I don’t have much time

One event took place that really changed me and challenged
me in numerous ways, but my parents have made the most impact on what I
believe.

A couple of years ago, one of my closest friends was killed
by a drunk driver in a car accident. The realization that Clete was gone was
stunning and hard to understand. What’s the difference between him and I? We
were both 16 and loving Life. Why wasn’t it me? I didn’t ask “why� so much as I
thought WOW. Life is short. The thought of Heaven is so exciting to me, and I
can’t wait to go! But I want to leave an impact for Christ. And Clete helped
show me that I don’t have much time.

The most powerful concept my parents have passed down to me and
what Clete made me realize is that God calls us to live a Life of PASSION. Passion
for the Lord, passion for Life, passion for family, passion for work, expanding
my mind, sports, music, art, for everything. My parents love adventure. The
most apparent example of their passionate spirits and love of adventure is
surrounding me right now. They made a decision to let God plan their family —
resulting in 10 kids. Is that the easiest way? Not so much. Is it the most cost
effective? Safe? Comfortable? Once again, not so much. But is it the most
fulfilling? They would say a hundred times yes.

God commands us to go out on limbs for Him; to go to the
unreached corners of the earth; to fight for His Name, to be representatives of
Life with a capital “L�. He doesn’t promise luxury and sunny days, He promises
fulfillment and satisfaction in knowing we are HIS. That we belong to the King
of the Universe! My mom and dad have been representatives of our King as they
continue this ongoing event of raising the ten of us.

I believe so vehemently that Christ has an amazing purpose
for us all. But I also know that the devil wants and strives for nothing more
than our destruction — whether that be by neutralizing us, or by negating us… if
that makes sense. Once again, we have so short a time here on earth! I’m happy
it’s short, but I want to make the most of it! My parents live every day
trusting our Heavenly Father to direct them and us down His chosen path. They
live with such a spirit of Joy and Love and Peace, it is contagious to everyone
who meets them. Their passion for God is SO evident and inspiring and is such a
good example for me as I embark on all these little adventure in a big story
called Life.