"I can be your hero, baby." Thank you, Enrique.

I suppose most of you already know my life, but for those who don't or would like to know me better, I will post some get-to-know-me blogs.  Maybe I'll write about some more of my obsessions, or maybe pet peeves.  I'm thinking I will start out by writing a series of blogs about my heroes-- people who have impacted my life and helped me become the person I am today.  Sound good to you?

And our first hero award goes to my grandparents... Grandma and Pop.  If there's one thing to know about me, know this-- I spent every summer from age 8 to 20 with them in Alabama.   Yes, I'm from North Carolina and yes, that's approximately 8-9 hours from home.  I'm not what you would call the homesick type.  I wholeheartedly believe my grandparents are the reason I'm a Christian.  I wrote a note on facebook about Pop one time.  I'm just going to copy any paste a lot of that here--

Anyone who had the privilege of meeting my Pop, knew what a special man he was. He was definitely a man of kindness, love, patience, strength, and most importantly, a man of God. He and my grandmother, Martha, spent around 30 years in the mission field teaching the gospel. Pop gave up a very lucrative job of taking pictures for the government so he could preach the word of God. He and Grandma made so many sacrifices and are some the most selfless people I’ve ever known. My Pop was a good man, an amazing personal worker, and one who genuinely cared about the souls of others. There is no telling how many lives he touched while here on earth.

On August 9, 2007 my grandfather, Charles Franklin Payne, passed away.  I do take comfort in the fact he’s no longer in pain and most surely has a place in Heaven.  He and Grandma would have been married for 50 years on December 15th. I hope and pray that I can find a good man like Pop and have a loving marriage like theirs someday. I am so thankful for the example they have set for me.

I count the time spent with Grandma and Pop one of the greatest blessings of my life.  Over the years I’ve grown to respect my grandparents more and more and realize just how many sacrifices they’ve made to live a life of God. I have no doubt in my mind they are the sole reason I learned the gospel and the reason I am who I am today.

Our family historian, my great-aunt Margie, urged Pop to write a book about his life for his family to treasure. While going through some of his stuff, we found a spiral notebook with one written page:

“On March 23, 1933 Charles Franklin Payne made his entrance into the world. This day to me is no doubt the most important day I have experienced thus far. It is not likely that I will see another day of such momentous importance. As I tried to think of any accomplishments in life, as the world views success, I could not think of any; certainly not wealth, popularity, or fame. Since death is a part of life, I must then conclude that this day can surpass the day of one’s birth, if one loves God and is faithful to Him. Death is the means of transforming one from the mortal to the immortal. 

Hopefully the pages found in this book can be of some insight to my children, grandchildren, and generations to come. I would never have undertaken such a task as this, had it not been for the encouragement and insistence of some of my family members. I would encourage my descendents to visit some of the places I have lived to gain further perspective of where you came from."



The part I put in italics is my favorite thing he wrote on that page.   Is that not one of the most insightful things you've ever read?   I think one of the reasons he was such an amazing man was because he didn’t realize how wonderful he was. He didn’t see the accomplishments he made and was never prideful or boastful. 


Let's take a moment to talk about Grandma now.  She is a fighter.  And I mean that in every sense of the word.  First of all, she raised 4 boys.  I think that's an accomplishment all it's own.  She lived the life of a preacher's wife, which I've never done, but know is not an easy job.  They lived in 5 different states before Pop retired-- lots of moving.  Grandma has had diabetes for most of her adult life, she's had toes removed, back surgery, breast cancer, colon cancer, knee and shoulder replacements, and has been confined to a wheelchair for nearly 9 years now.  Just so you know, that's an abbreviated list of her ailments.  And dontcha know that she still goes out to shop, still makes it to most church services every week, and still travels all the way to NC to see her grandbabies.  What an astounding woman.  She has always been the ultimate example of what a Christian woman should be.  


I'm so so so so thankful to have such wonderful grandparents, on both sides.  And now you have a bit more insight into my life and 2 of the great heroes God has placed in it. :)