Happy Mother's Day!

A few weeks ago I was priviledged to watch the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler". This amazing story tells of Irena, a young Polish woman in World War II, who saved 2,500 Jewish children from tiny babies to teens from death by smuggling them through the Polish Underground. When the Nazis walled up the Polish Jews in order to keep them cornered for shipment, Irena would visit the ghetto trying to persuade parents to let her smuggle out their children using false identities. She kept a record of each child's Jewish name, Polish name, and address on pieces of paper that she hid in glass jars so that the families could be reunited after the war.

However, even with all the precautions, she was arrested, tortured for three months having her feet and legs broken. She was to be executed but was rescued before the execution took place. Irena choose to make sacrifice after sacrifice for children who were not even her own and even then worried that she wasn't doing enough. Today, story after story of rescued children has come to light. What a courageous woman!

As I watched the movie, I thought of the courageous women in my own life and their untold stories: My mom lives the moto to love others but to tell them Jesus loves them even more. She is self-less in her care of others even though she is ill herself. As a pastor's wife, she is an awesome encourager of others, always baking or cooking for a family in need and providing a listening ear. As a mom, she has always encouraged her children to reach for the stars, to believe they can do anything with the Lord's help and strong determination. She has instilled a love for reading books and music of all kinds. But most of all, she always came up with cool ways to study the Bible and encourage a deeper hunger for the things of the Lord within us. I am so thankful for her influence on my life. I love you mom!

My Granny, as a single mother, who made so many sacrifices for her children and her grandchildren. She is still always here taking care of us, cooking, cleaning, etc. But even more importantly, we know that there is someone praying for us - she is a true prayer warrior and her life is a living testimony of the miraculous healing power of a God who can take the broken pieces and make them into a mighty portrait of grace. Thank you Granny for all of your years of care..I love you!

My Grandma Maggie, though gone now, always kept a diary and encouraged me to do the same..so here today I have a blog because of her influence.

So many other women who have been placed in my life, whose examples are forming me, even now, into who I am. My aunt Dorothy, who has always been like another grandmother to us, taught me to crochet, made the best Chef Boy R Dee pizzas to enjoy on our Friday evening visits. But my most favorite memories are the privilege I had to take her and Uncle Joe to church on Sunday mornings. My aunt, Polly, who is always up to taking a trip with the "girls". My sister-in-law, Donna, a stay-at home Mom, who juggles so many responsibilities with a husband and three young sons who are on the go all the time, yet she stil finds time to be so creative. So many wonderful ladies as I've grown up in the church: Sis. Howard (our pastor's wife in Ohio), Sis. Oxendine, Sis. Thomilson (awesome organ player and her strawberry rhubarb cobbler was beyond words), Sis. Lee (my first baby sitter), and so many others..the list could go on and on.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my dear friend and mentor, Sis. Margie,who has been such an encouragement to me with her stories of faith, her loving spirit, and listening ear. She saw a young woman with a great load of grief, took her into her life, and has made all the world of difference. Oh, but she will tell you just how it is, too!! I am so thankful for her friendship.

But there is another group of women, my single friends, some widows, some who aren't married (yet). Though they may not be mothers, biologically, they are still women of influence who deserve to honored. They are making a difference in the lives of so many others, including your children, some as missionaries, some as mentors, Sunday School Teachers, Professionals, and so on..these women are the needed shining examples for a younger generation. I am so blessed by your presence in my life!!

And my list could go on..mothers who have gone on that we miss dearly, mothers who mourn the loss of their own children, our military wives and mothers, volunteers who make an incredible difference...so many important women in our lives..so whoever you are, where ever you may be today, whatever path life finds you on, whatever your circumstance, you are loved, you are appreciated, your sacrifice is noticed! Today and every day is your day! I pray that you will be blessed and honored! Don't let this day go by without leting someone know how much they mean to you today!

Happy Mother's Day!

Joy 2 u..."C"