A little shuffle along the way

As I was driving back to South Carolina (home) today, I knew I needed some "me" time. The next 2 hours would be quiet moments for me. I'd purchased some music recently and I was ready to hear some of the relaxing tunes. But a last minute choice reminded me, once again, that I was not in control. 

Instead of the music I'd envisioned, I put my iPod on shuffle. The songs that came on next were those of inspiration, guidance and strength. Each melody drew a memory and a tear quickly followed. Soon, the tears made way for smiles and even some chuckles, as I remembered the person I was when I first heard some of those songs. 

Despite the crazy looks I must have been getting from the drivers around me, I knew in an instant this was God "driving" me home. Driving me to the place that I miss the most and to my sweet little "k" and my awesome husband ... yet not letting me forget the places I have been in my life. 

I also realized that every once in a while, I need to "shuffle". I need to stop letting myself push play and leave a little to ...hmm, what shall I call it ... chance? No. I think we call that faith.

My heart2heart is that you find your "shuffle", whatever way it comes to you. It's no surprise it came to me in the form of music. But my surprise was that I heard it. Or rather, I heard Him. 

And by the way God (I know He is reading this!) ... thanks for Your playlist. It got me safely where I needed to go ~ As You knew it would.

Beginnings...

As I look forward to the week ahead, I'm reminded by "beginnings." I'd like to start my week thinking of these.

• It's the beginning of a new week.
• It's the beginning of a new year of being married (by the way ... the 6 years I've been married have been the sweetest and most remarkable of my life - what a great weekend we shared with promises for a lifetime more!)
• It's the beginning of school for millions of people.
• It's the beginning of many first-time teachers (I'm looking at you - Sarah, my sweet sister. You'll do great!)
• It's a beginning for 24 USC students that I have the privilege to teach and instruct each week this semester.
• It's the beginning of life without ... diapers (I hope!).

August 21, 2004

My heart2heart is this: Are you starting a beginning? As a colleague often tells me, look at your beginning with the end in mind... You'll always come out right. 

Before you start your beginning, know your "end". 

For me, that's an "I love you Mommy" as I leave Kendall's bedpost, the soft purr of my cat at my feet and the warmth of having my husband near me as I drift off to sleep.

Whatever your beginning is, make the start count ... and trust that your "end" will be worth the wait.

Can I get a ... hallelujah!

So I left you with a favor ... and boy did you guys work it :) The tv promotion went great, I didn't choke and God certainly heard any prayers sent out.

Here's what I really want to talk to you guys about tonight ... Who taught Kendall how to read this blog? Really... who I wonder... ? You know why? She's learning to go "potty". You do remember me writing about this last week, when I was talking about waiting for things... How I was waiting on sweet little K to get out of those pull-ups? 


Well, the time may be close. I don't want to be too happy prematurely. This happened a few months ago and I went out, bought more than a dozen pair of "Dora" underpants, 2 potties and threw out the diaper coupons. A little too hasty on my part, as a few weeks later, I was digging out the coupons and with my tail between my legs, going to the store for ... diapers. 


So forgive me if I'm a little subdued this time... but... in the past 48 hours, Ms. Kendall has gone to her potty more than a dozen times. She's worn just a few pull-ups and is starting to let us know when that "time" is coming. 


Maybe God is whispering that He does listen as I shout ... HALLELUJAH! 

I've also figured out a theme to my life the past few days and in looking ahead... Numbers.

Here's an overview:

• I'm looking forward to the number "6" this weekend. 
• I'll tell you more later
• I can't wait to meet my new "24" first year students.
• I'm a newbie too!
• My work schedule and job duties return to semi-normal in "1" more day. (It's Move In time...)
• Can I get a ... hallelujah?
• I'm hoping for "0" more packs of pull-ups to purchase. 
• Will keep you posted

So my heart2heart tonight ... take an evening off. I'm not going to do anything reflective for the next few days. I'm going to take in what I've learned the past few weeks, take a breathe, and let God lead me for a little while. 

Can I get a ... hallelujah?

So I need YOUR help now :)

Okay, so the last few blogs have been very reflective and inspiring. While I'm learning that's just who I am when I write at times, I do have a favor to ask of all who are reading this... Send a little prayer up the WIRE as I help a special group of moms, dads and children in South Carolina.

So most of you now know that Kendall was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Ironically, it was two years ago this week that we found that out. She was 2 months old and had such a fight in her ... and is our living breathing miracle. But what we also found out during the days/weeks following her surgery is that we were not alone.

There's a group of families that have bonded together called Palmetto Hearts. Started in 2007 by a beautiful heart mom herself... the group now helps more than 200 families in the Palmetto State with coping with their children who have heart defects. We learned about it when we got an "Annabelle basket" that contained special gifts for Kendall while she was in the hospital. The stories about the children and their families going through CHD at MUSC and around the state were breathtaking and inspiring. I vowed to myself that the love and comfort shown to us by strangers would not go without a special personal thanks.

That's when I started getting involved with Palmetto Hearts. You can learn more about the organization and the special "Annabelle" and "BraveHEART" baskets that the group helps fund and organize: http://www.palmettohearts.org . 


Next Tuesday, August 17, Palmetto Hearts is sponsoring the 3rd annual Golf Tournament to help raise money for our special heart families and children. I was very honored to help with the first golf tournament two years ago. And though I won't be at this year's tournament, I'm doing all I can to help raise money for this very special organization.

Here's where prayers are needed! 

Not only does the group need your prayers in making sure we raise all the money we can, but I need a few extras from my friends and family because ... My own friends at local television stations have graciously asked me to come onto their shows and talk about Palmetto Hearts and the upcoming golf tournament.

Tomorrow (Friday the 13th nonetheless!), at noon, I will be on WIS Midday. At 5:00, I will be on WLTX Friends@5 talking about the wonderful "family" I'm honored to be a part of and I'll be encouraging everyone to consider either being in the golf tournament or giving a little to help a special heart from the Midlands. I know I shouldn't be nervous... I used to work at WIS and have education and experience in broadcast journalism! I do public relations every day ... so really, this should come naturally. I guess it's because I feel so connected to this cause.

Isn't it wonderful how God provides opportunities! 

And isn't it interesting that as I finish writing this blog tonight, I already feel the prayers! More importantly, I understand why I needed to write this tonight. We're all blessed in one way or another. Maybe this is a special answered prayer ... as I wait.

So look for me tomorrow if you're in Columbia ... and if not, well you'll probably get the details pretty soon enough :) 

• FOR MORE INFORMATION about Palmetto Hearts: http://www.palmettohearts.org

Love is Patient...

Isn't it funny how something - a verse, a phrase, an item, an action, a song - can really stick to you and have a way of showing up in your immediate future?

Well, I've got something I just can't get out of my heart and head. I want to share it with you. I've had a word that keeps coming back to me in almost everything I've done in the past 48 hours ....Patience.

It begins with a venture to a different Sunday School class that I normally do not attend. I thought it might be nice to try a Ladies class. I was taken to a "Ladies" class, but not quite the age group I had thought. I walked in the room, and it was a group of 20-something's.... and singles. Though I'm not far away from 20 myself and a lot of my friends are in their 20's, I immediately threw up the "caution" meter. I was nervous, shy and a little out of my comfort zone. Though everyone was very nice and talked with me, I just felt a little uncomfortable. Despite how I (notice my use of "I") felt, the lesson was amazing. We talked about waiting and patience. A lot of the lesson was for the young women who may be "patient" for that right person to come along... or for the right job to come their way. I walked out of the class and into worship wanting to hear God speak to me, but I just didn't. Maybe a whisper, but no shouts. 

But I heard it today. And it was very loud. "I" had nothing to do with that plan to go to a different Sunday School. "He" did.

You see, even though I have found my perfect mate and waited for child that I love beyond measure, I still wait.

• I've "waited" to find an outlet to share my heart. 
• I've "waited" for a chance to let God speak through me.
• I'm "waiting" with a special friend until her husband comes home from deployment. 
• I "wait" for a continuous prayer that I pray to be answered.
• I "wait" for a new adventure in my life.  
• I'm "waiting" with special mom-to-be's for the arrival of their blessed miracles.
• I'm "waiting" for my own daughter's venture out of toddler tantrums and diaper/pullup disasters.

"Love is patient, love is kind...  Love never fails." - 1st Cor. 13

And here's what I keep hearing ... Patience. And trust me, I'm listening.

I heard it nearly 6 years ago today, when my husband and I made vows to each other ... "Love is patient...Love never fails." 

Up until now, these words meant a never-ending love that God has for us or that we have for our spouses. This verse still does carry that meaning. But now, they carry something else.


Even though I wait for the things that "I" think God should provide, He is providing it. He gives us love to share with each other. Through friendships, through being a mom, through being a wife, through being a colleague. He finds time for us to show our own patience and reveals Himself through SHOUTS and WHISPERS. And He speaks to us whether it's to hang on through the tough times or to simply ditch the diapers. Big or small, general or detailed, He is there.


My heart2heart for me and for you: Don't be afraid to do something different or outside of your comfort zone. It may actually be God speaking to you. This may be that "thing" you've been waiting for. God gives us love while we wait. And we have His word that Love never Fails.


Can you hear Him? What are you waiting on? Trust that He most certainly will answer. You just need to ... have hope.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
       and in his word I put my hope." - Psalm 130