Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl!

My obstetrician was going on a 2-week vacation right when my baby was due, and since he had been my "go-to" doc throughout my pregnancy, I didn't want to take a chance on him not being there for me. Doc told me the baby was "fully cooked" so "Let's help her make her debut on Monday", and that's what we did. Back in those days, most of us were "out" when the baby arrived, while the dads were in the Waiting Room.

When I woke up, my husband said, "Sweetheart, you've got your girl." Oh, the inexpressible joy that I felt. Of course, I would have had that joy if God had blessed us with another boy, but, I loved that God's plan was for this precious baby girl, born today, December 8th.

I'm celebrating that precious girl today because I've seen God's purposes for her life being fulfilled in some of the most miraculous and tremendous ways. For the first months of her life, she was a sick little baby with having many bouts of pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Not only did the enemy lose that battle, but he lost it in trying to steal our faith. She was ultimately healed, and my husband and our faith grew exponentially. "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good." Genesis 50:20

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project". He understood right from the beginning that she was special, and that God was going to use her life in many ways. He was her sports, voice, stage and life coach. You think a Stage Mom is something. You should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl. So many times in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention with Daddy who was relentless in pulling out the best in her. "Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy. He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear to be on the stage, to belt out another song on camera, to speak to huge audiences, and be with high profile people. But more than all of that, her name, Staci Michelle -- "resurrection life" and "close to God" have held true. She has brought so much life to us and so many others. She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

I spoke at her surprise birthday party with close friends two nights ago and said, “Seedtime and harvest”. Her Daddy and I planted many seeds of faith into her from her very beginning – she knew that the enemy lost his battle on stealing her life at a young age and she has been giving him “hell” ever since with her relentless passion to change the world. Now, more than ever, it seems those seeds are producing a harvest beyond our wildest dreams.

As I'm typing this, I know I must sound like a proud and braggadocios Mom. In a sense, I am, because our greatest investment paid off. The time we invested into her -- through tears and time and finances -- paid off. I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell you, Moms and Dads, out there -- "INVEST in your kids. Take time to give them the best of you. Cultivate their talents. Speak into them that they can do and be anything that God wants them to be. Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him". What a payback for an investor! The payback of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward. And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family -- it spreads to others -- these seeds bear fruit in so many other people's lives. I promise you....after many, many years of investing into what matters most, it is worth every effort. Just imagine what your investment will reap in rewards.

Easter -- Best. Story. EVER -- 40 More Days to Go!!

Maybe you are thinking "Donna sure loves Easter because she keeps talking about it". Well, I do! Here's why: Easter Sunday is just the beginning of Easter. The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) is still underway. That was 40 days He was "in and out" of places and people's lives during that time. He was showing up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who witnessed Him being alive AGAIN? According to scripture, He stepped alongside two of His disciples on their way to Emmaus, He appeared to Mary and other women. While the disciples met behind closed doors, He walked THROUGH the walls, literally, appeared to them, and "doubting" Thomas touched the nail prints in His hands and the piercing in His side.
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For 40 days, Jesus proved to His followers that He really had been raised from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that Jesus "appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time". Jesus taught His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a sight for sore eyes it must have been to Peter who had denied Him and all the others who hid during His crucifixion. The crux of our faith is based on eye witnesses to our risen Lord. It was one thing to walk and talk with Him before His death, but how AWESOME to have witnessed Him ALIVE again.

What a seminar on biblical teaching and resurrection life that must have been! Imagine being taught about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. Whoever, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:25. Now that's a reason to shout "Hallelujah!" Death on this side of heaven is just our "Forever" life with Him -- just like He said. We'll be like Jesus -- death on this side of heaven is just walking through the walls of heaven to live FOREVER with Him!!

At the end of the 40 days, He ascended to heaven. He couldn't be everywhere at one time, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to comfort, guide, and lead us. He would live in our hearts. Talk about BONUS! God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit. All for ONE! And, ONE for all!!!

What does that "seminar" with His disciples have to do with you and me today? First of all, because He lives, we can face whatever this day, and for that matter, what our tomorrows hold. When we watch the news on TV or read about it on social media and hear the gloom and despair of what awaits the world daily, we don't have to be a member of that choir that only sings songs of dread and fear. Honestly, Christ's resurrection is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING -- past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme -- over all and that changes our perspective on EVERYTHING.

I'm not a stellar scientific know-it-all, but I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and when I am outside on a sunny day and see the beauty all around me and I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and as I live in such sweet peace that passes understanding, I know it's because my Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords LIVES. One day of celebrations just isn't enough. Let's keep celebrating this miraculous, life-changing season of Easter everyday!

And You Will Call Her Name.....Staci Michelle

When December rolls around, I go into nostalgic-mode because it holds so many treasured memories from years past. Other than the unparalleled birth-day of Jesus, was the birth of my precious girl, Staci Wallace.

Back in those days, they put most of us to sleep to have our babies, and we didn't know whether we were having a girl or boy. I just remember waking up and hearing my sweet husband whispering in my ear “Your prayers were answered. You got your girl!” Indeed my prayers were answered – above and beyond what I could have ever hoped for. This girl has always shocked me with her bold and audacious way of doing things. She was on the stage at our church at four years old – belting out songs with a “no fear” attitude. God gave her a gift of faith that has always been a constant source of inspiration and strength to us. When we would go through a challenging time, she would post “Expect a Miracle” signs all over our home. The “miracles” would come. Her energy and talents gave us years of excitement and entertainment as we watched her excel in sports and music – winning music competitions, singing before presidents and celebrities and speaking on stages with confidence before 10s of thousands -- a message that always motivated and encouraged her audiences. Her drive and determination caused her to be relentless in pursuing whatever task or goal that God gave her.

Above all, she’s been my precious daughter, best friend, confidant, encourager, mentor and in-house stand-up comedian -- especially when I needed to laugh the most. She has been a woman of honor, integrity and character and when up against the wall, she always figured out how to tear the wall down, or karate kick a hole in it to get through (yes, she's also a Black Belt in Karate).

Of all the names we thought of if we had a girl, we chose Staci Michelle. Staci means "resurrection life" and Michelle means "close to God". No doubt, God guided us to that name, because she has been true to those definitions. In so many ways, she brings resurrection life to everyone she encounters -- helping people find a new life from one of rejection, defeat, depression, darkness, and pain -- because the closeness she has with God magnetically draws them closer to HIM.

I don't tell you all this to impress you, but to impress upon you how important it is to ponder, pray for and get God's vision for your children, AND the name you give them. He had that vision for His Son that gives us a perfect example to follow. Staci, being born in December, draws my attention to Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:30 "And, behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you will CALL HIS NAME, JESUS.” I love that Isaiah 9:6 even gave definition to His name before He was born, "And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

What we name our children shouldn't be a mere conglomeration of letters that we put together as a convenient way to refer to them. God proved that when He named His son Jesus -- that name that is ABOVE all other names, that describes His personality and gives interpretation of His character traits. He has lived up to His name and it gives us hope, life, and blessing. Indeed, names are important!

So, to my precious girl STACI MICHELLE WALLACE -- today is YOUR day -- and I honor you, esteem you and I call myself "Blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of my womb!" I love you so much and thank God for the gift of you to me! Happy, happy birthday, my sweet girl! <3 span="">