It’s a Brand New Day

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come, but this day is the day we have an opportunity to practice recognizing God’s blessings in everything – even in the things we don’t especially like! It’s a big deal to wake up to a new day, because yesterday was the very last day on this earth for many.

It’s a brand new day with potential and possibilities! It’s also a brand new day to posture ourselves with a “can-do-anything, all-is-well” mindset. At the beginning of each day, we step into the world and, if we’re intentional, we’ll avoid the news and the bickering and the sensational soundbites. That will be a good thing. We can be on purpose in avoiding the yuck of this world so that we are clear-headed and clear-hearted.

It’s a brand new day. We are still here, and God has a reason for it! We keep reminding my almost 98-year-old mother-in-law of that when she says: "I'm done. Take me home, Lord!" We know there's a reason for her life AND yours and mine. Life is a matter of perspective. No blessing is too small or unimportant. And even if this day comes with some unwelcome surprises, we remember God has a master plan in place….and, if we’ll look, we’ll even see the blessings tucked in-between those surprises. We take the good with the bad, and God is gracious to give us both as a reminder that every good and perfect thing starts with Him. (James 1:17)

Take heart, my friends. It’s a brand new day and we can lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving for it. All is well. Let’s take deep breaths…because we can. We aren’t on ventilators. We aren’t bed-fast. We aren’t in prison. We aren’t on a street begging for bread. We aren't a lost cause.

So what can we do well today? We can do our part. We can fight the good fight. We can work for justice and freedom. We can offer grace to those who need God’s grace and He can use us to give it to them. Let’s move about with mercy and understanding and even though folks can’t see us doing it through our masks – let’s SMILE. That smile radiates in our eyes that twinkle with God’s love. Folks will “eye” it. Let’s be kind. Let’s love.

It’s a brand new day. Clean slate. Let’s make new memories, celebrate life and all its many thrills – after all, this is the last day we have today.

The Perfect Date or BORING!!

Perfect Date -- being entirely without fault or defect : flawless; satisfying all requirements, accurate.

When my daughter and I were posing for this photo, we meant it to be funny, and it is, but I started giving it more thought. Here are two women with two men who don't see us or speak to us. What boring dates! LOL! On the other hand, some might say -- the PERFECT DATE -- we didn't need to dress up or put on make-up, and we could talk and talk without resistance.

I know there are many women AND men out there who live in that existence. Women feel like their husbands could care less about them, how they look and what they say. Those men stay glued to their computer or TV, with little thought for giving their wives or children attention. It's also the case for many men who feel that their wife gives more attention, concern and care to their children and others than to them.

That wasn't the case last Sunday when we arrived back from a 3-1/2 day retreat. Those husbands had been in charge of the family for those days we were away, and after the 11:30 am service, I could see husbands AND their children hugging and kissing Mama! I said to one couple who was holding on to each other for dear life "Okay, you need to get a room!" LOL!
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It’s easy to look back on my past and see all the things I could have done better. My life has been blessed, but it took the death of my sweet husband to realize just how blessed my life really was. That's why I sense such responsibility to pass along wisdom I’ve gained to tell all you husbands and wives to treasure the lives you have together. Treasure them by investing into it.

How many times do you argue with your spouse over the silliest things? The toothpaste lid, who makes dinner, the toilet seat being left up, telling each other how to drive? Trust me when I say, it's not worth it. It's a waste of time to spend time over pointless drama when you can be laughing and smiling at all the joy that surrounds you. Cultivate your relationship by deliberately setting aside time for quality communication, sweet moments of telling each other just how valuable they are to you and the family, and to really listen to each other. Protect your marriage by investing in it with intentional, deliberate times together.

For all the things I regret not knowing or doing before my husband’s death, what I don’t regret is my decision to live a full and passionate life after his death. I’ve promised myself I won't miss an adventure and I will laugh and live life with all the joy and happiness I can find. We can't go back and change the past, but we can all change our present, our future AND the memories we will have with our loved ones. We can learn from our mistakes and we can make sure we LOVE LARGE and we can make sure we live each day in the richest way we can -- in the moments!

Merry Christmas Eve -- PLEASE Make Memories That Count -- You Just Never Know!

Merry Christmas Eve!! PLEASE Make Memories That Count -- You Just Never Know!
My sweet Mama would always make her calls to each of her grown children on Christmas Eve morning -- "Merry Christmas Eve!". We expected that call. And, with fervor and joy, I say that to all of my FB friends today -- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Eight years ago, our family was making their usual trek to Oklahoma for Christmas. Ryan, Shawntel and the boys flew into Fort Smith AR for time with her family first before coming to us in Tulsa. I'll never forget the hilarious story that ensued.

Typically, Ryan has a vehicle reserved that would accommodate the six members of his family, plus lots of luggage, but to his dismay, the reservation got lost in the shuffle, and the only vehicle they had was a 12 passenger van to rent. And that's how our Christmas of 2009 began with the most awesome of memories to be made. How amazing that God would give us this Christmas to remember in such a profound way.as it would be the last Christmas we had with my Sweetheart, their Dad and Papa.

Once all of the family made it to Tulsa, including Larry, Staci and their two, who came in from their home in Hot Springs, AR, we were ready for our traditional Christmas activities. And, the best part, Ryan's accidental misadventure with the car rental and having to get a 12-passenger van, made way for all of us to pile in and be all comfy cozy -- but not before the guys put up Christmas lights inside the van, with a wreath on the front bumper and the Wuerch/Wallace Family Country Singers & Dancers had a rowdy, hilarious time of singing Christmas carols, cheering and waving to passerbys -- making this night one to remember.

First order of business was to head to our family's favorite restaurant for making even more lasting memories -- Casa Bonita, followed by games and family fun. And, afterwards, we headed to Rhema Church/Bible College to drive through their spectacular lights extravaganza. It was so cold, but the family togetherness kept us warm. I've included photos -- note the one with my Sweetheart in the front passenger seat who seems very much in pain. He had reason to be.

The next day, we all went to Great Granny's to have some sweet time with her, then because it looked like it may snow, we took her home with us.

And that's when God put icing on the cake.....er..earth, for the Christmas to make memories like never before. We were literally snowed in which made for all 13 of us to have even more fun times of celebration: frolic and playing in the snow, having yummy meals together, the kids putting on their annual Christmas program/talent show for us, the reading of the Christmas Story with the kids by Papa, and Great Granny giving out her Christmas envelopes.

We made lots of precious memories in this time that we knew was orchestrated by God. During this entire weekend, Papa (my Sweetheart) valiantly fought through so much pain in his back.
He braved the pain by putting out every effort to build a snowman, to play and put his best foot forward.

2009 ended with our family tightly knitted together in love and support which prepared us for 2010 which would be, early on, the year of Papa's brave battle with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer and we would never have a Christmas on earth with him again. But, that's okay, because this Christmas was one that could ALWAYS be remembered as God saving the BEST for LAST!

I can't begin to encourage you enough to make the moments, minutes, hours count while you can. Tomorrow or next year could be one that changes everything. You'll be so ever grateful, like we were, that we celebrated each other in a way that God proved "Joy to the World" to us. For us, it was a Christmas to remember -- FOREVER! This is Christmas Eve. Keep Christ the center of the celebration. It's not Santa Claus is coming to town. It's Jesus is coming to town to bring His the perfect gift....HIMSELF!

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"!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I sent an email out on the 30th to announce a business meeting we were having yesterday, Tuesday, July 1st, however I typed June 1st instead of July 1st in the email and on the graphic I made for the event. Maybe I was in denial that a full six months has gone by already this year. It made me think – how fast time does fly for me these days – compared to my youth when the time went by so slowly for school to end for the summer, or until Christmas would finally get here, or so long for our wedding to get here, and so long for nine months to pass before our babies would be born.

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” I had a lot of fun as a kid, but time sure didn’t fly for me. You remember the movie “Back to the Future” where a teenager (Michael J Fox) is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time machine invented by his friend? The reality is – we don’t get to hit a “reset button” or go back in a time machine, but here’s the really great thing…..we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past. We're the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more. It is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure -- we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But, we can make minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most. I speak a lot about it, but I repeat, treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship. The BAD news -- time flies, but the GOOD news, we're the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT!

And, I assure you, if indeed “time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!”