I am really really excited for this story. You’ve heard me talk about this woman before. That’s right, it’s my mentor and “midland mom” Becca. Her daughter, Katie is the one from my first anybody story. Crazy thing is, when Katie challenged me to pray about adoption her mother (who knew me very well unlike Katie just yet 😉 ) had already felt that stirring for us. pretty cool huh? and Becca is adopted – so that’s pretty cool (she talks about it later in the story). So every week I have no idea who the next story is going to be, I just pray & ask God. and this week it was so loud and clear. My husband and I volunteered last week at our local high school for something called Challenge Day. It pretty much wrecked us both + it was awesome. Never have I hugged/danced/cried so much all in the same day. If you don’t know what I”m talking about, head over to their website and check it out. and if your local high school hasn’t ever done one of these, you should talk to someone about that. it’s pretty much an amazing day that allows kids to feel safe enough to open up and actually TALK about whats going on in their little world. I’ll probably talk about it more once I can process it, but all that to say – Becca is the one that told us about it. She’s the one that volunteered last year and THIS is her story.
Anybody can change the world: I’m just a wife and mom.
Even though my kids are grown, I will always be a mom. Wynne calls me her Midland mom – I love that!
My awesome husband Todd and I have two grown sons, Ryan and Jason. Ryan is married to his high school sweetheart, Shelly. They live in Denver. Jason lives in Midland and is dating a wonderful girl, Sarah Greer.
Our daughter is Katie #1 in Wynne’s story. She lives in Waco and is dating a great guy, Charlie Walter.
I love these guys and am humbled that God chose me to be their mom. I learn a lot from them.
(Charlie, Katie, Jason, Sarah, me, Todd, Ryan & Shelly) Christmas 2012
“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” -Bob Goff, Love Does
I have been around a while, so I have lots and lots of stories to tell, but I think I’ll tell you the one about my buddy Thomas…
I have been around a while, so I have lots and lots of stories to tell, but I think I’ll tell you the one about my buddy Thomas…
I love how God works in the ordinary events of our lives. It all began in November 2011 at a tv repair shop run at the time by Mike Mills who is now the full-time coordinator of XY Zone at Midland and Lee High schools.
I suspect the shop was actually a front for a counseling service! Mike asked about my Thanksgiving plans. I shared with him that my family was meeting my birth mom Ann and her family for the very first time in Oklahoma! I was pretty much bouncing off the walls (another incredible story to be told someday.)
(Shelly, Ryan, me, Ann, Jason, Katie & Johnny) Thanksgiving 2011
Anyway, we got to talking and Mike encouraged me to meet Andrea Morales with CIS. He refers to her as the Mother Theresa of Midland High! I had to meet this woman!
(Andrea)
I met Andrea and she and I have become close friends. She is truly an inspiration to me. She asked me to be a volunteer at Challenge Day in May of 2012. That is where I met my friend Thomas.
When Thomas shared his story in our small group, I knew something had to be done to help him. I told Andrea that I would make sure Thomas got braces. She took me at my word and told Mike, who is Thomas’s mentor.
A few days went by and I couldn’t stop thinking about Thomas. One morning, I posted Thomas’s story on Facebook. That is all I did, told the story. Within a matter of minutes, my inbox and phone were buzzing with people wanting to help. It was so incredibly humbling.
Thomas needed quite a bit of dental work before he could get braces. A local dentist took care of all his dental work and he is now in the process of getting braces! This has changed his life.
I hope Thomas sees Jesus in me. I see Jesus in him. In spite of the hardships he faces, he is the first to reach out to others.
I love this quote: “Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.”
There are so many kids like Thomas in our community. (or in whatever community you find yourself in)
My challenge to you is to get involved and you will find them.
Do something.
Say YES!
Be the change.
James 1:22 -25 starts… “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 -25 starts… “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
this is a short segment from the local news about Becca + Thomas. it’s worth the 2 minutes.
she’s involved with….
Hey, I'm Wynne!
Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life. I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.
A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!
You are a wonderful woman of God and I am so glad there are women like you to look up to and encourage us on our journey in life! Thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring story Wynne. I love that her love led her to action to change this man’s life. I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes. Beautiful.
So great! I love stories like this. It didn’t take a lot; she just got involved!!
Yesterday as I typed this post (http://babyowens.com/2013/01/23/i-am-only-one/) I thought of you and this series. I feel like the quote goes so well with what you are trying to accomplish/share. Thanks for your kind words and donation. Rachel