Flying By the Seat of My Pants = Kisses From Heaven

Missing my home church service yesterday morning because of timing, I headed out for Texas. It was a spendidly gorgeous day with the sun shining so brilliantly. I was bound and determined to attend service somewhere, and as it turned out, the timing was perfect for me to stop in Durant, OK.

Durant has a special connotation for me. It is where my 19 year old Mother and my 31 year old father drove to where Dad's best friends lived, who stood up for them as they got married in Durant. There were 12 years difference in their ages, but it was a match made in heaven. Sweet memory for me as I drove through that sleepy little town, past Southeastern OK State University and made my way to St. Williams Church.

As I drove up to the church, I knew I was going to be in the minority. Most of the attendees I saw going in were beautiful Hispanic people wearing their Sunday best. At first I thought the service would be only in Spanish, but I was pleased that it was all in English. What pleased me even more were the beautiful young girls all dressed in gorgeous white gowns and veils (looking like little brides) and the boys in their Sunday best, standing in the foyer when I walked in. I had to grab a photo of them. I made a spectacle of myself when I said, "Everyone look here -- smile big and say cheese!" They did. It is such a beautiful sight and such a momentous and touching occasion.

First Holy Communion (usually in second grade), is a defining moment and really big celebration for Catholic families. The day of First Communion is one they've spent months preparing for, learning the significance of the price Christ paid when He died on the cross for us, and then as He commanded at the Last Supper "As often as you do this (receive Holy Communion), do it in remembrance of Me." These kids have looked forward to this day with great anticipation -- the day when they are intimately united with Jesus Christ. This day is one the kids will never forget -- and it will be up to the parents', families' and friends' prayers and examples that will help ensure it.

The final little photo is a precious little girl and boy that sat behind me in church. The little girl kept tapping me on my back. I felt her love. I think she knew I was a Nana, just like at my home church where my godson and his sister, give me love-taps, hugs and kisses. I know they are heaven sent...in Tulsa AND in Durant, OK.

I love schedules and I also love "winging" it because when I just run with the wind and I trust that my steps are ordered of the Lord, He gives me some of most precious moments. I felt it big time yesterday. Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man (good woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he (she) delights in His way" -- (the way that led me to Durant, OK to witness a little piece of heaven on my way to my little piece of heaven with my kids in Texas). I'm just thanking God, once again, for shining His light brightly into my world.

Go Ahead and Buy a Backpack for an Adventure of a Lifetime!

Yesterday, TBT, I posted about a trip to Malmo, Sweden my husband won for us. As I posted the photos, I saw this one, and what a sweet memory it brought back to me. Can you see the backpacks we had on? First, let me tell you what an oxymoron that is. Ron Wuerch wearing a backpack and being spontaneous was unthinkable. His was a Type-A personality which meant he was a list-maker, an itinerary-follower, and a do-it-by-the-book leader. Rarely, if ever, did we just fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants. We knew where we were going, what time we would get there, what hotels we would stay en-route, and, what restaurants we would eat at.

But this time was different. We were still in shock and awe! We kept having to pinch ourselves that one day we were in Tulsa, OK and the next day in Europe -- all because of an incredible surprise blessing.

On the second day we were there, we ventured out by taking a high-speed train from Malmo to Copenhagen, Denmark! That spontaneous adventure made way for some more out-of-the-box thinking. We were so close to Germany, but attempting that trip would be a big stretch for us -- a lot of effort, embarking on the unknown, figuring out transportation, eating, sleeping and getting back on time for the Solheim Cup when it would start on Thursday. But, now, we felt empowered. We had made it to Denmark and back just fine, and took in so much beauty and history there, why not take this whole adventuring thing to a whole new level?

We became determined to squeeze everything we could out of this blessing. We bought backpacks for a change of clothes for our adventure. We felt like two kids that were leaving home and didn't know where we'd end up, but, oh, how fun and exhilerating it was for both of us. We laughed at ourselves when we walked by the windows of storefronts and saw our images with those back-packs on. Very little English was spoken, so we bought a "German" language book before heading out. That helped us find the taxi and the train, and what place to exit from the train, then to find the Berlin Wall, then to direct our bike-mo-bile driver where to go. We had the time of our lives! We were so good-exhausted when we got back to Malmo, but absolutely overcome with the joy of the victories we won by letting go of the status quo.

Yes, this was one of the sweetest memories I hold onto -- one of those "live with no regrets" times. Easier, less stress, less concern, and more rest -- would have been to stay close to the Malmo, Sweden Hotel -- but then we would have never had the grandest time of our lives.

What could you be missing in your life if you would just be willing to let go of "routine" and "comfort" and that "comfy chair" and "remote control"?

Perhaps there's a surprise coming into your life -- an experience that could alter your life, your personality and your FUN -- I urge you to go ahead and buy that backpack -- you could be in store for an ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME! Live with no regrets!