Reluctant Texan

That's me at 3 years old. Pretty cute with those cowgirl boots, huh? The tights make it extra special. :-)

God is amazing, isn't he?

I'm hesitant to tell this story because we always tend to present stories in neat, tidy, pretty packages without a lot of hardship, anguish or confusion present. Well, my story isn't quite so tidy, but I'm thankful for it nonetheless. Sometimes our hard to tell stories are the very ones that God uses. That's my prayer.

Several years ago we were praying for God's leading and one of the shepherds at our current church called and left a message for my husband to contact him about talking to them about a ministry position they had. I heard Abilene, TX on the voice mail and thought, "No, that is just too far away; too hot; too flat; too brown; too too." For a millisecond I considered erasing the message and not even telling my husband. You see I'd spent my entire life in beautiful Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA. But I didn't erase the message. I wouldn't. After all, we'd been praying for God's leading, right? Right.

That night I had a dream that I was shaking my finger at God and telling him I couldn't move to Abilene as it was so flat, brown, hot and they didn't have all the things I considered beautiful like big tall trees and flowers. In the still quiet way that God speaks to me he let me know that "there was beauty all around in Abilene, I'd just have to open my eyes and heart to it."

I woke up from that dream and knew we'd be moving to Abilene. We explored several ministry positions in Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas and Abilene and sure enough God lead us to Abilene. God was sure right though. There IS beauty all around!

While I still can't quite get the hang of gardening in Abilene (as is evidenced by my dead flowers) I'm amazed at the things that have opened up for us while living here.

We get to enjoy walks in our neighborhood and around McMurry's track - - Atlanta was mostly too hilly and there was always the traffic!

I was able to open a neat little bed and breakfast, Journey's Inn (a long time dream of mine) with a dear friend. We meet the most wonderful people.

I work at the prettiest place in Abilene - - really! Wesley Court is gorgeous! I've learned so much about working in a continuing care retirement community. I had only worked in the independent living part of retirement living before moving here and am now exposed to the assisted living and nursing care aspects of it as well.

A dream of ours had always been to live in an old house. Our house was built in 1926 and has all the features we had always quietly wished for! Our oldest daughter begged me to find a house that was at least two stories and had trees - - a bigger order for Abilene. But our house has 3 stories and trees and even a pond, turtles and fish! That is sooo God! That was nothing we deserved or even asked for. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy these things. That's pure and simple God, not me!

Katie Lea went to ACU and graduated and now is living at home to save some money and Caroline is "away" at college but close to us.

We never would have met Serge had we stayed in Atlanta. We'd have never had him as our son!

Our church is wonderful. We work with the young couples and they are such a blessing. Some of my dearest friends are at our church.

I love my seven minute commute to work! It was an hour in Atlanta and an hour and a half to come home. I love reading good books now instead of just listening to them on tape.

Abilene is such a blessing. It is our prayer that God will use us in this city for his glory, his purpose and his vision. I'm so sorry I was a reluctant Texan. I just want to be your child. My citizenship is in heaven. Yes, Father.

Listening for you,
Lila

I'm Grateful For...

Our Executive Director at Wesley Court, Cheryl, has given her 30 days notice. Those of you who know me and connect the dots, this is also my business partner with our B & B, Journey's Inn and my dear friend.

I wrote Journey to Joy yesterday more for me than for anyone else. Sorry, but it's true. Ever since I learned that Cheryl was resigning, I've just been a little blue. Cheryl and I talk all day, most days, and we laugh a lot at work. The uncertainty of the next step looms. Who will replace her position? What will they be like? Will they like to laugh?

Of course, Cheryl and I will still see each other a lot, I sure hope, but it will change. I am absolutely and positively happy for her. This resignation from this job had to happen. Her husband's businesses need her attention, her kiddos need her and she needs to travel to Louisiana a lot to see her parents. I'm just sad for me right now. We have the best team of managers at Wesley Court and to be honest, we are all grieving a bit right now. She's been our hub at work.

God is reminding me that he is really the hub. Jesus, take the wheel...

So, since I feel a bit sad, it's time to take my medicine. Gratitude countdown.

I'm grateful for...
~My God who loves me all the time, no matter what
~My dear, understanding husband
~Our precious daughters
~Our precious adopted son
~Cheryl's friendship
~Other friends I cherish at work
~Friends
~Our house
~Our turtles and fish
~Journey's Inn and our guests
~The rain we've had lately
~Singing
~Ability to write
~Good memories
~Ability to walk at night with my sweetie
~The the air conditioner is supposed to be fixed at Journey's Inn before our guests arrive on Thursday!

Feeling better already. I'm out to hunt for more things to be thankful for. They are out there. I just need to put on my gratitude eyes. :)

Cleaning the lenses on my glasses,
Lila

Journey to Joy

Many years ago when my oldest daughter was a baby, I'd pray (no, beg) with God to give me joy. Katie Lea was a strong willed child and as a baby had colic. I was blessed to be able to stay at home with her, but many days, the joy just wasn't there.

When Katie Lea was about 2 or 3 years old, I was once again asking God to give me joy with my strong willed child. He allowed me to see a great article at just that time that changed my perspective on so many things.

In this article, a man wrote about his battle with cancer. He said that he had always been a joyful individual, but since his diagnosis of cancer, joy had eluded him. One day, a dear friend suggested that he give thanks. The man said, "Are you mad? I've got cancer, or have you forgotten that?!" His friend quietly said that he remembered it quite well, but that maybe, just maybe if he offered thanks for the things he WAS thankful for, then maybe joy would come.

Six months went by and the man began giving thanks for his wife, his children, that he had been able to keep his job. He bumped into his friend later and the friend noticed the man was overcome with joy. He told his friend that he began giving thanks for the things he was thankful for and before he knew it, he was even thankful for the cancer.

This article had a profound impact on me. I began thanking God for Katie Lea's health, for my husband, for our home, for friends, for cool breezes, for the beautiful flowers, for the smell of baking bread, you name it. I'm guessing you know what happened. I started thanking God for Katie Lea and her unique personality. I began thanking him for the beautiful creation he had placed in our lives. Before I knew it I was really joyful! I was really enjoying life! I was really enjoying our Katie Lea...our Kitty.

I'd love to sit here and tell you that every day is joyful. While certainly most days are, I sometimes get off track and don't count my blessings. But, when I stop to count them, joy returns.

For me, Gratitude = Joy. Pure and simple.

Counting my blessings,
(and you are among them)
Lila

Why Lila?

Have you ever wondered what you would name yourself if you could name yourself anything you would like? I've given this considerable thought. I'd name myself Lila. Why, you may ask? Why not Jennifer or Michelle or Kristen? While those are beautiful names, Lila describes me perfectly.

Lila is southern, a bit sassy (and wanting to be sassier)! That's me to a tee. I would never really change my name legally as I've already been known as Susan, Sue and Susie and adding a fourth name would be just plain weird. :) But my spirit...that part of me that is living, growing and refreshing daily is Lila.

So, I'm writing as Lila. Susan needs to branch out and grow. So, before you call the local psychiatrist to have me involuntarily committed, let me assure you, I'm really not crazy. Just trying to open myself to God's possibilities in my life. Life is a journey and a trip of one thousand miles begins with the first step. (How's that for using two quotes in one sentence?) Let the journey begin. Embraceable joy! ~Lila

What would you name yourself and why?