I Voted, and I'm Glad I Did!

I did it! I voted on the first day of early voting for the mid-term elections. By the way, Texans, you can early vote right through to November 2nd. Outside of Texas, check your state’s early voting times. I stood in line a while with this mama and her sweet baby until I went to the front of the line and asked if they'd let her cut-in. Those folks welcomed her. I was pleased to see the happy faces of so many voting early. I met some really fine people and none of us were discussing our political persuasions. We were all pleased with the opportunity to vote on a beautiful, sunshine-filled day. At least we were all united and in common on that!

I never know where I’m going to be in any given day, so why take the chance in missing out on my civic duty and my personal belief that when I vote I’m making a difference? Really? How can my one little vote make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Actually, voting can be a hassle. It takes time to register, learn about the candidates’ views, understand the questions and standing in a long line, knowing all the while that the chances my individual vote will make a difference among the thousands or millions cast are pretty much zero. So, why even bother?

I bother because my morals and values are so closely tied to my Christian faith and what God’s Word says. How can we not vote when there are such critical issues of life and death and of God’s Word taken seriously or not? Voting confirms my commitment to stand-up for those morals and values and in so doing I get to choose who aligns or comes the closest with those beliefs. It is a privilege to live in a democracy-led country which enables us to vote in or vote out candidates that align or don’t align with our principles. If I don’t vote I shouldn't complain or whine about anything that's going on in our country.

The fact is, I'm quite reserved when it comes to my political voice. I have my own opinions but I rarely voice them publicly. That could be seen as a wimpy way out of controversy, or it may mean that I choose to live "above the fray" by recalling my Mama's favorite quote "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all!" Aligning myself with particular political figures has been a private matter for me, especially on social media. I am a professing Christian so my primary voting guide is the Bible. I do my best not to be driven by the media, politics, or personalities, but I carefully weigh out the "heart of the matter". I weigh out their stances, but I don't know the true hearts of candidates, so when the time comes to vote, I trust in my tightness with God and His Word: "My sheep know my voice", and that I'll hear THAT voice and vote according to what I hear.

I’m ready for this mid-term election to be over. According to the campaign signs I see in my neighborhood and on the streets, it looks pretty even. It would be wonderful if the election meant an end to the rancor and tackiness. No question, there is deep down angst about the result. What if THAT party takes over the House and/or Senate? When we wake up November 7th, post-election, when the election is finally over, what will we see?

I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 7th will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never EVER has His providence depended on a king, president, senator or ruler. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). As followers of Jesus, we possess the power and comfort of God’s Promises as we face an unknown election and future for our country. We can ask a different set of questions because we are called to live by a different reality: hope, love, and peace. No matter what happens on November 6th, remember God’s words of encouragement. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

The Older Teach the Younger

We Can Learn From Each Other
There is so much beauty in the scripture in Titus 2:3-5 which talks about older women teaching younger women. I'm so grateful for how that scripture has played out in my life. Many older women (in faith AND age) influenced me as they lived out their faith before me. The role has reversed as, now, I get to be an influencer to younger women. I love responding to a young mom who messages me "HELP!!! What do I do?" Or when a middle-aged daughter shares her plight of caring for her 80+-year-old mom who recently suffered a stroke. I draw from my well of experiences when, as a young wife, mom, and daughter, faced similar times. Much of the stuff of life we go through and how we cope and succeed through it all is for others to know "We survive!" Even my "widow" experiences have helped other widows become warrior women who realize God still has purposes for their lives and then turn their mourning into dancing.

Who are qualified to be the "older" or the "younger" women? If someone is younger in their faith or in life, then we are the older. I saw my granddaughter encourage her younger (in faith) friend. I've seen you sweet moms who figured out the ropes of nursing, getting your little ones to sleep through the night, or the method to use for potty training be the "older" women to those who are "less traveled" on the "mommy" road.

I think about some of you, my sweet sisters, that think you don't fit into either category. You think what you do doesn't count because you're doing it at 2 am in the morning when no one is looking -- except for your sweet baby who has lost his pacifier, AGAIN. Or because you think you need a podium for your voice to matter or make a difference.

I want to take your sweet faces between my hands and tell you "You ARE making a difference." Podiums and pulpits are not just found in churches. Speeches do not just come from stages. I'm telling you diapers, laundry, and a sink full of dishes are serious theology. You are the Proverbs 31 woman who rises while it's still dark to provide for your family. You are teaching your children what a devoted follower of Christ looks and acts like. The hours that you sow juggling sports practices, ballet, and football games or carefully navigating the selection of your daughter's prom dress so it's NOT too low cut in the front, is your mission field. You are teaching and training and being the example of faithfulness and resilience and determination. When you break up conflict between your kids, you are being the peacemaker that, one day, they'll remember how you resolved conflict when they're having to do that with their kids. You ARE in ministry.

It is an honor to offer my life, my lessons learned and failed to my sisters who, on a daily basis, maneuver your lives with precision and are teaching the younger. And while you are teaching the younger, those of us who passed that way long ago.....are engaged in taking care of elderly parents, coping with aging bodies, carrying on when a cherished loved one passes away. But, all is well, because we have "older" teachers that showed us the way. We will survive because we know we're here to grow, mature, train, teach and walk hand in hand -- making our world a better place to be because we cared AND shared and mentored those who became leaders worth following!

But the Greatest of These is Love

Day 303 of Photo Inspirations -- But the Greatest of These is Love
#TBT -- These are photo inspirations from the Belize trip and the missions that my husband and I supported, along with training the pastors there, for many years. Then a year ago, our team headed to Mexico to be a part of the beautiful ministries that are doing so much to restore and help the people there. Such sweet memories!  Missions has been in our DNA for a long time.

Of course, there are so many missions opportunities right here at home in the U.S. and if you can get involved with any of them, I promise you, you will go in with the good intentions to bless them, but in reality, you will be the recipient of so many blessings. Here's just a few of the reasons to reach out to those who are not as fortunate as we are:

1)   It opens our eyes to the blessings we have in our lives.
2)   It opens our eyes to the "little things" we take for granted.
3)   It opens our hearts to the needs of others -- so much so, that we just can't help it....we just HAVE to give.

4)   It causes a "culture" shock that awakens our hearts of compassion.
5)   It causes those hard, crusty, dissatisfied and grumpy attitudes that are so easily a part of our lives....to dwindle to softness and appreciation.
6)   It causes blinders being taken off to see the needs of others far greater than our own needs.

7)   It causes us to re-evaluate spending senseless dollars on gifts for friends and family members that you know will be tossed in a corner or a drawer or even trashed, within just a few minutes or hours of having received them.

8)   It causes the mindset of "Thanksgiving" as truly being thankful for every blessing that God has brought into our lives.
9)   It causes a hunger to help support the precious people and volunteers who do what they do.

10) It causes unmistakable and contagious joy.
11) It causes us to evaluate just WHY we are here on this earth at this time.

As we focus on God and His Great Commission, everything will be radically altered—including our thoughts about the world and those in need -- our prayer life, our eating habits (including what things we’re willing to “try”), our disciplines in health and fitness, our family’s stewardship of faith and finances. A missions mindset will impact -- for eternity — our focus on our future and their future.

Could it possibly be that God's been waiting on us to live with PURPOSE -- making a difference on a daily basis of the lives of others?

There is just nothing that can top -- GIVING. And God just can't help it -- He ALWAYS exceeds the GIVING BACK in so many ways. What we received in our hearts from the beautiful people and children of Belize and Mexico far exceeded anything that we could have given.

Celebrating 3 Years of Making a Difference

Day 263 of Photo Inspirations -- Celebrating 3 Years of Making a Difference
#TBT What a joy it is to be back in beautiful Bellevue, WA.  When my plane landed, Ryan called to let me know he had "a car" picking me up and wanted to know what door I'd be coming out of baggage claim.  I told him, got my bags and headed out, and there was Ryan standing there to pick me up.  He said he couldn't wait to see his Mama!  I love it when Shawntel and my boys pick me up, but those were sweet words to this Mama today and what a sweet surprise for my boy to take time out of his busy day to come.

It's a big deal to be here in September as it's Solavei's 3rd year launch anniversary and now it's in a beautiful new headquarters building (the 3 of us in this photo there). We're still here going and growing strong.  What a thrill it is to still be seeing my sweetheart's dreams and prayers coming true -- "oh, that our family be closely knit together in all areas of life".   Ryan continues as CEO & Founder and, as of this month, Staci is Senior Vice President of Solavei.  What a blessing it is for this Mama to see her kids impacting and making such a huge difference in so many people's lives.

As I look back on this time 3 years ago, I saw years and years of prayers answered in such an amazing way.  Solavei, the first ever Social Commerce Network, was launched.  Staci, Larry and children had moved to Washington to help get the company off the ground.  

And these cousins got to bond like never before, and here they are this week having cousins' fun time again. Staci typically works from her home in Frisco, TX -- but travels back and forth to Bellevue.   Alexia's birthday present from her Mom and Dad was to go to WA with her Mom for the week -- that meant fun cousins time.   Of course, that makes for Nana's joy and bliss to see such love between them all.

Before Staci and Alexia left for the airport last night to head back to Texas, the 3 kids had a "Kumbaya Ceremony" (that's what they named it) -- to say 'goodbye' and make a pact of love with little plastic animals -- LOL!    That little ceremony might seem like child-play today, but, like my two kids having "pretend church and pretend meetings" way back when they were these cousins' ages, today, before my eyes, I'm seeing what a little seed can produce in "due season".

One of the scriptures read at my Sweetheart's funeral was John 12:24 “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."  I'm quite sure that my Sweetheart was that grain of wheat -- the single seed, but when he died, it (he) produced many seeds.  Our kids are those seeds, our grandkids are those seeds,, our friends and extended family are those seeds, and YOU are thoses seeds, too!  We REAP what we SOW!  Thanks be to God for Harvest Time!

Making the Most of Making the Most of Life

Day 212 of Photo Inspirations -- Making the Most of Making the Most of  Life
Nothing is more important to me than putting ife and all its responsibilities on hold when the opportunities arise for "memory-making-time".

When my sweetheart graduated to heaven at such an early age (63), I realized, as never before, how important it is to make every day count.   We have just one life to live and in the light of eternity, it's just a breath.  So I don't want to have any regrets about missing anything.  I don't want to be defined by a job or responsibilities or by how smart or wealthy I am (or not) and most certainly by what I missed out on doing.  I want to be defined by what I loved most -- my family, my friends, and those wonderful opportunities I embraced for making a difference in people's lives.

My granddaughter, Alexia Wallace​, is still here in Tulsa with me.  She has never known, or been around my 2-year old great niece), so I wanted the two of them to meet and make a memory today.  I took her to Mom's where Anna visits one day a week.  Initially, Anna was a little shy, but Alexia, with a talent for entertaining kids (Who knew?), reined little Anna into her world.  In a matter of minutes they were playing hide and go seek, chasing each other and playing with Anna's "Little Pony" collection (Little Pony was Alexia's love, too -- so Alexia, knowing all the names of the ponies, was a hit with Anna).  They had such a great time -- so much so that Alexia wanted to stay longer with her.  She loved getting to know her 2nd cousin. Yes, we made memories.

Then it was off to pick up Alexia's best friend to come over and spend the night.  They both went to Victory Christian School. These two girls remind me so much of my girl friends and me at that age -- laughing, dancing, being silly willies, talking "girl" talk, juggling tangerines, swimming, singing -- using remote controls as their microphones and having so much fun.

The finale was tie dying some t-shirts. We're looking forward to the finished products later today!  What fun they had at Nana's house,  That's what I want to be remembered for.  Not that Nana was a cranky and grumpy Nana who wanted her house to look perfect and who insisted on putting things away and who didn't have treats in abundance and who wanted the kids to settle down.  No, that's not me.  I'll sing and dance and play right along with them.  After all, they'll soon go home and Nana will have her peace and quiet once again, but hopefully, not for long!   We made the most of making the most memories.  How sweet it was.....and is -- today is another day of embracing the moments!