Hopes & Dreams

This week I spent some time sharing my hopes for my daughter with another. It came down to this:

I have two main goals for my children:
-To come to understand the love of Jesus in a personal way.
-To show others Jesus' love through their lives.

It's that simple and yet that complicated. This isn't just the vision I have for my children; it's what I strive for in my own life. I often come up short in the second category (demonstrating the love of Christ) but it's still the focus.

What does that look like at age three:
-being kind in speech, actions and attitudes
-sharing
-being gentle
-obeying your parent(s)/caregivers

What does that look like in your 30s:
-being kind in speech, actions and attitudes
-being generous
-demonstrating self-control in all aspects of life
-serving others


Along this journey, I hope my kids follow the advice of the Lee Ann Womack song (It's good advice for adults too-hint, hint!):

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider

Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance ...

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

I have been a huge Disney fan since I was a little girl. I even went to Walt Disney World in Florida the 1st year it was open...of course I didn't realize that at the time...I was just so excited that I got to touch Pluto's nose, ride the carousel, watch characters like Goofy water ski on the lake, see Mary Poppins & Herbie in the parade and ride It's A Small World over and over. (I am sure my parents loved that!) In spite of all that I never really dreamed of a Prince or the perfect wedding or riding off into the sunset and living happily ever after. Kinda weird for a girl. I was drawn to the stories like Mary Poppins where the KIDS got what was best in the end.

I was always amazed by animation and by the time it would take to draw every little movement of an animated film. As a child I was always trying to draw cartoons. I always loved to draw. Unfortunately, it was NOT my gift or talent. I still enjoyed it, but it wasn't my gift.

As I grew older I started reading and enjoying the story of Walt Disney (the man)...yes kids that is REALLY a person's name...not just a company or theme park. I always loved the part of the Wonderful World of Disney where Walt would be standing by the map of Florida and share his "dreams" about that land. Of course it was all reruns by that point and Walt was no longer alive, but I didn't realize all of that. What BIG dreams he had.

My mom's cousin (who worked for Kodak) used to tell the story about when he was able to go down to Florida and was shown "the dream" of Walt Disney World. It was out in the middle of no where, in a little trailer, out in the middle of the swamp where he was offered a chance to "get in on the dream" and even offered lifetime passes to the park if he wanted "in on the dream". I can still hear him laughing about it...if he could have only dreamed that big!

Walt dreamed big...what amazes me still is that some of his ideas are just NOW becoming a part of the Wonderful World of Disney...and Walt has been gone since 1966! Wow what a dreamer!

How about you? Do you dream BIG and though faith expect God to pull it off? What's your big dream? Have you given it to God? Do you believe He can do it? Have you quite dreaming? God has so much He wants to give you and wants to bless you. Dream BIG! Don't settle for less than His best!

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Philippians 4:13

JJ

My Wish For You

I would definitely consider myself a dreamer.  As a kid I was always making big plans for my future, but when I beame a mom everything changed.  I stopped dreaming for myself and began dreaming for my girls.  I love them so much and would do anything for them.  I can't believe they are both in jr. high.  It seems like time is flying by.  I want to put on the brakes and just enjoy every minute I have with them.  They are turning into amazing young women and I am so proud of them!  The song, MY WISH, by Rascal Flats, puts into words what I am feeling better than I can.

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,

(It seems like the days are flying by and you girls are growing so fast.  I'm afraid that if I blink you will be all grown up and ready to go out on your own.  I pray that you enjoy every minute of every day and take nothing for granted.)

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

(I know that you will make good choices in life.  Stay true to yourself and never give up on your dreams.  Keep on reaching for the stars.  You can do anything you set your mind to.)

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
(I hope that you know how much I love you.  I will always be here for you and will support you no matter what.  You can talk to me about anything.  I am so proud of you both!)

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
(Always remember that God's grace is immeasurable.  You will never be alone for he will always be there to hold you.  As much as I love you, he loves you even more.  Hold on to that.)

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

(Dream BIG kiddos! I LOVE YOU)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2674360

Fortune Teller

I cannot remember thinking much about the future as a kid - other than the usual dreams of young teenage girls - the big wedding and super hot husband and 2.5 kids. When I got to college I switched majors 5-6 times before I finally landed on Spanish, but only because it allowed me to spend a summer in Spain and graduate in 3 ½ years. After earning a Bachelor of Arts I went on to my own version of graduate school – the Ambassador Institute of Travel.

I have been a corporate travel agent for 14 years now. But – I have a dream – that one day I will be a writer. I don’t have goals to go along with that dream because I’m a tad on the lazy side and don’t set goals. I could wrap it all up neatly in a pretty little box with a pink polka-dot bow but the bottom line is - I lack ambition!!! I wish there was a magic pill I could take to jumpstart my brain into this because I have plenty of ideas and thoughts running through my crazy brain, just no desire to follow through.

Can you imagine a world were nobody follows through on dreams and nobody sets goals? Think of all the good stuff that would be missing from this world…Facebook, Tivo, Blackberrys, Chipotle, a black President, a woman’s right to vote, equality, democracy, freedom of religion…infinite stuff!!

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game’s winning shot…and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Does it surprise you to know that this is a quote by Michael Jordan? You think of Michael and you do not think failure, but for all of his success he has had his fair share of failure as well.

I eat a lot of Chinese food – so much in fact at one particular restaurant that the owner cooks special meals for my husband and I. A meal is never complete though without the fortune cookie. My husband is never very interested in opening his but he caves under my urging.

I am very superstitious about it too – someone cannot give you the cookie, you have to choose one so you are in charge of your own destiny. Never ever eat the cookie. First of all I think they are gross, secondly if you eat it the fortune will not come true.

One time I got a cookie with no fortune – so I ate the nasty cookie so my blank fortune would not come true. I have also had a couple of repeats and a couple that are just a bunch of crap and not really a fortune.

By far though my favorite I’ve had said ‘Reach for your dreams. Start with the spring rolls.’ No joke. Can’t decide what that one means!!

Do I really think someday I might find the answer to all of my dreams and goals inside a fortune cookie? Not really – I trust God will lead me in the right direction. And who knows, he spoke to Moses through a burning bush so maybe he’ll communicate to me via a cookie!!



**We are leaving for our mission trip to Moldova June 20 and will be back July 1. We bought lots of presents for our friends over there and will be taking 2 suitcases full of goodies for them.**