Days you remember...

There are always those days that you will never forget - the dates that are forever etched in your mind for one reason or another. Those dates are typically when one of two things happened... something good or something bad. Not only do you typically remember the date these things happened, but you remember the other details... what you were wearing, what you were doing, what time it was. These are the days that memories are made. Good or bad...they are the days you will always remember. 

In my life - I have multiple dates that are significant in my life, so I thought I would just share a few. The first date I remember was in the 9th grade when the spaceship Challenger exploded after lift off.  That same year, my granddaddy passed away. Then fast forward and there are the days my children were born  - to this day, they are still my greatest accomplishment. Then there is 9/11... I remember vividly standing in my bedroom, holding my daughter and watching The Today Show.  Then you have the proud moments... when your children are baptized or when the graduate from high school - the highlight moments of your life.  Then there are the dates that you have great memories... the day you fall in love, and realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with that one person.   And then...  the dates where the hurt was almost more than you could stand.

On September 17, 2015 - we added another date in our family.  Although, I will not go into details at this time... it was a day that forever changed the way I look at life. I have seen life from a whole other perspective in the last ten days.  I have seen the hurt that unforgiven wounds can cause.  I have seen the hurt that words can cause when not said with love. I have a new appreciation for true friendships and the love that is there.  I have a new appreciation for friends who turn into family, that are willing to be there regardless of the hour.  The friends who just show up, because they love you and want you to know they support you.  The friends who show up at 11:00pm, just to make sure you get home safe.  At much sorrow and hurt, as we have had in the last ten days - I can look at this time and see God's hand in the situation, even at the worst of times.  

This week, as we move on to the next chapter of in our lives...I would encourage everyone to mend those broken fences, to tell your loved ones you love them AND show them every day. Don't ever leave anyone with hateful word, because you never know if that is the last thing you may have said to them.  If you are going to love... LOVE BIG!  Love with everything you have in you!  Give that grumpy person a hug, mend a friendship (or at least try to) - you never know what will happen.  Maybe... just maybe - you will have a new day to remember where happy memories were made.  

A few changes and fears in life...

There are some things in life that always stay the same, some things in life that seem to always change, and some things in life that you are simply scared of changing.  Then, there are those things that you wish would change. The problem with change, is not so much the change - it's the fear of the unknown because of the changes that will happen (did that even make sense?). Everything in life changes.  Your job can change, your relationship status can change, your friends can change. Family traditions can change (not if I can help it), and the church you attend may change.  It's funny how the changes that you  were scared of the most, are sometimes the ones that phase you the least or are the ones that  needed to happen more than the others. I hate change - heck, I don't even like the menu for Christmas dinner to change, but it seems there is a lot of change happening. Joshua 1:9 tells us, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  

Over the course of the past 12 months, my family has had lots of changes. J has moved to Colorado and is loving it. Although, I miss him like crazy - I am so proud of him for living out his dream and being true to himself.  I have had one 20 something move out and another 20 something move in.  I faced my biggest relationship fear last week, walked away like a champ, and knew I was exactly where I needed to be.  

One of my biggest fears in the last year, has been looking for a new church home.  I have grown up in my church, and while I love it and what it has given me and my kids - it was no longer the place I needed to be.  I have prayed and prayed over this decision and have asked God to lead us to where we needed to be.  Last Sunday,  K and I sat down in a church and as soon as the service started - I knew I was EXACTLY where I needed to be.  

We need to remember change is not always bad - sometimes it is good.  Sometimes, we may need to remember that our life may not end up the way we thought it would, but we need to pray and ask God to have us exactly where we are meant to be according to His plan.