This Blog.....

This blog is titled #LiveLikeAustin. It's a collection of memories, thoughts, and ideas that will hopefully help us to live like Austin.  Honestly, it's still so recent and the days are still so difficult, it's hard to even know what that means. It's ok if you cry along the way.  We do.  I'll try to separate what I know from what I don't know.  

I know that Austin loved the Lord, and he wanted others to know Jesus, too.  He knew the main way to do that was to study the Bible. He was surrounded by friends who were like-minded and those who didn't always agree with him. He enjoyed them both. He was a normal teenager who was still "in process" and still had lot's of rough edges.  Although it seemed to come easy to him, he did work hard at his studies.  He was proud to be a Lake Highlands Wrangler and enjoyed the physical activities of tennis and running. He loved an adventure, a practical joke,  and a good laugh. He loved his family, but he was also looking ahead to his next adventure...college.  That wasn't to be. Instead, he got a greater adventure...HEAVEN!

I don't really know why he had to leave us so soon.  The Bible tells me we are in a broken world, and there are many examples there of those who left this world abruptly.  I will continue to to search for clarity, but ultimately, God's plan is greater than mine.  I will ask Him many questions when I get to Heaven, but I will likely be so excited to worship the King and see Austin and many more that I probably won't care about the answers to my questions.

So, we are left here. Ultimately, the main things that mattered to Austin were the things that matter to God. From this point on, my view of life is longer than the days, months, and years here. Eternity is what matters most.  Austin would invite you to go on your own spiritual journey and make your own determination if God matters to you in your life. We're here for you if you want to explore that together!

Thank you for loving Austin and our family so well, and desiring to explore what it means to live like Austin!