Boundless Love

I’ve been thinking about the love of God lately and how He chooses to use me, a shy backwards little girl that grew up wanting a Christian family of her very own. Our finite minds could never grasp just how much God truly loves us, but if you think with me for a moment, maybe – just maybe you’ll get a glimpse of how great Gods Love for His children really is.

When trying to fathom how marvelous Gods love for me is, the only thing in this world I can compare it to is the love a Mother has for her child.  

• Unconditional Love – A Mother is filled with unconditional love for her child from the moment she confirms that she is pregnant. If she is hoping to be pregnant, that love is apparent before confirmation. At this point in our tiny life, in the womb of our Mother – she loves us, no matter what.  God’s love for us as His children was deep in his heart before he even created the foundations of the world.  John 17:24 says “for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” It’s an unconditional love.
• Never Ending Love – A Mother’s love is never ending. It goes without saying that no matter how much we hurt our moms, how far we stray, how we disappoint them time and time again, she loves us – ALWAYS.  We can ask for forgiveness a million times and the answer is always yes. We can make promise after promise and then choose to break them and still, she is there – waiting to forgive us every time. We can break her loving heart into a million pieces and still, the love she has for us will never end.  Ps. 36:5 reminds us that His love & mercy are never ending. Jeremiah 31:3 says “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Not only does He love us with an everlasting love, but he will always draw us to himself.  We just need to be willing to go to Him when he draws us.
• Desires the Best for us – Mothers, by instinct have a desire to make sure their children have the best they can give.  The best clothes, toys, food, friends and the absolute best future.  Which is why Moms devote countless hours of praying, working, molding, guiding and even shoving towards what we know will help their child succeed.  Mothers want their children to make the best choices, even if it means enduring the heart break of sitting back and watching them fall off the swing set after we’ve told them a million times not to stand in it and swing.  God’s love for us to have the best is so much greater than even this. In Matt 10:29-31, God reminds us that He takes care of the sparrows, that not one falls to the ground with out his knowing AND that even though he takes time to take care of such matters, that HE loves us more than even this. His ultimate desire for us is a Mansion in Heaven that HE is preparing for us.  Not just another home, room or house – a Mansion! He gives us wisdom in Proverbs, to make decisions, he gives us courage in Psalms – reminding us that He is with us. His desire for us is to give us the very desire of our heart. Ps. 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” God truly desires the best for us!
• Always Willing to Forgive – This almost goes along with never ending love, but I can’t stress it enough. Mothers will forgive their child time and time again. Knowing the pain we’ve caused, knowing the hurt we’ve caused, risking even more hurt by trusting. God forgives us more than that.  Because of His amazing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins, He is willing to forgive us when we ask.  Does this give us a license to go out and do wrong simply because we can beg forgiveness? No. If we truly love our Heavenly Father (just as we love our earthly Mother) we will want to keep the relationship right. We will want to keep moving closer to them, instead of doing wrong and moving farther away.  If our relationship is right, we will not want our Mother or our Heavenly Father to have to forgive us of anything.
• Willing to Sacrifice Individual Desires for Child – Mothers will do without a new Easter dress, dessert, new clothes, perfume, sleep, comfort, warmth, happiness and coolness for her child.  She will endure pain, suffering, discomfort, fear, loneliness, sadness, horror and do things for her child she would never consider doing for anyone else. She will fight the fiercest, hairiest spider, wade through trash for the lost treasure, drive through raging storms to get last minute items needed to please their child. No sacrifice is too great.  I John 4:14 reminds us that the Father sent the Son to be the savior of the world.  God sacrificed HIS only son for us on the cross, just so that we could live as joint heirs in heaven with Him. God endured the agony of watching His only son be beaten for our sins, be tortured beyond recognition, being mocked and spit upon. God gave up the comforts of Heaven, the continual praise of the angels and the adoration of all the saints so that He could become man in the flesh, endure every trial, struggle and pain that we go through – all because he LOVES us so.
• Willing to Sacrifice Her Very Life - A mother will protect her child at all costs.  She would fight off an attacker, be mauled by a pit bull, step between the barrel of a gun and her child with NO hesitation.  Risk her life without thought of her own being for her child.  As Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins, God knew what having our sins on His son would do for the perfect relationship they had always had.  Yet, the sacrifice had to be made because He loves us.  As  our sins were placed upon him and the sky turned black – God, our Father had to turn his back on his ONLY son.  He had to sacrifice that perfect relationship with His son – all because he LOVES us.  The ultimate sacrifice.  The gift of eternal life from the gift of His very son’s life.

When you gaze into your child’s face and think of just how much you love and adore him/her and your heart is bursting with amazing desires and great love, know that as God looks down from Heaven as our Father, His love for you is so much greater than the love you are feeling in your heart.

As you ponder how much your very own Mother loves you, try to see just a small glimpse of the extraordinary love that God has for us.

We can never fully comprehend His amazing love for us, but looking at the love and desire our mother has in her heart, we get to see a small piece of Gods Heart for us.

Try to image everyday, how much God loves you.

Remind yourself that He is always there, no matter what the journey is.

If you are on the mountain top, His love is wrapped around you, if you are struggling – making your way through the valley, His love is still wrapped around you.  

Always.

Where is Goodness & Joy

The other day I was talking with a friend that I had not talked to in a while.  

Knowing that she had been through a deep, horrible loss with the death of her beloved brother, I emailed her to let her know I was thinking of her and praying for her.

Through a series of emails, she made a statement to me that many of us often forget when the pain is overwhelming and the darkness has consumed our days.

She said:

“Goodness does still exist here, you just have to look real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real, real hard.”

Here, among many other things, is what I shared with her.

 “Goodness is still here.  The negative overshadows it.  Hurt covers it.  Pain hides it.  Uncover the goodness!”

Pain, discouragement and disappointment can and often does bring isolation.  Then the depression creeps in.  When that happens, JOY is covered up and because you don’t “feel happy”, the negative emotions take over.

Happiness is a fleeting emotion, while Joy is undeniable faith in an almighty God, who has your best interest at heart.  We may not always understand our pain, anguish or why we don’t seem to be reaping the goodness we've sowed, but we can claim great joy in the Lord as we walk through the hardships that lay ahead.

I’ve had several people tell me that the only reason I can be actively spreading joy the way I do is because things are good and/or that I’m just looking at the world through rose colored glasses.

When I speak of spreading the joy of the Lord “regardless of circumstances,” I speak from experience.   

Yes, I’m so blessed! Yes, my needs are met and many of my wants are met as well.  Yes, I have a wonderful husband, 2 amazing kids and family that I adore.  Yes, I have a job to pay the bills and to give support to Spreading Joy with.  But yes…I do know pain, hurt and just how dark negativity can make things.

There have been times that I’ve looked up towards heaven and said “seriously???? Lord?? Really?”

There have been times that I’ve sobbed, not just cried, but poured out my heart to the Lord saying, “again??? Must we endure this again?”

There have been times when grief has so filled my heart with sadness that I simply couldn't get out of bed.

There have been times when I’ve wondered… “when Lord?  When will a positive answer to prayer come”

There are things on my “only GOD” prayer list that I look at and wonder can I muster up a grain of a mustard seed sized portion of faith for those needs.

There have been times that my hearts tells the Lord, “I’m sorry, Lord.  I’ve completely failed you and I don’t have the wisdom to take the next step”

And as much as I try not to, there are those times when I whisper in my heart, “why Lord.  Why? I simply don’t get it!”

But I can firmly stand on the Word of the Lord with Nehemiah 8:10 saying the joy of the LORD is my strength.  Am I always happy? No, I’m not.  But do I have joy through sorrow? Yes, I do.

So, how do we find the goodness and find joy that gets hidden during these horrid times in our lives?

We look for them, seek them, choose them and keep them.

1. Look for the good. There is usually something good about each and every day.  Trouble is our heart is so discouraged that it shuts its eyes to anything but the negative that surrounds the trouble.  Uncover the joy that is waiting to be discovered.
2. Use praise as a weapon.  Being openly grateful about the blessings in our world will drive discouragement away.  Don’t get me wrong, it may be a fight between your heart and mind, but it is worth it.  Praise the hurt away.  Sing until the clouds lift from over your heart.
3. Laugh.  I love laughing and sometimes, I laugh at the most inappropriate time, which tends to end up being funnier for those around me.  When your heart is in despair, find your favorite cartoons, your favorite funny shows and watch them.
4. Saturate your day with the Word of God.  Listen to the Bible, read the Bible. Find some online preaching.  We should be in God’s word daily anyway, but more so when we don’t “feel like it.”
5. Pray!  Surround yourself with the Comforter Himself.  God knows your heart, empty it of the hurt that is filling it up and let God’s joy strengthen you.
6. Do something for others. Don’t let negative feelings about how small "your something for others is" cloud your heart. Just do it.  I’m telling you, and I’ll keep telling you – go and give a box of Little Debbie Cakes away or a pack of Reese’s Cups.  The smiles will be unbelievable.
7. Dig deep into your memory.  On the days when the sorrow is so great due to a horrible loss and you are working your way through the pain of that particular event, do something powerful and REMEMBER something good, just for a few moments.  I know this kind of day.  Even though you have great peace and trust the Lord to carry you through, the pain is so great that you wonder how you’ll function.  Use the memories of something awesome to remind your heart that “this too shall pass” and just how amazing God’s grace truly is.

This in no way is an exhaustive list, but it is things that I do and turn to time and time again.

I’ve been sending out a message on twitter for a while now.  I will send it out almost daily as I know different people will see it at different times.  It says

JOY....  Choose it today! Look for it today... Expect it TODAY!

In the middle of your discouragement, remember the joy is right there too.  Your eyes are closed to it because sometimes it is just easier to see the darkness.  But remember, even in the darkest night, all it takes is one flicker and that flicker can be seen for miles.

Uncover the goodness; don’t let it slip by you without you grabbing hold of it.

How do you uncover the goodness and joy that is within your reach?

Will you share some of what gets you through the dark times?

What verse or verses get you through?

Inspire someone by leaving a comment.

Hope in Emptiness

I love that with the Resurrection there is hope in hopeless situations.

I love that even though it looks like things will end, that the beginning is right there in Christ, A new beginning in Christ. 

I love that when I feel that all is lost, the SONrise will remind me that the day can be even brighter when I choose to focus on HIM.

I love the joy we have in knowing that the gift of the cross is open and available for anyone who seeks peace that passes all understanding.

As we follow Jesus all the Way, This is my prayer for each of US

Lord, help us not to:

Focus on those that hurt me or use me for their gain. Even when I “thought” they were true friends. (Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you)

Focus on how it looks like I’m not reaping from the goodness I’ve sown, when I'm so very blessed even though it's not financial.

Focus on the impossibility because I know that with God all things are possible.

Focus on the why’s, the doubts or fears because I know to do so limits the good that I can do for the Lord.

Focus on the pain that engulfs my heart sometimes because in doing so, it blinds me from noticing and helping others that are hurting.

Focus on the famous because when I do, I lose sight of the forgotten ones that you bled and died for.

Focus on being powerful and mighty and just simply remain available for anything that you have for our life.

Focus on our inefficiencies but rather wrap my heart around the fact that I can do all things through Christ because HE strengthens me.

Focus on the past, because it will bog down my future with guilt, shame and keep me from pressing towards the great things God will do through me….right HERE, right NOW.

Lord, do help us to keep our eyes on YOU and to remain hopeful right in the middle of the impossible, because of the Empty Grave.

Remember:

Because of the empty grave, there is hope in emptiness.

Keep your eyes on the Lord. Hopelessness will try to consume you at some point in your life, but look to the empty tomb, and the hope in the Resurrection of Christ and know that He loves you enough to take on death, hell and your fears for you.

Don’t focus on fear or failure.  Focus on the Father.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWm5QmjXKyo  Yes, I will

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rInAgpnmMnA In Christ Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0myWuADYea8 I will Follow

Making Memories

I love making memories with my kids

Maybe it’s because I just turned another year older recently.

Maybe it’s because the reality of an empty nest is upon me.

Maybe it’s because my baby will be graduating high school the same year my oldest baby is graduating college. (2013)

Maybe it’s because I never want to forget.

BUT lately, I’ve just been remembering and waltzing down memory lane.

It probably doesn’t surprise many of you to know that I’m a happy go lucky kind of gal.  Roll with it, fix what you can and smile through the rest.

Seriously, what else can you do? Right?

It's in that kind of spirit that I wanted to give you some fun things to do to simply make memories.  After all, that will mean more to you than a clean house, money in the bank and a nice car one day.  Mom’s seriously, if someone comes over and you have a sink full of dishes but you PLAYED with your kids, smile and say – dishes can wait, my kids can’t.

Making Memories is as simple as:

• Laying on a blanket looking at clouds and or stars
• Having an afternoon tea party with your princess and her stuffed friends
• Playing basketball in the yard
• Painting fingernails
• Walking in the park
• Reading out loud together
• Late night movie fests, with popcorn and m&m’s
• Mail cards to your small children. They LOVE getting mail. (ok, mail cards to your child...period. ) We all love mail!
• Take silly photos. Yes, we want the pretty family pictures, but always, always ALWAYS take the silly ones too.
• Dream together.  Know what your children dream of doing.  Secretly work to make it happen
• Toss the football
• Handle problems together
• Bake a cake and don’t wait for it too cool before frosting it and eating it. Such a treat.  And do NOT cut perfect squares.  Just scoop it out.
• Try new recipes together. If they don’t turn out, laugh!
• Share PB&J’s
• Buy chocolate chip cookie dough for the sole purpose of eating it raw
• Walk in the snow together. Try to catch snowflakes. Close your eyes and enjoy the coolness on your cheeks
• Sing in the car! Sing loud.
• Go to the park and swing.  If they have a tall sliding board, slide! If they have a see-saw, even better
• Explore your city together.  Let your child take pictures.  You’d be surprised at what they love….pictures are worth a thousand words
• Plan a day of NOTHING. NO chores, no dishes, no cooking – tell everyone – it’s a lazy day all around.
• Let your child play with the camera on your phone and be silly with them.
• Color. Seriously.  When is the last time you got a HUGE box of crayons and colored? (psst..make sure you color outside the lines)
• Ask your child what made them smile this week.
• Sit on the floor and play.
• Have a mad, crazy game night.  Order in Pizza and play one board game after another
• Hot Chocolate out with the kids
• Picnic outside with an ordinary meal
• Pop some popcorn and sprinkle with different flavorings. Try ranch, taco or even cinnamon sugar
• Text your kids.  Seriously.  Text them randomness, facts of the day, verse of the day, silly photos.
• Give turn down service. Leave a small piece of their favorite chocolate on their pillow and a note saying you love them.
• Play in the rain.  Just do it.  Treat it like snow.  Have fun!
• Hold hands.
• Always play music from a juke box. ALWAYS. Do not let this opportunity pass you by
• Have cereal for dinner
• Enjoy the extra sprinkles without question
• Roast marshmallows and hotdogs
• Blow bubbles
• Write on the porch or driveway with sidewalk chalk
• Play hopscotch
• Cry together.  (Not only will you make a wonderful memory of support, you’ll let your child know that it is ok to cry.)
• Shower them with hugs and kisses. Even when they don’t want them. They will thank you for it one day
• Always answer the question. Even if they’ve asked 100 times already.  Just answer it.
• Eat cotton candy together
• Collect sea shells together
• Gaze at a rainbow
• Volunteer together
• Have water balloon fights
• Play “cars” on the floor
• Enjoy go-kart riding with your kids
• Have dessert first
• Experiment with homemade pizza.  Use tortilla shells, wraps or bagels.  Have fun creating different kinds
• Have your kid’s friends over and have a peanut butter contest. See how creates the coolest sandwich w/peanut butter.
• Dance with your kids.  Be footloose and fancy free
• Catch lightning bugs
• Make homemade banana splits or sundaes.  Have toppings galore
• Spend time in a hammock together
• Host a neighborhood art exhibit
• Have a watermelon seed spitting contest. Only rule is EVERYONE must participate
• Play in the sprinkler
• Feed ducks
• Enjoy a petting zoo together.  Pet something you are afraid of
• Start a Thank you Journal, and add pics and notes about people who make a difference in your world and then DO something sweet for them
• Start a lemonade stand and donate proceeds to Spreading Joy
• Build a fort out of blankets and camp out in the living room
• Play in the town of “____” with huge cardboard boxes
• Silhouette art – draw an outline of your head and frame it.  Lamp without shade, black construction paper and it’s practically done.
• Jump rope
• Hula hoop
• Play in the band. Yes..you.  Mom, grab that broom and make it sing! Pots and wooden spoons make great instruments
• Make hand turkeys each year and watch how they grow
• Make, freeze and enjoy frozen kool-aid
• Whip up some mud pies.  Ohhhh the memories there.
• Watch the rain together.
• Go roller skating together
• Disney for everyone
• Make Snow Angels
• Remember out loud with your kids.  Talk about the fun, silly, serious things that you love about each of them.
• Send your child something unique to them for no reason. Again, everyone loves surprises in the mail
• Go for a long walk
• Fly a kite
• Plan a scavenger hunt.  Do it at a mall with pictures, or at home.  Leave fun clues.
• Cozy up by a warm fire and talk about nothing
• Bake cookies together
• Saturday Morning Cartoon Fest.  See if you can find some awesome cartoons of Yester Year.  Bugs Bunny, Road Runner etc.
• Pancakes for everyone.  Make a wide variety, chocolate chip, banana or sprinkle in some cinnamon for a delightful flavor.
• Is your child going on a sleepover or away for the weekend, week, summer etc? Slip a note into their bag telling them you'll miss them and love them. This seems so very small, but is actually HUGE in their eyes.

Tell me, what are some things that you do to make memories?  What memories do you have as a child that has just stuck with you?

Please share them with us as you never know who you’ll inspire to do those things to make memories of their own.

Inspire us in the comment section below

Priceless Gift of You

I took time earlier to talk about the Priceless Gifts that we often "feel badly" for giving, because we devalue them.  We value those gifts when we receive them, but don't place the same value on them when we give them.  

As I prepared for the Live Seminar of Priceless Gifts, my heart was stricken with the fact that people devalue themselves for so many reasons when in reality they are so very priceless.  So, in the Seminar I added this before tackling the other priceless gifts.  Enjoy! 

Many people spend time looking at themselves through the eyes of “society” and that is a huge mistake.  God intended for His children to see themselves as He sees them.  We are created in His image and when we neglect to see ourselves as God sees us, we do Him a great disservice.

Now, I’m not giving you the permission to have a holier than thou mentality, but I do want to encourage you to stop for just a little while and look at yourself through the eyes of the Lord.

Ladies - You are a Princess – Yes, a child of the King and our daddy adores us!  John 1:12

Jesus is your big Brother – We all know how big brothers are!  They will come to our rescue anytime, anyplace and anywhere.  Jesus is NO different.

You are an Heir to the throne – No King is mightier and no throne more powerful than the one that awaits us for all eternity.

You are created in HIS image - Gen 1:27

You are God’s workmanship – Eph 2:10

You are a new creation – 2 Cor 5:17

You are sealed with the Holy Spirit – Eph 1:11

You were known even before you were conceived – Jer 1:5

HE knows your name – the Creator of the universe, the ONE who spoke this world in to place, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, KNOWS YOUR NAME!

After 25 years of dreaming of meeting Chuck Norris, imagine how excited I was to have Chuck Norris say… Marie, it’s finally great to meet you.  NOW imagine when I get to Heaven to meet the Lord. I won’t have to tell him my name.

HE KNOWS ME!

You Matter – to Him, everything that matters to you, matters to HIM.  Everything.

Stop measuring yourself by what society says and does.  If they were truly happy with themselves, there would be less drinking, pill popping and plastic surgery.  They aren’t happy with their own standards and you won’t be either. If you want to measure yourself against someone, choose Christ as your measuring stick! Live up to HIS expectations.  

Some thoughts:

• Right where you are right NOW – you are enough
• Enjoy right now… change what you can, but don’t let the rest stop you from living your life out loud for the Lord.
• Society has conditioned us to think that we are not good enough. Stop believing society and start believing God. Psalm 139
• We miss out on the joy that is all around us because we are focused on the negativity that tries to swallow us up.
• You mean the WORLD to someone.  You always have and always will.
• Make the fun memories now! Take the silly pictures NOW.  Chat over coffee now.
• You are a gift! You are a treasure! YOU are Priceless!

Look at yourself through the eyes of the Father.

You ARE:

A Promise Kept

A Promise Kept

Because of this single promise found in 

Luke 18:33 “And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again”  

we can stand strong in His strength.

Because Jesus rose again….

We don’t have to fear tomorrow or face it alone

We have peace that surpasses all understanding

We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

We can sing praises of your matchless love, grace and mercy

We can sleep knowing that should we never wake, the splendors of Heaven await us

We have hope that never ends, regardless of the darkness chasing us

We can take our greatest treasures with us to Heaven…our family and friends

We enjoy the majesty of this gift of life and the beauty you’ve filled it with

We can live an abundant life experiencing joy as only you can give

We can smile through tears, knowing that all things work together for good

We can stand strong in His strength and work though His power, not our own

We are refreshed by the daily renewing of His mercies

We are encouraged by His faithfulness

We know that every tear will be wiped away

We know that His love reaches us…..regardless

We know true, honest and pure love

We know that our God is greater

AND because a single promise was kept….

We are looking for the promised return, knowing it could be any moment… a twinkling of an eye

Marie Wikle

@spreadingJOY

This article was first published in Tell It on the Mountain eMagazine by DeAnne McBurnie.  Thank you DeAnne for how you are spreading JOY!

21 Precious Memories of my 21 Year Old

April 3^rd 2012 is a mixed emotion kind of day.

I wish I had friends in high places that could fly in, pick me up and take me to Arkansas to see my son for his 21^st birthday.  

It is the first birthday that I’ve ever NOT seen him.  I knew that not seeing him for “a birthday” would come eventually, but really…are we mom’s ever actually ready for that?

So in honor of him, I’ve decided to waltz down memory lane.  You don’t mind do you? Hmm?

I’m a random gal, so these memories are completely random.

I remember….

1. Megan asking how to spell “apple” and your 5 year old self confidentially answered “s-n-o-t”
2. The toddler, little boy that always held my hand while he slept
3. The 2^nd grade protector of the Princess Kristen. You walked behind her as she climbed stairs so if she stumbled, you would be there for her. I loved you for that more than you could possibly know.
4. Trying to figure out what orange chips and broken jeans were. I have always loved your literal mind
5. Your favorite outfit.  Cowboy boots and shorts.  Nothing more.
6. Yoohoo was the drink of choice
7. Power Rangers and Street Sharks were neck and neck with Richard Scary’s busy town.
8. How you loved and adored “the baby” before she was born.  You wanted a little brother, but always treasured the gift of a sister.  I loved how you played with her and talked to her before birth.
9. You driving off with just Megan the day you got your license.  I cried tears of joy and was a tiny bit fearful.  So grown up, yet still my baby.
10. Not being able to get the lawn mower to start and you matter of factly reminding me to “do what we always do…Pray about it” at the young age of 5 years old. Child like faith…amazes me.
11. Watching you sleep and thinking just how proud of you I am.  I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow watching you sleep.  Ever.
12. I remember the Christmas you were horribly sick. I had a double ear infection and you had some flu bug. You threw up for hours. You were worried Santa wouldn’t come with your one special gift if you didn’t sleep.  “he showed” but then you cried after you were sick all over all your new toys.  You finally slept and were so thrilled to find them perfectly fine when you woke.
13. I remember how big and grown up you looked as you were walking into kindergarten.  You were a head taller than all the rest of the kids.  You being a head taller than most served me again as I searched for you in the sea of green caps and gowns on your graduation day.
14. Always shooting hoops with you, tossing the football and being able to hit each of your fast balls.  Well, except the one that got out of control.  I hit it, but not with the bat.  I used my arm to deflect it from my face and you thought you had broken my arm.
15. I remember the Mom and Todd dates, where we talked about you, your hopes, dreams and things going on your day to day world.  We also discussed just how to treat your future girl friend and the gentleman that you could become.
16. Establishing honest communication with you at a very young age.  It has always been something that I treasure, knowing that YOU know that you have the freedom to ask me anything.
17. How your training wheels had long stopped touching the ground before you’d let us take them off.  They were so bent that they truly didn’t work, but you needed the security more than the wheels.
18. The older you got, the less you liked to read.  But I do treasure the years that we were able to read all kinds of books together.  Especially your favorite – All Because a little bug went Kachoo.
19. Singing at the top of our lungs as we rode along in the car and laughing when someone would mess up the words to the song. OR singing them wrong on purpose!  Especially when Megan would sing “wise Christmas” or “Winnie NUT Pooh”
20. Sparring with you, having fun and then stepping into your very controlled punch.  You were horrified as you thought you had hurt me badly.  And yes, it did hurt pretty badly.
21. The courage you showed as a 10 year old boy, sparring with the older adults. Your height moved you out of the kids class and into the adults.  Even though they were stronger, smarter and older…you always made them earn their wins.  Always.  And you even won several yourself.

I sure do love you son! Forever and Always

I could list a million memories here.  Probably a zillion.  More than anything I want you to know how very proud of you I am.  You were absolutely the best surprise ever.  From the moment I found out I was expecting you, I promised God if He would use you, that I’d do everything I could do to point you to Him.

I love you son.  I hate that we are apart on this special milestone in your life, but know that you are right in the center of God’s will…and that…makes me happy.

I’ll hug you soon.

Happy Birthday Son! I love you

Tournament Happenings

amazing talent played in this tournament

Tournament Happenings

This tournament was completely amazing.  I’m so honored to have been able to have sponsored it.

Here is what YOU provided to these awesome kids in Hot Springs Arkansas

Free Tournament  (HUGE as many can’t afford to play for awesome prizes)

Free Basketball

Free Lunch & all the water they needed/wanted

Free Cats Care wrist band (thank you Charlotte Bob Cats)

A free opportunity for each player on each team to win the following:

1^st place - $150 Gift card to Foot Locker

2^nd Place - $50 gift card to Hibbitt Sports

3^rd Place – A very nice basketball & water bottle

Half Court Contest – Winner receives $100 cash

Reese’s Cups for everyone that attended and extra for those that truly looooove them.

Capture some Awesome Shots

There were 8 teams – 24 players & about 60ish people total.  I was happy to see those that came out and cheered for their friends.

Kids start showing up early to practice.  It was awesome to just soak up the excitement.  There were many college kids there to help in any area needed.  These kids amaze me with their huge hearts.  They will always have a special place in my heart.

The teams start playing and one team makes it to the very end undefeated.  Nothing short of amazing.

The 2^nd team playing for 1^st place has played several games back to back AND has fought their way back from losing early on in the tournament.  We couldn’t have asked for a more intense game.

The kids are playing with all their might; the undefeated team loses their first game! It’s anybody’s game as the 2^nd game between these two team starts.

I’m snapping pictures and playing with the littlest cheerleader and I look up and see it!  The score is tied up – 13 to 13.  They are only playing to 15. Wow! It couldn’t have been any closer!  I see it… Dude shoots in the ball and no doubt, he scores!  The team that had lost early on had just made the winning shot!  Cheers and excitement all around.

The excitement was amazing.

A great start to Spreading Joy Across America

The half court shot?!? UNBELIEVABLE – not a single one of us was recording this as we just figured no one would get it! but…. Khory – a 15 yr old completely blew us away and made it! It was my honor to present to him his prize (on his birthday) of $100 CASH!  The gymnasium erupted with cheers and shouts! High fives were all over the place!

As if ALL of this wasn’t enough excitement and encouragement wasn’t enough…there is MORE.

Pastor Eric Capacci of Gospel Light Baptist Church and President/Founder of Champion Baptist College spoke and gave a devotional about “The next 24 hours being critical”

He discussed how quickly time flies and how we aren’t certain of tomorrow.  In his challenge, he also presented a clear presentation of the Gospel of Christ and 6 teen boys accepted Christ as their Savior.

God Wins.

Top row is 1st Place Winners!! $150 gift card to Foot Locker EACH

All the work, all the emails asking for donations and support for this event was worth every minute of it.  Spreading Joy can and often is a lot of work for me on the “organizing end” and needing donations part of things, but it is and always will be worth all the effort, hard work and long days that go with it.  When we can encourage those that are discouraged and beat up by the world, they will go on to encourage others.  The lasting effects may never, ever be realized.

We never want to be a Non Profit that is set on “making money and living the high life.”  But we will always and forever be the Non Profit that simply reminds others of the JOY of giving….even if it’s giving your time, voice or a hand.  Regardless of what it is…it is HUGE and has an awesome impact on the heart of others! And always will!

We will remind others to place value on their gifts, regardless of the size or value they may think it is.  We often negate the value of our voice or time spent in helping but those are priceless, as well as the financial gifts.

Remember, when you are doing what you can with what you have – when the finances increase, you’ll continue to do what you can and your financial giving will increase as well.

Thank you for making a huge impact in the life of these kids and those that came to watch & help.

2nd & 3rd place Winners!

We were able to give every child that was there (even those that came to “watch”) a free basketball.  We purchased 100 balls, so the ones that were left over, were given out as well to local neighborhood kids!  How awesome is that? Hmmm?

You guys are amazing Spreading Joy heroes!

Thank you for your HUGE heart and for your efforts in Spreading Joy!  Without you, none of this would have been possible. YOU are pretty awesome!

Ohh, and the 15 yr. old that won the half-court shot?  Get this:  He wasn’t going to stay.  Nope…they were just going to leave.

He and his friends saw the size of the older kids and thought there was NOOOO way they would win. I talked to them, told them the worst that could happen would be that they would get a free lunch, free basketball and wrist band and have a ton of fun…so stay!  And they did.  And then HE won the half-court shot! Simply amazing!

Your time, voice and financial contributions did this! YOU are awesome!

YOU did an awesome thing!! Thank you for Spreading JOY with me!