Heaven Needed Him More

Today is the birthday of my dear friend, Aaron Williams. He would be 39. However, God chose to take him away from us 5 1/2 years ago. He was a Marine. And the most awesome, Marine in the world. Ah, how I miss him. God chose to take him Home, not through war, but through a brain tumor, giving us time to say "good-bye." The six months that the doctor gave him stretched into three years, and for those three years we watched as Aaron struggled through multiple surgeries, chemo, alternative medicine, and finally he came home to die. We knew that each moment could be our last with him, and so we cherished each day and memory. I will never forget holding his hand the night before he went to Heaven. Standing at his beside, tears rolling down my cheeks as I told him how much I loved him and how he would always be my favorite jar head. I realized that would probably be the last time I would see him alive on this earth, it was.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is hard. It's been 5 1/2 years and I still remember his birthday, and wish I could call him up just to say hello. He was one of the finest men God ever made, and his memory lives on in the hearts of those who were privileged to know and love Aaron. Heaven needed a hero so God took ours, leaving us behind to mourn our loss. However, we know that our parting is but for a moment, and soon, we will see him again in Heaven.

The Sky is NOT the Limit

Recently I was texting a friend who is just as politically interested as I am, he lives in California. We were joking back and forth about when we are the governors of our respective states and the changes we'd make. And of course we went on to dream about being the President, Vice President, etc. It was good, innocent fun. All of a sudden this thought hit me, "Seriously, I'm so excited about the future and so glad God placed me in this country...the sky is literally the limit. And even then, there is always space exploration. It's awesome."

This country was based on a principle very similar to that. Our own Declaration of Independence declares, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuite of Happiness." Those words are some of the most famous in the United States, yet many don't truly believe them. Some have been conned into thinking that their station in life, their job, their current circumstances are all that they are ever going to have. They think that they can't do better. And in some countries that is true.

Not in America.

Here we are given the opportunity to become whatever we dream, no matter what our background is, how wealthy our family was, or how young or old we are. I may be young, but I have the ability to become a Congresswoman or Senator, Governor, Secretary of Defense, Ambassador, and yes, eventually even the President of the United States. If politics wasn't my forte, I could become a brain surgeon, geologist, pilot, small business owner...whatever I wanted. America is truly the land of opportunity. There is no such thing as being too ambitious here.

Life here isn't perfect. It has it's ups and downs. There are people who will try to discourage you from achieving and reaching for your dreams. But don't give up. As long as we are a free country, America will continue to be a beacon to the world of freedom and opportunity. Remember, the sky is literally the limit, and if you want to go further, try space exploration.

On the Moon and God's Timing

Last night I went to a truck pull with a good friend of mine. Being girls, we didn't just sit and watch the trucks (although we did a lot of that), we also talked quite a bit --we always do when we're together. We discussed life and how difficult it is to see the big picture. We both know that God is in control, and we are both happy waiting on Him, yet sometimes that wait is so hard to bear. We know if we trust God and delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts, yet still, our hearts long for certain things for which God has not yet given the "ok."

Towards the end of the night I looked up at the moon. It was a beautiful, bright harvest moon, although not full. (After I got home I looked it up and it is a waning gibbous.) The moon is not always beautiful and bright, sometimes it's hidden by clouds. Other times it's not as full as we would like it to be, but eventually that phase comes and it is something amazing to behold. A new moon doesn't even appear to be in existence, but still it is, we just have to wait. No matter what, the sun is still behind the moon and it is shining, even in the moon's darkest hours.

Life is so much like the moon. We go through phases of fullness and completeness, only to be hit by a phase of slow waning and then darkness. At times it seems like things should be going well, but the clouds of doubt and despair move in and cover our joy. Yet through it all God's Son is shining behind and through us, longing for us to allow Him to make us into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine. He always sees us as a full moon, because He knows the path that we are going to be taking. We simply have to trust Him. Every one of us has the potential to reach the full moon phase when Jesus is shining through us.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever...to him who made the great lights...the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever." {Psalm 136:1,7a,9}

Month of Weddings

This month alone I have attended three weddings of good friends of mine, and had several others that I could not be at! In two of those three weddings I played my cello and/or piano.

*~~Cody and Grace~~*

*~~Jon and Heather~~*

*~~Alex and Amanda~~*

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day in America was designed as a day to honor those who have served, are serving, or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There are tributes, rallies, parades, cookouts, family get together's, baseball games, eating, and on the list could go. Unfortunately, many people do not take the time to remember the sacrifices that were paid so that we have the chance to live in the freest country in the world.

This weekend for me was spent in a flurry of activity. I was in Ft. Wayne (a city 45 minutes west) three times, Goshen (a city about 45 minutes north) twice, and South Bend (a city about 1 1/2 hours northwest) once! The weather included one incredibly bad storm, one tornado warning and horrible storm, and sun and heat. My car died in Ft. Wayne and is still there at the moment, I have a bad case of sun burn, and all in all, I have a weekend packed with memories and laughter that I would do all over again given the chance. Below are pictures that were snapped during this wonderful time in my life.

~In the WOWO studio with Pat Miller~

I was given the chance to be in studio with Pat on Friday afternoon during his talk show, it was great fun!

~With my friend Brandi~

We met at the mall and went out to eat at Red Lobster after the show on Friday.

~ARMAD Rally for the Troops in Ft. Wayne~

On Saturday was the rally for the troops by ARMAD, "Amature Radio Military Appreciation Day"

~Fort Wayne TinCaps Game Saturday Night~

Unfortunately we were rained out

~Sunday~

Sunday was a bit hairy because I was stuck in Wal-Mart during a tornado warning. This picture was taken in the Wal-Mart parking lot during that time.

~Monday~

I had spent the night in Goshen and went to South Bend very early on Monday morning to walk in a parade.

~TinCaps Game~

We were able to exchange our tickets for Monday's game. Unfortunately they lost after a four game winning streak. We had a lot of fun though!

Prayer for a Friend

I would like to ask all of my blogger friends to pray for one of my best friends, Randy and his sister Amy and the entire Smucker family (names have been changed).

Over the past few years Amy has run away several times, and she once again ran away a few weeks ago. She went with a guy who was not at all good for her, but was convinced by good, Christian family to live with them until things could be worked out. She was safe, everyone was relieved. Randy and Amy were always close, and Randy was able to spend some time with her talking to her, and encouraging her to come back home. He was very pleased with her reaction to him.

Yesterday some sad news came...Amy ran away from the other family with the same guy, again. Randy and the entire family is very upset and distraught over the situation. I do not know all of the details, but I do know that she is in a very bad situation and Randy almost cried when I talked to him on the phone yesterday. She has done a lot of things to hurt her family and close friends.

Please pray that Amy will come back to God and her family. Also pray for the Smucker family as they go through this difficult time.

Day 8: A Thank You Letter to Someone Who Changed My Life

Left to Right

Standing: LeAnne, Hannah

Sitting: Mr. C and Mrs. C

Dear Mrs. Campbell,

I wanted to write you a note to thank you for all that you have done in my life and in the life of my family. You have been more of a blessing than you will ever know and I love you very dearly.

Over the years you have watched me grow up and have always been a kind friend, a confidante, and a great encourager. No matter what the circumstance, I can always rely on the fact that you will listen to what I say and give good, Goldy wisdom when I need direction. You have never been afraid to tell me when I was doing something wrong, and yet, when I do something right you are always encouraging and praising me.

I have always been able to rely on your prayer support as I grow and make decisions on my own. Looking back, I see how much those prayers have really helped me along, even at times when I may not have wanted them.

Spending time at your house has always been a treat. From learning proper table etiquette (remember that crazy demerit system we set up for bad etiquette?!), to eating ice cream on the porch while watching the squirrels run though the gardens, memories of you and Mr. Campbell are all warm and fun and I could come up with a long list of memories. Watching chic flicks, taking pictures of your flowers, going shopping, eating all sorts of yummy food, talking late at night with you and LeAnne, trying to help remodel your house (or at least watching Mr. Campbell do it), and going to church, are just a few marvelous memories.

One thing about you that has always stuck out in my mind is your positive attitude -- even when you are in pain. You do your best to not let on that you don't feel well, but even when it becomes obvious and you can no longer hide it, your sweet spirit and constant trusting in the Lord has been an excellent example to me.

I don't think you will even know how much of an example of a Godly Christian lady you have been to me. I have learned much from you, and I love you very much!

Love,

~Hannah~

Christmas Banquet

The first weekend of December Shawnee had a Christmas banquet...here are some pictures.

*****Before the banquet*****

*****All the "single girls"*****

*****Ruthie, Kaye Lani, Laura, Hannah*****

*****Theresa and I played a duet during the service*****

*****Amanda and Kaye Lani*****

*****My date, John*****

*****Kaye Lani, Kasie, Laura*****

*****Anna, Laura*****

*****Carrie, Laura*****

*****Carrie, Kaye Lani*****

*****Amy.....she had just drunk lemon juice*****

*****After the banquet, Amy and Brandon had bought glow sticks*****

*****Derrick and Tiffani*****

*****Amanda, Hannah, Laura, Kaye Lani*****

*****Kaye Lani, Tiffani, Laura*****

*****Tim, Laura*****

*****Laura, Kaasi, Anna, Theresa*****