Where were you...

Where were you when the world stopped turning...those lyrics to the Alan Jackson song are as fresh in my mind today as they were when the song was first released. I know exactly where I was on September 11, 2001 and it seems like yesterday. I was supposed to travel to Ramos Arizpe, Mexico on company business. Dale drove me to work that morning because my flight wasn't first thing and my boss, Jim, was going to drive me to the airport. There were three of us scheduled for the trip. The morning started out pretty normal and then we started getting word about the plane crashes in New York. It was getting closer to the time when we were supposed to leave for the airport. I remember Dale walking me to the car that would drive me a way and giving me the biggest and sweetest kiss and hug. All the while worrying about the news we had received. I assured him that everything would be OK. After all, I was heading to Mexico, not New York. My boss and I headed for the airport and it was silent most of the way. We both had our reservations about leaving, but neither of us wanted to say it. We were to meet our third "travel companion" at the airport. Since we were flying out of PGV it was only a short drive. As we parked the car and entered the airport, our attention was immediately drawn to the television monitors in the waiting area. We watched as the third plane crashed into the Pentagon. With that, Jim turned to me and said, we're out of here. None of us are getting on a plane. Seconds later, they shut down all flights...I think my next emotion was relief, but I'm not sure. All I wanted to do was get back to my husband and then my children. We drove back to the office in utter shock.

I remember holding my husband and children VERY CLOSE that night...while I don't think I was ever in harm's way...one never knows. From that moment on I tried not to take for granted the moments I have with my loved ones.

Today, I remember all those who lost their lives that September day and those that still live with the memories, pain, and loss.

God Bless all of you!
Amen...

He "spoke" to me

I read the phrases in a friend's blog earlier today that really resonated with me. She wrote "What am I doing? What am I supposed to be doing? Am I really getting it?" I have asked myself those very same questions a lot lately. I went into work early today and had a calendar filled with web casts and meetings until around 11:30. I decided I would take a trip to the post office at lunch time today to get my father's birthday present in the mail. Usually the moment I get into the car I turn the radio up. For some reason I decided to turn the radio off and ride in silence. I've heard so many people say that God speaks to them when things are quiet, so I thought I would give it a try. I looked to the sky (and also kept my eyes on the road of course) and asked God, what am I doing? give me a sign? what is my purpose? why am I here? I kept expecting a voice, a vision, something to answer my questions. Instead, I arrived at the post office with no answers.

I decided to grab a bite to eat on my way back to work (Taco Bell drive thru) because by this time, the silence was driving me crazy and I thought the crunch of a taco would help! I kept reaching for the power button to turn on the radio or a CD but kept resisting the temptation because I needed answers. About a mile away from work I lowered the sun visor and my Natalie Grant; Awaken CD fell into my lap. I almost laughed out loud. You see, the title of my friend's blog entry was "Awakening." I thought "this is my sign from God." I couldn't wait to get back to work to pop the CD in and listen to it while I sorted through the chaos that would consume the rest of my day.

I need to take a brief “detour” in my story because what happened next I believe was another message from God. Shortly before arriving at work I passed a field full of clover-like greens. As I glanced over I saw a yellow butterfly in the field and my thoughts immediately turned away from my troubles and toward Lindsay and Ayden. I recalled Lindsay’s words in a recent post “Since Ayden's passing, a butterfly has been nearby me every time I've been outside. I believe God puts things like that in our lives to comfort us. I will always think of Ayden when I see a butterfly...” As soon as the memory crossed my mind I saw a group of four yellow butterflies in the field playing like children. This made me smile and I thanked God for bringing Lindsay, Jeremy, and Ayden into my life.

Now back to the first story…Once I got into work, I popped the Natalie Grant CD into my computer and to my surprise instead of playing her beautiful music, my CD drive clunked and chugged and the CD wouldn’t play. Without further action on my part Windows Media player began randomly playing songs that are stored on my computer. The first to play was Still a Dream by Nicole C. Mullin. If you know the song these words will be familiar to you: “There is still a dream to believe, there is still a hope after hope is gone, we can be the Father’s hands, give love a chance and show the world there is still a dream…” Maybe this is what I need to be doing…showing the world there is still a dream with the love I have to offer to my friends, foes, and family.

Next on the play list was Held by Natalie Grant. This is one of my favorite songs! Over the past few weeks I’ve asked myself, what else? Enough is enough. There has been death, sickness, strife, and no end in sight. Maybe I’m not “really getting it.” These things are happening for a reason and I need to place all of my trust in God and believe that He will see me (and other believers) through these turbulent times. So, maybe the words in this song were his message to me to remind me that He is there for me always.

“This is what it means to be heldHow it feels, when the sacred is torn from your lifeAnd you surviveThis is what it is to be loved and to knowThat the promise was when everything fellWe'd be held”

After listening to these songs a sense of peace overcame me that hadn’t been there in quite some time.

Maybe the events of the day are pure coincidence, but I don’t think so. I believe these were communications from my Father and I intend to stop and “listen” for his words more often. I need his guidance so that I can fulfill His plan for my life. I want to greet as many of you as possible at the gates of heaven because I somehow touched your life!

A busy week

Well, another week has gone by too fast for me. Dale celebrated his 44th birthday on Sunday. We had a nice dinner with his mom and dad and some great friends. Devin put on a skateboard "show" in the driveway! Thank God for helmets.



This week was busy at work...I'll leave it at that. Devin started football practice Thursday. He'll be playing for the Panthers again this year. Ashley went to a friend's house last night so I decided to go on a date with my "boys." We went to dinner at East Coast Wings and ran into friends Wendy and Rob. Then off to see G.I. Joe...I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The best part was spending time with them!


Just hanging out today...my hubby is cooking breakfast. Probably should clean the house but time will tell.

A Week of Firsts...

Before I get too far along, I probably should explain the name of my blog. B.A.D.D. actually stands for Bobbie, Ashley, Dale, and Devin...the members of our family. It is with a heavy heart that I begin this family blog. I want to begin to document my life and the life of my family.

Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

The past four days have been a series of "firsts" to borrow the phrase from someone who experienced a great loss this week.

Tuesday morning began much like any other first day of school with a few exceptions. My son headed off to his first day of middle school. I can't believe my baby is already 11 years old. On the way to school, his bus malfunctioned and he was sprayed with anti freeze...need I say more?

Shortly after, my daughter headed off to her first day of high school. Where does the time go? I'm just not ready for this.

I had only been at work a few hours when I received an e-mail requesting prayer for a brother and sister in Christ. This young couple was on the way to the emergency room because their 4 month old son was unresponsive. Less than two hours later we received the news no one expected. Their precious son had passed away. Shock is the only word I can use to describe how I felt. Devastated is the emotion I felt for Jeremy and Lindsay.

Two days later, I found myself attending my first infant funeral. The Celebration of Life for Ayden Brooks Jones. I left work early to be at the church to help out in any way that I could. Nothing could have prepared me for this experience. I continue to be so overwhelmed with emotion as I write this that I'm not even sure what to say. So, I'll simply say that the witness Jeremy and Lindsay provided will stay with me forever. What amazing strength and faith these two young people have! I will not mourn Ayden, I will praise him and the impact he has on so many of us.

After nearly four hours I just wanted to go home and curl up in bed. Instead I headed to JH Rose high school to watch my daughter cheer for her first football game. She did a GREAT job! We were so proud of her.

So, this concludes my first entry...not sure how this will go or what tomorrow will bring, but these are my thoughts for today.