Forum

1stRanFan · Site Admin Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 894 Location: Texas

Juli (juli s.):
My goodness, what a shock it was getting the email from Bev telling me I was co-Ran Fan of the Month! I certainly don't believe I have done anything to deserve this. I am COMPLETELY humbled and honored to be a recipient of this. (Thank you Bev and Camp Lambert!). I have only been on the message board for about 3 or 4 months, but have been a fan of Miranda for YEARS! (OFFICIAL Ran Fan for a little over 1 year, as I did not have a computer until then). The first time I saw her live was way back in, I think, 2005. Our country radio station here in Milwaukee (FM106) had a tent set up in the parking lot of the Wisconsin State Fair grounds. Ran was playing in one part of it, on the tiniest stage I have ever seen....but that did not stop her from tearing the place up! Man, was she awesome! She just ROCKED that place! I was amazed, in awe, and hooked for life! Unfortunately, the months that followed found me to be in the darkest, ugliest place I have ever been, due to experiencing a sudden (yes, SUDDEN!), abusive side of the person who I thought I would be with forever (followed by an IMMEDIATE breakup by me!). The betrayal and incredible hurt that I was feeling was completely devastating. As time dragged on, I started to feel like I was sinking deeper and deeper into a black hole, barely hanging on to the edge by the tips of my fingers. I was pretty much self-destructing (VERY MUCH self-destructing!)...... Re-enter Miss Miranda Lambert!!!.....One day during the darkest of this time, I happened to pull out her Kerosene CD. I started listening to it, over and over. As I did so, I began to really 'HEAR' the songs and I swear to you it was like she KNEW what I was going through and was singing them directly to me. Then all of a sudden, it was as though she were standing at the top of that black hole, reaching out her hand to help pull me up out of it!! And she did just that! It was an enormously long, slow and painful healing process for me, but I can honestly and genuinely tell you all, that had it not been for Miranda, her music, her strength, her amazing song writing and the way she 'delivers' it, I would NOT have gotten through it, nor do I think that I would be here today! The power of this woman and her music is beyond explanation!

I (finally!) first got to meet Miranda last October in LaCrosse, WI and let me tell you...I was a nervous wreck!!!! How could I POSSIBLY stand there face to face with the person who, literally, helped save my life?...... or even BEGIN to tell her about it or to thank her?! Well I know me, and I knew I would freeze up and wouldn't be able to even say hello to the woman (which ended up being the case! I couldn't speak! I tried, but nothing would come out but little squeaks! LOL! But she was just so sweet about it and made me feel completely at ease), so I had written her a 6 or 7 page thank you letter with all of the details, and gave it to her at that meet and greet. I sure hope she read it, because she needs to know how very much she means to so very many people, how she touches them down to their very soul and how she is able to change/save a life through her music and just by being who she is...real, honest, strong, sweet, caring.....need I go on??? Miranda, you are a true inspiration to ALL! I am forever indebted to you. Words are just not enough to express what you mean to me. I am a stronger, better, wiser, more compassionate person now because of you, all that you do, and all that you are.... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Rick and Bev, you done raised yourselves one hell of a woman! You have instilled incredibly beautiful values in Miranda, and you should be commended to the fullest! Thank you, both!

Now, about the fan club....I know it has been said, over and over and over, that by becoming an official Ran Fan, you become a member of the family! Well, that fact is truer than true! When I finally decided to join in on the message board, I was amazed at all of the help I received, (and STILL DO! lol.), and how very warm, welcoming, and kind everyone was to me. In the very short time I have been here, I am beginning to feel as though I have "known" some of these incredible, caring, (and very humorous) folks for years! I am very much looking forward to being able to meet so many of them in person.... which will be happening in May at Paws!!! Very special thanks to Ronie (GodBlessTexas!) and Renae (RenaeDawn) for your friendship and seemingly ENDLESS help! .....to Lindsey (lizlabee) for your kindness, support and for ALWAYS cracking me up and making me smile!.....to Josh (J.Flores) for being my buddy!....to Hayley (SmokinGun) for making my signature banner (awsome job!!), and for your always-stellar concert reviews!.....to Bev, Rick, Luke and the whole staff for all of your kindness, hard work and devotion! You really have outdone yourselves! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family! (Oh, and Bev?.....You truly are THE BEST!!!).

Finally, I would like to say what an honor it is to share Ran Fan of the Month with Courtney (CanadasRanFan)! This young lady is just incredible! Unfortunately, she has never gotten the opportunity to go to one of Ran's concerts or to meet her, but her endless devotion to Miranda just amazes me. She works non-stop on the fansite she has created on MySpace. She wants to make it the best it can possibly be for Ran's fans to visit, and to make Miranda proud to call her a RanFan! Courtney has, and continues to, overcome many hardships and obstacles in her young life, and she does so with incredible valor and without complaint! Kudos to you, Courts!

Thank you all! It is a true honor and thrill to be a member of this family!

Bev (1stRanFan):
I had been watching Juli and her posts for a while and I had also heard about "the letter". One day I got a PM from her telling me of a young girl who had hit on some hard times lately. She went on to say that the young lady was a Ran Fan but her membership was about to expire and she would like to know how to go about renewing it for her at her own cost.

I told her that because of a very special situation, I had already renewed the kit myself. (More on that in the next RFOTM notes)

A few days later she wrote to tell me that a non Ran Fan has requested one of the presale codes from her. She provided me with the username of the young lady who wrote the request. (Which I dealt with promptly) I am sure many people on this forum have been asked to provide the codes from other forum members. Some of you may have even given them to the person. Not only did Juli NOT give her the code, she made me aware of it so I could do something about it. She wanted me to know that people in our own camp were trying to abuse the system we have set up for the Ran Fans. Family first!!!

Juli is one of those upbeat, caring and positive people that I love to see on the Ran Fans forum but there is a depth to Juli that few people see. Those people who can absorb lyrics into their lives and let the music change them are the main reason that Miranda writes her own material. I love the upbeat sing along songs as much as anyone but there have been a few songs along the way that have changed my life. As you read above Juli has the ability to do that and move her direction into positive motion. I can't believe after all that she went through, and walked out of that she is one of the most optimistic and joyful people on the forum. Juli I commend you first for taking up the strong spirit that you did, letting music influence you in a positive way and for getting yourself out of an abusive and dead end situation. I can't wait to meet you in May and give you a big ol' Texas Mama hug! Thank you for sharing the intimate details of your fight out and latching on to the hand to help you up!

_________________
Bev Lambert - Ran Fans President

Miranda, are you packing heat? "Can't tell you," Lambert twangs. "That's why it's called a concealed weapon. How about you just be nice?"

JessJess7 · Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 17328 Location: Columbia, MO

Way to go, girl! Thumbs Up

_________________

Pics

klape · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 865 Location: Sikeston, Missouri

Yay Juli! We love you! Thumbs Up

_________________
Katie
Sikeston, Missouri

J.Flores · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:33 am Post subject:

[color=red]JULI IS AWESOME.

paul whitt · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 913 Location: pittsburgh , pa

Your an awesome person!! Well deserved, and can't wait to meet you!!

RenaeDawn · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 3901

Bev is certainly right (again!). Juli is one of the most postive, upbeat people I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. I'm looking forward to meeting you for real at Cause! Congratz, girlie!

_________________

Me: If this one doesn't win Album of the Year, I'm personally burning the Academy of Country Music down.

Scotty Wray: It's a pretty good record, huh?

From Ran's Revolution at the Ryman 9/24/09

beckyl28 · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 877 Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Congrats Juli! I'm glad you pulled through. It's such a pleasure to read your posts!

_________________
Becky

Shahha · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 952 Location: Michigan

congratulations Juli! Smile

_________________
Shanna

Courts · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1708 Location: Canada

Congrads Jules! Your such an awsome friend i dont know what i'd do without ya Smile

_________________

*2009 Foreign Correspondant*

Charlie1 · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 878 Location: Delaware

Congrats Juli Thumbs Up

_________________

GodBlessTexas! · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

We love ya Juli!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO!

_________________

lizlabee · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject:

You ROCK Juli!!

_________________
LINDSEY

juli s. · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 4620 Location: Milwaukee, Wi

WOW! I just got home from a lonnnnng day at work, and what a fantastic surprise it was to come on here and see all of the sweet, wonderful things you have all said! Thank you so very much, everyone!!! I really do appreciate all of you! You really made my WEEK! Ya' wanna know what put the cherry on top???....Waiting at my door when I got home this evening was a package! A package containing my FAN CLUB RENEWAL KIT!!!!! YAY!!!! Clapping

The new shirt looks awesome!!!! Great job, Camp Lambert! Thumbs Up

Bev, you brought tears to my eyes when I read your Bev's notes! Thank you for your kind words. You are a very special lady, truly. I too am looking forward to our meeting each other in just a couple of weeks! I've got a big ol' hug to give ya' right back, mama Bev! And Miranda, if you ever get over to this post to read any of this, I've got a big 'thank you' hug for you, as well! Thumbs Up

....and hopefully I will actually be able to locate my voice and SPEAK to you this time around! Rolling With Laughter