My Mom

For those of you who don't know...I have the most amazing single-mother in the world. I can't imagine where I would be if God didn't give me the mother that I have. My mom is an amazing, bright, hilarious, loving, confident, trustworthy, sacrificing, kind, caring, obnoxious, loyal, God-loving woman. Lately, my mom has been stressed out about family, her job, and me going off to college, and I've been at a loss as to how I can help her. However, I was talking to one of my friends about it one night, and she told me that's where I come in with all of my encouragement. I asked her like what kind of encouragement, and she told me that I should tell her how much I love her, how much she means to me, and how much she has made a difference in my life. So, that's what I'm going to do right now, and I want the entire world to know how much I love my mom.

Here are some of the things that I am thankful for:

1. You’re always trying to find ways to put a smile on my face.
2. You always dance in the car to be obnoxious...even when the whole world is watching you.
3. You laugh more throughout the day than you actually talk.
4. You know how to listen.
5. You would do anything for me, such as giving up your dream job at the NICU when I was a baby because the hours were bad, and you had to take care of me instead. 
6. You love it when I give you hugs, and I love it when you give me hugs.
7. You never make me feel incompetent. 
8. You are proud of me for more than just my grades. You’re proud of me for the person I am and am becoming, and you tell me that you’re proud of me, which is always encouraging to hear.
9. You’ll bake me cupcakes, cookies, peach pie, or brownies just because I ask for them. There doesn’t have to be a special reason; it’s just because you love me.
10. You never make me feel discouraged when I make mistakes; all you do is try to help me through them and encourage me to do better the next time.
11. You raised me in a strong Christian home, which there is no way I can EVER repay you for this one.
12. Even when you don’t agree with some of the decisions I make, you do your best to support me, and when I make the wrong decision, you don’t make me feel bad about it.
13. You don’t mind that I call you a million different names: Bubba Gump Shrimp, Bubba Gump Desperaux, Bubba Gump, Bubba, BGD, and Mom.
14. You laugh at me when I get hurt, which makes the pain go away.
15. When you had cancer, you held me each night in your arms as I fell asleep. You were the hurting one, yet you were the one holding me, which just shows the type of person that you are.
16. You let me talk your ear off when you’re laying in bed trying to fall asleep because you know I’m not a morning person.
17. You’ll just look at me and smile when I start laughing for no apparent reason.
18. You are always there to have a listening ear...ready and waiting with some advice if I want it.
19. You laugh at the most RANDOM things, even when I look at you like you are absolutely crazy.
20. You let me listen to Christmas music anytime that I want to, even if it’s in the middle of June (or today for instance).
21. You don’t belittle my problems.
22. You love me no matter what, and you make sure that I know that!

Obviously, there are definitely more, but I don't think I did so badly thinking off the cuff. I want my mom to know that I am so immensely proud of her for doing it on her own because I think she did an amazing job. We've definitely had our share of problems, but we got through them like we have always done because we have God on our side. I want my mom to know that just because I'm going to college doesn't mean that our laughing has to end or the talking has to end or the dancing has to end or the making of beautiful memories has to end. We are both opening new chapters of our lives, and God has so much in store for the both of us.

Sometimes I sit and cry when I think about how much I love my mom. :) AND...I know for a fact that when my mom is done reading this, she is going to come to wherever I am with tears streaming down her face, and I'm just going to give her a hug and tell her that I am proud of her. 

This is what I felt compelled to write about today. So, for all of you reading this...go tell your mothers that you love them. It's just as important for them to hear it from us, as it is for us to hear it from them.

I love you, Mom!

Gracias por este día

If you want to know...you got to ask me! (DR 2010)

Writing my first blog post is kind of awkward, but I'm just going to embrace it!

S'mores Time! (DR 2009)

This week has been one of those weeks when I have had a lot on my mind: college, family, friends, the Dominican Republic, and God. I move to the cornfields of Upland, Indiana in 13 days. I'm going to be a freshman at Taylor University, and I am overjoyed about all that God has in store for me over the next four years. TU is one of those places where you feel loved whether you are a student on campus or not. You can see God working in the lives of those on campus. People love to smile at you and wave at you whether they know you or simply want to say hello to a new face. The community on campus is like that of a tight-knit family, which I find simply EXTRAORDINARY! Here are some of the things that I'm excited for:

1) I'm so excited to meet my roommate, Diana. She's seems like a pretty cool person who really longs to be more like Jesus. She seems like she loves to laugh, hug people, dance in the rain, and just be plain awesome on a daily basis, which is a lot like me.
2) I'm excited about making some new friends. There are so many people in this world, and I'll actually only have a chance to meet a fraction of those people in my lifetime. And I'll be friends with only a small fraction of the fraction. I'm excited to hear about these people's lives and get to know them. I'm excited to hear stories, give hugs, laugh with each other, pray with each other, eat Ivanhoe's together, and make new memories together! I'm excited about my social life and all the silly, random fun I'm going to have with these amazing people!
3) I'm excited about Ivanhoe's. For those of you who don't know what Ivanhoe's is...you need to get with the program! :) Ivanhoe's is this really DELICIOUS ice cream place that's not far from the TU campus. They have 100 different kinds of shakes and sundaes. Now, if one person, such as myself, can tackle all 100 flavors... they can join the Ivanhoe's 100 club. Guess who's taking on the challenge without gaining any weight?! That's right...I AM!
4)I'm excited about my classes. I never thought the day would come when I said I am excited about SCHOOL. Personally, sitting in classes is kind of boring, but what I have come to realize is that college is different than high school. At TU, the teachers care about you, as a person. They want nothing more than for you to do your ABSOLUTE best, and they are going to do all that they can to help you. Plus, almost all of the classes that I'm taking first semester all have to do with what I am studying, which is elementary education and special education.
5) This is probably the most important one to me...I'm excited about deepening my relationship with God (or as I like to call Him, Dad). I can't imagine my life without my Dad. He's been there with me through every moment in my life: exciting, disappointing, sad, frustrating, joyful, angry, and happy. I'm excited to experience the new ways He is going challenge me and stretch my faith. My Dad is AMAZING, and I'm excited to see what AMAZING plans He has for my life. I love you, Dad!

My family and friends have also been on my mind this week (more so than usual). No matter annoyed and frustrated at I get at them, I need to be thankful for them. I love them, and I know that they love me. Sometimes I just wish we were better at communicating that to one another.

Danny Polo (DR 2008)

Being a clown...one of the best experiences of my life! NO JOKE! (DR 2010)

The Dominican Republic is also one of those constant things that pass through my mind daily. I've been blessed with the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic, working with Students International, for 4 summers in a row. I plan on going next year, whether it be as an individual again or as an intern. The best thing that came out of my high school years was the DR. God knew what He was doing the first year that He sent me to the DR, which I just find mind-blowing. I now have a STRONG love for a country and its people, and I can't imagine not loving them. The DR, SI, Genesis, and all of the people I have met over the years while in the DR all hold an EXTREMELY SPECIAL place in my heart, which is irreplaceable. Vicki and Josh, can you believe all that God did the first year that we were in the DR together? I mean...look where we are today!

I look so little! No me gusta! (DR 2007)

This is one afternoon at Genesis. What can I say? I love the rain! (DR 2007)

God has been on my mind. I'm realizing how much I love Him. I'm finally at a place in my life where I'm realizing that in order to get EVERYTHING out of my relationship with God...my heart has to be 100% in it. Why I never felt the need to have a wholehearted love and trust before...I have no idea!

Dios, gracias por este día! 

GRACIAS POR...

1) Mis aventuras en la Republica Dominicana. I can't imagine my life without the DR. I've learned so much. I've met some of the most loving, amazing people EVER (whether they are Dominican, American, or any other nationality (Josh Hill...British... NOT!)) 

2) Mi mama. Today I was thinking about 6th grade and the day I found out my mom had cancer. That was an earth-shattering day for me. Thank You for healing her! She's been cancer-free for over 6 years and counting!

3) Mis amigos. My friends are my family, and I can't imagine my life without all of you! :)

4) Universidad de Taylor. Ready or not...I'm coming in 13 days!

5) Su Hijo, Jesus Cristo. Thank You for Jesus! Thank You for sending Him to die so that I can be saved and spend an eternity with You.

That's all I have to say today! I've been sitting here for quite a while. Therefore, I think I'll go now. Adios, mundo!