Reminders...

Life is hectic,

kids running every direction,

arguing, making messes,

drawing on walls,

rooms are disasters, sports every night,

attitudes abound,

you think,

I can't wait for this to pass,

step back for a moment and put it into perspective.

You will be glad you did.

Over the last week, I have been reminded of how short life can be,

and how we should treasure every moment with our children.

Both the good & the bad ones.

My cousin called on Thursday

crying as she told me to pray.

Her friend's son had fallen off a boat dock into the water

he was missing, then found, but not in time.

A young life ended.

No Warning.

No Way to Prepare

your mind or your heart for such an event.

this was his story.....

BRIAN STEVEN
CARROLL

Brian Steven Carroll, age 18, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2008

as the result of a drowning accident.
Brian was saved at an early age and

was a member of Russellville Baptist Church.

He would have graduated from Cherokee High School this year

and was a hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents,

Kris Henry and Gina Diane Carroll;

and grandparents, Bill and Sandra Noe.
He is survived by his parents,

Lisa and Scott Noe of Bulls Gap;

special sister, Erica Lawson;

grandparents, Kathy Hightower and Steve and Darlene Carroll;

aunt, Sharleen (Cheyenne) Farmer;

special cousin, Jacob Farmer;

and several other cousins, relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2008

at Russellville Baptist Church

with the Rev. Steve Smith officiating.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 19, at Hamblen Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, prior to the services at the church.
Pallbearers will be Brian’s friends, Lee Cantwell, Steven Bales, Chris Bales,

Mitchell Bragg, Timothy Murr, and Rob Collins.

Fast forward to today.

I go to check my email

I find a headline about a favorite artist of mine.

His fame, his awards, couldn't help him avoid a tragedy of his own.

Without warning, he lost his little girl yesterday.

No Warning.

No Way to prepare

your heart or mind for such an event.

this is her story

Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to

Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman,

was killed Wednesday night in a tragic accident in the family driveway

on Wednesday evening.

She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him...

not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family.

This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many.

Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating

the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman,

and were just hours away from a graduation party

marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school.

Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out

5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago.

These words are unthinkable to type.

And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this

and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him

we will see Maria again.

- Jim Houser (Manager)

Steven Curtis Chapman is an artist blessed with the gift of music.

He has written and recorded many songs.

He wrote the song "Cinderella"

and recorded it on his latest cd.

Little did he know when he wrote it,

the truth in the song,

Little did he know,

the ending would be quite different.

Below is a clip of him telling about what inspired him to write the song

below that, the song.

After listening,

say a prayer for these families,

and then go

hug your children a little tighter,

be thankful for the good moments,

be thankful for the stressful moments as well,

it means that you have them for another day.