I remember...

SOO I leave for Carson-Newman in less than 2 weeks, 11 days to be exact. I'm SOOO incredibly terrified and yet excited at the same time to begin this new adventure people call life. lol. Lately I've just had so much fear built up inside of me. I'm leaving EVERYTHING that I have ever known, my friends, my family, my amazing church family, my home, my bed, and my comfort zone. Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited to begin earnestly seeking God's will for my life, and where I will serve after college, and while I'm in college. But I'm scared to leave my church family, and that foundation for Christianity that they have built for me, and have helped me to build. It's almost as if while the foundation was being laid, they took my hand and strategically helped me to place each and every stone in it's proper place! It's so neat to look back and to see all of the influences that I have had in my life at RMBC. I'll name a few, but I'm sure I'll forget some as well. As far back as I can remember, and as my grandma has told me, that Granny Franklin took me from my grandma each Sunday morning screaming and crying, and she was persistent. She could have told my grandma to stop bringing me but she didn't, and along with Granny Franklin, there was Maxine Dean, who would love on me and make me feel welcome. Then there was preschool choir with Ann Booker, and Mission Friends with Mary Woerner. In the nursery, I remember my favorite person to keep nursery was Blair Peters, and April Purvis. I looked up to them so much as a young child and still do. Then as I got older, and entered the childrens department, there was Pam Carter, and Sharon Thomas and Jeane Wingfield, who would unconditionally love on us. Then when we were in 5th and 6th grade, there was Bea Bomar, and Glenda Rummage who taught Sunday school each and every Sunday, and I looked so forward to being in their class. On wednesday nights for a while we had Rob Casebolt for Childrens Choir, and then as I got older, we had Becky Cash for it. I remember Mary Carter, was such a role model for me, I just loved being around her, and talking to her. She was such a neat person. I remember moving up into the youth department and the first few months having Jim and Abby Thompson as our youth directors until David and Sharon were hired, and then having David and Sharon. I remember Mark Beck being our interim pastor who really helped us get through the transition period so easily. I remember Susie Poindexter coming to out church, and even though we weren't close at first, I consider her and Sarah to be my best friends now. Looking back, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have them in my life. They have had such a huge impact on my life, and they continue to impact my life on a daily basis, with their unconditional love and acceptance of me no matter what I tell them about my life, and they love me, and don't judge me for a bit of it, and that has been so crucial to my ability to trust. Then Derik, and Katie, they have really helped our church to grow. Derik always has a new idea, and it's so awesome to see how much our church has grown since they have been here. Bonnie Alldredge and her service through being our church secretary. I hadn't really had a conversation with her until we went on a mission trip together, and since then we have become really close which has been amazing. ALthough I have only known her for a year and a half, I feel like i have known her my whole life. I could go on for days and days about how much church family has impacted my life, but I really don't have the words to say how grateful I am to have been able to spend the last 18 years at such a mission oriented place as Randolph Memorial Baptist Church! =) I'm going to miss not being there every Sunday, but now is my time to take what I have learned there with my strong foundation and use it for the glory of God. Afterall that is what a church is for, to equip and then send right? This new phase of my life is about to begin, and i'm so excited about it! =)