A Big Return on our Investment

It is Sunday morning. After a month-long Tour de Texas, it’s good to be back home again – “home” home, and to my church home. I hear: “You’re back!” “Welcome home, Donna!” “We missed you, Donna!” I love those words: “Welcome home!” Can we even fathom what those words meant to the prodigal son when His dad welcomed him home? I’m in MY pew and MY seat. Well, it’s not really mine, but I get here early enough to claim my territory! Second row, first seat, middle aisle where those of us who are honored and humbled to be communion servers stand. Easy to get to my place from here.

There is no place like home with my “church family”. We are the ones who team up in volunteering, serving, sharing, loving and praying. A common goal – to let our little lights shine here and out there. Wherever I go, God goes -- so, actually, everywhere I go is home sweet home. But, I see Him loud and clear in my church family. We walk hand-in-hand in some tough times and in the over-the-top good times. We are family. We’re a part of the Family of God – we’re brothers and sisters.

As I kneel for a few minutes, I exhale all the busyness of my life and I inhale the One Who got this whole “church” thing started in the first place. He wanted us to come together in one accord. He wanted us to bear one another’s burdens. He wanted us to be Him to our world. I sense my Lord here. In this place and in my heart. I know Him intimately. He knows even more about me – even those annoying fly-away hairs that I have to keep licking my fingers to make them stay down. I express gratitude, with all this journeying I do, for getting me safe and sound back here.

I look around. I see Him in the etched glass reaching His arms out to His disciples. I get chills just thinking He’s holding His arms out to me in the same way. After all – I, too, am one of His disciples. He says: “Follow Me!” And, I follow. I see Him in the stained glass above the altar – the hand of God symbolizing the Father, the Lamb symbolizing the Son, the Dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. I’m familiar with the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know them well – not as casual acquaintances but as MY never-failing, always-present, Holiest of Holy team.

Maybe you don’t have a church family – those who go toe-to-toe with you in good times and tough times; those who see you and come with a hearty hug for you. I have an investment in this place – my time, my talent and my treasure. The return on my investment is peace, joy, comfort, stability, hope, love and long-term (lifelong and beyond-term) pay-offs. Here’s my humble advice: If you want the best return on investment (ROI), there is nothing like investing in the Kingdom of God, investing in people. People will endure through time and eternity.

We don’t have a mission. God has a mission and has invited us to become part of His mission. We are the people to accomplish that mission. Someone said, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” The main thing is the mission of God. If you want real ROI, be a part of a team of people who make you better because their interests are beyond themselves. Their interests are Kingdom-based, people-based. Together we’re strong and stalwart with eyes on the prize. So, onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

I Met My Best Friend at Summer Camp

A dear friend from Tulsa was in Frisco a few days while her 11-year old son attended a Christian summer camp here in our area. I invited her over for lunch and we talked about the wonderful perks and blessings of our children having these wonderful times of fun and focused attention on God and His incredible love for His children.

Oh, how I loved the summertime -- not just because school was out, but it meant Vacation Bible School and attending a summer overnight camp. That brings back such precious memories of craft time, Kool-Aid and cookies, games, campfires, learning to swim, competitions, early morning Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, singing songs while waiting for the dining hall to open up like "Here we stand like birds in the wilderness -- waiting for something to eat!", making new friends, feeling a little homesick AND making the most important decision of my life.

At eight years old, I attended Straight Arrow Camp at Lake Texoma, and by a campfire, my little heart heard the message of Jesus' love that changed my life forever. I had heard that message before, but my tenderized heart (probably because of the intimacy and sweetness of the moments), I really, really understood that God loved me so much. I opened my heart to Him and that began my journey of faith that has sustained me to this day. It was tough being away from home those five days, but it was pivotal in my young life and so much so, that when I hear about the sacrifices parents make for their kids to go to VBS or be involved in a summer camp program or take a missions trip, it stirs my heart.

I witnessed those special times with my own children and grandchildren. I know the investment of time in VBS, church camps, and missions trips were strategically important in their faith journeys. Yes, we take our children to church; we make sure they are in Sunday School and youth programs, but, speaking on a personal level, there's just something about the freedom from school and other activities to dive into a concentrated time of hearing about God's love and His promises during these summer months.

Thank you, camp counselors, VBS teachers, and volunteers and for those who step it up a notch by taking kids on missions trips that open their eyes to the blessings of what they have, as well as the joy it is to bless others with God's love. Thank you for investing in our lives. You made all the difference in mine. I met my BEST FRIEND, Christ Jesus, at summer camp. And I grew to love Him more each time you shared about Him in a story or a play or a song or a hug. I am a life that was changed forever because of caring, loving and giving servants like you.

Investing in our Greatest Assets

Day 101 of Photo Inspirations -- Investing in Our Greatest Assets
For the last few days, I've been in Texas and absolutely amazed at the caliber of talent that these hundreds of "home-schooled" kids have amassed in their young lives.  My two Texas grandchildren, Payton Wallace​ and Alexia Wallace​ gave stellar performances in their own right, which certainly made this Nana proud, but watching all of these students stepping up to give debates on international issues (way over my head in understanding), as well as speeches on strategic and impressive topics --  before complete strangers, and with composure, poise and finesse.  It was incredible.

I know I continue to be on my soapbox as I encourage parents to invest in their kids. No other asset we have gives such unsurpassed rewards.  Payton progressed on to semi-finals and I loved it when Alexia wanted to buy him his favorite red velvet cupcake and give him this sweet card to congratulate him.

 Payton was always convinced he wanted to be in debate and speech, but, our Alexia, on the other hand, needed a little more encouragement and nudging from her parents.  Unlike her Mama, she hasn't yearned for the stage, but now, after taking to the stage, we're seeing her blossom so beautifully, and, in fact, now handles it as second nature.  She placed 1st in several of her speech competitions.  It won't be long before she's moving up in the rankings.  In the meantime, she is a girl that loves having fun.  She is a free spirit -- and as seen in these photos, we just  HAD to go shopping a little between the rounds!  LOL!

Maybe I'm "old school" but I still think it's important for parents to guide and reinforce what they see as potential talents and abilities in their kids -- and then to stretch them or gently push them towards opportunities that they know will make them better in life and give them an unlimited future of possibilities.  

When I first got down to Dallas, Staci had the kids give their speeches to me.  If they faltered, she'd make them start over again.  Oh, that brought back so many memories to me.  Staci's Daddy would do that to her. We had a sound system set up in our basement, and he'd make her practice her singing over and over again --until she was in tears.  Now, she looks back and thanks her Daddy for his coaching and pushing her to be the best she could be.  We knew she was God's gift and asset to us and we were responsible for "multiplying" that investment.

What are you doing with your greatest assets? Technology (iPads, iPhones, video games, etc.) is a great thing -- but, perhaps it's time to put technology away for a while so these precious assets are learning how to cook, how to speak or sing or play an instrument, or play a sport, or how to make crafts or take photos, etc. etc.  I promise you.....every hour you dedicate to their future -- will be multiplied in rewards to you as you see what they become!

It's Worth the Investment

Day 51 of Photo Inspirations – It's Worth the Investment!!
TBT – Throw Back Thursday – Like any “Stage” Mom, I was always on the lookout for any and every contest I could get my girl in.  I got “wind” of the Mrs. North Carolina Pageant and thought “Why not, my Girl?”   So, unbeknownst to her, I filled out an application and sent it in. Oops!  I really did mean to tell her….. eventually…..that is if her application was accepted.  LOL!

So, you can imagine her surprise when the call came from the Mrs. North Carolina Organization telling her she was accepted!  Now they wanted to interview her. Staci told them she had no idea what they were talking about. That’s when she realized her Mother must be up to something …….again.

Honestly, this was nothing new to her Daddy OR me.  We cultivated the talents of our little girl since she was two years old.    We knew we had a responsibility to express our thanksgiving for her by how we helped develop her God-given gifts.  We had her singing in every door that opened for her.  No matter what it was, we urged her to go for it.  I look back on those days and am amazed at all the places and achievements God blessed upon her – from winning many talent contests to singing on TV shows, in churches, musical theatre stages, to being asked to sing for the Olympics, regularly singing with a 24-piece orchestra, winning a $6,000 Talent Award at the Miss Canada Pageant (She was Miss Winnipeg, Manitoba) to her singing with presidents, motivational speakers and high profile athletes and entertainers.   This girl was BORN to use her talents on a platform that glorifies God.

When they moved to North Carolina, she was a mom of two little cuties and took a sabbatical from her singing and speaking career.  So… of course it was my duty to light a fire under the girl again.  I figured the Mrs. North Carolina Pageant would be the perfect opportunity – besides there were prizes to be won.

Initially, she didn’t take to the idea very well, but after she and Larry talked and prayed about it, they knew this was an opportunity for her to impact women with the importance of realizing their God-given destiny and purpose.  And, as many of you know….when this girl takes on a project…..she is relentless in her pursuit of reaching her goals.  She worked so hard to get her body toned and ready for the pageant.  I watched her self-discipline in achieving the goal as she lost the 13% body fat from having her babies and became an inspiration in health for us all.  What a blessing it was for us to watch as she was crowned Mrs. North Carolina with family and friends cheering her on.  It was a time to remember – and that’s what I’m doing today.

In the Mrs. America Pageant, she came in 4th Runner Up (I still think the judges were off-their-rockers to not have given her the crown– LOL!)   But when she arrived at the pageant, she said, “I don’t think I’m here to win a crown but to carry HIS crown of righteousness to these other ladies.”   And she did.  The greatest reward that week was that she led the woman who won Mrs. America, and eventually Mrs. World, to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.   Five other women gave their life to the Lord at her prayer breakfast the day of the pageant.

THE THING wasn’t THE THING.  The pageant crown wasn't the prize.  I love how God works – He makes us think we’re on course for the best plan….but all along He has the MASTER PLAN in place.  And, as for those of you who ask “How did you get such motivated, outgoing, over-achieving children?”  We have always believed they were God’s gift to us –  we saw raising them as a role of stewardship.  We never had a  “wait and see” mentality over their talents but we understood that they were our most valuable assets and worthy of our most precious investment of time – a lot in time, support, and belief that they would be ALL God destined them to be.

Life = Risk

"If you've never failed.....you've never lived!" I'll never forget "the big one" that my husband and I "bet the farm" on. It was our BIG RISK -- we were going to become wealthy because of our investment in the drilling of an oil well. My husband and our young son, Ryan, stayed at the oil well -- all day and all night, watching and praying, for us to "strike it rich"! But that time -- it was not to be -- it was a DRY well. Disappointed? Yes! Was it a huge risk? Yes! Did it stop us? No! We never quit on taking risks, and I sincerely believe that is one of the reasons why our family has met with so much success. Plenty of failures along the way -- but it never stopped us from trying again.

Have you failed at something you so wanted to win at? Did others scorn you for taking a risk.....and, indeed, it was a loser? Have you wished you could step out in faith and become adventurous, but you kept hearing voices that said, "Give up!" "Throw in the towel!" "It's too risky!" "You could lose everything!" "Play it safe!" Well, we are in good company! Please watch this short, 1 minute video about some GREATS who became GREAT because they didn't listen to THOSE voices. I think you'll have a renewed sense of "I will not quit! I'm not giving up! I am unstoppable and I will win!