Merry Christmas, True Texans!

We had our annual TTP Christmas party this week.  The pictures say it all, though of course being there in person is the best.  

Go through these photos and tell me what you notice.

I'll tell you what I notice:  the ages.

True Texas Project is multi-generational.  From toddlers sneaking extra cookies to kids pleading with me with their eyes to invite them into the conga line (of course I did!) to the youth who entered the scholarship contest to the couple in their 70s cutting a rug to a 92-year-old gal celebrating her birthday to every age in-between, these are True Texans.  

Why is that significant?  

20-some-odd years ago when we started attending First Baptist Grapevine, Fred and I were invited to join a new Sunday school class they were testing out.  It wasn't the typical class divided by age.  This was a mixer class, and we loved it.  I remember Fannie Mae - yes, that was really her name, and she embodied it as the quintessential great-grandma.  When I got had my baby, she brought us the best pot roast, not once but twice!  The Tresnisky's were my parents' age.  They doted on us as new parents, giving us everything we'd need - even furniture!  At the same time, there were people in the class with kids of all ages, and some without any. I met a younger gal named Glenda who was a teacher.  After my daughter was a couple years old, she marched up to me and said, "She's GT."  I had no idea what she was talking about, but she explained, "Gifted & Talented.  You can spot them right away."  May not seem like much, but what rookie mom doesn't want to know that her kid is gonna make it from someone who has more insight than her??? All of us had life stories to share and experiences to learn from, and it was absolutely wonderful.  We felt truly welcomed and part of the church all because of that one class.  It's like it connected us to every area of life.  Sadly, they dissolved the class, and we moved on to the typical "40s and 50s" class.  That was great too, but it was nothing like the variety we had previously.  

And that is what True Texas Project offers.  Over and over again, y'all come to me with stories about how the relationships formed at our events have changed your life.  

As I looked around the room at the Christmas party, and everyone had arms around each other singing "Lean On Me", I nearly choked up.  I could look at different people and think, "Yes, I remember when she was going through such and such and we prayed for her."  Or, "I wonder if he's remembering the time we laughed so hard at the ball game."  And best of all, I saw faces of those who have been there for me and for my family in the most amazing, supportive ways throughout the past 17 years. What an incredible blessing. 

And what other group gives you that???

Yes, all of you are a blessing to me in one way or another.  My prayer this Christmas is that you'll make plans to be more present in 2026 so you can experience this same blessing.  There's plenty to go around!

Thanks for being there.
For the love of Texans (I added the "n" this time),
Julie McCarty, CEO
True Texas Project

PS. Congrats to Heidi Baugus for winning our drawing! Merry Christmas!