Mother's Day Turtle Rescue

I was headed up Hwy 25 yesterday.

Just before 8:00 a.m.

For an early morning visit with my mom.

On Mother's Day.

It was a foggy morning.

And visibility was pretty bad in spots.

I was looking forward to the drive alone.

To think.   And be quiet.

I was lost in my thoughts.

Thinking about the week ahead.

What I had planned for later in the day.

What needed to be measured in Due West at the house.

And clearly not following my own advice.

Of being "where my feet are."

And off in the immediate distance.

I saw a shadowy figure in my lane.

And it wasn't until I was right up on it.

I could even tell what it was.

A large turtle.

Head out.

Making a very poor choice.

Of which way to go on Mother's Day.

I whizzed right by.

Missing him, of course.

And drove on for a mile.  

Or two.

And it hit me.

That voice inside.

"Rescue the turtle."

Dadgumit.

I was already late.

But, the voice inside me continued.

That little guy is sure to get hit.

He's heading across 4 lanes of traffic.

It will be a miracle if he gets across.

Another mile goes by.

Shoot.

I've got to do it.

So what if I'm a few minutes late.

So.

I whipped my little fiesta around.

And headed back.

Where did I see him?

How far did I go?

And just as I logged another mile or two miles back.

There he was.

In the exact spot.

Cars continuing to whiz by.

But no one had hit him.

I pulled off on the side of the road.

And immediately thought of stories I've heard.

Of good Samaritans doing the same kind of thing.

Only to get nailed by an oncoming car.

Oh, geez.

Cut the drama.

I hopped out of my car.

He was bigger than I thought.

Great!

I first thought of putting him in my car.

And taking him to a better locale.

Forget that.

He was way too big to sit in my passenger seat.

And then, of course.

I remembered something my Grandma Pauline used to tell me.

He'll probably be a snapping turtle.

"They'll bite you," she would say.

"And not let go.

Until lightening strikes."

Oh, grandma.

Your legacy lives on.

On Mother's Day.

So despite my fear of snapping turtles.

I grabbed him on both sides.

And walked with him back to the road side.

Taking him about 20 feet away.

I put him gently in the grass.

And pointed him in the opposite direction.

And while I don't know what I expected.

I got little reaction from him.

I know.

Ridiculous.

What was he suppose to say?

"thank you kind woman??"

But, I felt inclined to tell him.

It was Mother's Day, of course.

"If you go back there again, you're gonna deserve what you get."

What???

What did I say??

It came spilling out of my mouth quite naturally.

Where did that even come from??

The deep recesses of a mother's soul.

And yes.

I immediately saw the spiritual angle to the turtles misguided adventure.

As I got back in my car.

Live in today.

Pay attention to what's put in my path.

Turtle or otherwise.

But, also.

I realized.

God's willing to pick me up too.

When I've wondered off the wrong way.

He provides safety.

And better direction.

Just like I was trying to provide for this turtle.

But, unlike me.

Thankfully.

He doesn't say.

"if you go back there again....you're gonna deserve what you get."

Geez.

A little grace, please!

I didn't offer it so much to the turtle.

But thankfully.

God shows it to me.

This time.

With a Mother's Day turtle rescue.

10 Defining Influences In My Life

If I had to name 10 things.

10 defining influences in my life.

What would they be?


10.    Fear

Fear would be in my top ten.

And I hate to admit it.
For many years, fear hindered me.
It was a defining obstacle.
At least for a time.

It made me afraid.
Of what people thought.
Of what the future held.
Of failing.
It  kept me bound.
And limited my......life.

Mostly......it held me back.
I'm not happy it's on my list.
But it played a role.

For a time.



9.      Being Underestimated

I've been underestimated in my life.
And it always strikes a sensitive cord.
But.......it also makes me rise to the occasion.
(Usually) with an attitude.
And that's not always a bad thing.
When I'm underestimated.
I rebel.
Against the source of  the underestimating.
It inspires me.
In an irritating kind of way.
And I set out.
To prove myself.
Being underestimated is a great motivator.

Yeah.
Don't ever underestimate me.
I don't shrink away.

8.    Living with Cancer

My eight year cancer anniversary is coming up in a few days.
I was diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer when I was just 47.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma.
Surgery took care of the initial tumor,
But there's pretty good odds of it coming back.
No surprise.
It's had a defining influence on my life.

I often think of my life.
As......me.....before cancer.
And me.......after cancer.
It caused me to take a really hard look at myself.
And what I want to accomplish with my life.
It changed me.
It's still changing me.
I live life differently today.
Because of it.
I think I'm a better human being because of it.
I know I am.

7.   Taking Risks.

Being willing to take risks.
Has greatly defined who I am.
"With great risk.
Comes great reward."
I've heard that many times.
It's true.
And the very things in my life.
I can honestly say have made my life richer.
And more valuable.
All came.
ALL came.
From taking a risk.

I would have missed.
Many wonderful experiences,
Many opportunities,
If I hadn't been willing.

To stick my neck out.
To be afraid.
And uncomfortable.
To risk failing.
Or looking stupid.

Being willing to take risks.
Greatly defined my life.

I heard Beth Moore say once.
If you aren't willing to take a risk.
You will never.
(That's a strong word.)
Never.
Live out the purpose God has for your life.

I've settled that one.
And I keep taking them.

6.   Not being pampered

I wasn't pampered growing up.
And it definitely defined who I am.
Three brothers.
All of us close in age.
I got no special treatment.

Suck it up.
Stop your whining.
Do it yourself.
Learn the hard way.
A girly pampered life was foreign to me.
That was how I came up.
And it made me who I am.

I knew everything there was to know about football.
I rode motorcycles.
And go-carts.
I beat my brothers at Indian leg wrestling.
(still can....p.s.)
And learned to hold my own.

All of it turned out to be a good training ground.
For what would come down the road.
It made me strong.
And defined.
What I expect of myself.
And what I expect of others.

5.   Creativity

I love everything creative.
Designing.
Painting.
Making glass mosaics.
Putting things together.
Bringing things to life.
((Restoring.))
It's a defining influence in my life.
It fulfills me.
And makes me........ satisfied.
It taps into my happy place.
I can't image my life without it.
Definitely a defining influence.

4.    Serving in Africa

Most people don't get it.
Not everyone has the experience there that I did.
But I was broken there.
And I never got over it.
God used my time in Africa.
To widen my view of the world.
And give me a better picture of my place in it.
It was a place He used.
To remove a lot of barriers and walls in me.
And show me what's really important.

It happened there.
And it continues to happen there.
Every time I go.

3.   Tough Times

Tough times always have a defining influence on my life.
Through them.
Ready or not.
I see what I'm made of.
What I'm really.....made of.

And sometimes what I'm made of ain't so great and wonderful.
And other times.
I surprise myself.

But all the times.
What results.
From tough times.
Has a defining influence on me.
Much easier to see.....of course.
At the end of it.
Not so much in the mist of it.

2.     My Work

For someone that never knew what they wanted to do.
I fell into a career path.

And there I have remained.
For many, many years.
28 to be exact.

Totally unexpected.
But clearly what God had planned for me.
I've grown up there.
And met and worked with terrific people.
The best people in fact.
I've ever known.

A work that is meaningful.
That's allowed me to grow.
And make mistakes.
And have successes.

A work that's given me countless experiences.
Some difficult.
Many, many more rewarding.

All a defining influence on my life.

1.    Jesus

It's simple.
With Him is life.
And freedom.
And meaning.

I get it wrong all the time.
I still have so much to learn.
But no other influence.
Compares to His.

It's hard many times.
To depend on Him.
And trust Him.
Especially when the answers are not always clear.
And His timing seems too slow.

But...
I'm learning as I go.
His influence.
I hope anyway.
Is the one that defines me the most.

I'm Not Afraid of Many Things

I saw a little of myself in her.

She was smitten.

Just like me that first trip.

One of my teammates.

Danee Davis.



My blog today.

Is about helping Danee.

This is her story.  

In her words.

My name is Danielle Davis.

And I am trying so hard to listen.

For years.

I knew I was supposed to go to Africa.

It was always a dream of mine.

People are often surprised.

I'm a mommy to six kids.

Yep.

Six.

I take care of my own four children.

Plus, two more that I foster.

I'm also a faithful, loving wife.

To my hard working husband.

I go to church at Newspring.

But something was missing in my life.

I soon discovered.....what that was.

Out of nowhere.

Someone gave me their spot.

On Newspring's last trip to Kenya.

A lady at church.

She had saved up all of her money.

But she wanted me.

Me.

To take her place.

Unbelievable.

She even gave me her suitcase.

With all the clothes I needed inside.

And I heard Him.

In that moment.

And He said to me.

Go and use the gifts that are inside of you!

And I did.

Because I'm not afraid of many things.

In those ten days.

I experienced way more than I imagined.

The Kenyan people.

Were the most kind and loving people I've ever met.

They welcomed me with hugs and kisses.

And open arms.

Everything I saw there.

Broke me.

I was more than humbled.

I was changed.

And I knew.

That was my purpose for being here.

I have another opportunity.

To go to Uganda.

This summer.

Newspring's first trip to Kampala.

Our church is ministering to street children there.

Who have no parents.

And live off of very little.

Garbage from the street.

And no shelter.

My heart is heavy for them.

And I know what I have to do.

I know without a doubt.

My God.

Will pave a way for me to live out.

My mission here on earth.

Because I'm not afraid of many things......and I want to go!

Kampala, Uganda

Danee has quite a challenge.
Raising the money she needs to serve Kampala, Uganda.
In just a few weeks.
$3500.
I want to help her go.
That's why I'm sharing her story on my blog.

How about you?
Would you be willing to help Danee?

Any donation will help.
Whether you have a little.
Or maybe you have a lot to give.

I've seen this woman in action.
She's terrific.
And she's willing to go.
What would you do for her?


Responding before April 30, 2014 would be greatly appreciated.

Many of you can sit down and write a check today.

Your tax deductible gift can be made to: NewSpring Church.

and mailed to:

NewSpring Church
P.O. Box 1407
Anderson, South Carolina 29622
Re:  Uganda  Mission Trip - Danee Davis


Thank you for being generous.
Thank you for helping Danee.




For more information:
http://newspring.cc/uganda

Shifting Me

I have seen this work so many times in my life.

The shift that takes place.

When I get intentional about changing my own bad attitude.

I'm sure you've never have a bad attitude.

When you've had several tough days at work.

Or maybe things just don't seem to be going.......right.

When you hear yourself say more times than not.

That's not fair.

Why did that happen?

When will I just catch a break!

I wish "I" could do that.

Seriously!?   they want it THIS week?

Why did....that....have to happen?

I don't understand why everything has to be so hard!

If I find myself on that path.

No, joke.

It's usually a dark path.

And, I generally know when I'm on it.

I try to call it out for what it is.

It's my own terrible attitude.

Hopefully.

I won't choose to waller in it.

Because I know what can shift it.

What can shift me.

Gratitude.

It works.

Sometimes I get in my car at the end of the day.

Nobody but me.

And if I'm feeling that the world is against me.

Oh, Lord.

Slightly dramatic, I know.

But, we all feel that way sometimes.

I start saying out loud.

One after another.

What I'm thankful for.

Other times.

When I don't have the privacy to talk out loud.

And I know I have to change my mind set.

I pull out my journal.

Go sit in my room.

And write them down.

One after another.

What I'm thankful for.



It's amazing.

I start listing.

What may seem very ordinary.

And insignificant.

Those are all things.

I have to be thankful for.





For heat in my house on a cold morning.

And for the bird that's singing at the top of his lungs.

Just outside my window.

For my keurig.

And fresh coffee in the morning.

For clean water that comes out of the faucet.

(sorry.....my Africa obsession is showing.)

And the fact I can walk into a grocery store and buy what I need.

For my job.

And the people I get to work with everyday.

For my car.

That gets me to where I need to go.

For my neighbor.

That bakes wonderful pound cake and shares it with me.

For my mama.

Who's always in my corner.

For garlic and onion cream cheese.

And "Flea Market Flip."

For my husband.

And his love for me.

For skyping with my girl across the country.

Or getting a hug from the one that's still at home.

Thankful.

But  even more importantly.

I get intentional about my thanks to Jesus.

And it looks like this.

Thank you for being a refuge to me when life is hard.

Thank you for never changing.

When everything around me is.

Thank you for always hearing me.

When I pour out what's on my mind.

Thank you for your patience.

When I screw up.

Thank you for your grace.

When I fail to show it to others.



Whether I speak it out loud.

Or journal it down.

When I get intention about "thanks."

My bad attitude shifts.

I shift.

Gratitude......shifting me.




"But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me."  Psalm 50: 23

A Breath

When I was a kid.

The hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around.

Was this thought.

What happens to me when I'm dead and gone?

Does the world keep going on?

And.

How could it...........if I'm not here?



As a kid.

I hadn't seen much death.

My grandpa Wister was the first person close to me to die.

But, even then.

I noticed.

Things did seem to go on...... just like they always had.

After he was gone.

The sun came up every day.

I still went to school.

Christmases came and went.

Life went on.

And I began to understand a little.

Of this world.

And my place in it.



Today.

I don't think so much about that early question.

In the years that have passed in my life.

I've seen people live out their lives.

And pass away.

Some from old age.

Some from illness.

Some from tragic circumstances.

And.

It's still interesting to me.

That for all of us to have that fate.

The very same outcome.

There's very little talking about it.



I do think about my time here, though.

Mostly, I think about how really quick it seems to go!

Oh my gosh!

Time for me is FLYING.

With no sign of slowing down.

And what I know is this.

I want to be about living.

Living  out my purpose for being here.

And do the thing.

And live well.

Live on purpose.

Without fear.

I want to love well.

And be of some use to people.

And be of some use in this world.

But especially.

Be of some use to Him.


"Lord, remind me of how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered -
how fleeting my life is.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.

For I am your guest -
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me."

Psalm 39:  4-5; 12.


A traveler doesn't stop and settle down.

We keep moving.

We keep traveling.

If I'm a guest.

This is not my permanent home.

I am just passing through.

Wanting very much.

To do it well.

What I'll Hold Onto

Have you ever been through an experience.

And not been sure.

Exactly what to do with it?

That's how I'm feeling this week.

Last Sunday I came home from Kenya.

It was my first time serving with a medical team from NewSpring.

In the very remote village of Ereri.

And I was deeply marked by what I saw.

Hardship and suffering.

The likes of which.

I've rarely seen with my own eyes.

I'm not a medical person.

So, my experience with suffering has been pretty shallow.

And limited to what I've seen in my own family......or myself.

Yeah.

Very little.

But.

This trip.

I had a front row seat.

To people in the village coming through our clinic.

Many with colds and coughing.

Some with rashes and fevers.

A few with full blown infections and swelling.

Dental trouble.

And some that required way more care.

Than we could ever provide.

We dispensed medicine.

We freely gave them what we could.

Medical attention.

Care.

Love.

Prayers.

And despite the hardships and the needless suffering that I witnessed.

It was still there.

I still saw it.

 Joy.

On the faces of the children.

And I still saw hope and peace in the faces of the people.

I saw the beauty of the land.

And the biggest sky I've ever stood under.

I held hands and linked arms.

I whispered and sang and laughed.

And witnessed a rain fall.

The first one in the village.

 After months and months of drought.

I saw animals in the wild.

That few people ever get to see.

I touched the face of a blind rhino.

And slept in a tent by a watering hole.

I said goodbye to friends there.

Many I won't ever see again.

This side of heaven.

Crispoh.     Joseph.     Paul.   Susan.     And  many others.

I saw my teammates.

Growing in their view of the world.

And their place in it.

Growing in what God was showing them.

Because He showed it to me as well.

His power.

His love.

His provision.

Yes.

I saw suffering and hardship this trip.

And it will stay with me.

For a very long time.

But,  I will also remember.

The joy.

I saw it too.

And that's what I'll hold onto.

When I'm not sure.

What to do with the rest.

My circumstances......His timing

My bag is packed.

I've done my checklist.

Malaria pills?

Check.

Passport?

Check.

My favorite travel pillow?

Check.

Stash of dark chocolate?

Are you kidding me??

CHECK!!

I'm leaving for Africa in the morning.

And if I sleep well tonight at all.

Yeah.

(That's not going to happen.)

But if I do sleep well tonight,

It'll be my last solid sleep.

For close to two days.

Our flight is not as direct this time.

Atlanta to Chicago.

Chicago to Paris.

Paris to Nairobi.

My youngest is a little bitter about my Paris connection.

(hehe)  

I'm traveling with several former teammates.

Including my roommate, Heather.

There's also trip veteran, Brandon & our team leader, Barron.

Barron usually tells us.

".....it's really not a big deal to go to Africa....I usually throw a few things in
a suitcase the night before we leave..."

Yeah.

That would not be me.

I've thought about the timing of this trip a lot.

About fourteen of us were originally going last September.

But plans changed.

The terrorist attack at the mall in Nairobi caused concern for safety.

And.

The trip was cancelled.

Four days before departure.

And we stayed home.

Today.

I'm in a totally different set of circumstances in my life.

Than I was five months ago.

And I have to believe.

That's for a reason.

God's going to use my current circumstances.

In this trip.

He's all about timing.

What's true for me right now.

May be true for you.

It's been an  incredibly busy time.

I don't remember a season quite like the one I'm in right now.

My plate has been loaded.

Projects.   Responsibility.    Deadlines.

Just carrying a load.

It's been like that for months.

And what does God allow me to do.

Literally.

Right in the middle of all my busyness?

Step out.

Of all that's going on.

Get on a plane.

Fly to the other side of the world.

With people I know.

And many that I don't.

To go to a place.

Not dictated.

Or restricted by time.

Or deadlines.

Where the pace is slower.

Needs are simple.

And Jesus is often bigger.

My circumstances......running head long into His timing.

We'll see what He has planned.

Thanks for your prayers as our team goes.

Tomorrow morning.

I'm

On

My

Way.