this is my story....
TYANNE RAKOWITZ
As a child given a unique name at birth, I never quite understood why I couldn’t find my name on anything personalized. But as an adult, my distinctive names are my greatest blessings!
Still smitten as wife of over 39 years to my high school sweetheart, Bill. Honored to be called Mom by 6; 3 by blood and 3 by love. And now, 5 little boys call me Grammy. But most importantly, I am called a child of God. I know I am uniquely and wonderfully made in His image.
Still smitten as wife of over 39 years to my high school sweetheart, Bill. Honored to be called Mom by 6; 3 by blood and 3 by love. And now, 5 little boys call me Grammy. But most importantly, I am called a child of God. I know I am uniquely and wonderfully made in His image.
I didn’t fully grasp God’s unconditional love until my late 30s. I stood with tear-filled eyes in a small wooden chapel lit only by candlelight filled with many whom I didn’t even know singing “Jesus, Jesus.” I heard Him say to me, “Lay down the perfection and listen for my calling; you will find your purpose, and your gift.” This divine moment was my glimpse of heaven.
This experience changed the trajectory of our family’s Christian lives. Bill and I decided to become more active in our church. Hubby and I shared the responsibilities as the High School Youth Group leaders. And when I say shared, I mean I did all the planning and organizing and he made sure the kids had fun. We decided to take our youth group activities one step further by preparing for our first ever mission trip. Our first trip led to many more and we spent countless nights sleeping on air mattresses in Sunday School classrooms all over Texas being the hands and feet of Christ. As we witnessed our youth give up a week of their summer to serve in the Texas heat, listen to and bond with their clients, our souls were ignited and we felt purpose to continue. One particular mission trip, we shared this God-led, God-filled week with 10 family members. Those moments are forever etched in our hearts.
This experience changed the trajectory of our family’s Christian lives. Bill and I decided to become more active in our church. Hubby and I shared the responsibilities as the High School Youth Group leaders. And when I say shared, I mean I did all the planning and organizing and he made sure the kids had fun. We decided to take our youth group activities one step further by preparing for our first ever mission trip. Our first trip led to many more and we spent countless nights sleeping on air mattresses in Sunday School classrooms all over Texas being the hands and feet of Christ. As we witnessed our youth give up a week of their summer to serve in the Texas heat, listen to and bond with their clients, our souls were ignited and we felt purpose to continue. One particular mission trip, we shared this God-led, God-filled week with 10 family members. Those moments are forever etched in our hearts.
As my faith journey continued, excitement grew as I inched my way toward an empty nest. Our youngest son graduated and was off to college and our first grandson was due to enter this world in a few short weeks. I was on a mountain-top high! A whole new season of life was beginning. Then in a split second, that all came tumbling down with my father-in-law’s leukemia diagnosis.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Over the next 2 ½ years the circle of life unfolded before my eyes. My father-in-law continued fighting for his life, and new life was brought into ours. We celebrated the births of our first 3 grandsons in 2010, 2011 and 2013. In May of 2013, my father-in-law took his last breath, and just 19 days later our fourth grandson blessed us with his presence.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Over the next 2 ½ years the circle of life unfolded before my eyes. My father-in-law continued fighting for his life, and new life was brought into ours. We celebrated the births of our first 3 grandsons in 2010, 2011 and 2013. In May of 2013, my father-in-law took his last breath, and just 19 days later our fourth grandson blessed us with his presence.
