A Walk Down Memory Lane

Well, after much contemplation to delete this blog and start fresh and/or delete this blog and take a break forever… I decided to keep this blog and plunge forward.  I would be lying if I didn’t say life has been HARD these past few months.  If you would have told me that’s how it all would have ended a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you- in fact, I probably would have boycotted you. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world where hurt and pain are alive and well.  The Bible is very clear "the thief comes to kill and steal and destroy" (John 10:10) and that’s about all I am going to say about these past few months. If that doesn’t make sense to you… it’s probably best for now. Thankfully, that’s not where the story ends.  The Bible also tells us:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-16

“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

And since I believe there is HOPE in the healing process, I am going to choose to focus on some of the happy times I had during my time in Franklin, Tennessee over the past five years.

• I was able to see more celebrity homes than I ever imagined. You can read about some of them here.
• I went to the Grand Ole Opry 4-5 times and saw Rascal Flatts get invited to be members of the Grand Ole Opry; heard John Connolly sing “Rose Colored Glasses”; listened to Little Jimmy Dickens tell his funny jokes; had the privilege of seeing Charlie Daniels play the fiddle while singing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”; and watched Carrie Underwood perform live!
• I saw the Rockettes at the Grand Ole Opry.
• I toured the Jack Daniels Distillery- it was a neat experience even though I don’t drink alcoholic beverages.
• I landed my first real job (and stayed 5 years)!
• I went to an amazing church. I will forever be grateful for the people I met there.
• I met some amazing people who would be on my dream team if I were into that sort of thing.
• I saw Norah Jones perform live at the Ryman Auditorium.
• I listened to songwriters sing their own songs at the Bluebird Café.
• I created my own jewelry line.
• I grew more emotionally, spiritually, and physically than I ever imagined (especially in the last few months).
• I cooked my first Thanksgiving meal- twice!
• I had a doctor’s appointment with Reese Witherspoon’s father.
• I cheered on the Predators several times a year.  
• I went to a Titans game.
• I made my own pancakes at the Pfunky Griddle with some fun friends.
• I went to a few of Gen’s awesome thrift sales (thanks to my friend, Lindsey).
• I fell in love with Barre Amped (but was too cheap to keep going).
• I received the phone call that one of my favorite graduate school friends accepted Christ into her heart.
• I had the privilege of helping start a program for middle school students with special needs at our church.
• I traveled to new places such as Holiday World, Austin, Charleston, Savannah, Hilton Head, Asheville, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Deer Valley, Breckenridge, Fall Creek Falls, Yellowstone National Park, and Snowshoe.
• I tried (and cooked) asparagus, pomegranate, and brussels sprouts for the first time.
• I attended an art retreat with my mom.
• I grew closer to my family (that absence makes the heart grow fonder is true, folks).
• I attended the 44^th Annual CMA Awards.
• I had a few celebrity sitings (don't worry I only approached one of them):
• Faith Hill- She held the door open for me at Rebecca’s in downtown Franklin.
• Naomi Judd- I saw her in downtown Franklin.
• Kelli Pickler- I spotted her with my mom in downtown Franklin.
• David Neil- I recognized him and his wife at Sweet CeCe’s in downtown Franklin.
•  Mike from American Pickers- I saw him at the grand opening of his store and at Merridee’s Breadbasket.
• Josh Turner- I saw him a few times at my church!
• Nicole Kidman- I spotted her from the Super Slide at the Williamson County Fair.
• Jason Aldean- I saw him leaving the CMAs when we sneaked onto the red carpet.
• Dierks Bentley- I saw him right outside of the Whole Foods in Nashville.
• Carrie Underwood- My dad and I saw her walking her dogs while we were cruising through her neighborhood.

      Thank you for letting me take a walk down memory lane.  I think Elizabeth Smart put it best when she said, "I do have scars, but not all scars are ugly, especially if they mean something."

     Love,

Bk