This Good Guy Wears a White Hat

This is my son, Larry. Technically, he’s my son-in-law, but we’ve called him our son from the get-go. It is a term of endearment. He called us mom and dad. We were proud to call him our son.

Last month, I had the joy of travelling with him and Staci in their truck and 5th-wheel RV to Red River, NM. On the way to Red River, we made a pit stop in Amarillo, TX to eat at the Big Texan Steak House, – known for their 72 ounce steak. If you eat it all in one-hour, your $72 meal is free. We didn’t indulge ourselves in that challenge, but we sure enjoyed eating their delicious food. What many don’t know is while Larry attended Texas A&M, he was a real cowboy working cattle, riding horses with other ranching responsibilities. So, what’s a guy to do when we’re passing through cowboy country and Cavender’s Western Store, but to get himself a white Stetson cowboy hat that I must say “Looks mighty good on him, and for that matter, I think he’s a dead ringer for the Marlboro man!"

Even before the white hat, Larry was one of those good guys. He is kind, compassionate and quick to meet the needs of others, including me. He is a fully devoted follower of Christ and is an incredible role model for others.

I remember the good ole' days when good manners, courtesy, concern for each other, patriotism, and respect were the norm. In reality, those qualities are still right here. They may not wear white hats, but there are those white-hat-wearing-kind-of-people.

Deep inside of most everyone is a "white-hat-wearing", loving and kind somebody. But something caused them to be just the opposite -- maybe their upbringing, their lack of a value system, their choice of friends? What was it that changed them from "loving God, standing up with their hand over their heart while singing our National Anthem, respectfully loving others and living with kindness and honor"? It’s hard to believe how polar opposite we can be. I get that people are afraid, angered, upset, and confused about this world we live in, but we can do our part to at least change "our little world" if we want to.

We can lean in closer to God Who can change us and make us new. He is delighted to give out "white hats" to His kids. We can be committed Christ followers Who replace our meanness for kindness and our ugly talk to love talk. My Mama said it best, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"
My Mama and Mother Teresa had a lot in common when it comes to loving and caring.

Here's the way Mother Teresa put it:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

You, know, I think Mother Teresa must have owned a white cowgirl hat because she sure did talk the talk and walk the walk that most of those folks in white hats seem to do. I'm thinking I need to go on a shopping spree for a white hat!

A Match That Was Literally Made in Heaven

Happy 23rd Anniversary to my two children – Larry and Staci Wallace! I am so grateful for your choices, your commitments and your devotion to God and each other. Today, my blog is dedicated to honor you and your example of a “match made in heaven”. And you followed through by treating it that way from the git-go to this day, 23 years later.

It’s their story that you should hear straight from their hearts, but my attention-to-the-details is what inspires this blog today. I was speaking to a young couple who were talking about getting married. I retold a short version of Larry and Staci’s story to them which included their vow to celibacy until they married. They refrained from kissing until their wedding day because of a covenant Larry made with God. Staci wrote and recorded a song called "Jesus is the Reason" that was played at the wedding. The song explained the significance of how their friendship grew to love and that love was wrapped in purity and unity. So needless to say, when the moment came at the wedding: "Now you may kiss your Bride", the congregation cheered with excitement -- not to mention the two of them, with no holds barred....locked in for the smoochiest KISS ever!

After their wedding, and for many years following, they were asked to share their purity love story at youth conferences, churches and organizations across the country. Thankfully, their wedding, and the marriage they have to today, has continued to touch young people and old, with the sanctity and beauty of a marriage founded and based on God's love being the #1 priority in their lives. It has been one of the greatest gifts they could give their children.

Pictured here is the ring that Larry had made for Staci. It was based on Staci’s words to him at the outset of their relationship. She explained the triangle: at the bottom left corner is Larry; at the bottom right corner is Staci. “As long as we continually pursue Christ individually – in Him we will meet at the top.” The ring has a trilliant cut diamond which signifies their on-going commitment to continue to pursue Christ and the horizontal-cut ruby above it that signifies the blood of the lamb in Revelations 12:11 “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” and is inscribed inside the ring.

I heard a minister say: “I tell you where you step up your game in your marriage is to recall the day when you said and made your vows before our Holy God and to each other. Your marriage will always be blessed as you recall the promises you made to each other before God. Live your life every day before God. That will guarantee your marriage succeeds." And, that, my friends, is how I know this is a marriage that was made in heaven. They experience heaven on earth together each day. They are proof-positive that lives whose “center” is Christ – are lives that stay centered on each other. Happy Anniversary, my Darlings! You make this Mama so proud!

Are You Praying for your Children’s Future Husband or Wife?

I did. And God answered my prayers. Today, I am celebrating the birthday of my daughter’s husband, Larry, who I call “my son”. God gave us YOU, Larry Wallace!

I’m sharing this birthday wish to not just my son, Larry, but to all who follow me. I want you to know this man changed my mind about "jocks", but most importantly, God clarified for me what our roles as parents should be in believing God’s very best for our children. When we pray and trust God with our heart’s desires for our children's future spouse, and then turn over the reins to Him, the Master Designer and Orchestrator, will most certainly bring together a “perfect match made in heaven”!

For many years, the perfect man for our daughter, in my mind, was a man devoted to full time ministry, because, after all, she had vowed to be the next "Mother Teresa" who was all about making a difference in this world and going to the world to share God's good news. At that time, Larry was a true jock. He had been recruited and played for four years for Texas A&M's championship football team. Then he became a bodybuilder and was working towards becoming Mr. Oklahoma. He was, no doubt, a beautiful specimen of a man. What I saw on the outside was FINE, but this guy, in my books, was all brawn and not what I had envisioned for my girl. I had about four guys who I had deemed to be in the running for Mr. Staci! LOL! Thank you, God, for saying "NO" to those prayers!

Right here is where the story in 1 Samuel 16 is a great parallel. God had told Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be the king that would succeed Saul. All of his sons were paraded before Samuel, and Samuel thought that surely Eliab was the chosen one because he saw something in the tall and stately presence of the eldest born of Jesse which reminded the old man of the splendid attributes of Saul. Eliab seemed to Samuel, in all respects, a fit successor to the great warrior whom the Lord rejected. But the Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” That's when Samuel asked Jesse "Are these all of your sons?" And we all remember that there was one more -- an athletic, strong, kind, tenderhearted, with a "heart after God's own heart", ruddy warrior, and beautiful son who was a shepherd, David.

And, here is my departure from that story to this man, Larry Wallace, who, indeed was God's chosen one for my Staci, the exact opposite in nature to hers, but the perfect match for her strong will, drive, and determination. And, as the photos below indicate -- he keeps a watchful eye out for his children and prays diligently for them. Larry and Staci both desire, more than anything, to make a difference in this world....and they both are driven to do so every day. If you aren’t a follower of Staci and Larry, please take this opportunity to follow them on YouTube.com/emnationtv . Here is a sneak peek at the words in Larry's birthday card:

"Happy Birthday to My Son, Larry! God made our prayers and dreams come true when He gave us You! This is one of my favorite photos because it is typical of you...side-by-side with Staci and always being there for the kids and me. You are the anchor, the team captain, and the warrior with the peaceful, calm, strong and patient qualities that makes you -- YOU! Those are just a few of the many reasons to thank God for the gift of you to this world, but, even greater reasons for thanksgiving for me are because God blessed me with having you as my son. What a love God had for Staci, Payton, Alexia and all who know you -- to bless us with YOU! I’m so glad it’s your birthday, because we get to celebrate the mainstay, the pillar of strength, the man of God, the amazing father, husband, son, and friend that you are! I celebrate you! Happy Birthday, my wonderful son, Larry! I love you so much and thank God for giving us -- YOU!
Mom XOXOXO

God Gave Us YOU, Larry Wallace!

Friday morning, I took Larry his requested "Granny's Chocolate Cake" for his birthday -- well, it's her recipe, but now I get to take the glory for having perfected it! LOL!

Since I'm going to be out of the country on his birthday, June 9th, and since we're a family that one day of celebration for the birthday guy or girl just isn't enough, I'm starting out this birthday week with telling you about this man who not only changed my mind about "jocks", but changed my mind about the perfect man for my daughter, so much so that I wanted to share with those of you who are praying for THE PERFECT ONE for your sons and daughters. It starts with praying, trusting God and then giving ​Him full reins to be the ​Master ​Designer and Orchestrator of what He knows already to be the "perfect match made in heaven".

Twenty-one years ago, the perfect man for our daughter, in my mind, was a man devoted to full time ministry, because, after all, she had vowed to be the next "Mother Teresa" who was all about making a difference in this world and going to the world to share God's good news. At that time, Larry was a true jock. He had been recruited and played for 4 years for Texas A&M's championship football team. Then he became a body builder and was working towards becoming Mr. Oklahoma. He was, no doubt, a beautiful speciman of a man. What I saw on the outside was FINE, but this guy, in my books, was all brawn and not what I had envisioned for my girl. ​ I had about four guys who I had deemed to be in the running for Mr. Staci! LOL! Thank you, God, for saying "NO" to those prayers.
​
Right here is where the story in 1 Samuel 16 is a great parallel. ​ ​God had told Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be the king that would succeed Saul. All of his sons were paraded before Samuel, and Samuel thought that surely Eliab was the chosen one because he saw something in the tall and stately presence of the eldest born of Jesse which reminded the old man of the splendid attributes of Saul. Eliab seemed to Samuel, in all respects, a fit successor to the great warrior whom the Lord rejected. But the Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” That's when Samuel asked Jesse "Are these all of your sons?" And we all remember that there was one more -- an athletic, strong, kind, tenderhearted and "heart after God's own heart", ruddy warrior, and beautiful son who was a shepherd, David.

And, here is my departure from that story to this man, Larry Wallace, who, indeed was God's chosen one for my Staci, the exact opposite in nature to hers, but the perfect match for her strong will, drive and determination. Now this "perfect match couple" both desire, more than anything, to make a difference in this world....and they both are driven to do so everyday. When we were going around the dinner table and telling him what he meant to us on Friday night at his first birthday celebration so far, Staci said, "You complete me!" And that is so true. That is why I gave him these words in his birthday card:

"These pictures show the fun-loving, enthusiastic, competitive, yet peaceful, calm, strong, and PATIENT qualities that makes you -- YOU! Really, really, really -- you are one in a million, which shows God must love this family ginormously to single you out for US!! Those are just a few of the many reasons to thank God for the gift of you to this world, but, even greater reasons for thanksgiving -- for me, that God blessed me with having you as my son. What an indescribable love God had for me, Staci, Payton, Alexia and all who know you -- to bless us with YOU! I’m so glad it’s your birthday, because we get to honor and celebrate the mainstay, the pillar of strength, the man of God, the incredible leader, role model, father, husband, son and friend that you are to so many! Happy Birthday, my wonderful son, Larry. I love you so much and thank God for giving us -- YOU!
Mom XOXOXO

Wedding Memories Passed On

Awww -- more memories made last night! Payton and Lexi had never seen their Mom & Dad's Wedding Video. It was such a special celebration as Larry & Staci showed it to them. I'm so thrilled I could be a part of this treasured time. On the video (after they were married), Staci & Larry went to a recording studio and taped their purity story. Their "look" in 1997 made Alexia & Payton laugh so hard. That's the first photo here. Alexia with her usual style of quick comic relief, named her mom "Hair Girl" and her dad, "Suspenders Boy" -- LOL!

The next part of the video is the actual wedding. Of course, watching the wedding that began with beautiful worship music and singing, gave us such a sweet time of thanksgiving. Seeing precious people, like Larry's Mom, his grandparents, my Ron and his Dad, my Mom, sister and brother in law, and Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty in the video, are all, now Larry & Staci's cheerleaders from heaven's grandstands, brought tears to our eyes.

So many memories and miracles that occurred on that day -- February 7, 1997 -- winter wonderland on the inside, and snowing outside in Tulsa, OK. As they kissed at the end and walked out to Steven Curtis Chapman singing, "Great Adventure", Alexia exclaimed, "When I get married, I want to drive off in my Shelby Cobra with cans flopping behind us and a sign that said, 'Just Married' -- ended our celebration with joy and laughter once again. #SuchIsLifeWithLexi