Treasurers to Scavengers

The usual “treasure hunt” that Nana (me) always provided for the grands for their birthday each year until they aged out of it, was differen for Brennan's 16th this year. I explained to the 18 participants about how my grands always had a treasure hunt with a rhyming clue that led to the next location and another clue – with a big birthday treasure gift at the end. This year Brennan’s treasure hunt was a scavenger hunt. With 18 participants and 18 items to find, it was a sight to behold. This scavenger hunt required that they had to use their sense of teamwork, creative thinking and skill that led to some hilarious photo opportunities. We customized our hunt for the beach and oh what antics ensued – from burying one of their team mates in the sand to asking a stranger to sing happy birthday to Brennan or to make up a team cheer.

Using technology (their phone cameras to record the singing and team cheer as well taking photos) and with using their minds – the three teams of six were back with photos of their 18 items in less than 20 minutes. Two teams tied because while one team came in first, they found a boogie board instead of the surf board on the list, while the team who came in second actually found a surf board. We called it a tie, but they weren’t satisfied with a tie so they played a corn hole toss game for the championship. Of course, my competitive two grandsons, Brennan’s and Payton’s team, won. Oh, what fun!

I admit it.....I love the notion of hunting and finding hidden treasures. That must have been my impetus for treasure hunts for my grandkids for every birthday since they understood what it was about.

The fact is.....we're ALL on “hunts” as we journey through life. God made us for the journey. AND, best of all, He gives us so many clues in His Word to find the hidden treasures and the stuff we need for success in life. Every place He says "IF you....." is a CLUE to success. And when we follow the CLUE to the nth degree, then we are assured of finding the treasure that causes us to be completely successful in life. I loved the creativity of those kids when they were searching for their items. Of course, it was easier for one team to bury a five-year-old little girl in sand in much faster time than the big guy buried on the other team. Of course, it was easier to take photos of items than to have to actually bring those items back to us. And, of course, God has short cuts and a faster way of blessing us when we pursue His wisdom and creativity instead of “doing it my way”!

Example: "IF YOU pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep His covenant of love with you....." Deuteronomy 7:12
"IF YOU make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your dwelling." Psalm 91:9-10

Have you been searching for the key to your success, the open door that leads to prosperity, the matchmaker that brings you your significant other, the magic potion that gives you restored health, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Then I urge you, today, to begin searching for the treasures in God's Word. The Bible is God’s treasure chest where He has so many valuables just waiting for you!

And here's the real clincher -- God considers us His treasure. Oh, how He loves you and me! "IF YOU obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." Exodus 19:5

When Success is Simply Saying “Yes”

So, I’m doing a final review of a talk I’ll be giving very soon. Suddenly an unexpected wave of concern sweeps over me. I remember that the talk I’ve readied in the quiet will soon be seen and heard by real people.

I’m not alone in that feeling. The bookkeeper who must present her spreadsheets in a board meeting knows it. The mom whose child is suited up for that big game understands it. The runner who trains on the streets of a neighborhood and then takes his place at the starting line battles it. In those many varied moments, we all want assurance of success.

I begin to ask, “How can I make sure this goes well?” And a verse from Proverbs pops into my mind: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3). I pause and consider the words. “Is this a guarantee from God that everything will always go the way I’d like it to? Not so according to my life experience and the rest of God's Word.

Slowly I began to grasp the true meaning: Success isn’t about outcome; it’s about obedience. The “success” this verse talks about is set in motion not when the results are in but as soon as we say, “Yes, God, I give this to You.” He thinks differently than we do. To Him, every obedient “yes” is already a success.

I’ll confess a part of me wishes that verse meant what I want will always happen. But when I look back over my life, I realize there have been many times when what I thought would be best would actually have been a mess. Thank God He didn't answer that prayer the way I was wanting Him to!

And the real relief is that when I commit something to God, I no longer have to carry it. I don’t bear the weight of the fears, expectations, and pressure. I can faithfully do what He’s asked me to and know He will take care of the rest. Whew!

I return to review my talk and all that concern fades with this realization: Who I’m turning this over to matters more than how it all turns out. God’s got this. He’s got me too! And, He's got you!

The Art and Blessings of Compartmentalizing

I learned the art of compartmentalizing from my husband. I remember when were lying in bed at night, I would bring up something unpleasant or negative and my wise AND romantic husband would say: "Not in this room. Not now. Save it for tomorrow and we'll talk about it then."

My son is a very busy husband, father and business owner. Long ago, I learned how he strategically departmentalized his life. While having his "father" hat on, he is all-in at his boys' games or events. His phone is not his priority. At work, unless its an emergency, he won't be distracted from his business. And, I watch him take his wife out on their date night and he only has eyes for her. He puts aside all other distractions.

I've become skilled in the art of compartmentalizing my life too. When I'm at church, my focus is on worship, praise and serving. When I'm playing a community game with friends, they have my undivided attention. When I'm care-giving my grands, they have my full attention -- well, them and their animals. Last week, I was the speaker at an event. During the day, my thoughts, my actions and attention was on being in-sync with what I would share. No other distractions were allowed.

I've found that compartmentalizing helps me isolate that particular area of my life from all the other issues and/or challenges I might have on my "to do" list or what I happen to be dealing with at the time. My blogging is an essential that I give full attention to. I protect that time with diligence.

Even as a busy, overloaded multi-tasking mom or dad, we can still determine to focus on the one thing at hand, like the drive to school – conversing and making every moment count together in that car ride. At mealtime – giving each other full undivided attention. That’s compartmentalizing.

The point is, there will be an end to a responsibility or project and we can close the chapter on it and proclaim "success". There are always seasons in all of this. Times when family needs more attention, work, ministry, and play need more attention. And, yes, even when we need to get away and be alone for a period of time. But getting things done, over with, is best done with attention to compartments. Right now, I’m in my Facebook and blogging compartment – one of my main compartments in each day. I’ve learned to close one compartment and open another. I’ve learned to say “no” to things that don’t deserve a compartment. I’m getting good at that.

Compartmentalizing is also helpful with stress and worries. That’s one that tries to open up to me in the middle of the night. I don’t welcome that compartment and I do my best to keep it closed and locked up. But when it does open up, I’ve learned the best way to shut it down is to open up my “Think on these good things" compartment from Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

It’s amazing the volume and quality of work, play and family and friends' quality time we’re able to have by staying focused on one compartment at a time. We think the notion of multi-tasking is a good thing, but honestly, only “little attention” to the tasks produces little results. Compartmentalizing and giving each relationship and each task our best opens the way for the next success story in the next compartment.

We Met Professor Wisdom in the School of Hard Knocks!

I head to the shopping mall just around the corner and this 1964 Chevrolet Impala passes by me and parks close to my car. Though it sure needed a paint job, a flood of memories overtakes me. I tell the young couple a short-version of our story. I ask “Is this one a stick shift?” He replies “Yes, it is – a 3-speed!” More memories came then. BTW – there were no seat belts like these back then.

My boyfriend then, later my husband, saved up his money from working two jobs to buy his dream-come-true car. Well, it wasn’t exactly the one he wanted which would have been the Super Sport 2-door model, but the one he could afford was the 4-door, black interior, 3-speed stick shift like the one pictured here. I told the couple that I had learned to drive a stick shift while sitting in his lap. Actually, I have memories of almost sending us through the windshield from trying to shift from neutral to first to second to third and almost stripping the gears. Eventually, I got it down. And, notice the seats – they weren’t bucket seats. They were full across from door-to-door seats…..where I could snuggle in as close as possible to him. That is the way we were!

I’m smiling big as I type this. Oh, if that car could have talked about those two youngsters who spent way too much time in that car…..at Love Field Airport, watching the planes fly in late at night and watching the stars shine brightly from Kiest Park in South Dallas. Sure, that’s what we were doing…just spending time watching what was going on outside that car! I pause here to remember that young love we shared. Suddenly, I’m singing “Memories…..light the corners of my mind; misty water, colored memories; for the way we were

I'll never forget how smart my husband and I thought we were starting out in life -- so very young and inexperienced. His dad tried to counsel us and offer his sound advice and wisdom to us. But, no, we had to do things "our way" -- which we thought was the much "better way". Oh, how much time, effort, and money we could have saved ourselves had we heeded his wisdom. Oh, no! We just had to go to the School of Hard Knocks. Two years before we married in 1966, against his dad's recommendations for an automatic, Ron was determined to get that standard shift car -- and it just HAD to be a 1964 Chevy Impala. If only we had listened to Dad and his wisdom. And, we learned the "hard knocks" way in so many other ventures.

Many of us are still in the School of Hard Knocks, and we're still diligently pursuing that place of success and prosperity. I assure you -- we'll get to graduate, sooner rather than later, if we'll listen to, and apply, Professor Wisdom's words that are found in the Book of Proverbs. We'll find in her "Wisdom Class" that wisdom doesn’t come automatically. Rather, it’s tested and proven in day-to-day life.

Professor Wisdom or “Lady Wisdom” is a teacher who is more concerned about teaching us valuable lessons, and less concerned about being our friend. She teaches us that the way of wisdom is not always an easy road, but she does promise that if we hang in there, and keep heeding her advice, we'll get to a blessed life. Proverbs 4:5-7 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of HER mouth. Forsake HER not, and SHE shall preserve you: LOVE HER, and SHE shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting -- get understanding.” Let's heed Professor Wisdom's advice, as well as to those brilliant and successful sages that have paved the way for us -- it is sure worth the investment!

Shhh! Please Don’t Say That!

I came out of the fitness center yesterday and saw a couple loading up their air mattresses and other swimming gear. They had been enjoying a Sunday afternoon of swimming and playing water volleyball. I commented: “Looks like you had fun in the sun" and the woman replied “Yes! It was such a beautiful day!” And to her comment, I said, “Well, enjoy it while it lasts because before long it will be snowing!” She returned: “Oh, please don’t say that!” And then I thought….for goodness sake, where did that come from? I just brought in a negative image into their otherwise beautiful day. That's just not like me!

I’m the one that is usually wanting to put my finger to people's lips and say "Shhh -- don't say that!" Especially when I hear them say things like “I’m so stupid", "I can just look at a cookie, and I gain weight", "I get a cold this time every year", "I could never win at that", "I’ll never be able to afford that", "I’m too old to do that", etc. And, you know what…..they will continue to get what they are saying and thinking. “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit" (1 Peter 3:10).

I am typically an optimistic thinker and speaker. I wasn’t born that way, but through conscious effort and repetition, it's now my mode of operation….usually, except for that “snow” remark yesterday. Can I blame it on a "senior moment"? In all seriousness, I anticipate happiness, good health and success, and I sincerely believe that I can overcome any obstacle and difficulty with a "can-do" attitude.

Optimistic and positive people really do experience happy feelings; their eyes are bright, they're almost always smiling, they have more energy and their whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even their health is affected in a positive way, and they walk tall, their voices are more powerful and their body language shows the way they feel.

Positive thinking and speaking is contagious, but so is negative thinking and speaking. We really can become optimistic and control and change our thoughts and what comes out of our mouths.. It’s like changing the channel on a TV – we see a program we don’t want to watch, so we change the channel. In the same way, when a negative thought comes to us, rather than continuing to think that negative thought….change the channel to something good and positive.

If we make a conscious effort to speaking positive, writing positive, reading positive, watching positive and take actions that make us feel positive, eventually, it will be second nature for us to shift any negative focus to positive. If we persevere, we will transform the way our mind thinks, as well as the beautiful things that will start coming our way. So, let’s start thinking before we speak. Those positive thoughts might produce the harvest we’ve been believing for!” Right Thinking. Right Words. Blessed Life!

Proverbs 18:4 “A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

What I Learned From an Escape Room

Last week a group of us from my community headed out for a fun-filled day that started with going to the “Countdown 2 Escape” here in Frisco. It is an Escape Room adventure where you go into one room and through a series of opening up boxes, drawers, and closets to find riddles, puzzles and clues to get through another door where even more challenges await us. It was my second time for this kind of adventure. My family took me on one for my birthday last year in Austin. It takes a ton of mental ability (Lord, have mercy!), lots of patience, thinking outside the box, teamwork and communication. There were about 25 of us who went and were divided into three different experiences. You have an hour to escape.

That experience made me think about this life we live and figuring out God’s ways and desires for us in this room called earth to eventually escape to our home sweet home in heaven. It takes a lot of patience, sticking to the rules, communication, teamwork and if we do our part, we’ll eat the good of the land here even before we go there. Isaiah 1:19 says “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land.” I see my co-adventurers out there in social media land. I love watching your life adventures and most of all seeing you communicate your faith and even your times of difficulty and then see you weather the season and come “out of the room” with victories.

In that Escape Room, you can’t escape with duct tape over your mouth. You have to communicate to your group when you’ve found something. If you run into a stalemate, there is a Game Master watching you from another room, and if you ask, he or she will help you via a monitor. Doesn’t that sound like us? Especially when we’ve done all we can do on our own and we turn to God for help. He gives us an idea or a creative plan to get us out. We get to share our “how-to’s” with each other.

In our Escape Room, teamwork was huge in our success. All of us shared the same goal – to escape within the allotted sixty minutes. Thank God for all the various ways that teamwork plays such a significant role in our “life’s great escape” – our church, Bible Study, loving and faithful friends, family members, support groups and so many others who assist us in being devoted followers of Christ and help us escape on time. We need each other.

Every single thing in the Escape Room had a use – be it to distract us from the real thing or the key we found in a drawer that opens another thing. Every one of our life experiences has a meaningful use to it. I know that now as I look back on my life and realize that everything was making me stronger and wiser and more on purpose.

Consistency was key in our Escape Room. Some folks found a chair and gave up, but others of us refused to give up. We were persistent and determined. Our Game Master was always there to help get us out of tough spots. So does our Heavenly Game Master Who promises to never leave us or forsake us. He ensures that we complete our mission.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

The Keys to a Happy, Lifelong Marriage

It’s not often that I would post someone else’s words verbatim, but when I heard these (on audiobook), I knew I had to share them with those I love most. They opened my eyes to my own marriage, the struggles we had early on, the ups and downs we encountered and though our journey became sweeter as the years went by, we would have surely saved ourselves so much angst and been on a faster track by following, applying and living by these beautiful keys. If you’re still blessed to be married, I encourage you to print these out and start living by them – especially when it comes to the bumps in the road along the way. You know – when you’re sleeping on the edge of your bed so you don’t touch your loved one or when you’re giving each other the silent treatment…..again or when the “D” word comes up in your conversation or when you or your loved one’s words become less than praiseworthy. These keys are from Karen Kingsbury’s book, “When We Were Young”. The book is so real, raw and relevant to our day and times. I transcribed them to share with you. Here are “The Keys to a Happy Marriage”:

1) Keep God first. By loving God more than your spouse, you will always be humble enough to love your spouse more than humanly possible. This makes for a beautiful marriage. Matthew 6:33 -- “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

2) Divorce is not an option. From the beginning, remove the word “divorce” from your vocabulary. People do not look for a door where one does not exist. Mark 10:9 -- “Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.”

3) Marriage is not 50/50. There will be days when one of you falls short. Make it your goal to give 100% every day. That way, you’re both covered. Everyday forever. Colossians 3:23 -- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.”

4) Know your spouse’s love language. People speak love in different ways: gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, intentional time. Figure out how to speak to each other so that the love between you will grow. Romans 12:9 -- “Love must be sincere.”

5) Expect the best of each other. Forgive easily. Attitude is everything in marriage. Look for ways to humbly be kind to your spouse. Keep short accounts. Don’t worry about being right. Ephesians 4:2 -- “Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Colossians 3:13 -- “Bear with each other and forgive one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

6) Keep dating. Your marriage must be a priority. Seek God first, then your spouse. Never stop dating and pursuing each other. Value and celebrate your love. Song of Solomon 3:2 -- “I must seek the one my soul loves.”

7) Build each other up. Kind words are free. Look for ways to encourage each other. Every day. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 -- “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

8) Laugh often. Find reasons to be silly. Smile and be lighthearted. You’ll laugh about it later so make up your mind to laugh about it today. Proverbs 17:22 -- “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

9) Live within your means. Couples who get in debt, stay stressed. Living within your means can be great fun. Take walks. Play board games. Visit your park. Clip coupons. Hebrews 13:5 -- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”

10) Fix yourself. Not your spouse. Work to be kinder and gentler. Be the person your spouse married. Listen well. Be intentional. Matthew 7:3 “ -- Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in
your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

And my own final words for thought and application to you: Live like there is no tomorrow. Live with no regrets. Be writing your love story every day so that when you or your loved one steps over to heaven’s side and awaits you there, you’ll carry with you so many precious memories of undying passion and love
right on into eternity. I did and I do.

What If This Were Our Last Day or Year?

I have the fondest memories of the last Christmas we had with my husband. Our entire family was snowed in at our home in Tulsa and it made for some of the sweetest times – laughter, frolicking in the snow, and tender times of intimacy in sharing God’s love with each other. Little did we know it would be his last year to celebrate Christmas with us.

Now, I think a lot about “last time” possibilities. I want to be sure my “house” is in order. I’ll admit that I’ll often leave on a trip and I think “Oh, I need to clean those drawers and closets out! I don’t want my family to have to deal with them if I don’t make it back home!” I’ve already got on my “to do” list, sooner than later, to get my will, important documents, bank, investments and other info up-to-date because I want my children to find everything they’ll need if I should “go home” any time soon. On one hand, it sounds silly because I’ve still got a lot of “tread on these tires”, but on the other hand, today could be my last day on this earth. 💥Breaking News Flash💥 It could also be the same for you!

Whew! We've made it through another year. And, while I reminisce with gratitude about my accomplishments and successes, I wonder what could I have done better? What did I do that made a difference in this world this year? Who could I have influenced in a positive way? I’m already thinking with an eternal perspective in mind when it comes to 2019. I’m thinking about how I can influence others. I wonder if, when I see others in my life, it turned out to be the last encounter I might have with them. What is the lasting impression I would want to leave? How would I want him or her to remember me?

Several scenarios come to mind. If I walked out the door of my children's homes and didn't return, what would I want my family to remember as my last words and gestures? If I ran into someone at work or school or church and then never saw that person again, what kind of memory would I want them to retain? In each last encounter, what would I want to be sure to say to my family and friends or even someone I might meet on the street?

None of us knows how much time is allotted to us. These questions have continued to roll around in my spirit. They are a constant reminder that we have to make the most of each moment God gives us to fulfill the two commandments Jesus said were most important: "loving God and loving people". Nothing else matters. In fact, Paul says it makes no difference what we give; if we don't have love, "it profits us nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3).

If our motives aren’t loving, may we pray for a change of heart. If they are loving, may we take time to tell the person so. Being sure our “last words” with someone are words of healing and true love. That is bound to mean more to him or her than what's inside any gift we might give them. And it's the only thing either one of us can take with us into eternity.

The Best TREAT Ever – Happy 96th Birthday, Mom!

Molly and David fell in love, were happily married, and then on October 31st, 1922 God gave this happy couple a precious gift from heaven. It wasn't a pumpkin or a ghost or a goblin, or any other TRICK. They must have been very, very good because He gave them a very special TREAT! And their TREAT was a precious little baby girl who they named “Lydia". “Lydia” means “worshipper of God“! And true to her name, she has been, and is, a true worshipper of God. You'll find her at any given time with her Bible in hand, reading and praying for her family and friends.

Mom met Dad, Herb, when she was 23 and six weeks later, they were married. Talk about a whirlwind courtship! Dad was a young, itinerant minister who was speaking at Mom’s church. I love hearing her tell the sweet details of their first meeting when he and her met on the way to the restrooms, and a day later showing up at her home and asking her parents if he could date her, to the 55 years that ensued to his passing, They had two children, Ronald (Ron) and Karen. This precious lady, "Mom", means the world to me, because were it not for her, my life would have never been filled with such love, joy, and happiness from having her son as my precious husband. I celebrate her and her life of giving, loving, and caring for so many. She has been a true gift to all who know her. She has left her mark on so many lives, including mine. Though she is actually my mother-in-law, it has always been so natural to call her "Mom", because she's always treated me like her daughter. She loved me when I was just 12 years old when I met her for the first time and has continued to love, support, pray for and encourage me all these years.

I know there are funny and often "catty" remarks about "mother-in-law’s". Not in my case. I know that were it not for her, I would have never been blessed with my sweetheart. I am so grateful for her and I appreciate, respect and honor her. And, that's the kind of "in-law" I desire to be for my children and grandchildren's spouses.

Fortunately, I’ve been here in Tulsa since Saturday and each day I’ve had the opportunity to go and sit with her. Yesterday when I showed up, she was standing erect, beaming from ear to ear with excitement that her two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law from Dallas were coming in town to see her and celebrate her birthday with her. How wonderful that there are those who desire to show up and express their love while their loved one is still on this side of heaven.

Just being in Mom’s presence brings peace. In our conversation on Sunday, I said, “Mom, what piece of wisdom would you give for your long and peace-filled life?” Without hesitation, she said, “1) Stay busy; 2) Help others whenever you can; and 3) If there’s somebody you don’t like, just let it roll over you.” Those words aren’t earth-shaking, but I’ve seen them played out in her life. Still, at 96, she stays busy. She stays busy with the office work she does for Karen & George’s business and she’ll either be reading her Bible, praying or on the phone to encourage someone. And, that part about not liking someone and letting it roll over you, she’s referring to cranky, bitter and hateful people. She’ll get pretty frustrated with them, but then, she’ll realize their attitudes are not hers, so she gives them to God to deal with them. She literally lets it roll off her shoulders to His.

On this 96th birthday of Lydia Wuerch, I pay special tribute to a beautiful, thoughtful and devoted Mom, Granny, and friend to so many. God must have loved us so much, that He gave her to us as the best TREAT ever. I celebrate this special day, I honor her with my greatest devotion and thanksgiving to God for her life, her continual prayers for us for so many years and for the living example she is of knowing God, His faithfulness and His love. Happy "96th" Birthday, Mom!

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

What a week, month, even several months it’s been working with an amazing team for a Senior Living Expo yesterday. And the team wasn’t a marketing company we hired to orchestrate, plan, prepare, organize, create, assemble and pull off a successful show, booth, complete with visual effects, movie, banner, photos and placed intricately on press board, order equipment – a display board, drawing box, lights, table and decor', electrical components, flyers, certificates, prizes, create a seminar and slide show presentation, complete with scripts, jump drives, etc. Whew! This team was a 55+ group of diehard people who did it. Seniors doing all this for seniors. I was amused at us. We were not in a "senior mentality mode", in the sense of retirement, taking it easy, and in slow motion, etc. We were in power mode and we pulled it off. We entertained as much as we "sold" who we were. I loved it when Marcia Stowell was "signing" to a hearing impaired lady. People gravitated to our booth because of the vivaciousness of our crew. Our bright yellow shirts added to the buzz. I can’t begin to say how proud I was of this team. I'm so pleased to say "SUCCESS" by this seasoned and mature team! We've still got it! LOL!

There were hundreds, even thousands of baby boomers who attended a day of seminars and visited over 80 booths complete with health screenings and every business you can imagine that would be of interest to seniors. Folks in wheelchairs, walkers, and using canes, but also folks who are strong, healthy and full-of-life – there to take in the latest and greatest in those things that interest seniors.

While preparing for this event, I found myself compartmentalizing everything else in my life. I was laser focused on getting this event ready to go and organized with ultimate success results. We expect to see lots of folks coming out to check out our community, buy a home here and join us here as a result of our efforts. I've found one of the best ways to achieve success is to strive to be in the moment, giving that moment all we’ve got to be the best we can be at it. Give it our 100% best effort.

Compartmentalizing helps us isolate that particular area of our life from all the other issues and/or challenges we are dealing with. The point is, there will be an end to a project and we can close the chapter on it and proclaim SUCCESS. We did that yesterday. We even kicked up our heels when the band starting playing at the end of the day. We loaded up all our equipment, put it in the car……and went our separate ways. Then I opened up another one of my compartments…..my grandson’s wedding compartment. That’s one I’m so excited about – so much so that I MUST find a just right pair of shoes to go with my formal. I spent a couple of hours enjoying myself in this compartment….er….shoe departments.

There are always seasons in all of this. Times when family needs more attention, work, ministry, play need more attention. And, yes, even when we need to get away and be alone for a period of time. But getting things done, over with, is best done with attention to compartments. Right now, I’m in my Facebook and blogging compartment – one of my main compartments in each day. I’ve learned to close one compartment and open another. I’ve learned to say “no” to things that don’t deserve a compartment. I’m getting good at that.

Compartmentalizing also has to do with stress and worries. That’s one that tries to open up to me in the middle of the night. I don’t welcome that compartment and I do my best to keep it locked up and closed. But when it does open up, I’ve learned the best way to shut it down is to open up my “Think on these good things" compartment from Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

It’s amazing the volume and quality of work we’re able to finish by staying focused on one compartment at a time. We think the notion of multi-tasking is a good thing, but honestly, only “little attention” to the tasks produces little results. Compartmentalizing and get that compartment all finished and done with…..opens the way for the next success story in the next compartment.

This week, a new compartment will open to me. HINT: packing up my home. What? More to follow.....

School of Hard Knocks

Many of us went to, and even graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. I'll never forget how smart my husband and I thought we were starting out in life -- so very young and inexperienced. His dad tried to counsel us on so many things and offer his sound advice and wisdom to us. But, no, we had to do things "our way" -- which we thought was the much "better way". Oh, how much time, effort, and money we could have saved ourselves had we heeded his wisdom. Two years before we married, against his dad's recommendations for an automatic, Ron was determined to get a standard shift car -- and it just HAD to be a 1964 Chevy Super Sport Impala. I remember "Ronnie" trying to teach me to drive it -- and, oh my, I have memories of almost sending us through the windshield from trying to shift from neutral to first to second to third and almost stripping the gears. Eventually, I got it down. But we had many regrets about that car -- if only we'd listened. And, we learned the "hard knocks" way in so many other ventures.

Many of us are still in the School of Hard Knocks, and we're still diligently pursuing that place of success and prosperity. I assure you -- we'll get to graduate, sooner rather than later, if we'll listen to, and apply, Professor Wisdom's words that are found in the Book of Proverbs. We'll find in her "Wisdom Class" that wisdom doesn’t come automatically. Rather, it’s tested and proven in day-to-day life.

Professor Wisdom or “Lady Wisdom” is a teacher who is more concerned about teaching us valuable lessons, and less concerned about being our friend. She teaches us that the way of wisdom is not always an easy road, but she does promise that if we hang in there, and keep heeding her advice, we'll get to a blessed life. Proverbs 4:5-7 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of HER mouth. Forsake HER not, and SHE shall preserve you: LOVE HER, and SHE shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting -- get understanding.” Let's heed Professor Wisdom's advice, as well as to those brilliant and successful sages that have paved the way for us -- it is sure worth the investment!

Let's Swim Out to our Ship!

Sometimes we look at others, and see their successes, and we might think, "Why not me?" ********* And there are other times, we wish we could be bold enough to step out in faith -- even be somewhat of a "Risk Taker", regardless of what the outcome might be. ********* BUT, then, there are those defining moments when, with all out abandonment, we muster up every ounce of confidence and boldness and bulldog tenacity that we possibly can.....and we take that audacious leap of faith -- that step forward or that "swim" of a lifetime!
And, regardless of the outcome, we GO FOR IT!

Let's go for it TODAY!! Who knows? Our ship just might be anchored in the harbor, and it's ready for us to board!

Life = Risk

"If you've never failed.....you've never lived!" I'll never forget "the big one" that my husband and I "bet the farm" on. It was our BIG RISK -- we were going to become wealthy because of our investment in the drilling of an oil well. My husband and our young son, Ryan, stayed at the oil well -- all day and all night, watching and praying, for us to "strike it rich"! But that time -- it was not to be -- it was a DRY well. Disappointed? Yes! Was it a huge risk? Yes! Did it stop us? No! We never quit on taking risks, and I sincerely believe that is one of the reasons why our family has met with so much success. Plenty of failures along the way -- but it never stopped us from trying again.

Have you failed at something you so wanted to win at? Did others scorn you for taking a risk.....and, indeed, it was a loser? Have you wished you could step out in faith and become adventurous, but you kept hearing voices that said, "Give up!" "Throw in the towel!" "It's too risky!" "You could lose everything!" "Play it safe!" Well, we are in good company! Please watch this short, 1 minute video about some GREATS who became GREAT because they didn't listen to THOSE voices. I think you'll have a renewed sense of "I will not quit! I'm not giving up! I am unstoppable and I will win!