Sandra “Sandy” Horsley, A Life of Faith, Family, and Connection!
This week’s Community Connect features someone I’ve known my entire life, and chances are, many of you know her too. Sandra Meigs Horsley, the daughter of Sara and Dozier Meigs of Centreville, grew up right here in our community. She still has family here including me!
Sandra, or “Sandy” as many know her, is kind, friendly, and has a deep love for the Lord. I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions, so let’s hear what she had to say.
Tell me about you and our family, grandkids, and pets.
First and foremost, I belong to and believe in Christ. When I meet people, my first thought is often, Do they know that Jesus LOVES them? I probably shouldn’t blurt it out immediately, but I do enjoy getting to know people and what they love, too. I’m a constant communicator…I love connecting people —to each other, great books, good mini-series, places to travel, great food, easier ways to understand the Bible, and healthy choices. One pastor once told me my gift was “Connecting.” I think he was right.
I’m the mother of 3 boys that kept our lives fun, busy, and still do! I’m an outdoorsy person who loves riding bicycles, beaches, mountains, clouds, sunsets, and all things weather-related. The guys have been lovingly dragged on countless trips to do the same, so now they love them too! My husband and I love adventures, especially when they involve visiting our guys and their wives, and our beautiful first grandchild – born just a month ago.
Our family (mine and Sheila’s, my cousin) and all our girl cousins grew up playing together at her home or across the road at my grandmother’s. Our grandmother was our glue. She was the most loving individual. Things we thought were fun…..We all grew up around her table where she had us help prepare probably 7 vegetables from the garden and 1 meat for all our families to drop in and eat at lunch, then clean up after. To this day one of my favorite things is washing dishes because the conversations that went down in the kitchen were awesome. Grandmother would, also, “let us” iron things & help her shell peas…haha!
We were all so close & constantly giggling! We were always climbing or hanging upside down from a limb of the Chestnut tree, dancing for hours around a record player, grabbing watermelons out of a huge garden, or sitting on the ground under the trees, busting open the pecans or chestnuts to eat. I think some of us pretended to be cowgirls, putting reigns on the large propane tank to ride. 😊 I don’t remember a single upset moment amongst us! – Except when we were pulling the burrs from the chestnuts out of our barefoot feet.
How did you first meet Bruce and your first thoughts of him? 😉
Ha…my first impression? Cocky. He walked with a lot of bounce in his step. My good friend told me that I got him all wrong and he wasn’t like that at all. As I observed him over time… I realized my friend was right. I actually grew to respect and admire him. I soon discovered that he could tell me where every verse or concept in the Bible, that I mentioned, was located. And he loved road trips!!!! Win-Win!!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Reading, journaling, or playing in my flower pots…all of which I prefer to do outside and get the sunshine on my shoulder. Like I said above, I also love being in the water and teaching water aerobics which brings me unbelievable joy. And, I love the psychology of marketing-not in a manipulative way, but in the sense of helping others see what things can help them – things that matter. Getting the word out so to speak. And I think I mentioned I love riding bikes….here in town and particularly in Venice Beach, Florida
Since you love to travel so much, what is your favorite state you have been to and what do you like about it?
California – It’s diversity in terrain – deserts, snow-capped mountains, oceans, and valleys. We lived there and our favorite thing was to ride our bikes to the beach. The drives along the coast are breathtaking. But I also adore Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches, Michigan’s charming small towns and coastlines (where we also love riding bikes too, and just about anywhere along the Appalachian Trail in the fall. Want random awesome cities? I’ve got plenty!
What would be your dream vacation?
Ahhh… several places… The shores of Santorini, Greece, the Whitsunday Islands in Australia, or floating over the English countryside towns, waters and cliffs.
What do you enjoy most about your water aerobics class at the wellness center?
Did I mention that I LOVE being in the water! And, I love getting to know people! Also, connecting them to healthy ways to live…sharing with them things that can change their lives, heal their bodies and help them live longer. Not to mention – the folks in the class are a blast!!!! The music keeps us moving, and we’ve no idea we are exercising!!!
Where is your favorite place to eat and what would you order on the menu?
I have too many favorites, but if I get my way (rare, thanks to my picky eater husband—ha!), I’d choose hibachi steak, shrimp, and veggies cooked right in front of me! Or a meat and 3 anywhere. If compromising:
- In BIRMINGHAM & TUSCALOOSA
- Surin– Coconut or Hot & Sour soup (which I basically lived on during a hospital stay!) or Jim n Nicks BBQ salad.
- Local Roots – best brisket burger & fries you will ever eat! Also, there and at
- Guthrie’s for chicken fingers … At both places – Get extra sauce
- In CALERA
- Bertolone’s – Fettuccine Alfredo or Angel Hair Pasta with meatballs
- Zapopan’s – Cheese quesadilla loaded with jalapeños & guacamole
Tell us something most people wouldn’t know about you.
Because I am so casual (think shorts, sweats or swimsuits 99% of the time)…most would not know that I love fashion and appreciate a well-dressed man or woman. I was a personal shopper for Parisian at the Galleria for over 20 years. Friends & former clients still TEXT me to ask me advice: “should I get this?’ or “should I wear this, with this, or this?” Oh and I played tennis most of my life – folks wouldn’t know because I sure don’t look like it. ha
What is a fun family fact about your family?
My husband is hilarious…he slings one-liners that bust your sides open. Only the select few he chooses knows this. My guys all take after him. They can slay you with hilarious comments about the most random of things that you’d never hear coming out of someone else’s mouth. When they’re together it’s a rapid-fire dose of lines – one right after the other. Yet they ALL look so unassuming and clearly, I am a great audience.
What is your favorite memory of Aunt Sara and Uncle Dozier?
My mom taught me toughness in sports, but her heart for sharing Christ and protecting the innocent was her greatest lesson. She stood firmly against prejudice and fought for others. My dad—once tough and gruff—softened with faith and became the gentlest, kindest man who never missed a chance to tell someone, Jesus loves you. Also, his and my grandmother’s cooking? Life-changing.
What are the positions in other jobs that you have done in the past?
Hmmm, I lifeguarded & taught swimming for just about a lifetime. I taught & coached tennis. I was a personal shopper. I worked in several dental offices in CA. And at a turning point, in Southern CA, I was #2 in recruiting and sales for Avon which made me realize I should be selling LIFE in Christ. I decided to join a ministry called Campus Life and reach out to a high school students near where I lived. I am still in contact with most of those Kids today!! And, with Only to one I sold Avon. Which makes me say, Make your life count. I was also executive director with Sav-A-Life of Bibb County.
What do you and your husband do together on your time off to relax?
Oh that’s easy. Grab a COFFEE AND READ!
What is your way of spending time with the Lord?
Ahhhh I hope you don’t regret you asked. I try to keep my early mornings protected for a cup of coffee and reading from various sources. First, something from C.S. Lewis because he makes my brain have to function. HA! Then a short devotional from, 365 Prayers for Women, that my friend Kayle gave me and I keep buying for others,,, (though it shouldn’t be just be just for women… it is great for anyone needing focus when praying). Then I use the prayer App Lectio 365 that can include history with it’s information. It helps me not be so inward-focused on my prayers. I find so many mission & others minded friends also use it. I journal after reading these sources, then dive deeper in a Bible that is filled with fun historical information unlike any I’ve seen before. E.g. It includes pictures of archeological digs that find things that verify what was said in the Bible, bringing it to life.
Tell us about your fun college years.
Well, apart from the occasional nightmares that I am late to take a test because I stayed up all night studying. Hahaha!…Our Southeastern Bible College campus was beautiful — made up of old English and German style buildings that sat on a hill overlooking all of Birmingham. It was filled with people who truly loved the Lord and lived to know Him & His Word better. Most are still lifelong friends and love hearing about each other’s lives and ministries. We played football on the lawn or hung out at the Student Union or just took lengthy walks on the historic Southside –where Bruce and I still go grab a coffee and read. Oh, Bruce played basketball, and I cheered so we got free road trips to see other colleges and unique places in the south. ONE Un-Bible college like fun story. On one of those adventures, I was encouraged by some SBC friends to climb a tree by Elvis’ home, in Memphis, to peek over his fence at his house and yard. It was so charming with lots of cool cars in the carport and a sweet child’s playhouse in the backyard. No regrets! I am forever glad I did it!
“Exploring your community allows you to uncover its hidden gems and forge meaningful connections with your neighbors.” Thank you, Sandy Horsley, for taking the time to answer our questions so that we may get to know you and your family on a more personal level.”
