Remembering the Celebrations

Day 310 of Photo Inspirations -- Remembering the Celebrations
#TBT -- 2004 was such a great year.  FACEBOOK was created (Thank you, Mark Zuckerberg).   Our 5th grandchild, Brennan, was born, and we were so fortunate to be a part of a historic event at Oklahoma City University.

Oklahoma has been so good to our family in so many ways, but the most incredible, monumental gift (that just keeps on giving) was our precious Muldrow, Oklahoma daughter (I don't even admit to her being a daughter-in-law because since the first day we met her.....we knew God had given us another daughter).

Papa and I were thrilled to be invited to the festivities.  Best of all, we got to see after our new little 2-1/2 month old grandson at the event. The occasion was the unveiling of the three life-size bronze statutes of Oklahoma City University's alumni who all became Miss America winners.  It was a significant contribution by Edward L. Gaylord to make the statutes a reality.

Each of the figures is dressed in a formal gown, and a plaque is on the front giving the name of the Miss America winner, the year she won, and her hometown. Each woman wears a crown and is holding a bouquet of flowers.

The bronze sculpture is in a circular fountain that is located in the Kerr-McGee Centennial Plaza on campus, at the NW corner of Blackwelder and 23rd which is at the very far SE corner of the OCU campus. OCU has other claims-to-fame.  A star with Kristin Chenoweth's name is on the plaza in front of the Miss America sculptures. Kristin Chenowith, well-known actress and singer, is also an OCU alumnus.   Chris Harrison, seen in the photo with Shawntel, host of “The Bachelor” and "The Bachelorette,” is an OCU alumnus and was the host for the statute unveiling.  Oklahoma Mayor Mary Fallen was the keynote speaker:

1st statute (to the left) is Susan Powell, Miss America 1981, Elk City,OK
2nd statute (in the middle) is our girl, Shawntel Smith, Miss America 1996,
Muldrow, OK
3rd figure (on the right) Jane Jayroe, Miss America 1967, Laverne, OK Oklahoma

We're in the month of Thankgiving, and I just can't help it -- I have to express my gratitude for the blessings in my life.  And, I'm so grateful for Facebook that gives me the opportunity to archive, count my blessings, be on daily assignment to share positivity and encouragement, and celebrate God's richest blessings on a daily basis.  Oh, I know I don't need Facebook to inspire me to count my blessings, but it is sure a wonderful way to express THANKSGIVING.   Do you take lots of photos and make lots of memories?  If you don't, start today -- I promise you, you'll be so glad you did -- especially when you're in the 3rd Act of your play.like I am!

"For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."  Luke 6:45  Yes, my heart is full to overflowing with thanksgiving.

"The Healing Hands"

Day 39 of Photo Inspirations -- The Praying Hands
On my quest for a photo inspiration for each day this year, I do my best to stay in the moment when I'm out and about.  I want to be sure I don't miss those special little messages from God. I was headed to Wal Mart with an intended purpose, but when I looked to my left, there were those enormous "healing hands" at the entrance of Oral Roberts University.  How many times have I passed those skyscraper hands, seen buses of tourists from around the world stopped there to take photos of one of Tulsa's most identifiable landmarks -- and I NEVER took a photo of them myself?   But, this day, my in-the-moment assignment beckoned me to do a U-turn and get out and take a photo of those "big boys".

I became a tourist myself.  I took this photo and I found out that those formidable bronze hands stand 60 feet high and weigh 30 tons.  They are the largest bronze sculpture in the world.  The casting was done in Juarez, Mexico in 1980.

The hands were originally called "The Healing Hands" and they stood in front of the "City of Faith," a medical center dedicated to merging God’s healing streams of prayer and medicine in one place. For many years, patients were able to come to Tulsa to receive care from Christian doctors and nurses. And although the City of Faith closed in 1990 and they were moved to their present location, these bronze hands still remain a strong model of the power of medical science and God’s supernatural healing power working together to bring restoration to people’s bodies and minds.

I love that.  It reminds me of our visit to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and being so inspired by Michelangelo's painting in the ceiling "The Creation of Adam" -- the finger of God touching the finger of man.  God touching man -- man touching God.  God and man merging to accomplish His plans and purposes.  Isn't that what He intended from the beginning -- that we would be His hands on earth -- reaching out and touching our world?   This beautiful "Praying Hands" statute reminded me of His purpose for my own hands -- to type these messages each day to share His love and light, to touch someone who needs a gesture of love -- but most of all --  for my own praying hands to seek Him with my whole heart -- for it is in my seeking,,,..that I find the perfect, tender and loving hands of God.
#PrayingHands #ORU #HisHandsTouching