Alexia's Rite of Passage

Alexia's Rite of Passage Day

The first full day we were in Mexico, we got a beautiful view of Puerto Vallerta -- from a tourist's point of view. Lots of palatial hotels and resorts and shops galore. Cruise ships in port. Who would ever realize what we would eventually experience from "behind the scenes"?

But, this day was devoted to Alexia Wallace's Rite of Passage -- a very special event and occasion of celebrating Alexia's 13th birthday and transition from a little girl to a young woman. In the Jewish tradition, it would be her Bat Mitzvah -- celebrating her passage as a "Daughter of the Blessing". Staci Wallace and Larry Wallace devoted 12 special weeks of training that included 12 keys to living a life of blessing and abundance and being used by God to pour into her life, during this strategic time of transition and preparation. They used movies ("Joan of Arc", Queen Esther's story of preparation, "One Night With the King", as well as, for the first time, getting to see her Mom & Dad's Wedding Video and hearing their own "purity before marriage" story), experiences (special dinners and trips to specific places) and other specifically designed illustrations to carry out the special "Rite of Passage" journey.

The final key and blessing took place in the company of our wonderful missions team in Mexico, as well as Dr. Terry L. Mize and his wife, Renee Mize, the hosts of this wonderful trip and missionaries to missionaries around the world. What better location for the final key, as Alexia's heart is missions.

These photos capture some of the precious moments of our celebration with her -- from our early morning enjoyment of the beach to the evening blessings given by Larry & Staci.
Taking time to pour into our children these valuable lessons will not only impact their lives today.... but it will be carried on for generations to come. It is worth every effort and the time investment.....that will bear fruit beyond what we can imagine.

God Takes Pleasure When We Take Pleasure

Yesterday was planned around Alexia -- some girl time, her getting to choose where we would eat for breakfast and dinner -- being pampered at the nail salon, her picking some great decor' for her new bedroom, getting her "Fall Harvest" costume -- it was a "by design" day that continues to celebrate her Rite of Passage (she'll turn 13 in Sept).

I was thrilled to be a part of this day and getting to watch as she received the next "key" that might be the "one" that would open her Rite-of-Passage Treasure Chest. Yesterday's leadership "key" was COURAGE. It was another key she received during these many weeks of intense training and preparation by her dad and mom who are pouring into her.

Last night, as an example of courage and willingness to fight and die for a cause bigger than herself, we watched the movie, "Joan of Arc" -- so compelling to see a young woman of courage, power and ability to lead armies and command men. She won many military victories over England and saved France from English rule. She had the ability to endure adversity patiently. She was steadfast and loyal to a king who abandoned her to her enemies. But most of all, she loved God, and her loyalty and patient acceptance to His Will for her life, makes her a genuine heroine and role model for us all -- not to mention my precious granddaughter who is being equipped with the "keys" that are creating a firm foundation in her life as she continues to grow into womanhood.

As I took this day in -- with all its enjoyments and pleasures -- and ending with this strong emphasis on courage, I realized that is what Father God wants for all His kids. He wants us to enjoy all that is around us -- He takes pleasure in our joy. But most importantly He wants us to grow in all the ways of becoming, being, and doing -- people of courage, purpose and destiny -- to change our world. I pray this for Alexia, I continue to strive for this with all my heart.