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.

To my angel-like best friend

When I need to laugh, somehow its always possible with you.
When I'm all tears and blubbering, you hug me and understand.
When I need some arms around me, yours are more than willing.
When my eyes are on the mud, you help me look up at the sparkling night sky and see the best of things.
When I'm sick, you come along and make my heart glad.
When I'm at my worst, you still see possibilities in me, your eyes can see something beautiful.
When I'm all smiles and laughter, you join in singing jolly, silly songs!
When I need an angel, when I need to know that things are alright, when I need to laugh and forget about myself, you're more than ready to fill the need and you don't even notice perhaps, how much of an angel you are to me. But Jesus knows, He sent you along.
Jesus is so wise, so grand, so marvelous, merciful and generous. And knows exactly what we need at the right time and brings the perfect person, the perfect opportunity, the perfect moment to grow and love, to wake us up and remind us that we're alive!
I love you dear!
Thank you for being in my life! Thanks Jesus, you're the best! -huge smile-

I'm missing you Jess

When did Jesse leave? I don't even remember anymore. I just know that time is never enough when you know someone won't be with you for long and you desperately want them to stay.

I l o v e y o u !

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!

We've been laughing so hard

Laughing with you can't be compared with anything else.

"Dying of laughter. Better said, they were alive with laughter, because the more they laughed, the more alive they were." -Fernando Savater, The great labyrinth

And then I sing!
I'm so freaking thankful to have you...
thanks for being in my life,
for being such a big part of it.
You don't just take a part in my joys and laughter,
you're there for the rain as well.
You're an at all times friend.
And when I'm sad you create...
laughing opportunities!
Hahah! I love you -bright smile-

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!

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.

Beautiful Afternoon

Oh, it’s just the little, homey things,

The unobtrusive, friendly things,
The won’t-you-let-me-help-you things
That make the pathway light.

And it’s just the jolly, joking things,

The laugh-with-me-it’s-funny things,
The never-mind-the-trouble things
That make our world seem bright.

For all the countless, famous things,
The wondrous, record-breaking things,
Those never-can-be-equaled things
That all the papers cite,

Can’t match the little, human things,
The just-because-I-like-you things,
Those oh-it’s-simply-nothing things,
That make us happy, quite.

So here’s to all the little things,
The everyday-encountered things,
The smile-and-face-your-trouble things,
“Trust God to put it right,”

The done-and-then-forgotten things,
The can’t-you-see-I-love-you! things,
The hearty I-am-with-you! things
That make life worth the fight.
—Grace Haines

With Sandy

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." -It describes it perfectly.

I'm beyond lucky to have such a friend as you!

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.

Dear!

Dear Ali, Nalies, Mari, Megs, Steph, Windy, Teresa:
Your blogs are dear to my heart! And dearer than cupcakes!
I love it how you share your thoughts, the happenings in your lives -as simple as they could seem to you. I enjoy the pictures you post, and having this way to stay in touch with your lives and your thoughts. They're important to me. Keep it up. Some of you may be criminal bloggers, a bit like myself. That you make the time to post out of your busy/crazy lives is the sweetest!
Just making sure you know that I love you, and those blogs of yours.
Hug yourself for me. I miss you!

Angels

"Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, as a way of thanking God for the help that another angel has given you."—Eileen Elias Freeman

—Some of my angels.

I can't thank God enough for you.
Your existence is important to me,
I treasure every breath you take,
and I thank you for what you've done for me,
and for what you've given me.
Whether it's been years, or months, weeks or days.
Or whether you were an angel and forgot.
There's no way on Earth I could include all angels
but I praise God for you.
The Earth is beautiful cause you're in it!
Yeah,
I believe your smile to be precious.