Welcome, Spring! I’m Getting Spring Into My Step!

I've been thoroughly enjoying the photos displayed on social media of the beautiful array of bluebonnets that are seemingly opening the doors and welcoming Spring to us Texans! Thank you, God, for your handiwork! Before leaving home for this Spring Break trip to Mexico, I sent a little text message to my Frisco family that I wanted to turn in my birthday gift coupons that they gave me in August. It was an amazing gift that included power washing my screened-in porch, trimming hedges and trees, raking and bagging leaves, and laying mulch. I told them I was dealing with peer pressure because my neighbors were way ahead of me in getting their properties all spruced up to welcome Spring! So, we talked about dates to get it all done. Teamwork will certainly make my dream work!

Of course, here in Mexico, it looks like springtime year round, so that’s inspired me, even more, to get spring into my steps. We’ve been going to the fitness center each morning here and getting ourselves spruced up for celebrating this most wonderful season of new life, new hope, new dreams, and new great expectations for this spectacular soon-to-be Resurrection Sunday! Talk about NEW LIFE!

At home, the trees were already budding, my hot pink phlox was unveiling a carpet of color, and the yellow daffodils were sprouting. All of it was shouting “Springtime ahead!” Old things were passing away and the new was being birthed. I had been hearing the doves cooing in my back yard announcing they were making preparations for the new life of their little ones soon.

In Steve DeWitt’s outstanding book, “Eyes Wide Open: Enjoying God in Everything”, he explains enjoying God's presence this way:
“Creation speaks to us — every day, all the time, constantly shouting truths about spiritual reality. Did you hear it this morning as you got up? Did you feel any truth about God this morning as you took a hot shower? Did you taste any truth as you delighted in your morning coffee? Did you hear any divine reality as you heard a bird singing? Did you see any truth as you saw the blue of the sky? What have you actually felt, tasted, touched, seen, and heard today? The whole earth is filled with His glory. Every day creation shouts to us, God is glorious! God is creator! God is provider! God is love! God is there! Everywhere I look, everything I feel, hear, smell, and taste transmits the beauty of God through the beauty of creation. He is the beauty behind all beauty.”

As for me, I’m gearing up for stepping it up -- getting Spring in my step -- to be filled with vigor and vitality. God saw that His creation of man and woman was VERY GOOD. Shouldn’t we be the evidence of God that awakens Spring in the steps of others, too? The cold, dark days of winter are over. Resurrection Day is upon us. It’s time to take off our grave clothes because He lives -- inside of you and me! Of course, we need to have Spring in our steps because Romans 8:11 reminds us “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” So, step, Stepper, step!

Going GREEN on St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Do you have your “green” on? After all, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and who wants to get pinched? I’m told I’m 1/16th Irish so I’m wearing my Claddagh Irish ring and I’m wearing my sweetheart’s St. Patrick’s cross necklace that he wore almost all the time. He loved St. Patrick and what he stood for, and so do I. Hmm! It makes perfect sense on this special day to travel with my family to Ireland, but no, we’re on our way to Mexico — a great place to celebrate God’s green earth, His sweet blessings and to celebrate the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day!

We always enjoyed corned beef & cabbage, Irish Stew, and Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day. With all the good-hearted fun, I know, like other religious holidays, this is another “watered down, rather, beered down” day where we get distracted from the true story behind the day. The true meaning is about St. Patrick, and, in case you didn’t know, I’m giving you a little history lesson about why this man should be honored. Whether we’re in Mexico, Ireland, USA or anywhere in the world, he is worthy of celebrating and giving thanks for His example of great faith!

St. Patrick was born around A.D. 389 in England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. Six years later he escaped and returned home to Britain, but became burdened for the spiritual condition of the Irish. He eventually returned to their land as a missionary for 30 years where he established more than 200 churches and led more than 100,000 to faith in Christ. He used the 3-leaf shamrock to talk about the Trinity. His death on March 17, 461 is remembered each year as St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was sold as a slave, and like Joseph in the Bible, “what the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good”. Genesis 50:20.

Can you imagine what must have gone through Patrick’s mind when he heard the Lord’s call to return to the land where he was once a slave? Instead of running to his safe place, he followed God’s plan for his life. And, isn’t that exactly what we are called to do? Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Listen to how utterly consumed St. Patrick was in his relationship with God in his prayer:”I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today through His mighty strength.” That prayer tells me St. Patrick wanted to be consumed by God!

St. Patrick was a man who boldly listened to God’s call for his life and achieved so much for God’s glory. His witness, his prayers, his passion, and his example really are something to celebrate today. The green I wear today honors him and honors the God he served. I’m in good company with him because I also desire to be consumed by Christ. St. Patrick’s prayer is my prayer, too!

Awareness of God is Possible 24/7

Being in Mexico with my kids for the last several days was a delight -- incredible food, birthday celebrations, playing in the surf on boogie boards, laying out on the beach under umbrellas (this very white girl stays covered for the most part), parasailing (you better believe this spring chicken didn't miss out on that thrill), jet ski riding (Brennan was the driver -- I held on tight to him shouting "Ride 'em cowboy" for which he shouted "Nana, you're like a 30-year old!" LOL! I'll take that. It really was a little piece of heaven on earth to spend such precious time with my family.

Flying home yesterday, I realized I had been out of sync with my normal prayer routines. That's okay, because I know I was in the moments of celebrating God's precious gift of family so, as a matter of fact, when we where speaking about God's blessings, about the beauty of His creation, about the love our family has for each other, about finding Braden's wedding ring that was temporarily lost in the ocean only to be found by a worker two days later, about the family times of prayer offering thanksgiving around the meal tables -- we were still in a prayer rhythm. I get that. When we're in love with the SOMEONE Who represents all of these blessings, we stay on a frequency of awareness of Him 24/7.

My flight from Zihuatanejo to Mexico City got me back into my prayer routine/rhythm. You see, for me, rather than setting specific times to pray, I do my best to lean into God throughout my day -- acknowledging Him and His love for me, so it's not surprising when He sets me up with divine appointments. Seems He surprises me quite often with special encounters -- only He could orchestrate. When I headed to my window seat on the airplane, a Mexican man in the aisle seat asked his wife on the other aisle seat to trade with him. She quickly told me he doesn't speak English and because she does, he thought it would be a good idea for her to sit by me. She was very conversational and asked about our vacation -- the usual "talk" between two tourists. When the talking subsided, I got out my devotional book and started to read, and then I started taking notes. She asked if I was a minister. I told her, if that means "Am I someone who loves to talk about God's love and faithfulness wherever I go, then "Yes, I'm a minister." She said she knew that by the way I talked -- and I had only used phrases like "so blessed", "so thankful", "beauty of God's creation". I loved that. She asked me to pray for her, and I didn't say, "Yes, I will." I said, "Let's pray now." After I prayed for her, her family, her heart's desire and for her to come to know Christ in a real and personal way, she prayed for me. Her prayer was that my life would continue to inspire people like I inspired her.

I share this sweet home-bound moment with you, my FB friends today, to let you know that God is looking for messengers who sincerely believe we are on assignment at this time, on this earth, to get involved with His plans and purposes.

Once upon a time, I felt pressured to share my faith. Now, it's a part of being in the moment, being relaxed and waiting for the obvious moment -- an open door -- to be a light -- His light to others. What if flights became God's meeting place for divine appointments? What if a grocery line, a doctor's waiting room, a nail or hair appointment became meeting places for divine appointments?

Did you know that we have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's prayer daily by simply staying aware of God's little nudges -- and being His voice and His hands extended to a hurting world that needs His love and peace?

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8.

What Does 50 Look Like?

Well, to our boys -- with an onery streak -- it looks like these remarks to their dad:
"Dad, you might need to get a walker for the next trip." and with an add-on from another brother, "with the tennis balls on the bottom". After Ryan was crying from the sheer emotion of love given to him, Braden (the firefighter/paramedic) said, "Dad, at your age now, you better watch out with all that crying because it'll be harder to bounce back from all the dehydration." Brennan said, "Do you need help crossing the road?" "Can you hear me now?" Another said to his Mom, "Seriously, Mom, have you thought about getting a ramp put in the pool for Dad now?" Ryan and the boys were getting ready to run on the beach. Ryan was stretching and said, "Wow my hips are tight." Braden said, "Now at your age, Dad, you gotta' be careful about hip fractures." Brennan announced, "Dad, I just want you to know I'll take care of you when you're 90." Ryan took it all in with grace. LOL!

Aside from the "50" expected humor, Ryan was celebrated by all with our traditional "special plate" time at breakfast. Each one of us shared what he means to us. which is always a time of tenderness and emotion -- going both ways. When it came to my turn, I talked about the sweet time I had putting together all the photos for the RKW photo collage. Every photo came with a flood of memories about the blessings and joys this 50-year-young man has brought to me over the years.

Precious Shawntel made sure every detail was taken care of -- from M&M's with "I love you", "Happy 50th" and his picture on them, to 50 roses, 50 decor', 50 balloons, 50 notes of "What Dad means to me" from the kids, a breakfast of his absolute favorite -- Huevos Rancheros (eggs, tortilla, beans, special sauce, avocado, and cheese) to the hotel's Happy 50th marked with stones on the sand at the beach.

After breakfast, we reminisced about the 100+ baby sea turtles that we had seen released into the ocean the night before. It was quite the wildlife moment to watch and realize that, had they not been rescued, they would have been eaten by seagulls or crabs. We learned there are four more nests on the beach by Mama & Papa sea turtles.

Ruth, Braden, Brennan, Bryson and ME -- throughly enjoyed the opportunity to go parasailing. Not at 50, but 68 (ME) went up, up and away, and the parasail workers said, "You're amazing -- not many your age would consider going up." Okay that made me feel good "for your age"....or NOT! LOL! Look what remarks Ryan can look forward to in the years to come!

Last night was the birthday finale as we enjoyed a beautiful meal by torch-light on the beach, Mexican singers playing their guitars, a few dance moves by some of us, and we all toasted this man who continues to be relentless in making a difference in our lives and in this world.

Here's my answer to the question, "What does 50 look like?"

1) You get a "Welcome to AARP" from AARP -- LOL! So, you get "carded" again -- once it was to prove you're 21, and now it's to prove you're over 50. At 50, card-carrying Ryan becomes eligible for some pretty sweet senior discounts through AARP.

2) At 50 you see that you've done a pretty good job with your kids. I like the line from Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses" that says "For all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right." I know that Ryan sees his kids as really awesome people because before this year, he enjoyed lots of friends to celebrate with him. This year -- he wanted to enjoy his family. It is an amazing thing to see my kids enjoying their kids.

3) 50 looks like appreciating each new day more -- taking in the simplest things like the cool breeze in the morning and the fresh rain that came overnight -- to the extraordinary miracle things. For example, on the first day here, Braden lost his wedding ring in the ocean. After looking for such a long time, each one wrote it off as a loss -- but Ryan didn't. He spoke to people who work along the beach area and told them to keep an eye open for it. Two days later, yesterday -- on Ryan's birthday -- he watched as one of the workers reached down and with a big smile on his face, brought the "lost" ring to Ryan. Ryan was able to use that story as a teaching opportunity about God's love for His kids.

4) At 50, capturing memories is dearer than ever before. Having a home where many special occasions will take place, and always looking for ways to improve upon the comfort and fun you'll have together with your family and friends there. Making vacations count. For most of us, we don't have luxury homes or vacations, but it's not all the luxury items, but, "home" is memories, laughter, celebrations of life. That's what we think when we're 50+.

5) At 50, you start thinking....what can I do that leaves a mark that I've been here. Indelibly imprinted on many people's lives are the people who took the time to encourage and inspire them. Encouraging and inspiring others becomes a mode of operation for those who desire to "leave footprints in the sand" that others can follow.

6) At 50, you are very aware of your mortality -- especially if you have friends that have already passed from this life. It's a good thing to think about the days we have left here on this side of heaven, because it makes us very aware of living each day with gusto, gratitude AND grit. Grit meaning to full-on determination and perseverence to finish strong.

7) At 50, we suddently become a fountain of wisdom. Younger people just assume since you’ve lived this long and avoided living under a bridge somewhere, that you must have some valuable insights for them. I loved it when I heard Braden asked his dad if he could share his "CEO Mentality" philosophies on his website. It's the perfect time to remember who your mentors were and why, and then emulate them. The wise "young" age 50 sage, Ryan, gave us lots of words of wisdom last night.

8) At 50, we admit the mistakes we made along the way, and reckon with how best to rectify them -- by asking for forgiveness from God and others we may have failed. Someone who is truly in touch with their frailities as well as their triumphs is one who acknowledges that they faltered, yet, came back better than ever. I loved hearing Ryan asking for forgiveness from his family for the times he may have faltered as a dad and husband and asked for forgiveness. That, my friends, is a true witness of a leader worth following.

9) At 50, we realize we don't always have to be the one that 's right all the time. By now you don't give a rip what others think about you and your opinions and you can always veer to letting others speak their mind AND let their mind be set on what they think.

10) At 50, we can stop sweating the small stuff like "what will they think if I wear that shirt and pants?" or whether you bought that pair of jeans at Target or Nordstrom's, or whether your child is an honor student or barely passing student. Not worrying about the small stuff gives our minds time to ponder more important questions of life like “How can I be a better person?”

Turning 50, to some, is just another year -- just another birthday, but for those who live with destiny and "eternity" in mind, it means waking each day with realizing God's mercies are new every morning so why not take in those mercies and pass those mercies on to others who need heroes, mentors, and role models to show them the way of thanksgiving and gratitude for this life given to us by God. Whether we are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90.....our lives aren't about the numbers. How old we are and who we are is God's gift to us. Who we are becoming, is our gift back to God and to others.

Celebrating the Gift of Life

Round and rround she goes, where she stops nobody knows. That's me that I'm talking about. On the road again....in the air again. Yesterday I travelled to Mexico to be a part of sweet family celebrations for my son's 50th birthday. This milestone birthday would seem to big enough to invite the Who's Who folks from far and wide, but I love that my son wanted to have just his immediate family, and thankfully, ME, for a quiet, yet momentous time together of celebrating what's and who's most important to him. If there's anything I know from turning 50, I know it is a "reset" time. when we have the experience and good judgement to know about ourselves and we start to look at the ending of our life from this side -- so gauging our desires and our strengths, we get to adjust, balance and alter any areas that need altering. It's a time of marvels on every hand and great richness and beauty, because our eyes seem to open to the preciousness of where we've come from to where we're going. The length of our days don't seem near as important as the quality of the days and who we're with in those days. I remember 50, and it was great, but a little secret I have for those yet to get there, 60 is even sweeter!

We're already having precious times of reminiscing, and as any youngster would do to their dad at occasions like this -- Ryan is hearing a few over the hill jokes, with a whole lotta' a lot love thrown in. I'm so grateful to be here for this milestone celebration. Today is his birthday eve (tomorrow is the big day -- the 24th). I'll talk more about this birthday man tomorrow, but he already knows how celebrated he is -- with signs around the hotel and 50 red roses in their room and enjoying his favorite food of choice EVER -- Mexican!! Shawntel hasn't missed a thing in giving Ryan an over-the-top celebration of the gift of his life. So many surprises await him.

Here's what "beyond 50 and more" means to me. Life really is a great adventure when you turn life over to the One Who created it. Not to miss out on any assignment He has for me, I watch, chat, ask questions, and listen for strategic divine appointments along the way. Two young Mexican men -- one beside me on my flight to Mexico City and one who drove me to the hotel happened to be "my assignment" for yesterday. I sometimes feel like one of Charlie's Angels asking for their next assignment. LOL! Both men probably wonder what hit them because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share my "beyond 50 years" wisdom with them about how to make the most of life and love and how to receive God's ultimate best for them.

Both young men have girl friends and both are desiring to marry them soon, which opened up the door to ask about their faith foundation and their trust in God and being the man of God that does the right thing in loving God with all their hearts, so they can love their future wives with all their hearts.

The first young man didn't want to attend church any more because he had looked at people instead of to God. People disappointed him. People let him down. How unfortunate that God is often misjudged by His kids. Kids will disappoint. God doesn't, but still, He gets short-changed by those whose lights have diminished. Oh that we would let His light shine through us so that we make Him famous by the lives we live -- acting and looking like our Heavenly Father.

I like to think that just maybe those two young men were "divine set-ups". God needed a voice to speak His love to them, and yesterday it came in the form of a mama giving a nudge -- actually a shove to push them into the arms of God Who was waiting with arms open wide to two of His beloved sons. I like to think that just maybe their pathway will brighten -- just because someone took the time to bring light to their lives. I like to think I planted a few seeds that just might bring a harvest of blessings to them. It may have seemed I was simply on my way to celebrate my boy, when God threw in a little "divine appointment" for celebrating His life with two of His boys.

So today, Lord? I'm going to be giving thanks for my boy -- but just in case You need another messenger, my hand is raised, Lord.....choose me!

Blessed to be a Blessing

Thanksgiving Week is here and I'm so thankful! My family are on their way to me! I'm ready for them! I've got the Treasure Hunt ready to go for my big 8-year birthday boy. Most of my baking and cooking is done, and all that goes with 11 of us in my not-so-big house. Only 3 or 4 times a year, do I think about "back when" I had a big house that had plenty of beds and bedrooms for all of us. But it's okay -- I've got the blow-up and fold-up mattresses ready to go -- and soon the "camping indoors" at Nana's will begin. But, there is just no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days"!!! Our trip to Mexico last month, certainly put an exclamation point on that! Witnessing the numbers of people there that have such a meager existence -- they live in one room (if you could even call it a room), have no running water, and no adequate roof or walls in what they call "home". Having that "visual" certainly causes me to capitalize THANKSGIVING! We are blessed.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky" or "fortunate" or "deserved" or "privileged". We ARE BLESSED! And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING!. We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way. We MUST do something about those blessings. In fact, we're held accountable for them. Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." There is responsibility that comes with blessings. Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, this Thanksgiving week, while we're in an attitude of gratitude, let's remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.

My Amazing Dance Partner Makes Every Day Memorable

Last night, was karaoke night on the cruise. I urged my Staci to sing, and she did -- blew the crowd away with her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On". She dedicated the song to me.....and of course the tears flowed, as, once again, I remembered when my sweetheart was her #1 cheerleader and coach. He relished hearing his girl sing, as I, but because he had been her coach for so many years, he loved seeing his protege, and his pride was beyond description. "Train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he's/she's old they'll not depart from it." She continues to thrive in the abilities and skills her daddy taught her.

So here we are in Cozumel, Mexico! My sweet husband and I, our children and grandchildren were on a cruise 11 years ago (there were only 4 grandchildren then) where this Cozumel port was part of the itinerary. I remember that trip well. We enjoyed the beach together, Ryan & Shawntel went scuba diving, we watched a dolphin show and we ate at a great Mexican Food restaurant that had a wonderful band. Staci sang on stage, and my sweetheart and I danced together. Aw! Precious memories! This is the photo of that day on the left -- my Honey and I dancing -- and I still have the family picture of all of us from that day displayed in my home -- still today. Those precious memories are captured in print and in my memory bank.

We made even more memories today. We re-enacted our day from years ago, and, ventured out for, yet again, a great Mexican Food restaurant and my sweet son took the place of his daddy and danced with me (pictured on the right). My sweetheart lives on today in all of our hearts -- we sense His presence with us. How is that? Legacy doesn't die. A word, an experience, a memory, a location, an action, a story, a picture -- precious loved ones are still with us.

My sweetheart is dancing in heaven now, but today my sweet son took his place here. This vacation will soon end. These days will be simply sweet memories that I will carry with me. But the best news is EVERY DAY I have an amazing dance partner– my Father God, and He makes EVERY DAY memorable -- full of celebrations and joys and victories! Who could ask for anything better....or anything more? Most certainly -- not me!