Saying Goodbye...But Just for a Little Bit...

     Today, I wish a happy second Heaven day to my grandfather. Two years ago today, he went home for eternity--leaving the rest of us stuck on this earth for awhile longer.
     Grandpa, while I know it seems like only a few moments have passed for you, to me it seems like decades have passed in these two years. I'm twenty-one now, and Cyndi married that silly boy, Andy. She also graduated college, while that beautiful younger cousin of mine, Karissa, is about to graduate from high school. We sure miss you when the big things happen, but I certainly miss you during the little things too. Every time I head out to you house, it's still weird to see Grandma without you. She's doing good though. I know she misses you on a daily basis, but she's still going. When I go to Dewey, I think about how you would ask me if I'd found a guy yet. Well the answer is still no, but I'm still praying and looking. I really miss you but I love how your legacy still lives on in many, many ways as well. You have children that are following the King you taught them to love. Those kids taught their kids to follow God, as well. You saw all of this happening while you were here, but now your grandchildren are passing along a legacy of love and prayer to their children just like you did for them. Remember those times you would squeeze ketchup all over my plate and I would eat it all? Every time I reach for a ketchup bottle, I think of my missing grandfather. So while all of these things may make me sad and miss you here on this earth, I remember after just a few seconds that you have it better than I do right now. You are in the place you always longed to be. On this day two years ago, you met your Maker and it became the day you had been dreaming of all your life. So here's to wishing you a happy second Heaven day.
     My grandpa was a great man of God. He spent his whole life chasing after God, not fame or money. He served as a pastor in many towns and helped to serve the people of those towns with his hands as well as his words. Out of his marriage to my wonderful grandma, he raised five wonderful children. The middle child of this lively bunch, followed in my grandfather's steps and became a pastor as well as a wonderful father to three beautiful girls. For the first twelve years of my life, I lived in the same town as my grandpa and was able to see him in action. From many sleepovers and sick days spent at my grandparents' house, I saw the constant prayer and love that went to his family, friends, enemies, and any one else around him.
      It was hard to say good-bye to him two years ago and it's still hard to sit here and think about the fact that it could be many, many decades before I get the chance to see him again. Yet that's just the thing, I have an assurance that I will see him again. I may miss him for awhile but in just a few short moments in the terms of eternity, I will see him again. I know that because he lived a life committed to our Heavenly Father and that I strive to do the same, someday I will be with him for eternity. Until that day comes, I will try to follow in his footsteps and run after my (and his) God--the one true God of the Bible.

     --In loving memory of the greatest prayer warrior I have ever known, Reverend Donald LeRoy Rothfuss--
Happy Second Heaven Day

Focusing on the Little Things...

     Long time no post...Sorry about that folks. This crazy duck lady has been so busy that she's lucky her ducks can survive without attention. Between stepping up to a position of leadership in basically every extracurricular I'm involved in and being a junior education major, I've barely been able to breathe. It's been an interesting semester to say the least.
     Then you throw the turmoil and conflict that has been up heaving our nation these past few months and I think my brain is about to explode. I'm not a very political person. In fact, I normally just try to avoid the political scene and discussions. Yet our country is in a kind of scary place right now. Sometimes it just seems easier to hide from it, but right now it almost makes my brain want to explode.
     Anyway, I've been trying to keep myself busy on the small items that make my life enjoyable so I don't over stress on the things I can't control. These things can be as little as the fact that I can lay down and watch one of my all time favorite TV shows and block out the world. But I've also been remembering in this month of thankfulness all the things my Heavenly Father has blessed me. To start off the long list, I have a family that couldn't love me more even if they tried. I recently turned 21 (whoop whoop) and to celebrate my birthday my family came to visit me. Actually, my sister drove like 1500 miles just to see me perform in a play and help me celebrate another year. We had a large family get together at my grandma's house and then spent the afternoon playing games. Yeah, I got presents, but the truth is I didn't really notice the presents in the midst of the fun I was having with a family that loves me and everyone else in the family. I also have some pretty great friends. I live with three girls that put up with a lot from me. I can be temperamental. I can be extremely annoying. I can also get quite depressed at times. Yet even in my crazy irate moments, my housemates are my friends. I don't know what I would do without friends that support me and teach me hard lessons. Two of these friends live way too far away. They attend different schools and I just don't get to see or talk to them enough. Yet even when we haven't talked in awhile, I know they are there and more importantly I know that they are thinking of and praying for me.
     This thought leads me to the biggest thing of all for which I am thankful: Prayer. I have parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that pray for me. I also have teachers, coaches, and mentors that pray for me. A benefit of attending a Christian university. With all the turmoil that happens in my life and the craziness that is happening in our country and world, I am extremely thankful for prayer. No matter what happens in the future, no one will ever be able to stop me from talking to my King. He has promised to always listen to me and always answer me. Even though this answer is sometimes "no" or "wait", I can always stand on the promise of a listening ear.
     So when the big things start to overtake you, remember the little things and focus on the one big thing that matters: the God of the Bible...
     That's all for now. I'll try to update you more as the semester draws to an end. And if I don't survive the semester, I hope that one of you will care for my 14 rubber duckies. Have a quacky and prayerful day.