Lessons Learned from the Best Teachers :)

This weekend, I get to go home for a week! I'm so ready to see my family and just be in their company. My boyfriend gets to come with me and meet the gang. I'm pretty stoked. At one point though, I was worried about all the ways that I could possibly be embarrassed at home..because..lets face it, who knows you better then your family? But, as time goes on and the longer it's been since I've been home...I'm constantly reminded how my family has made me who I am and how God has used them each in a special way to teach me great things. So, in honor of going home to be with the fam..this blog is for them.

My dad has been a vessel in my life. Not only was he the one that guided me into a personal relationship with Christ, but he has been there for me in every step of my walk with Him. When he had to move to ATL, he would send encouraging cards and letters every week to keep us connected. We had a cute teddy bear with a picture of a clock on it (weird, but we won it at a fair) and we would trade every time we saw each other and take turns having the bear to pass the time. Something my dad has taught me, and still teaches me, is what seeking God looks like. Through him I see what it means to desire a life lived for the Lord. He is humble, hardworking, and loving..and I know he brings glory to God in all of it. I also think my dad has contributed a lot to my sillyness. He is always saying goofy things and making funny faces. He used to wake my brother and I up sometimes by acting like a dog or singing the "good morning" song in a funny voice. It was awesome. We send each other text messages with movie quotes in them all the time, just to relive funny moments. Thats just a small dose of the wonderful things I've learned from dad. I hope I have all the cool things Im proud of my dad for in me!

My momma! What a strong and brave woman! You would never believe all the things she has been through if you met her. She is strong, determined..really funny, kinda sassy, and so loving. She never ever gives up and in everything she seeks to help others. My mom has taught me what it means to persevere in the Lord and give and live out hope. I remember going through some of the roughest of times, but she made them better somehow just in her attitude. A house of no electricity or running water turned into a game of "little house on the prairie". Her hope in the Lord is contagious. She can take just about anything and turn it into something cool. Shes super artsy and creative. I remember one night when I was younger, my brother and I were upset about something (could have been anything..a storm, etc) and we stayed up way past our bed times singing "On Top of Spaghetti" with her. We were making up new ridiculous verses and trying to rhyme..and laughing really hard. Im pretty sure we still do crap like that all the time at home. My mom also taught me how to be there for people and how to listen. She's always there for others, and even in her own trials..she has taken a back seat to be there for someone else. I have learned many other countless and amazing things from my mom and I pray I have many qualities like her!

My brudda. Gosh, he's great. Kevin is funny, talented, loyal and has the biggest heart. Kevin never ceases to amaze me with his generosity and loyalty to the people he cares about. My brother and I are super close, and  that is something I am so thankful for. My mom used to yell at me when I was little because when she wasnt looking I'd pull him out of the play pen so we could play. We have never really had a phase where we couldnt stand each other. We've had our moments like normal siblings. He likes telling the story about how when he was 2 and I was 4, I sent him to the hospital (on accident of course!) by hitting him with a toy purse..I was pretty sure at the time he was trying to steal it from me. One time, we were fighting over the last bagel in the house, and I grabbed it and stuck it in my mouth..thinking "ha, he cant have it now". He pulled it out anyway..ripping one of my not-yet- loose teeth out with it. But, Kevin and I laugh a lot when were together and it has always been that way! Kevin has taught me what it means to be true to yourself. He has never been anything he isnt and he is always honest. He has also taught me to have no fear. He has dealt with a lot for such a young man, but he never once has turned away from challenges. He faces them whether he wants to or not. And in all of it, he stays humble and kind hearted. He is always helping people out, and that is another thing I admire about my bro. I wish I got some of the same genetics he got.

Im really blessed and Im thankful for the family I have been given. God is GOOD and He shows me His love and grace through my awesome family everyday. I cant wait to see them in a few short days!