🎈🎈🎈🎈 A Tribute to my Beloved Sister 🎈🎈🎈🎈

Because she's alive and well and it's her birthday!
Tributes to those we love generally come after they have passed on. I can’t wait to give that tribute because, quite frankly, I may get my heavenly-orders before she gets hers. One advantage of marrying young has been that I have had many years, not only to grow up together with my husband, Ron, but also his sister, Karen. I had no younger siblings, but Ron’s 4-years younger sister, became my sister and dear friend.

Karen was the giggling little 9-year-old sister that got to see her 13-year old brother and 12-year-old ME holding hands under the table at Kip’s Big Boy Restaurant in South Oak Cliff Dallas after Sunday night church services. She adored her big brother and believed anything he told her. She would gladly trade her dime for his penny or nickel because “Sis, I’m happy to give you this big coin for your little one.” Allies, the two of them, who could conjure up some brilliant child-versions of mighty exploits.

Years later, Karen and I had a niche-market estate sales business. We marketed the home and its contents. Our merry hearts, sense of humor and out-spoken faith opened the doors for us to have a thriving, successful business of which people would tell us “You're the BEST!" The estate sale business is a work-out, but loving and helping people in time of need became not just a business, but our mission field.

It was at about the same time that Ron became very ill with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. Karen and I were close but never closer than this season. She went with us to almost every doctor appointment. She provided a shoulder to cry on during some of our toughest times and a merry heart to laugh with us during hilarious times. Karen and I were Ron’s prayer team. We would go for walks during “stressful times’ at the hospital. Worry could have consumed us, but we turned those times into stretching-our-faith-muscles times.

After Dad passed away, Karen assured Mom “You’ll always have a home with us when you're ready." George and Karen made sure that happened when Mom could no longer live alone. They have been hopelessly devoted to mom in every way. Karen has been relentless in her faith, determined in hope,and unparalled in her care for mom. I can’t begin to adequately explain the kindness in her heart or the depth of her love that even goes beyond mom and her immediate family. She has always had a one or two-at-a-time ministry to those who were mistreated or misguided in some way. She is not only beautiful on the outside, she has a beautiful soul. She sees the beauty in others. She is remarkable. She has become known for caring for the uncared for right until they pass onto heaven.

Truly, to convey all I want to say is inadequate in a mere blog, but I hope I've at least conveyed my deepest love and utmost respect for my sis. Karen, I was chosen by your brother and he chose me to be your sister. And I am the blessed one. Happy Birthday, my faithful and beloved sister. 🎈🎈🎈

“Kill ‘Em All” or “Lord, Forgive Them"

A little more than three weeks ago, my grandson’s car was stolen from a Dallas downtown parking garage. It wasn’t the car being stolen that hurt near as much as it was what was in the trunk of his car that hurt him and his mama the most.

This side of our family are the fishing lovers which was initiated years ago by Papa, my husband, who loved any kind of fishing and passed it on to our daughter, Staci, and onto Payton. When Papa left for heaven, I knew I would pass along Papa’s fishing gear, tackle, fishing vests, fly rod, and fishing necklaces that held all the tools for making leaders for lines, getting the fish off the hooks, etc. All of that was in Payton’s car trunk, plus Papa’s briefcase which held many other treasures from Papa. We prayed and hoped beyond hope that the thieves would leave all of that in the trunk.

The police found the car. Payton and Staci went to see the stripped-beyond-recognition remains yesterday. Nothing was left in the trunk – even the liner was gone. Staci sent me the photos, and my first words were: “God, kill ‘em!” Immediately, I thought: “Lord, have mercy, did I really say that?” Staci quickly retorted:
“I think it’s better to pray “Lord, bring them to repentance and to You.” Lord, have mercy! Yes, that’s what I meant! 😊

I know the scripture: “What the heart is full of, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45) and I had to ask that God purify my heart so it’s not so quick to speak words I don’t think I really meant. I was prompted to write this post after I saw the video of Brandt, the younger brother of Botham Jean speak to former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger from the witness stand after she was sentenced for killing 26-year-old Botham Jean in his apartment. At the sentencing phase, Jean’s younger brother told her: “I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want for you.” He added: “I love you as a person, and I don’t wish anything bad on you.”

He then asked the court for permission to hug her. The image of the two embracing made national headlines. The prosecutor said that in 37-years of practicing law, “I never saw anything like that.” Brandt was right about his older brother’s character and faith. Botham Jean was born in Saint Lucia, an island in the eastern Caribbean. He became a Christian at an early age and began preaching as a teenager. He sang in his church choir, in college, and at Dallas West Church of Christ, where he led worship the Sunday before he was killed.

CNN reported that after Brandt Jean’s remarkable act of grace, District Judge Tammy Kemp gave Guyger a Bible and also hugged her. “You can have mine. I have three or four more at home,” the judge said. “This is the one I use every day. This is your job for the next month. It says right here. John 3:16. And this is where you start. ‘For God so loved the world . . .'”

If that isn’t love – the ocean is dry; if that isn’t love – there’s no stars in the sky; if that isn’t love – the little sparrows can’t fly; if that isn’t love – then heaven’s a myth; there’s no feeling like this. If that isn’t love. And that is the love of Jesus – Who could say “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.” That is the love I pray for – to be able to love like that.

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Because of a Leadership Training in Richardson, TX on Saturday, I drove down a few days early to be with my kids in Frisco. Being in the Dallas area when the tragic shootings took place on Thursday night, hearing the heart-wrenching details of the police and civilians killed or injured, brought memories back to me when I was in my 10th grade Geometry Class at South Oak Cliff High School here in Dallas. Over the loud speaker came the inconceivable words of our Principal, "President Kennedy has been shot and killed". It seemed our world momentarily stood still. We were in shock. How could something so appalling take place in OUR city, Big "D"? Then a few years later, in 1968, the terrible atrocities of the civil rights riots made us feel that our country was falling apart. I remember Martin Luther King's words just before his assassination in 1968: "Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

The answer then and the answer for Thursday night and all other diabolical killings and injuries, is still the same, though it almost sounds lofty and unattainable: Love is the answer. In the photo here is a Dallas area man, Jimmy Lee Robinson, who gives his time to spreading good news in the form of homemade signs held up with positive and motivating words. In light of these last few days, when I saw him walking down Main Street, here in Frisco, I made a U-turn to get a photo of this day's message: "I love you". I hugged him. He's my brother. We're on the same team. We're in the same family of God. We all want and need love -- even those misguided, mentally bent individuals who take people's lives. If they had known love, perhaps their decisions would have been different.

Whatever message we should be conveying -- in good AND bad times -- boils down to one primary theme....LOVE. We are faced with a choice. We can let the horrible tragedies weigh on us until we are angry and in fear and we ask..."How can LOVE be the answer when there are those who are filled with so much hate, bitterness, sick minds and spirits?" It's the same answer when they killed and crucified our Savior...."Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do." That's love. Oh that we can give that love.

I said it last week and I say it again. "It's time for us to love and pray passionately." Yesterday, at the meeting I attended, the speaker prayed these words of St. Francis of Assisi. If we took these words, meditated on them and sincerely prayed them with all our hearts, just maybe we could be the catalyst for change:

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.

Who Woulda Thought?

Cousins that love each other so much, it seemed a shame that they would be separated by such a distance -- Seattle to Dallas. And who would have EVER suspected that my Seattle-loving, Seahawks-loving son and family would move to Austin, TX, and even more so, that those city-slicker kids would EVER have goats, a horse and donkey? And who would have EVER thought that our quiet and subdued Lexi would EVER be so poised and eloquent at the front of a room being judged for a speech? But, God seems to always have something up His sovereign sleeves that surprise and amaze us.....almost reguarly.

But, here we all are....this week in Austin for Payton & Alexia's Regional Finals Speech & Debate Tournament & Competition, staying at "Farmer" Ryan's (his new title bestowed upon him by a cute little 3-year old neighbor girl) and Queen Shawntel's beautiful home. The cousins have reunited in a big way -- playing with the goats, horse and donkey, fishing in the fish-laden creek below their home and land, and swimming in the pool and hot tub. And here I am being thrilled at this adventure of "Life in God's Surprise Lane"!

The apostle Paul said that when we pray, God does that which goes beyond what we ask for or even think about. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). God has a plan for every single one of us. When we see what He has in mind, it will surpass anything we thought possible. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts beyond anything we thought possible. I know He's giving me so many desires of my heart these days -- so, of all the things I may have messed up along the way, I must have done something right.

The next time God surprises you, don’t doubt his love, goodness, and faithfulness. Lift your hands to the heavens and celebrate. You are being lavished upon. You are being loved. You are being delivered. You are being transformed. And be thankful that since nothing can separate you from His love, there are more gracious surprises to come!

Sometimes Life Gives You a 360

I was born in Dallas, Texas “a few” years ago! LOL! Then our son and daughter were born there, too. That makes us Texans through and through. When my Canadian husband, myself and our two children left Dallas in 1971 for Oklahoma, who knew there would be a “coming back home” someday -- at least for our children?

Two years ago, Larry Wallace (who was also born in Dallas) and Staci Wallace, and their two kids, Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace (also born in Dallas), moved from Washington back home to Texas. They all feel they’re “planted”. I love it -- it's so close for me to drive to them!

I drove down to spend the night with them on Sunday evening, and then the next morning, I drove on south to Austin -- the NEW HOME of who I've called my "Washington Family". Ryan, Shawntel and the boys are now at home inTexas, too!

They knew this day would come because, three years ago, they helped their dearest friends, Ryan Malouff and Dana Malouff start Expression Church in Austin and they know God has called them to continue to build alongside them. All on purpose. I love seeing them with such passion for doing God's work and wanting to positively impact peoples' lives for Him. They purchased a beautiful ranch with amazing Austin Hill Country views -- complete with a barn, goats, a horse, a miniature donkey and the river lines their property. Really good news for my "fishing" family -- the river is filled with fish and the water is so clear, you can see them swimming! AND, YAY for Nana – my family are ALL closer to me now!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not harm you; to give you hope and a future.”

Who knows the paths that we will take in life? God does. He has plans that exceed our very thoughts and imaginations and in due season, if we "follow His lead" and the amazing plans He has for us, He'll supersede our greatest expectations.

The best part of Monday, was the boys' first day of school in Austin. School assembly was the first event of the day, and of course, the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. And, next, of course, was the Pledge of Allegiance to the State of Texas flag! Yes, as the saying goes…."Welcome to the COUNTRY of Texas!"

The Legacy of Praying Grandparents

Day 159 of Photo Inspirations -- The Legacy of Praying Grandparents
#TBT  This is my Grandma and Grandpa, John & Mary Halbert.  They've long been in heaven, but yesterday, I had sweet memories of them and knew this would be my #TBT photo inspiration today.

Back in the day.....50+ years ago, I well remember "Testimony" Services at church.  That's when the pastor would invite people in the congregation to stand and give a praise report about God's goodness.  I remember my grandpa, with a beautiful baritone voice, standing up to sing one song each time "Hold to God's unchanging hand.  Hold to God's unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God's unchanging hand."  And from there he'd give witness to how the struggles in this life can be overcome if we hold God's unchanging hand.

Then my sweet grandma would stand and give her short, yet consistent "word" exhortation:  "You've just got to love."  Then she'd sit down.  Her mission was accomplished, because everyone that knew her, felt her love, and in turn, desired to immulate that love.

They lived in such a modest little home in midtown Dallas, and I remember, more times than not, finding them in their rocking chairs, listening to religious broadcasting on their radio.  Good old Southern preaching and singing..  They wore their faith and love for God on the inside and outside.  And, that's my legacy.

This sweet little grandmother was also the matchmaker that brought my sweetheart and me together -- myself at age 12 and "Ronnie" aka Ron at age 13.  She called to say, "Ronnie Wuerch likes you."  I replied, "Tell him I like him, too!"  The rest is history....but needless to say, the most precious gift she ever gave me.

Today I'm embracing and cherishing those memories because I know that their prayers for me, waaay back then, are still being answered today.  Their prayers, like our prayers, are "perennials" (you know, the flowers/plants that come back up year after year).  Each prayer they prayed were like seeds that eventually bore fruit that has blessed not just me, but my children and their children.  Just because they died, their prayers didn't.  I am still reminded that the prayers of my grandparents are being answered in my life right now.  Their prayers outlived them.

Their example is inbred in me now, because today, I carry on their legacy as I pray for my kids and grandkids.  God hears every prayer and every prayer is ALWAYS answered...eventually.  I hope that one day, those are the memories my kids and grandkids will have about me.
#PreciousMemories