I woke up this morning feeling extremely grateful for where God has me in life right now now. First thing I do in the morning, is lay in bed til my eyes open enough to function and then I try to check all of my social media networks before trying to get to the nearest coffee pot. If you’re a coffee drinker, your day doesn’t officially start until the second cup in. That’s my excuse anyway! While I was checking my Timehop app, I realized it has been 1 year today since I wrote my first blog and started processing how much has changed over the last year. For starters, my brother got married to the girl of his dreams, I gained an adorable little niece (Hadleigh Rae Smith), my Granddaddy moved in with us, my uncle passed away unexpectedly, and I’m now an official member of 11th Hour. It’s been a tough year with sorrow and pain, but the triumphs and victories have outweighed the bad. I’ve seen God’s hand in the middle of it all. A year ago, my Granddaddy had just been released from rehab after fighting his long battle. It’s been mind blowing to watch God restore his body, give him new meaning to life, and to have another year with him to continue making memories....I mentioned my uncle passing away. This was a lot harder than any of us could have imagined. While Granddaddy was on the ventilator and the doctors had given up, we were trying to find a way to transport my uncle from the rehabilitation facility where he was at the time, trying to heal from a broken femur....he wanted to come say goodbye to my Granddaddy. My brother, and cousin (who was 8 months pregnant at the time) drove over, and lifted him to a wheelchair, and loaded him into her mini van and brought him over to the hospital. It was surreal to watch “Bubba” saying his goodbyes to Granddaddy. It was one of the hardest things I had watched with my own eyes. Little did we know things were fixing to do a 360. Within a couple of weeks after that night, Granddaddy started improving drastically and eventually was moved over to the same rehabilitation center where my uncle was. I was listening to voicemails from my uncle the other day and I recall one saying “I saw Sambo today and he looks wonderful, I’m so proud of him and how hard he’s working.” All this took place the end of May 2017. Just a short few months later after multiple complications and infections taking over my uncles body, we had to watch as Granddaddy said his goodbye’s to my uncle. It saw unreal to watch as the roles had turned in 5 months. My uncle passed away on October 29th, 2017. I know God has carried my entire family each step of the way. As Christian’s we all ask the question “why?”..... I think back over the last year and a lot of “why’s” come to mind. No matter how deep the subject, God always reminds me “if you had the answers to every situation, you’d never turn to me”....and I just shut up! Everything happens for a reason no matter how hard that may be to understand.....On the brighter side of things my life has been a little wild the last couple of months. I officially joined 11th Hour! God always has a way of bringing things into our lives we didn’t even know we needed. This has been one of the greatest unexpected blessings he could have ever given me. Amber & Jaquita have become like family to me and I couldn’t ask for better touring mates. If you’ve never heard the group, check us out on YouTube or your favorite social networking site. God is doing huge things and I’m blessed to have a small part. We were honored to be able to attend the BMI Award’s last night in Nashville. Amber, along with Kenna West and Jason Cox penned a song for our group titled “He Welcomes The Beggar” which received an award last night! If you would have told me a year ago, I’d be where I am today I honestly would have laughed in your face....but I’m beyond blessed to be where I am! I love all of you guys and thank you for loving me and supporting me. I couldn’t do it without you! P.S. - New Music is coming soon! 🙌🏻