Happy Father's Day! Fathers and Fatherless

My blog today is dedicated to all the wonderful fathers, father figures, and male mentors who have touched the lives of your own kids and others you’ve mentored and coached. We appreciate you! And, for the rest of us, let's be sure to celebrate our fathers in words and actions. So, I’m taking my own advice and celebrating all the fathers today!

Father’s Day brings precious memories and so much gratitude -- for my own sweet daddy, my dear father-in-law, and my precious husband who are celebrating this Father’s Day with “Our Father Who Art in Heaven”! Okay – they've certainly one-upped us on a grand celebration with the second-to-none Father. And Happy Father’s Day to my two incredible sons: Ryan Wuerch & Larry Wallace, amazing, devoted fathers who lead their families by God’s example to them. Thanks, and well-done, guys, for blessing me with my seven beautiful grandchildren and thank you for all the men and boys you coach and mentor!

And, as celebratory this day is for those amazing fathers who love and adore their families and model what a good father is, my heart goes out to the fatherless today. Over the last several weeks, I’ve heard, repeatedly, that this is a “fatherless” generation which lies at the root of the problems in our society. It is a story of shame, loneliness and rejection. A story that desperately needs to be heard. Fatherlessness is both a personal tragedy and a growing epidemic, and is the engine driving gangs, riots, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and suicide. But, there is a solution if only those of us in faith communities would rewrite this tragic story.

The “He's a Good, Good Father” song provides answers that only a good Father can provide. When my daddy became so ill when I was eight years old until he passed on when I was fifteen, it was my good, good Heavenly Father who sustained me. When my precious husband passed on, it was the love of my Heavenly Father where I found solace, comfort and peace. Oh, that this fatherless generation could find their true identity in the love of our Heavenly Father. We’re finding out that He's loving and caring and so close that we can be embraced by Him -- any time, anywhere.

As the song goes, we’re finding out He’s perfect in all of His ways…to us. He loved us before we loved Him. He has always been this way. This Father sent Jesus because He wants all of us to know that He loves us all exactly like He loves His Son. Jesus’ desire was that every person knows love by the love He shared among His followers. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:35). We are wising up to those “Love one another” words.

Maybe today, you don’t even know your earthly father, or if you do, he may not have been very present in your life. Maybe, like me, your dad was with you for just a short period of time. Like mine, your dad wasn’t there to walk you down the aisle on your wedding day. Maybe your dad is still here and your relationship is and always has been strained.

Dads, in my opinion, you are the most powerful force in the lives of your children. Thank you for not being passive. Thank you for understanding and taking responsibility for your power. Thank you for being living examples of our Heavenly Father's love. Thank you for having real-life conversations with your boys and having date nights with your girls. Thank you for showing them and the fatherless children what respect, honor, and integrity look like. I pray God leads our strong, loving and caring men to reach out in love to those who need to see Father God in the flesh and come to know the love of their good, good Father.
“He is a father to the fatherless." Psalm 68:5

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father.” ― Lydia Maria Child

Championing My Sisters

That title might sound like I'm championing a movement for declaring our rights as women. Well, yes, I am, in a sense. What I'm actually declaring is the power that God placed within us to be world changers and history makers. I am so blessed to be a leader for a beautiful group of women who have raised their hands and hearts to also be leaders who lead other women to follow in drawing closer to God. The closer we get to Him – the more like Him we become – loving, serving, giving.

It may seem I have an over-zealous desire to see my sisters become mighty warriors for God. Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I want to see us move from a state of complacency and weakness to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”. Ephesians 6:10. And, to be moving on up in our faith and determination to be more effective as faith-filled women in our homes, schools, workplaces and marketplaces. This world needs to see that in women -- to be dominant and ruling over the enemy of our souls who has deceived us and made us feel weak long enough.

I am one of you and if there's anything I desire to do, it's to be a role model who teaches, speaks, writes and who walks the walk and talks the talk of an empowered woman -- who is empowered by the ONE Who lives big in me. Trust me. I didn’t show up overnight with this zeal. It has grown exponentially in me – especially since the love of my life went to heaven. Right then, I knew if I yielded to my natural feelings, I would go underground to retreat from life. But, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I knew my mission had just begun. Truly, God loves women. He calls us and equips us. It's backed by God's Word. Just look at some of the Bible's women of faith who set the pace for us.

Besides Judge Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth and Hannah in the Old Testament, in the New Testament is Elizabeth who recognized the Mother of our Lord, Mary who gave birth to the Messiah, and Anna who spoke about the Messiah to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. When the time of His Passion drew near, Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus, Mary, our Lord's Mother, stood at the cross of Jesus, and Mary of Magdala who spoke with the risen Jesus and told His disciples, “I have seen the Lord”.

That sure makes me wanna’ jump up and shout: “I know Him and I’ve seen Him too, Mary!” He is alive and He is on the move in women’s hearts, filling us with His power, so we can tell a hurting, angry world about a loving, life-changing God.

My beautiful and precious Sisters-in-Christ (SIC) – scripture says we are a mighty throng. “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” (Psalm 68:11). Indeed we are. This is where everything begins: acknowledging that God alone is our source of strength. Let us proclaim our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our champion! Indeed we are a mighty throng!

He Sure Has Mighty Big Hands

In Tulsa, OK are these mammoth “healing” hands located at the entrance of Oral Roberts University. I’ve seen buses of tourists from around the world stopping there to take photos of one of Tulsa's most identifiable landmarks. Though I lived in Tulsa, I became a tourist myself when I took this photo and I found out that those formidable bronze hands stand 60 feet high and weigh 30 tons. Casting done in Juarez, Mexico in 1980, they are the largest bronze sculpture in the world. Those hands still remain a strong model of the power of medical science and God’s supernatural healing power working together to bring restoration to people’s bodies and minds.

Our Heavenly Father really does have mighty big hands. In fact, His hands are so big He holds the whole world in them! How big are God’s hands? God’s hands are big enough to bless us. Jesus often touched people in order to bless them. He does the same for you and me. “The Lord will hold you in His hand for all to see a splendid crown in the hand of God.” (Isaiah 62:3)

God’s hands are scarred to never forget us. In Heaven, the only scars will be on Jesus. God will never forget us because He has a constant reminder in Jesus' nail-scarred hands. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

God’s hands are strong enough to keep us eternally secure. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish .... My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29) .

When our kids were little, my husband would stand in the water at the edge of the pool and say, “Jump to me. Trust me. I’ve got you!” But, they were afraid. "Is he strong enough to catch me? Are his hands slippery? What happens if he doesn’t catch me?" But, after many promises and much pleading, they would finally get up enough faith and courage to jump into their daddy’s arms, and of course he would catch them. Then they’d want to do it a hundred more times!

Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to jump today. He’s saying, “Trust me. I can be trusted. I’m working behind the scenes. And I can handle anything you give Me." Don’t we want our life to be in God’s hands? We can trust Him with our lives and our future.

The "Praying Hands" statute reminded me of God’s purpose for my own hands -- to type this blog each day to share His love and light, to touch someone who needs a gesture of love -- but most of all -- for my own praying hands to seek Him with my whole heart -- for it is in my seeking,,,..that I find the perfect, tender and loving hands of God.

When Mountains Don’t Move

I know mountains. I’ve gazed at their beauty from a distance. I’ve skied down them. I’ve driven the winding roads to the top of them and embraced the beauty from the top looking down. And I know MOUNTAINS -- those vast, enormous obstacles and circumstances that seem beyond overwhelming.

We think that if only these mountains were removed, our lives might be more peaceful. But, there must be mountains to appreciate the valleys. And perhaps, God, in all His wisdom, is wanting us to scale those mountains. He is wanting us to hike up those mountains for a “mountain-top experience” where we are refreshed, restored, nourished, and where we receive divine revelation. His revelation is always intended to grow our faith, strengthen our resolve, and equip us to take on any mountain that may be standing in our way.

I sang along as my car radio played Lauren Daigle's “I Will Trust in You” song. I meant the words as I belted them out with her:
“When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move; When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through;;
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You;
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You”

It’s difficult to trust someone when they’ve let us down by mistakes they made and we wonder if we can ever trust them again. Oh, but not so with our God. He is dependable, true, honest, unwavering, loving and faithful in all His ways. So when our mountains aren’t moving, we can do but one thing – trust in He Who knows best. Father knows best.

I speak from firsthand experience…..again. Through the heartaches, amazingly, I experienced more of God’s love. It’s unlike anything the world can offer. Sure, I’ve cried and even had some wailing times, but God extended strength, peace, and joy during the difficult times. Only God, the Creator of all good things, could have carried me through those times.

Do you ever stop to consider God’s point of view when you’re going through a hard time? He’s a good, loving Father. He could have changed circumstances with a snap of his holy fingers, but He decided on the slow – let her "trust in Me" grow-times. I can see clearly now. He wanted me to share my story with others who have experienced pain, loss and disappointment. Maybe He saw how it all would strengthen my faith and the faith of others. Maybe He saw how He would be glorified.

And, maybe, God intervenes more than I realize, maybe, more than we all realize, and maybe God might have prohibited a situation from happening that would have been even more difficult. I sure don’t know it all, but I do know I just need to trust my good, loving Father. Whether it seems big or small, God cares and desires to reveal His love for you. Let’s trust God, even when our plans don’t seem to align with His.

We Have a Lamp Inside Us -- Light it Up With a Smile!

I've been on both sides of a smile -- giving it and receiving it. I learned from first-hand experience the importance of a smile. I've been the "new girl", already nervous about my first day on-the-job, and a kind and warm, smiling fellow employee meets me with the biggest smile and welcome that cuts right through all those jitters. I learned from that experience, when I was the employer or a fellow employee and absolutely knew I could be the "smiling" light the new employee needed.

My pastor in Tulsa told my husband and me that whenever he looked out at the crowd, he would purposely look for us because we were affirming and embracing him through our smiles. Oh, I've been on his side, too -- looking out at the audience.... to find that smile worn by a loving and supportive listener.

Have you ever delivered a message or announcement to a group or crowd of people and did your best to overcome those mellow, icy stares or frowning faces looking back at you? You really do have to hand it to speakers, teachers, leaders, pastors, and ministers who can motivate audiences who are looking back at them with those seemingly unhappy, sullen and serious faces.

I know some folks just can't help it. They have a natural frown and they're not really unhappy. In fact, I often walk past a mirror or I see a photo that someone has taken of me that I didn't get to pose for, and I think "Donna -- be on purpose with smiling -- think about it, and SMILE!" God has something to say about smiling:

Proverbs 15:13 "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of the heart, the spirit is crushed."

Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."

Besides God's ideas, there are other good reasons to smile:
~ Smiling can make you happy (even when you're not).
~ Smiling can help you de-stress.
~ Smiling can help you land a job.
~ Smiling can lead to laughter.
~ Smiling just feels good.

This isn't profound, but I know that a smile says "In spite of my circumstances -- good or bad -- I am blessed and I win!" I'll take that! I'm smiling BIG! Let's give out smiles -- it just may be the turn-around someone needs to brighten and lighten their day and load!

Living -- Laughing -- Loving

Isn't that what it's all about? Living....really living this life we've been given -- with all its many adventures. Laughing out loud in the midst of the good living and the tough-living-times. AND, most of all LOVING God, others AND ourselves. Sure, there's plenty to complain and worry about but, seriously, why waste time, energy and breath on complaining, when there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for?

Here's what I know: Gratitude begets even more reasons to be grateful; living, really living, begets more out loud living; laughing begets laughter and a life intent on loving and serving God will produce the desire to love and serve Him even more.

So, I MUST give gratitude for the last few days in Austin so that I'll continue to have even more reasons to be grateful. I like that. It's God's laws of reciprocity. "Give and it shall be given." Since I’m with my Frisco family most because that’s where I live, this Mother’s Day was celebrated with my Austin Family. What a sweet time of laughter, reminiscing, Shawntel and I getting the “special plates” at the breakfast table, getting sweet gifts (mine included the lovely 70-reasons I love Nana from the notes at my 70th BD), going to church together to express our praise and thanksgiving for life and being able to give life to our children and those God has called us to – to “mother” and encourage. Going out for Sunday dinner with dear friends – having sweet and almost holy communion as we had a “gratitude” feast when we thanked God for His tender mercies. Life really is about giving life – the abundant life of Christ to others in word and deed. And, what a life it is!

I believe gratitude is taught from those around us. We can teach our children to be grateful for what they have. This family of mine -- we talk daily about gratitude and our blessings. My children understand they are beyond blessed. As we stood in a little circle of eight on Saturday night, waiting nearly an hour for our table at a restaurant, I saw us. I REALLY saw us -- we were a village like no other. At least it seemed that way when we looked at most around us waiting, who were deep diving into their cell phones, unconscious of those around them. We were living, laughing and loving as we talked – sometimes silly talk. We were embracing and holding each other close to our hearts – so much so, that I didn’t even take my phone out to take a photo of this little village of love. The attention to each other mattered.

I felt my husband’s love – living, breathing and laughing with us. After all, if it weren’t for him – this little village wouldn’t be here. We have family, we have a roof over our heads, laughter in our hearts, and lots of love surrounding our every moment. We have memories before his death and memories beyond. Each memory serves as a blessing, for that means we had one more precious day together. We are valuing moments, not material things, and to look for the love and light in each situation.

We can all find fault in this life. We can all wish and want for more, but the real blessings are the smallest moments and memories we cherish. I’m grateful I taught my children to be grateful and, now, they are teaching their children to be grateful for the little things. We are teaching them to be happy at the deepest level in life – love – laughter.

That is a gift every child deserves and every mother cherishes!

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Mama

July 12th, 2011 -- The Carpenters (one of my favorite 60s duo) sang…”On the day that you were born the angels got together, and decided to create a dream come true. So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue” (Song was “Close to You”). And today, I feel close to my angel Mama, Edna Pearl (Halbert) Wheat.

I treasure photos like this, because it reminds me of where the best of me came from. If you read my posts, you know how I make a big deal about memories and my desire to keep those who made the biggest difference in my life….alive. If ever there was an angel on earth, it was my mom. She was my mentor, role model and everything a mother should be. She selflessly gave -- "Just give me the fried chicken neck -- that's good enough for me." She always forgave -- "It's okay. God forgives me all the time. I sure can forgive you." She unconditionally loved. Her integrity and honesty were of the utmost importance to her. I'll never forget the day as a tiny tot that I saw a package of gum on the floor in the grocery store and put it in my pocket. I reasoned that "if it's on the floor, it's okay to have it". When she found it in my pocket, she took me back to the store and I had to admit my wrong-doing.

That incident and lesson stuck with me like glue. She gave me boundaries that worked -- "Let your conscience be your guide." And those words always rang in my ears when I was choosing right or wrong. She rarely missed a church service -- Wednesday night, Friday prayer meeting, women's meetings, Sunday School AND church -- twice each Sunday. That’s why, to this day, I love attending church and the sweet fellowship I find there. She sacrificed her own personal needs for my needs. She showed me undaunted faith and determination in the toughest of times when my daddy was so sick and when our finances were so meager. I heard her praying for me and my siblings from her bedroom. She was unquestionably the most tender, kind-hearted, loving, gentle, caring and pure woman I have ever known. She was and is my hero. Her example made me a better me.

The photos I’ve included in this post include Staci’s wedding and that “pretty as a picture Mom in the middle of us”, and that’s who she was in life. Right in the middle of praying for us, and praying for Staci’s soul mate to come into her life – he did! The photo of her standing up at church – is her giving praise to God – she just had to stand up and tell it. That’s how she rolled! The photo of her sitting with my siblings, is at her 90th birthday celebration. I’m the only one, in the group, still here to keep the memory alive!

Mom only saw my two oldest grandsons, Braden and Brennan, in the photo with their dad. That’s another reason to keep the memory alive for the four grandchildren that came after she went to heaven.

The photo of Mom and Shawntel is when they came to see her on November 27, 2003 to tell her “We have a baby coming!” (That baby was Brennan – our 13 year old.)

Of course I had to include my sweet mama on our wedding day. She sacrificed so much to give us such a beautiful wedding. BTW – that’s my sister’s wedding dress that I was wearing -- that saved a lot on the wedding finances!

The reason why I'm emphasizing her today, as my greatest role model, is for you and me to realize -- it's not the things or treasures or inheritance or life insurance or jewelry -- the tangible things that make us. What makes us, and the legacy we leave to our children, are the things that money could never buy. Her influence on me caused me to be honest, to love and care passionately, to put my faith in God during the best and worst of times, to give and to suck it up when I've been hurt or offended, to trust in God's plans for my life and to leave my family with something so much more than the things that can be bought. I intend to leave them the very best of me......and the very best of me is my precious mother's example.

What are those things that you'll leave to your children and grandchildren? "Her children rise up, and call her blessed...." Proverbs 31:28

I've Got the POWER!

I’ve known some pretty powerful people in my time. Power in the sense that they commanded a room when they walked into it. Power in the sense that they could make some very important decisions and alter the course of a country or a company.

I enjoyed the 2003 movie, “Bruce Almighty”. I watched it again with my grandchildren not long ago. It’s a story of Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) who lived a pretty mediocre life. His job as a TV reporter didn’t satisfy him and when his dream job went to another guy, he blamed God for his less-than-meaningful life. That’s when God, in the person of Morgan Freeman, showed up to challenge Bruce to do better with his life. God allowed Bruce to become God for a time so his view of God just might be altered. Well, of course, Bruce misused his power in some pretty crazy shenanigans as he said, "I've got the power". Good news is eventually Bruce discovered that God is not only loving, He’s as close as our breath, He wants us to be successful, and we are His feet, hands and heart in this world. Bruce eventually became selfless and served others.

Here’s what I got from the movie -- God doesn't just want us to survive, or to just stay sane, He wants to give us significance and self-control as we walk through each day with Him having our minds renewed by His Word and our trust in Him.

The point I’m making is GOD really did show up for us and He really did give us power. Not P-O-W-E-R like Bruce Almighty using His power to scare off a band of thugs with His antics, but the power God gave us is the power to love, to forgive, to smile in the face of adversity, to win and to give and to care. God DIDN”T give us power to dominate or misuse that power in a selfish "It's all about me" way. When we begin to know the power of love more than we do the love of power......our world really will know peace. And, isn’t peace really what our world needs more than anything?

From This Day Forward

We're in Atlanta at last -- celebrating the love and marriage of my firstborn grandson, Braden Wuerch and his darling fiancee, Ruth Hays. Last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner -- hosted by Ryan Wuerch and Shawntel Wuerch. It was quite the spectacular affair that included not only the wedding party, but also out of town family and friends -- from Canada, Japan, Germany, and around the U.S. What a beautiful night we had. Lots of photo opts with our precious Braden and Ruth, and I finally got to meet Ruth's parents and siblings (they're triplets) for the first time -- as well as all those beautiful people who love Ruth and Braden so much. Our precious Shawntel was the hostess with the mostest -- The Crossing, a former train station, was turned into a romantic, warm, floral and candlelit haven. Braden and Ruth's favorite love songs were played by a talented musician and singer. It was a delightful night for making memories, as well as remininiscing (a video of Braden and Ruth made by Ruth's sister was played), with an incredible 5-course meal.

I'll never forget the Christmas just after my husband had passed away in November 2010. Braden was always on the phone with Ruth -- almost non-stop over the holidays. Last night Ryan talked about the night they met just a few weeks before and they couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. It seemed like just a "crush" at the time, but here we are six years later, at last watching them so much in love, and today they'll tie the knot....officially, as husband and wife. I'll admit I've been longing and praying for this day as I watched these two be inseparable even though they attended two separate colleges, lived in different states, and pursued their dream vocations. They did it and now starting their lives forever together. I like to think that this marriage is a match made in heaven.....with the help of my sweetheart (Papa). Papa sure loved Braden -- so why not put in a good word -- after all, his prayers MUST be stronger there than here. ;-)

Last night was about the rehearsal before this big day. Like other young couples they have dreamed about this day. I remember way back when -- that I told Braden "Find yourself a Spanish senorita and the two of you will make beautiful babies!" LOL! He did. These two love each other like crazy. You see it in their big beautiful eyes and you sense that this is a FOREVER LOVE!

Now, with great expectations they will begin their lives together. I'm so faith-filled that I believe their loving, thriving, helping-each-other-reach-their-full-potential relationship will be blessed by God. Tonight I'll shed a few tears -- I just know it. That's what Nanas get to do. Another rite of passage is taking place today. It will be with my prayers and my blessings. I wrote that on a little note yesterday. "Keep God at the Center of your marriage and you will go the distance together -- so blessed "FROM THIS DAY FORWARD!"

Turn on De-Light!

When I think about God's goodness to me I think about Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

That reminds me of our daughter, Staci -- when she was living at home, she pleaded with her Dad for a dog, but because she was so busy travelling, he continued to deny her request. "No, because you don't have the time to take care of a dog." I was her travel companion at the time, and we were in Toronto, Ontario -- she was singing and speaking on 100 Huntley Street -- a Christian TV Show. A lady, who watched the show, called and asked us to come to her beauty salon and she would do our hair. As Staci had told her story -- this lady wanted to tell us her story. It was a "heaven touches earth" time together. The lady mentioned that she has little 8-week old cocker spaniels and would love to give one to Staci. Staci was DE-LIGHTED! But her Dad was NOT! He asked me to talk sense into her, and her reply? "Daddy, please pray about it! If you say "No" after you've prayed, I'll know that it was just a 'window' into what God will provide for me someday." Before we left Toronto, her Daddy had prayed, and God spoke into his heart "If I wouldn't withhold any good thing from you, my son, how could you withhold this good thing from your daughter?" He understood and he called to tell her "Bring that little "window" home with you." Staci's DESIRE had become reality. We all knew her DESIRE was God's DESIRE for her. She named that precious cocker spaniel DESIRE and we called her Desi. Desi was such an asset to our family, a therapy dog -- truly a "delight" gift from God. This photo is Desi with her family. Initially, she was the only baby in Staci's life, but before long, Larry and she married and then she was joined by two other babies.

In the context of that story of Staci and Desi, here's how I interpret that scripture. If we're DELIGHTING in God -- loving, trusting, committing our ways to Him and relying on Him -- then desires will come to us -- and we'll realize those desires are the desires He placed within us. They're actually one and the same.

When my children were young and they did all that I asked them, I was DELIGHTED! I couldn't help but want to bless them and surprise them with something special. I'd make a delicious treat for them or get them something or take them somewhere special. That was my reaction when my children took delight in pleasing their mother. Now, imagine how God must feel when we delight in Him?

That is great news to me. I don't have to make it happen or force that desire into reality. It takes all the pressure off. I am called to trust Him to act. If those desires ever become reality, He will be the one to do it.

Here is my word to you. Be faithful. Trust God. Delight in Him. If we are doing that, the Lord will give us the desires of our heart and His heart. Go ahead -- start delighting in Him today, and just expect His desires to be YOUR desires.

Living, Laughing, Loving

Isn't that what it's all about? Living....really living this life we've been given -- with all its many adventures. Laughing out loud in the midst of the good living and the tough-living-times. AND, most of all LOVING God, others AND ourselves. Sure, there's plenty to complain and worry about but, seriously, why waste time, energy and breath on complaining, when there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for?

Here's what I know: Gratitude begets even more reasons to be grateful; laughing begets laughter; God's tender mercies begets even more of God's tender mercies. That's what a life intent on loving, serving God and living for Him is all about. Psalm 103:17-18 says it this way, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them."

So, I MUST give gratitude for the last week in Austin.....so that I'll continue to have even more reasons to be grateful. I like that. It's just God's laws of reciprocity. "Give and it shall be given."

When God orders our steps (Psalm 37:23), and we respond with "Yes, Sir!" to His orders, it brings us countless blessings. Our steps were ordered this last week. First was Payton and Alexia's NCFCA Speech & Debate Tournament at Austin's Concordia University where I'm always astounded by the brilliance of these young people. Three days of early morning to late at night competitions. It's a work-out but ever so worth it. Then it was three exhilarating days of family fun with the Wuerch cousins: swimming, fishing, Brennan's winning baseball game (10-2), seeing "Captain America's Civil War", and then Mother's Day breakfast, church, and yummy barbeque dinner before heading north for Frisco last night with laugh out loud jokes and stories along the way.

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To say that I feel overwhelmed with God's tender mercies, puts it mildly. I know it must seem so mechanical to read my posts because I'm always posting about gratitude, celebrating life and its great moments. I just can't help myself. The truth is....that's what I focus on, so that's just what I keep getting. Accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative....just keeps the sunshine shining -- whether there's rain or shine! What a way to live!