What's Do They Think When They Hear Your Name?

One of the many perks of my residence here in Frisco, TX is that my sweet cousins, Charles & Mary Ellen Snow, live in the same community as me. Just a couple of days ago we spent nearly three hours “remembering” so many family traditions and moments, while looking at old photos and doing our best to remember names. We were laughing when we thought about the names of the 12 children of our grandparents: Mary Ellen’s mom was Shaddie Ruth, my mom, Edna Pearl, and then there was Lillie Mae, Bonnie Lou, Lassie Jo, John (Johnnie) Wooldridge Jr., Adrian N., Napoleon Bonaporte (NB for short), Robert Carroll, Sam Houston, and Donald. Whew!! Can you imagine keeping up with a clan like that?

The fact is: names are important. They have power. They define us. They’re more than a bunch of letters grouped together to sound pleasant to the ear. Names are more than a convenience allowing us just to know each other. They are the first thing someone knows about us. Names are a gift from God, and they contain His power. Remember Abraham (father of many nations)? And yes, that's who he became. Every time God, and others, spoke his name, they were adding to the potential of His name. He DID become father of many nations.

We realized that, when we chose Ryan as our son's name -- it means "little king", and our daughter's name, Staci, means "resurrection life", and indeed we have watched how the names we chose, have "marked" their character and destiny. I encourage soon-to-be moms and dads to choose their children’s names wisely and carefully -- make sure it's what they desire to see their child become.

My 2nd grandson is named Barrett Wuerch (the Wuerch name comes from German ancestry) and Barrett, in German, means "mighty as a bear”. We've called him "Bear" over the years, and he's known as "Bear" by most everyone. I often remind him of the significance of what "Bear" means. I wasn't surprised when I saw the meaning, and so thankful we see him with these qualities now, and in the future. I’ve given him several bear figurines over the years to keep reminding him of his destiny. Names are such a big deal – we all remember the many hours of decision-making about what our children’s names should be. The fact is we are "big deals" to God, and that's what matters most. The fact is.....He knew us when we were still in our mother's womb.....and He set us apart....to be difference makers in our world. (Jeremiah 1:5)

On many occasions, I’ve looked up friends and family members names to help them appreciate who they are and who they can become. If you don’t know already, look up your name (now it’s easy on the internet) and see how your personality and character traits measure up to that name. It’s astounding to see the parallels. I doubt that my mom and dad paid much attention to my name’s meaning – my sister named me, but it turns out my name, Donna means “lady” and Sue means “graceful lily”. Maybe, at times, it’s debatable whether those definitions best describe me, but I like to think, being a graceful lily lady is what God would like me to strive for daily.

Whether you are a Tom, Dick or Harry or a Mary, Sally or Sue……your name is the best thing going for you IF you treasure it and realize that every action, reaction, character flaw or character strength, honorable act or shameful act are remembered when others hear your name. Don’t we want our name to be synonymous with "a good name"? “A good name is to be more desired than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Mama's Got Game

This Mama's "Got Game"! When someone says that about me, it means “She’s NOT just a fan watching from the sidelines or the stands -– she’s in the game, playing on the field, and not only hitting the ball – but knocking it out of the ballpark (well, at least in my imagination).” And I've got game in many areas of my life, but, I just felt it's time to explain my WHY about playing in the Solavei Game!

In October, 2011, my son, Ryan, and his amazing wife, Shawntel, were talking strategies about what their next business enterprise would be. After all, Ryan had, just a few months prior, exited from the company he founded, built to a $1.2 billion valuation and took it public on Nasdaq. After 10 years of diligence and hard work, they could have relaxed back and enjoyed the fruit of their labors.

It was in that same month that Ryan had an epiphany – to create a company, uncharacteristic of typical “big enterprise mentality”. This company would be one that placed its values on relationships and core values and providing a tangible means of helping people make a better living for themselves and their family. Of course, I wanted to be a part of something that had that vision leading it. When I first heard that vision, I said, “Game on!” But, then Ryan said, “Mom, I told Dad I was going to take care of you. You just be the grandmother of Solavei (the new company). Initially, I thought, “Beautiful – Mama can be a cheerleader and support the “Sol Train” (aka Solavei Team)! But after hearing my daughter, Staci, share her passion for seeing our country’s economy revived and many people’s lives transformed, I could just hear my Honey speaking to me from heaven and saying “Donna, what are you thinking? Really, you’re going to sit back and watch what we believed, prayed and planted the seeds for – for over 40 years? Do you really want to be the grandmother of anything besides our six grandchildren?” And to that, I responded with a resounding, “NO!”

So, then, I had to put a plan together, a case for Mama being in the game. No handouts expected. No rules of engagement any different from any other player on the field. I couldn't just “talk the talk”. I had to “walk the walk” and put my plan to action. I set out to be the “Poster Mama” – showing others what can happen when we stop whining about being “too little or too big; too old or too young; too female or too male; too black or too white; it’s too difficult or too easy”……and to JUST DO IT!! And, so I did, and so I am!!

Yes, here I am today….playing in this game. I’m loving it. And, my team is loving it too! I’m a Founding Member of Solavei, on the Social Commerce Advisory Committee and blessed with the extra $$ I really needed at this time of my life. My son said, “Mom, you’re a machine!” Some of my friends are probably thinking, “What happened to Donna? Where is she?” Would you please tell them for me? “Donna’s in the batting cage – she’s practicing her swing, throwing the ball – practicing her pitches, she’s on the field doing her warm-ups, getting the plays down and working hard to be her best -- from sun-up to sun-down.” Oh, yes, Donna’s got game! And, it’s not a competition with anyone other than ME! And at the end of this game season, I will have fulfilled my game assignment!! And you won’t hear me saying “I wish I had!” Oh, no! I’ll be saying “I’m so glad I did!" Now, Bat - Her - Up!