Following in the Footsteps of My Hero

Alot of us can say that we have a hero or someone who has impacted your life dramatically.I was thinking yesterday about my papa whose 84 and the impact he's had on my life throughout the years. He was a Baptist preacher for over 50 years a man who loves God and his family. As I was growing up he had already retired as a pastor, but always had the fun bible stories to tell us. I remember always looking to my papa for the answers and would crawl in his lap and ask him questions about Jesus. Papa was always excited to tell us the stories or answer our questions. No matter the time of day or where we were he would always be willing to share Jesus with someone or talk to us about Him.
One specific time in my life I remember, I was around 12 or 13 , he was driving his blue Camry and course we were talking about Jesus! He said Whitney God has called you to minister to kids and you need to keep that focus. I remember thinking that's cool, but I want to be a volleyball coach and teach health. He always told me I was a special kid who was going to do extraordinary things with my life, little did I know HE WAS RIGHT! God really used my Papa in my life to show me truth and tell me I have a purpose with ministry. I always thought I would live an ordinary life with going to college, being a volleyball coach and living the "normal life" but God definitely has shown me my calling and purpose with KIDS! It goes back to God speaking through my Papa at a young age telling me I wasn't going to be apart of the "norm", I was going to do something amazing in ministry. I am now seeing it all play as a movie right before my eyes! I thank God for the Papa that I have, who has poured the love of Jesus into my life for 22 years now. He's a mighty man of God who is still seeking Him today.
Papa is now living in a nursing home with Alzheimer's. The cool thing is he still goes around talking to people about Jesus. Every Thursday night my mom will go up there to sit with him for church. Some weeks he trys to teach even if its scattered and everywhere he still manages to get thru. He is a man that has changed my life and many others! I am so thankful he played such a vital role in my life and has given me more conformation to where I am today!!