Fall Bucket List

I've tried not to think too much in the last few weeks. For me thinking means I have to acknowledge reality and to be honest my reality hurts right now. So I just haven't "gone" there. I'm not ignoring what has happened but rather turning the pain over to the Lord and praying for my family on a daily basis. I had a dream on Saturday night that Uncle Ray was holding one of his grandsons and was well. If only that hadn't been a dream. One thing that will forever remain with me from the visitation and funeral, besides the impact his testimony had on literally hundreds of people, was that he loved life and it was contagious. He wasn't ignoring the fact that life is hard and that there are some ugly parts to it but he chose to enjoy the good parts to the fullest. There is no denying the fact that he loved Aunt Carolyn, Kim, Amy, Emily, his sons-in-law, his grandsons, his mother and the rest of the Mullins/Mayhew family, Ridgeway Baptist Church, Briarcrest Christian School, Memphis Tigers, his Wells Fargo employees and coworkers, lifelong friends and a host of others. He was known for his smile. He chose to be happy. He knew the true Source of joy and focused on that instead. 

I want to leave that kind of legacy.  A legacy of love, joy and life. I don't want to be remembered for what I didn't like or what I complained about the most on social media. I don't want to be known more so for what I am against than what I am for. 

When the Lord calls me home I pray that people who have come in contact with me will have: 

1. Seen Jesus in me.
2. Felt loved through my words and actions, no matter what.
3. Sensed inexplicable joy in the midst of great trials and hurts.
4. Known that I was content with the life that the Lord has so graciously given me and made the most of it.

I am content with where the Lord has me but I have my off days obviously. I mean, I'm 30 and I dream of sharing my life with someone someday. But as I stated earlier this year, I believe this year is meant to be about my relationship between the Lord and I as the main focus. So I've decided to come up with a "Fall Bucket List" of items that I would like to do this Fall to get out and enjoy the area that God has blessed me to live in.

GO CCHS Cougars!!

• Attend Friday Night HS Football Games: CAK and Campbell County. Obviously not on the same night since they don't play each other. :(
• UT Football Game(s) - I haven't been to one since Phil Fulmer was the coach. Oops!
• Tennessee Valley Fair
• Dollywood!!: National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration in October; Christmas Lights in November or December 
• Del Rio, TN - Well more specifically, Chapel Hollow, TN, because it's the site for the fictional book that is based off the real life of Catherine Marshall's mother. And I love this book. I will eventually make it where they taped the TV series in Townsend but until then I want to visit Del Rio. 
• Rugby, TN - Umm ... check this out ...  http://www.historicrugby.org/ 
• Steam Locomotive Tour: http://www.threeriversrambler.com/
• Cades Cove/Gatlinburg

#TBT 2009 CAK vs Elizabethton

These are the things I want to do this Fall. I want to explore more of East Tennessee and see just where it is that God has placed me. I believe that I will learn more about who He is and who I am in the process.

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy." Psalm 126:5

Thank you for joining me on the journey. What do you plan to do this Fall? Do you have an special plans? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I love you all!!

- Melody Faith