Bravo, Bravo, Bravo GOD!!!!!

Standing to our feet at the end of an awesome performance of Les Miserables, with hands clapping and roars of "Bravo, Bravo" being heralded toward the stage and burying lasting impressions into our souls, we showed our appreciation for the actors and actresses' performances.

Stopping speechless at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, my knees weakened as I stepped back to sit and admire the original painting of  "Washington Crossing the Delaware".  The talent that was displayed through one man's hands left me speechless.

Tears flow down my cheeks as my newly born child is handed into my arms....BRAVO!!

Beth Moore calls those times in our life that create a desire to want to stand, clap and look upward with "Bravo, Bravo God"...  those times when His words, His actions, His creation just bring us to our knees in appreciation.

On June 15, 2010, God brought a "Bravo, Bravo God" moment into my husband's and my life.  We had already been speechless over the generosity of  friends who allowed us to use their condo for time away to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  We had already been humbled as we walked down memory lane.  We were making our way back to our obligations at home in another city when God extended His hand for a "Bravo moment".

We circled back through our home town to stop at the church where our love had began.  We laughed in the parking lot where my husband had proposed to me.  Happily reliving our past memories, we strolled  into the familiar church lobby we had attended from childhood.  Asking the secretary if we could go into the locked sanctuary, we opened the door to more than I could have ever expected.  Strolling into the sanctuary, while having a friendly chat with the church secretaries, opened the scene for our "Bravo God" moment.  I only got a foot onto the still-blue carpet when God's presence...His hand on us.... His greatness in our marriage.... brought tears of gratefulness flowing from my eyes.  I lost it!  I was overwhelmed! I was enveloped in His Love and Faithfulness!

Standing there, my mind went back to every moment of my life that had occurred in this house of God.  From the first year my parents joined, (I was twelve) the years of youth group, years of our courtship, through our wedding, to the funeral of my beloved father-in-law.  The pews, the hymnals, the ceiling, the choir loft, the piano.  I was overcome with joy!

My husband, who had worshiped in this place longer than I, walked to the stage and sat down at the piano.  My tears were expressing my thoughts... he was quiet.  At age sixteen, he had given me wise, brotherly advise as I sat beside him on that same piano bench..  As he sat down, memories just continued to flood my mind.  He began to play like he had done for so many years in this place.  His voice and piano playing had filled these walls on many occasions. Then his gifted hands stroked the keys to play the melody of the song he had written for our wedding 30 years ago.

Bravo God, Bravo God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He finished the complete song, I washed away my tears and we both knelt on the same step of the platform stairs from 30 years earlier. These were the exact stairs where we had knelt in prayer before God so many times on different events in our lives, but the most important of all, our wedding prayer.  We once again prayed prayers to our God and recommitted ourselves in marriage before him.  Our gratefulness for our spiritual heritage which had brought us to this moment were voiced as a prayer offering before our God.

Yes, I have dreamed of those big parties where you renew your vows or a trip to Europe.  All of those dreams were diminished in size as I knelt with my husband of  thirty years, once again where it had all begun.

Words will never express that moment.  I am just trying to put it into words by calling it a
"Bravo, Bravo God Moment".

Can you recall your "Bravo God" moments?  Don't miss them. Sometimes they are in your child's kiss or an emotional event... and sometimes He is just there when life has knocked you down and He extends His arms to lift you up.
My "Bravo God" moment is still etched into my memory as tears flow each time I recall how He ended our anniversary celebration trip.  We serve an Awesome God!

He Owes Me Nothing

Back when I first started blogging, I posted what I called the Bravo, Bravo God post.  To me, these were the moments when you just want to stop and look heavenward with applauds to the only One who deserves it.  These are the moments when you realize that you deserve nothing and yet, He continues to bless you with the Bravo moments of life.

Today was a Bravo God day... one in which the tears so gratefully flowed down my face in awe of the One who made me.  I am nothing and yet, He never fails to show me how much He loves me.

The home school loop that I am a member of sent out an email about a trip to see a Lego exhibit.  Legos are Benjamin's all-time favorite toy in the world.  Anytime he has ANY money, it goes to buy Legos.  In fact his recent loss of his front tooth gave him money for Legos.  When the email crossed my site, I froze as I looked down to see that my calendar was full with a work day for me.  Each dime I make at this point is going toward our surviving our ending unemployment...there isn't time to take off.  My heart sank.  I went to the Lord with my mommy guilt.  Surely, there was some way for me to be obedient in making income and Benjamin not suffering loss.

After a business meeting at my house, where my brain is being stretched on information about essential oils, I stepped out of my "can do it all myself" mentality and asked for assistance.  I asked another mother if she would mind if Benjamin went with her and her family to the exhibit.

As I told Benjamin that he would be going to the Lego exhibit, he looked up with a smile, "this is the best week ever!"  I nodded thinking, "yes, Lord it is...thank you so much for hearing my heart."  Another wonderful Christian mother stood in for me and let my child attend with his friends.

I went off to work so grateful for a Lord who cares about the little things.

I finished my job to come home to another Bravo moment.  Another son crucified his flesh...stepped out in obedience to God and gave his mom the best gift ever....a wise, obedient son. God had told him to do something..something that, the day before wouldn't have been a sacrifice and yet, on this day, while going to deliver his sacrificial offering of obedience, an event blindsided him that would push his flesh to fight back with a "no, keep the offering"!  He didn't say "no" to God, even when he flesh was hurting.  He was obedient.

This mother has and continues to pray that all my children, their spouses and grandchildren will walk with the Lord Jesus Christ all the days of their life.  I pray they all will bow their knees to the King of Kings.  My oldest gave me a gift that can't be bought or sold....................He obeyed  His Savior and Lord and gained a great victory over his flesh.

As I go through my photo albums, grabbing pictures for my second son's wedding in two weeks, I replay all the years of parenting...all 29 years.  I soak in the fact that God has never left us or forsaken us... His word is true.  I had even sent a picture to our oldest this week of his younger brother on his back, with the comment..."you have always been and still are... the BEST BIG BROTHER."

So today............. having searched and struggled for words, I close with this..............

Bravo, Bravo God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Our Heroes in the Body of Christ

There are just times that words can't express our gratitude.  When we step back in such admiration for our loving God, we can only bow in worship, while saying, "Bravo, Bravo God!"


Watching the Body of Christ be the Body of Christ has been one of the most precious lessons our family has learned through our financial struggles.  Today, I just wanted to show you one of the many   dear friends who has blessed our family through his talent and giving heart.  This man has stood beside us more than once and this time, he took care of our precious four-year-old son.

This is Dr. L.D. Jennings, who has helped to heal our four-year-old's leg.  His talented staff reflects the wonderful, giving nature of our long-time friend.  He entered my husband's life in college, he stood as a groomsman in our wedding and has been at the end of more than one emergency call.  He always extends his talent and resources to bless our family.  He is a lifetime Texas Longhorn fan, who has given us his tickets to many games for our enjoyment.  He has blessed us with time in his lake-front condo to celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary.  The list goes on and on and he has fulfilled so many scriptures as a true friend and a brother. My husband doesn't have a brother, so this man has been one in every sense of the word.

"A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Benjamin laughing as Stacy uses her "tickle machine" to cut off his "camo" cast.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:16

Carey gently placing Ben's leg in position to take an x-ray on the "fancy camera".

"Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom, For with the same measure it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38

                                        Benjamin surrounded by his "angels". Bless them all!!
Isn't the Body of Christ beautiful?  When we all use what God has given us to bless others, then the world sees the love of our Father.  I also thank so many of you for your prayers, your emails, and unspoken gifts that have blessed us beyond measure.  My humble heart can only cry out, "Bravo, Bravo God!"

Leg brace for only one more month...God is good!!!

Bravo, Bravo - Standing and Cheering

In the past I have written blog post that I refer to as those "Bravo" times.  The time or event that just takes your breath away.  Life is full of them.  They keep us breathing, while pointing us to the One who orchestras those moments.  It can manifest through a work of art, music, nature, or even a child's voice.

This week my Bravo moment literally left me trying to grasp for words....which if you knew me, is usually a hard thing to accomplish.

Backing up first.  Our church has set the first three weeks of January as a time to fast and seek God's face.  The focus this year is Awaken.   Now I haven't found my word this year, mainly because it is a couple of words which tie together.  Awakening the Heart is part of our teaching, which happens to also be the words I hear the Lord speaking to me.  The first week of the fast I mainly focused on time with the Lord, and not as much on an actually struggling to fast.

With each time I allotted to go before the Lord He spoke. It was very loud and clear.  Very convicting, as He showed the sin He wanted to deal with during this season.  My journal started to fill as I wrote, listened and read the Word, while the stirring in my heart continued.  The heaviness of my sin was felt physically and emotionally.  God was working. He wanted to renew, restore, and awaken my heart.

God even used songs to bring me to His throne.  He also wrapped His loving arms around me in patience. He gave me hope.

The scripture  says His kindness leads us to repentance, it became my battle cry, as He gentle uncovered the sin.

This isn't always a  fun process, as He reminds us in scripture, but it is a process that is needed for Him to reveal Himself through us.  If we are a child of the King, then discipline will come and we never out grow His disciple.

As I allowed the potter to spin the wheel, place the pressure, while molding me, I saw yielding to His process brought peace and healing to my heart.

Then the unscheduled visit came.   A delivery to me that I could never have dreamed.  The vessel delivering the gift was a hand of God.  One who was being obedient.  I stood without words.

All I could think was "you are not worthy", "you haven't done anything to desire this"
 " your heart has been wicked and bitter and harsh" and "why would anyone think to do this for me?"

Receiving isn't always easy.   I want to be the giver, not the receiver, and yet here I stood being handed a gift.  Something I had dreamed about having one day.  Something that was above and beyond the need.

I will not share the giver of the gift because he is a silent man with waters that are deep.  He is never obedient for show or applause.  His treasures are in heaven, where rust and moth can't get to them. He is married to a God loving wife, who follows his lead. Their generosity is an united obedience.

This next week I will ride around in a "new to me car".  A lady's car.  Not a huge SUV, which can hold half the neighborhood, like was needed for decades.   Not a car that is in need of multiple repairs, yet has served me very well, for years and 200K plus miles.  Instead it will be a car that is beyond just a fulfilled need.

Our Father delights in giving His children good gifts.  These gifts come in many forms. I believe most of those gifts aren't material gifts, this week just happened to be a material gift.

So if you pass a woman in a Silver Lincoln, with her sun roof open, revealing the skies above, and from that vehicle you hear a "joyful noise".  You will know it is me............and I found my words.  Words of Praise and Worship to the God who does above all we could think or imagine.

BRAVO!!!

One Year: God's Hand - Bravo God

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, my thoughts go back to this time last year.  We returned from our Thanksgiving celebration to hear that our pastor had suffered a seizure that morning and was in the hospital.  Our thoughts stopped from our celebration to intercede for our young pastor and his family.

The news began to unfold that the seizure was the result of a brain tumor.  This past year, we have prayed and watched this man of God go through many surgeries and chemo treatments.

Today, he marched out onto the platform to preach to his body that now has multiple locations and numerous services. He has missed very few Sundays throughout this past year.  As I received the word from God  through this man, I couldn't help but offer up thanks for what God has done in his life and through his life this last year.

Today I say, "Bravo, Bravo God!" for the life of Matt Chandler and the testimony that has covered the world.

You can hear his testimony through many sources.  Just enter "Matt Chandler" in google and page after page will appear. I pray that by my sharing his testimony you will also be encouraged in your journey..I know I have been and still am.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/11/01/one-year-later-an-interview-with-matt-chandler/

Closing Out the Year - Sackcloth Removal

The end of the year is always a very big deal to me.  I contemplate the past, start to look to the future and resolve in my heart what it all means.  I get quiet before God.  Because my birthday comes just two weeks after Christmas, I feel a double desire to organize my thoughts about the year past and the one to come.

The last couple of years have been emotionally draining as the Lord has walked me through paths I would not have chosen.  In this journey, I have met Him in a new way. As in the Old Testament, I can look back over this past year and see the markers.  Most of those markers were documented on my blog...who would have guessed God would use a blog to teach me for a full year?  Each lesson He walked me through was enforced through reading others' blogs...I am so grateful to you bloggers and your obedience to share.

 Step One - I began the year asking God to return me to His potter's wheel...so I posted Editing My Life.

 Step Two - As I started to submit to his hands, He walked me through past lessons that He had taught me and spoke "it is time to re-energize."  The trials had left me feeling lifeless and yet I had young ones around me  I needed to give life to...it was a heart issue.  So I stepped out and blogged a week of re-energizing, as I followed each one, I felt I could breathe again....and breathe deeply.

• Time to Re- Energize - Day One
• Time to Re-Energize - Day Two
• Time to Re- Energize - Day Three
• Time to Re-Energize - Day Four
• The Final Day

Not very original titles to my five days of posting....but the change in my heart was the opening to spring in my life...I could feel the buds of my heart starting to bloom again.

Step Three - God took me back down memory lane with my 15  Mommy Piggy Tale posts.  Here He reminded me of His faithfulness through the first 18 years of my life.  These posts brought every emotion to the surface, but mostly reminded me of the firm foundation I have built my life on. It also reminded me of who I was...somehow I felt I had lost ME.

Step Four - As I continued to submit to the Potter's wheel, I began to hear His voice again.  I know He had been speaking in the past years, but my ears had grown deaf.  So, through the sounds of nature, He opened my ears to hear His voice again. God Hears!

Step Five - God also decided to re-establish the foundation my marriage was built on.  I began to read and post all that I was reading.  Then, He gave me the precious gift of returning to the city where we began and walking down memory lane.  The two days finished on such a high note that I could only shout - Bravo, Bravo God, as He re-established our marriage, which had been tested through the shaking of the years of trials.

Step Six - He began to open my eyes...away from myself to see others.  He began giving me eyes to see again and my heart turned outward. When Headlines Hit Too Close to Home, was one post where He made me look outward.  In January 2011, I will begin mentoring a fifth grade girl at a high-risk school...I am so excited and have been praying for her.  The field in my neighborhood has been filled with opportunities to serve Him and love on people.  The pumpkin bread and caroling party opened doors for ministry.

The Final Step for this year, God started meeting financial needs through miracles.  The provisions provided for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other needs.  God touched my heart in the deepest way possible as He spoke to me, "I will take care of you!  How and when is my choice and through whom!"  I have never felt the love of the Father so deeply.  My heart's prayer is that I will share it with others.

So, as I close the door to 2010, I am not slamming it like I have in the past.  I am not wishing it never happened...I am rejoicing in the fruit the Lord has established in my life. Removing of the sackcloth hasn't been comfortable at times, but necessary in order for me to return to the living.  I am coming into an understanding of my journey through my reading of  Lost in the Middle, Midlife and the Grace of God by Paul David Tripp.  I am embracing the work God has been doing while on His Potter's wheel and excited about what He will do in this new year as I enter a new decade....yes, I will turn 50!!!

So long 2010... you have been good to me.  Welcome 2011!  Thank you all for your posts and maybe, just maybe, this year I will be able to learn to get to my points faster, making for shorter post.   

Timing – Bravo God!

Father's Day 2010

Strolling slowly into the den you could see he wasn't himself, the headache, the dizziness, the monitor revealing his blood pressure was edging on dangerous, my husband sat down. At this part of our journey we aren't covered by health insurance, so my mind fought with questioning if I should drive him to the emergency room or wait. I started to pray. He said he was fine as he went on to bed with my insistence to continue to drinking water.

My "spirit" said he is okay while my "flesh" battled over the "vain speculations" of "what if". I had recently received word that a friend my age was now a widow. Which would dominate, my flesh or my spirit? I struggled with sleep, listening for every breath or touching my man of thirty years.

The following day I relaxed into my route while still hearing his blood pressure hadn't dropped. As the second night brought its darkness I sat listening for my Lord's voice. My brain rushed through my writings on Mommy's Piggy Tales and I was prompted to remove a diary from its 30 year occupied hiding place. I reached in the drawer to remove a young girl's writings.

Most of the pages were empty with a few pages of drama of a newly turned 15 year old girl's life. The year was 1976 and I was finishing my freshman year of high school. As I flipped through these 80% empty pages I stumbled up my writings on July 2. Scribbled at the top were just a few words.

July 2, 1976 – Went to Dallas to the Youth Convention, it was a blast. "Truth" was great and so were the speakers. I met the greatest guy in the world, Bill Wright.

I had forgotten when we met. It wasn't a common boy girl meeting because he was seven years older than I. Did I write that? I never mentioned him again in my diary, but I also never knew life without him from that moment forward.

We wouldn't date until years later and then married.

The tears flowed from my eyes as my Heavenly Father wrapped me in his arms with the reminder – I knew you in your mother's womb, I knew you would marry the man you said was the "greatest guy in the world", I knew you would eventually move to Dallas and that you would be setting here scared about your husband's health. I am here and I knew!

The balm of Gilead coated my fears as I held my own words in my hand while soaking in the awe of a God who Loves me! Bravo, Bravo, God!

A visit to the doctor revealed what was going on. There will have to be some life changes, but today I am at peace. God Knows Me and He is aware of the circumstances. He knew when I needed to be reminded that I am in His hands. He will be with me to calm my fears as I keep my eyes on Him for courage.

Mother's Heart Week of First

Could anyone have prepared me for the changes in my life over the last year?

NO!!

The changes started last August 2012, when our second son became engaged.

 Just weeks later, our daughter became engaged... on the day of our beginning unemployment

Our future grandson was introduced to our family

We entered a short season of employment, which ended on the weekend of our daughter's wedding

I began teaching and started laying ground work for my businesses

Months of unemployment

Our grandson came to live with his parents

My daughter-in-law AND daughter announce their pregnancies

My teaching came to an end as I embark on my business ventures

Sonograms reveal two fall-birth GRANDSONS

Benjamin gets registered for school, ending my home schooling career

Passports are ordered for the four of us

Reservations are made for us four to travel to Italy for our son's wedding!

Our son prepares everything for us to enjoy our trip to Italy
Unemployment ended...my businesses continue to grow

 The week of Firsts!
August 26th through September 1st

Benjamin enters Second Grade at a Charter School

1st time in 29 years for our home to be empty during the day...two sons to school...two parents to work...a major first

I retire from 25 years of continuous home schooling.

Stephen begins to drive... ALONE!

Passports in hand...our first ever...we leave for Italy on Wednesday.

First time to travel abroad.

September 1, 2013 - son's wedding at a Villa in Italy.
William and Catherine Wright

When you hear the earth shake with a roar of Bravo, Bravo God, then you will know I have stepped on  Italian soil.  The lady who has had her faith stretched over and over again this year, will stand in amazement.

This servant of the Most High God will shout "How Great is Our God."
I am sure more than once through this trip I will be shouting "What an Awesome God we Serve!"

The silver is still being refined, but for this week, I am going to bask in His goodness.  The adjustments are still being made in my heart, but I know He is faithful.  Would I have ever guessed how this roller coaster ride would have gone, and is still going? 

NO!!!!!!!!

I could never express how your prayers and encouragement have kept this weak saint going.  Thank you
sooooooooo much!  I will return with pictures in hand to share of our week of firsts!

The End of My Journey - the Beginning of Another

  Putting the photos away and the scrapbooks back in their boxes, I conclude my recording of my youth with Mommy Piggy Tales.  The most prevailing theme throughout, which is also the truth today...My God is with me through everything.  I am so grateful to so many people as I look back.  First, to my Godly parents;  second, to the leadership at church; third, to the teachers who believed in me in through out my education; fourth, to my precious friends, whom without them I would not be who I am today;  lastly, to my Knight in Shining Armor!

As fall of 1979 arrived I  found myself attending the University of Texas as a Physical Education major, with dance specialty and a Business Minor.  I loved being on the University of Texas campus.  I attended football games as a student!  Football players were in my ballet class, under the instruction of a man who studied under George Balanchine.  Fall was thrilling, but it got better!

December 1, 1979 - My dream would come true and "my beloved" would propose to me!  After a long day at the UT and A&M game he drove us to the church, where it had all began.  We had already had a custom-designed ring made, so I knew it was coming one day!  He said, before he asked me anything, "I need you to know that "divorce" will  never be an option".  I accepted and we were married in that same church on June 14, 1980!

The same photographer who did all my drill team pictures did our wedding!

The rest is history!  That is right HIS-STORY, because with out Him we would not have made it to our 30th Anniversary, nor parented six wonderful children.  My Bravo, Bravo God post tells about renewing those vows in the same church 30 years later.

He still brings me flowers! My wedding picture in the background!

So I close the door on Mommy Piggy Tale posts and say, "thank-you" I enjoyed the journey!  I hope you were encouraged to tell your tales!!

You Want to Smile?

I just felt this complimented my last blog post and besides, it makes you smile.

This is the staff and teachers from my Benjamin's school.  As much I didn't want to stop home schooling my youngest, God had other plans.  One of those plans was to bring a woman, whom I had home schooled with, to be the administrator of the school.  With her came her walk with the Lord and leadership that has allowed me to "let it go" on home schooling Benjamin. She is the one in the black and white dress leading the group.   The man who sings will be Benjamin's math teacher next year.  The tall man in the back with glasses is Benjamin's history/science teacher, who spent his winter vacation ministering in Africa.  This is a charter public school....not private.

The students had a talent show in our church last night and the show was finished with this performance.  I stood...clapping...yelling....joy over flowing...as this piece ended the evening.  I also stood and applauded at what an awesome God we serve!   To watch people walk in their gifts from God and their callings from God.........................well as I have stated before, it was a BRAVO GOD moment.

I hope you take time to watch and be uplifted as we Shake it Off and Let it Go!!!

Both links are the same time. I have warned you, get ready to sing, to smile and enjoy life!! Too fun!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=906765776040930&set=vb.254237211293793&type=2&theater


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vista-Academy-of-Hickory-Creek-PTO/254237211293793

My Side of Fixer Upper Mania

Yes, I am jumping on the Fixer-Upper Mania, but probably not in the way you expect.

If you want to hear about the Gaines, the jewels of Texas, you can google search to find post all over the internet.  You can't turn anywhere without seeing their precious faces. They are even icons in the Christian world as they openly share their faith.  I posted on them years ago, I think it was the end of season one of their show Fixer Upper.

I will show you pictures of my time at the Magnolia Silos, but what I will share here is my view on this "around the world" , "city changing couple."

You see, I know Waco and McGregor and all the towns surrounding this area of Texas.  I am a native Texan, at least four generations have been born here, therefore, I seem to have relatives stretching the expanses of this large state.  Therefore, I grew up going to Waco, where my Aunts, Uncles, Grandmother and cousins lived.  It was WACO!  It was and still is a SMALL town.  I on the other hand was from Austin......................then smaller than now, but a big city in comparison to Waco.

  Lucy and Ethel take the Silos, to celebrate both of our birthdays!

Waco had Baylor University and that was about it!  There wasn't much to do in Waco, in comparison to the large cities of Texas.

The city hasn't changed much.  Baylor did build a wonderful, eye-catching football stadium and their football titles have rocked them into the spot light.  I posted in 2012 on my trip there with Ethel and what was in WACO, this was long before the Gaines started their transformation.


But then,
                       came the show

                                          Fixer - Upper 

which woke up this town and it will never be the same.  You see, when I went to the Silos, silos I had passed all my life, silos that were just empty, what I saw was God.

You see, when God gets a hold of anything...............there are changes.

God took this one couple and He ignited a movement.  There are jobs that were created out of the success of Fixer-Upper.  Buildings were and still are being restored.  A city has come to life!!!  Restaurants have customers filing out the doors.  Parking goes down the street. The vision keeps expanding.

One couples "Yes" has transformed a complete city!! People drive from everywhere to visit Waco now.  Where Waco before was just a gas stop on your way to the large metropolis of our state, it is now a destination.

Local antique shops are full on Saturdays.  Businesses that use to have just a few inside their store all day, now have to monitor the flow.  The first time I visited her little shop on Bosque, there were only two people in the shop. Now you wait in line to get into the store!!!

My Ethel and I followed all the businesses Joanna had recommended on her paper you receive when you visit the Silos.  I kept shaking my head and I repeated more than once....THIS IS WACO!!! I had to pinch myself.


Bottom line and end of this story.  If you get a chance  go, but what I hope you see isn't the store, the bakery, the gardens, the barn............the list is still being added to, as God continues to bring more and more of His vision to life, I hope you see HIM.  I hope you see how God can take the little in our hand and expanded it for everyone around you.  I hope you can see how, as my Uncle said, "we watched this young couple take a shack and make it into their home, thinking, what are they doing?", and see how God can change everything.

The Gaines latest purchase is the Elite Restaurant in Waco.  Another historic landmark in Waco, where we have eaten through the years, on our way to another city, and also celebrated my mother-in-law's 98th Birthday.  They will preserve history, as well as provide more jobs.

One couple.....................handing over their "dreams" to the one who gave the "dream" and then walking in obedience, they get to be part of what HE is doing in and through them.

I hope you enjoyed my pictures, but mainly I hope you see what I saw when I visited Waco. Now you can read their book, watch interviews on every network, read tons of blogs and hear their side of the story. I just wanted to share mine and my applauds is to a Big God....BRAVO!, what awesome works you do through those who say, "YES" to you.

The Roads Ended in Rome

If you have followed me on this journey, you know I felt like I was in a movie.  Everything that happened was literally surreal.  I am still processing all that happened and all God did in my heart.

We ended our movie script with the final scene.  Our son and daughter-in-law sent us to enjoy Rome for a day.  Now to try to do Rome in a day...it just can't be done.  We tried.  Benjamin ran those little legs off and never once complained.  We started on foot at 11:00 am and returned to the hotel around eight.  We had done all we could in Italy.  Benjamin and Stephen were taken in by all that they saw.  We were all just speechless.

It had all started with the invitation.  I cried when it arrived, believing I would never get to go.  It ended when I picked up the sack I had not read at the wedding.  What can I say?  There was nothing left undone.  My son and daughter-in-law had sealed it with a kiss. They had honored us by having our names put on the sack.

  The tears of joy, the tears of inexplicable gratefulness just flowed as I read the sack...

To leave without using the phrase I have used in past blog posts when I felt God just reached down, placed His hand on us and I needed to applaud... well, here it is in the BIGGEST TEXAS ACCENT of PRAISE and APPLAUSE...

BRAVO GOD!!!