Just A Little Note

It was brought to my attention recently that it has been over a year since I have published anything on my blog... To this I will say I am sorry!!

I have been going non-stop with work, Church, and many other projects that I will be sharing with you very soon!!!

Lots of great things are happening in my life. God has opened so many doors and to Him I am very thankful! I have lots of stories to share!!

Just a Dream, Or A Desire?

Posted January 2012

As some of you are my Facebook and Twitter Friends and Family... You are aware of my recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee, the weekend of New Year's. It was such an amazing trip and I had a wonderful time. If you have never been to Nashville, I suggest you go!

It was a last minute trip. I met up with some friends who had gotten there ahead of me due to my schedule not allowing me to leave as early as they did. We toured the sights, learned about Nashville's history, ate at some great places, and I enjoyed my time spent with them. But you see, when I get alone, I think about things way too much. When all is quiet and I can really think about things I go into overboard mode.

We, as the group of seven, walked around Broadway Street on Friday the 30th of December. This happened to be the Wake Forrest and Mississippi Bowl Game. We learned to check our timing for the next trip. A true lesson learned. The streets were so packed with the football fans, the whistles, the horns, and other game hoopla. The majority of the people were lost in a sea of maroon hats, hoodies, sweatshirts, and other fan supporting attire who were walking blocks if not miles to go watch the pig skin fly! AND I do like football to some degree, so that is just a comment! No need to say I am a sports hater! We even got to see the skydivers parachute in before the game and disappear in the buildings.

Every where you turned, the streets were so crowded you really didn't get to notice the "real" people of Nashville. The game attendees were just temporary visitors just passing through, while the others were permanent residents with no place to go back to for most of them. Even though they did stick out in the crowd in their own way, you didn't think about why they were here. What was their purpose for being in Nashville? They were not the temporary invaders of the streets of Nashville. These were the people who called Nashville's streets home. We had an encounter with a couple of them. One walked around with us for a while talking to us. He was very nice. Didn't ask for anything. He just enjoyed the company and the fact us southern Georgians would acknowledge him. 

Saturday, New Years Eve, we had a very exciting day planned! We took the tour of homes for the celebrities around Nashville and Brentwood area. We got to see the fancy houses and estates of Little Jimmy Dickens, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, as well as others. Some were moderate while some were huge properties. They said Little Jimmy Dickens would come out sometimes and stop the tours to say hello to everyone.

After that was over, we rushed back to our rooms to get dressed as we were headed to The Ryman Auditorium to see Jimmy Wayne on the line up that night. The Ryman is home to The Grand Ole Opry during the winter months. Of course, you know us southerners have got to eat first! We met up with Jimmy Wayne at Puckett's Restaurant for supper before heading to the show. And what an amazing show that was!!! Especially when Jimmy Wayne gives his "friends from Baxley, Georgia" a shout out... It was kinda quiet at the moment and well, I am the voice you hear echoing throughout The Ryman. The "whoohoo" that was heard around the world.... Yep, that would be me.... All of my Twitter and Facebook friends who were listening to the show started posting and tweeting and wondering if that was me and my big mouth. Afterwards it was funny because several people were watching us as they were leaving. One guy stopped with a big ole grin and says "You wouldn't happen to be part of the friends from Georgia would you?" Welllll, "What would ever make you think that?!" as I want to crawl under my seat!!!  Why yes, guilty as charged!!!

On Sunday, the others in my group traveled on to North Carolina to chase the snow as a blizzard was... I stayed behind in Nashville to do a little sight seeing of a different kind. I love, love, love to take pictures and nothing has more meaning to me than places with history. An old building that has had several construction add-ons as you can tell because of the style of the bricks and the different patters used to lay the bricks. An old Church with all of the intricate details on the pillars and the exterior wall design that was famous for that era of time. A picture you can look at and just go back into another time period. A place so rich of so many different characteristics and possessions, the pictures can actually talk to you.

This is a building just behind Puckett's Restaurant on Church Street I noticed as I was talking on the phone. You can see the construction work from the different times it was added onto because of the different style of bricks. 

I was in the vehicle just looking at the old places as I was on the phone talking about my trip thus far with a very dear friend. Plus, the temperature outside was only 19 degrees and I was almost dreading getting out. As I sat there in this pay to park parking lot, I was able to see all of the passers-by on the side walk in my rear-view mirror. Yes, most were the homeless men of Nashville. There were several that passed by, but only one of them really hit me a little differently...

He was walking alone. A kind of taller fellow. He had on the appropriate clothing to keep him warm in those chilling temperatures. But, what made him different than the others, strapped across his back was a black guitar case. So, I am in Nashville, Tennessee, home to Country Music USA... Just around the block is the home to CMT... What would make this seem on the odd side to me? Well, I guess I figured there would be more like him there.

I continued on with my phone conversation for a few more minutes before I got out to fight the cold and walk the streets where hundreds upon thousands have walked before me. There were some who were just like me, seeing all the sights that I could see so I could come home to tell about it. There were others who had made it to being a household name who had walked the same streets I was walking. I am sure, some spent their time remembering where they came from and what got them here. Even I reminisced on my life's events as I strolled through the streets and local shops fighting the bitter cold.

I toured the Ryman Auditorium. Strolled down all the main sights on 5th Street, 4th Street, 3rd Street, and lastly 2nd Street. I had left this one souvenir shop on the corner of 2nd Street and Broadway. I headed back towards 5th Street to call it a day. As I passed through at a slower pace than before, I really wanted to soak it all in. This would be my last day here and I wanted to make sure I saw everything there was to see. I was able to hear all the bands and singers performing in the various bars and restaurants. As I was walking by one of the venues, lost in another world, the drummer tapped on the window trying to get me to come in and listen to the house band. All these different bands were there to live out their dream. You see they had graduated from playing on the streets trying to get the one big break to take them some where else. They loved playing music and that was their passion. It was not a job to them because they could not think of themselves doing anything different with their lives than what they were doing now.

As I got closer towards the ending of my walk, there was this older gentleman who you could tell had lived a hard life. It was shown by the wrinkles on his face. He was leaning with his back against the wall. One leg perched out to hold his guitar as he played.  There he stood on the corner, picking and singing his heart out.. In front of him was the black guitar case he had passed by me with just hours before as I watched from the rear view. It was laying there on the ground waiting for someone to drop some tips in. And of course I did! How many others had really started out like this?

But yet he seemed to be the poorest of the people I had seen. I guess because he was older than most I had made eye contact with. I was fully aware and I  knew he was homeless. As I walked away, he left me with a deep thought...

I wondered how long he had been standing on the streets of Nashville waiting, hoping, and dreaming of that one big break to come walking along the side walk in front of him. He had enough faith and belief in himself to be unmovable in his dream he was going to be singing on the stage of the sacred Opry Stage no matter how long it took. He stood firm on his street corner  just singing, picking, smiling, and nodding as to say "hello and thank you" as folks left him a tip. He could have only been there just that one day... But yet, he could have been there for twenty years. Every day making the same journey to the place on the corner with the one possession he had never left behind strapped to his back as he walked. The one thing that was going to help him get where he thought he was going. He left everything and everyone to pursue what he had enough of a passion for to live his dream... He walked away from a life as he had known for years, to try and try and try on a daily basis to make it a reality.

But he is living his dream.. This is his desire and his passion... Playing and singing in Music City USA!!! It is not a dream he can live for someone else. This belongs to him way down deep in his heart and his soul. 

I could almost say he is richer than some of us... We sit back and never take the time to take the chance to achieve our dream. We are too afraid of taking the first step. Just goes to show you, if you have a true desire and a true passion for something, what people say and think about you will never make you change your course. 

How far will you go to go after that dream????

Here are some other pictures taken from that day..... Too bad I didn't get him in any of the photos...

You will notice there is a homeless guy sitting on the steps of this building. I had no idea there was a photo showing a gentleman. This is not the one I wrote about, but just represents a story himself.

You can also find more on my Facebook page :)

https://www.facebook.com/windi.raper/media_set?set=a.248963391839932.57612.100001788188795&type=3

Life Tips

I received this in an email... It is one of those chain letters... I am NOT superstitious by any means... I believe all things come together for those that believe in Jesus. God orders our steps in the way that we should go! He also opens and closes doors that need to be closed... This just gives you a few little life lessons!!!

But some of the points are worth mentioning again!!!

Begin forwarded message:

This is without a doubt one of the nicest forwards I have received..  There's some mighty fine advice in these words, from the Anthony Robbins organization. (I did not and do not claim any ownership of this letter.)

ONE

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.  

TWO

Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.   

THREE

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you  have or sleep all you want.  

FOUR

When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.  

FIVE

When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye..  

SIX

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.  

SEVEN

Believe in love at first sight.  

EIGHT

Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.  

NINE

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.  

TEN

In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.  

ELEVEN

Don't judge people by their relatives.  

TWELVE

Talk slowly but think quickly.  

THIRTEEN

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'  

FOURTEEN

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.  

FIFTEEN

Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.  

SIXTEEN

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.  

SEVENTEEN

Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.  

EIGHTEEN

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.  

NINETEEN

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.  

TWENTY

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in  your voice

TWENTY-ONE
Spend some time alone.

Me, A Super Woman????

Okay… So I am supposed to have this image of being Super Woman floating around about me. That has to be one of my characteristics… Right? I mean, after all, being raised up on a farm and being as countrified as a tomboy girl can be, I can handle myself. Yes, I do have a diva side that comes out only on very special occasions. But, I have this thought about myself “I can handle myself when forced to”.

I love and I value my life a whole lot. I love being alive and able to live. I have not finished living out my “dash” in life. There is still a lot left on this planet for me to accomplish and I have just begun that purpose. So, if I ever thought I would be forced to take a stand to protect myself. You bet I would do it. If you think you are going to make me feel like a mouse in a corner waiting for you to come at me, I hope to high heaven I prove to you I am a bigger and badder person than you think!

Why all this weird yakking about this side of me I have not really had to ever make sure she does exist inside of me? Well, I am on a soap box and will be for the next few minutes. You have two choices, sit and continue reading my ranting or click and turn me off. I promise this is not the usual Windi I know either. This is a side of myself I have never had to experience before. When pushed into a corner, I guess you get into the fight or flight mode…. Now, I know I am on the fight mode!!! So, I promise the next post will not be as touchy and over the edge as this one.

Let me back up two weeks. It was the 30^th of November. November had been an amazing month for me. I had decorated for an event to help raise money for children thru Tri-County CASA and met one of my favorite county music singers, Jimmy Wayne. I mean it was a really good month. What could happen, right?!?!

It was my day off… The day off goes as planned. I spend my day at home cleaning. Then, I attend my usual Wednesday night service at Church. After Church, I go out to eat with my Church Family. Get done eating and I head to Wal-Mart.

Yes, I would probably consider myself one of the most boring people I know outside of work. My life consists of work, Church, home, out to eat at different restaurants then the occasional Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Dollar General trips. That is a week in the life of me. I don’t go out much just because of what crazies this world has in it. I have pretty much been sheltered from all that crazy until now.

It has taken me almost 36 years to have the name and the reputation I have. I can’t say I have been and am a saint. We all have out faults and failures. I am not putting myself on a pedestal and saying I am Miss. Perfect. I will be the first to knock the stool out from under my own self if I was to ever start getting that mentality about myself. And I refuse to allow someone else to come in and to try to destroy the life I have in me.

I have never been to a bar or a club, there is nothing there I want to think of being dating material. I just kinda stick to myself. I do not like trouble and will do what I can to stay clear of it. So when “trouble” invades on my territory, I will do what I have to and get rid of it as soon as I can.

Back to last week. Sorry for meddling. I had a great day off. I went to a great Church service. Ate a great meal afterwards and took my trip to Wal-Mart. I was inside no longer than 5 minutes when I get a text on MY phone. I am very protective to who all gets my cell number. Very few people have my cell phone number. Yes I own a business and have learned when you give your number out to customers; they will call you with 15 questions in one hour when you are trying to relax. That is why I have business hours for them to call and discuss things with me.

Okay. Incoming text. I open the message. The number it is from is not one stored in my phone. So then I read the message. The text message is one that makes me question who it really is… I thought I knew who it was. I do have a friend who loves to pick on me. I respond with “Okay, I think I know who this is. But who is this for sure.” Then it is a guessing game. I have this policy. If I do not know who a text is from, I sure am not about to call it to find out. Well, then the messages kept getting worse. So, I quit responding. Thought it was over.

Next morning at 7:00 am, incoming text again. I don’t respond at all. Then another. Then another. This time they are threatening to “come on over.” So, yes, I do respond asking again who it is. They tell me I know them. Then they get all suggestive again. I don’t like such as that, so I told them what I thought as nicely as I could.

Whew, they must have gotten the point. I didn’t take it all that serious. It was someone pulling a prank so I will just let it slide right on by and forget it. BUT, note to self, whatever I do, do not erase the proof.

It was smooth sailing for a whole week. Yep, I get an incoming text, Thursday morning at (of course) 7ish again. Really, you want me to be in a good mood when you text me at that time of a morning. I had no clue it was going to be the freak again.

This one was along the same lines as where he left off last week. Found out he was married. Now, that has me with my blood boiling. You are married. Your wife has NO clue you are texting me. You are now a low life and scum in my book. You took a wedding vow. Why can’t you stick to it? My advice to him was “stay with your wife, I am talking to someone who I am very interested in, and get in church somewhere and get your problems worked out.” Well, of course that did not work.

Well, as you can probably guess, the messages started getting worse and too suggestive. When he finally crossed the line, I did not respond. Over the next few days, I had to spend as much time at my local Sheriff Department as I did at work. I was really beginning to get worried. As we were entering into the third week, the Captain and I had a plan to get this person to meet me. The guy went from suggestive, to very suggestive, to now stalking, to getting a threatening attitude. All which really scared me. At this point of desperation, you realize you have got to do whatever it takes to catch this person.

But as I started putting all of this together, I realized I really must know this person. He knows too much about me. But how in the world did he get my cell number? Why did he decide to harass me? What did I ever do to him?

So, since last Thursday, my life as being a confident person has changed a little. Okay, A LOT!

Yes, I have been trying to “dress up” a little bit at work. Is that wrong? Trying to look a little nice and presentable instead of a t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops all the time? Is that now a sin? I felt a little better about myself by being a little dressed up. You never know when you might have unexpected company…

Then, I love getting texts from all my family and friends. And Facebook and Twitter notifications. Okay, so I DID love hearing the text message ring tone come on. Now, I almost dread to look at it and open it up when I have a new message. I cringe when it goes off because I think it is going to be him again. To hate to see my cell phone light up is not me!

I love being able to have a clear mind and not worry about anything. Now, I am looking over my shoulder walking in public. I am dodging people who fit the profile while I am shopping. I am toting my pistol out of the holster and on top of my purse hoping I never have to use it but thinking of it the whole time. I wonder who is watching me and from where are they watching me. Where do they see me?

At home, when my dog starts barking, I start wondering if he is outside. Where is he hiding if he is outside? Is he going to try to come in and hurt me in any way?

I pull up in my yard wondering if he is already there. I have my gun in my hand just in case as I walk across the yard. I get inside safely. Then I have to do a shake down to make sure no one is already inside. Check all the windows and doors. Roll all the blinds closed. Make sure all the curtains are closed. I have almost turned into a prisoner inside my own home.

While I am driving down the road, I have to constantly look in my rear view to make sure I have not been followed. And then when I do turn on my dirt road, if some one happens to get behind me, I don’t turn in my drive way. I go past my house. Ride several miles out of the way. Then I come back home.

Monday night, the night before we caught him, I literally pulled up into my front yard in my vehicle and I just sat there looking at my house for an hour. Not wanting to get out and go in. I was out in the vehicle for over an hour crying my eyes out. I could not understand all the whos, whats, whens, wheres, and whys that all this was happening to me. I forced myself to get out and finally come inside.

He invaded my life. It is so not fair. I am the one who was chosen to be picked on by him. Go me!!! NOT! I am the victim who has to go thru all the stress and the pressure of wondering what next. I can’t eat. Don’t feel like going out to get something to eat. I just want to hide away from every one and everything. That is totally not my character!

I have to take the time to change my cell phone number and notify everyone who has my number. Then I have to explain all the whys. Lots of time spent and wasted for a crazy freak who does not care about any one but himself.

I will give him a bit of an excuse. I know people have problems and addictions. So, first of all, he needs to get help! Maybe this is one of those practicing forgiveness times I am so passionate about. Yes, I do forgive him for making my life a living torture for weeks!

But my question is this… How many people get this kind of harassment and are eventually stalked? They do as I did and don’t take the problem serious? How many of them wind up being hurt, attacked, or even killed. Hmmmm. Makes you think... 

Dare To Dream... Get Off The Porch Swing

Dare To Dream... Get Off The Porch Swing

I purchased this little book years ago and haven't read it in years.... I picked it up to where the page was tabbed and this is one of my favorites...

It is written by Florence Litteauer in a book called "The Gift of Encouraging Words".  Just thought I would share the story...


Many of us feel that we haven't "made it" in life, or for that matter, we weren't "made" for dreaming big. Some of us may say, "I wish I had a sense of humor. I can't sing or act or think up clever things."

Some of us may have had parents who thought we didn't amount to "a hill of beans."  Some of us may have little education or a feeling that we're not smart enought to become anything.

A few of us may have acheived great goals or made a lot of money, but we still feel insecure inside. Perhaps we've asked ourselves, "Who am I?" and not heard a clear answer.

No matter where we are in our self-evaluation today, we can move on. We can dare to dream.

It's always easier to relax than reach, to give up than grasp, but we want to stretch rather than just settle into the status quo. If we rested until the perfect path to success opened before us, we would all be sitting on the porch swing of life waiting for directions. Let's pretend that's where we are today, all of us lined up on that glider on the veranda looking out to the blue skies and sunshine forever. We can smell the sweet flowers of success, but if we're going to pick them we'll have to get up. We can see ideas flitting around like hummingbirds, but to use one we'll have to get a net and capture it. Some of us would prefer to rock where we are than to get up and move on. Some prefer to accept what's good rather than aim for the best. Some would rather sit on a swing than dare to dream.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us, "Where there is no vision, the people perish," and yet many of us are without a vision, taking the fatalistic approach that "if God wanted me to have a better job He'd send a personnel manager to my front porch."

Don't be a porch-swing person any longer. Don't stuff your laurels into a pillow and rest upon them. Don't rock in indecision and inertia.

I'm calling you off the porch. God has great plans for you!!! Come on, let's head for the starting gate.

Are you willing to dare to dream?  Or is the fear of failure or rejection keeping you in the porch swing? Ask the Father to give you His vision for your life. You were created for a particular purpose! Go ahead and dream and ask God to direct you. Remember, many great visions start with small dreams!

The Paper Angel Mission - A Stuffed Monkey

If you have been following my blog at all, you know after my challenge presented to me from Country Music singer Jimmy Wayne ("Paper Angels", "Do You Believe Me Now", "You Are", "Sara's Smile"). If you don't know the details of that encounter, you will need to read the blog titled "One From The Heart" to completely understand where I am coming from on this one.

As I was decorating the Christmas Tree at my business with the Salvation Army Paper Angels, I went ahead and I picked my angel out I wanted to adopt. You see, I do not have any children of my own (waiting on the marriage part first). I have always wanted a little girl. So, I decided this year I would have me a little girl to buy for to be a baby girl for me. Her name is Gracie. She is a one year old angel.

I have already done a little shopping for her. There are the cute little outfits to buy her. The dolls. The toys that make a lot of noise so her parents will know she is there. But, as I was looking around the other night at Wal-Mart, I had one of those ummm hmmmmm moments again. I wanted to buy her something similar as to what I had as a gift when I was little that I have kept all these years later. A toy I had as a child and still have today... I intend on writing her a letter as a keepsake for her parents to give her one day when she grows up and is able to understand why I decided to buy her this odd gift.

As I was walking down each of the aisles at Wal-Mart, I was trying to think of something unique and different to get her. I was thinking of the times from when I was a child what was the most important gift I ever received. And I say important as well as meaning most treasured gift I had gotten. One which has stayed with me all these years later.

I will be 36 in March, 2012. As far back as I can remember as a child, my parents got me a stuffed monkey that I adored like a normal child would adore a blankie. I have never claimed to be your typical child. Haha. He and I were like two peas in a pod. It was a plush animal monkey. It has the plastic face. It's left hand is a normal toy plastic hand. But his right hand was wrapped around a plastic banana. Oh, and he had on white shoes... (Update on monkey's current features... Face is completely colored in with blue ink. At some point, I cut half of his banana off.)

When I was little, we are talking before I could walk and talk, there were two things that would calm me down when everything else seemed to fail when my parents tried it all. I was having one of those crying fits one day and nothing Mama did seemed to be helping. She just happened to put me on a blanket in front of the TV... And the KING of Rock and Roll calmed me right down. See, even as a baby and before I could talk, I LOVED me some Elvis Presley. I won't deny the fact that I still love that man's voice to this day!!! Mama soon realized, if ever I was having one of my non-stop crying fits, find the Elvis 8 track tapes or records very quickly!!! (Family rumors have it that he is a distant cousin. Thanks to Ancestry.com, it has now been confirmed a fact!!!) Maybe it is his voice that could even swoon babies over. But my Daddy loved to think he could sing like Elvis. Afterall, he did have the dark hair like Elvis did. I must have thought Elvis was my Daddy!!! Daddy was an 18-wheeler truck driver and was gone on the road a lot. So Elvis was my fill in!!! Daddy and Elvis favored a lot. The hair. The eyes. And a heart of gold!

The second thing I used to love to watch as a child was "King Kong". The old cheesy original version, not this new technological stuff. I would sit and watch it every time it came on. I even remember when we lived in the single wide mobile home we sold when I was five years old, watching that movie and being snuggled up to Mr. Monkey. Me and Mr. Monkey on the green & tan plaid couch. Of course, me crying in the end when Kind Kong was killed. I went every where with that newly applied blue make-up called ink faced monkey.

Mama tells a story of how one night, Mr. Monkey was misplaced and I cried and cried all night... I did not get any sleep that night. I really pulled an all nighter until they found him at my Granny's house the next day. Granny's house was about 100 ft from where the single wide used to be. It is the house I live in now... But Mama and Daddy were sooooo happy and relieved that my best side kick was found...

So, I have decided for my angel Gracie, I will be getting her a stuffed Mr. Monkey. One that is as close to the one I have hidden in one of my boxes full of childhood memories. Just because, I will have to look and find my Mr. Monkey really soon... When I do, I will add his photo to this blog post!!!

Yes, I am officially on a mission. I will be looking for and finding me a stuffed monkey to give to Gracie this year. Along with a special little note from my heart to hers. To hopefully pass on a legacy she will one day understand. Life is all about family and friends whom you love and cherish dearly. It is all about blessing the lives of the others around you... To share the love I was given as a child to another child is a blessing for me.

And when the time comes and I have a little girl or boy of my own, they too will own a Mr. Monkey of their own. Come to think of it... I may look for two Mr. Monkey's this year. This way, I can keep it as a memory of the 1st year I participated in the Salvation Army Paper Angel Tree Program. Then when the time is right to tell my child the meaning behind the monkey, I hope it will touch his/her heart as much as giving this gift has meant to me this year!!!

UPDATE...

I did not find a monkey like I wanted to give to Gracie. However, as I was looking thru all those stuffed animals I ran across a plush stuffed elephant. As I was standing there, my heart skipped a few beats as smile came across my face... In the back of my mind I could hear a familiar voice singing "Elephant Ears that will be our code"... So, I purchased not one but two elephants that night. Why did I purchase two? Well, as I stated I wanted to give Gracie a letter as to why I got involved with the Paper Angel Program. The second elephant I have at home. I keep it out where I can see it on the desk in my office at home. Every time I see it, I think of Gracie. But, my sole purpose for purchasing two was because one day, when I meet my Prince Charming and he sweeps me off my feet... Then when we have a child, this will be a stuffed animal with a story behind it. I will get to pass the story on to the next generation. I will be able to share the Jimmy Wayne story and the Paper Angel Story and Gracie to my children. Once they are old enough, it will be a tradition they understand as to why we do it!!! 

My Paper Angel Story - One From The Heart

(This was written November 20, 2011)

For those of my friends who really know me, you know everything I am about to post on the rest of this entry is nothing but the truth. I am a very simple person. I don’t like having to put on a “game face” when it comes to life. I don’t use all the “eloquent” words the narrators use to tell stories. I just know how to write it and tell it from my heart as I see it.

Yes, I love to get all dolled up every chance I get. But I would rather be in my jeans and t-shirts and flip flops any given day. When I am dressed down, I don’t have to worry about some one else feeling any less than I am because of the way I look. Because their clothes don’t look as fancy as mine, I don’t want them to think I am any better than they are. I am not better than any one. Yes, I have proved recently I can still get red carpet ready in just a matter of a few minutes. Then, in five minutes I can go from the red carpet to riding four-wheelers.

That is just me…

Life is a matter of enjoying the journey and making a difference. Be remembered for what you did to change some one else’s life. If all you are about is trying to get the biggest house on the block, the most expensive car on the market, or the biggest bank account in town… That is all you will be remembered for. When your life is over, all those things you worked all your life to get will be left for your family to either sell or fight over. After you have taken your last breath, all those things are now just things again. The meaning as well as the purpose that they held in your eyes, don’t have the same effect on the other people in your life. Your prize possessions are now just “things that belonged to you” before you left this world without them.

Why not do things to make a difference in the life of another person? There are so many different areas and ages people need help with. Medical needs, groceries, light bills, housing, and even food. I am sweeping off at my own front door step before I sweep around yours. So, don’t click off this topic until you have read the whole thing.

Yes, I have helped with various happenings in and around my town. Most people will never know what I have done. When you do it and then you boast about it, well, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. You are bringing attention to your self. Another little “trophy” of possessions to hang on your wall for the world to see once you are gone. Then everyone will quickly forget them as time fades away. They are not important any more to anyone.

When you can truly leave a mark on someone’s heart and soul by doing something they will remember forever, that is a legacy. I saw a quote on Facebook recently. “You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” Just like in the Bible in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” In the Scriptures before this one, it is referring to feeding the hungry. You give to those who are thirsty something to drink to quench their thirst. Even though I was a complete stranger to you, you invited me into your home so I would have a clean place to stay.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison because I had done something wrong, and you still to the time and you visited me.

When a person is broken and down on their luck, why is it so hard to reach out and help them to most people? We are so blessed to be a blessing to others in need. We, at one time or another, have also been down on our luck and have experienced hard times. Do you remember the person who took the time to help you when you were trying to get back up?

I can sit here as I type this and recall a time when some one did something simple for me. I know it was between 2001 and 2003. I don’t remember the exact year but I know Zaxby’s opened up in Douglas in 2001. They just celebrated the 10 year anniversary. It was Christmas time and I went thru the drive thru to get some supper on the way home. I was behind a white Ford Taurus in line. I do believe I know the person who was in the car in front of me. I will never forget her waving to me as she had already gotten her food and was pulling away from the drive thru window. When I got to the window with my money in my hand, the cashier said “Merry Christmas. The girl in the car ahead of you said to tell you Merry Christmas and she paid for your food. She said to tell you her name was _______.” For reasons I refuse to post without contacting that person first before I post her name, I will insert the “__________”. When she tells me I can, I will insert her name! That simple act of kindness was something that brought tears to my eyes. I drove off and I cried all the way home. The meal was less than $10.00 but to me it was worth $1,000,000 because some one had cared enough for me to do that for me. And since I have never thanked her before, I want to take this time now!!! Thank you!!!

I guess I need to begin the meaning behind all of this topic right about now…

As many of my Facebook friends, know, I was supposed to be going on a mission trip to either Hackleburg, Alabama, or Smithville, Mississippi, with the organization called Eight Days of Hope. This mission trip was to rebuild homes for widows who had their homes destroyed with the storms that hit the southeast in April 2011. These ladies did not have any insurance or their insurance did not cover all of the needed repairs. There is another blog subject about all of this on this blog. I was all excited I was going. Then the weekend before I was supposed to go, something just kept pulling at my gut and told me not to go. Not really being sure what it was trying to tell me, I got really upset at myself. I was more embarrassed because I was not going to be going after all. But, now as I watched the week unfold as to the week I was supposed to be there, I know why I didn’t go.

You see, Pastor’s father had to have stints put in. He was shipped out of town on the Wednesday night of that week to another hospital. I sing on the Praise Team at church. Pastor’s wife is our praise and worship leader and our piano player. So she was not able to be in service with us that night. I was able to download some songs with just the soundtracks. We had music to sing by for the worship part of the service.

On the same day, my Mama had an allergic reaction to some type of sinus allergy medicine. Her face was swollen up like a little Ewok off of the Star Wars (Luke Skywalker) series. She literally looked as if she had gotten some Botox shots or a face lift that went majorly wrong. Had I been 450 miles away, I would have killed myself to get back home to see about her.

Then there was the almost incident this past Wednesday. If you haven’t read the blog under “Psalm 139:9-10” yet, you need to read it and you will understand. You see, I had a major part of my vehicle fall off at some unknown time and place. As I was about to leave, I hit a small hole in my front yard and the tie rod end bolt came up out of the tie rod because the $1.62 nut had fallen off. So, there it was dragging the ground while my tire hung on like a loose tooth. HAD I been driving down the dirt road (aka wash board bumpy) or had I been driving down the high way at my normal rate of speed (wide open) when it decided to fall apart… There would have been only one of two outcomes. It is a given, I would have wrecked. NO doubt about that part. But, I would have either had a severely major accident and been badly injured or I would have wound up dead. God knows what He is doing, so I have learned to quit asking questions. Had I been either going or coming home from mission trip, I do not want to even think about that one.

Now, let us back up to the night I decided I was NOT going to be going to the mission trip. October 23, 2011, was the night of my decision. I had gotten home from church and was feeling like a defeated little puppy. I was heart broken to say the least. I cried myself to sleep that night. And boy, when I do that, I look like I the Michelin Man in my eyes the next morning. They poof up really bad. No make up can cover it up. Monday morning, I got up as usual. Fixed my morning dose of Folgers in my cup to perk me up. Instead of going to get a shower, I went to my Daddy’s blue recliner in the living room. That is where I like to go and just think about things. I started the little pity party once again.

I listen to WBYZ 94.5 every morning. I love the station. I have to hear Mike Huckabee’s 8:30 morning news. The local weather. Then Pastor Tommy Daniels from the Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church daily devotion. After the news, DJ Alan DuPriest began his upcoming events he plugs in at this time. It started out like this...

“The Tri County CASA organization will be holding a Holiday Fashion Show Gala in Baxley on November 12, 2011. CASA is the group for the Court Appointed Supporting Adults. They are having this fashion show to raise money for their organization.”

I own a bridal shop located in down town Douglas. Those words really caught my attention. I knew what CASA was about… Helping kids. As soon as I heard “CASA”, God spoke to my heart and all I heard was “Balloon decorations”. Wow, I really need to contact them as soon as I get to work to see about this. I didn’t want to do the fashion show part since others from that area were already doing the fashion part. I wanted to help in other ways.

Then Alan had to go and follow it up with “And the guest speaker for the night will be Country Music Artist Jimmy Wayne……” I will be completely honest, I heard NOTHING else Alan said after that name (Sorry Alan)…

I know Jimmy Wayne’s life story thanks to radio, various magazines, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and youtube. I know what he stands for and pretty much what he is all about. I mean, when is the last time YOU walked 1,700 miles across America to raise awareness for kids who age out of foster care??? When kids “age out”, this means the day they turn 18 and are an adult, where ever they are, all of their belongings are brought to them in garbage bags and they are now homeless and on their own. He founded the organization Project Meet Me Halfway (www.projectmmh.org) in 2010. He is also the National Spokesperson for CASA. He is a supporter of the Salvation Army Paper Angel Tree Program due to the fact he was once a Paper Angel himself. He had a life that one around here would never think of a child having to go thru and live thru. Yet he came thru it and is now bringing awareness for other kids. Pretty soon I will have a blog story on him and his foundation!!!

I have a special place in my heart for kids of all ages. I love me some babies all the way to their teens. Having a love for kids and kids liking me is a characteristic my Daddy passed down to me. Kids (babies) who normally don't go to strangers will take up to me. Guess it is the Jesus in me... Up until this past year, I was the Teen Sunday School teacher for two years and I was the Youth Pastor for a while. This year, I became a mentor at the Middle School. I guess that is why I love my job, I always am around the younger girls and I try to be a good role model for them. Then at other times, the parents bring their kids into the shop while they look around. Guess who loves to baby sit??? I have been told I needed at least a dozen!!!

As I heard this, I realized God was possibly opening another door for me to do something good since I was not going to Alabama. Was I fearful of them telling me no they didn’t want any part of me decorating for them and they thought I was stupid for contacting them? OOOOOOHHHHH but YES!!!!!! But I learned many years ago “The only stupid question is the one that is never asked.”

So I got to the store. Told Mama my story of how I was not going to Alabama and how I was going to contact them about decorating in Baxley. It was a risk to take, but I was gonna try. After an email. A phone conversation with Mr. Jim. Then Mrs. Dorothy. I was able to get on board with this event. I went that Monday and met with Mrs. Dorothy to look at the room I would be decorating for. I would have the privilege of decorating the MEET AND GREET ROOM for Jimmy Wayne. I was honored and knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to be able to do something on this scale. I mean, come on, this is South Georgia. Not too often do we have things like this around here!

As I was thinking one day, I decided to take another chance and invite Jimmy Wayne to our church service for that Sunday morning. I did not know his schedule at the time. But I invited him to be a part of the church service. Not to have to come in and speak. I wanted him to have a chance to be able to be in a church service with out any pressure. I mean another, what is the worst thing that could happen… Him say “No”.

His comment to me was completely one of those I never expected to have answered like he did. He replied “I invite your "church" to join me at the salvation army to help with the angel tree program.”

As I read that… I was like… Oh no he did not!?!?! And in a Madea tone “What did you just say???” He just either dared me or challenged me to do something and to make a difference in some one else’s life in the process. And how many of my friends out there really know I TOTALLY LOVE A CHALLENGE!!!!  And I LOVE HELPING OTHERS!!! Combine the two and I am dangerous!!! Just because I am a woman doesn’t mean you have to immediately underestimate me and what I can or can not do! So, let me prove to you what I am capable of!!!

So, what did I do??? I got the phone book, looked up the Douglas area Salvation Army, and left a message for the Manager to call me back. Within the hour, she called me back. This is kinda how my story went “This is Windi from Windi’s Bridal. Faye is my mother (she knows Mama fairly well). I am calling to ask what did I need to do to be able, if it is possible, to get a paper angel tree in my shop for the kids for this Christmas.” She told me she could bring some angels by the next week and she thanked me for doing this. She was amazed that I was really wanting to do this.

As I was hanging up with her, oh yes, I was already logging on to Twitter to tell Jimmy Wayne the news. My message was “I just got off the phone w/ the SA in my town (Douglas). I'm setting up a Paper Angel Tree inside my buz next week. I (we) are on board ;)” I seriously wanted to follow it up with the comment “So, how you like them apples?!?!” Haha.. Sorry, but I was feeling quite cocky!!

His response was “AWESOME!!!!!”.

Finally, the night of the CASA Gala had arrived. I worked about 14 hours in two days playing with 650+ balloons to decorate with. To me, I don’t see anything special about them. I guess the negative thought of “nothing ever being good enough” kept returning to my memory. But everyone has loved them. I have gotten all kinds of comments from people on Facebook, Twitter, in my shop, and those who attended the event. I have never had a group as thankful for the décor that I have done as they all were. Even Jimmy Wayne liked them! If he thanked me one time, he thanked me ten times. Yes, I was in wow mode, but I never got the big head. For them to be sooooooo appreciative of the simplest of things I did, I was humbled beyond words. It was a very humbling experience for me. It really touched my heart to hear and read all the comments. I am still in awe of the whole thing. And you guessed it, I cried at those comments as well ;)

You see, each of us are given talents and gifts from God above. To every person that commented to me… They got the same answer. Those are my God given talents. Jimmy Wayne can sing pretty darn amazingly, play a guitar like it was jumping rope, and talk comfortably with a microphone in hand. I would rather sit here and type you something and hand it to you cause I don’t like a microphone all that well. AND yes, I am working on that as well. You can do this while you can do that. God just blessed me to be able to do everything that I do. He is the only reason I can do what I am capable of doing.

The night I got the Paper Angels, it was the Tuesday night after the CASA Gala. She brought them around 6:15ish. I stayed that night until after 11:00 so I could get my tree up for those kids. But, as I was decorating the tree and hanging each angel on there one by one, I guess I can say I some how kind of changed in my life. I had some great revelations. Each angel has a name. This makes it a personalized angel. It lets you know if it is a boy or a girl. It lets you know the child’s age. It lets you know the DEAR SANTA list the child wants. This PAPER ANGEL TREE has impacted me to help make a difference in some child’s life. Each kid on the tree has a story to tell. None of the stories are the same. There is something about that tree every time I look at it, it literally breaks my heart. It is the first thing I look at when I go to work. It is the last thing I see when I leave from work. And some how I see it like this, may be I am crazy… Those are my angels I have to help find Christmas for. I assumed the responsibility to make sure they all get “adopted” for Christmas. I am determined!!!

Since the tree has gone up and I have become involved with this program and then hearing Jimmy Wayne’s testimony in person (even though I have youtubed it several times before) I have something different going on inside my heart. I can not explain it. But, I guess it is the realization of being soooooooo blessed as I was growing up. We didn’t have the most of everything or the best of everything. But Mama and Daddy did their best at all times to do what they could for us. I never knew if we could not afford something. They kept that to themselves. I have heard Mama tell a story of when I first came into the world. They were down to wrapping change to pay the light bill. They made sure I had my milk, then they did what they had to do to get the bills paid.

My life is not where I expected it to be. But as I was thinking the other day, if I could go back and change just one thing what would I change. Hmmmmm. Hmmmmm. Hmmmmm. After I pondered this one for a long time, I realized I would change absolutely NOTHING. Every thing that has happened in my life, good and bad, has helped me be who I am. It has brought me to where I am. And it is going to take me to where I am going. I have NO regrets at all.

All of this comes back to let me know just how thankful of everything I am in my life. I don’t drive a brand new vehicle. Mine has 205,000 miles on it. I don’t have a fancy house. It is Granny’s old home that was built in the 50’s or 60’s. It does need some updates, but I am content with it because I do have a roof over my head. I have a business. Yes, but it is more like the business has me.

Would I be willing to give it all up and walk away??? Yes, I would and could when that point in my life comes. And even going back to the vehicle incident this week, I am so thankful to know God had His hands there to protect me. He saved me from a fate that I will not know how it would have ended. If that don’t make you wake up and smell the coffee. And this incident was less than 12 hours AFTER I got done with the Paper Angel Tree. Soooooooo thankful!

Tonight, as I was telling the story of basically what I have posted here to a very good friend of mine, she decided to come get an angel. After she got home, she went on the Salvation Army website to look at the Paper Angels and some of the things they wanted. And there was this little girl who had put down for her Dear Santa list… Her Angel simply said one word… “anything.” Wow… A child who knows that there could possibly be nothing under her tree is so thankful that she will take “anything.” She is not being greedy and making up this big list of things they do have to have. She is simply thankful for what she may get.

And even to some of these kids, the thing they want most is something they did not list at all. Because you see it can not be bought for them. If it could be bought, it would be worth all the money in the world. They simply want to be loved. They want to know they are loved. They want their mother or father to just tell them they love them. As simple and as free as it is, some parents will never do it.

Tonight, we had a testimony service of being THANKFUL. Pastor had the lights turned out in the church. It was dark. Then one single candle was lit. That person gave thanks. Then they lit the next person’s candle. That person gave thanks for the things in their life. This went on until every one had a candle and had given thanks. As I sat on the platform and listened, I was thankful that the lights were out. We are talking a throbbing, hurting heart and big tears. I sat there and I cried like a big old baby and could not really explain to you why. Everyone had similar parts of their reasons to be thankful… Family, husband, wife, kids, God loving them, Jesus dying for them, being saved and knowing they are on their way to Heaven, their church family and their church…. Then they each had another part they added to their giving thanks. Each one had a different story of the great things God had done for them. Each one totally different because each one has their own story of the goodness and graciousness of a Heavenly Father.

Sorry for being so emotional on you all. Over the last few months, I have had lots of emotions going on. I know I am watching God’s perfect plan and purpose for my life being unfolded right before my eyes. I just can’t describe all the emotions I have that just keep flowing. I know I have been called out, set apart, and chosen by God to fulfill a ministry here on this planet we call earth. He has a work for me to do. I am still not 110% sure which way He is pushing me to go. I just know I got to do what I feel in my heart I am lead to do. Where ever He sends me, I will follow in that area too! I guess sometimes you have to be completely broken out of self-mode before God can fix you like He wants to use you.

God has closed some doors just so He can show me the open doors He has waiting for me up ahead. I may be unsure of the road that is ahead of me, but I am sure God will make sure I travel down the path He has laid out for me. This month alone, He has really opened some great and amazing doors.

And yes, I do sincerely want to thank Jimmy Wayne for the challenge that he presented me with. This has been one of the life changing experiences I will never forget. So, I will put a plug in for him as well. If you love to read, purchase his newly released book “Paper Angels”. It will touch your heart. It is a book he co-wrote with Travis Thrasher while he was walking "Halfway Across America". It makes you realize just how fortunate and blessed we all are in life. Things could be worse than what you are currently going thru. I could not put it down once I began reading it... Well, I did put it down to wipe the tears!!! I completed the book in one reading at 3:41 a.m. IT is a must read!!!!

The book "Paper Angels" also set the scene for me. As I was decorating the Paper Angel tree in my window, it gave a new meaning behind those names. The different thoughts of the parts in the book actually were coming to life in my mind as I hung each Angel on the tree. All things do seeming knit themselves together in life. This whole experience was one of them!!!

Get involved in your local community to help kids. Check out the following organizations to see where you can make a difference and help a child…

Jimmy Wayne's Foundation - www.projectmmh.org

Salvation Army

CASA Organization

The Annie E. Casey Foundation - www.aecf.org

You can follow Jimmy Wayne on Twitter and Facebook. Jimmy will have a new CD coming out in 2012 as well as a documentary on his walk across America.

You can also follow Travis Thrasher on Twitter and Facebook. Travis also has written several books that are available through his website, www.travisthrasher.com.

To order your copy of "Paper Angels" you can order online at

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/paper-angels?keyword=paper+angels&store=allproducts .

 

Jimmy Wayne & I at the Tri-County CASA Gala11/12/11... Baxley, Georgia...

Psalm 139:9-10

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:8-10

This is such an amazing TESTIMONY for me to tell… 

I just really don’t know how to begin… I can say it in one word… THANKFUL!!!

Since this is the slow season in my business, I close all day on Wednesday so that I can get things done around the house. Yesterday was my second day off since August and I, for some reason; wake up at the crack of dawn when I am NOT working… Then on the days I work, I am always fighting myself to get out of bed…

I was up early and had a list of things I wanted to go to town and take care of so I could accomplish some major cleaning and upgrading at home.  I went to town and got it all accomplished. I pulled up in the yard and parked. I did a few things around the house. Then I was ready to roll again.

A couple of hours later, I decided I wanted to go and get something for lunch. I also wanted to run by my shop for a few minutes because there was something I needed to get ordered. As I was pulling up to circle in the dirt drive way under my 60 year old pecan tree, I hit a small hole at just right angle. My little doggie had dug several of these little holes that are about the size of a small basketball cut in half during the summer. I had fussed about these little vehicle jerkers and was thinking about getting them filled in in the next few weeks.

I live in God’s country in the back woods in my county. We are surrounded by farmers with big equipment they use to tend to the various crops they grow. To say our roads (which are a mixture of Georgia red clay and sand) are as bad as a wash board that is an understatement. As you travel over them, either fast or slow, you feel like your brains are being beat loose out of your head. So, I guess that is my excuse for being a little “crazy”…

Over the period of an undetermined amount of time, these bumps and ruts had worked the nut loose on the tie rod end bolt. For those who don’t know what the tie rod end does, it holds your tire in place. It is one of the most important parts under the hood to me (now)…

As I hit that bump in the yard, thank God I did, it made the tire go higher and the bolt came out of the hole and there was my tire loose as a child’s tooth. THANK GOD this happened in my yard. I was upset at first because I thought the whole thing was broken and not just a nut off. Yes, that $1.62 nut could have either cost me my life or it could have landed a long stay in the hospital. Had I been travelling down the highway at my usual 65 mhp and it come apart, the good tire would have kept pulling straight while broken tire would have been flopping and not turning in the same direction. Being that I drive a van, it would have most likely had me rolling in a ditch some where. And I do know what else could have happened. I have flipped a vehicle before so I know what could have been.

But as I sat back and realized how I was spared, I had a true spirit of THANKFULNESS on me the rest of the day.. And even woke up with a “Good Morning, Thank You Lord” prayer..

Back in July, I was going thru some old papers and had come across an old calendar that has Scriptures on the pages. I was about to throw it away, when I decided to go thru it one more time. I turned to the page that has Psalm 139:9-10 on the right corner that reads “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast (NIV).” AND HE PROVED THIS TO ME YESTERDAY!!!!!

Just so thankful this morning and had to share this testimony… With the Thanksgiving season upon us, I have soooooooo much to be thankful for. I will be able to share this season with family at home. Not either in the hospital or even much worse. 

What is "F.A.I.T.H. Jewels" all about???

I would like to take this time to tell you a little about where I came up with the name... F.A.I.T.H. Jewels.....

Last year, I went through the ending of a relationship I should have ended years ago... But, I do not regret the experiences and testimony I gained from the relationship as a whole. I am past those days and I refuse to look back. I only know there are great things waiting on me in the future.

In October of 2010, I attended a Ladies Conference here in my hometown where Micca Campbell from Proverbs 31 Ministries was the Speaker. Those who were in attendance were all entered to win copies of her new book "An Untroubled Heart." I was one of the winners. As she shared her testimony that night, it really tugged at my heart.. As soon as I got home that night, I began reading the book. And it really hit it home for me and it opened my eyes...

As I was reading and crying, I had to stop and just pray about some things I was going through at the time. In her book, Micca has the little meanings of what fear and other words stand for.

I grabbed a pen and just wrote the simple word "FAITH" that God was giving me on a sheet of decorative purple trimmed Post-It Note Paper. I looked at that word and wrote one word per line down the paper. I got an on time word from God... I had a major wow moment...

Amongst the flowing tears on my face... This is what I got...

F ULLY

A DVANCING

I NSPITE OF

T HE

H URT

This made me realize that NO matter what hurts I was going thru at the time, God was going to be there with me and He was going to help me go forward with all my might no matter the pains that had held me back in my past... My future was going to be nothing less than the greatest thing I had ever thought or imagined. I had finally realized I was going to be okay. I did not have to stay in the state I was currently in.

He only wants HIS best for us... He doesn't want us to just settle for second best. We are His children. The apple of His eye. He only wants to give us something to help us propel to the wonderful life He has planned out for us.

And we all know we are a jewel in God's eyes. We are shining for His glory. We are precious in His sight. We are a jewel in His crown.

Had you met me a little over a year and a half ago, you would not see the same person sitting here typing this Blog. You see, I was a person who had lost all confidence in myself. I was a person walking around in a shell. I was numb from everything. I thought less of myself than a human being should feel. The hurts didn't hurt as much any more. I was immune to hurt. When you hear negative things so repetitively, you begin to believe them. When you are so low, you don't think you can do any better for yourself. I was there.

But God helped me rediscover the person I had hidden inside for many years. I am happy and I know God has a purpose for me to accomplish. I work on that daily.

I may be 35, and seem to be a "brave person"  via social technology... Get me off to myself and I still freeze up at times and can't talk... I am still praying for more boldness :)

I have a more in-depth project I am working on which will give more of the details... Just waiting on the right time to do something with it....

I just hope with these and future postings, you enjoy them as much as I did sharing them!!!

God Bless You!!