The Thrill of Victory

I make my blog post and move over to my emails and, first thing, my eyes about bug out as I see that our Dallas Stars Hockey Team won their Western Conference Championship the night before. For the first time in 20 years, the Dallas Stars are heading to the Stanley Cup Final! Now they have my attention.

Isn’t it funny how we get lackadaisical to our teams when they aren't making their marks in their game seasons? As I walked my two Frisco grand-dogs a couple of weeks ago, I saw homes with Dallas Stars team flags in their front yards. I simply thought “loyal fans – wonder if they know someone on the team” – not once thinking that they may be doing well in their season. Suddenly, I am a fan! Suddenly, it feels good to have a win during this season when there have been so many loses. I am amused as I watch the final seconds of play, hearing the mega-crowd cheering with all out abandonment. Amused, that there are NO fans in the stands and what we hear is just a sound bite. Still, a win is a win is a win!!

In 2018, it was our Winnipeg Jets who beat the Nashville Predators 5–4 and clinched a spot in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Our Winnipeg cousins, Gord and Sher, brought me a Winnipeg Jet shirts that season and, suddenly, we are amped up and become loyal fans of their home team (and ours from when we lived there for seven years in the 80s & 90s).

Aw! The thrill of victory! We could use many of those days – right? And, there are “wins” happening all around us if we would but SEE them instead of the agonies of defeat that have seemed way too common in these last few months.

This season is just temporary anyway. It’s merely a season – and seasons come and go. I have friends and family members who saw the passing on of loved ones and I have friends who welcomed precious babies and new life into their homes. There were those who lost their jobs but found better ones. There were those who had some big wins by using their abilities to be innovative and creative. I have seen two churches in Austin merge and become one gigantic church that can reach the lost of their city in a greater way. I heard that some churches have thrived so much with online church that they have fed more hungry people, helped many financially and created more programming and outreaches than ever before. So many joys of victory – if we would but SEE.

Here’s an agony of defeat and thrill of victory story that changes the way we SEE our seasons. Jesus came to this earth for you and me – showed us the way to live in victory by following His lead, trusting in Him and His promises – showing us that even in times of defeat – we still win. He suffered the agony of our defeat on the cross and the joy of victory in His resurrection. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see defeat and failures. He sees victors who are made clean through the blood of Jesus. He won the victory for us and now we get to cheer on the “home” team. We get to show people how important our Savior (aka our Coach) is. We get to help others get ready. Because ready or not, Jesus is coming. We are all team-players when it comes to being devoted followers of Christ. We suit up daily, we exercise our faith by studying God’s Word, praying, spending time with our Coach. He has all the team plays and staying in His presence, we have the wisdom of our Coach. We will not know the agony of defeat because our relationship with our Coach assures us the thrill of victory that awaits us. Now, let’s do everything we can to spread the word about our TEAM so others can celebrate with us. Let’s do everything we can so they will never have to know the agony of defeat!

When God's Plans are Way Better than Ours

In 1986, we moved to Canada on a ministry mission. It was a 100% faith-venture for all of us, including my mom. We had no idea what the future would hold, but we knew Who held our future. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

I’ll limit the adventures of the next seven years to this one story that helps explain that scripture in our lives and, perhaps, in yours. Our daughter had a huge Oklahoma basketball career ahead of her and was chosen for the Junior Olympics BB team. In Canada, women's basketball was not quite there yet, so good-bye basketball. (FYI - the girl's still got game!) 😉🏀

We realized this girl needed grooming after having been a basketball “jock” for many years. On the bench, she would sit with her legs spread apart. I would hand-signal her: "Close those legs!" We put her into modeling school to help with poise and stage presence. Someone noticed this bubbly, outgoing, singing-machine girl and recommended that she try out for the local Miss Teen Winnipeg Pageant. She did and went "all-in"! Within days of the pageant, the directors deemed she would be the sure winner so they disqualified her from the competition. The reason? Her southern drawl just didn't epitimoze a girl from "the Great North". Though she was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada because of her dad’s Canadian citizenship, the ball dropped on her aspirations...again.

Her daddy (her coach and number one promoter) was steamed at the bias and prejudice against his girl. He was on his way to getting legal counsel when God reminded him of that scripture above. It was heart-wrenching at the time, but “oh the plans God had for her”. Not long after, an aunt called us and recommended that she try out for the David Foster Coca Cola World Chorus that would represent many countries at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Staci was one of 8,500 Canadians chosen by David Foster to represent Canada. She went on to be a soloist at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The next year, at age 18, after training her voice to be less “southern”, she won the Miss Winnipeg Manitoba Pageant and won the talent portion of the Miss Canada Pageant,

I could go on and on about the doors that opened to our girl. Who knew that a huge step of faith would open so many doors? God did. It’s been years since those seven years of “Canadian plenty”, but I often find myself thinking about those years when my plans don’t unfold as I’d hoped. When I’m praying for open doors, yet they remain closed; when I’m pleading for a “yes,” but the answer is “no”; when I’m asking for change, but everything seems to stay the same. I remind myself of the truth that my daughter once learned: A frustrating “no” may be setting the stage for a forthcoming “yes.”

We have a loving Father who knows things we don’t. And sometimes, He needs to “wreck” our agenda in order to render His. It takes faith to believe that promise when life isn’t going as we’d expected. But I’m learning that we don’t need to know all of God’s ways to accept His will. We simply need to trust His heart. God is for us, not against us When we remember who God is, we can better embrace what He’s doing, even if He says “no.” Someday, when we look back at our lives through eternity’s lens, we’ll want to throw our arms around our faithful Father and say, “Thanks for spoiling my plans, Dad. Yours were even better!”

Encourage Others. Encourage Yourself.

I apologize in advance. I said that I wasn’t going to keep harping about my birthday, but the inspirations just keep coming. I was amused when my son turned 50 last year, and at his family celebration, his sons were playfully teasing him about his newfound midlife age of 50. They’d make remarks like “Dad, do you need help getting up the stairs?” While speaking really loud to him “Dad, can you hear me?” It was all in fun, but I remembered those words when I was turning 70. I was prepared to hear similar remarks but was pleasantly surprised that all of my family had such kind and encouraging words for me. Ryan was wearing a shirt on Sunday that said “Sundays” on it. Braden said, “Nana, be so thankful that you know what day of the week it is because Dad has to wear a shirt to remind him!” LOL! The most negative words I heard about me over the weekend were from me. I’d start to say something and lose my train of thought, and I’d say “Well, I’m 70 now. Get used to it.” Then I’d mentally spank myself for speaking negatively about my new age.

The second photo here is of a table with words on it that said: “70 Reasons Why I Love Nana”. (Check out our sweet Bentley photo-bombing!) Each one had written down encouraging words that were typed on cards for the table. Phrases like: “You are always smiling.” “You are so brave and led us parasailing!” “You are a Godly woman that shows us how to chase God!” “You are sooo much fun!” “You believe in me and help me believe in myself!” “You are the best Nana in the world.” “You take care of my animals.” “You are a prayer warrior!” Now, that’s what I call encouragement.

We live in a day and age when everyone wants a coach -- someone to spur them on – someone to be their cheerleader. But, in the meantime, if we don’t have those in our life, we shouldn’t just sit there, pining away because there are no cheerleaders in sight. We need to start being our own coach, cheerleader, and encourager by affirming ourselves: “Good job! Good Girl! Well done! You’ve got this! You nailed it!”

We should be encouragers to each other for sure, but it’s A-Okay to do that for ourselves, too. We need to coach our lips because we know that the power of life and death are in the tongue and we need to be careful with the words we speak to ourselves. We need to coach our head. The Bible talks about taking our thoughts captive. That’s so important, especially when our thoughts are running wild with negativity and worry and concern and we need to lasso them back into captivity. We need to coach our hands. What good does it do to have all the knowledge in our head of what God wants us to do and not do it? So many are looking for someone to rescue them, and with our hands reaching out, we can be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Our words should be filled with blessings -- words that affirm and approve; words that commend and compliment; words that specifically speak love and affection; words that invoke hope and self-confidence; and words that answer pain and disappointment with support and faith. May our words and actions bring light and life to our family and our world today. Let's be encouragers!

It’s Pay-it-Forward AND Pray-it-Forward Time!

Mentor – a trusted guide, coach, role model, counselor

I don’t know where or who I would be were it not for the mentors in my life from a very EARLY age. Since I was “early” in getting married (at 17) and “early” to have a baby (one year later at 18), I needed all the help I could get. I was so in love, but I was also so insecure and inexperienced when it came to every day challenges and struggles. Quite frankly, inexperienced in life….period. And, each challenge and struggle confirmed my ongoing mental monologue “What in the world am I doing?”

I needed someone older, wiser, experienced and confident to help me navigate some of those never-ending challenges. Someone I could call and ask, "How do you do this?" or "Have you ever experienced that?" without being judged. God was so faithful to give me two strong women who paved the way for me to become a confident wife and mom. Those women were my mother and mother-in-law. How many times did I call them and ask about “this and that”? Since I was the youngest of my friends to get married, I sure couldn’t call those girls for advice. They didn't understand breastfeeding or a baby's high fever. My “moms” were living, breathing gifts from God who were sent to a gal who desperately needed real-life answers and real-life prayer. They gave me both.

Through the years, God was faithful to bring so many other wonderful and wiser Christian women who graciously mentored me. They led me by example. They shared valuable truths on how to be a dedicated wife, manage a career, the must-haves of mothering and most importantly … how to experience an authentic, personal relationship with the Lord.

It’s been my turn now for many years to pay it forward and pray it forward as I have mentored many younger women in my own circle of influence. Some women were older than me and I mentored them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Some of those gals were searching for Mr. Happily-Ever-After. A few were transitioning from newlywed bliss to marriage-plus-career reality. And others needed sound advice on how to raise their kids while trying to stay sane. And, now, many are widows who need help navigating their life through singleness. Oh the lessons I learned in the process that I was able to share with them what NOT to do and what to do so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did.

In both seasons, being mentored and being a mentor, I’ve learned so much from smart, hard-working, gracious and tenderhearted women, who, just like me, still need godly advice every now and then. What would happen if we embraced each season of life looking to mentor others with the same excitement and tenacity we’d expect from a woman who mentored us?

Mentoring is for each season of life. Maybe you’ve been looking for a godly woman to come alongside you. Start with praying for your soon-to-be mentor. Even though you don’t know her yet, God does. She may be older and wiser and she knows what it is to face life's challenges. Then, be willing to mentor someone else. Your gifts and talents can be used to be a blessing to a woman who’s also longing for a mentoring relationship.

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and what better time to reflect upon those women who imparted life into you – via birthing you in the natural or the spiritual and the everyday course of life. Now…go and pay it forward and pray it forward to some young girl, teenager or woman who needs a loving, caring and devoted mentor. Thank God for their good influence on you. Regardless of your age or stage in life, mentoring is always available to you!

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Respectaholics Anonymous -- Teamwork Made the Dream Work

Day 13 of 365 Days of Photo Inspirations
It started with the call from our leader, Staci, "As 3 to 6 year alumni of the Unstoppable Leadership Summits, you will be the Coaches of the teams, and those who have attended for 2 years, will be the Captains."

And these were her instructions to us -- "You and your teams will choose a:
1) Team Name and Chant/Cheer. 2) Team Branding (Colors, shirts/costumes, etc.); 3) Team Leadership Skit based on a "law" from John Maxwell's book: "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership".

NO BIG DEAL. Right? Wrong!!! It was a huge deal to each coach and captain and their team -- we're all about being "in it -- to win it"....and each team produced over-the-top table decorations and awesome chants that spoke to what it takes to be an effective leader worth following. Every team gave it their absolute best, but I'll admit, I'm particularly partial to my team, Team Respectable Me! We spent weeks brainstorming, letting our imaginations and creativity come to life, and getting full costumes together. Sincerely, T-E-A-M -- together everyone accomplishes more.

We chose the Law of Respect. You know the little minions in Despicable Me? We used them as our model, except turned them into Respectable Me Minions. Our chant? (After the minion "Banana Song" -- Ba ba ba ba ba ba de -- I respect you and you respect me.
We gotta treat each other RESPECTFULLY. We are Team Respectable Me!

Our costumes? We each had on our minion overalls, shirts, hats, gloves and goggles.
Our GIVE? The most amazing minion cookies made by our captains, Miguel Cervantes and Zoila Cervantes, who have a bakery in Kansas City -- a treat given out to all of the attendees.
Our skit? Respectaholics Anonymous -- we were recovering Disrespectful Minions who had become Respectable Minions. We each spoke to the kind of leader we once were, but now, we were respectable. Staci was our "guest minion" and was, of course, the rogue minion who demanded respect by singing Aretha's "R-E-S-P-E-C-T"! It was our job to tell her our "despicable disrespectable" transformation to our NEW and IMPROVED Respectable Me stories to help her become respectable, too! Absolutely so hilarious -- we could hardly keep from laughing our sides out.

This day 11 of my 365 days of photo inspirations shows our team in all our glory -- but the glory isn't in all the hard work, the determination, the effort or THE GLORY! It's about a "cause" -- a "commitment" -- a " MOMENT" to give it our all -- the best way we could. I give our TEAM a standing ovation, high five's, big pats on the back and request for a big ENCORE in our everyday commitment to do our best in any situation and circumstance we encounter. To Team Respectable Me -- I say, "WELL DONE, you good and faithful Respectable MINIONS!"

Mothering Isn't Reserved Only For Mothers

This meal was absolutely delicious -- prepared by Alexia Wallace -- with the guidance of Denise Gerrich (aka Neicey), Payton & Alexia's au pair, mentor, "foods/cooking" teacher, and God's special angel to the Wallace Family.

What a blessing she has been to them. Denise realizes she is planting great seeds into the lives of others. And, now, especially for this special dinner -- seeing that blessing passed on to Lexi.

Yes, it takes patience to guide and direct someone who doesn't have the experience -- especially when it would be so much easier for us "to just do it ourselves".

I'm so thankful that "mothering" isn't reserved only for mothers -- but it's those who have the capacity to give, nurture and love others. And, how wonderful children have access to several adults who love them -- grandparents, child care workers, teachers, coaches, neighbors, aunts and uncles, pastors.....and nannies, au pairs and loving adults who don't see kids as just "little people" -- they see them as "a promise, a possibility -- a great big bundle of potentiality -- diamonds in the rough" -- who with a little patience, tenderness, persistence and vision -- are willing to give time to them -- planting seeds of hope, self confidence, courage and purpose into them. Those of you who are all that, and more, you are God's special angels!

Thank you, Neicey, for being one of God's special angels! The circle of life continues.....and one day, we'll see Payton & Lexi's kids being taught the golden nuggets that they learned from those who cared about the marks they will make in their future!