A hard day....

Friday was a rough day...I cried most of the day. I couldn't get my grandfathers out my mind! It has been a little over four years since I lost them and not a day goes by that I don't think about them. My friend's grandpa was not doing well and it got me thinking. So many things that they missed out on... and will miss out on.

The last Christmas we spent together...2006

We knew it was Papa Hindley's last Christmas...we had been praying for him to make it that long so we could spend one last holiday with him. It was a bittersweet time! He got to see all eight of his grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He passed away four days later on a Friday morning. I remember coming in very late Thursday night--cause I had been out playing volleyball like I did everything Thursday night that I was home from college-- I remember telling him goodnight and that I would see him in the morning. He was gone when I woke up in the morning. It was so hard. The funeral was Sunday...New Years Eve. Then I went back to college two days later. It all happened so fast.

Papa and Gram with Alyssa and Ryan June '05

Papa with Justin Oct '06

Papa and Gram with Alyssa, Ryan, and Justin Oct '06

Pap Stroupe it was totally different. No one ever suspected it was our last holiday, or my last time to ever see my grandfather alive. I went back to college on January 2nd. Three weeks later on a Monday, I got a phone call saying they were rushing him to the hospital. He never made it to the hospital from what I was told. Later I was told was that he had slipped on the ice and his pacemaker wasn't working. Friday of that same week was the funeral...but i wasn't home... I was in TN at college. It was a hard day.

Pap with Jared, Faith, Me, and Ashley Prob '90

Pap and Gram with Alyssa and Ryan Dec '04

Since then...They have missed out on the birth of great grandchildren, my college graduation, and grandchildren's high school graduations. They will miss out on weddings, great grandchildren being born, and so many other great events.

I wouldn't wish them back for anything because I know they are both walking streets of gold right now with the Lord. I just miss them so much! Holidays are the hardest...specially Christmas...but seeing a friend going through what I went through is killing me!

All Good Things Must Come To An End!

Gettin' ready for the conference...hair that doesn't cooperate is CRAZY!

The conference was AMAZING! What else can I say! The speakers were amazing and the Lord truly blessed! I got to spend some times with friends whom i had not seen in a year...it was great! So thankful to my Aunt, Uncle, Amber, and Lizzie for letting me crash at their places while I was in Tennessee!

Well I drove back to FL on Tuesday and it was a great drive! Spring break has been ok..Its been boring but restful I guess..

Got to go to dinner with a friend on Thursday...then went shopping! :-) Even though i hate shopping it was fun!

Vacation!

Youth Conference was great! I had a great time with all the kids!

Friday night at about 11 I set out on my first LONG road trip by myself! I drove till about 3 AM then stopped at a rest stop for some sleep! Woke up around 7:30 and got back on the road. Drove through four states - Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee - it was great! Arrived about 5 PM at my Aunt and Uncles. So excited to be back in TN! Had a great day Sunday at Temple - I hadn't been there since my graduation! Got to hang out with some friends that I hadn't seen since then also! We had a blast at Cheddars!

Today I stayed with my Aunt for most of the day just spent some time shopping and then laying around the house! I will be off to services later on tonight. Excited to hear Bro Roberson and Bro Lou Baldwin!

Unanswered Prayers

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' Him

That just because He may not answer doesn't mean He don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Sometimes the things we want most in life are not really what we are supposed to have. Many times it takes lots of time for us to actually realize this. Unfortunately, some people have to learn this the hard way. Why is it that we get out hearts so set on something even though we know that its not what we are supposed to do? I think it is because it is something we know we can't have. Every girl dreams of that perfect life-- a husband, children, and the little house with a white picket fence--but not every girl is going to get it. (I'm sorry girls, I didn't mean to burst your bubble, but its the truth.) We all can't have what we want all the time. If we could we would live in a perfect world, which again sorry to burst your perfect bubble but we don't. When things happen in our lives, we don't always understand why things don't go our way. Sometimes life is a climb.

I can almost see it that dream I am dreaming but there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking every move I make feels lost with no direction my faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain i'm always gonna wanna make it move always gonna be a uphill battle sometimes I'm gonna have to lose ain't about how fast I get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb

The struggles I'm facing the chances I'm taking sometimes might knock me down but no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it but these are the moments that i'm gonna remember most, yeah just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong just keep pushing on