Where You Go, I'll Go -- Where You Stay, I'll Stay

These photo inspirations are near and dear to my heart. This day, 16 years ago, my Sweetheart and I re-said our wedding vows during our 35th year of marriage. I'd like to say it was 35 years of wedded bliss -- all sweet, rosy and delightful times that caused us to want to repeat our vows, and there were plenty of those, but in reality, there were plenty of ups and downs, times we were just not on the same page. There were lots of challenges and struggles. So on this 35th year of marriage, we were celebrating that we were two tough cookies that believed when we said our vows....."To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part", we meant it. We stuck together like glue.....and as the years passed by, the bond we had became more precious.

Some of the vows I said were Ruth's words to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when Naomi told her to return to her roots after her husband, Naomi's son, had been killed. But Ruth said to her, and I said to my husband, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth 1:16. Who knew (we sure didn't) that I would follow my Sweetheart as he fell in love with the Catholic Church after having been a Protestant evangelist, pastor and teacher for most of his life and having had parents who were Protestant pastors for over 50 years. Those vows rang true as where he went, I went. His love became my love. The beautiful and loving Catholic people became my dearest friends. The spiritual renewal that ignited the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in the 60s, and continues today, caused our hearts to burn with love for all of God's kids like never before -- wherever they place their love and commitment to Christ. Today I am more active in evangelism and spiritual renewal than ever before. Honestly, leading people to Christ and the abundant life He promises and gives, is my greatest goal in life.

These photos were taken at the "re-saying of our vows" in a lovely Catholic chapel in National City, CA -- where we had just opened a Food Pantry to feed the hurting and broken people in that area. We also had donated a new vehicle to the Food Pantry for their deliveries and pick-ups. So, in celebrating our 35th anniversary, we were also giving out of our gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us. Commitment and resolve to finish what we started paid off in immeasurable ways for us and others.

While we were in that sweet and tender time of recommitting to those beautiful vows we had spoken 35 years before -- this time we did it in full knowledge that the roads could be very bumpy ahead, but it didn't matter because our devotion and love for each other was worth it all.

I shared all this with you, my dear FB friends and family, before this year ends, to share with those of you who are married and are experiencing some tough times -- challenging times, but I urge you to be TOUGH and steadfast to your vows before God, because tough times don't last, but tough people, tough marriages, and taking tough stands on what commitment, love, trust, and devotion are all about, do. It is worth every effort, because the toughest journeys make the sweetest victories -- even greater. Trust me. We proved it!

You Are Now Entering Your Mission Field

I heard the story of someone who had such a heartfelt desire to open a Food Pantry, but it seemed door after door slammed for his great and worthwhile idea. Then he heard someone say “Why are you waiting on all the right answers and all the right buildings and all the right team? Why don’t you start right now with volunteering at the Food Bank, or collecting food and items to take to one of the charities here. You’ll be planting seed for your dream.

Quite often, we have the plan all figured out and THEN, we invite God to come along and join in that plan. But, God is the Pilot NOT the Co-Pilot of our lives. I love this photo I posted here today. “If God is your CO-PILOT, then swap seats." From personal experience, I remember time after time that we put together the plan, made business cards, brochures, signs and got the offices. The problem was, we forgot to bring our CEO in on the grandiose ideas. Sometimes the “good” ideas aren’t the “God” ideas. We usurped our ideas instead of getting His plans and ideas. When He pilots the ship or airplane, we can be sure He will position us for the most success at the right time.

Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace, my grandchildren, flew to Guatemala yesterday with 50 others to minister there for a week with their team. They’ve entered their mission field. Last night, our Life Group volunteered at James Mission – a beautiful ministry here in Tulsa for Foster and Adoptive families. We sorted and organized clothing items and placed them into their designated bins that will be apportioned to those families in need. We didn’t have the original vision for James Mission, but the Reyes did. And, God impressed upon our Life Group to be a support to them. We entered OUR mission field.

The good news is, as soon as we walk through the door of our opens, we are entering our mission fields. Missions: an important assignment carried out for going out into the world and spreading faith and good news. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." I love St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words".

What is our mission field? I believe it is to everyone that we encounter on a daily basis. The clerk at the store, little children, the homebound, the family next door, the yard man, our own families & friends, our neighbors -- just anyone we have the opportunity to BE A BLESSING to and share the LIGHT of Christ with.

Perhaps, we need to develop a Mission Statement for our lives that keeps us focused on our calling to missions. In Genesis 12, God made His covenant with Abram. He told Abram that He will make him into a great nation and that He will bless him. And then, what God says to him in the last part of verse 2 just may be our Mission Statement, too. "You will be a blessing."

That's it -- whatever we do, wherever we go, whoever we encounter, our mission is "TO BE A BLESSING". Isn't that a great way to live? On purpose, outside of us 4, and no more -- TO BE A BLESSING here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there where you are -- in your school or office building or community club or PTA or YMCA -- BE A BLESSING, and in doing that.....we will be IN OUR MISSION FIELD!!!

It Was So Good -- We Did It Again!

Day 363 of Photo Inspirations -- It Was So Good -- We Did It Again!
These photo inspirations are near and dear to my heart.  This day, 14 years ago, my Sweetheart and I resaid our wedding vows during our 35th year of marriage.  I'd like to say it was 35 years of wedded bliss -- all sweet, rosy and delightful times that caused us to want to repeat our vows, and there were plenty of those, but in reality, there were plenty of ups and downs, times we were just not on the same page. There were lots of challenges and struggles.  So on this 35th year of marriage, we were celebrating that we were two tough cookies that believed when we said our vows....."To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part", we meant it.  We stuck together like glue.....and as the years passed by, the bond we had became more precious.

Some of the vows I said were Ruth's words to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when Naomi told her to return to her roots after her husband, Naomi's son, had been killed.  But Ruth said to her, and I said to my husband, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth 1:16.   Who knew (we sure didn't) that I would follow my Sweetheart as he fell in love with the Catholic Church after having been a Protestant evangelist, pastor and teacher for most of his life and having had parents who were Protestant pastors for over 50 years.  Those vows rang true as  where he went, I went.   His love became my love.  The beautiful and loving Catholic people became my dearest friends.  The spiritual renewal that ignited the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in the 60s, and continues today, caused our hearts to burn with love for all of God's kids like never before -- wherever they place their love and commitment to Christ.  Today I am more active in evangelism and spiritual renewal than ever before.  Honestly, leading people to Christ and the abundant life He promises and gives, is my greatest goal in life.

These photos were taken at the "resaying of our vows" in a lovely Catholic chapel in San Diego, CA -- where we had just opened a Food Pantry to feed the hurting and broken people in that area.  The icing on the cake after that, was our sweet and tender time of recommitting to those beautiful vows we had spoken 35 years before -- this time we did it in full knowledge that the roads could be very bumpy ahead, but it didn't matter because our devotion and love for each other was worth it all.

I shared all this with you, my dear FB friends and family, before this year ends, to share with those of you who are married and are experiencing some tough times -- challenging times, but I urge you to be TOUGH and steadfast to your vows before God, because tough times don't last, but tough people, tough marriages, and taking tough stands on what commitment, love, trust, and devotion are all about, do.  It is worth every effort, because the toughest journeys make the sweetest victories....even greater.   Trust me. We proved it!

I Was Hungry and You Fed Me

My Life Group meets at my home every Thursday night. These women are amazing, faith-filled, fully devoted followers of Christ, and I'm inspired by them every week. It seems that God hand-picked our group -- each one has unique talents and abilities, and has unique circumstances going on their life, but watching how God answers our prayers in ways beyond our understanding has been such a testament to combining our "natural" to His SUPER and we're seeing supernatural results right before our eyes.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our members, Karla Worthington, asked for prayer for a family that desperately needed food. I mentioned that Catholic Charities is a good place for them to go to, and another member said, "I know that LifeChurch.tv - Jenks sends people to a food pantry." Hesitantly, she said, "Well, I'm the church's food pantry, and we're out of food to give out." We were all touched so much, she had such a heart for the hungry, that immediately we were ready to react. I went to my pantry and pulled out several cans of food to send home with her. Others contributed monetarily. Another one of the members posted on FB about the food pantry, and she received $100 from someone who wanted to be a part. It's the ripple effect -- throw a tiny rock in the river.....and watch how the ripple gets bigger and bigger.

Karla's birthday was this week so our group's gift to her was lots of food to help restock her food pantry. Our Life Group has been asking God for THAT charity or place to plant in -- one that resonated in our hearts, and lo and behold, right in our midst, God answered our prayer. Karla's spirit of reaching out to the hungry is her God-given assignment. Being able to support her assignment with not just prayers.....but tangibly helping to make a difference, is OUR assignment. Are you watching and listening for your assignment? After all, you, too, just might be the answer to someone's prayer today!