We Become What We Feed Ourselves

Being here at my children’s home while they are away to care for their two furry critters, sure gives me plenty of content for my blogs. You see, my girl cherishes the things and the people that helped get her here to this time and place. Everywhere you look around here, she has vignettes of treasured memories.

Case in point is this vignette of the peace sign figurine. If you’ve ever seen one of Staci's videos, you’ll see her use that sign at the end. Under the figurine are books written by three of her favorite authors and speakers who impacted her life. "Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren is one of my favorites, too. We believe we are here on Planet Earth at this time and this place, intentionally, by God for purposes beyond coincidence. We believe that before we were born, God wanted us to discover the life He created for us to live – here on earth and forever in eternity. I love what St. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11 “Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.” I am forever grateful to know we are products of His divine purpose for our lives.

Next in the stack is “The 360-degree Leader” by another of her favorite authors, John Maxwell. Staci would tell you that her business acumen has come from her thirst for knowledge by reading and devouring successful leaders’ advice and training. She has been driven to be a devoted Christ-follower and leader in the marketplace and books like this have helped her become the leader worth following in her faith, her business, in relationships and her personal life.

And, the book at the bottom which represents the foundation (besides the Bible) of her positive, optimistic, can-do attitude, is "Over the Top". That is just one of the many other books she consumed by her mentor and beloved father-figure while travelling with him for twelve years, Zig Ziglar. Before we were introduced to Zig, we were his followers, so much so that we became little Zigs. His life philosophies, motivational speaking, his Christian witness and his personal “walk” made him our mentor. We raised our kids on those principles and I attribute much of their success to what we spoke into them and lived before them. My husband taught those principles in his own "Born to Win" seminars in churches and organizations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Belize. We desired that others achieve what we knew were life-changing principles. We wanted to pay-it-forward and make the difference in people’s lives, too. “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” — Zig Ziglar

Even in something as simple as dog-sitting, we can find reasons to be grateful for who or what made us the best we can be. It’s reminded me to be thankful for the blessings of ups and downs that showed us how to navigate the waters and come safely to the other side. I’ll bet you’ve had wisdom and knowledge poured into your life that helped you navigate, too. Maybe you can think about them right now and thank God for His plan and purposes that caused you to be the amazing person that you are today!

It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Memory Going

Over the last few days, I’ve been attracted to watching some PGA golf (certainly not my usual choice for TV-watching). Maybe it was because my son was playing in a golf tournament this weekend. When I turned on the TV yesterday afternoon and the women’s 2017 Solheim Cup was on, my mind was flooded with so many memories that brought precious “in-the-now” moments. BTW – the Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers with teams representing Europe and the United States. The men’s event is the Ryder Cup which is played on the off year from the women’s Solheim Cup. This year the Solheim Cup was in Des Moines, Iowa. The U.S. won yesterday for the 2nd year in a row – 2015 & 2017. I watched the final shots that secured the U.S.’s win and I saw Juli Inkster, the Team Captain, cry tears of joy.

It was in 2003 when our car dealership manager called to ask if we'd like tickets to the LPGA Tournament the next weekend at Tulsa Country Club. Of course we did -- we loved watching Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, Nancy Lopez, Kerry Webb, among other women's golf greats. He went on to say, "And, oh, by the way, Ron, how about playing in the Mercedes putting contest? We need one more for 50 entrants. You and your wife have a current passport, don't you? You could win a great prize!" We didn't know what it was, but my mission was to get him practicing his putting every day until then. And, Ron's Mom gave him some great advice "When you get up to make your putt, take your time, pray, and picture that hole like Goliath's head, then like David, take aim and sink that ball like David sunk Goliath!"

It was the day of the 50-yard putting contest during the LPGA. There were 50 contestants who putted in alphabetical order. Yay -- at last to be grateful for a name at the end of the alphabet. They had to hit the ball in an upside down L (a dogleg left) to the hole. The closest to the hole was 3-feet when it was finally Ron's turn. Like his Mom told him, he took his time. The Golf Network was televising this whole event. Ron stood there, looked at the course, then looked at the ball. He looked at the course, and he looked at the ball. The announcer said, once again "And now, Ron Wuerch!" Like his Mom told him, he had been praying. When he finally took his stroke, it was as though that ball was on a laser course......it made its L-turn perfectly, and.....that ball went straight into the hole. The cheers went up in a roar, and Ron held his arms and hands up like he was a pro golfer winner. What a moment of achievement and celebration. But the best part? That hole-in-one merited us a prize of an all-expenses-paid 8-day trip, flying on the 747 jet with the entire LPGA Team the next day to Barseback Golf & Country Club, Skane, Sweden, for the 2003 Solheim Cup. where they would be playing the European Team. We were beyond grateful, exhilarated, and truly felt God's favor over our lives. It was one of those “pinch me to be sure I’m not dreaming” moments. I’ll never forget my never-met-a-stranger husband chatting with Juli Inkster on the flight to Sweden and expressing that she had always been his favorite female player. So, of course, seeing her as captain of the winning U.S. team yesterday, played that memory in my head like it was on a giant cinema screen.

Since the official games didn't start until Thursday, we became adventurers and went to Denmark, and if that weren't enough, we decided to adventure to Germany, my husband's country of origin. After riding the bus, the ferry, the taxi and train, we made it to Berlin. It was a thrill to see the remains of the Berlin Wall that heralded not only the last days of communism in Eastern Europe, but also the emergence of a reunified and reinvigorated Germany — a country that is now Europe’s economic leader. What a blessing it was to be at the site of the fall -- to be able to put our feet on the place where history was made and a new day and a new beginning began.

So, thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me that little window from the past that I peered through with such gratitude. We celebrated life when we could. We didn’t hold back for another day. We took on this day and another day and another, and I continue to live with that mentality.

I'm so grateful for the treasured memories of the past.....as well as the brand new day, today! What a sweet life it's been -- and as sweet as the journey was in the past, I still get a thrill out of God’s surprises and mercies that are new every morning. Stay tuned – I’ll be sharing about the ones I make today, for some time in the future!

He Gives His Beloved Sweet Sleep

Day 289 of Photo Inspirations -- He Gives His Beloved Sweet Sleep
#TBT -- This first photo inspiration is one that is so dear to my heart.  Our little Payton was beyond tired -- he just couldn't make it through his meal.  It was our weekend with Payton and Alexia and that meant action-packed, non-stop fun from morning until night.  We made the most of our time with our grandchildren, making lots of memories, and now that my Sweetheart is in heaven, I'm so glad we did.  But most of all, they got to know how special and loving their Papa was.  He definitely made an impression on their lives -- so much so -- that they still talk about him a lot and recall so many fun times with him.

This had been a weekend of fishing, checking out the nearby horses, going to the zoo and playing outside a lot.  Such treasured memories.  Now, during this season, I get to relive those moments in my photos.  Now, the kids and grandkids understand why Nana always has her camera with her -- always asking for yet another photo.

And, like that precious boy falling asleep after a busy day of fun, at the close of those weekends, when the kids' Mom and Dad came to pick them up, Papa and I would drop into our recliners, and, yes, we would fall asleep too.  Yes, God gives His beloved sweet sleep....right when we need it most.
Precious Payton didn't have a care in the world so he could just rest in happy freedom.  And, through faith and complete trust in our Lord,  we, too, can  rest in Him in happy freedom from care.

Those whom the Lord loves are delivered from the fret of life.  Just like my husband and I wanting to give the best things to our grandchildren, God is sure to give the best things to His beloved, and like this photo, we know He gives them sweet sleep -- that is a laying aside of care, a forgetfulness of need, a quiet leaving of matters with God.  This kind of sleep is better than riches and honor. Remember how Jesus slept amid the ups and downs of a storm at sea? He knew that He was in his Father's hands, so he could be so quiet in spirit that the billows rocked Him to sleep.  It would be like that for us if we were more like HIM.

Take it from me.  There are often times when I wake in the night and sleep is far from me, but I visualize being in the bow of the ship and think about the sweetness of God's love and I remind myself of His words.  "I give my beloved sweet sleep."  Yes, I'm His beloved and I also remind myself of Isaiah 26:3 "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me."  Between that rocking boat, and thinking about my Father, before long I'm back to sound sleep......just like my little grandson......with not a care in the world.