Lauren Scruggs: Living by Faith, Not by Sight

I met Lauren Scruggs when I first moved to the Plano area in the middle of high school.  This was an extremely hard transition for me and Lauren and her twin sister were two amazing girls.  Without hesitation, they were very welcoming to me and made me feel at ease in the hallway of a strange new school.  Lauren has this ability to make you feel comfortable, important, and happy all at once.  Around March of last year, I walked into a little boutique in Dallas and saw Ms. Scruggs.  I remember interrupting her mid conversation and told her how beautiful she was.  Honestly, she is one of the most beautiful young ladies inside and out and I feel so incredibly blessed to know her.  Lauren (and her sister Brittany) helped me through a very hard time in my life and I know that she is inspiring many others around the world today.   

 In December, Lauren Scruggs accidentally walked into the propeller of an airplane and suffered numerous injuries including the loss her arm and eye.   After months of surgery and therapy, she managed to recover with unwavering faith.  The other morning I was able to watch her interview with the Today Show and was overwhelmed with her message.  She told reporters that she is learning to “live by faith and not by sight” and “God is in control of [her] life.” Years ago, the Scruggs family appeared on the Today Show about their well known book “I Do Again.”  After growing apart from an affair and divorce, Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs fell back in love and remarried.  They are now founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries and have a very strong faith and family.

I wonder if the Scruggs family did not experience those unexpected hard times then, if they would be able to work together, fight, and believe as they did now with Lauren's recovery.   I do believe that God has a purpose and with the right attitude and support system, anything is possible.  This accident has impacted my life and countless lives around me.  I'm looking forward to reading her new book: Still LoLo. 

   

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Recently, I met up with my friend from Virginia, Mr. Brett Whitsitt.  Since, high school he has survived buds and become a Navy Seal.  Brett is in the process of writing a book and a movie producer is interested in making it into a major motion picture.   He is absolutely amazing and I feel empowered around him.  

Mr. Whitsitt was deployed for 11 months and he said that during this time he became desensitized to the bombs that would explode near his camp.  In fact, he got to a point where he would hear the explosion and roll over in bed.  Over the weekend, he shared some of his experiences and struggles that he encountered when deployed; really puts things in perspective.  No matter what he faced then, you are unable to break his spirit now.  I noticed everything was just “wonderful” and “nothing could get better” for Brett.  He really made me appreciate the blessings that we have in the United States and to be grateful for each and everyday.  I know that it is easy to be desensitized to the blessing around you due to daily stress and the same work routine.  So take a moment and open your eyes....

Thank the Lord for local heroes like Brett.  Happy Memorial Day!