My Two Countries Celebrate Their Independence

Today is Canada Day. I join our Canadian family and friends in singing their national anthem! “O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.” We sang those words many times when we lived there. I am so pleased to wish all my Canadian family and friends: “A very Happy Canada Day!”

Both of our two North American countries are celebrating their national holidays this week. Canada Day is July 1st and, of course, our U.S. Independence Day is Thursday, July 4th. Sorry, Britain, you’re not invited to these parties. In Canada, July 1st commemorates the 1867 formation of the Dominion of Canada, when the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada united and became a “kingdom in its own right.” This was an important step toward the eventual passing of the 1982 Constitution Act, making Canada a fully-fledged nation independent from Britain.

Our U.S. holiday was a large step toward independence from Britain. Pretty decisive, in fact. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House in the midst of the Revolutionary War. In1783 the colonies won true independence from Britain, and it took until the end of the War of 1812 before the two countries could be allies.

Canada and the U.S. celebrate similarly with fireworks and barbeques. I celebrate both of these days because they really are beloved countries to me. U.S. gave me ME! And, Canada gave me my sweetheart! I'll admit I'm a little nostalgic today -- thus these photos of special times in Canada.

I am so grateful that I married a Canadian who stayed Canadian with great pride and honor for his native land. His family became my family and his country became my country. I sincerely meant it when I said in my wedding vows, from Ruth 1:16-17 “Wherever you go, I will go, Wherever you dwell, I will dwell; Your people will be my people, And your God will be my God.”

And, go with Him, I did. I was proud to live there, serve and work for an incredible university, The University of Manitoba, to be a member of many organizations: President of Women's Aglow, member of the German/American Club, Canadian Real Estate Board, and see our girl become Miss Winnipeg and go on to the Miss Canada Pageant and to be Canada's representative in the Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. She's on the top row by David Foster. Our son’s entrepreneurial spirit and talents were etched in stone there where he got his official kick-start in business. We still have life-long friends and beloved family members there.

So, today, I’m singing "Oh Canada" which became as precious to me as my own "Star Spangled Banner". I'm grateful that my children have dual citizenships with the U.S. and Canada. Canada opened its doors to our family in so many ways and I just want to say, "Thank you, Canada, for your friendship, your patriotism, your pride of country and your willingness to partner with the U.S. in so many strategic efforts. God bless you....from sea to shining sea. God keep your land, glorious and free. Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee!"

The Statue of Liberty: Welcome Home, You Tired and Weary

My youngest 11-year-old grandson, Bryson, was fit to be tied. He wanted to give his birthday present to me before anyone could give theirs. He was so excited as I opened the special box, padded so nicely with the treasure inside. It was this beautiful Statue of Liberty that he just had to have an engraved plaque added to it. Bryson and his dad went to see Lady Liberty a couple of weeks ago on their annual Dad/Son trip. It really is a precious treasure, now prominent on my fireplace mantle.

It brought back sweet memories of his Papa and me riding the ferry to Ellis Island to see her majesty in breathtaking reality -- she who offered freedom, hope and a new beginning to so many weary travelers from foreign lands years ago. Ellis Island is where the vast majority of immigrants stopped before being allowed into the U.S. I am reminded of Emma Lazarus' quote that is on the statue: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

This post isn’t for debating the issue about the illegal immigrants' issue, but to share my own immigration story. In 1986, our family desired to move to Canada. My husband was a natural born Canadian citizen and a legal immigrant to the U.S. For us to move there, it meant that our children and I had to go through a rigorous "legal" process to obtain residency there. We had to complete stacks of documentation, have medical exams, attend interviews and go through a lengthy waiting period before getting to accompany my husband to his "home and native land".

Eventually, we were approved, and so was my mother who moved there with us. She received a Canadian pension as well as her U.S. social security and was blessed with no-cost medical treatments. I was blessed to be employed by the University of Manitoba and to this day, I still receive my Canadian pension. Our children became viable working people there. Our son, Ryan Wuerch became a top-selling realtor at the age of 19. Our daughter, Staci Wallace was Miss Manitoba, competed in the Miss Canada pageant and won the talent portion. She ran a modeling agency for malls and she represented Canada as a soloist in the 1986 Winter Olympics. We were so blessed.

Canada opened its doors to our children and me. We were aliens in a foreign land but were respected and given the rights of other Canadians, as we proved our value in the opportunities that Canada provided to us.

A couple of years ago, I attended a Tulsa Prayer Service for immigrants. Over 500 Latinos were being encouraged in their desires for immigration to the U.S. A grateful Spanish Pastor give his own story as a landed immigrant to the U.S. My heart was touched to see a room filled with people who sincerely desired the freedoms and the opportunities to live here. This pastor said “I know that many of you in this room are waiting for your permit. I know that you are here to work and not here for welfare or a hand-out. Most of you have valuable skills that can benefit this country. You are paying taxes every time you buy a hamburger and a pair of socks here. He urged them to pray for God's help, to save money, educate and prepare themselves for acceptance.

May God bless and answer the prayers of honest people who sincerely desire a safe place to raise their families, where they can do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay and a country that welcomes them as viable, contributing citizens.

And God bless all of us who realize that this world is not our final home. We are temporarily here on this earth as strangers and aliens in a foreign land. But, one day, we'll join together and in thunderous applause and cheers of joy and celebration, we'll see the banners and hear those beautiful words “Welcome Home!”

YES -- Count Me In!

Yesterday I received an email asking me to be a "welcomer" at a 3-day Mission at my church this week. I'll admit I had thoughts of saying "No", because it meant I had to be at church an hour early each night and because I would just have returned home from Tulsa and, and, and (What other excuses could I think of?), but then I remembered what a YES means. I responded to that email: "YES. Count me in!"

My word for today is YES: an affirmative response; absolutely, agreed, okay, okey-dokey, absolutely, indeed, affirmative

There were many times when I was reluctant to say “Yes” to something or someone for fear it may cost me way too much in time, commitment, energy and strength. Maybe you’re right there, right now. Are you struggling with a “yes”? I was. I was just a youngster when my church’s youth choir leader asked me to sing a solo. With trepidation, I struggled with the response, but I said “yes”. When I was a little older and attending my future father-in-law’s church where he was the pastor, he asked me to play the piano for the worship service. Still I struggled with that “yes”, but, afraid, I said “yes” and I played on for years. My future mother-in-law asked me to play the lead role in a Christmas play as well as to play the piano for the church's worship service. My YES in those "younger years" took me out of my comfort zone.

The President at First City Bank on OK City urged me to get my securities brokers license so I could be a branch manager at a new branch that was being built. And another employer asked me to be the Assistant Director in Communications at the University of Manitoba. And my husband pushed me to get my airplane pilot's license, as well as my Real Estate Broker’s license. To every one of those “asks”, eventually, and sometimes, with apprehension and nerves peaking the highest levels possible, I did say “YES” and every time, I became more confident, more determined, more courageous, more accomplished, and more victorious over my anxieties and fears.

God wouldn’t have held a “NO” against me, but that “NO” would have continued to create inferiority and regret within me. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Christ we can say “Amen,” to the glory of God.“ Of course this verse is talking about our YES to those times when we are challenged in our faith. God looks at us to take that step of faith because he knows that we know we can accomplish ALL THINGS, through Christ Who strengthens us.” Philippians 4:13.

YES, it depends on the question being asked. A “no” to some questions is needed, but to those questions that stretch our faith and confidence, we should be bold enough to say “YES”. God is looking at us to take that step of faith. What does saying “Yes” look like for you. Maybe, it’s “Yes, I’ll forgive.” “Yes, I’ll trust you.” “Yes, I’ll share God’s love with others.” “Yes, I’ll volunteer for that charity.” “Yes, I’ll join that Bible study group.” “Yes, I’ll lead that Mom’s Group.” “Yes, God, I’ll open my eyes to your supernatural doors of opportunity today.”

Hebrews 10:23 says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” People and time and fear and nerves will keep us from our YES. It’s not our ability, but God’s ability in us that gives us the boldness and the courage to say YES!

Think about the YES of Noah. His family was spared. What about the YES of Mary, the Mother of Jesus? Her YES, her unwavering faith and her cooperation with the Holy Spirit, gave us the Messiah. Just think about what your “Yes” could produce!

I'll say yes, Lord, yes, to your will and to your way.
I'll say yes, Lord, yes. I will trust you and obey.
When your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree,
And my answer will be YES, Lord, YES!

The Imelda Marcos Award

Day 145 of Photo Inspirations -- The Imelda Marcos Award
#TBT -- Imelda Marcos, best known for her 3,000+ pairs of shoes, was the wife of the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

So, this photo is ME (check out that hair)  -- 23 years ago when I was Associate Director of Communications at the University of Manitoba.  It was a privilege to work with such great people at such a phenomenal university.  This event....was our Department's Christmas Party where I was presented with The Imelda Marcos "Gold Shoe" Award -- because of my passion for shoes.  I had plenty of them.  If I saw a great pair of shoes on sale (the operative word here is "sale" -- I was, and AM a bargain shopper), I would buy them......and THEN find the outfit to go with them.  I accepted my award with all humility and gratitude.  LOL!  

When I saw this photo, I laughed -- thinking how far I've come since those days.  Back then, it was striving for significance and relevance and climbing the career ladder.  It was a special season of my life -- it was a part of the "making of Donna".  I gained so much knowledge and leadership abilities during those years.

FAST FORWARD -- 23 years -- to today. A LOT of water under the bridge. Everything in life that I encountered -- in business, in relationships, in growing in faith, in valuing everything and every circumstance that got me here -- have been a part of God's Master Plan.  My priorities have changed. My responsibilities have changed.  What once seemed important to me, has been downgraded.  What was unimportant to me......has ranked up.  And what is most important to me today.....are those things that money can't buy.  It is those friendships, those intentional moments of making a difference in someone's life, it is making memories, it is cherishing the moments,  it is the opportunity to live care-FREE -- not losing sleep on those things that matter so little, and the absolute privilege of living with the mindset of "in the light of eternity".  

Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves.  If your profits are in heaven, your heart will be there too."    Yes, I'm thinking more about heaven than ever before......and taking lots of folks with me.  And, shoes aren't such a big deal anymore -- sure won't be taking those shoes with me when I go!  ;-)

Life-Changing Experiences When Trusting the Master and His Plan

That's me -- Director of Telecommunications and Mail Services at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada -- 22 years ago.  This was the cover of MTS' (Manitoba Telephone Service), magazine.

What a blessing to have worked at the U of M for the 7 years that we lived in Winnipeg.  Of course, Winnipeg was home for my husband -- he was borne and bred, Canadian -- and always remained a loyal patriot and lover of his Canadian roots.  And, what a blessing for our entire family to have had such remarkable and life-changing experiences there.  Our son, Ryan, at only 19 years old was ranked in the Top 10 Winnipeg Realtors. Our daughter, Staci, became Miss Winnipeg and went on to compete in the Miss Canada Pageant and won overall talent, with a hefty $$ reward.  She also was selected to represent Canada in David Foster's Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

And, I, having the most wonderful experiences at the U of M.  Originally hired in the President's Grant's Office, eventually moved to the Communications Offices, and though the position for Director of Telecommunications was advertised for someone with a Master's Degree in Communications, this little Southern gal, with only a high school education, but who burned with passion and desire and strong work ethics, loyalty, determination, drive, and willingness to learn WHATEVER -- was hired to that position. I received several awards for some of the innovations I brought to the university -- one of which was "Voice Mail".  (Who would have thought that those days in telecommunications would pave the way for my "telecommunications" business in Solavei today and getting to a make a huge difference in people's lives with FREE mobile service and also residual income? )

Why do I share this story?  Because I want everyone to know -- God has plans for our lives -- we went to Canada on a faith venture -- didn't know what our future would hold, but we KNEW that we KNEW God had great things in store for us there.  It was a faith journey that led to life-change because we BELIEVED.   Often, folks wait for the "just perfect circumstances" to make a life-change, to start a family, to take a risk on an opportunity that comes their way.  And, often, folks aren't willing to take ANY job to help make ends meet.  First, I proved myself in the UM's President's Office as a "Temporary" Office Assistant, was eventually hired to a salaried position and became an Administrative Assistant in Communications until I was promoted to Director of Telecommunications. What in the world would cause us to leave Canada and me, to EVER leave that position?  Our first-born grandson in Oklahoma.  The rest is history.

How awesome it is to be hooked up to the MASTER, Who has the MASTER PLAN for our lives.  When we trust Him with all our hearts -- risk taking, living on the edge,  and venturing out into the unknown becomes a WAY OF LIFE -- and oh, WHAT A LIFE IT IS!  Try it!  "For I know the plans I have for you -- plans to prosper and not harm you -- to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11