Time to get back to the blogging

I am not going to chat it up about how long it has been since my last blog, instead I am a back in business and be ready to follow a crazy ride! LOL! 15 years ago this May I walked across the football field of Neosho HS and received my diploma. The world was at my fingertips. Unfortunately, like many teens I found myself lost in a world of chaos and confusion. It wasn't until we had our first son that it really hit me. I didn't “have” to go back to school; I HAD to go back to school. I had to make a better life for my family. For most people who have the desire to go to school, there is not a lot to really stress over. Well for me, this is where it began to get a little tricky. When I was in the 3rd grade (1989) I was hit by a minivan in front of my parents’ house. The Mini Van was traveling between 45-50 MPH, in a 25 MPH residential neighborhood. As a result of the accident I suffered a traumatic brain injury, causing me to have lifelong learning disabilities. When I was 18 college seemed impossible. One teacher believed in me enough to research, to see if there was a way for me to go to college. She and I spent an entire weekend in a small classroom at our high school, and I took the ACT verbally; because she believed in me, I began to believe in myself. Every child, every student, and every person deserves a chance. I could have easily said “I can’t” and moved on with my life. Instead I chose to look the devil in the eyes, grab life by the horns and say “I can and I will!” Recently I made the decision to pursue my master’s degree, and it was the easiest decision I have made in years. Before my time in the degree completion program at Evangel University, I was lost. I was broken. The faculty and staff invested in not only my education, but my well-being, helping me to find my way home. In September 2006 I truly received Jesus in my life. It was a true result of the faculty and staff at Evangel. I have since grown as a person, mother and employee. I am the co-founder of the Aurora United Soccer Club, a Christian outreach program for the children of Lawrence County; the added benefit - they get to play soccer, and hear the Gospel along the way. I currently serve on the Aurora Parks board, the employee relationship committee with Jack Henry & Associates as well as volunteer in the children’s ministry at James River Assembly. My passion is finding the lost, and bringing them home! Non of which I would be doing today, if not for the boldness of others. Often we sit back and say to ourselves "I will let someone else do it". But what if that someone else never shows up? What if someone else never steps up to the occasion? It would be so easy for me to sit back and say "well you were all right, I am not going to amount to much more then a factory worker" (please do not take offense to that phrase, that is just what I was told). Or.... and I say or with passion! I could stand face to face with the devil, laugh at him, and persevere! Arise to the challenge! Refuse to take NO for an answer, refuse to settle for anything but what God has for me! So I have to study a little different, so school is a little harder for me. BIG DEAL! The question is how bad do I want it? How bad do you want it? People, excuses are just that! A hand out is just that! Refuse to allow the bad to out weigh the good! Refuse to let anyone tell you that you are anything less then great! Dream, believe and overcome!