Britta & Morgan Wright's Wedding

March 15- #wcw-- Great picture of Amanda & Cory, taken in June 2016. She was a bridesmaid in Britta & Morgan Wright's wedding. (grad school soul sisters) They were in the midst of a sparkler send off for the newlyweds (great idea for any of you planning a wedding) when the photographer captured this beautiful moment. Life doesn't always turn out the way you planned. I used to think we were so blessed, with the white picket fence and all, so to speak. We worked hard, made many sacrifices and taught our kids right from wrong. We modeled our beliefs, values and morals hoping our kids would grow up to be faithful, God loving, hardworking and respectful contributors to society. Sure, there were tough times, tears, illnesses and moments of anger but that's all part of it. It's learning how to cope with all of those, get back up, try again and persevere that makes you who you are today. Not only have our children grown up with us, but we've grown older (yes I admit it) beside them. Every night I ask God to watch over my family, my kids, nieces, nephews, parents, sister, brother, etc. I give it to God and go to sleep. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to function with worrying, angst and the what ifs..... Then, something horrible happens like this, we lose a child, not by accident, but murder and I have to wonder..... What did we do wrong, we worked soooo hard.... for this....to lose a beautiful young woman, about to be married, who has so much to offer and so much to give..... How?? Why?? Yes, those thoughts run through my mind regularly and yet I fall back on one thing-- My FAITH Without it, I'm convinced none of us would be able to function. I dont know how people go through life without it. I certainly dont know how anyone could survive a death (let alone the death of a child without it). What do you turn to? To whom do you ask those difficult questions? Our pastor says it's ok to be angry with God, it's ok to ask why, and to shake your fist at him--- he can take it! And we do, on a regular basis, we ask, we cry, we yell and we know that know matter what, he is with us and loves us. You ask, if God was watching over Amanda on that afternoon of June 18, why didn't he save her? I would tell you, he did save her, just not in the way we wanted her to be saved. We want her here, in the flesh, we want to talk with her, to kiss, hug and love her. We want to hear her laugh and see her gorgeous smile. But he saved her, from horrific pain, agony, torture and physical distress. He saved her from evil, from free will used for pure evil. And for that, as a woman, as a mother, as a former athlete, as a strong, bullheaded human, I am beyond grateful. I am thankful for my parents for their faithful walk with Christ, for modeling and paying it forward. I'm thankful for the relationship we have and my children have with Jesus Christ; it is about the relationship. If you don't have a relationship with him, I highly recommend it. He will change your life, for the good, I promise. Through him, I know Amanda walks by his side, walks by our side and continues to spread love, life and laughter to all who embrace the light. And, I know I will see her again,; we will have a glorious reunion, laughing, hugging and mehhhing. 😘💜😍 On a side note, we are very close to making final decisions regarding our Amanda Strous Flyhigh22 Foundation. I hope to share more with you in the next few weeks. Oh, you ask about the house with the white picket fence? We still have it, some of its paint has chipped away, it looks a little worn and rustic, but it's there, with the most glorious angel watching over it, painting sunrises and sunsets, sending us snow storm Stella, cardinals, butterflies, hummingbirds and waving the biggest badass 22 banner ever!!! Love you Amanda!!! Thanks for the snow!⛄️💜