“This is a day that I never will forget..for this is the day 5 years ago that my daddy went home to be with the Lord..and it was so unexpected..it’s one of those things that catch you off guard..something that breaks your heart immediately..when I got the phone it was one of those calls as to where you hope that your dreaming..Amen..one that you in that moment your whole mind goes back over your life..and you think of them and you and what all you did with one another..if there was anything you wished you would’ve done..or would’ve said..and you remember and you recall every conversation..and in doing so you begin to think about it all and think well, why didn’t I take time..or why didn’t they?..you think that somehow there is always time in life to do things..and especially when someone you love dies..you tell yourself I am and will do better with being there and making time with my loved ones..but again as life goes on and your days begin to run into one another..somehow again it doesn’t happen..life can and will overtake you at times..especially ones that you have no control over..and death is that one thing in all of our lives that we just don’t have any control over..Amen!”

“But I guess what I came to say is that the relationship we did have was a good one..and in all of that..my dad and I knew that we loved one another..so for me I recall the simple moments..and I recall the phone calls..and the laughter..and boy oh boy could my dad laugh..he was a pretty incredible man..and I sure wish that the good Lord would have given me more time with him..but that wasn’t in His plan for our lives..but I do take time to appreciate what he did leave here on this earth..and appreciate the fact that one day I will see my dad again in glory..and I believe that with all my heart..life is but a vapor that is what the word of God says..James 4:14..and life is fast..and ever so fast at that..so what I want to say to us all..is love a little longer..laugh a little harder..and live in your moments with your loved ones..never take them for granted..for just a blink of eye..just that one phone call and it changes everything..so have no regrets..make things right in your life..if you need to ask for forgiveness than ask..Amen..if you need to have that hard conversation..than have it..Amen..just don’t let life catch you off guard..Amen!”

“Be free in your life with your family, friends and your loved ones..be free in your relationships with them..we have so much pride in us..that honestly it is ridiculous..all the while letting go of those most important people in our lives..Amen..and that is so sad..Amen..just because we can’t get past ourselves..Amen..so as I say..spend time..make time..have the party..have the get together..do the family vacation..I don’t know..have the family night..have the reunion..whatever it is just be together as a family..have unity with each other..have peace amongst each other..just live this life together..because when it’s over..it’s over..so take extra pictures..spend the extra 10 minutes on the phone..actually in a phone call with them other than just some text message..Amen..because somehow were letting go of each other..and were letting software and programs..and messengers take over communion and fellowship with one another..and I can tell you right now guys it is not the same thing..so let us pray about it all..and ask the Lord to open our eyes and our hearts to see the err of our own ways..to see the things that we need to take heart too and the things we need to change..because when the phone call happens..that’s it..it’s all over then..so be sure to do what you can do..with your family and your friends..don’t let life just pass by and you are simply existing in it other than thriving and living in it..and living in it well..in the way the Lord intended for us to be..which is with one another..living, laughing and loving..having no regrets at all..but much rather having awesome and amazing memories to carry you through those hard days when life as I say catches you off guard..just as it done to me..for it is in His name, Jesus’ name, that I ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi