Surprise!!

January 4, 2015
Sunday

Dear Readers,

Last night, I was wrapping up my day and about to head to bed. I heard the text buzzer on my phone and decided to give a look since it was so late. It was my precious daughter in Christ, Melissa. She was in Dallas visiting her brother (Michael) and family and (apologizing for the lateness) wanted to know if there was some chance we could meet. We texted back and forth with me explaining that Michael worked Sunday and I had no transportation. I told her I would pray about it and get back with her early today.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

Melissa and I connected when she was an 18 year old girl trying to find her way. She needed the arms of a mother and I became Dottie Mom. Together we established the group Need A Friend? Be A Friend. Looking back, I realize that it was then that I began to enjoy blogging ~ then called a newsletter of encouragement for the group.

Melissa married, moved to the east coast, Kansas City, then to Georgia. As often times happens, life got busy for both of us and we lost track of each other. The last time I saw Melissa was  over 12 years ago on a trip back to Texas from Minnesota. She had 2 children and had just miscarried twins. Some months ago, she found me on Facebook and we connected as though we had never been apart. She now has 4 beautiful children and a full exciting life!

Melissa & Isabella

As I prayed, I asked the Lord to guide me in finding a way to see her. When Michael woke up, I told him about the texts and that I needed to make this trip. I told him I could leave early, stay only a couple hours, and be back so he could go to work ~ it was doable and I was on my way. The miles seemed to zip by and, in no time, I was pulling up to Michael's and Amy's home. The door opened and there stood this petite, beautiful woman with the biggest grin on her face. Her brother, Michael, was right behind her and we were all doing the happy dance and hugging. I looked down and there was this sweet little girl peeking around her mom ~ Isabella. My heart was melting!

Melissa & her youngest child, Christiano

It was like time gone by had no significance ~ our connection was immediate and there was this rush of joy that nearly swept me off my feet. I had enough time to catch up with Michael and Amy (and their son Max), and reconnect with my precious God-given child. We shared a sumptuous lunch (shrimp tortilla soup with lime, greek salad, and bread pudding), Isabella drew me a beautiful picture (explaining the meaning), and Melissa and I climbed up on Michael and Amy's bed to truly catch up and pray together.

What a whirlwind trip yet one I will keep in my heart forever. Pastor Gerald says that people go where they are invited and stay where they feel welcome. Well, I was invited and I felt the joy of just being in their presence. Amy, Michael and Melissa have the gift of hospitality and made me feel like the most special person in the world. Melissa has been given the gift of prophesy and had a message she delivered to me. Funny, how God just cemented some visions I had been having for a few months now. Her texts were no accident and our meeting ordained by the Lord.

To truly know joy, I've needed to know sadness and desperation. To experience the deepness of love, I needed to experience rejection and hurt. I am nearly at a loss for words trying to condense all the emotions I am feeling at this moment. I could chatter on and on and on...

Each day in 2015 has been more special than the one before it. I go to sleep wondering what treasures God has in store for me in the morning. I am reading my Bible and the words are leaping from the pages! Life is good...

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

~Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

I have gone through many different seasons of life and have met and developed relationships with some of the most wonderful people on earth. I have been mentored and have done mentoring. I see the fruits of seeds planted so many years ago ... in Melissa, I see an explosion of light, truth, and love. I cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do next in her life! Her children are living examples of her belief that good character and a personal relationship with Jesus come first then education and sports. Madeline is gifted and most likely headed for a law degree; Anthony is gifted and headed for a career as an Olympic soccer player; and, the babies, Bella and Christiano? Well, unless I miss my guess, Bella is destined to follow in her mom's footsteps in ministry and Christiano? Right now he's just lovin' being a little boy!


We have so many opportunities to touch lives and truly give to those around us. If we only do for those who can do for us, we miss out on the fruits down the road of life. I may not be rich in dollars and cents but I am the wealthiest woman alive when it comes to investing in the people who have shared my journey.

The fire is drawing me in tonight. I have stopped typing every now and then just to stare into the dancing flames. To embrace life means living in the moment and making those moments count. This year, I am heightening my senses and filling my spiritual and emotional gas tank. The old is no more and I am looking out for that little girl inside me who wants to come out and play!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go." ~Mandy Hale