Dax Chandler

Dax Chandler turns 5-years-old today!!

Dax is grandchild #8 for us.  His birth was unforgettable and he quickly secured his special place in our hearts.

Even as a little guy, Dax loved adventure and people.  He's visiting his special neighbors in this picture.

He also has a big imagination.  We'd just watched "Horton Hears a Who" and he was listening for Who on this flower.

He's a little warrior.  He's in training right now and his little brother is a good sparring partner.

He also has a very gentle side.  He's a wonderful big brother. 

He's also his daddy's little clone.  

Dax has been known to misbehave.  (I've never personally seen this.)  But his mom made him send a video apology to his babysitter, Payton.  I think I've watched this a hundred times and laughed every time.  He's saying, "Sorry, Payton."  (His mom couldn't hold her laughter back either...and I also told her he'd have that eye roll perfected before she knew it!)

The things I love about Dax:

He has an infectious laugh

He's a redhead

He loves adventures outside

He loves to help

He's kind 

The way he studies his choices before he makes them

How much he loves his family

He's courageous

He's such a good bedtime guy

He hates the bad guy in any movie

He hates seeing someone hurt

He prays sweet prayers

I LOVE YOU, DAX CHANDLER!

GEE

Ryan Elijah

Ryan Elijah turns 12-years-old today!

It seems like only yesterday he was this little.  Ryan is grandchild #4 for us.

I think it's awesome he's living in Minnesota now where there's lots of snow!  He's always loved it.

Ryan has always loved playing outside.  He's an adventurer!

He also loves his little sister.  They're best friends.  This was when they were in children's choir in Borger singing "This Little Light of Mine"

This was a fun Thanksgiving when he and his boy cousins all got toy guns.  We didn't see them the rest of the day!

He's almost as excited over his sister's birthday as his own!

You can usually find him in the kitchen at some point.  He doesn't mind cooking or cleaning.

And at 12-years-old...he really likes to eat!

This boy LOVES to read!

I can't believe he's 12!  He's starting to look like a man.

The things I love about Ryan:

He has a big heart

He's kind

He loves to engage other kids to play and is inclusive

He's inquisitive

He's adventurous

He's helpful

He loves to learn and figure things out

He's a Lego genius

He's always excited to see me

He's funny and has a great laugh

He's like his dad and memorizes the lines of a movie

He loves his cousins of all ages

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN ELIJAH!

I love you,

Guh

When they're not your own...

Girls we "adopted" in Asia

They all came to us in different ways.  There were 6 of them...6 kids not our own.  Three of them came from living with grandparent-types who were just overwhelmed with a teenager's schedule and way of living.  Two of them found us because they were students at Frank Phillips.   Some came while we had babies of our own and some came after we had an empty nest. Some stayed a few months and some stayed over a year.  Some came empty and some were already filled up.  Some were as young as 14 and others were starting a career.  But they all became a part of our family.

I can't recommend it enough.  Is it hard?  Sure!  But so is raising your own kids.  Is it expensive?  Of course.  You've added another set of feet under your table.  Is it difficult mixing in almost-grown-up personalities you're not used to?  That's probably the hardest part. But it helps if you just treat them as your own and set up a few house rules to start with.  And you'll probably find the most important rule is to keep their room clean and their own laundry washed.  It helps them feel a part of the family to have their own specific chore to do around the house.

I'd say the most important thing you can do as the fill-in parents is to see this time as an investment.  Be intentional in investing in this new kid.  You may only have a few months to pour love into their lives.  And to be honest, you may need some short times away from one another to keep a healthy balance in your home.  But our goal was for these kids to know God.

The fun result is your family has some really great--and even hilarious--memories.  And you have a deep connection with some almost-related adults later on.  You may even get an extra call on Mother's Day!

Just...love

I think we make it harder than it really is.  Our world needs Jesus.  And He's chosen us to express His love.  We think we can't...or don't know how.  We don't know what to do or what to say.  We're uncomfortable.  We think we don't have enough money to share or skills to offer.  We're afraid we're overstepping boundaries others may have created.  We think we may not be wanted.

And you may not know how or you may be uncomfortable.  But if you step out one time, it will be easier the next time.  You may not know what to say, but your presence or a hug may be all that's needed.  And you may not have all the money your heart wants to share, but I bet you have enough to share a meal with someone.  And it's really not about what you can do--it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you.

This week, send a card with a warm message and a gift card to a coffee shop to someone who may be depressed, take a meal to a working mom, take a small stack of $1 bills or a restaurant gift card to someone staying with a family member in the hospital, listen to someone who lives alone and never has anyone to talk to, babysit for a single mom or take her car for an oil change, hug a widow or take her a single-sized home-cooked meal, throw a birthday party for a friend, sit and cry with someone who is grieving, call an old friend, help a neighbor with a chore.  You can do this!!

Just love...in the name of Jesus.

A Reframed Life!

In case you didn't notice, I changed the title of this blog from Best of Becky to Life to Life.  God has been doing such a transformation in me, I thought this part of my life deserved newness, too.  I have discovered my purpose and have become much more intentional with everything.  In fact, I've been on quite a journey.  I want to share what I'm learning.  God has promised ABUNDANT LIFE--and it really is available--to all of us!

Recently, I read this book at the recommendation of Jay & Amy:

It's the story of a neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with brain cancer and then shares his story of dying.  His story is one of bravery, premeditated calculation, and focus.  It's one of those stories that you just can't get away from...and don't want to.  It may sound morbid, but it actually brought focus for my future.  This book is just a small part of some amazing things God has been doing in my heart and mind.  I decided to become much more intentional with my life.  To do that, I made a list of things I feel are critical for me to fulfill the kingdom mandate I believe God has placed on my life and the footprints I want to leave behind.  I'll even share a few:

1. I want a deeply intimate relationship with God.  I want to laugh with Him!
2. I want to say "YES!" to life.  I want to fully embrace it and not just endure it.
3. I want to live boldly.
4. I want to be like Jesus--who only did what He saw the Father doing.  And I want to imitate that eagerly, fearlessly, and unashamedly.

...and the list goes on.  Knowing and understanding my purpose has caused me to want to be much more intentional in what I do.  It also highlights the things I must cut out of my life--the unnecessary and even urgent things.  I'm learning where my giftedness lies and I'm learning to promote the giftedness of others.  I need them--and they need me.  If I try to do things God hasn't called me to, I am stealing opportunities from others--opportunities perfectly fitted for them.  My gifts and purpose complement those around me which means there's no room for jealousy or feeling threatened by one another.   I don't just want to finish this life well; I don't want to miss one good thing God has for me!

I feel like I've just stepped over.  I've stepped into the life which God has been preparing me for...and preparing for me...all these years.  He's using every little and big thing, every good and bad thing, everything for my purpose--for His kingdom.  I may not have all the answers, but I have LIFE to share.  God has breathed life into me--and I want you to know your purpose and be filled with life, too.

"For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]."  Ephesians 2:10 AMP

The First Hostage by Joel C. Rosenberg

I am a book reviewer for a couple of publishing companies, but I'm reviewing this book just because it's THAT good and I hope you'll go get it and read it for yourself!!

First, you need to know it's the second book in a series.  The first book of the series is The Third Target and it's a very good book.  But I'm going to say this is probably my favorite book I've read in about 10 years! And I think it's Joel C. Rosenberg's best book ever!  (I've read them all!)  The 2nd thing you need to know is that Joel C. Rosenberg has a political background.  He's worked in the U.S. government and the Israeli government.  He's a Messianic Jew and has his finger on the pulse of the geopolitical world and senses what is coming down the pike.  You would think he's a prophet if you read his books because so many of the situations in his books have actually come to pass after his book went to print, but he disclaims that theory.

Even though this book is a work of fiction, you feel like it's a report coming out of the Middle East.  J.B. Collins, a reporter for the New York Times is involved with world leaders who are meeting in Jordan for the signing of a peace treaty.  But it's at that very moment ISIS attacks and kills hundreds of world leaders and captures the president of the United States!  The rest of the book is J.B.'s search for the president, the story of the century, and an awareness that his brother's and mother's prayers are protecting him.

I won't lie.  It's an intense story.  And I could have read it in one evening...but I wanted to savor it and make it last as long as I could.  So I made it last two days.  ;)  But I'm about to pick it up and read it again...tonight.

It's that good.

A Hop, Skip & A Jump!

I've always told you I'd prepare you for things to come.  But let me just say this at the outset:  "Purpose in your minds and hearts to enjoy each moment God has for you!"  

I read a meme this morning which said, "I thought growing old would take longer."  Seriously.

• One day you're sitting in school looking out the window wondering if you'll ever be out of school and get to make your own decisions.  
• The next minute you're married with babies.  This season seems like it will never end!
• And then your children start school.  It's a moment for celebration--you have your life back--for a moment--only a moment!
• But then your children enter middle school and with all of their activities, you blink and they've graduated.
• Your children consecutively leave home, go to college, get married, and start having babies.
• You get to relive all of those baby and little kid moments--savoring them this time--because you're not responsible for the hard things.  You get to enjoy and encourage.  

• You watch them grow and want it all to stop.  If only you could keep them little.

• You realize you can't slow the process down and soon you'll be starting the process all over again.

Savor each moment.  Invest in this time.