Define "Miracle"

I had the pleasure of attending the "Esther Woman" event at St. Luke's Methodist church yesterday.  It was their Christmas program and about 500 women were in attendance.  We ate, we visited, my group and I sold my non-profit's items to the ladies there, and it was just pretty fun stuff. 

I went to sell stuff and eat a free meal.  I didn't dream I was going to be sitting at my table, crying over a miracle.

Miracles are everywhere in our family.  With Lacey working for Children's Miracle Network, me working for my non-profit, and Bubba working for Lifeshare (organ donation) we're in the business of witnessing and experiencing miracles.

Laynie taught us well, what a miracle looks like. 

I've been to a TON of ladies conferences, and listened to a TON of speakers, been touched in the heart, been not moved at all, even been a tad bit bored, if I tell you the truth, but yesterday.... WOW.  My heart was touched. 

Here is a beautiful 15 year old girl.  You all probably have them running in and out of your homes (as I do), and pretty much take for granted that their lives are all planned out.  I look at this little girl and I see beautiful blue eyes, and a sweet smile.   Take totally for granted that she is a miracle.  She is healthy, normal, beautiful, vibrant, outgoing, funny, a regular 15 year old.   Her name is Jessie Boone. 

She goes with her church on a ski trip.  Normal, regular stuff.  This kid has gone 3 times.  She is an old pro at this.   Her parents kiss her bye, and off she goes.... like hundreds and hundreds of kids before her. 

But this time, something terrible happens.  Something tragic, and horrible.  Jessie gets in an ice patch, loses control and hits a tree.   Everything about her life to that second stops. 

Her mom and dad fly straight out of Oklahoma to Colorado and remain there 40 days, while their only daughter, their precious baby, lies near death.  Jessie's mom, Lisa, who shared her story with us, recounted the prayers said over her daughter.  How, when it got too much to bear in Jessie's room, she would run to the chapel, where she would lie facedown in the floor of the church and wail and groan to God, begging, pleading to either take her and free her from her pain, or heal her.  I felt the tears start to form in my eyes during her passionate re-telling of the event.   Oh, how I know that cry. 

Their normal 15 year old daughter left on a church ski trip, and 40 days later, they brought home a newborn baby, unable to move, talk, respond, BUT that family NEVER gave up praying and hoping for their miracle. 

I'm going to share this video I found on YouTube.  It so eloquently tells her story, and I think you'll understand how incredible this young woman's journey is.
 

DON'T YOU NEED A KLEENEX???   Oh my america.  So glad I had some in my pocket. 

Now, if you saw this girl today, and didn't know her story, most would think she was born with a disability.  You'd be a little tongue-tied, because you'd view her as "different".   You might avert your eyes when walking past her in the mall, because she walks a little funny.  You can't really understand what she is saying when she talks, because she is re-learning to speak. 

But if you avoid looking at her, or even ignore her, because she's just not "normal". .....  folks, you missed a walking, breathing miracle.  Her life is a miracle.  Her journey is a miracle.  I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes because I am so passionate about this.

Just because some people look or act different than us, doesn't mean their lives aren't miracles.  Open your hearts and minds to the possibility.

God's plan for each of us is perfect.  This family will be the first to tell you this.  Their non-stop praise of His holy name is astounding.  Instead of drowning in despair over the loss of their vibrant daughter, they are lifting their hands in thanksgiving for the new gift He gave them.   There is beauty in all things.  God is bigger than ALL the things on this earth....  please just open your hearts to that possibility.

One of the teams on Kip's world race got the priviledge of working with an orphanage in China that specializes in children with disabilities.  I got choked up watching their video, and someday, I don't know how or HOW, but I am going to go to that orphanage and volunteer my time.    I love the words to this song.  Because I can't make videos (don't judge, I do write), please click the song and get it to play and then scroll through the pics I have attached of the team in China with their babies.  Tell me that team didn't change spending time with those 'Miracles".   It's not JUST the prayer that changes things, It's the Change inside the person MAKING that prayer.    I know this full well. 



Thank you Z squad...for loving those children.



He Makes Beautiful Things.... He Makes No mistakes..... He loves us all.   Jesus loves the little children....

                                 ALL the Children of the World. 

7th grade Basketball

Hallie has started playing basketball this year.  She is already pushing 5'10" and when she stands with her arms in the air, she almost reaches the net on the goal.  Ok, I'm exaggerating, but not by much.  The only problem is, she really hasn't figured out what to do yet.  Her sister, Chaurley, came to her game yesterday and gave her this sage advice  "Butt to Block".  Spoken like a true basketball player.   Maybe, oh maybe, she'll listen to her. 

Right now, all I can see of 7th grade basketball, is get the ball, run as fast as you can down the floor to the goal, either jack it up and miss it, or pass it until someone steals or fouls, which is usually in under 6 seconds.  They pretty much run down the floor, fight, fight, fight, jack it up, and then run down to the other side, fight, fight, fight, jack it up, then run to the other side, fight, fight.... are you seeing the fun of 7th grade sports?  Oy.

She'll figure it out.  She figured out volleyball there at the end, and played fairly decent.  I expect the lightbulb will come on about the end of the season, just in time for it to be over.  The good thing is, I'm pretty sure that lean, lanky machine, hasn't stopped growing and she really, in spite of her asthma, enjoys this game.  And she's actually learned to run now.  Back in Tball, she ran like C3PO in star wars, so I'm glad we are past that. 

Lacey attended Saturday mornings game with me (it was a double elimination tournament), and we heehawed like donkeys in the bleachers.  I can't believe we weren't asked to leave.  Lacey really is the funniest human being on the planet.  She can say the funniest, random stuff and just leave me on the floor. I was reliving Lacey's ONE year of basketball with her, and she had played ALL season almost every game some, and had shot several times and never made a basket.  We were at the very last game of the season, in the last few minutes of the game, and she ran down the floor, threw it up, and MADE it!  All my mom friends and I WENT WILD!  It was like she had won an olympic gold medal.  We're all crying and hugging each other, and I know all those people at the game were like, "What the crap?  These woman take this VERY serious".... but in reality, it was a gold medal.  She had chunked that ball at the hoop all season and never made a basket, and in the last few minutes....wham, there it is.   Lacey's comment on Hal's prowess,  "At least she makes baskets".  Crack. Me. Up.    Perspective, there it is. 

It's exhausting to watch these games.   By the time they are done and they have shot enough to make 1100 points and only have 6 on the board, all my hair is gray, and my armpits are soaked.  There is nothing pretty or sportsmanlike about 7th grade basketball.  And that's just the spectators.  Amen. 

I think I'd rather do this laughing stuff..........

Than This.

7th grade basketball.  Not for the faint of heart. 

Spreading the Hope

We were invited to come to our dear friends, Mark and Vickie Rogers, home church in White Oak, Texas and speak to their congregation about Laynie.  Mark has been wanting us to do this for a year, and we finally made the 6 hour drive down there and shared this weekend, and boy, am I glad we did. 

As much as I LOVE to tell Laynie's story (and trust me, I do a great job telling it, Not boasting, just sayin', cause it's my ABSOLUTE favorite story to tell), Lacey is just precious.  What she took from Laynie's life is so amazing, and such a force.  There is no denying God's hand.  No. Denying.  

Lacey stood up in front of that welcoming congregation and shared her heart.  And they received it, and walked away blessed. 

Hallie and I sang and shared the song "Blessings" by Laura Story, because the words wrap our journey up perfectly.   We have a slideshow of pictures of Laynie we showed while we sang, and we will figure out a way to combine the two, and I will share it, when we get that together, because it is just precious, too.

Mark and Vickie go WAY back in our lives.  Vickie lived with Carl and I, way back when Lacey was "Fohr" (said in Boston language that she spoke in when she was 4 years old), and Kip was just a baby.  Mark was her boyfriend, who, because they were 19, were joined at the hip.  It's so amazing to me that they are still loving and supportive as ever 22 years later.  Makes me very happy. 

They both shared with me at different times while we were there, the secret to their long union.  "God is #1 in our marriage.  I don't like <him> <her> every single day, and on those days when I don't, I love God.  And my commitment that I made before God, with <him> <her>, and my love for GOD, carries me through, until I love <him> <her> again.  And the powerful thing to all of this is knowing that <he> <she> feels the exact same way, and they won't forsake me ever, because they love God as much as I do".   WOW.  When you think you can marry someone that doesn't share your same beliefs and the marriage be compatible and stable, re-think that.  Having someone that loves God as much as you do is vital.  Pretty much LOVE 101 here.  This from the Single Lady at 50.  still learning.  and receiving learning. 

Anyway, Lacey is amazing.  Her message of Hope is so transparent.  You can see her heart when she speaks.  "There is NOTHING you can't overcome with God.  There is NOTHING bigger than God".  It's hard to understand that, when you are in the middle of the storm, but God can carry you through ANYTHING.   Just ask Him to do it. 

My girl can do ANYTHING through Christ that strengthens her.....  She is a light and a force.


SOOO, I loved our road trip.  We took one way down and another way back.  We just meandered whichever way we thought looked right and when I started feeling shaky on directions, Lacey whipped out the old Iphone and got me back on path.  Even through dirt roads.  We. are. slightly. amazing. 

Who needs a speaker and some singers?  We cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard.  And you WILL be blessed. 

God is good, all the time.

Saying goodbye to a friend

It's really pretty strange how close most of my high school classmates have stayed with each other.  Somehow back in the olden days when we were all still babies, I ran for Senior Class Vice-President, and with the help of good friend, Steven Tomlinson, I had a terrific campaign speech.  and I got elected.  Little did I know that job would carry the weight of the class reunions for the ReST OF OUR LIVES, on my shoulders.  I missed our 5 year....that dang Lacey decided to be born that weekend.   And our 10 year was AMAZING.  Almost everyone from our class was there.  The 15 year dwindled down, but we were small and mighty, and the 20 was back to good form.   Our 25 was small but mighty again, and our 30 was just so much fun. I appreciate Suzanne and Shelley picking up the slack at the 30, since I was so involved with Laynie, and unable to put in much time at all.  Really, can't ever thank them enough.  After the 10, pretty much the same people come to each of them, and one of the frequent fliers to all the reunions, was our friend, Kermit Anderson. 

Known as Junior to his family (cause his dad was Sr), and Kermit to all of us, he was a quiet, hilarious guy that even in the midst of mischief being made, he would look as innocent as the driven snow, even though, I can promise you, the idea was his and put in motion by Mr. Sneaky.  He was a blast. 

But this blog isn't about him, because I've already shared about Kermit.  This blog is about all my classmates, that understand that life is short, and that HISTORY makes us family.  We can effortlessly slip back into high school banter without even blinking an eye.  "Mom" status doesn't exist with these people.  With these people I am 17 again.  (Oh, holy moly.)   We share history, marriages, babies, parents, siblings, teacher memories, years of life and friendships. 

I adore Facebook.  It makes it very easy to fall into the sense of "everydayness" with people you haven't seen in years.  I'll see someone, and they are completely up to speed on my life, simply by reading my facebook.  In fact, I don't have any particularly funny stories to share anymore, because if I start to tell a story, I'll invariably get interrupted with "OH, I read that on facebook", and I sit, disgruntled, because I. got. nothin.  else.  For. The. Everlovin. Love. of stories. 

I think a good compliment you can give someone -- to show up at their funeral.  The better compliment is to let them know how you love them BEFORE they die, and I'll forever carry that guilt with Kermit, because I doubt he knew how much I really thought of him, and cared for him.   I will forever carry the image of him and Tim, curled up in the "Spoon" position, after Kermit spent the night with Tim, on Tim's double bed.  I walked in to surprise them with donuts, and, Oh for the love of spoonin.. I was the one surprised. That was sooo  funny, I still laugh out loud to this day with that image forever burned in my brain.  Two perfectly great twin beds in the next room, and those two chose to spoon in Tim's 'lil bed.  "We were cold", was their excuse, even Tim's to this day. 

The hardest part for me that day was watching my beloved friends that DID share the day to day with Kermit, say goodbye.  Greg and Tim... wrenching for me.  Watching a dear friend say goodbye to their dear friend.... no words.   All any of us could do was be there for them.   And there, we were.

It was great seeing faces of friends we haven't seen in years.... Greg Stevens, Jana Buzzard, Kelli Lyday, Tim McCarter, to name a few.... and the old familiar faces that all of us can always count on... Suzanne, Shelley, Roxann, Terri K, Lisa G, Greg G, Tim B, Mike C, MaryJane, Dub, Paul and Melanie B, Kelley Jones, and now back in Shawnee Lois Hill, just to name a few.   Woohoo.  It's comforting to know, I will always see their faces. 

We decided that we want to have get togethers every year now.  Whoever comes, comes, whoever doesn't, doesn't.... it will be a Saturday deal, at a different hotel (with facilities for gathering and visiting, and staying), starting on Friday night/Saturday/Saturday night and just love each other all we can, while we can.   Life is short and fleeting, and it's a GIFT to have the friends that we have. 

I'm sad that we lost Kermit, but I'm also blessed beyond reason to know that REAL friends are out there, to comfort and love our families through.  And that is a wonderful thing....

Never miss an opportunity to kiss a friend, and tell them how much they mean to you.  You never know.