The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

Day 255 of Photo Inspirations -- The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World
On this special day, 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 needed to be on the 15th.  We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman, 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 pretty good excuse.  Just after Ryan proposed, we got 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 rushed to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom & 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 the 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's my girl and has always been.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, one-and-only granddaughter, Alexia -- 14 years old today.  Where has 14 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.  With 5 grandsons who are ALL about "guy" stuff....this precious girl gives me the bows, ruffles, shopping, girly-girl things that I love so much.

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

It's the REAL THING!

Day 54 of Photo Inspirations -- It's the REAL THING!
There were so many "awe and wonder" moments at the ACTS Retreat that I attended last weekend, but one of the highlights was hearing Monsignor Dan Mueggenborg, a gifted and eloquent speaker.  Msgr Dan holds a special place in my heart.   Currently he is Pastor of Christ the King Church in Tulsa, but, formerly he served a six-year appointment to the Vatican in Rome. He was on the faculty of the North American College (Seminary) when my sweet husband and I went to Rome on our 40th Anniversary.  He was so gracious to give us grand tours of the college, the city and we enjoyed an authentic Italian meal at one of his favorite restaurants.  Such sweet memories for me, accompanied his amazing "talk".

He shared that when he was studying Theology, as a student, years before at the North American College, Mother Teresa would often come to Rome and he had the tremendous opportunity to meet with her.  In fact he had a private breakfast with her -- just her and him.  He was so humbled to be in her presence, and before their time together ended, he asked:  "I really want to have a memory treasure of this time with you.  Would you please sign this prayer card for me?"  And, she graciously did, and being slightly forward, he asked if she'd sign a second one for a fellow priest who sincerely loved Mother Teresa and followed her ministries.  She was so kind again, to sign the second card.  Msgr Dan framed his card (shown here) that was signed "God bless you, Mother Teresa". And he mailed the other  signed card to his priest friend.  He waited to hear back from his friend, but never did.  Later, he went to see his friend and asked if he had received the prayer card.  His friend said, "Yes, I did, but I already had one."  Msgr Dan asked "You had a signed original?" His friend said. "You know they make hundreds of those cards. They're just reprinted, so I threw it away since I already had one."  Msgr Dan exclaimed, "You THREW IT AWAY?  I was with Mother Teresa and she signed that card and you threw away an ORIGINAL!     IT WAS A PRECIOUS TREASURE!"

He went on to compare that precious treasure being thrown away to how callously and carelessly we often dismiss Christ and the gifts He's given to us. We discount His presence in and with us.  He is the REAL treasure.  He is THE ORIGINAL.

After that beautiful, inspiring talk, I felt on-purpose to do my best to keep Him in a place of honor, as the HEAD of my household and my life.  He's the REAL deal!  I believe in Him.  He is the ONE Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.

I See Me As God Sees Me, and I'm Amazed

Don't try to convince me otherwise.
I've seen way too much evidence that God is NOT dead, and He sees me right where I am today, and I know His love for me is vast.
I've experienced way too many of God's blessings, and I know they didn't come to me by happenstance or coincidence.
I've been loved so much that it's the story of my life.
And, I want it to be the story of your life as well.
I want it to change everything -- including how you look at God, and yourself, and other people.
I want you to live in confidence that when God looks at you, He sees beauty.
He sees value.
He sees hope.
He sees a precious treasure beyond compare.
And when you're hiding, or when you feel so beaten down, and you can't see anything clearly, He's still hard at work, crafting for you a beautiful future.
He sees you. He loves you.

We are SO loved by ALMIGHTY God -- doesn't that AMAZE you? It sure amazes me.