Happy Birthday dear Mr. Dieter!

June 2o1o

Jesse,
I'm so excited that you're turning 18! It seems just a few months ago that I met you while we were funky, happy thirteen year-olds.
I just want to tell you how special you are to me. You know I don't like keeping it to myself till your birthday arrives, but I can't miss the opportunity today to remind you why!

Your friendly smile has always had a way of comforting me. It's so accepting!
I really admire how faithful you are at doing things for others around the house, it shows your big heart and your disposition. You're also very determined to do what you must do and to give life your best shot! I love that about you!
I love it how you're that rare guy who picks up a drooping soul telling that girl something like "You look beautiful this morning!" and making her day. I love your witty way of saying things. I always loved and appreciated your hugs.
I miss how you'd look at me with your eyes squinted from way up above -we all know you're tall- and I'd give you my best evil look. Great times! I MISS YOU JESS!
Your girlfriend has really got the lucks for getting such an amazing guy as yourself!
I can't tell you that I wish you the best. I wish you the BEST of the BEST! And I pray that the best, purest, most wonderful kinds of joy fill your life! I pray that you have the best opportunitues! I pray that you never lose sight of the Man who has your dreams, aspirations and purpose in His hands. I pray that every day you live gets better and that you can sometimes stop, look at a pile of books, a horse or across the table and think "Goodness Jesus, You LOVE ME SO MUCH!"
He truly does!
I love you Jess!
Thanks for being you. You deserve the best Mr. Dieter!
Happy Birthday!!

Celebrating who you are

You're my sister, you're my friend, you're one who supports me with prayer, a soldier that fights by my side. You're this not just to me, but to everybody else.
You're smiles and you're love
You fight to give your best every single day
You're an encourager
You're a follower and you're a leader,
You take play and work seriously
You're a reflection of unfathomable wonders
You're a determined individual
You're gentle, yet you're firm
You make those around you have a laughing time!
You leave every single person who meets you a little better than before.
You make Jesus feel real because so much of Him is embodied in you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINDY!

I wish you an unforgettable, adventurous year in which you forge ahead undaunted by the waves, discovering the treasure chests of dreams come true and being in love with He who can be your ALL. I admire you Windy! Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for all that you are! I'm really, really thankful for you.
I'm seeing you soon!

Sweet Estie, Happy Birthday!!

You make me feel so proud of you, I'm proud to have a friend like you.
You're fighting to make the world around you a better place, you give of yourself and your time to others, you love Jesus first and foremost and you walk on the water with Him. You're in love, you're willing to help, you're a servant just like Jesus, you're a comforter, you're an amazing woman and a sweet, sweet friend.
You mean more to people than you know. You're an angel in disguise, carrying her guitar, lighting candles in other's hearts. You mean more to me than you know. I admire you for sailing out into the unknown, for being a visionary, for doing it for love.
I bet this is going to be the most exciting year of your life yet! You have soo much to look forward to!
From the moment you first blinked you've found treasures along the path of your life and given soo much Love! Thank you for all that love you give Sweetie. It translates into prayers answered, miracles, strength, happiness, protection, fulfillment, health in the lives of others. Cause of that and so much more is Heaven laded with blessings, riches and awesomeness to give you and reward you with! And honey, you're only 18!
I'm so happy to have met you that one time passing by your house in Querétaro. You helped me feel less of a weird bug, sat with me when my stomach was aching, made sure my tea had no sugar, and talked and talked with me.
And just recently we were sitting in a red van with my dad at the wheel, catching up on each other's lives a bit. I remember you looked beautiful and how you matched perfectly with the day! It was bliss to have you there, how you shared your experiences with me, and treasures you've gained by walking alongside Jesus. We hadn't slept much at all and you still managed to look beautiful, why? Cause you simply are! No other explanation! -smiles-
I love you very much my dear and I'm excited about your new year and the adventures that await you, starting today. New grand things! It doesn't matter if some start small. Look at Jesus born in a stable.
My, you're awesome! I wish you the happiest year of your life yet! And I pray you have at every moment everything you need and love in your heart that never dies. Thank you for being such a champ, for not giving up, for carrying on, for wanting to be more like Jesus every day! Estie, you inspire me.

Dear Ryan

I admire the long way you've come.
You remind me how immensely precious people are.
I admire the life lessons you've learned and that you have the courage to share them with all of us, to show who you are with no shame. That's admirable! -smiles-
I'm so happy that the beauty of your life has touched mine, it makes me feel real thankful.
Granted we don't have enough strength to make it on our own, we need each other, and most of all, we need Jesus.
I'm thankful for all the love and beauty your life exudes; they beauty of your journey, the beauty of your discoveries, the beauty of your fights and the beauty of your love and dreams. It's opened my eyes when I needed it, encouraged me when I was weak and stumbling, and showed me another part of my life and heart I hadn't payed attention to before.
Thank you for marking my life. You really didn't meant to, you were just being you.
Stay wonderful, as you are. But I have a feeling time will only make you better! You'll only get better with time!

Happy Belated Birthday Ryan! -by the time you get to read this, it will be :-*

Feliz Cumpleaños Ana!

I love you cutie! And I wish you the very best this year!
I'm so thankful to have met you, you've sweetened my life -smiles right at you-
You're a bubbly girl, bursting with ideas! Don't let anyone discourage you from fulfilling the dreams you have. Please don't stop pouring out all the sweet love you give, it means so much to us.
If you're ever in need of a friend, honey remember I'm here.

She's Suz

Sweet Suz, its your birthday today..and I've got some things to tell you.
Things I forget to say when we see each other, when I see your happy smile while playing volleyball, when I hear your roaring laughter -grins-, when I see you dance or look upon the sun shining on the street and among the leaves (wow I'm getting so poetic)
You are so funny! It's hard to tell when you're so quiet, but underneath that there is the bubbling personality of such a fun girl, one I wish each of my friends could know!
You're sweet. You care about others, you're not like most people, selfish and concerned only about themselves. You go beyond the call of duty to do things for people that will make their days easier and happier.
Oh and your smiles! Your hugs! When you're gone I miss them terribly!
Everyone needs a Susie in their life, someone that makes them smile and laugh and forget about how bad they were feeling moments earlier. Someone who cares and loves them and is alright with the way they are, even if they do something stupid, act retarded or in the most dorky way imaginable. Everyone needs someone like you. Someone who tells them the truth, someone who for love would do nearly anything..
I wish more people were like you. I feel completely blessed to have you in my life.
Happy Birthday little Miss awesome!

Nina's birthday

We celebrated my sweet sister's birthday on last week's Thursday, she looked her adorable self!
More than ready to jump into her teens I'd say, but she's someone I would not be the same without.
I love you Nina

Look at the happy, delightful confusion!

We had fun
...please don't die of a heart attack by looking closely into this -grins-

There's nothing like the beauty of having a family, and that family expanding to include new friends and bring dear ones even closer!

There's nothing like the gift of having you!

What makes Megs amazing

Meg loves with her whole heart -and she has a BIG heart.
She shows more interest in you than in herself.
She loves in a way that reaches beyond barriers and goes beyond expectations.
Meggy is a priceless friend, easy to confide in,
because you know she cares; she guards you and looks after you.

What I love and admire most about her
-besides her disposition to love and work for others even when it can get hard or annoying-
is how she continually fights to give life a smile,
whether or not life seems to be smiling at her in the first place.


There's just something really warm about Meg,
something really pretty about her japanese eyes and charm in her smile.
I love it how she's not ashamed
to be who she is.
Because look at her! She is wonderful as she is.


Oh and she's a crazy nut too!
-a happy one that makes you laugh
and puts your heart at its best.


I've told her she's like sunshine, like the warm, gentle sunshine of spring.
A soft, tender encourager that dries the unseen tears,
shares the light of a sweet smile and the ring of a carefree laugh.

I don't know too much about Meg, but this I've seen,
this she's been to me.

Happy Sweet 16 Meggy Megs of my heart!
The sky is no limit for what a girl like you can do.
You're cool, you're sweet, you're smart and sexy, being YOU makes you lovable to a T!
P.S. May your dreams come true...cause with Heaven as backup, they can!
-hugs you till your breathless:D- sorry -lets go-
Haha, I'm dying to see what this new awesome year will become for you!
That you are living makes this world a brighter place.

Winds

Happy 16th Birthday!
W- Wonderful
I- Intelligent
N- Naturally beautiful
D- Dynamic
Y- Youthful
That's Winds!

Happy Birthday to my wonder of a friend!

Nalies oh Nalies! Happy Birthdaay!!
I'm so thankful to know you, to share in the treasure that you are.
As this new year dawns I wish you the best of gift laden for you all throughout the path ahead of you! Someone like you can be happy no matter what, can succeed no matter what, can make something beautiful and worthwhile out of her life no matter what happens in it, because you love Jesus, you have a heart of gold and the strength in Him to do whatever you like in life! You're awesome like that.
You can change lives, you can affect them for the better -like you did mine-, you can love and live on in everyone's hearts, starting a chain reaction of love that keeps on multiplying. The love you give is strong enough to reach through lands and oceans, to keep in touch with old, new friends and loves and to keep reaching out (hugs you so very tightly)
If something can describe you Nalies it'd be true friend. Anyone who knows Nalies has luck on their side, will be filled with love and appreciation and will be happy to be with such a marvelous, unique, simple, funny, lovely, crazy, sweet person as her! She's just, Nalies.

The Joy of being a part of you

Is the joy of being part of something greater.
The joy of singing the same song.
The joy of relating to each other so easily.
The joy of growing up together, living together and building memories.
The joy of helping to change the world by changing ourselves, by giving love and sharing it one heart at a time.
The joy of knowing we have brothers and sisters in the next country or on the other side of the globe.
The joy of being a support to each other, in times of crisis or in times of abundance.
The joy of haven't even met, but being no strangers, instead, family.
The joy of having one same goal and main purpose.
The joy of knowing that you're not the only one.
The joy of knowing there is someone out there who knows how it is, maybe even has been there, and what is best, also cares.
The joy of keeping communications and having an international network of friends and associates.
The joy of making history together.
The joy of changing together but being so individualistic at the same time that you can be fulfilled.
The joy of understanding each other.
The joy of sharing smiles.
The joy of being happy and fighting for many of the same things.
The joy of meeting each other at the different bends in the road and finding love in each other's smiles and disposition.
The joy of being a wordwide family!
The joy of knowing what it is and not being sure how to explain it.
It's the joy of having love and having Jesus, and striving to share it with others. How do you describe that?
The joy of growing and expanding and getting bigger and wider.
The joy of open arms.
The joy of not being perfect, but going on anyway.

Happy 42nd Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Ali!

Dearest Ali,
Thank you for existing.
Thank you for bringing your kids to Earth, for mothering them, loving them like only you can and fighting for them.
Thank you for being as wonderful as you are.
Thank you for all your smiles and hugs, for your interest, words of advice and reassuring looks.
Thank you for your gifts of love.
Even through the smallest things I could see in you a real fighter, a no-giving up person, full of love, someone admirable!
You mean lots to me!
I know you're a busy woman and you probably won't see this till way after you've settled in your new home and things stabilize a little. I just want you to know that I love and pray for you and I miss you and your children like crazy!
I also miss Nate, that's for sure :P
Have a Happy Birthday! I wish you the best year, the desires of your heart met, the victories you need won, and love to overflowing!
with love, Steph.

P.S. Send kisses to the cuties.

A gift for all

"There was a gift to each of us left under the tree of life 2000 years ago by Him whose birthday we celebrate today. The gift was withheld from no man. Some have left the packages unclaimed. Some have accepted the gift and carried it around, but have failed to remove the wrapping and look inside to discover the hidden splendor. The packages are all alike: in each is a scroll on which is written, “All that the Father hath is thine!” Take and live!"—Frank S. Mead

Thank you so much sweet Jesus, I love you.
Happy Birthday!!

To Estie

You're a golden rose!
So precious and greatly treasured by those who know that your kind is rare.
Your heart is big enough to stretch even over lands and seas.
Yours are arms firm and reassuring, you're a good shoulder.
You are a lively spirit!
Beauty indeed!
Your is a voice that moves hearts, a heart with a pen that can reach out and comfort, understand and at times explain.
You've got eyes that change lives with a fire of a steady Love burning within them.
You fill tummies with your delicious baking n' cooking, and fill hearts with your hugs and tender kissing.
You're a creature of enjoyment and laughter!
...and to think that time will still teach you more, tears will make you stronger, challenges make you more of a daring soul and changes mold you and give you the life you were destined to live!
Happy Journey crazy creep!
You know you're only 17 once.
-Don't forget to include me in some of your wild adventures!
And if it so happens that we don't see each other often, we know we're both good at sending love over oceans.

Birthday thoughts

It's been a month now since my birthday and 3 extremely important birthdays have passed by as well.
I'm very thankful for all the sweet people that made my 16th birthday wonderful in some way, I Love You all!
Sandy, mom, dad and siblings, William, Meggy, Mikey, Sam D, Daniel the Panamanian, Esther, Teresa, Clara (and the wonder black and green bracelet she made me), Jesse, Lene, Benny, Rafael, Tania, Aurea, Priscila, Andrés, Beto, Tess, Kate n Kev, Ana my auntie, Rossana, Inés, Edit, Windy, Steph, Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, Lily, Sam my bro :P, Johnny Brown, grandmas, even strangers, and Jesus! As well as the dear ppl from the homes around here who put up balloons, made a cake, a great dinner for us all to enjoy and gave some gifts working toward buying my laptop -smiles-
You keep making me feel special n loved, on the most random days too! Thank you for being such loves!

I don't mean to give a recount of all the reasons the following people are so special, but they are! -and here's a sneak peek.

Uncle Solomon

French-Canadian uncle. You gotta love the french! Born the 1st of October of some wonderful year around the middle of the last century and I still tend to forget that people like him have seen so much and been through so many things. You can see wisdom and tranquility in his eyes, and at times a boyish twinkle is there. Yes, I really like uncle Solomon's eyes. And I admire him too. All in all he's an angel. Sandy -his daughter- said that the other day and I believe it.
Praise God for awesome dads with their quirks and funnies, and how they manage to keep a home running smoothly! Praise God for their unconditional love! And for all the running they do each day to have us happy n healthy. At times we seriously don't deserve it.

*

My mom -Topacio

Born the 10th of October, probably with the biggest smile, happy to be alive!
My mom is just the coolest one. She's the best for me.
She fills her role as a mother perfectly, she even goes to the length of caring for hurt birds or hungry pets when she actually dislikes animals. Not to mention all the people she adopts when they're in need. Whether it be a prayer, a listening ear, a word of encouragement or counsel, or an embrace, it hardly matters who it is.
People miss her for her smile and outrageous laughter.
She does things with such efficiency, I wish these things were hereditary :P, but her joy for living is catchy!
I don't know what I'd do without her. Probably have a nervous breakdown at the age of 16.
Thank God for moms who care for you and prepare you in all ways they can for what we may encounter, putting love in our hearts! Sigh of love

*

Sandy

Born the 13th of October of 1994, and since then lots and lots of people's days have been brightened and made richer...not to mention more interesting, haha! (wink). I can't compare my best friend to anyone in the world, and it doesn't matter if -by some funny and largely strange reason- I have the world for a friend, nothing will change the fact that she is amazing!

The truth is:
I love you dear, your friendship means the world to me.
You add color and laughter to my life. You make me smile at my worst times, and its like you're telling me, "keep that smile on your face stephy", and there are countless reasons to do that too. You teach me so much just by being your lovely, simple self. You help me believe in myself.
I love brainstorming with you, getting excited, enjoying life, looking out for the other, picking up, sharing our hearts, laughing, hugging and praying.
You're beautiful, trusting, fun, selfless, funny, crazy, with wild ideas, inner strength, sweet, sharing, honest, lovable, ready, squishy, practical, dreamy, you may forget some things (including faults and wrongs and stupidity on my side that hurts you, not only that you're supposed to cover the chicken with a particular cloth), though never the most important ones (You never forget to love -wink-). You're courageous, approachable, easy to talk to.
What would I do without a craziness partner?