Claiming my 'Major Award!'

A few months ago, I entered an essay contest that was featured on I Heart Faces. I never dreamed that I could win...I just decided to participate on a whim, with the thought that maybe if three people even read my essay, they might become interested in the plight of orphans.

The prize was a two-day photography workshop with a wonderful photographer named Amy Wenzel.

The day that the winner was to be announced, I completely forgot to check the website until 10:30PM. I clicked on it and started to read...excited to meet the person who had been chosen. To my utter shock and amazement, I saw my own name. NO WAY! I still can't believe it.

Tomorrow morning, I will be getting on a plane to claim my 'major award.' I am excited but nervous. I hate leaving my family.

I get to have dinner tomorrow night with Amy Wenzel and one of the co-creators of I Heart Faces, Angie Arthur. Wooo! Angie and I are going to be sharing a hotel room as well. I can never. ever. ever. ever. EVER. let the teenager know that I am spending two nights in a hotel with someone I met on the Internet. ha.

Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be attending the workshop. Hopefully afterwards, I will be able to take better photographs!

This is totally a gift from God. It was just one of those things that He unexpectedly handed to me. To illustrate the point, here in her own words, is Amy Wenzel, describing how she chose the winner.

To introduce the winner, we asked Amy to write her thoughts about how her decision was made. Amy wrote:

"...All of the entries were so touching. I found myself in tears wondering how in the world I was going to choose someone. I just wanted everyone to win the contest. I didn’t feel adequate to even make the decision. So I prayed that Jesus would help me to connect with one of the entries in a very special way so that it would leap off of the page and do a little dance right in front of me, and I would just KNOW that this was the person I was meant to bless with the giveaway..."

I don't even know what to say other than that it is just such a sweet, precious gift from my Father. I know that He wants me to do something with it--not just soak up the blessing, so I am really excited to see what He has in mind.

Ryan Update

Several have asked, so here is a Ryan update. The other day, I heard my phone make the little bleep that signals that I have a text message. Being the very hip, cool person that I am, with about three people who text me, I rushed over to see who it was.

And be still my heart.

It was my boy.

He sent a picture of himself in his dress uniform. He had a buddy take it with his iPhone, so the photo is a bit fuzzy. He is not allowed to wear the jaunty beret indoors, so no hat for the photo.

I have never had the privilege of seeing him in his dress uniform. It just blessed his Mama's heart to get this photo because he knew that I would want to see him in that uniform. When he lived at home, he refused to dress up. Ever. Wearing a polo shirt was 'getting all dressed up' for Ryan. urgh....

My little text bleep thingy went off again the next day. This time he was telling me that he was struggling with his run again. They still have to do PT and he has a certain amount of time to run two miles. The hip that he injured last summer has been bothering him and he hasn't been able to finish the run in time. His sargeant told him that if he didn't pass the next time, they might discharge him. He has another test on Thursday morning.

So, we have been praying this week that he would pass the test if God wants him to stay in the Army...and that if God wants him somewhere else, he would not pass. To be honest, each time he has these tests, I'm torn about how to pray because there is a part of me that just wants him out of harms way. I would rather not face deployment, ya know? But as I pray, God realigns my heart with His and I know that God has a perfect plan for Ryan.

Today...another bleep! And this time it was exciting news. Or as our family (great lovers of quoting movie lines) would say, "It's a major award!"

Ryan's text was:

"I got presented for excellence today by the company commander, Col. Reed and got a medal for it." There was a photo included...

He said he was told it was rare to get one and he was so excited Apparently, he was recommended for this because he volunteered to help out for a special ceremony. From the serious lack of details he gave me, I *think* it was for a building dedication ceremony and a lot of high ranking Army personnel were there. I have no clue what he did to help.

Hopefully, that excitement will motivate him and help him forget about his hip tomorrow when he takes his running test again. It definitely made me feel better about praying for him to pass the test! Thank you God, for your unexpected rewards and encouragement!