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!

The Joy of a Hope and Faith-Filled Child

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Last Sunday the theme was HOPE, and today, the second lit candle on the Advent Wreath represents FAITH! And for a little personal emphasis, those hope and faith themes are so appropriate today because it's my hope-filled and faith-filled daughter's birthday!

Oh how thrilled I was 50 years ago today to welcome my baby girl, Staci Michelle, into this world. To this day, this baby girl who grew up physically and spiritually into a powerful, faith-filled woman of God, is still a little girl in so many ways. I’m quite sure the enemy runs in terror, while her Heavenly Father does a high-five to His heavenly team, when she wakes up each morning. She has spring in her step, joy in her soul, faith in believing nothing is impossible with God (NOTHING), dreaming what would seem impossible dreams, and dancing to the tune of a different Drummer.

And, we called her Staci Michelle (resurrection life; like God). We were definitely connected to heaven when that name was given to us. She has proven both names in the way she is consistently bringing Christ’s resurrection life to others and, on so many levels, is like God in her love for people and love for seeing them come to know His Son and experience His abundant life.

This blog came to me when several of us took evangelizing to a whole new level by taking to the streets of Frisco on Main. This will be our third week, carrying signs that say “God loves you”, “Need prayer?”, “Honk if you love Jesus!”, “Be the Light”, etc. Staci was the one hopping and dancing around with her sign which was a magnet for those who needed and wanted prayer. She posted herself at the entrance of a store or gas station that gave the drivers the ability to pull over and ask. One lady, in tears, said “If only my mom would have seen your signs, she might be alive today.” She went on to tell Staci – her mother, father and sibling all committed suicide. Another asked for prayer for her family and, after two miscarriages, another asked for prayer to have a baby. People need hope and my girl (she's still my baby) is up to the task of giving it to them.

I could tell you so many other things about my girl, but I’ll segue to my scripture readings in Isaiah recently that spoke of a little child leading them. And then in Luke 10, Jesus spoke of being childlike. I think about this time of the year and what being childlike looks like. They’re excited for the Christmas programs they may be performing at school. They may be excited about seeing Santa Claus at the mall but most of all, they’re excited about Christmas Eve and Christmas morning when all kinds of gifts await them. They can hardly wait.

This beautiful season of Advent is the opportunity for us to be childlike too. For us to anticipate the joy of our Savior who was born for us and for our salvation. We can get excited as we ponder and prepare for the coming of our Lord -- both in the remembrance of His coming to earth as a baby and for His return to this earth someday soon. Let’s be full of the abundant life Christ came to give us and let’s be full of resurrection life that draws others to Christ and His goodness and mercy.

“And 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.” (Romans 8:11)

You’re welcome, world! I was blessed to be the bearer of this fruit of my womb. And, now we all can enjoy the benefits of knowing a gal who walks, talks and lives the resurrection life that Christ came to give all of us! Happy Birthday, my precious, full-of-resurrection-life, childlike CHILD! I love you so so much!
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And You Will Call Her Name.....Staci Michelle

When December rolls around, I go into nostalgic-mode because it holds so many treasured memories from years past. Other than the unparalleled birth-day of Jesus, was the birth of my precious girl, Staci Wallace.

Back in those days, they put most of us to sleep to have our babies, and we didn't know whether we were having a girl or boy. I just remember waking up and hearing my sweet husband whispering in my ear “Your prayers were answered. You got your girl!” Indeed my prayers were answered – above and beyond what I could have ever hoped for. This girl has always shocked me with her bold and audacious way of doing things. She was on the stage at our church at four years old – belting out songs with a “no fear” attitude. God gave her a gift of faith that has always been a constant source of inspiration and strength to us. When we would go through a challenging time, she would post “Expect a Miracle” signs all over our home. The “miracles” would come. Her energy and talents gave us years of excitement and entertainment as we watched her excel in sports and music – winning music competitions, singing before presidents and celebrities and speaking on stages with confidence before 10s of thousands -- a message that always motivated and encouraged her audiences. Her drive and determination caused her to be relentless in pursuing whatever task or goal that God gave her.

Above all, she’s been my precious daughter, best friend, confidant, encourager, mentor and in-house stand-up comedian -- especially when I needed to laugh the most. She has been a woman of honor, integrity and character and when up against the wall, she always figured out how to tear the wall down, or karate kick a hole in it to get through (yes, she's also a Black Belt in Karate).

Of all the names we thought of if we had a girl, we chose Staci Michelle. Staci means "resurrection life" and Michelle means "close to God". No doubt, God guided us to that name, because she has been true to those definitions. In so many ways, she brings resurrection life to everyone she encounters -- helping people find a new life from one of rejection, defeat, depression, darkness, and pain -- because the closeness she has with God magnetically draws them closer to HIM.

I don't tell you all this to impress you, but to impress upon you how important it is to ponder, pray for and get God's vision for your children, AND the name you give them. He had that vision for His Son that gives us a perfect example to follow. Staci, being born in December, draws my attention to Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:30 "And, behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you will CALL HIS NAME, JESUS.” I love that Isaiah 9:6 even gave definition to His name before He was born, "And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

What we name our children shouldn't be a mere conglomeration of letters that we put together as a convenient way to refer to them. God proved that when He named His son Jesus -- that name that is ABOVE all other names, that describes His personality and gives interpretation of His character traits. He has lived up to His name and it gives us hope, life, and blessing. Indeed, names are important!

So, to my precious girl STACI MICHELLE WALLACE -- today is YOUR day -- and I honor you, esteem you and I call myself "Blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of my womb!" I love you so much and thank God for the gift of you to me! Happy, happy birthday, my sweet girl! <3 span="">