Saturday, January 26, 2013

2013 Begins



January 2013:

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward” –Martin Luther King Jr.
            Moving forward changes us all. Before I went home to spend Christmas with my family many people told me that it would feel like nothing changed. However, after not seeing them for 1 ½ years, I saw changes.

My heart beat faster than ever as I searched for my love at the airport, love changes things.
I hugged my nephew for the first time, which was a change.
I introduced myself to my newest nephew, which was a change.
I walked up my parent’s driveway with tears in my eyes, change again.
I saw a sister who has grown into a stunning young woman, more change.
I saw a sister who has transformed her life with miracles, made me love the possibilities of change.
I hugged my little brother tighter than ever while wiping tears from his eyes, change.
I saw my pops with the largest smile on his face and he was up past 7p.m., I love change.
I saw my cousin with her husband for the first time, which was a change.
I saw my mother, my best friend, my strength, my motivation, my life teacher, and my eyes filled with even more tears; change helps relationships bloom.
I had many conversations with the curly haired angel who I call my niece; I never wanted them to end.
I saw my family, friends, and neighbors standing in my parent’s garage; ok… some things never change.

I did not want to sleep. I did not even want to eat (only at like 3 a.m. when it was lunch time in the Philippines). I did not want to be involved in drama. I did not want to stop hugging people. I did not want to stop talking to my mother and father. I did not want to stop talking, period. I did not want to close my eyes. I wanted to soak up everything. Then I passed out for 20 hours. I realized who really matters in my life. I did not want to go shopping. I was content just being around my family. Truthfully, I did not really want to leave my parent’s house. Everything I needed was inside, or outside if I mention the snowy hills. I know exactly who will be with me in the next steps of my life. And the “who” in my life story matters most.


“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – Earl Nightingale
            I used to dream about watching my Sports Club kids all throwing balls at the same time. Thanks to a bighearted coach and gym teacher who made a donation, I got to stand on the stage of my school and stare out at 20+ balls/ frisbees flying in the air. Sports Club is more than an after school Sports Club now. My students check out equipment during their lunch recess. They are eager for more games, more ways they can play, more time they can play. After 1 ½ years of being stared at in my little nook in the world, I am the one doing the staring now. It feels really good.

“I’ve seen better days, but I’ve also seen worse. I don’t have everything that I want, but I do have all I need. I woke up with some aches and pains, but I woke up. My life may not be perfect but I am blessed.”
            I am blessed. A lot has happened over the past month, too much for me to process and display for the world to see. The other day I woke up with a heart ache from saying goodbye to my sister and my boyfriend. I have woken up happier. Now that I am back in Marinduque, I feel a bit better, the blurriness of tears has come and gone, and I am ready to run happily to the finish line of my service. I am blessed.

@home. from new bond to fabulous bond. 

love snow and siblings

the families newest miracle

"always by your side"

SPORTS!

The kids of Sports Club... waiting...

Some of the excitement after seeing the new equipment *more photos to come soon*

I hope we never take a completely normal family Christmas picture. 

The kids I nanny for in America made 200+ bags of stickers for me to give my students. These shiny gems can be seen all over campus now! What a neat little way to brighter someones life.

Hard decision.

It's more fun in the Philippines.

Perfect place to end any day.

Our Filipina Mommy.