To Texas and back...

I am finally getting time now to write my blog about Texas! I had an amazing time with Cara and all of her friends and family. I met her in Houston to do the walk for CF and we ended up raising so much money :) It was really a great experience, and I really learned a lot of life-changing things.

I wanted to go to Texas to help Cara with the walk, and my mindset going into it was that I really wanted to help HER...but by the time I left Texas, I realized that I was helped in ways I didn't even know I needed it!

First, I learned not to take any part of my life for granted. Cara, Kasey, and other people with CF are amazing people who fight for their lives each and every day. They literally do not take one breath for granted, and it's because they may not be able to breathe easy every day of their lives. Their strength and courage in fighting for their own lives and the lives of others inspired me so much...it really put life into prospective, and made me realize that time spent with my friends and family is the most precious time in the world!

Secondly, I learned the importance of good, close friendships with other girls. Over the years I have gone in and out of really coveting my friendships with the girls in my life. I have both appreciated them, and taken them for granted. Every moment of our time in Texas felt like a girls night out, and all of the girls were so wonderful! I felt welcomed and supported, and had lots of fun going out and doing a million things with all of them. They each have their own strengths that I observed and learned from..and it was great to realize that there were so many other girls going through things that I had gone through, or that I am going through, or will be going through in the future.

It was really great getting to know Cara better. It is especially wonderful to hear her talk about her and Patrick, and their marriage. Everyone who knows Cara and P always says that that's what marriage should be like! They are so amazing, they lean on each other, they are there for each other, they have fun together, and act young! They also both have an amazing relationship with God, and put their trust in Him. Most of all....they don't take one another for granted. They are just as much in love if not more today than they were when they first got married, and they are an amazing inspiration in a world that no longer appreciates or fights for marriage and family.

I realized that life is about helping others and being there for one another. The day I got to Houston we found out that Matt was going to be deployed this summer...and it hit me really hard. I was so lucky to have Cara there to talk to because she really understands. She is in the same situation I am in, and it is so nice that we have each other to lean on and to help us through the hard times.

I realized how much I really value my family after seeing the support that Cara's family gives her. I know that my family is always there when I need them, and how important they all are to me and in my life.

Lastly, I was reminded of how short life is and I cannot afford to take one breath for granted. Anything could happen at any moment, and if it does I want to know in my heart that I did all I could to please God with what time He has blessed me with. I want to know that I loved with all of my heart, gave with all of my strength, and let the passion within my soul shine out for the world to see. I want to know that I am a person like Cara...a person who fights for her life, and for the lives of others....a person who changes people's lives by just being herself...

My trip to Texas was more than just a vacation...It was a life-changing experience...and I know that God put Cara in my life for amazing reasons!!! I am just thankful that I was blessed enough to get to know her, and that there will be many more life-changing experiences with her in the future.