Everything is going to be okay!

Turn on the television, watch the evening news and you might think that the world could come to an end today. Banks are failing, the presidential race makes everyone mad, violence is on the rise -- everywhere you turn, the news seems bad. But I am writing this blog post to tell you that I, for one, feel everything is going to be okay. Let me tell you why. 

This summer, I have had the lucky privilege to spend a lot of time with young people ages 18-29. And let me be of good cheer, there are some amazing people looking to lead our future.

In June, I led a small group in Bible study in a local suburban subdivision. We encouraged the mothers attending to bring their daughters. Two moms took us up on that offer, and two lovely young women named Morgan showed up.

Morgan on the left is a sophomore in college, and Morgan on the right will be a a senior in high school. Spending Tuesday nights with these gals was one of the enjoyable surprises of the summer. They are sharp, articulate, funny and optimistic. It was a joy to get to know them!


In late May, our family spent a couple of days at the beach with my son and a few of his college friends. Two of them will be attending law school, two more will attend medical school, others have already started their new careers. These guys are smart, well-rounded, have a strong faith, and are extremely good-looking (smile).

At home in Kansas City, our family spent hours with other kids on our backyard lake. These kids are our future teachers, accountants, financial experts, construction builders and mothers. 

My niece, a twenty-something, is growing fast in her career as an event planner. She has chosen to use most of her vacation time to travel with me this fall as we will visit Africa and train women in micro-finance. People, we are in good shape!  

So far, this summer has been nothing short of amazing for me. Surrounded by the future, I have been encouraged, entertained, and, truthfully, stress-free. So, if you are wondering if our country is going to be okay, I hope you will spend some time with our young people. You will see for yourself -- our future is pretty bright. 

My first 5K

Halfway there!

I really don't get the whole 5K thing, but boy, is it ever popular. So like groupies, my husband and I signed up for our first 5K run (walk). We couldn't think of a better cause than The House of Hope's Hope Challenge 5K.  

So, up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning, half asleep, we journeyed down to the Plaza and picked up our packet. Pinning the numbers on our shirt made us official. We watched as the true racers warmed up. Some had jogged over for the 5K. Me? I sat on the bench with another newbie and waited for race time.

Not long after, the crowd lined up. The gun sounded and off we went with the rest of the mob. I remember Steve commenting, "If we are going to do this, let's get some exercise." We picked up the pace. 

Not long into the race, we saw Polly and John, cheerleaders for the race. We hugged, but there was no time for chatting; we were racing! People passed us, we passed a few, but mostly, our pace remained steady. As we approached the half-way point, we saw other familiar faces: Julie and Audrey, my niece and her friend who were also cheerleaders. Julie snapped this photo -- proof that we made it at least halfway.

As we rounded the final curve, we could see the finish line. All kinds of people were waving and cheering us across. We made it! "Get some refreshments," they told us. A Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit? Why didn't they tell me? I would have walked much faster.

After the race, we reflected...a beautiful morning, good exercise, and a great cause. Sign me up for next year!

When things don't go my way

We watched as the crowd went crazy. The Miami Heat had just defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a phenomenal sight. Miami had played a nearly perfect game. They looked like champions, and now, they were champions. Unfortunately, my son, sister and I were cheering for the Oklahoma City Thunder. We were sad.

I've had a few days to reflect on my sadness. I wish I could honestly tell you that today I am less sad that Miami won, but I'm still not there.  

However, what I have realized is this: even though I am sad, there are a whole lot of people in Miami who are happy. And I'm genuinely glad about that. I'm satisfied in knowing that my sadness isn't universal. Someone out there is happy -- happy that their team won. 

I want to remember that just because circumstances aren't hunky-dory for me; it doesn't mean the whole world is suffering. I want to get past "me" and move on to others.

Yes, I'm sad. That darn Miami Heat team. But I can't help thinking about the 10-year-old Miami Heat fan sitting behind me during the game. Last Thursday, I saw a little boy's dream came true. His team won a NBA Final Championship. How can I be sad about that?

What happens when things don't go my way? I look around and enjoy watching things go someone else's way.

However, I must give the Heat fans a warning: Watch out, we'll be back. Thunder Up!

Tending the garden

The other day, I noticed one of the apples on my apple tree turning red. I have watched this apple begin its life as a pretty bloom, grow into a baby apple and now become almost full grown. I take great pride in my little red apple. I wish I could tell you that I had something magnificent to do with making it become an apple. 

But if the truth be told, it had more to do with the Master Gardener's expertise than it did with this amateur's hand.  Sure, I planted the tree. And I have watered it, fertilized it, and even sprayed it for pests. But other than that, I really had nothing to do with it becoming an apple. Bottom line: I can't make apples. I can only  encourage them to become better and tastier apples.

Well, isn't that exactly how it is with us and our relationships? God puts people in our lives that he wants to become excellent fruit. We certainly have a stake in the nurturing, encouragement and even care. In fact, I believe that God wants us to help in the development of souls. 

But ultimately, it is God who makes people whole. I guess it's like a partnership. The Master Gardner gives us apple trees. Our job is to care for them so that His fruit will grow.

Alabama road trip

The unofficial start to summer has begun! And of course, this means a little travel. First on the list: meeting up with my son, Jack, after he completed another semester at Auburn. The itinerary went something like this:

1. Fly to Atlanta

2. Drive to Auburn

3. Move TV from fraternity to a friend's house

3. Fill the jeep with gas

4. Commence road trip

The drive begins easily enough. Jack and I turn up the radio and hop on the highway. About an hour down the road, we exit the four-lane part of our journey and begin the two-and-a-half-hour trek on two-lane Alabama back roads. 

Once on the back roads, Jack tells me that it's now time to execute the finger wave. This is when you slowly raise your index and middle fingers off the steering wheel and give a friendly wave to the locals (it is imperative that the hand never leaves the wheel--otherwise it is not a finger wave). 

Driving these country roads, we pass countless acres of timber. We see lots of houses donning national championship flags for either Alabama or Auburn (the count seemed pretty even). We even pass through Brantley, the front porch city of Alabama. And just when we think we've seen it all, we pass through Sweet Home (think Lynyrd Skynyrd). Of course, no road trip through Alabama would be complete without a stop at the Chicken Shack in Luverne, so we stop for a spell and partake of a little Alabama-style fried chicken. 

As it becomes dark, we are nearing our destination--the beach! It's been a full day, but so worth it. Road trips are one of life's wild and wonderful experiences. Where are you road tripping this summer?

The amazing and incredible roly-poly story

"It was an ordinary day. Didn't seem like anything special was going to happen. We strolled outside, Mom and I. We were just walking around -- kinda exploring. 

"And then we saw him. The roly-poly. I had never seen one before. He was amazing. He curled up when I touched him. Then when he thought I was done touching him, he uncurled and started moving along the sidewalk. Cool!

"I'm excited for tomorrow to see what kind of discoveries we will make. But I can't imagine anything nearly as incredible as a roly-poly!"

(As told by Max--if he could talk in sentences!)

Today, try to see something ordinary--something you might take for granted--through new eyes. And be sure to let me know what you see!

May Day, Panera and Lorraine

May Day is one of my favorite days of the year. So, when my friend Char and I chose to have breakfast at Panera on May 1, I decided to "May Day" her -- I brought her flowers.  When I walked in the restaurant with the flowers, Char smiled and said, "It's May Day." This is one of the things I love about Char; she "gets" me. It seems like we enjoy celebrating the same things.

We placed the bouquet on the table and proceeded to enjoy our time together. That's when we met Lorraine. Lorraine works as a hostess at Panera. She greets people, takes plates away when customers are finished with their meals, and refills drinks. 

But mostly, Lorraine blesses people. When she noticed the flowers, Lorraine stopped at our table and wished us a happy May Day. We struck up a conversation and in no time at all, the three of us were friends. As we visited with Lorraine, she shared her story with us. It's amazing, and if you want to know more, you will just have to visit the Panera at College and Metcalf and ask her yourself. 

But here's what I want to share with you about Lorraine. She truly lives a wild and wonderful life. Here's how: She believes her job is a ministry to share God with others. She's not pushy, she's genuine. Here's what Lorraine told us, "Every face I meet gives me the chance to bless people." And it worked. Char and I were totally blessed by meeting Lorraine. 

Before long, it was time to go. Lorraine hugged and kissed us good bye and told us we were beautiful. Wow. 

Blessed, we reluctantly walked to our cars, and wondered--how were we so lucky to meet Lorraine at Panera on May Day?