Mommom

There is a time and a season for everything. But some seasons are more easily (and joyfully) journeyed than others. This is a season in my family’s life that requires more faith, strength and is accompanied by more tears and heartache than I would wish upon my worst of enemies. We said “see you later” to a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. My Grandmother is now dancing and singing and picking flowers with the Lord.




Loss of loved one’s is hard in any circumstance, but I’m going to boldly say it’s so much worse when the life is taken tragically, senselessly and brutally.

My “Mommom” was a beautiful lady. Here are a few memories, quotes and lessons I have gleaned from her over the years…

• Always eat the crust of your bread, it will give you curly hair

• Singing “God Bless America” after you stub your toe totally works

• Do a jigsaw puzzle. Mostly because it’s awesome time spent with family.

• You can find beauty in everything. Just look!

• “There is something with your name on it inside every store!”

• “Only happy people shop at nurseries” – This woman can makes sticks grow! Really.

• There are times when it’s appropriate to take the beaten path, but more often than not, blaze your own trail!

• If all else fails, add garlic.

• A proper manicure consists of 8 steps: Prime, base coat, first color coat, second color coat, maybe a third?, top coat, shiny coat and quick dry.

• Talbots

• Getting dressed up to go to Lion’s Club meetings when I visited Miami in the summers.

• Give. Until it hurts. You may be used and abused and unappreciated sometimes – give anyways.

• You can do anything. The key is to believe with every fiber in you that you can.

• ‘Mad money’

• Materials and wealth will come and go, so above all – people matter. Invest in your relationships.

• Smile

• Going to the salon and getting perms every summer in elementary

• When in doubt, be outlandish! You won’t regret it.

• You need to travel any chance you get. And everywhere you go, make sure you dance.



Mommom,

You set the bar high. I’m going to try and make you proud!

Love ya,
Amberbaby


Watch this for pictures of an awesome lady!

Q & A

Merry Christmas AND Happy New Year! It's been a wonderful holiday season for me. I have reach my (approx) 6 month mark in my new home (and it's feeling more like home all the time!), I enjoyed an awesome vacation home with the family...

and have had many growing experiences! As I continue to grow and learn more about people, the world and more than anything else, myself, I am learning how important it is to ask the hard questions. My pastor at church made a comment several weeks ago that has really stuck with me...

"True seekers want the real answers. Generally, people wont take the time to ask questions that get REAL answers. We want the short cuts."

Isn't that so true? It happens in my life all the time. All you need to do is turn on an infomercial and you will find some product that will guarntee that you can be made young again, magically thin or able to speak 12 languages with the flip of a switch. Think those programs would be airing if people didn't call? Think the people that buy into that ever thought, "Hmm, I wonder HOW that works?" Nope. They didn't. Or else they would not have thrown away 2 payments of $39.99 plus shipping and handeling.

But what about the more important matters of life? I undoubtedly believe in God and have been a baptized Christian from the age of 11, but can I answer "Why do you believe in God?", "How do you know He is there?", "How does he work in your life daily?", etc.

What about the people we interact with? Maybe the reason we (as a society on whole) are stuggling in the department of relationships in general (be it marriages, parenting, friendships, leadership, etc) is because we aren't asking the tough questions. What makes these people tick? How can God use me to intimatly embrace this life? How can I become more selfless to help this relationship? This relationship is failing - but WHY? And what can I DO about it?

Another quote from our minister I really like --

"You have never locked eyes with someone who did not matter intamtely to God."

I know I forget this in my everyday dealings with people. Some people are harder to love from a "flesh" perspective, but what can I do to change that perspective? How can I see these people with God's wide lense view?

As I approach this New Year, I am asking God for the courage to ask the tough questions, to embrace the tough answers that follow and to act upon the callings that stem forth.

Lord, may I become less and you become more. Allow me the eyes to see people, my life and the world through your eyes that I may love more.



**Minister: Isaac Hunter, Summit Church in Orlando, FL