The Cover
In May of 2023, I lost my mom. She lived a full life and was ready for Heaven, but I miss her every single day.
She had an amazing sense of humor, incredible insight into situations, and a calmness that soothed uncertainty.
My mom did so many things well. She was creative and intelligent, but she was a behind the scenes kind of soul and did not seek recognition. However, I knew when my mom prayed. I heard her pray and I saw her pray. I also felt her prayers. She did not hide the fact that she talked to her Savior regularly. Mom prayed with confidence and with boldness. Because of this Pray! What Do I Say? is dedicated to her, but when I wrote it, I did not know how the book cover would unfold.
A few weeks after a beautiful memorial service at Mom’s church, we held a smaller gathering at Gospel Lakes Ranch in New Waverly Texas. My Mom and Dad loved Gospel Lakes and had worked to help build various parts of the camp. It was the perfect place to honor Mom.
We had gathered in the Dining Hall to visit and wait for the service to begin. The Chapel stood a good distance from the Dining Hall and was nestled near a grove of trees just past an empty pasture. As the service time neared, my husband and I drove the golf cart to The Chapel in order to greet the guests. I turned back to make sure the family was following and saw an image I will never forget. Mom’s great grandchildren were running together across the field, laughing and playing as they made their way to The Chapel. The warm, summer breeze carried the sounds of their joy across the grounds and engulfed me with a welcomed awareness of peace. I was reminded that this service was one of celebration. They understood better than I that this was a day of rejoicing, a day of remembering, and a day of reunion. Mom loved God and loved people well. Jesus had greeted her at Heaven’s gates with a “Well done My good and faithful servant.”
The cover of Pray! What Do I Say? captures my grandchildren running up to The Chapel to honor my mom – the woman who taught me to pray.
Gospel Lakes Ranch
Gospel Lakes Ranch works to build bridges between underprivileged children and their local church. To learn more about this ministry, please click here.