The Pleasure of a Good Book

I was thinking today about some of the books I used to read to my children when they were young. You know, Goodnight Moon, Curious George, The Little Engine That Could, Clifford the Big Red Dog and so many others. How I loved sitting with all three of them around me, as they were eagerly awaiting the next page. We read these books over and over. My kids never seemed to tire of hearing the familiar stories. They knew them so well they would often beat me to the next line.

There was one book I could never make it through without getting a big lump in my throat. You know the one -- I'll Always Love You. And it's true! There is a bond between parent and child that is profound and deeply felt.

This made me realize that I am like my children, basking in the delight of a story that is beautifully written. When I spend time reading the words of God's story, I'm lifted to a place that is outside of myself. It's like immersing myself into a holy place - where the Lord shows me Who He is and what He desires for me. A relationship is forged, and I begin to want to live for His glory. Oh, the joy of reading the Book of Books!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

How do you minister to the hurting?

I could use your help, please.

I have a precious friend who is facing a huge battle. Her daily routine has changed radically. She is in pain, and she feels abandoned by God. Some of her friends are also asking the question, “Where are you, God? Why is this happening?”

It seems we are helpless and clumsy in our efforts to help. Every person deals with such difficult situations in a different way – I recognize that. Some crave the presence of another person; others are more private and withdraw; still another might journal his or her thoughts and prayers; perhaps music is what ministers to the one who is hurting.

As my friends and I approach the 50s and 60s, I see more and more health challenges. Relationships and finances are other obstacles, but illness ranks among the greatest of the changes we encounter during this season of life.

How do you come alongside a friend or family member who is in such a fight? What have you learned from your experiences? Please share your insights or Scripture verses that have helped you.

I thank you.

Make A Difference

There are days when I pinch myself and say, “Am I really a part of this?!”

I think I’ve said before that I feel so honored to be a part of the ministry of Family Talk and to get to work with Dr. Dobson. Especially after my children left home, it has been an amazing blessing to have a job that is fulfilling and allows me to make a difference.

This week, I’m in Orlando, Florida, with Dr. and Mrs. Dobson. I feel like I’m watching history in the making. You may know that Dr. Dobson is updating his original film series that was taped in San Antonio in 1978. When Ryan, his son, moved into the parenting stage, he saw one of the films and found it to be relevant and helpful. And it was really good!!! So Ryan asked his dad where he and his friends could get a copy of the series. Well, those films were, of course, unavailable. That’s when Ryan encouraged his father to update the series so that the next generation of spouses and parents could benefit from the practical material in those films.

Thus began “Building a Family Legacy.” Most of the sessions were filmed at a church in San Diego last summer. While here in Florida, other pieces of the project are coming together. It’s been a remarkable time – inspiring messages and powerful re-enactments . . . I truly believe this new series will speak to families and help them provide godly homes and solid spiritual training – just like the first series did for over 80 million people in the late 70s and early 80s.

Check out the photos of some of the work that’s been done this week.

Your prayers for this project are much appreciated. Dr. Dobson and Family Talk continue to labor on behalf of the family, righteousness in the culture and the defense of life.

I’d love to hear from you about the open doors God has allowed you to walk through and how you’re making a difference in others’ lives as you’re “on mission” for Him.

Another Day, Another Faith Opportunity

My husband and I were attending a financial seminar the other evening (trying to learn how to prepare for our “golden years”), when I looked at my cell phone and found that I had missed a call from our daughter. You see, this is unusual because this daughter is living in Indonesia, teaching school at an international Christian school. We often schedule phone calls or Skype because there is a 13-hour time difference. So to receive a call at that time from her sent off an alarm to me. My cell phone doesn’t have international calling, so I couldn’t call her back.

A few moments later, I received a call from one of my sons. I thought, “Uh-oh! Something’s wrong.” I tried to catch his call but didn’t make it out of the meeting room in time. I immediately returned his call and found out that he had spoken with our daughter. Kristin was in excruciating pain and very sick. When she described her symptoms to Austin, he thought it sounded like she might be passing a kidney stone. (Believe it or not, he had passed his first kidney stone about three weeks earlier!) He gave her good advice and told her to head to the hospital to get some relief.

My heart sank to hear that she was hurting and that I couldn’t be there to help. I couldn’t even talk with her to offer comforting words. Then the panic set in. Will she be able to communicate with the medical personnel who probably don’t speak English? What about the cleanliness of the hospital? Is anybody with her to help? How will she get to the hospital? I don’t like that she is so very far away and I can’t do anything!!!!!

Bill and I stopped everything and sat in the car praying for God’s protection over Kristin and wisdom and compassion for anyone who would be caring for her. We asked Him to give her peace and relief from the horrible pain. We cried and we acknowledged that God loves and cares about her even more than we do and that she is in His hands. We called other family members and friends and petitioned their prayers on Kristin’s behalf. It was what we could do.

Have you ever felt helpless and inadequate to be the parent you want to be? How do you step beyond the need to intervene or feel that it’s up to you to “fix it” for your children?

God showed me (again) that night that I must “Cast all my cares upon Him, for He cares for me.” And I know without a doubt that He cares for my children, too. The lessons of faith continue, even when my kids don’t live under my roof. I’m thankful God is near during the learning process.

By the way, Kristin passed the stone and is recuperating well. Thank You, Lord!

Slammed

During the last several weeks, I joined/rejoined the club of the “slammed.” By that, I mean that I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, weary, inadequate and completely undone. There is much to be done at work, and I can’t seem to keep up. Then, I feel as though I’m not being the wife and mom I should be, and my friendships are being neglected – basically, it’s a snowball effect. Have you ever encountered this?

When I feel this way, my health suffers, too. I try to push through, but the result is irritability and misspoken words. Doesn’t Romans 7 have something to say about not doing the things I want to do and doing the things I don’t want?

Here I am at the end of another work week, and I’ve not made it through my list . . . I ask, “Lord, what do you expect of me? How can I ever do it all? Are you disappointed in me?”

In Micah 6:8, we are told, “He has showed you, Oh man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” My initial reaction to that verse is, (sarcastically), “Oh, is that all?” I really do desire to act justly, and many times I let walking humbly with God be overrun by my “accomplishment” of doing the right thing. Such arrogance! I don’t believe that is what God has in mind.

We read Ephesians 4 today in our staff devotions. One person very wisely said that the action steps of that chapter are often best digested as a step-by-step Christian growth process. The part about building others up according to their needs is in contrast to my shortness with people and my critical attitude. Coming to terms with that truth leads me to offer this prayer to my Heavenly Father.

I confess to you, Lord (and to you who are reading this blog entry), that I have not exhibited the heart and mind of Christ. This day, I thank You, Father, for Your forgiveness and patience with me. I will, with Your help, choose to share words that are edifying and not wounding. Help me, Lord, to show love and care and to seek Your face. Please give me the strength to do what I can with the tasks I have before me and the peace to leave the results in Your hands. I ask You, Father, to help bridle my tongue, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Readers, thank you for allowing me to be transparent with you all. Perhaps God will use my struggle to minister to you.

Victory Over Anger

For years, I struggled with anger. My anger was often either internalized and then awaited an opportunity for an explosion, or I lashed out at others by way of nagging or harshness about things that had really little or nothing to do with them. I think because it was so “cleverly disguised” in my life (or so I deluded myself), I did not recognize or want to accept that anger was a problem in my everyday living.

I began to identify the extent of the anger in my heart after I became a mom. I had always envisioned myself as a warm, loving, gentle and kind mother. I thought that if I had children, I would be able to nurture them and model godly character to them. Whoa! I didn’t take long before I would find myself exploding over little, insignificant things. Then I would feel extremely guilty for overreacting. Something was not right. Things had to change – I couldn’t continue this way.

It was at this time that I “discovered” that the rage or anger in my spirit was the result of sin. Anger took on a whole new meaning to me. I imagine I had again fooled myself into believing that my anger was usually justified (righteous). Oh my – now pride was creeping into this equation . . . I guess I thought I knew what was best, and when others didn’t follow through with my best plan, I had a reason to be angry. Once again, I had a wrong view of God and a wrong view of myself. God alone is altogether righteous; He alone is the Sovereign of others and of me.

I sought counsel from a godly woman who was mentoring me. She took me to the Word. She directed me to Galatians 5, where Paul exhorts believers to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit-filled life. Well, I’d certainly heard about the fruit of the Spirit before – pie in the sky stuff, unattainable behavior. We looked at the context of the teaching on the fruit of the Spirit. In verses 16-21, Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. The flesh sets it desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh . . . the deeds of the flesh are: . . . jealously, outbursts of anger . . . envying . . . those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Wow!! There is a battle going on – but I don’t have to fight this battle by myself.

Romans 6 and 7 are rich with truth about the battle and my opportunity to allow sin to reign or to let Christ reign. Romans 6:6 says, “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Christ, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.” In verses 11-13, we are told to “reckon ourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” I have a choice. If I were not yet redeemed, I would not have a choice. Even all my good acts would not be done in the Spirit and would be worthless. But because I do have the indwelling Holy Spirit, I can either choose to let sin (anger, envy, etc.) rule my heart and mind, or I can choose to yield my spirit to the Spirit of God.

Coming to grips with this truth has changed my entire thinking. I recognized my attitude and my actions as fleshly. I was dealing with a sin issue, and what’s the first line of defense against sin in a believer’s life? Confession – I wanted to keep short accounts with God (first and foremost) and also with others. Secondly, I need to grab hold of the Scriptures – because the Word is sharper than a two-edged sword. Memorizing and meditating on God’s Word (especially those verses that addressed anger/sin in the life of a Christian) became crucial. You see, I had to replace the wrong thinking in my mind with right thinking. I had to learn to take every thought captive – I couldn’t continue to justify my deeds or to excuse my sin. I resolved to assume the best of others rather than to live in a constant state of disappointment.

In fact, I learned that discontent and unmet expectations contributed to my anger. Did I think I deserved better? Did I believe that I was letting others down and they were not meeting my standards either? I have had to stop and evaluate my heart and literally take time to ask (often aloud), “Who’s on the throne here – Becky or God?” I had to remember whose I am – I had been bought with a price.

I so wanted Christ to have the preeminent place in my life. I wanted to live yielded to the Spirit, and I wanted to exhibit spiritual fruit. So if I didn’t want to live with anger and jealousy, how did I want to live? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . that’s what I wanted to be about! I chose three elements of this fruit (patience, kindness and self-control) that I believed would help me fight against anger, and I did word studies on those words from Scripture. What an eye-opener!

Anger certainly still rears its ugly head in my life, but I do not feel defeated or controlled by my anger. God has given me many tools to fight against this enemy – my flesh. Will I engage in the battle or just let sin neutralize me? I want to be a warrior and an ambassador for Christ – “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!”

My personal keys to dealing with anger are:

1. Recognize anger as sin
2. Confess that sin to God and to others – keep short accounts
3. Study what God’s Word says about anger
4. Memorize specific verses to help combat anger
5. Take every thought captive
6. Assume the best of others
7. Ask the question, “Who’s on the throne of my heart?”
8. Do word studies on the fruit of the Spirit
9. Be held accountable by another believer

If anger is a problem in your life, I hope my experience is of help to you. I’m always interested to hear how God is working in your life.

May the Lord bless you.

All For Jesus

Last night was an amazing evening! I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. and Mrs. Dobson to Houston for a gathering with Vision America. They were honored with the "Heroes of the Faith" award.

Although Dr. and Mrs. Dobson certainly do not consider themselves to be heroes, I can't tell you how many people, often with tears in their eyes, expressed their respect and gratitude for the ways God has allowed Dr. and Mrs. Dobson to impact their lives and their families!

The evening was filled with faith and patriotism -- from a powerful rendition of "How Great Thou Art" to a call from Dr. Dobson to "stay in the field." Dr. Dobson was introduced last night as "a national treasure," and that he is. He spoke about the sanctity of human life and defending righteousness in our culture. His passion and compassion for children shone through. I wish you could have been there!

I've worked for Dr. Dobson for over eight years, and I know him to be a lover of Jesus, a warrior for the family and a man of integrity. He is tender-hearted and has a wonderful sense of humor. But one thing I've seen from my first day on the job is that he is a man on a God-given mission. His fervor for God and courage to stand for godly values challenge me to make the most of my days.

There is a song called "All for Jesus" that captures this sense of mission. Here are the lyrics of this great song:

Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.

For it's only in Your will that I am free,
For it's only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

You can also give it a listen here.

I hope you are moved to join those who want to live with complete abandon to our Saviour and the work He has for you in these days!

God bless you and fill you with His strength.

Is there a place for me?

Is there a place for me?

There’s a road out there – a winding path that goes in unexpected directions. As a young adult, I was pretty sure (in my youthful naivety and arrogance) that I knew where I was going over the next 30 years – I would graduate from college, meet the man of my dreams and marry him, have children, raise incredible kids . . . Those thirty years have come and gone. I hadn’t really considered what my “lot in life” would be after the raising of the children had passed.

It’s always been of great importance to me to live with purpose. I knew my purpose when I was mothering Ryan, Austin and Kristin. Have you ever asked, “What now?!” That question poked at me for a while. Could there be something else that I could do that would be meaningful and fulfilling?

Last week in our staff devos (we’re so blessed to have devotions together as a team everyday), I asked them, “Why are you here [at Family Talk]?” By the way, I work with an exceptional group of people. I love them and appreciate their dedication and hard work! But, even though I thought I knew these folks and probably had a good idea about why they came to work here, I was blown away with their responses to my question. Many talked about the circumstances that brought them to this organization – amazing accounts of divine intervention. Others shared their strong sense of calling to use their skills and passions for the mission of Family Talk. One precious young lady said that she knows a year later now that this is the one job God had for her! Wow!!! And the respect, love and gratitude for our president, Dr. Dobson, were expressed over and over again. It was a marvelous time for us to gather together and reaffirm that God has plans for us at Family Talk.

My dear friend, LuAnne Crane (VP of Broadcasting and Co-Host of the daily program), said that the truth of Ephesians 5:15-16 grips her – “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” She stated that she can no longer be complacent but must live with intentionality, especially because her children are watching her. No more mediocrity for LuAnne! She is compelled to live by her convictions – overltly! – because her children need to see a mom whose daily calendar and priorities are completely determined by her Christian convictions and worldview. What a beautiful perspective and objective! LuAnne is thankful that her role at Family Talk gives her a forum in which to live out these truths.

I, too, know with certainty that God has a place for me at Family Talk. There are tasks that He has equipped me to do, lessons to learn, challenges to face and relationships to build. It is remarkable to me that the God of the universe has opened these opportunities to me and that I can make a difference for Him!! I cannot tell you how my heart overflows with a sense of significance and belonging. God’s goodness is beyond words! Another verse in Ephesians rings true to me: Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen!”

Yes, I still have a purpose. You do, too.

Yes, my life can be fulfilling and meaningful. Yours can, too.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Blessed Quietness

A cup of Earl Grey tea and a porch swing. Every now and then, it's a grand thing to enjoy some of the simple pleasures of life.

I like what Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” There is something very nourishing about quietness. In those moments (too rarely chosen), my entire demeanor can be lifted and refreshed with even a small dose of silence. And, just as Mother Teresa said, when I have tasted silence, that's when I can touch a soul.

Sometimes the sort of silence that can enrich or influence the life of another person is when I keep my mouth from sharing everything I think I know. Over the years, I've learned that it's not always necessary or profitable to offer my two cents. Yes, there are certainly occasions when I have worthwhile conversation points, but very often my greatest contribution is to listen -- to offer the gift of silence and by doing so to reinforce the value I place on another person.

Does the beauty of silence apply in the workplace? With my spouse? With my adult children? In friendships? When that crazy driver cuts me off? I believe it does!

Consider practicing this quietness -- this act of restraint -- and touch a soul!

Hair Products

It surely takes a lot of hair products to make me feel good about going out of my house every morning. There's the shampoo (wanna' make sure it not only cleans yesterday's products out of my hair, but also smells good). Then comes the conditioner. Now, this one gets me because the directions say, "Leave on 3 minutes." Doesn't that just seem like a long time for a "product" to make clean hair soft and manageable? I'm usually impatient about this step and actually have a hard time finding something to do in the shower while I'm waiting for the conditioner to do its magic. Well, after the shower comes the multi-step process of moussing and curl enhancing, not to mention the finishing spray. By this time and with all these products, you'd think I look like a wild woman. The goal, however, is just the opposite! Quite a daily operation, isn't it?!

You ask, what does this have to do with being a woman at a crossroads? I see several lessons for myself in my hair product adventure:

1. If I'm willing/compelled to spend such a significant amount of time on hair, why don't I make the time to improve my physical, relational and spiritual well-being? I could spend 20 minutes to read God's Word and be nourished in my soul. I could walk for 20 minutes to encourage my body. I could put down my iPhone and talk with my husband to build into our relationship. Oh, the benefits of getting some perspective about priorities!

2. Taking shortcuts, like prematurely rinsing out the conditioner in my hair, can cause a terrible, tangled mess. It really does make a difference when I give the "product" time to work. Likewise, when I step back, slow down and not rush or get ahead of God's plans for me, I see His hand preparing the way and directing my path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

3. One last lesson is that man may look on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. In this part of my life journey, am I keeping my heart pure and longing for Jesus? That's the beauty I want to shine forth -- the love and grace of Jesus in my life!

I'll probably still feel the daily weight of hair products on my head, but I'll also be reminded that God's Holy Spirit is who truly transforms me into a new and beautiful creation!

Expectation and Expectancy

The other night at our small group gathering, we talked about practicing the presence of God. Part of that discussion was about the contrast between expectation and expectancy.

Let me tell you, I have lived with expectation my entire life. I’ve had expectations of my husband and my children that are impossible for them to meet. And that leads to frustration on their part and disappointment (if not anger) on mine. That certainly wasn’t where I wanted to land or what I wanted to convey to those I cherish and love.

Expectations are a funny business. The word is defined as, “A confident belief or strong hope that a particular event will happen; a mental image of something expected; a standard of conduct or performance expected by or of somebody.” Expecting that someone will act in a certain way.

I have set myself up to be disillusioned with my husband because I have required something from him that is not for me to demand. For example, I was recently promoted in my job. A congratulatory/I’m proud of you bouquet of flowers would have been wonderful! It didn’t happen. Is Billy happy for me and proud of my accomplishments? Yes, he is, yet he didn’t come through on my specific expectation. The place where I can live that doesn’t burst everyone’s balloon is in expectancy.

What we learned last night was that expectancy is anticipating that God (or someone) will act. I’m just not putting the demand that it be a certain word or action. In that way, I can have joy in seeing what unfolds. Expectancy takes the tension out of the equation.

So, when I think about my husband or my children and put my expectations on them, I’m actually burdening all of us. I think I’d rather walk with expectancy in what will transpire and the ways God will teach me through it all.

What are your thoughts?

Let’s be friends,
Becky

Hooray for the Moments!

Thanks to those of you who read my first two blog posts. I wanted to give you some history and context for what contributes to my thought processes and the road on which I continue to travel.

This has been a mixed up kind of week for me. Anticipating Kristin’s departure back to Indonesia has been in my head for a long time – even to the point of not cherishing the moment. Will I ever learn?! We went to a minor league baseball game last Friday night – it was a great time – we won and there were incredible fireworks after the game. As I sat there beside Kristin, I was struck by her joy and peace. Contentment simply oozes out of her (and is contagion to those around her). Even yesterday when we hugged and said our goodbyes, she was so strong and eager to get back to the children she teaches and the community she loves so much there in Bandung. I will miss her like crazy!!! But I know she’s in God’s hands and is where He will use her for His glory.

The house seems so quiet again, except that we’re taking care of one of the “grand-dogs” for a few days while Ryan and Joanna are out town. We got to see our other “grand-dog” a few days ago when Austin and Kim came for dinner and a rousing game of bridge. I guess these kids need us, just in different ways than when they were young. Ryan told me on the phone last night, “You’ll always be my parents, and I’m really glad you’re there for us.” I’ll take it!

I am a blessed woman – and as I noted earlier, I need to treasure the moments I’m given with my adult children.

Dreams Do Come True

Upon graduation from BJU, I had a full-time job there at the university. Chronic kidney infections caused me to need to leave that position and return to Texas for rest and recovery. I was so disappointed because I had envisioned building a life and hopefully finding a mate there in South Carolina.

Our first apartment, complete with the air conditioner
cord hanging on the wall above the couch.

God had a different plan for me. He brought me “home” to Texas, and I was soon able to find another job. But my heart ached to become a wife and a mother, and I didn’t really have any prospective suitors knocking at my door. Just about the time I resigned myself to another shattered dream, I met this guy who was different from everyone else. We got acquainted at a College/Career Bible study. He would come from his job looking a bit disheveled (not the appearance of one that a BJU graduate might be interested in). I think it was because we were both misfits that we were drawn to each other. We would talk quite a bit, and one day Billy finally asked me out.

Well, the rest is history. We found that we had common faith and goals. I discovered that Billy has the best sense of humor – something we all need when it comes to relationship. We’ve been married now for 33 years. Wow!!!! I love him dearly and am so thankful for the man of character and strength that he is!

I love the feeling of holding my youngin's close.

My dream of becoming a mother was also fulfilled. We had two sons and a daughter (within a 3 ½ year timespan). Busy days, joyful laughs, teaching moments, faith-building – all the parts of being a parenting that I had hope for. There were many, many difficulties along the way – two strong-willed children (thank God for Dr. Dobson’s book, The Strong-Willed Child), illnesses and surgeries, academic challenges, friendship conflicts, adolescence in general. But I honestly wouldn’t trade what our family has learned and how we’ve grown through it all.

I once read a book called A Mother’s Heart by Jean Fleming. She said it well, “Mothering can seem an isolated occupation unrelated to anything beyond the immediate needs of the family, but there is no more natural way for a mother to influence her world for Christ than through her own children. The implications of this are awesome. Time devoted to our children should not be spent marking time, but as an investment in one of our greatest ministry opportunities. Although our children should not be the total focus of our ministry, if we neglect to pursue other ministries we may find we lacked a biblical vision of mothering.” Well, God let me have those years with my amazing children! A new season is upon me. I’m learning that letting them go is difficult, and finding my new identity is part of the journey.

“Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

Let’s be friends,
Becky

Welcome to Becky Lane - At A Crossroads

Hi! Thank you for checking out my newest adventure – blogging . . .

My name is Becky Lane (my maiden name was Smith) – as you can see, I like to keep it simple, and it doesn’t get much easier than having the last names of Smith and Lane. I was born in the Florence Nightingale Wing of Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas, in May of 1955. At that time, my parents were students at Dallas Bible Institute and were looking forward to seeing what mission field the Lord had in store for them.

My parents, Jim and Mae Smith.

We moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, when I was just a toddler. My folks were going to open their home to the service personnel at Sheppard Air Force Base and offer them a “home away from home.” My dad, Jim, had come to know Jesus as his Savior while he was in the Coast Guard and had visited a Christian Servicemen’s Center in New York City. Although my parents came from very different backgrounds and parts of the country (my mom, Mae, from a small farming community in North Texas and my dad from Florida, Mississippi, Maryland, Louisiana), God brought each of them to a Bible college in Dallas; and they both had a heart for serving the Lord.

I grew up with two younger brothers, David and Phil. I have tomboy tendencies because they had no interest in playing house or dolls or even paper dolls with me. I still love football and baseball to this day.

I wasn’t so keen on school in junior high – our family had just moved the summer before I started at Hirschi Junior High. I didn’t know anyone, and I was extremely shy and self-conscious. By high school, things were looking up. I enjoyed band (mostly because I could go to the football games) and did well in my classes. Thanks to Facebook, I’ve been able to keep up with several of my friends from good ole’ HHS.

Graduation from Bob Jones University

After high school, I attended Midwestern University right there in Wichita Falls. The following year I transferred to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Talk about change! Again, I was in a place where I knew no one, and I was so very homesick. The entire first semester was very painful, and I would have gone home if it hadn’t been so far and if I’d had the money to do so. Looking back, it’s good I didn’t quit – I wouldn’t trade the education I received, the life lessons I learned and the friendships I made. I graduated with my degree in Office Administration in 1977.

Life seemed to be going “as scheduled.” :) Now, I needed to get busy and find a husband, so then I could build my nest and start having babies. After all, that’s what I always wanted to be when I grew up – a wife and a mother.