I found out last night that my family will be going to Tijuana Mexico once again in December :) I'm stoked out of my freaking mind! We will be going with the Charity Anywhere Foundation. This will be my third time in a 12 month span. I'm sure this will be another week I'll never forget ;) Also, I have a slideshow of the first time we went down that is on my facebook page if you were curious.
I don't think it's truly possible to explain the caliber of joy I find in doing service in The Homeland. It is honestly where I feel the closest to my Savior. That may change once I'm able to go through the temple. But for now, TJ is my Home away from home. I can't find the words to describe how it feels to see the way that the people live their lives on what the world would consider as almost nothing, and are still some of the most willing, loving and grateful folks I've ever had the honor to meet.
I believe that Gabriel Valenzuela is one of the most inspirational and down right faithful people I've ever known. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and serve him. If you've ever heard me talk about the Obispo, this is the guy. The first time we went down, my family got to replace his roof. The second time, my crew (including Brent) had the chance to build him a Hamburger Stand outside his house so his family could have another source of income. He is an artist by trade, the early morning seminary teacher and has been a member of the church for about 10 years (7 as Bishop). Mostly, he's one of my biggest heroes.
I could tell a million different stories about my love for TJ. One of the things I love most about these trips is the people we go down with. Some of the greatest examples I have in my life are those that I've served side by side and ridden in cars for 15 straight hours with.
I don't know anyone more crafty than Mi Hermana Holly. She can bedazzle a fanny pack in less time than it takes her to run the hurdles. She is really neat :) Our other hermana, Lexie was an inspiration to give my friend a BOM. And their man, Hector will teach them to be amazing dancers someday. Cami and Courtney...are there really words? I can't describe them apart from each other. It would be like a Mexican cola without a glass bottle. Okay but seriously, these two are definitely in top five most dynamic duos of all time. Special asterisk by their name for most hilarious. And without good old E-Flems, I'd have nothing to do on a college student's spring break. And no one to blog-stalk, which would really be a shame. Jason and Kaden are like my brothers. Seriously, I see them just as often as my real family if not more. I already knew Madi Dodd, but that doesn't make her any less amazingly freaking adorable with those orphan kids. Cortney, Isaiah, Jess, Mary, Stephanie, Amandrew, Bethany, Ise, Tink etc...the list goes on and on. Amazing, every single one of them.
Approximately 3 months and counting... :D
"You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims."
Missy. its lame. I know. but this post made me tear up. like some serious crying behavior going on over here.
ReplyDeleteI say Amen amen amen to all of this. I cant wait to go back
and "It would be like a Mexican cola without a glass bottle" is my new favorite thing Ive ever read :) and thats saying something, as an English major haha