No Fear! You Only Live Once

It was the yellow Mustang convertible that I would have for a week while my car is being repaired, that energized the idea of the 3-generations (Me, my daughter and granddaughter) to take to the road. "The Road" was only around here in Frisco and over to Arlington TX, but we sure had a "Girls Wanna' Have Fun" couple of days.

Alexia was the master planner. After all, it's soon to be her 16th birthday month, so we followed her plans. First, we went to see the "Spider Man" movie (again) and then with the top down, we drove around Frisco, to the pet store (one of her favorite places) where she cuddled an adorable cocker spaniel that looked just like "Desi", a dog that Staci had when she was younger. Then it was going for Mexican food. We made it back to my home for a sleep-over and chartered our course for the next day (yesterday).

Our big road trip turned out to be to Six Flags Over Texas. Who knew that this would be the perfect day to go. It was cloudy all day, the crowds were minimal, so the line waits were minimal. In fact, often, we would just walk right up to the ride and get on.

This was my-kind-of-day. I think it must have started when I was young and enjoyed all the thrills of the rides at the Texas State Fair. I was fearless on any ride and the faster, higher, and the more up and downs it had -- the better. My two children were the same way. So, naturally, Staci plotted the course for our day with the "Extreme Thrills" rides first. Alexia made it very clear that she wouldn't be going on most of those. Oh, not so! FEAR isn't in our genes. We began to speak faith and excitement into her. We spoke into her about not speaking, acting, or even implying fear. YOLO -- you only live once, was repeated over and over. Staci asked "Will you trust me? I'll plot the course for working our way up to the most extreme." Alexia agreed but when we approached those rides, I could see she her reluctance. As we were headed to what looked to be a milder ride, Alexia said, "Look, there's hardly any line there. Let's ride that one." I saw it and thought "Oh, that's a 'sissy' one. Let's not do that one first." Staci said, "Mom, let's go ahead and ride this one with her." And, "this one" happened to have been "The Riddler" -- one of the craziest, wildest and fastest. Late, Staci told me that it really was one she planned to work up to, but since Alexia said "Let's go!", then "Let's go!" That FIRST STEP. That bold STEP of FAITH -- opened up Alexia's wild side -- that "no fear" side, because for the rest of the day, she wanted more and more -- and even did repeats on most of them. By the end of the day, Alexia and Staci waited to get the front seat on each crazy ride! NO FEAR!

And, the Roaring Rapids ride was by far the most hilarious because Staci had seen how soaking wet some of the riders were that rode it, but we kept saying "YOLO" to her and she came, but ended up sitting in the very seat that gets the greatest amount of water in it. She was soaked head to toe, but took it like the resilient champ she is and, in fact, presented those of us in that boat with a comedy show.

I'm making several points with this post today:
1) Live with no regrets. Be spontaneous. Plan a road trip near or far -- but do it with those you love and those who have memories from where you're headed. We sure did.

2) Help and encourage someone, who has some fears that keep them from enjoying the fullness of life -- to face those fears and take the first step. They'll be so grateful to you for helping them conquer their fears.

3) YOLO -- you only live once. What are you afraid to do? What do you hide behind that keeps you from getting the most out of this life. After all -- this is the only one you get on this side of heaven -- YOLO -- you only live one.

4) Keep making memories. We talked a lot about my sweetheart today. He loved Six Flags. He always won big prizes for Staci at the games. He loved the shows, especially the Crazy Horse Saloon and the show girls! LOL! We talked about Larry and how his Mom used Six Flags for child care for him. And, we made our own memories today -- laughing so hard at some of our shenanigans that we'll remember for years to come.

Go ahead.....take the first step! YOLO! How appropriate were the t-shirts being sold at the Texas Giant roller coaster: Be a Chicken or Be a Giant.....it's your choice!

FORE Father!

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems just like yesterday that my husband, the FORE FATHER, and our young son were playing golf together. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then. Now, fast forward 40 years later and I witness my son with his little 9-year old playing golf. Yesterday, Bryson took his first golf lesson. His Daddy told the instructor “Just think, someday you’ll be able to say when Bryson is a Pro Player, that you were the first one to teach him.” Gotta’ love my boy’s optimism and great expectations.

Speaking in golfing terms, it’s a “reality check” for me. It’s the “back nine” of my life and it has really caught me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well -- seeing older people through the years and thinking that those “old folks” (perhaps, in their young fifties) were years away from me and I couldn’t fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

The Back Nine But, here it is...many of my friends are retired and getting gray (or, like me – hide it with “only my hairdresser knows for sure”). I’ve entered this new season of my life that though I’m on the “back nine”, this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin! In the meantime, I’m in it to win it. I’m not giving up, until I’m taken up. Life is an adventure on this side!

If you're not on the “back nine” yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please get going with it asap! Don't put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the “back nine” or not! Live life with no regrets. Live for today and say all the things that you want your friends and loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

God Loves to Talk to Boys While They Are Fishin'

Before I went to bed on Sunday night while in Frisco, TX, my grandson, Payton Wallace, pleaded with me to get up early on Monday to go fishing with him. I had to leave by 9:30 am for traveling on to Austin, so my first inclination was to tell him, "I'll go with you when I travel back through!" No sooner did I say that, I heard the little voice "Live with no regrets!" Immediately, I recalled those words, and said, "Get me some fishing clothes to put on in the morning and I'll be there with you!" Thus the stylish outfit and hairdo I have on in this photo! LOL!

And, as a matter of fact, the morning was so special. Payton, with his backpack which included all the fishing gear he needed, including his sister's Barbie fishing pole, His Mom and ME headed to his favorite fishing hole....actually a creek not far away, but loaded with fish. And, that Barbie pole -- has caught a lot of fish over the years -- and it's the perfect size for his backpack. His first cast -- brought in a nice-sized perch, than bass. Doesn't matter the kind or size -- reeling in the fish is all that matters!

Honestly, fishing is in his blood. I think his Papa gave him a double portion of his love for fishing. After all, it was Papa that taught him everything he knows about fishing from baiting the hook, taking the fish off the hook, cleaning the fish and fileting it. He's a Master fisherman, and he can't help himself.....if there's a lake or creek nearby, he's on it.

Staci read us devotion while we captured the moments -- following Payton going up the creek, casting all along the way. She and I were singing a song by Bill & Gloria Gaither, that she and Ryan sang when they were kids.

"God loves to talk to boys while they are fishin’

That seems to be the times boys listen best

It’s the only quiet time there is for wishin’

It’s the only time when God and boys can rest.

God loves to talk to boys while they are fishin’

That seems to be the time boys listen best

There’s something about a boy who’s good at fishin’

God knows he’ll make a very special friend

A boy who learns to listen while he’s fishin’

Can hear God when it’s time to fish for man.

We made more memories. We'll make more, because it's not the big stuff that matters. It's the few minutes here and there that say "Your love is my love. You matter and what matters to you, matters to me!" Stay tuned for Payton's 16th birthday celebration at Marvel Trout Camp in June. Fishing to his heart's content!

Seize the Moment

Day 11 of 365 photo inspirations
What a privilege it is to be at the 2015 ‪#‎Unstoppable‬ Leadership Summit this weekend. Awesome, inspiring, life changing and lots of moments that we're seizing. That was the subject I was privileged to speak about today. Staci was introducing me in this photo.

Why the subject of "Seizing the Moment"? Because that's a subject I am familiar with. That's how I live on a daily basis. That's what I do to live with all-out passion, determination and relentless attitude to make the most of each and every day -- not just existing, but to be PRESENT in the moments to know exactly those times when I know that I know "heaven touched earth" at THAT precise moment.

Distractions will keep us from knowing when we're in one of THOSE moments. Regret will keep us from being present for one of THOSE moments. Opposition and discomfort will keep us from being present from one of THOSE moments. But when we realize that those "heaven touches earth" moments can take place at any given time and place, we will keep ourselves -- our eyes, ears and heart keenly "tuned in" whenever and wherever we are. We just never know when it's a moment that alters our course and we step into our destiny!

I'll Do It Afraid if I Have to, but I'm Gonna' Live With No Regrets!

"I’d rather face my fears and bowl them over, instead of being bowled over by my fears. I’ll do it afraid if I have to, but I’m gonna’ LIVE WITH NO REGRETS!"
-- Donna Wuerch

I'll NEVER be a stuck-in-a-rut thinker.
I'll NEVER be a rocking-chair grandma...unless I rock my grandbabies.
I'll NEVER settle for less than whatever is God's BEST for me.
I'll NEVER have a woe-is-me mentality!
I'll NEVER give into fear. If I fear....then I'll just do it afraid!

Why should I? With God living in me, as long as there's breath in this body.....I'm going to live out loud and be an anything-is-possible-with-God thinker.

And, this circumstance or situation I might be in today, or tomorrow, I will be an "It- will-work-out-for-my-good thinker!

So move out of the way, Couch Potatoes, this couch is moving out the door today...and I'm carrying it!!

Go Ahead and Buy a Backpack for an Adventure of a Lifetime!

Yesterday, TBT, I posted about a trip to Malmo, Sweden my husband won for us. As I posted the photos, I saw this one, and what a sweet memory it brought back to me. Can you see the backpacks we had on? First, let me tell you what an oxymoron that is. Ron Wuerch wearing a backpack and being spontaneous was unthinkable. His was a Type-A personality which meant he was a list-maker, an itinerary-follower, and a do-it-by-the-book leader. Rarely, if ever, did we just fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants. We knew where we were going, what time we would get there, what hotels we would stay en-route, and, what restaurants we would eat at.

But this time was different. We were still in shock and awe! We kept having to pinch ourselves that one day we were in Tulsa, OK and the next day in Europe -- all because of an incredible surprise blessing.

On the second day we were there, we ventured out by taking a high-speed train from Malmo to Copenhagen, Denmark! That spontaneous adventure made way for some more out-of-the-box thinking. We were so close to Germany, but attempting that trip would be a big stretch for us -- a lot of effort, embarking on the unknown, figuring out transportation, eating, sleeping and getting back on time for the Solheim Cup when it would start on Thursday. But, now, we felt empowered. We had made it to Denmark and back just fine, and took in so much beauty and history there, why not take this whole adventuring thing to a whole new level?

We became determined to squeeze everything we could out of this blessing. We bought backpacks for a change of clothes for our adventure. We felt like two kids that were leaving home and didn't know where we'd end up, but, oh, how fun and exhilerating it was for both of us. We laughed at ourselves when we walked by the windows of storefronts and saw our images with those back-packs on. Very little English was spoken, so we bought a "German" language book before heading out. That helped us find the taxi and the train, and what place to exit from the train, then to find the Berlin Wall, then to direct our bike-mo-bile driver where to go. We had the time of our lives! We were so good-exhausted when we got back to Malmo, but absolutely overcome with the joy of the victories we won by letting go of the status quo.

Yes, this was one of the sweetest memories I hold onto -- one of those "live with no regrets" times. Easier, less stress, less concern, and more rest -- would have been to stay close to the Malmo, Sweden Hotel -- but then we would have never had the grandest time of our lives.

What could you be missing in your life if you would just be willing to let go of "routine" and "comfort" and that "comfy chair" and "remote control"?

Perhaps there's a surprise coming into your life -- an experience that could alter your life, your personality and your FUN -- I urge you to go ahead and buy that backpack -- you could be in store for an ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME! Live with no regrets!

Here For A Purpose and Assignment

I am a very busy woman. That's on purpose. I am passionate about life and squeezing out every drop of it that I can. Not only do I work as a marketing representative showing visitors the wonderful community where I live, but I'm a member of another company where I get to share an amazing opportunity that changes people's lives. I serve in various capacities at two different churches. I have a Life Group that meets in my home every Thursday. I'm a Board Member of a non-profit organization, an Advisor on another, as well as serve on two committees in my community. I speak and/or teach at events and organizations. I mentor and counsel some precious people. I post each day about something that might help someone. And, best of all, I'm on beckoned call when my kids call for my help. In fact, I'm in Texas, right now, helping my precious daughter and family move into their beautiful new home.

Last week, one of my friends asked, "Aren't you so tired? You just do too much -- after all you're supposed to be retired?" My response, "Where did you hear that from? I have no intention of EVER retiring. In fact, every day I refire with passion to do even more!! If I'm not dead; I'm not done. I fully intend to go out in a blaze of glory!"

I heard Joyce Meyer say, "Don't be always talking about 'If I can just make it through this old world to my mansion in the sky'. If that's what life is all about, the minute you got saved, God would have beamed you out of here! You are here for a purpose. You are not here just to take up space!"

I love that -- God's master plan is for us to live our life with excitement, enjoyment, determination, and zeal......and to fill that space with loving, caring and spreading God's love everywhere and to everyone! When my time here has ended, I'll know that I will have no regrets, because I gave it everything I had. Yes, I believe I'm here for a purpose and assignment.....and when my assignment here is completed, God WILL beam me out of here!

Live in the Moments, Make Memories, Live With No Regrets

1 - My precious Shawntel, Barrett (Bear), Brennan, Bryson arrive in Tulsa!!!!
2 - Go directly to Chick-fil-A Tulsa Hills (a must when coming to Tulsa)!

3 - Stop by LifeChurch.tv Jenks Campus for pictures with Frozen Sven, Olaf, and Abominable Snowman -- Elsa and Anna weren't there today

4 - Go to Nana's -- though his birthday is past, can't miss the "must do" Treasure Hunt for Brennan
5 - Play pickleball (oops -- didn't take a picture)

6 - Go back to Nana's to fish -- Bryson catches first fish -- Nana says to Shawntel when we must take the fish off the hook "Where is Papa and your Daddy when we need them?" Whew -- big Bear, our MAN, comes to the rescue!
7 - Supper (yes, it's supper, not dinner at Nana's) - ham, mac & cheese, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon
7 - Go swimming (oops -- didn't take picture)

8 - Play nightime golf

9 - Play shuffleboard
10 - Boys ask to play Papa & Nana's old Nintendo 64 (yes, even with all of their latest models of X-Box, nothing like pulling out Mario Kart and Donkey Kong)
11 - 1 am go to bed (well, it's only 11 am in Seattle)

I gave you the pack-filled, packed-fun, half day at Nana's! I continue to send out the message: "Live in the moments, make memories, and live with no regrets." Yesterday morning I posted: "Thank God for another day -- don't waste it!" So how's THAT for proving it CAN be done! I'm smiling from ear to ear"! I'm a "Happy Nana Banana"!