A wonderful blessing...an Aunt!

*Please other Aunts & Uncles do not feel left out, each of you have special moments and things in my heart that some day, too, will probably come out on this blog...but today....today is for Aunt C!


Today is one of my Dad's sisters birthday, AuntCarolyn was brought into this world today and she has been a blessing to me many MANY times over. There are times I didn't always realize what kind of impact she has actually had on my life...but it has been great. There are things I probably do not even realize...but I know alot started when her and UncleDave would allow my brother and I to stay with them and go to VBS at their church. It was their church where I realized I didn't want to live my life without Jesus and in my small little mind knelt beside my bed and asked Him to come into my heart and take me to heaven when I die. Now, as a 26 year old, it seems that is way to easy and there should be more to it...but that is why we are to have child-like faith!

Anyway, I know they prayed for me, and they have always encouraged me. And when it was time to go to college they really encouraged Bible College, and I am thankful for that. But I have a wonderful letter that she shared with me just before I was going to have a pretty major surgery for a scared High School girl. You see when I look back at many of my 'big' things in life...somehow Aunt Carolyn and/or Uncle Dave were there...surgeries, plays, graduation, wedding, preparing for both graduation & wedding. It is amazing. The really cool thing is that my children have already had the blessing of spending some fun & quality time with them when they stayed with us overnight in July of this year!

Something that used to bother me (mostly because I didn't see it, but so many other did) was when people would tell me that I resemble Aunt Carolyn. And I do, I laugh like her and I do carry traits of that side of the family. But as I realized yesterday that today was her day I realized that now when people say that it is a huge compliment...one that I need to strive more at really following, because she is a very godly lady. If I could only watch and learn from her in any and every interaction I have with her there are many things in which I could take and use in my own life to have a better relationship with God. So thank you Aunt Carolyn, thank you for stepping in to make mints for our wedding because I didn't have Grandma to help, thank you for allowing us to stay with you, thank you for sitting in the hospital while I was in surgery...it was still good timing on my part, but most importantly thank you for your prayers and your godly example!

And with that I want to share the letter that I have kept for going on 12 years...the letter that pops up at just the right times here and there when I need a reminder that God is good! I hope it is okay, Aunt Carolyn, that I share:

"Dear Ashley, I want you to know that I have been thinking of you lately regarding your impending surgery. While I have never been in your position, I can easily imagine that you are apprehensive about the surgery and subsequent recovery. We all have fear of the unknown, especially when it involves medical procedures. I am remembering back several years to something you told me when you stayed with us during Bible School. On the way to the program practice you told me that you had put your trust in Jesus. That trust is the only way to have real peace bout your surgery. God will watch over the surgeon and guide him as he corrects your problems. We don't know the end form the beginning like God does, but we can trust him to work things out in the way that is bet for us. Wednesday night I intend to mention your upcoming surgery to the people who are at prayer meeting. We will all be praying for you that night, and I will be praying for you every day. Dave's dad has both of his knees operated on some time on Monday, but I plan to see you in the hospital on Monday as well. Love, Aunt Carolyn"

Now I know this can sometimes be misunderstood...so don't get me wrong here, but when I received this letter in the mail from her back in May of 1998, for my surgery that was on June 1st, if I remember right, it was almost as if God was wispering in my ear that everything was going to be fine. I am greatful for this letter, there were many times laying in waiting between when I received it and when the actual surgery happend less than a week later that I reread it...knowing it was all going to be okay! God did take care of me, and the doctors we amazed at how fast I recovered from such a big sugery. I was actually able to try out for the summer muscial and do some of the dancing in scenes that I was told before hand wouldn't happen! So Aunt Carolyn, I pray you have a wonderful and blessed birthday....thank you for being such a godly example in my life.