"Be Jesus to someone today." My mom never allows me to step foot out the door without hearing this first. I am reminded daily of the love Jesus has for me because of the people that have influenced my life the most. Each day, I am reminded who I am and the name I possess. Keeping this precious name and upholding my reputation are definitely a must, but upholding the righteous name of Jesus, to me, is far more important. Because of my family, my faith, and my day-to-day activities, I have developed a very outgoing, fun-loving personality and a heart for other people.
My faith is what carries me, and I use the Bible for direction for my life. Because of my relationship with the Lord, I have had the privilege to participate in some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. This past summer, I had the chance to travel to Washington, DC where I spent a week at a leadership conference with my youth group. The conference itself helped equip me to lead as a citizen and become a catalyst for change. I got to tour the nation's capital in a way that most never will. From touring the monuments at twilight, to walking the halls of Congress, and even learning from some the the nation's most influential leaders, I am now able to continue to grow as a leader for Christ. This trip came and went like the sand in an hourglass, but there is nothing like learning while standing at the feet of giants. Because of events like these and the wisdom I have obtained, the way I perceive things is different. My sphere of influence, the way I deal with everyday circumstances, and the way in which I approach life are now so much more important to me.
The people I surround myself with daily has also helped mold me into the person I am today. God has blessed me with friends that support me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. They always stand ready to give me the Godly advice needed to make healthy decisions and protect my name no matter the circumstances. They always encourage me to take a stand for what I know is right and encourage me to do my best in everything I do.
My love for traveling has exploded recently, and I'm always on the lookout for a new adventure. I tend to find more joy in the ride than the destination, and I find more joy in the company than the experience. Although I love to constantly be on the go, a part of me lives here at home.
MOM & DAD
My mom is my best friend. Shis is my biggest supporter, my number one fan, and my rock. She dances with me when I succeed and upholds me when I fail. She always stands with open arms ready to listen and never gives up on me no matter how hard things may get. My dad, on the other hand, is my hero. I look up to him for everything. He lives a life that I aspire to mirror, and he has always been my greatest influence. There is no question where he stands on his relationship with God, and he is always willing to sacrifice anything for his family.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Each year, we have our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents' house, where we eat until we're all about to explode! And when Christmas rolls around, there is no question that we will have every square foot of the house covered in lights or some sort of decor. And of course, Santa makes his annual visit, we make our rounds to see all the family, and eat till we drop.
Now, although we have our annual traditions, we have our daily ones as well. Each night, we all sit together as a family and talk about our day; the exceptional and the lousy. We have weekly things take place in our home such as "family game night" where we go head to head with each other in a friendly game of Twister, or maybe even an intense game of Clue. Each Sunday, we attend church as a family, and it is never a question what is for dinner after service. As soon as church lets out, we high-tail it out of there and go eat at Ta'Molly's where we have become the "regulars". Together or not, our family is as close as it gets, and I would be nothing without them.
My life is an open book. Each day, I strive to tackle life in such a way that honors God, influences others, and makes my family proud. I hold tight to my name and the things that have helped mold me into who I am today.