tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746858654243154762024-02-19T06:34:47.686-08:00Seeing BeyondChoosing to Look Past the Horizon Where the Sky's the LimitGail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-29044479299817727752012-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:002012-04-06T09:00:52.300-07:00Faith<style>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Sitting together over lunch one day, Zig Ziglar
told me, “You will always have something to give if you have a word of
encouragement.” Just like my dear friend, Zig, my DNA is loving to see others
encouraged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I wrote a small book titled, “B12…Doses of
Encouragement.” Today I want to share a chapter from the book in the hope of
giving you a boost. I am also providing a link to receive a free weekly “B12” shot
for you to receive as you run your life race. <a href="http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/forms/b12form.html">http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/forms/b12form.html</a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This race is designed to be more than a rat race
or stuck on a treadmill going nowhere while exhausted in the attempt. Life’s
race has a winner’s circle with your name etched on a trophy awaiting you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This race is not only about enduring, but also
conquering. Each terrain of the journey has value and each season essential.
You just need faith—faith in the One Who designed you and who knows
your potential, desires and purpose; faith in yourself as you confidently reach
for more; faith in others who have been strategically placed along the
sidelines of this incredible race; and faith to see beyond.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">You can do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Day 12—FAITH</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Faith is visionary and advances</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">forward,
even when things look</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">impossible. In fact, with faith</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">nothing is impossible.
Faith</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">fuels
hope and makes evident</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">the things you cannot see. Faith</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">unlocks doors and reveals</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">hidden
treasures, and its</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">discoveries are unending. Faith</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">comforts, compels,
catapults and</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">causes you to be strengthened</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">for every new day. Faith</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">believes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">1 John 5:4</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And this is the victory that has</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">overcome
the world—our faith.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Question</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What keeps you from believing?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">May your faith grow stronger.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13pt;">Receive a weekly “dose of encouragement”
at: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/forms/b12form.html">http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/forms/b12form.html</a></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">. A corresponding audio accompanies each "B12" encouragement. McEnjoy!</span></div>Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-85358060215040999502012-03-27T07:11:00.000-07:002012-03-27T07:11:07.149-07:00Feeling Depleted?<style>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Do you struggle with any deficiencies? I designed an event that is
made available around the nation called a “B12 Event” filled with doses of
encouragement. Most ask, “Is this some vitamin emphasis?” No! A “B12
Event” is simply the challenge to: Be-one-too. It is amazing what can be
squeezed out of one letter and two numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In looking at the subject of B12 deficiencies I see that there are
many correlations to life. Consider the physical side and how it relates to how
we live. Some B-12 vitamin deficiencies consist of: weariness, fatigue, confusion,
numbness, lack of balance and loss of memory. Life can result in all of these
symptoms, too. Weariness and fatigue can symbolize worrying, while confusion
depicts a loss of focus. Numbness is a way to survive when there has been
unresolved conflict and pain. Living out of balance is everyone’s challenge as
they juggle an overbooked life. Loss of memory is key to what depletes us the
most—when we forget Whose we are and the purpose of our life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Many live their lives with undiagnosed deficiencies, thinking this is
the standard for their lives. What if there was more? What if you were
encouraged to get back into the race of life to win? Try beginning your day
with a dose of encouragement. It is refillable and your 31-day supply can be
reused over and over. It is permissible to share it with others. Begin today to
take your dose of encouragement and become energized once more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">You
can find out more about a “B12 Event” at: <a href="http://www.b12event.com/">www.b12event.com</a>. I also wrote a
daily boost of encouragement called, “B12…Doses Of Encouragement” from which I
will periodically refer to in my blogs. Living was designed for more than mere
survival and existence. Whatever is depleting you today does not have to be fatal.
I love what my dear friend Zig Ziglar once told me over lunch. “You will always
have something to offer when you have a word of encouragement.” He is the icon
of all encouragers and I decided to “Be-One-too!” What about you?</span></div>Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-31218119898766452252012-03-23T08:18:00.000-07:002012-03-23T08:18:58.702-07:00Imagine that Voice<style>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to a radio network manager who suggested, and a friend who
provided the tickets, that we pursue going to the NRB (National Religious
Broadcasters) Convention held in Nashville. It was an incredible time with
loads of strategic connections and divine appointments. We met new friends and
renewed old friendships. It was perfect for me since my eyesight is impaired,
but I knew those radio voices!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">One afternoon Tony and I sat in a coffee shop waiting for our next
business appointment. The man behind me had a familiar voice but I could not
place it. Finally, we met each other. He said, “I hope you are not disappointed
in how I look since you might have imagined something different from the
radio.” I laughed and said, “I am your new best friend. You look like you have
lost weight and are very buff. Your hair looks great and that color is awesome
on you.” He began to laugh too when he realized I was visually impaired. He
said, “We were meant to meet each other.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Isn’t it true about radio personalities when you meet them in person?
I often want to close my eyes and say, “I liked what I had imagined.” Someday I
want to write a book entitled, “Is That What You Really Look Like?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, we judge others by what they look like and hardly hear
what they have to say. I think it is just as disappointing to meet a beauty
queen and then hear her shrill voice. Remember the gal on the movie “Singing In
The Rain?” What about the muscle guy with the high-pitched voice and the short
coach with the roaring yell? Sometimes I think it is a gift not to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I tell people that I am not moved by how you look; what you drive; the
jewelry you have on or don’t; you’re clothing or the status you wear. I am
moved by two things only—your attitude and your smell. Sometimes both of those
stink!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Good news! Both can be improved.</span></div>Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-59224260129187332072012-03-21T18:31:00.000-07:002012-03-21T18:31:38.938-07:00A "Jump-Start"<style>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever needed a helping hand or a lift to get from one place to
another? A few months ago my husband and I heard about a cool way to help
others get a jump-start on some projects they were hoping to begin. We loved
the idea. People from all around the world participate just because they love
the idea of helping someone reach their goal and complete their project. We
adopted the same idea with a project of our own that will in
time, hopefully, impact the world with encouragement, hope and
vision. The project? --a new daily radio feature that will be aired from
coast to coast. We posted it at: http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/jumpstart </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A great jump-start to the new venture is having 140 stations already
on board before full production even begins. We do have 16 sample shows on my
website at http://www.gailmcwilliams.com/radio that let others know the direction and
format we are designing, but the favor that came before any recording is indeed
a jump-start of the divine kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">When
I think about anyone’s dream or project it always seems helpful to get a
jump-start on the projects in life. Recently I helped our son get his room in
order. Two hands do make light work. Today our daughter helped her dad trim the
bushes. One hour later it was pouring rain and they had a good sense of
accomplishment that together they tackled a job and got it done quickly. My
grandson needed a jump-start the other day getting his puzzle started, and his
mother needed her early morning coffee to get hers. A friend came over today
to give me a jump-start to a new diet and lifestyle. The benefits of all the
above may be varied, but the principle is the same. Any project can seem
daunting and too hard until you get a jump-start. My good friend Zig Ziglar
says, “You can have anything you want if you will help others get what they
want.”</span></div>Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-64796882590464199422009-07-01T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-01T13:01:23.286-07:00Facebook and other news...Daniel warned about the busyness of life and the increasing expansion of<br />technology--but he never said anything about Facebook and twittering, let<br />alone the new iPhone! What is a 50 something to do?<br /><br />I am fairly computer savvy, considering I am not visual. I have learned<br />sophisticated software for the visually impaired. Most of the world has to<br />find an icon and click, but I have had to learn the hot keys and computer<br />language. Pretty good--or so I thought untill now.<br /><br />Lydia has been away on a mission's trip to Asia. On her trip the only way to<br />keep up with the reports and pictures was Facebook. Hey! I thought that was<br />only for the "young" social network! Plus, who has time to follow everyone<br />you once knew? I want new horizons and additional friends, thank you.<br />However, my passion has changed this week. I just want to see what is going<br />on with my daughter in a communist nation! So, now I am on Facebook.<br /><br />The really strange thing was when I signed up, immediately it linked me to<br />my contact list where many of my "fifty something" friends were waiting for<br />me. "Why didn't you tell me that I would need it to follow my fifteen-year-old<br />daughter to the ends of the earth?!"<br /><br />So, now what about twitter? Who has the time to read the texts, follow the<br />twitters,and Facebook everyone in your past, present and future with this<br />crazed social network? I am still e-mailing! Is that out of date already?<br /><br />Ah, the phone is amazing--when our children answer it. Games, internet, GPS<br />instead of our atlas, restaurant guides, weather, traffic (no radio is<br />needed except for talk radio) and the news. Recipes, books, files, pictures<br />and more all within the touch of a lighted screen. What will be next?<br /><br />My husband loves his new claim to fame as a techy. He has a blue tooth. It<br />looks to me like a man who is preparing to wear a hearing aid and is caught<br />talking to himself. And he wonders why I don't wear mine?! I am too<br />young--why then do I feel so out of it!?<br /><br />I like to call my children--but they text. I like to meet new friends--in<br />person--and not by staying in my room Facebooking. I don't have the time to<br />see everyone's twitter of each moment of someone else's day. Who cares<br />really! I am busy. YES! Busy learning how to successfully find you on Facebook <br />as I learn how to twitter, while I work hard to earn enough money for<br />me to have an iPhone!<br /><br />Daniel, did you even know about the computer when you wrote those words at:<br />www.daniel12:4.NKJV?Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-71692288557545854582009-06-29T21:47:00.000-07:002009-06-29T21:48:25.087-07:00"Children are like arrows in the hands of a mighty warrior."It is difficult to comprehend their swiftness, strength, potential and<br />range. They may be in need of learning and training to become sharp and to<br />the point, while being carved and stretched to focus with speed for each<br />life target and assignment. With the fletching set so they don't fly in<br />circles wandering aimlessly, the Great Archer pulls back the bow of destiny<br />and purpose through the tension of life's challenges, hitting the mark each<br />time. Battles in life are predictable and the details diverse, but His<br />victories are beyond our dreams or imagination.<br /><br />My heart sees the vastness of His arrows in use this week. Lydia, 15, is in<br />Viet Nam serving orphans and being changed for life. Connor Mac, 13, is no<br />longer our little boy but his man-size hands, height and muscles foretell of<br />a leader being groomed, as he spends the days with friends from church.<br />Holly, full of gifts, talents and straight thinking, has launched a new<br />photography business. Lindey and Ryan are celebrating Lindey's<br />accomplishment and joyful end of school "daze" in cosmetology. Their<br />businesses only serve to fund their passion--music . the famous trio ,<br />Holly, Lindey and Ryan, join together for two weeks to lead worship at a<br />youth camp in Houston. As the three prepare to leave, Anna is on a plane<br />back to Dallas to celebrate a new direction and interest in her life. Will<br />there be more around our McTable?<br /><br />Pint- size arrows fill in the gaps of the expanding quiver. Our little E<br />has been with us this weekend and the joy is beyond words or comprehension.<br />When his little voice calls us by name, Poppa and Nona" , as he hides behind<br />the wall and then peeps around the corner to say, "Boo!" and giggles, our<br />hearts are the target, and His love registers a bull's eye every time!!<br /><br />Foreign lands or foreign places never have felt more comfortable as we trust<br />our arrows to His hand. It is on His wings that our arrows take flight for<br />His purposes and delight.<br /><br />McTrusting the Great Archer<br /><br />^Check out Holly's web site at:www.hollymacphotodesign.comGail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-9459321297002457262009-04-20T21:13:00.000-07:002009-04-20T21:14:09.409-07:00A First...Hello world—I decided to blog! <br /><br />The world of blogging is appealing to me for it seems random at times,<br />casual in style, unpredictable, with no deadlines or expectations. In many<br />ways, it seems like my own personal column like “Dear Abby” or something<br />similar.<br /><br />My children seem so techno savvy with their increasing computer activity,<br />texting, twittering, face book and more. I, on the other hand, prefer the<br />phone and E-mail—until now. I have decided to jump into the blogging world<br />and see where it takes me. Can it really be that hard? Is it rewarding? Who<br />has the time to read my random thoughts and topics anyway? Is everyone else<br />busy texting and face booking to even remember the blogging daze?!<br /><br />I am told that grammar and punctuation is not important and English rules<br />taboo—just write! So I am wondering…is it like a journal for the world to<br />read? Does it have merit to the lonely and downhearted who had their texting<br />taken away? Is it for the computer junkie who has engaged in this<br />increasing social network? What does blog even mean?<br /><br />Recently, I was speaking in Atlanta, Georgia. A man seated at our table<br />challenged me to begin to blog. I asked him if he had been talking to my<br />children! He laughed and said, “No. I want to know what you have to say.”<br />Amazing, since we had just met and he had not yet heard me speak.<br /><br />He went on to tell me that he and a few college buddies started an<br />E-commerce business three years ago—on a whim. 20 million dollars later, he<br />was sitting at our table challenging me to have a larger presence on the<br />internet.<br /><br />Well, I don’t know that blogging will suddenly thrust me into wealth and<br />millions, but I do have something to say. It will be random at times and<br />always full of life because each day and memory is valuable. Since<br />contemplating my blogging journey, I already have a list of things I want to<br />write about. If the millions come, then so be it. Based on our spiraling<br />economy, it would make sense that inflation has taken over and no more will<br />a “penny for your thoughts” work in this culture. No doubt, the journey will<br />be rich! Stay tune for my next deposit.<br />McCashing-N<br />www.gailmcwilliams.comGail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374685865424315476.post-83151883542035040952008-02-27T12:16:00.000-08:002008-02-27T12:30:58.631-08:00As I walked across a large stage in front of a semi-circle audience of 1500,<br />I heard in my heart, "For such a time as this."<br /><br />WOW!<br /><br />What an incredible trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado! It was our honor and<br />joy to speak at Focus on the Family last week. As usual, the Lord unfolded<br />His divine appointment and plan with surprises and memories for a lifetime.<br /><br />It was a rare event to have all nine of our immediate family together<br />sharing the same platform again. Anna and Holly flew from Grand Rapids,<br />Michigan. Ryan and Lindey, along with Espen who is now two months old, flew<br />from their new home and assignment in Houston, Texas. Tony and I, along with<br />Lydia and Connor, caught our flight from Dallas which was the hub for all of<br />our McFamily connections. The weather cooperated with all of our flights and<br />schedules and by late Wednesday night we had snuggled into our warm hotel<br />across from Focus on the Family. What we had not counted on is that with our<br />expanding family's luggage and baby gear, we had to rent an additional<br />vehicle along with a reserved suburban! Our family, as well as our message<br />and impact had been expanded.<br /><br />Dr. James Dobson and his wife Shirley were away on a writing sabbatical. The<br />master of ceremony for the Focus chapel was Pastor H.B. London. The new<br />president and CEO, Jim Daly, also participated. The event was kicked off<br />with a live interview with NFL Denver Bronco's kicker, Jason Elam. After<br />worship, the in-house Sanctity of Life director told of the ministry's<br />effective outreach and its placement of new sonogram machines in crisis<br />pregnancy centers around the nation. 77,000 babies had been saved with their<br />efforts.<br /><br />Our 40-minute presentation began with our McFamily story on DVD. While it<br />was ending and we were walking to the stage, I kept hearing, "For such a<br />time as this." It made me smile. With microphones in our hands, we began to<br />sing in tight harmony "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" as we all<br />celebrated the Giver of Life. We were received with warm enthusiasm as we<br />continued in music and with each sharing the meaning of their names and<br />destiny along with some personal remarks to the crowd. I thanked them for<br />their service to the work of His calling and for being people that had made<br />a difference world-wide. I told them that I felt like we were specialized<br />services who had been dropped behind enemy lines to bring a word of<br />encouragement to the warriors at the front of the battle. Anna, Lindey and<br />Holly reminded them in song that greatness is found in serving. Its<br />encouragement was met with resounding applause of gratitude.<br /><br />As I stood alone to talk with the audience, I told of the doctor's ultimatum<br />to choose that day between my baby and my eyes. His angry response and<br />declaration that I had made a "foolish decision" to choose my baby became<br />the backdrop for what came next. God's mercy and power were demonstrated as<br />I then introduced Lindey, the one the doctor wanted me to abort, and her<br />husband Ryan and their new son, Espen. The doctor was dead wrong!! The crowd<br />applauded as I declared, "It has always been the next generation that is at<br />stake!" They visibly agreed.<br /><br />My message to the audience of Focus on the Family was interlaced with our<br />story and a challenge about maximizing their own life. I stated that life is<br />the gift and it is to be valued at every level.<br /><br />The moments passed too quickly with my heart full. At the end, our family<br />joined me to speak the blessing over the attentive audience. As we walked<br />off the stage, the crowd gave a standing ovation.<br /><br />Afterwards, we were all told many different comments but some were common.<br />"Doc will want to meet you." "Doc would have loved this today." "Wait till<br />Doc sees and hears this presentation!" The "Doc" was the fond name for<br />their beloved Dr. James Dobson. I, too, look forward to this meeting.<br /><br />We were the guests of Focus on the Family for lunch, but the venue was<br />changed after something we shared on stage. Focus has produced for the last<br />two decades an award-winning children's series, called "Odyssey," and we<br />still love it. It is a legend that both adults and children love. Our family<br />has benefited from its excellent stories of faith, character and history<br />over the years. So, our lunch was spent at Witt's Inn of Odyssey. This is<br />the central focal point of this children's radio series. Our imagination<br />station had now become reality as we laughed and played. While we were at<br />lunch there came several surprises.<br /><br />Our hostess, Diane, was the guest coordinator who became our personal guide<br />and newest beloved friend. She took the children to the studios of Odyssey<br />where two mock shows were recorded with the voices of Anna, Holly and Lydia.<br />Connor Mac did the sound effects. Plus, the children recorded a promo for<br />the 20th anniversary special of Odyssey.<br /><br />Tony and I were asked to come to the broadcasting studios where we spent the<br />entire afternoon recording some preliminary radio interviews. Though their<br />schedule is already booked for 2008, they wanted to get more of our story<br />recorded.<br /><br />The producers had been impressed with our family and story and they wanted<br />more. Between the live event that day, along with our story on DVD and the<br />interview clips, they were considering its impact for a show in the future.<br />It was at this time we learned that Focus had been looking at our family's<br />ministry for over one year. Now all the pieces were in place.<br /><br />At the end of our interview, another surprise was given to us. One of the<br />producers had overheard some bits and pieces of Lindey and Ryan's courtship<br />and wedding. So, Lindey and Ryan were soon summoned from another building to<br />join us in the recording studio. While we waited on them, I was also asked<br />to record a promo for Odyssey. It was my delight to give back to a ministry<br />that had given so much to our family.<br /><br />In moments, with new people added to the studio, we sat at a large round<br />table with microphones in front of five of us as we all told the journey of<br />Lindey and Ryan's courtship and marriage with their first kiss at the altar.<br />This was one of my favorite treats of the day which had already seemed<br />written on God's Day-Timer from the beginning. It flowed and the depth of<br />love between not only a man and a woman but also between her parents and the<br />life message of guarding your heart seemed to capture everyone's heart too.<br />Espen helped by sleeping six hours that afternoon!<br /><br />Our full day with VIP badges at Focus on The Family left us all amazed with<br />giggles and stories over everyone's day. We had been given gifts of Odyssey<br />CD's and books and radio theater classics for all the family to share. It<br />was indeed a mountain top experience!<br /><br />Thank you for praying for us in this awesome McAdventure. There were four<br />churches and one noble ministry that coupled together to help financially<br />underwrite our trip while hundreds prayed for its success. None of us can<br />imagine what will come from the seeds that were sown for the harvest. Thank<br />you!!<br /><br />Our journey to Colorado also included ministry at a church called, "Living<br />Way Fellowship." This, too, was a divine appointment because the director of<br />the five crisis pregnancy centers in Denver sat behind us that morning. Tony<br />and I traveled early from Colorado Springs to Littleton which is in the<br />Denver area. We had just enough time to minister in two services that<br />Sunday morning. God moved in spite of the time with this congregation being<br />brief. We hurriedly left to catch a plane in the Springs by 3:20 PM. The<br />quick turn around from Littleton to Colorado Springs was challenging for two<br />of us, let alone all nine of us. Therefore the children stayed in Colorado<br />Springs to attend church. A carload went on to the airport, while three of<br />our children were left waiting for us at the hotel to pick them up, along<br />with luggage, hoping to make our flight on time. Living Way had provided a<br />sack lunch to go as they helped us hurry on our way. I told the pastor, as<br />we quickly ran !<br /> with no minutes to spare, "I am glad we are not being tarred and feathered<br />as we leave town in a flash!" He and his wife graciously said how timely our<br />visit had been. Thank the Lord the speed limit in Colorado is 75 miles per<br />hour-we made it just in time.<br /><br />As I sat on the plane pondering all that had transpired in just a few days<br />and our new connections, a woman stood in the aisle of the plane and asked<br />me a question. Startled at first, I looked up and it was Lindey asking if I<br />would like to hold Espen on the way home. "Of course!" came my joyful<br />answer. Holding that little one as he looked into my eyes confirmed the<br />decision of so many years ago. "Choose life that you and your descendants<br />may live." The Lord in His wisdom had given us the best answer as we once<br />stood in the crossroads of choice. I boast only in His strength and wisdom<br />that helped me make the right choice. Now in my arms I enjoyed the second<br />generation and all of its untapped potential-"for such a time as this."<br /><br />Still,<br /><br />McSmiling!<br />Psalm 8:2<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPURIaKIb7afU1trY4TE7fgBRxo6i1D0Yx26FNYNQRJYdd4EYXdsc44PXuESh-LNeyNjkDr98H1xdr6jYsoXSNdvhwVIIGJMx5N09YXb5VQYjnYxjE-pxKoAaVutdGe8c5_qwFbKcA0ea/s1600-h/PICT0585.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPURIaKIb7afU1trY4TE7fgBRxo6i1D0Yx26FNYNQRJYdd4EYXdsc44PXuESh-LNeyNjkDr98H1xdr6jYsoXSNdvhwVIIGJMx5N09YXb5VQYjnYxjE-pxKoAaVutdGe8c5_qwFbKcA0ea/s320/PICT0585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171759771687181778" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BcyXdNg9GspTBOj4bn4TCGEWXc9XsSM4Nc5F7XdtOzeHxwSuRbAS69u21-_yo_QzgYdDlUIiEv1r0lX_K5tf8mghJFIU61EBVilxl0qelKtd5fhG8bylnnL8YQIswpt4vZzLRNbLc_f6/s1600-h/PICT0436.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BcyXdNg9GspTBOj4bn4TCGEWXc9XsSM4Nc5F7XdtOzeHxwSuRbAS69u21-_yo_QzgYdDlUIiEv1r0lX_K5tf8mghJFIU61EBVilxl0qelKtd5fhG8bylnnL8YQIswpt4vZzLRNbLc_f6/s320/PICT0436.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171759136032021954" /></a>Gail McWilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436590664439481988noreply@blogger.com0