Life is Precious

We hear all the time that "life is precious" but do we truly appreciate the meaning of that? Do you really stop and think about what that really means? Every minute we have with our loved ones should never be taken for granted. Life is not guaranteed to us. I personally feel that phrase has become so cliche that the meaning of it doesn't have as much impact on us anymore. Until we are personally touched with some disaster or tragedy, we tend to let those words go in one ear and out the other.
My husband and I have had the privilege of becoming good friends with our neighbors. And through that friendship they have shared with us why they take those words very seriously. Today, they will appear in court and face the man that tried to take a precious life from them. Today, they will hopefully have closure on a long chapter in their life. Their son, Jared, was just 17 in January when someone tried to take him from them. Their story is one that I feel needs to be told-even if it helps just one person realize how very precious life is.

Jared had just came into his house after helping his neighbor unload her groceries. He was sitting in the living room listening to music, unaware that a man and woman were backing their truck into the back of his yard. After living in this home for 17 years, being so trustworthy of the people around them, giving to anyone who was in need in their neighborhood, they felt comfortable in leaving the front door unlocked. They came through that same front door that had welcomed them many times before. Jared was startled and saw that the guy had a gun and got up to run. But the man shot him twice in the head. The shots hadn't killed him so they pushed him toward his bedroom. They made him get in the chair and while the man took anything and everything he wanted, the girl held the gun on Jared. The guy took stuff out of the house, hurrying to load up quickly, constantly asking Jared when his parents were coming home because he knew he didn't have a lot of time. After loading the truck up, the guy came back through Jareds room once more and Jared asked him to please not do this because they knew each other. That did nothing but seem to irritate him and he told Jared that he didn't know him and he shot him again in the chest. The girl was standing over Jared and yelled "he's not dead! Shoot him again!" Jared said he knew he had to do something and he got up to fight back. That scared the girl and she ran out of the house. Jared lunged at the guy and they wrestled on the kitchen floor. Once the guy got free, he jumped up and ran out of the house. Jared got up to go after them and at that moment he said he realized that he might die. He said all he could think of at the time was his family. He made it to his neighbors house and she called 911. Jared walked out of the hospital that same week with just bandages! If any of the bullets had been just a fraction to the left or right, Jared would not be with us today. The guy was eventually caught but the girl has not been apprehended as of yet. Today, Jared and his attacker will face each other again. Today justice will be served and he will pay for his crime. I hope that he will spend plenty of time in jail, thinking about what he did and asking God to forgive him for his actions.

I shared this story to say this: Jared's life was almost lost in just a  matter of minutes. Everyday is a day that God has blessed us with. We are to love others, in spite of what we think of them. Every life is precious, so don't let your life pass you by without loving your friends and family. You never know when they might be taken from you.

Below is a letter that Jared's mom wrote to his attacker. This explains how this terrible tragedy has impacted their entire family. Please pray for them today that God will give them peace and continue to bless them.

Being a victim of violent crime has affected our family in many ways and continues to disrupt our lives daily.

Because you continue to withhold the name of your accomplice, Jared has to walk around knowing that the other person who wanted him dead is still on the loose.  Our family will continue to feel unsafe until she is behind bars with you. 

We had to move out of our own neighborhood where we had lived for 17 years because there was no way to know that your accomplice would not return to try and finish the job.  This is the only home that our kids had ever known.  Jared was unable to come home to live with us after he got out of the hospital because we feared for his life. 

We had to leave our 83 year old neighbor and her 86 year old sister who were like grandmothers to our kids.   They watched our kids grow up and loved them like they were their own.  They are both widows and we helped care for them and made sure that they were taken care of daily.  Now they don’t have anyone close to help meet their needs and we are missing being able to show them the love we have for them.

Our home would have been paid for in 10 years and we would have been able to start thinking about retiring.  We had to move because we could no longer live in the house where you tried to kill our son.  We had to move out of town and start over and now have 30 years before we will have our new house paid off.  That means that we will be working for a long time and will not be able to retire and enjoy our lives like we would have been able to.

Our daughter arrived at home just after you shot her brother and had to see him taken away in an ambulance.  She was traumatized by that.  She had to change schools two times in a nine week period and leave behind friends, some of whom she had attended school with for 11 years.  She had to move away from friends in the area that she had known her whole life.  It was not fair to her and it was all because of your selfish act.  Jared had to move away from friends that he had known his whole life as well.  He has lost many relationships because he is unable to see his friends.    He has problems with trusting others and gets angry easily.  All of this has been caused by the attempt on his life.

Jared is a walking miracle inspite of the crime you committed.  We thank God daily that he was allowed to live even though you intended to kill him for “things”.  We worked hard for the items that you stole.  There is no TV or Xbox game in the world that is worth the life of another human.   We used to have a home where we welcomed almost anyone who wanted to visit.  We had many kids from the neighborhood spend time in our house, including you.  You have taken that from us.  We are very careful now about who is in our home.  You stole that blessing from us with your selfishness. 

We know that the sentence today is not the end of this ordeal for us.  We will be at every parole hearing to try our best to see that you stay behind bars.  We will do all we can to keep you locked up so that another family will never have to go through this at your hands. In the book of Genesis, when Joseph's brothers tried to kill him because they wanted what he had, God took care of him. Joseph said in Geneis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Jared was saved and we have no way of knowing who else may have been saved by you going to prison.

Birthday Blog!!

So....it's my birthday! It's my birthday! I'm gonna party like it's my birthday!! Wut?! Wut?! Totally shocked that I'm turning ** but so glad I've made it another year! Kinda bitter/sweet these birthdays! Especially after you get past 30! Oi'! One of the coolest things about MY birthday is that I get to celebrate my mother's birthday too! She received one of her bestest birthday presents on her 19th birthday! :) It's really neat that we get to celebrate together. I mean, when I was younger I didn't think it was all that great but the older I've gotten, the more I've enjoyed it and appreciated that simple little life blessing.

Speaking of life blessings, I thought I'd take some time reflecting back on my last year's blessings. Hey, it's my birthday so humor me!


It's only by the grace of God that I can say that this past year has been full of blessings. I'm so thankful that God has allowed me and my family to go through some of the things that we have experienced because I feel it's through those unexpected trials in our life that our true character is revealed and God uses those times to teach us some of our most beautiful lessons. 

Where do I begin?? Well, I started out the year okay. I celebrated my 3rd year wedding anniversary in February. God has seen fit to have allowed me to marry the most wonderful man! He's been there with me through all of this junk and he has always stuck by my side when I have felt so alone. He has encouraged me and never looked down on me while I have been depressed, angry and confused. I hope to spend my very last breath with that man. I simply adore you Paul Richard Clark and love you like red on a rose! 

I met a great friend this year too. We've shared some great moments, not so great moments, laughs and tears but it's been worth it. And through that friendship, I've been introduced to another extension of family. I love you Kim, Mark, Sarah, and Caleb!

Lost my job this year. It wasn't the best job but it was income. I tolerated a lot of negativity, heartache, cruelty and abuse from that employer but God took that and helped me learn that I am a strong woman. I stood up for myself and stood up for honesty and truth, no matter the consequences. We hit some rock bottom patches after that. Tried to sell our house to ease some financial stress but it apparently wasn't in His plan for that to happen. But you know what? Despite the severe loss of income, we have been great! God has provided things for us and has taken such good care of us during this time that it's almost unbelievable. It has taught me that I must live by faith and when you truly live by faith, God can work miracles. I am almost overwhelmed with His goodness...it brings tears to my eyes thinking about how much He loves me!! His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches even me!

By us not selling our house, God brought a wonderful family in our lives! I can't begin to tell you how much of a blessing our new neighbors have been to us. It's been so awesome to share these past few months with them. The stamina, the courage, the intellect, the sweetness, the love, the heart that the Freemans have has touched my heart in so many ways. I love you Linda, Bobby, Jared, Tiana, and Brooke :)

My son turned 17 this August. Wow! I still can't believe I have a teen that old! Next year is his senior year in high school and I'm just in awe of how God has worked in his life. I couldn't be a prouder mom!! I love that boy so much! He is a wonderful friend, who has taught me so much. His smile touches my heart and melts me. This year, through all that we've been through, he has been so patient and doesn't complain. Such a strong young man who is growing up way too fast. I love you Tyler Wayne Michau. You are truly one of  The brightest spots in my life.

God has added a few other little bright spots in my life this year.The Kimballs have been such a blessing to me in so many ways!! Charlie and Jack filled a void in my heart that God knew needed to be filled. I can't tell you how awesome it's been to have two little ones in my life right now. With my son growing up, it's been nice to get to "relive" those sweet baby/toddler moments and share that special love with two amazing little boys! Thank you Heather and Brian for allowing me to be a part of your family. You have no idea how God is using you to bless our family. I love yall!!

I will eternally be thankful for my family, even through the rough spots that we've been through. With so many different personalities, it's easy to let things get the best of you but the true test comes in getting over those humps and coming through them closer. We must remain strong and we must not allow satan to break our bond. God designed our family and we must always remember that. I love you so much Mom, Carla, and Kelly. 

I am so thankful for my extended families and my so many other friends that God has brought into my life, like my amazing neighborhood group and my totally, funky, awesome, beautiful bunko girls! Thank you to each one of you who read this, for blessing me with your friendship. I love each of you! Here's to friends that I've had for years and to those who I'm just getting to know!! My cup runneth over...my heart is so full...life is good. Happy Birthday to me ;)

Full or Empty? Which are you?

I'm a very thankful person. I believe in being thankful for the smallest of gestures to the most amazing blessings! Over the last few months, though, I have to admit that there have been a few times that it's been hard for me to be thankful. I know that when we're faithful to God, He'll be faithful to us, and God HAS provided for us in so many different ways. It has been awesome to see how He has worked things out in our lives.

I had a conversation the other night with a young lady who is much wiser than her years. We were talking about the expression 'glass half full/half empty'. I try to look at my glass being half full. I just have a habit, not sure it's a good or bad habit, of being an optimist. I feel that there's always something good that can be found in every situation, hence my glass is half full. My husband, however, tends to be somewhat of a pessimist and  his half empty glass drives me nuts! We were discussing how pessimists get on my nerves and how optimists get on her nerves and then she said something that made me stop in my tracks. She said "You know, it really shouldn't be about the glass being half full OR half empty. I'm more worried about what's IN the glass." What a statement! I couldn't stop thinking about that. How many times do we worry about whether or not our glass if half full or half empty when what we need to be concerned about is what's IN the glass?

There have been a lot of changes in our house over the last few months and I got a little caught up in actually seeing my glass as half empty. Things I've wanted, I haven't been able to get because of these changes. BUT there have been things that I've needed that God has taken care of. My focus was on my glass being half empty and that almost caused me to miss out on enjoying what I even had in the glass! I've overlooked that I don't have to tolerate the extensive verbal abuse from my former boss, that I faced each day. I don't have to answer to someone who is unethical and demeaning. I don't have headaches anymore. I can actually rest each night. I get to spend more time at home with my husband and son. I can come and go as I please, and recently, God has allowed me to work at home watching two precious little boys who have helped fill a void in my heart. I almost robbed myself of God's blessing because I didn't even concern myself with what I had...It's not always about our glass being half full or empty...we sometimes need to just be happy with what's in our glass.