Graduates – the World is Your Oyster!

You did it, Grads, and we’re so proud of you! I know it’s not a laughing matter because the pain is real, but this guy amused me with his sentiments about the graduation situation. The other photo here is of a virtual graduation where robots were used to represent the graduates. Can this be the Twilight Zone?

I've sent off dosh-loaded graduation cards to some of my beloved family members because -- well, there won't be graduations-as-usual. I’ve been entertained by the way some of you moms and dads are making sure your graduates are being applauded – signs in yards, drive-bys, photos, and expressions of love and support on social media. Congrats to all of you -- graduates AND parents! It's a great feat to have made it to this Rite of Passage even though all those 12 years (and more) have ended abruptly in a lack-luster way of celebrating you. But, the celebration isn’t the goal – the accomplishments, perseverance, tenacity, fortitude is what matters. So, well done! What a memory you'll tell your kids about one day!

Of course, you were supposed to have had a BIG graduation party to kick-start your accomplishments. But, instead, you’ve already been introduced to the world of complexities and challenges. In the commencement speeches, you were supposed to have heard “the world is your oyster” as you embark on your adult life. Everything is open to you like the metaphor of an oyster that there’s a chance it has a pearl in it. I’m believing that you will find MANY pearls!

Here’s some GOOD NEWS -- you’ve gained a head start on conquering. You’ve acquired a great start on mental toughness and being a winner and winners never quit and quitters never win. Go forth into this world declaring that “if God is for me, no one (or thing) can be against me!" (Romans 8:31) Run your race. You’re in it to win it – regardless of the way your graduation looked. I pray that all of you graduates pursue God's will first and foremost -- being a God-pursuer. Because as a God-pursurer, you'll land right where God intends you to land.

To all Graduates and Dreamers – “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed every part of who you would become. You truly are made "in an amazing and wonderful way" (Psalm 139:14). You are here because God looked out over all of time and space and chose you for this generation right here -- right now! There will never be another you or another opportunity to do what only you are chosen to complete.

So, go out there in boldness knowing that you don't have to be like anyone else. You are chosen for one life — yours. And the wonderful news? Whatever God chooses for you to do, He has equipped you for it. Being chosen means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being chosen means that you have God as your partner every step of the way. We'll be cheering you on every step too! The best is yet to be for you and we can't wait to see it unfold. Now show off that life by making it the best life it could ever be for God, others and YOU!

Sure I'm Awake! I'm Having a Wide-Awake Party!

All my life I’ve known how incredibly important a good night’s sleep is for our health but getting that good night’s sleep is sometimes a major feat – especially when we do our best thinking in the night when it’s peaceful and quiet. My cousin mentioned she was struggling to sleep because she has so much on her mind. I understood her. Her precious husband of over 52 years passed away last week. I remember those sleep-deprived nights after my own husband passed away – “What do I need to do next? What will tomorrow hold? Will I go or will I stay? Why? When? Where? How?” The thoughts bombarded my mind and kept me wide awake.

My Mom was a light sleeper. There's plenty of traits my Mom had that I want, but not that one. Always a sound sleeper, now I've found myself waking up more often, and after only 5 or 6 hours of sleep, I'm wide awake. My dear mom-in-law at 96 boasts of falling asleep before her head hits her pillow and doesn't wake up until she's had a good 8 or 9 hours of sleep. With all the other physical issues she's had, I'm so thankful, sleep isn't one of them!

I'll pray and go through all kinds of mental exercises as I force my eyes to stay shut. My favorite shut-mind-down tactic is by thinking alphabet adjectives of God: "A = awesome, B = Bread of Life, C = Creator, etc. Often, I'll fall back asleep. But what if God has a reason for us to have an occasional party?

Sometimes, I just give it up and have a “wide-awake” party as I follow King David's lead. “I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night. Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 63:6-7. King David had significant reasons to stay awake. He penned those words in the wilderness, on the run from a vast army led by his own rebellious son. Yikes! He had every reason in the world to lie awake at night, but instead of fearing for his life or using those wide-awake hours to devise a brilliant plan of escape, he thought about God as his helper and joy-giver.

What if God's plans for us are nighttime meditations like King David? Our Creator just might want our undivided attention, and what better time to have that attention, than when we're not distracted by phone calls, social media, and "to do" lists?

So, I have come to this lightning-fast-mind conclusion. He "never slumbers or sleeps" (Psalm 121:4) and He promised "to give his beloved sweet sleep" (Psalm 127:2). I am His beloved, and if I’m wide-awake, then my Daddy God might be wanting one-on-one time with me. And if the best time for that intimate time together is in the middle of the night, then I’ll make the popcorn and ask the Lord to bring the “living water”. When I find myself tossing and turning, just maybe God is stirring my nest to teach me something. Instead of counting sheep, and saying alphabet acronyms, the best thing to do is count on God's faithfulness, His power and provision. It's humorous to consider that God is watching me toss and turn, trying so hard to fall asleep when He has nuggets of wisdom to share with me. Just maybe, instead of forcing ourselves to sleep, maybe we should plan a "Wide Awake" Party to "party" with our Creator!

We Aren’t Looking For a Party; We Are a Party, Just Looking For a Place to Land

Today is my granddaughter’s 17th birthday and, YIKES, she has her own big plans for this day with her friends after church! What happened to a carefully, meticulously, planned party with party favors, a theme-decorated cake, ice cream, and party games, and lots of guests showing up at their house for the party-of-the-year? This year, unlike any year before, she wanted her three closest girlfriends to have their own agenda. We understand that our girl IS the party and she’s sharing it with her besties.

Yesterday, on her birthday eve, was our “family” day of partying. For breakfast, we enjoyed her requests: huevos rancheros, chocolate gravy, biscuits, and bacon! My daughter has perfected the huevos rancheros and Denise has perfected the chocolate gravy. Then she opened her gifts, that were pre-empted by Buddy (their Australian Shepherd) who chased balloons around, barked, jumped up, and popped them. The party was followed by a trip to the Frisco Mercantile to find records for her new record player (from her brother). They chose two of Frank Sinatra’s albums. Gotta’ love those kids that know good music when they hear it! ;-)

Then it was on to her favorite annual tradition location for lunch: Mariposa’s in Neiman Marcus for their yummy chicken broth, egg popovers, and strawberry butter. We couldn’t leave Neiman’s without our photo opts with the mannequins (another annual tradition – with our perfect dates). None of our dates spoke a word to us, but we could talk as much as we wanted without any resistance or interference. LOL!

I look for the “God” messages in the every-day, ordinary of living for my blogs and posts. I’m pretty sure He shows us some of the most memorable times we can have are those centered on the laughter, the traditions, the “You are Special” plate, and the joy and memories we share together in silly little ways. Alexia is our on-site comedian so laughter is a huge benefit of partying with her. When she was getting ready to open the gift from her mom and dad, her mom said, “This is something that I’ve waited a while to give you until you were ready!” Alexia exclaimed, “So, it's a training bra?” Oh, me! Such is life with Lexi. The gift was a beautiful triangle, diamond pendant, and gold necklace. She beamed with excitement and asked, "Is it real gold because I never want to take it off?” It is.

This year changed from other years at Mariposa’s because, rather than a group of women mentors who typically join in for this occasion, Alexia chose her brother and her dad to join us. She wanted those of us who are her mainstay, her armor bearers, her greatest cheerleaders and her sounding boards to be her birthday participants. I love that. There are special friends who are dear to us, but there is nothing like those people that you count on at a moment’s notice, who love you unconditionally and are your rocks when others show up “just for the party”. We are her “lifers” because she knows we are the ones who pray daily for her and who believe God’s best for her.

Yesterday, I realized that “besties” are those who bring the party with them wherever they go. They laugh at your jokes that just maybe aren’t that funny; they listen to that story that you’ve told several times before; they tell you, you look good in spite of the crumbs on your face or stains on your shirt. They are your lifers. I tend to think that we are a lot like Jesus. In Jesus Christ, life is a party. In fact, He joins us at celebrations. He had many occasions where He showed up to party. He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. He healed and raised people from the dead. At the parties he was at, He provided the food (loaves and fishes) AND the entertainment – He gave them keys to success. Just think of it, as His brothers and sisters, we will continue to party together with Him for all of eternity. But, in the meantime, because He lives in us, the party continues. This day Jesus is asking us all to trust Him and do as He says: “Love, give, be kind, share, be joyful, encourage, and be full of excitement for each day that He holds. He has a party in store for those of us who look for it. We can always live in the joy of Christ. May we always have the courage to celebrate and party in the good times and the tough times, and may we be the “party animals” that carry His love and give out His love wherever we go.

The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

On this special day, September 16th, I'm celebrating two of my girls. It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party was on the 15th. We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman (inside and out), but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her. We rejoiced when she said "YES"! We knew God brought them together. Three months later they were married.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration -- but they had a good excuse. Just after Ryan proposed, we received the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart." That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party. Our little Alexia was coming into the family as well.

We drove lightning speed from Tulsa to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom and Dad must be here!" As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming. We made it....but not a minute too soon!

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world. And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days. It was a joyous celebration!

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family. I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys. She calls me Mom, which is one of my greatest privileges. We're bonded. We've shared so many blessings and though we're physically miles apart -- when we are back together again, it's as though we were never apart. She will always be MY GIRL. I'm so thankful for her Mom and Dad's love that brought her to this world for all of us to love her.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, who celebrates her 16th birthday today. Where has 16 years gone? It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose that loves God and loves to serve Him with all her heart.

Happy Birthday, Shawntel and Alexia -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!