Faith, Family, Values, and Determination = Favor and Blessings

On our way back to Dallas from College Station, we stopped in Waco to go to Magnolia Market at the Silos. If you've ever watched (and, in my case, addicted to) HGTV's "Fixer Upper", you know what Magnolia Market, Chip and Joanna Gaines, their family and their values are about.

Chip and Joanna, the stars of the show, owners of Magnolia Market, as well as the interior designers/contractors that take an old, in disrepair home, and make it a beautiful showcase home, are grassroots, family-oriented, and just downright good people who display such love and gratitude in what they do. The old silos in Waco are where they house their store. Shopping, a garden area and store, petting area (goats), outdoor game area, and food (food trucks lined up on the property) are part of the experience. Being there, was like being on the movie set where in their show's episodes, we see Chip telling Joanna "We can buy the silos and put our market here!" I was amazed that the silos are right in the middle of downtown Waco, instead of out in a field somewhere. Their love for their alma mater, Baylor University, is recognized when you drive up and all the parking areas, within a block of the store, charge $10 to park, with the proceeds going to Baylor.

But here's what I love most about them. They are using their platform to reflect their faith. Here are some excerpts from an article I read in "Christian Post".

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. CST, families all over America tune in to Joanna and Chip taking broken down, but potential-rich houses and turn them into showpieces that are helping revitalize whole neighborhoods throughout central Texas. "Fixer Upper" is being pegged a glimpse into "everyday Christian living" through the lives and work of the Gaines family. Although the show follows their quest of saving homes that look hopeless, it's their example of a loving family that is proving to be a true testament to their faith.

The couple told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, "Our family has made a commitment to put Christ first, a lifestyle our parents modeled for us very well. They showed us how to keep our marriage and family centered around God. As for 'Fixer Upper,' we have been surprised at the impact of our faith through the show. We haven't been overtly evangelical, but the rich feedback we have received on family and love all source from our faith. Jesus said the world would know His disciples by their love for one another, and we've glimpsed this in practice and strive for it every day."

In a video for Baylor University, the college Chip and Joanna met at, Joanna shared her testimony. She revealed that it was not until she trusted God with her dreams that all of this success was able to come about. Growing up as a bi-racial child, both Asian and White, proved to be very challenging for the now mother of 4. Joanna said that from an early age it was always her faith in God that gave her hope for the future. "'Joanna I have a calling for you, you're going to have a platform one day,'" she testified of a time God spoke to her.

In the video she went on to discuss a time she thought she would have to give up on her business for good to raise her family. "I heard God say very clearly... he said, 'Joanna if you trust me with your dreams, I'm going to take Magnolia further than you ever dreamed.'" "Fixer Upper" has been living proof for the couple that what God promised has come to pass."

I shared this "success" story in my post today, because you and I have the opportunity to be "Parades of Homes, Life, and Blessings" too. When we put God in His rightful place in our lives (#1), His blessings will chase us down, and His light will shine brightly through us to a world that so needs to see true examples of commitment, faith, values and love.

The Legacy of Praying Grandparents

Day 159 of Photo Inspirations -- The Legacy of Praying Grandparents
#TBT  This is my Grandma and Grandpa, John & Mary Halbert.  They've long been in heaven, but yesterday, I had sweet memories of them and knew this would be my #TBT photo inspiration today.

Back in the day.....50+ years ago, I well remember "Testimony" Services at church.  That's when the pastor would invite people in the congregation to stand and give a praise report about God's goodness.  I remember my grandpa, with a beautiful baritone voice, standing up to sing one song each time "Hold to God's unchanging hand.  Hold to God's unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God's unchanging hand."  And from there he'd give witness to how the struggles in this life can be overcome if we hold God's unchanging hand.

Then my sweet grandma would stand and give her short, yet consistent "word" exhortation:  "You've just got to love."  Then she'd sit down.  Her mission was accomplished, because everyone that knew her, felt her love, and in turn, desired to immulate that love.

They lived in such a modest little home in midtown Dallas, and I remember, more times than not, finding them in their rocking chairs, listening to religious broadcasting on their radio.  Good old Southern preaching and singing..  They wore their faith and love for God on the inside and outside.  And, that's my legacy.

This sweet little grandmother was also the matchmaker that brought my sweetheart and me together -- myself at age 12 and "Ronnie" aka Ron at age 13.  She called to say, "Ronnie Wuerch likes you."  I replied, "Tell him I like him, too!"  The rest is history....but needless to say, the most precious gift she ever gave me.

Today I'm embracing and cherishing those memories because I know that their prayers for me, waaay back then, are still being answered today.  Their prayers, like our prayers, are "perennials" (you know, the flowers/plants that come back up year after year).  Each prayer they prayed were like seeds that eventually bore fruit that has blessed not just me, but my children and their children.  Just because they died, their prayers didn't.  I am still reminded that the prayers of my grandparents are being answered in my life right now.  Their prayers outlived them.

Their example is inbred in me now, because today, I carry on their legacy as I pray for my kids and grandkids.  God hears every prayer and every prayer is ALWAYS answered...eventually.  I hope that one day, those are the memories my kids and grandkids will have about me.
#PreciousMemories