy for you to say. I don't think I can handle it!" And my response, "Oh, yes you can. God's grace will be with you and you will make the necessary changes. God gave your children, your friends and loved ones to you for a season. Now free them to live in their season. Accept it, and move forward. And when a loved one goes HOME, their assignment on earth ends. Our assignment continues. This is OUR race -- we MUST keep running. Let them GO!

4. Change Always Leads To Good -- The reality about change is we may not like it, but, inevitably it leads to something good. I look back at my life and I see a common thread. When something “bad” happened, it always led us to a better place. The tough times didn't last for us, but we became tough people.... THAT HAS lasted. I became ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

I promise you.....the ability to go from resisting change to embracing change can happen, but maybe not overnight. And it wasn't overnight that all those trees came down, that buildings and roads and highways were put into and through my city. But today, there are bright lights all around that represent the beauty of the changes. We must surrender “our ways and our plans” to “God’s ways and God’s plans”. Jeremiah 29:11 clearly gives us God’s way “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What an amazing trade off...to be in His ways.

Now I pray this prayer: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot CHANGE; courage to CHANGE the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Now, look at the bright lights of change in your world. You'll find them -- just be willing to CHANGE!

Embracing Change

This week the Wallace clan, Denise and myself are engaged in Payton and Alexia’s Speech and Debate competitions. This is my 3rd year to serve as a judge and I love it. I’ve not only watched the growth, physically, in Payton and Alexia (the photos tell the tale), but their growth in their confidence, articulation and knowledge since their start of this season of their lives. I’m embracing the changes that have made them so much better.

My post today is about welcoming change. I’m saying that because what we don’t welcome, we tend to unwelcome, or resist! I’ve come to realize that change can be a beautiful thing. Why is it that some embrace change while others do everything in their power to prevent it? It boils down to perspective.

I've developed a way of positively viewing change in my life. Watching the love of my life pass away was one of the most life-changing times of my life. When he took his last breath, of course I had mixed feelings. I had joy that his suffering was over, but painfully aware that he was no longer here with me. Talk about change. That morning I was married, and that night I was a widow.
I think I've mastered the art of "change", so much so that I can share some of the "change" lessons I've learned to help others with change:

1. Life is About the Cycle of Life -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other. Enjoy the good times, and realize the not so good times are just temporary.

2. Wisdom is Earned -- There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to go back in time. I am so happy to be where I am, and to have the knowledge that I have. I EARNED where I am, and the wisdom I've achieved was through change and experience. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

3. Learn To Let Go -- Some might say, "That's easy for you to say. I don't think I can handle it!" And my response, "Oh, yes you can. God's grace will be with you and you will make the necessary changes. God gave your children, your friends and loved ones to you for a season. Now free them to live in their season. Accept it, and move forward. When a loved one goes HOME, their assignment on earth ends. Their race ended. Our assignment continues. This is OUR race -- we MUST keep running to our finish line.

4. Change Always Leads to Good -- The reality about change is we just may not like it, but, inevitably it leads to something good. I look back at my life and I see a common trend. When something “bad” happened, it always resulted, eventually, in taking us to a better place. The tough times didn't last for us, but we became tough people....and THAT HAS lasted. Today, I'm ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

I promise you.....the ability to go from resisting change to embracing change can happen, but we must let go and surrender “our ways and our plans” to “God’s ways and God’s plans”. Jeremiah 29:11 clearly gives us God’s way “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What an amazing trade off...to be in His ways. That gives me every reason in the world to say God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

God Never Changes

On Friday, we witnessed a president’s departure and exit from office. On the outside, President Obama and Michelle were composed, gracious, stately (I was always impressed with President Obama’s eloquence of speech and composure), but I suspect, once behind closed doors, they were high 5-ing each other and celebrating that they are free of those ominous responsibilities and the scrutiny of the public.

And at the same time, we witnessed President Trump's “entering” and “embarking” on his presidency with all the wide-eyed wonder, expectancy, anticipation, aspirations, and desire to help our country be a shining star that leads the way in economic growth, world peace, blessings to its citizens, and so many other hopes and dreams. I was glued to the TV. After all, history was being made right before our eyes – history that will be taught to our young children and grandchildren for years to come.

Exits and entrances. Deaths and births. Endings and beginnings. Goodbyes and hellos. Departures and arrivals. Going and coming.
All those synonyms and antonyms (I looked them up) are reminders of what it is for a season to end and new one begin. Isn’t that life? How often have I witnessed the passing of a friend or loved one and within hours or days, in the same family, was the birth of a precious baby in the same family. It is the cycle of life.

Here’s the really good news. God assures us He’s watching over all our seasons – all our exits and our entrances – in passings and births, in ending kindergarten to begin first grade, in exiting high school and entering college, in exiting single life to enter into married life, in leaving one job to begin another one, in departing one country and entering another. Bottom line…..among all the exits and entrances and all the in-betweens, life, in any form…..is just temporary.

We can throw a tantrum, a pity party, a protest, a sit-in, a march, stay in bed and cover our heads, put our heads in the sand, wail, jump up and down and we can resist the changes……but all the while, I’m picturing God shaking His head as He thinks “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life…..change will happen. Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we feel out of control. But there is One who doesn’t change, Who walks with us in every season of life—no matter how easy or difficult. The good news is that God has a plan for our lives to hope, to give us a future, and to prosper us. If we trust in God and allow the change to grow us to become more like Jesus Christ in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “All things will work together for good for those who love Him and keep His commandments!” (Romans 8:28)

Just to reinforce how much God loves us and sincerely cares about us and the changes we face, here are scriptures that affirm His steadfast walk with us.

~ "I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6
~ “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb13:8
~ “I will teach you the way you should go; 
 I will instruct you and advise you.” Psalm 32:8
~ “The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” Deut 31:8

Bottom line – God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. I think I hear Him saying to us --His kids…..”I’ve got this so let go and let Me carry you through each season. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Trust Me!”

I Knew Back-to-School Drama

#TBT I Knew Back-to-School Drama!
It's that time of year when kids are getting back to school or going to school for the first time. This photo inspiration from 42 years ago was my two kids' first day of school -- Staci in first grade and Ryan in 3rd. Sweet memories, and, oh my, how time did fly!!

I've been seeing lots of Mamas on Facebook who are either stoked that school is back in session or they're all emotional because their "babies" are headed to school for the first time. There are the Mamas who have a Senior in high school and they're teary-eyed because it's their last year. And, then there is one like my friend whose son had his first experience as a Freshman in Bishop Kelley High School, the "Kiss your Mom Good-bye" tradition where Seniors make all kinds of crazy posters telling the freshman to "pucker up," and kiss your Mom good-bye as the Moms drive them up to the school. She said her son, who was never embarrassed to give her a hug or kiss good-bye, was mortified. But he did -- and the Seniors screamed and cheered. She said she was more embarrassed than her newly minted Freshman -- especially with videographers there.

And then, I love seeing how the friends of these Moms are either comforting them and assuring them that they'll get through all the emotions.....or the friends who believe "misery loves company" and they're crying right along with them. No question, it's a process of coming to grips with the cycle of life.

No matter what year or what grade they're in, these kids are embarking on a new stage in their lives. So many trails to blaze, so many new frontiers to discover and so many defining moments await them. In the meantime, my heart goes out to each of you young parents -- it's part of the process of giving our babies the freedom to grow up, to be strong and independent. Their trajectory is preset by God -- they are on course for so many great things and great days ahead. Taking one day at a time and one year at time.....makes the process easier. I pray comfort and God's peace to you all -- whatever stage of life YOU are in, and THEY are in. God's Master Plan is at work in you and your family.....and with His arms around you and them.....you'll see the joys, fun and the incredibly brilliant times of seeing your little darlings do so well on science and art projects, field trips, tests, homework and learning so many wonderful things. There are so many victories that await you and them. Your greatest assets are continuing to become more valuable each and every day.

Oh, how we thank God for the gift of children. I pray, Almighty God, that you watch over them as they start to school or go back to school this year. I pray You keep them safe. May these precious children realize You are right there with them in the classroom and on the playground. May they soak up good knowledge and may they be fully equipped to dismiss any negative messages they may hear or see. Help them treat others with kindness and respect, and may their hearts be guarded with the armor of Your Word. I ask that You give them joy and peace as they put their trust in you. I pray that they "increase in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man" -- just like Jesus did. And I pray a special blessing over the teachers and school workers as they help impact all of these kids. And, dear God, please give all these precious Moms and Dad the fortitude and the strength to place their babies into your hands -- with full confidence that you are taking them to their destiny and purpose. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

Time to be an EMPTY NESTER!

Day 180 of Photo Inspirations -- Time to be an EMPTY NESTER!
Two weeks ago I told you about a beautiful cardinal perched on my fence and was inspired that he came to bring me joy and excitement – my family was coming in town that night.  A week letter, I came home to find he was there for his own family.  A nest had been built in my crepe myrtle and it contained two itsy bitty cardinal babies. Daily, since then, I’ve gone to take a little peek of the little darlings.  It’s amazing how quickly they grew.  I knew this would be the week that they would be out on their own.  This first photo is day before yesterday when they were still cozy in the nest.

And yesterday, I saw Mr. Cardinal perched at the very top of this tree – almost in glorious pride shouting out….. “My babies have left the nest!”  The next photo is Mrs. Cardinal on the column with baby cardinal on the ground fledgling around.  It wasn’t long before the twins had taken flight.  And all that’s left is this last photo taken today …… of the empty nest.  I’m quite sure that Mr. Cardinal is strutting around, beak and head crest held high, giving high fives to Mrs. Cardinal and shouting to the world, in the words of Dora the Explorer… “We did it! We did it!”

I’ve been amazed as I watched the instincts of these birds. And, while those instincts are given to them at birth, it took encouragement and motivation by Mom & Dad Cardinal to help them reach their full potential to spread their wings and fly.   It's increible how quickly these little birds went from ibeing inside of an egg, to emerging as little birds and being fed by their parents, and then being encouraged to jump from the nest and now flying -- especially when we consider us.  It takes 18+ years for our kids to take flight.

Do you remember bringing your new baby home from the hospital?  I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I kept checking to see if he was breathing. We made it through those days to sheer joy as we watched his many "firsts"-- his first smile, his first laugh-out-loud, his first time to rollover, the first time he sat up, the first time he crawled and the first time he walked.

Remember walking?   My husband would be on one side holding him up, while I stood across from him -- holding out my arms with a toy or food to motivate him to step out on his own.  It didn’t work the first time.  He’d fall down, and Daddy would help him up again, and with the same process over and over again, our little guy eventually ventured across to me.  That’s what the Mama bird did.  That little baby bird had to be coaxed to leave the nest – and it was probably for food.  Mama bird probably withheld food from him, and He was hungry and he knew he had to leave the nest to get it.  I watched those little birds fledgling around and soon the whole family had taken wing and flown away.

I could compare this all to those Moms and Dads who are going through the challenging “empty nest syndromes”.  You may be taking your baby to pre-school for the first time this year and there are those who will be taking your baby to college for the first time this year.  Yes, probably there will be tears – whether it is pre-school or college, but, oh, such good tears.  Tears of the memories of the first steps, the first camp-out, the first time they drove, the first girl or boy friend…..and now the first time out on their own.  You’ve done what you were created to do…..bring those precious babies into this world, encourage them to grow up and encourage them to leave the nest.  It’s the cycle of life – and you are equipped to handle it – so much so that you can sing along with Dora the Explorer, too.  Go ahead – give your spouse and friends and family big High 5’s and pat yourselves on the back and say "We did it!  We did it!"

Embracing Change

Day 73 of Photo Inspirations -- Embracing Change
A lot of trees were there before the CHANGE came for the land to become a shopping and entertainment area.  Yesterday, when I returned home from Texas, just north of my subdivision, this new store, Gander Mtn, having its Grand Opening.  I stopped in to see all the excitement -- the place was overcome with droves of people checking it out.  

Hunting and fishing equipment, archery, boating, running -- you name it, they've got it, at least when it comes to needs for enjoying the great outdoors!  Soon there will be a 12-screen theater, restaurants and retail stores in that area. Things have sure changed around here.

My post today isn't about trees or Gander Mtn.  It's about welcoming change.  Change is a beautiful thing, but often we resist change. Why is it that some folks can easily embrace change while others do everything in their power to prevent it?  It boils down to perspective. We can welcome change or we can resist it and become stagnant, accomplishing nothing -- not moving forward at all.

I've developed a way of positively viewing change in my life.  Watching the love of my life pass away was one of the most life-changing times of my life.  When he took his last breath, of course I had mixed feelings. I had joy that his suffering was over, but painfully aware that he was no longer here with me.   Talk about change.  That morning I was married, and that night I was a widow.

I think I've mastered the art of "change" -- enough so, that I can share some of the  "change" lessons I've learned to perhaps help you with change:
1.  Life is About the Cycle of Life -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other.  Enjoy the good times, and realize the not so good times are just temporary.

2. Wisdom Is Earned -- There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to go back in time. I am so happy to be where I am, and to have the knowledge that I have. I earned where I am, and the wisdom I've achieved was through change and experience.   WOW -- LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

3. Learn To Let Go -- Some might say, "That's easy for you to say.   I don't think I can handle it!"  And my response, "Oh, yes you can.  God's grace will be with you and you will make the necessary changes.   God gave your children, your friends and loved ones to you for a season.  Now free them to live in their season.  Accept it, and move forward.  And when a loved one goes HOME, their assignment on earth ends.  Our assignment continues.  This is OUR race -- we MUST keep running.

4. Change Always Leads To Good -- The reality about change is we just may not like it, but, inevitably it leads to something good.  I look back at my life and I see a common trend. When something “bad” happened, it always culminated in the realization that took us to a better place.  The tough times didn't last for us, but we became tough people....and THAT HAS lasted.  I'm ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

I promise you.....the ability to go from resisting change to embracing change can happen, but maybe not overnight.  And it wasn't overnight that all those trees came down, that buildings and houses and roads were put in.  But today, there are bright lights all around that represent the beauty of the changes.  Now, look at the bright lights of change in your world.  You'll find them -- just be willing to CHANGE!  #Change #LifeIsBeautiful #ToughCookie

Celebrating the Cycle of Life

Day 6 of 365 Photo -- Celebrating the Cycle of Life --  Meet Emma, who I'm holding, and her friend, Max, who Lexi is holding.

Events in the last couple of days were planned by my granddaughter, Lexi, whose goal is to attend her Dad's alma mater, Texas A&M, one day.  And, she plans to study and graduate as a veterinarian. I remember as just a baby how much she loved animals and had no fear around them.  She's been an equestrian horse rider and she LOVES her little 6 pound Yorkie, Emma.  Two days ago we went to the Vet to get Emma checked out to be sure she would be okay to have another litter of puppies, and, indeed, she got a clean bill of health.  So yesterday, I had the joy of being with Lexi and Denise Gerrich  to take Emma to be with her mate, "Max".

Max is a 4 pound darling Yorkie.  It was love at first sight, and the rest I'll leave to the imagination.  But I watched my granddaughter, who is quite typically a laugh-a-minute comedian, be poised, supportive, involved, and listened to Max's very knowledgeable owner explain, in detail, the process of breeding.  She has been breeding Yorkies for many years.

I'm so thrilled I "seized the moment" for this beautiful experience.   I was amazed as I saw my granddaughter go from her usual quirky and hilarious self, to a very mature, logical and tender pet owner (responsible and caring).  I was witnessing, first hand, the cycle of life -- in my granddaughter and her little Yorkie:  birth, growth, maturity.   I saw God's cycle of life for creatures and us -- in such a profound way.  It made me think once again about the magnitude of His genius.  He created fish, reptiles and birds to be born alive or hatched from eggs.  And I thought about the WOW  animals (like a butterly) that they go to bed looking one way and wake up a different creature. And I thought about animals....and US.

God is such an AWESOME God, and the more I get to know about Him, the more He astounds me.   The more I study His ways, absorb His presence into my very being.....He shows up in my world and keeps giving me  "AHA" moments like I had yesterday.  I urge you to go to that place as often as you can -- you don't need headphones, a trip to some exclusive paradise location, a yoga experience, a church or synogogue to find Him. You'll find Him, like I do, in MOMENTS -- those moments when we open our eyes and heart to His wonders all around us.  #SeizeTheMoment #AwesomeGod