Alyson Stoner

It was refreshing to see and meet Alyson Stoner this summer. While my daughter and I were visiting my nephew in Minneapolis, we went to the Great Mall of America. As we walked through the mall we passed a sign announcing, Alyson Stoner would be at Build a Bear from noon until 3pm. It was 11:45! Wow could life be any better? Gracie about jumped out of her skin knowing she could meet Alyson. I'll have to be honest, I didn't know much about Alyson but did recognize her beautiful face. Within minutes Alyson came walking up to the line of girls waiting to meet her. She is tall, thin, sparkling eyes, was dressed in green overall shorts and had a smile that any toothpaste commercial would die for. Immediately I could see her geniune appreciation for all the girls who were there. Her beautiful smile greeted each girl as they stood before her and never faded as she posed with about 400 girls for pictures. Gracie approached the table, conversed with her and then they took a picture together. Gracie's smile matched Alyson's as she walked away with a signed photo in hand.

Since then I have researched her bio's with Gracie and have come to a couple of conclusions. She's a wonderful role model for girls. She empowers and encourages girls and guys to be the best they can be, plus dream and dream big. Don't let others or circumstances stop what God has birthed in your heart. If you have a talent, use it and bless others with it. Be compassionate towards one another. Recently she volunteered to help inner city kids in LA. Alyson is also helping kids get fit with her Wii fit, http://www.getfitwithalyson/ (or visit http://www.alysonstoner.com/ ). Plus check out her movie "Alice upside down". It's real life issues young kids experience and a perfect movie for all ages to watch.

She's the new hero in mine and Gracies heart! She's from the Midwest, has a heart of gold, a geniune down to earth kind of gal you would sit on the back porch and chat with. Most importantly she's a positive inspiration to young girls.

Thanks Alyson! Keep up the great work. We look forward to meeting you again.

They're Watching

I’m staying at a friend’s lake house while their on vacation. Our families are usually together every weekend mutually enjoying our time but on this occasion we’re alone. To be honest, it’s very different without our friends here. We’ve been “lake rats” together for almost 10 years now. Debbie and I enjoy our early morning coffee, devotion and conversation on the veranda overlooking the peaceful, calming waters while our husbands and my son rise early to enjoy the perfect wakeboarding waters. The girls usually wake up mid-morning ready to go tubing. The community where their lake house is has quaint Adirondack style homes and the families who fill the homes are just as wonderful. Since we have been visiting with our friends for years, the families of this small lake village have welcomed us as a part of their village. Our children have grown fond of one couple and each time we are down they run out onto the veranda to see if their boat is uncovered, which means they’re here. We’ve become great friends and through the years have invited them over to our home for Christmas parties.

Today the wife of the couple told me her husband asked Jesus to be his Savior. I thought how wonderful, he now is being instructed by the King of the Universe, his heavenly Father. She mentioned how he felt most Christians were hypocrites, freely passing judgment upon others. But it was the question from his bicycle partner, “Setting religions aside, if you die on the way home, where do you think you will go? Heaven or Hell” that encouraged him to begin thinking beyond the hypocrisy of his past experiences plus what he observed in our friends and us. She mentioned he had been observing us and our friends for years and realized we were the same in all situations. We had no idea he had been watching or perhaps we would have strived to be better. The point is, you never know who is watching. Colossians 4:4 “Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. “

A great reminder to myself to humbly walk, allowing my Father to orchestrate my steps, taking advantage of all opportunities that lie ahead.

Enjoy your time with your Father.