Half full or Half Empty?

Talk about a suntan! Yes, Jaque is sporting her usual tanned and tone body. Didn't take long either. Broken Bow lake has always been some type of mysterious therapy for Jaque. Seems like when she is on the lake, she is just a little closer to our maker. We have enjoyed this summer, cooking out, swimming, and just hanging with friends. Some friends are new to our lives, others, like little Ms Kelsie have been around forever.

I cannot help but share a recent conversation that I had with an older man who was a grandpa of one of Jaque's teammates for the Haworth Lions. Be prepared, because in true Carol style, I have decided to be blunt.

It started out as him just asking how Jaque was doing. Of course, I filled him in on school, lake, friends, etc. Then he started talking about his granddaughter. I was tickled to hear that she was doing well. She is a sweet kid with a lot going for her in life.

But as the conversation kept going......God hit me with a brick. It was right then and there I realized that their are two types of people in this world. 1-over achievers 2-over comers. disclaimer*I am not talking of the granddaughter, merly making a statement on what people see is important.

An over achiever is one who sets the bar high in life. Satisfied with the trophies on the wall, the next big challenge, and glory when it is achieved. They miss the small milestones because they can only focus on the big wins. They see any setbacks as loses. They see defeat as weakness. They focus on the "what if's" of those around them. If someone has a potential and does not fulfil it (for any circumstance) it is a failure on their part. It does not matter the life circumstances, if they are not a winner, they are losing.

And over comer is, in my weird way of thinking, one who faces each challenge and is proud of the outcome no matter what it is. They know as long as they try their hardest, they are winners. An over comer keeps God always in the game plan and understands that in life, not everyone is given a path that is golden. They see that each of us is just a prayer away from becoming the person that God wants us to be. They also understand to appreciate each trophy as a day that they were meant to win, and know that some days just are not meant to be.

An over comer is proud of their accomplishments in life, but they know that "what if" is a question left to those that dwell in the thoughts of the devil. Those that are asking "What will I do next" shows strength and courage to move in the right direction.

If you cannot tell, this man did strike a nerve.

Jaque has been giving pitching lessons and loving it. I have heard more from the mothers of the girls about how much Jaque has positively affected the lives of these young girls and even the friendship she is making with the moms.

This man talked as if her not walking affected her ability to teach, to witness, to understand.

Yes, I know you are all shaking your head. But know that the 10 minute drive home was used in talking with God about how this grandfather, a man of God, is missing the point. How I prayed for him to know and understand what Jaque has taught me.

If we can do nothing more in life than inspire someone to be more that they are, to see that we have faith, and to know that through our trials, God is getting us ready for what lies beyond this earth.......if we can do that, I think we are working in the right direction.

I always say that the devil attacks us when God is getting ready for a great blessing. The devil tried to attack me that day, but he forgot I was on Team Jaque. That afternoon, I had a wonderful time cooking with Jaque. Then, she had friends over, and we had family as well. She was surrounded with love, smiling and laughing. Chasing Jordan and Carson with water balloons, hide-and-go-seek, and playing bumper cars with her buddies in powerchairs. I wished at that moment the grandfather could see her. He could have a humbling sense of when the world throws you a curve you can watch it go by or take it for a long road out of the park.

Pray for this man, and peace in his life. Remember that those you might come in contact with today may not have strong faith. The words you say to them might cut deeper than you think. And it is easy to pour salt on a wound than it is to help someone bandage it up. Be on the side of the healer, not on the destroyer.

Yesterday my family lost a strong woman. My great Aunt Olean. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Please keep our family in your prayers. She was ready. Angels had appeared to her, and she spoke of what she would say when she saw Jesus. She was ready....are you?

With Love for all of our friends and family that keep up with my rambling.

June Bug's are out

OK, so Eddie is a pretty well mannered dog. He listens well and is always there when you need him. But.....we have found an exception. He hates June Bugs. Yep, good old Oklahoma June bugs. In fact, he cannot even go to sleep with a June bug in the room. It is quite funny.

As do most things Eddie and Jaque, this really made me think. What things are around us everyday that make us stress? Do most of these things ever really result in actual harm to us? We need to leave those bugs to the Lord and enjoy life. Bringing people closer to God, or letting him be see through us should be higher on our listing. Yes, preaching to myself too!

The Shepherd Center announced that the first stem cell phase I trial is working!! Yes, our Lord is ALIVE!

This last month has been super busy. We had to opportunity to spend time with most of our family back home. And we survived the second annual "Ride for Eugene" at Little Sahara State Park. Deanna got to go with us this year. It was exciting, thrilling, sandy, and the weather was perfect. The mornings were filled with the good ol cafe breakfast, followed my Maria and Sarah cooking dinner for us.MMMMMM We really had an awesome time. Felt like our friend was with us, as it often does when Darrell and Jaque are up to no good. LOL

We also have been going to the lake. Jaque's favorite thing to do in LIFE. She and Kelsie braved the freezing cold water at BBow lake and rode the wakeboards. They had had some friends going with us, so its been a lot of fun. Yesterday, we actually had some boys cook us steaks. Not very often that happens. Of course, then Andrew had to show then how to jump the wake. Love YOUTH showing us how it is done.

I was having to pull Jaque and Kelsie. They were wanting to ride at the same time. I - as many of you know - am not the first pick for boat driver. So I laughed and told them to say a prayer. Then, since I had never pulled Jaque before, I told Kelsie I was going to concentrate on her getting up first. Kelsie laughed and said "Just watch her and I will make it up."

Have you ever had a friend in life lay it out for you? Ever had one that above all else is there for you, without reservation or complaining? Ever had one that cared beyond thyself. That is Jaque and Kelsie. They are those kind of twins that were detached at birth. My favorite verse growing up was "greater love hath no man than he who lay his life down for his friend." This is evident between these girls.

This summer, Jaque is not taking classes, but is helping out on pitching with a few girls. I know she and Kelsie look like naturals when they are working together.

I heard a song that said I don't know why bad things happen to good people. Although this accident was a bad thing that happened, I grow more proud of my child every day. She is growing into a beautiful young woman. She makes me want to be a better person. When I am in the world whining and complaining, I look to her and she shows me a different view. Hers is lined with sunsets and the big panoramic picture, where my view was through a tunnel.

I know that I am part of that reason, as is her dad. I am thankful. But I have seen the Lord touching her life in 2011 and feel a tug at my heart. He is telling me to prepare for her blessings. When I watch her work with Whit, my eyes tear up. Not at the fact that she is not standing or running with her.....but bigger. They tear at the look in Whit's eyes as she hangs on her every word. They tear as a mother tells me how her child thinks so much of mine. And, as the mother becomes a friend of Jaque's, it humbles me.

Thank you Lord for the bundle of every day blessings that I call "My Life." Thank you Lord for my wonderful parents Danny and Ladonna Aycox who celebrate their 45th anniversary this week. And thank you for Chris, with out him, we would not have Jaque.

I read this recently on a wall "First we had each other, Then we had you, Now we have EVERYTHING." Yes Lord, this is my family, and this is praising you in our lives.