Two Years Later...

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Amanda's departure for Heaven. We still miss her SO MUCH and think of her everyday. I dreamed of her last night. It was like a series of videos of her. In all of the videos, she was happy and dancing. That's what I imagine she may be doing daily since she went home to God. The dream gave me comfort. I know she's in a better place.

Once again, we've had an eventful year. A great deal on a great house in a great neighborhood fell in our laps this past fall and we moved in October, just in time to miss the floods that decimated the RV park we'd been living in. God saw fit to remove us from there just in His perfect timing. Funny thing is, we'd stopped shopping for a house and it was church friends who told us about this one. God works in mysterious ways.

We've begun foster parenting and we also sponsor two lovely children through World Vision. We are winding down the photography business and want to focus on what God has for us. We want to further His Kingdom instead of our own.

Rachel had a beautiful baby girl back in November and Jessica and Paul are about to have a baby boy any day now. I am hoping this weekend, but God is in charge. We will be up to six grandchildren very soon. Thank you Jesus.

I went back to work for GE, closing my own business, in order to qualify for a mortgage. I REALLY miss the freedom of being self employed, but do enjoy the "security" (as if there is such a thing) of a job.

We know that Amanda is interceding for us with The LORD. She can be very persistent when she wants something. The change we've seen in our lives and extended family is nothing short of amazing. There are a few hold outs that we're constantly praying for, but we know God has a plan for their lives.

We miss Amanda indeed, but have a blessed assurance that we will see her again soon, thanks to the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

If you don't know Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, the time is now. Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to be the Lord of your life and he will surely forgive you and adopt you into His family. You will be born again and free to spend eternity in Heaven. Please ask now, while you are still alive. Amanda did.

One Long Year

It has been a year since we lost our beautiful daughter. We continue to miss Amanda so much. It is indescribable the loss we feel. We would never wish this on another parent. Yet we know we're not the only couple this has happened to.

So much has happened in the past year. We've lost touch with our former son in law Cody. Some of our family members are still in communication with him. We pray he continues to heal and prosper, truly finds Christ and is saved and learns to forgive.

We sold our house in Buda in July. We'd tried to sell it the year before, but the market conditions weren't right. This year was the year. We decided to live in our 29 foot long RV, but it quickly became too small. We still didn't / don't know where we want to live, so we traded in the Dutchmen for a 40 foot long luxury fifth wheel. It is both comfortable and beautiful. We call it our apartment on wheels. It has been absolutely wonderful to live in until we find the perfect house some time in the future. We're not even looking right now. We've been living in the San Marcos area, close to the San Marcos river since mid August and have made some wonderful friends for life, while having a great adventure.

We are all getting closer to the Lord almost daily. We know Amanda is responsible for this, considering that she is in Heaven with God and is very persistent. We know she's probably driving God crazy with her requests for us all. Paul and Jess are helping with their youth group at their church. We've been attending there too. The young preacher is very like minded with us and goes beyond the fluff and political correctness that I have always found repulsive in modern churches. This young man preaches the truth, which I enjoy and find refreshing. Jake and Rachel have found a church they like in Elgin and are growing in Christ there. We plan on attending their church this Sunday, to see for ourselves.

We are excited about this weekend, as we are planning a Christian Passover Seder for both families. There is so much of Christ in the Passover it is amazing. We did this when the girls were younger for two or three years in a row. It was always fun and educational. Besides, knowing that Easter is named after Ishtar and the paganistic practices came from Babylon (and the pit of Hell) made us interested in seeking the truth many years ago. No disgusting Easter eggs for our kids. We are looking forward to passing on the truths contained in the Passover to another generation so that they can know the truth too. We imagine Amanda is behind this desire to teach and seek the truth too.

We spent Thanksgiving (Amanda's favorite holiday) at Rachel's. Jessica and the kids came with us, but Paul had to work. We missed him being there, but it was a good time anyway.

We took off for three weeks over the holidays and went to Arizona, California and New Mexico to see family we haven't seen in awhile. It was fun and challenging at the same time. I spent my birthday with dear friends in New Mexico, but it was very hard as it fell on the nine month anniversary of Amanda's passing. It was all I could think off. I dread the 29th every month. February gave me a break.

Veronica still cries almost every day. She never used to cry. She misses Amanda so much. Being male, I would fix it, but I just can't. I've become a better listener than ever, allowing her to express her feelings. She is doing much better than a few months ago, but continue to pray for her.

My business has picked up, but I'm still not making any money and it is frustrating. I really don't like being in business for myself, but the freedom to take off when we want to has been a real perk. I pray for guidance concerning what to do as far as that goes. We've spent a lot of our savings in order to pay day to day expenses while trying to allow this business to grow, but I am a security freak who loves having a sizable cushion in the bank and fear losing it all while this business really doesn't grow beyond what it is right now. I'd be happier working for someone else, at the expense of our freedom, and let them eat all the costs. We really have needed the time over the past year to be with each other, take it easy and heal. For that I am thankful, and I know everything will happen the way it is supposed to in God's time.

The photography business just keeps plugging away. We shot a wedding last weekend and remembered how much we enjoy doing this together. God intended men and women to grow up, find each other and marry and raise a family and we are blessed to be a part of the process. We would love to own a venue one day when we're too old to shoot weddings and continue to be blessed. We miss our sidekick Amanda, who would go with us sometimes and shoot video (and a few stills). That was a good time.

Jake and I went out to Amanda's marker and permanently attached her boot to her marker. We had her favorite boots bronzed as a tribute to her. Jake was desperate to get this done before the year date. I have such great son's in law. Amanda and Jake had such a close bond and I was very greatful for his help and guidance (and awesome drill and generator).

It has really been too hard for me to keep up with this blog emotionally. I dearly miss my little girl. I know I will see her again, but it won't be soon enough. Veronica feels the same way. We thank all our friends and family members for how they have supported us over the past year. Losing a child hurts and takes a long time to heal. It is  not an overnight process, and we still have a long way to go. Please continue to lift us and our family in prayer. We all miss Amanda very much.

Amanda Taught Us How To Live...

What is your definition of success? In this politically divisive season, we are so very focused on "The American Dream". We are so often told about "fairness", as if such a thing exist. We are bombarded by excuses. Reason to not become the person we really want to be. Because we're a certain color, race, creed whatever. These are crutches. Oh, you're poor, so I can help you. Oh, you're unemployed, so I can help you. Let's take Amanda's example... be who you are, do what you love and LIVE! Find your talent and use it. Do it. Be it. Live it.

Was it a revelation to you that Amanda had Cystic Fibrosis? Maybe so. Did she tell everyone she knew that she had CF? No way! For Amanda, CF wasn't who she was or her biggest liability to her success. She saw youth, inexperience and cash as her greatest drawbacks to success. These really didn't stop her either. She did everything and tried everything that ever piqued her interest. She was a first class wedding photographer and shot a country music video completely solo. It was excellent, by the way.

Amanda married a great guy, and traveled to places Veronica and I only hope to one day see. She never let CF be the reason she didn't do what she wanted to do. Many would say that she didn't have a full life, because she died so young. Amanda knew from a very young age that she would not live as long as many of us will. There's really no guarantee as to how long any of us will live, but to say Amanda didn't have a full life, would be a lie. She lived, and she was a success. All on her own terms. What a model for those who fill their lives with lame excuses as to why they can't live their dreams.

Amanda's key to success... just be you, find what you love and pursue it, don't let anything be a crutch as that may disable you, and LIVE!

Amanda continues to live, but in a different dimension (Heaven). This afternoon, while traveling to visit one of our daughters, I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me came on the radio. Our family loves to sing, but it was hard, because Veronica and I were crying. It's so relevant to us, as we CAN only imagine. Being reunited with Amanda as we're united with our Saviour.

Amanda loved winning, and she always won. We can hardly wait to see her again, and hear all the stories she has to share about Heaven, and see all the Heavenly crowns she wears as her reward for being a winner. We can only imagine...

We Continue To Miss Amanda

Today is the six month anniversary of Amanda's departure from Earth to Heaven. Accordingly, it is raining like it did for days when Veronica reluctantly drove an equally reluctant Amanda back to Washington from Texas last December. Amanda loved Texas and her family. Cody wanted her to "build a life for them" wherever they lived, so she went back to make him happy. She expressed her regrets about not staying until Cody's deployment ended in later conversations with us. We're sorry, too.

Amanda came to both of us last night in our dreams. Neither of us have really dreamed about her over these last few months, but her coming to us last night seems appropriate and bittersweet. As Veronica said, she is kissing us from heaven.

Much has happened with us since the last post and definitely in the last six months. We sold our house (finally). We'd tried to sell it summer of 2011, but it seemed the market wasn't strong enough and the competition was too great. This year was a better climate for selling. We moved out on July 13th.

Having sold our home, where would we live? We had no idea. We pulled a butt load of cash out of the house, but with both of us being self employed, getting a loan would be tough. We decided to live in the RV.

That worked for a little while, until it grew too small for us. We LOVE the RV lifestyle, so we bought an incredibly huge new fifth wheel and have chosen to do that for a few years, while we decide where God wants us to be.

We had a few fantastic camping trips with bunches of family in May, June and July. The June trip was to Lake Sommerville, where Veronica, Amanda and I had such a great time the year before. The park is a Mecca for cardinals, Amanda's sign to us to let us know she's watching over us. Mercy, Rick and boys joined us all for one of the big adventures. Izzy caught his first fish. It was awesome! Amanda would have loved to be there, and we know she was, really. Her absence from this planet has really worked to make us a closer knit family and helped us appreciate each other even more.

We've purchased a marker, but it won't be ready until November or December. We also sent Amanda's favorite boots out to be bronzed. We will attach one to her marker when they are ready.

To say our relationship with Cody is strained would be an understatement. I made several despicable assertions toward him in a phone conversation, after he decided he would keep Amanda's dog , rather than return her to us, as we expected. I've since apologized, but haven't heard from him in regards to it all. I guess he's still mad at me. I've forgiven him about the Kandy thing. She's very old and when she passes, it will be another loss he has to contend with. God help him.

We want the best for Cody. We know he's hurting. We want him to find love, marry, have children and live a wonderful life. He's being stunted, right now, by certain elements in his life that won't let him be a grown man. Please join us in praying for him. Love, life, joy, freedom.

We really miss Amanda, and can hardly wait to see her again. She was our daughter for 22 years, and her illness made us have a special bond that most parents never have the privilege knowing. When we fought Cystic Fibrosis, we fought it together. When someone treated Amanda badly, we grieved the situation with her. When she triumphed, we all did. When she hurt, we hurt. When she found joy, we found it too. We had a special relationship and she told us we were her best friends. We are so happy she came to us in our dreams, and we're happy we got to spend that time with her. It was like being with her in the same place again. We love her and we know she loves us.

I'll try to post a little more often, sorry for my absence.

We Want To Give Back...

If you have Cystic Fibrosis and are getting married in the Austin, TX area in 2013 or you know of someone with CF who is, 2now1 Photography would love to shoot your wedding for FREE. Veronica and Jim Warnock, owners of 2now1 Photography know what challenges you, your parents and your future spouse face and how precious life is. We want to record the beautiful memories of your BIG DAY.


As many of you already know, we lost our daughter Amanda Cross in March  to CF and this is our way of giving back. 


See http://www.2now1photo.com/ for our contact info. This offer is also available to 2013 High School Seniors. Call us today at 512-731-2505 if you are a CF'er in Central Texas either getting married in 2013 or graduating high school in 2013.


God bless.

Great Strides = Great Success

What an awesome day for our family today as we participated in the Great Strides walk at Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. The pic above was snapped by another participant on Tina Cravens, one of Amanda's awesome aunts iPhone. The walk was an amazing, goal busting fund raising success for CFF, and the time we spent together as a family after the walk was absolutely priceless.

Veronica and I love our brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and beautiful grandchildren beyond words and we know they feel the same about us. Amanda would have loved to have been there, but guess what, she was in spirit. She loved everyone in this picture VERY much and we know she is proud of us today and always.

Thank you so much to Mercy Soto, another one of Amanda's awesome aunts for putting the team and the day together. We all had a fantastic time and hope for more awesome family events in the future. This is just another example of how Amanda touched each and every one of our lives and made each one of us a better person.

Tomorrow We Make Great Strides...

We are greatly anticipating our Great Strides walk tomorrow morning at Schlitterbahn. Amanda's Aunt Mercy Soto organized Team Amanda Braveheart. It is going to be a great day, with lots of family and friends walking to raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Schlitterbahn is the perfect place, because it was one of Amanda's favorite places on the planet. How appropriate.

While Amanda was growing up, we didn't attend many CF related events. The first year that we tried to do a Great Strides walk in Austin, it was canceled because smoke from garbage fires in Mexico had blown into the area and the organizers felt it would be too hard on the CFer's lungs. So we went home. By the next year, the organizers started restricting CFer's with certain pseudomonas from participating in the walk. Amanda was in that group. We had rather hang out with Amanda at any given time, than hang out with walkers. If she couldn't participate, we wouldn't either. We valued our time with her. That was the same year that she was not permitted to attend the 65 Roses Camp. She cried so hard over the news, and her mother and I were equally heart broken that she couldn't go. Damned pseudomonas!

 Many people have wondered why we weren't more "involved" with the cause. Now you know. It was not the time to be involved. God knows the end from the beginning, and He knew there would be a season for our involvement. Our cause was Amanda, and with her we were very involved. This will be our 1st real walk.

Amanda would be very happy to see our family just hang out and enjoy each other, and that is the promise tomorrow holds. We are excitedly looking forward to it.

If you would like to help Team Amanda Braveheart in our effort to raise funds, you can follow this link to donate to my walk... http://www.cff.org/great_strides/dsp_donationPage.cfm?registeringwalkid=7959&idUser=571808

 We are only $1210 away from our goal. We would cherish and appreciate your help. Any amount helps the fight. God bless.