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staceywacey7
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Name: Stacey
Country: United States
State: Oklahoma
Metro: Oklahoma City
Birthday: 10/23/1975
Gender: Female
Interests: God, fun people, girl talk, challenges, the Holy Spirit, romantic comedies, kissing Jason, dance, theatre, loud-great music, art, reading, running, kissing Jacey, Law & Order, health, purple, black,khaki,pink, the life of Paul, cute short haircuts, holiness, japanese food, trends, summer, Nick & Jessica, sleep & karmann ghias!
Expertise: I'm not very good at talking so I practice it quite often. I can boast in NOTHING but CHRIST!
Occupation: Artist
Industry: Art
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  staciwaci7
MSN: staceywacey7
Member Since:
3/27/2005
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http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=58917600 | | |
| In our Sun. School class this year J and I are seeking to be more effective at helping our students apply God's truths and fulfill their personal and spiritual goals for the year. We have chosen 3 tools to incorporate - and isn't it funny that the BEST METHODS for applying lessons and reaching our goals are the LEAST USED ...
writing it down
carrying it with you or posting it
telling someone else
It's the third tool that I'm contemplating some this morning... accountability.
After two years of talking about it, Sarah and I are finally acting on our goal to run the 1/2 marathon in the Memorial run - that's 13.1 miles. This is super important this time and special because there is a good chance that Sarah will be moving to the Chicago area in the fall to go to grad school at Wheaton. It's our last chance to make good on this and we're going for it!
So last night I was on the phone with Eric (who is on the marathon relay team) and told him about my plans to run with Sarah at 6am this morning. He was flabbergasted at the thought of getting up that early to run and even more shocked to realize that it meant Sarah would have to get up even earlier and drive from Edmond. I agreed with him that "yes, it is so stinkin' hard - the hardest thing ever!!! But when we can just get past the getting up part, it's amazing - and so great to have someone to run with."
It's true, having her to run alongside me makes it so much more worth it! That and epsom salt soaks :)
I met Sarah a few years ago when Amanda then-Moutray brought her to a discipleship group. It was a 30 week study and within only a few weeks Sarah and I began to grow great respect for one another. She taught me things and inspired me with her wealth of biblical wisdom. We anticipated our group times, and especially getting to catch up with each other each weeks. We found it very enjoyable to talk talk talk talk talk to each other - and a great relief the we were both willing to sit and listen to each other gab away! Eventually we were sealed as friends for life. Sarah is so great - and the thing that is unique is that she is one of only a couple friends I have that I'm not connected with in some other way.
Initially we had that group together and then another and another, later we had youth discipleship and Camp Fusion, but for some time now we have had no ties linking us and it has just been our friendship alone- our love for one another that keeps us connected.
With the way God has orchestrated life for many years, this has become rare. Most of my life I can remember having 4-5 best girlfriends that are just that - friends and no strings attached - great for slumber parties, girl talk, phone marathons, scrapbooking, shopping, and so on. Well, then for many years God brought me through this weird season where He befriended me almost solely with those I ministered with. There just wasn't much time allotted for girl talk and shopping. Now, I do love that, though - it's like how a marriage should begin - serving God and loving each other with that first in mind. This has been the foundation of some of the sweetest friendships I've known, like with Haylie and Carrie and Kristi and others. And honestly, since that season - God has planted a rich circle of amazing ladies around me, friends that maybe once were fellow servants through church - like my lovely Leeny or girls that I do have the blessing of serving alongside - but we've become such great friends that it's not just about serving anymore - God has grown it to something so much deeper. And there are those that have moved on, like Rachel, and Jackie and awwwww *sniff* Dee Dee *sniff * -- and well, Kris - but she's really not so far away - it just seems like it sometimes :). Yep, there are those that I'm sure I'll keep close forever - and should we ever meet again I know we'll pick right back up where we left off. And you know it goes without saying that a girl with sisters has built in best friends her whole life long. God has been good to bless me with the best of girlfriends. I'm so grateful - so so very thankful for my girls.
But I can remember during that season years ago just praying, "God can I please just have a friend - I thank you first for my best friend Jason. And thank you for so and so, and this girl, and her - and for them - 'our' friends (couple friends), but is there someone for me - like old times - a friend just for the fun of it, not someone I'm "leading" through a bible study or a dance warm up? I've forgotten what that's like, but I feel the void - I miss having that someone for the girly stuff."
One evening very early on, we sat on my couch and Sarah was confiding in me - the way Shepherd did with Burke recently on Grey's. Burke, wrapping his mind around the concept of friendship responded with, "you're confiding in me..." to which Shep replied, "yes," leading Burke to share his premature engagement announcement that cost him some peace with Christina.
Anyway, so at that point, confiding had become more natural and more common for Sarah and I, it was nothing new, but this time my response was different, although not premature. I felt so strongly that we were coming into a point of responsibility to one another, to more accountability and impact in the lives of one another. After some discussion, we both agreed that God was leading us to be lifetime accountability partners, called to have a purposeful and sanctified friendship before God for His use - to minister to us both, and for His glory. We officially became best friends :) and it felt so great to know that it was not of our choosing but of God's and that He was giving us the gift of each other to share joys, but to also learn hard lessons we wouldn't get otherwise. And so we began to travel this road together.
We have learned so much - and there is still so much to be done. God has used Sarah not only to open my eyes to things, but to confirm things, to clarify His answers, and to give me new insight in many areas. We have walked the trenches together - of pain and disappointment. We are honest with one another, sometimes brutally honest. We have shared with each other our childhood memories, our family secrets, our ugliest sins, and our biggest dreams. And we have celebrated all the joys of life together - everything for my Jacey's latest news or ministry excitement to Sarah's crushes, first dates and future kisses - - and all the joy of seeking God's power and direction in all these things and more. And of course, critical to the very foundation of our friendship - we've seen the Indigo Girls live together.
I'm a better person because of her, she's my friend for life, the answer to my prayers.
She's there for me, she helps me, she pushes me, she prays for me, she likes me, she waits for me, she shares with me, she corrects me, she calls me friend (literally), she listens to me, she laughs at me, she laughs with me, she invests in me, she knows me, she gets me...she's my person.
so all of this came to my mind - after watching Christina painfully try to figure out a way to help Burke comprehend why telling Meredith about their engagement means so much - why it makes the engagement (real) when she'll finally be able to say it out loud to her best friend... and likening it to a murder - I would have to say that if I were in that situation...
If I killed a person, and called someone to help me drag the body across the floor,
I'd call Sarah.
She's my person.
besides, Haylie and Carrie have very weak upper body strength...
 at Jacey's 5th Birthday Fair
.........Derek Webb concert in Deep Ellum / Dallas... (above and below) ..................
 @ Coldplay, front row
 Kanye West concert
 2006 marathon relay
love you friend :)
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| While I still need time to meditate on the impact that my recent adventure to the 07Passion Conference has had on my life, I would first have to "amen" Josh's blog
( see http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=blog.view&friendID=98164755&blogID=214680973&MyToken=34981331-3c90-4779-9a4a-90813071ff98 )
But since we returned home, I keep recalling the final morning. Louie stood there among approx. 24 million mostly college age students to give a report of the missions goals that were far exceeded over the course of our week together.
First to be noted is that the leaders of Passion set forth GOALS. They made a PLAN and cast their vision to the rest of us. Without a plan, without the vision cast, the entire week could have easily been seen as merely a good time.
PLANS,
GOALS,
very, very good foundation to grow from.
Second I saw HOPE. In faith, Louie took time each day throughout the week to share a brief update of the missions efforts. Not once did he give credit to the stereotypical idea of college kids with empty pockets. With every report he came with confidence and a smile of certainty that led us to believe we could really make a difference in the world this week. He made the comment that went something like "I know it's pretty much assumed that you guys are just a bunch of college kids so you're probably broke, but I figure we're carrying a couple million dollars or so on us..." A couple million dollars?? Without question the room was full of figuring minds that soon realized the impact of this many people together in one place - poor or not. His hope displayed infused the rest of us with MOTIVATION and INSPIRATION.
HOPE (displayed led to)
MOTIVATION
INSPIRATION
all 3 seem to be powerful tools in seeing a job, a goal - to the finish.
and finally ACTION was taken. No one person took on the entire responsibility of any single goal set forth. It was simply a matter of a simple principle that I often heard Brother Robert speak of:
Each one
do what you can
with what you have
where you are
I believe that sums up the term application as described in James 1:22
ACTION
through
APPLICATION
just what Jesus taught. Go.
And the world was changed.
That final morning, chillbumps would megerly express the feelings that rushed over me as Louie gave the rundown of impact made that week through the generosity of those who gave. When I am deep in worship, I do cry - and that morning the tears just ran. He would give a report of one goal, and how it was more than met with such abundance that astounded me! And I was in awe and exhilerated with joy for those who would be on the receiving end of these gifts. And then he would give another astounding report, followed by another. . . and another. . . and another.
Can u imagine people living in today's world that do not have access to a bible in their language?
Can u imagine millions of people not having access to clean water? clean towels? clean socks?
Can u imagine being a part of a change?
a real life change
I cannot lie, I have for most of my life been naive about how anyone can truly make a difference that touches anyone in this world other than those we meet in our own circle of friends, family, neighborhoods, workplaces and schedules.
THIS was undoubtedly the first time I had ever sat among a group of people who, with combined effort of not only giving, but of course faith and prayer, actually put a big fat dent in some major issues of our world - today!!!!!
I wanted to fall on my face in worship for my Lord. He showed me in those brief moments what it truly means to GO. It doesn't just mean leave or get out of town. It often means to GO somewhere inside yourself -
a place where PLANS are met with HOPE and FAITH and carried out through APPLICATION by ACTION with the power of MOTIVATION, INSPIRATION.
I had this revelation that my teeny puny little self could make a difference by simply doing
WHAT I CAN
w/ WHAT I HAVE
WHERE I AM
and most importantly - TODAY!!!!
yes, NOW.
Tomorrow is such a tool of the enemy.
We'll give TOMORROW,
pray TOMORROW,
go TOMORROW,
eat better and exercise TOMORROW,
get saved TOMORROW,
do my quiet time - or at least spend more time on it
yep - TOMORROW
and so on and so on...
But that morning I realized the power of ONE PERSON MULTIPLIED and the power of TODAY.
Then I thought about the last 365 days of my life spent in the year 2006.
In 365 days,
I hadn't spent not one of them in another country
I hadn't prayed for one missionary other than Michele
I hadn't done a thing with those 5 or 6 extra bibles just laying around my house
I hadn't recycled a single thing out of the millions of items of glass, plastic, and paper that has come through our household
Basically, I hadn't done the GO thing much
not by leaving the country
nor by doing much where I am with what I have
I'm done being naive about this stuff. Honestly, when I sit even for a few minutes and allow my thoughts to wander about anything I could do to be a better steward of my square in this big world - I'm ashamed.
I want to bring God glory in everything I do, I want to live and consume and spend in ways that honor Him through good stewardship, and quit living with disregard for anything that doesn't immediately impact myself.
Enter visions of blue bins...
A few people on my street have these blue bins next to their trash cans to be dumped. I think I might have once or twice had a thought of how those blue bins would fit into my world - but I quickly tossed those ideas aside once I immediately decided my kitchen does not have the room for "recycle drawers or cabinets" to store it all until trash day. Hello, ugh - the selfishness. Yeahh... uh, Sorry, God has given me this big fat house with heat and electricity and running water and even decorative luxuries that are not even necessities, but nowhere for me to keep a box of plastics for a week! rolling eyes now. pathetic.
Well, enough dwelling on my old non-recycling selfish self. Time to start making some plans.
I'll start with blue bins.
gotta' go make a call...
Alrighty - Action initiated! whew! cool!
A couple blue bins and a brochure of info. should be here in a couple days. good grief that was too easy :) I like it :)
Step ..2 - Drive a little slower
Somewhere I heard that driving the actual speed limit or a couple mph slower has greater effects than simply saving me gas money and providing safer travel for my family - which should be enough! I don't remember exactly the impact - but I remember my jaw dropping at the info., so it must have been good -
step ..3 -
It's high time to start the process of a mission trip. I've always wanted to go to Africa. Jimmy and I had a good talk about possible future missions endeavors through our church, so I'll hope for that. No doubt this is a bigger step than some of the others, but I've decided to start by setting some $ aside from every check for a missions savings account. Might as well get started on the fundraising and the praying. The rest will come.
step ..4 get John Mayer cd - or at least download that one song :)
I really do want a hybrid car - but that's just not possible right now - - which is probably a good thing because my love for the rugged classic style of all things Land Rover and Range Rover might win over my world changing attitude. What can I say, my Lord knows where I need to grow a little strength.
Now, I was talking to Bryan (more on him later) and Leeny about our mutual desires to have hybrid vehicles and she told me about some ideas she read about from Carmen Diaz. Honestly I had already been skipping some of my toilet flushes until absolutely necessary to use them - and I do almost all paperless billing - but the truth is that - it's just plain easier for me - there was nothing noble about me just wanting to make a quick phonecall or jump online to pay my bills- because that's simply more convenient for me - and it saves me extra trips to the USPO for stamps.
But Bryan - that guy. I must say that my overall friendship with him has been enlightening. Not too many people really affect my life in a way that cause me to question the way I live - and to change, but he definitely has. He has challenged me to kick my naive, no news watching, politically complacent self to the curb. He has passed some wisdom on to me several times, but this particular time he told me about a boring Al Gore movie about global warming. The movie is called An Inconvenient Truth. I think before I make my remainder list of "things to do to go from where you are" I'll check this movie out to gain some relatable knowledge on the subject.
I am excited about this new journey of greater purpose and impact! I look forward to the first time we have a full blue bin to set out by the street :)
If you're interested in taking better care of our world, too - check out a few of the things I'm checking out:
earthday.net
stopglobalwarming.org
http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/do_something/actionlisting.php
watch An Inconvenient Truth
Call 297-2833 and get some blue bins of your own
I would also encourage you to check out the websites of the programs that were emphasized at Passion 07 - go to 268generation!!
   
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THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE EFFORTS ACCOMPLISHED AT PASSION 07!!
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During the days of Passion 07 over 22,000 of us banded together to make a difference throughout the world in Jesus' name. The Do Something Now Campaign was more than charity, it was our worship as we offered to God what He really loves. The results so far have exceeded our expectations...and the story has just begun!
Touch Atlanta
We wanted to Touch Atlanta by providing towels and socks to 15 area organizations assisting those in need. 13,000 towels and 31,000 pairs of socks were provided.
Help Stop Human Trafficking
Speaking up against the trade of precious people in the sex industry, 3000 signatures were gathered with Stop The Traffik to be presented to the UN with others from around the world.
Bibles To Unreached People
We wanted to send 3000 Bibles into East Asia, committing to pray for each recipient for one year. 4000 Bibles were sent. 4000 people are being prayed for!
Clean Water For Africa
We sought to sponsor the drilling of 11 wells (at a cost of 3K each) to bring clean water to African villages for life. 52 wells were sponsored + additional funds were collected for at least one more expensive well in Sudan. (((ONE WELL WILL GIVE CLEAN WATER FOR A LIFETIME FOR 750 PEOPLE!!!))
Life-saving Surgeries For Kids
We hoped to sponsor 50 surgeries for children in Central/South America at a cost of $1,000 each. A donor agreed to match whatever was given at Passion 07. 124 surgeries were sponsored, bringing the total (with the matching grant) to 248 surgeries.
College For Promising Africans
20 young people were sponsored to attend college in Africa through Compassion's Leadership Development Program. Additional Compassion children were sponsored.
A Community/Student Center on a Campus In Iraq
We sought to raise money for the Freedom Center in Kurdistan of Iraq.
Over 2400 bricks were purchases for $10. (Our goal was 500!)
17 groups have committed to raise $5,000. (Our goal was 10! An additional 20K was given at Passion 07). The numbers are still growing.
200 people have committed to pray about spending a year in Iraq teaching English at The Freedom Center.
1200 committed to pray for the Kurds for one year.
The Bible For The Dela People of Indonesia
Through us, God funded the translation of the New Testament for the Dela people of Indonesia. In addition, so many gifts/pledges were made we have funded additional translations for the Rikou and Lola people of Indonesia. But there's more... we have funded the completion of three additional translations that were in mid-stream for people groups in Indonesia. We set our sights on one translation and have now completed six. Calls and requests are pouring into Oneverse with people/groups requesting additional translations to sponsor. Over $450,000 was given/pledged for translations of the New Testament!
On top of these amazing ventures, the offering for Passion's World Tour (we are trusting God for close to 4 million) taken on the last morning was $256,000... and it's still growing. Humbling. Thank you for letting us know you are with us.
All Glory to God, Creator of Earth and all that is in it. | | |
| Jacey and I made some beautiful memories during the snow days. We got to hang out a little more than usual, make a snowman, eat grilled cheese and soup, and snuggle extra long. Mr. Potato Head parts come in very handy for Mr. Frosty's face by the way!
So, yesterday the dance team did our annual holiday outing to the OCU Home for The Holidays performance. I was actually way tired and could barely keep my eyes open at first, but then the beauty of the show gradually woke me up - thankfully :) The first half was more jolly with lots of fun Christmas tunes and routines, including reindeer, dancing toys, and mistletoe. Very fun :)
The second half was quite different. Everything slowed down and each individual song told a piece of the Christmas story. Early in the second act was a scene set with a little girl on her knees with her back facing the audience gazing into the night sky. She sat slightly stage right. And the backdrop was a breathtaking deep blueish black sky with teeny star sparkles. The song began to play and the beautiful scene was accompanied by even more beautiful lyrics. My heart melted as I of course pictured my Jacey.
The lyrics reminisced of childhood wonders like dreaming big dreams, wishing on stars, and just the pure fascination and magic of this life that we took time to dwell on when we were young and unbroken by the world's rough edges. The lyrics went on, the little girl danced, and I missed being that small, that innocent, that full of faith, all wrapped up in hopes and dreams, always thinking and imagining, ideas swirling...
and the song went on to tell how the Savior died for this very child, how He gave His life for hers -
What a special life she has - every little girl, every child - with all the critical chores of playing and laughing, running and jumping, asking and creating, hoping and dreaming...
I worshipped God for His great big heart - for giving His life for mine, for giving me a full life, for giving me a childhood and the precious memories of it. I praised Him for the wonder years and for play.
He died for the child
who wishes on a star
and dreams her dreams
I thougth about these words and and it finally sunk in that Jacey has a Savior, my Savior. The One who is my Creator, my Healer, my Hope and Peace, is also hers. The One who molds and shapes this heart, is also molding and shaping hers. The One who knows me, holds me, teaches me, and wipes my tears - He is the same One who knows my Jacey, holds her, teachers her, and wipes her tears. My Father is Jacey's Father. My Best Friend will be Jacey's as well, and my Savior also redeems my precious child. He has made my life worth living - He is any and all good in me... and everything good, everything I love about Jacey is Him in her. He loves me with a great love, and His mysterious ways work all things out for my good. He has proved time and time again that He is for me, I can trust Him, He will never leave me, He always has and always will take perfect care of me. And though I am her mom, He loves Jacey more than I ever could. His love for her is great, He will always work all things for her good. He is for her - and all her life He will prove that to her, again and again. She can trust Him, He will never leave her, My Mighty God always has and always will take perfect care of my sweet Jacey.
so it's clear to me. I'm not necessary. I'm not at all needed. Which just solidifies the fact that Jacey is a gift, A special gift from the Creator of the Universe - from The Savior of the World - to Jason and I and our family. And she has been for me the greatest gift of this life other than that of Christ. So it's perfect then - that Christ gave her to me, and each day through my life I can give Him to her through my love- and her to him through trust and faith, and much prayer.
For my child, with all her hopes and dreams, her wishes on stars, Christ died.
and - wow - to be unnecessary and yet chosen to be right here, in this very place
. . . with her
to be the arms and hands, the eyes and ears, the very heart of my Savior on earth - for Jacey.
I just found myself overwhelmed with grattitude and awe - of my own childhood, my own Savior, and to really let it sink in that all of the miracles and blessings God is and has been for me - He is and will be for my precious daughter. Some of these mysteries He has already begun to unfold and tell her, and many more are yet to be discovered by her.
And so with tears and a smile I thanked God for being my Savior and for all of the wishes on stars He let me make, and all of the hopes and dreams that He has brought to life, and all the more to come.
and filled with awe, and the great wonder like that that comes from a child, I praised Him, and offered up my grateful heart in thanksgiving to My Lord, for being the Savior of my daugther... for all of her wishes on stars, and for all of her dreams He has brought about and all of the many more to come.
God I just pray for Jacey to know you intimately, to trust you always, and that she will grow more and more madly in love with You every day her whole life long, and that my existence could be used to draw her closer to you as she grows up in Your Love.
Thank You God - for all that you are to me
and Thank You that I can trust You to be all that You have been to me, to Jacey too.
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| (from 11/26/06)
She sat through the final hours and then finally gathered her things. She pushed her chair in and made her exit from the classroom. After starting the car, she smiled and drove away.
It was a late evening, the 17th day of November 2006 when Rene'e's collegiate journey finally came to an end. She had endured through years at school in every stage of her life, as a teen, as a single mother, as a wife in her 40's. Many would have bowed out, many would have let go and not had the strength to endure, to sacrifice, to do the work. But not my mom.
Some people will make comments like, "You know, like mom always said..."
I don't have one of those catchy phrases from my childhood history that I can recall, nothing that she said over and over that stuck with me and taught me life lessons. The life lessons my mom taught me were much more by her actions. God placed His hand on my mom even before she was born. He knew she would be the beginning of the end to generational bondage and the link to bring about change in our family history. Sounds all glorious, but actually it's very much the opposite.
Her life has been full of both enemy and Savoir, hope and despair, joy and much pain. The transition throughout her life has not been an easy one. She's been put down, cheated on, beaten, lost a brother, lost a child, poor and hungry, suffered the divorce of her parents after over 3 decades of marriage, she's given love that wasn't returned. What amazes is me is that throughout her walk in life, despite falling down and being pushed down and shoved back time and time again, she continued to move forward. She kept walking, making her way through trench after trench. Despite the gravitational pull toward what would have been a downard slope, she walked.
A while back a friend of mine was sharing with me how her mom was frustrating her, the things that made her so unperfect and how she wished she would be better at this or that. I just got tears in my eyes at the thought of Jacey growing up and being raised by me and later thinking or discussing with a friend how I've dissappointed her. I'm such an imperfect mom, so full of mistakes and weaknesses. I could only say to my friend that it must help to focus on the positive, the redeeming qualities, and to be ever so forgiving of her mother's faults. I hope Jacey will do the same.
But more than just focusing on the positive, and finding forgiveness such a beautiful thing, I think we have to seek to understand where our parents have come from to understand where they are -to understand who they are. My mom made mistakes, and many of them as she clawed her way out of the habits, attitudes, and tendencies of her own mom. Take love for example. I love you wasn't often heard in my home as a child, but praise God it was so much more than my mom ever heard when she was a child. Her dad said I love you to her for the first time - not until she was an adult. I think it was at her brother's funeral. But it's funny, now my grandpa says it all of the time. Does he know how much she needed that as a little girl? We are so shaped by the words and affirmations of our parents - or lack thereof. Those words are no longer lacking in our family - mom says it all the time :) And I can't even tell you how many times a day Jacey hears it from me. You see, mom saw the weaknesses and hang ups she endured in her childhood and she rose above it, she sought to be stronger, to do the work to make changes, to take the path less traveled by those before her.
My mom wasn't raised in God's arms and taught about His love. She saw a glimpse of religion, but never encountered that relationship - until one day. It wasn't until she was an adult that she met Love, but she did meet Him, and she said yes. And that choice trickled down to my sisters and I, and later to my own child. Jacey will be the very first in my family to have lived her life in love with her Savior from day 1. And it all began with that choice, that step that mom took years ago. She broke another chain that had always been there before her. So, it's not just the use of those three little words, it's so much more than that. It's an attitude about life, a perspective about family, and a hope that fights through the pain - it's these things that I see in my mom that I don't see in those before her. It's hard core perseverance. It's her walk.
My life does not exist without her presence. She is woven through every memory I have and there are many. She had me at the very young age of 17 so we kind of grew up together. For many years it was just me, her, and Stephie. I have not only lived through my own highs and lows, I've accompanied her through hers as well. And yes I've spent many days clawing away from that same gravitational pull down and there have been some blows that I don't even know how I got up from. But I did. I got up. And just like my mom has always done, I dusted myself off and walked forward. Honestly, she may not have even been there when I took my first steps. Being a young mom on her own, she was working her tail off to keep us alive. I might have been with an aunt or grandma when that imporant event took place. But really that's not important. With every twist and turn life has taken us on, my walk, my every step has been different because of the steps she took before me.
Maybe it's weird or not so normal for someone her age to be graduating from college. But hey, it's not normal for us either. Actually, graduating from- or even attending - college at all isn't normal. She didn't just complete her degree, she will be the FIRST in our family to have EVER graduated college. And guess what, I'll be the second.
As fate would have it, and because God is so fabulous at timing things and orchestrating our lives, my mom and I will actually walk together. Since she's done with her classes now, the ceremony won't happen until May, and since we both go to MACU, we will walk across that stage and graduate together. The very symbolism of that moment is just so overwhelming and touching and altogether perfect - and it's not even here yet.
So, yes whether she was there for the first steps or not, she taught me to walk - to take strong, bold steps. Before I even met my Lord, He taught me lessons of strength and perseverance through her steps, preparing me for all that He would lead me through, knowing I would need those memories, those experiences to pull from and see that He truly can bring out the best things in life from the seemingly worst. And that even as imperfect and weak as I am, He will teach me and my own daughter great lessons even through my mistakes. And Jacey will see me walk and through whatever trenches she may encounter - she will learn to take strong, bold steps, too - just like my mom taught me.
Way to go mom. Thank you for leading the way.
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