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!

Sandy

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.—The one to whom I can say, “I like me best when I’m with you.”—Unknown

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.

Radiance

A dear friend wrote this for me. I didn't think it'd come to mean so much and be a pick-up for my heart when I was in such need. Ricky wrote it months before some happenings in my life would give it a lot of meaning. It came to be the arms of love and friendship wrapped around me.

Shine on bright, make a sign
I know you can do it

Hold on tight, forget the pain
You can fly to His arms

Take the change, radiance
We know we'll be strong

So now, it seems like everything is gone
But Tomorrow you'll find your Own
Take a look at the sun, 'Cause there's no storm
We'll keep on going on

Step by step, we'll make the way
And our feet won't feel heavy.
When we get there, you won't repair
your damaged and worn-out clothes.

I know you're eyes are not lying
I wonder How could they lie?
When eyes are just little windows
Where we can see what's going on inside.

One thing I would remember when walking along was: "Take a look at the Sun, 'cause there's no storm." And that was for sure. I had been making storms in my head, wallowing in the negative thoughts I'd get. But with Jesus' sun at my center my world was warm, bright and full of light. I had to stop looking down at the puddles of mud formed by tears and take a look at the sun to see the world for what it really is, mud piles, rocky cliffs, ocean and shine. Thank you for the radiance of your friendship Ricky!

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-

Pancakes from the sky

A chat one day:

Sandy: I know, we feel there should be something more outstanding. when, if we just cared to look around, we'd see that flower budding that baby smile, that heart felt hug
Sandy: that beautiful smile
Sandy: and simple I love you's
stephanie: (huge growing, growing smile)
Sandy: and the whole world turns into a rainbow
Sandy: if we could only stop ..
Sandy: and appreciate
Sandy: but we don't
Sandy: we instead look at the mud, the puddles, our imperfections.
Sandy: you know what we need?
stephanie: or other's..
what?!
Sandy: a pancake to fall from the sky and hit us
Sandy: yeah
Sandy: hahaha
stephanie: hahhahahahaha
stephanie: hummm.. yumm!

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!

In Mexico City

I forgot to tell you...going to Mexico city was great fun, dancing, laughter and squishy hugs on demand!

Getting to be with my pretty ladies is the sweetest of gifts.

I had been dying to meet Winds and Maria, and not only did I get that but I found other fun and funny kindred spirits.

Locas :)

Oh look at extremely cute Nash

Maria and Sandy

Nina and Suz of my heart

Chelsey, Windy, Leah and Sunny

Those of us hanging around till the very end -smiles-

Maria, I absolutely loved invading your house, loved the hours we spent together.
Anna, I can't believe I don't have a picture with you, you're the sweetest! Thank you for taking pictures of us.
Sandy, you know that traveling with you is like taking the feeling of home wherever I go. I loved the fun we had on the trip there and back..terrorizing our fellow passengers. Lets pray to God we weren't really that loud. -grins-
Windy, I shall never forget our graceful dance. I really should practice that kind of dancing more. You're a great dancer dear. Meeting you was like a dream cause..haha I felt I already had (hugs you super tight)
Laura, you're awesome.
Robin, you are too!
And Diego you're so funny and great fun to have around -smiles-

And that's a bit of June sunshine.

Being with you is a gift I treasure

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!

To my girlies

In an ice cream container I read: "There are lots of reasons to celebrate, look around, and pick one!"
And I want to celebrate you my girlfriends! -beautiful, crazy nutcases whom I wouldn't be the same without.
It's a celebration in thankfulness for friends like you, who stick through thick and thin, who know what makes me feel ashamed of myself, and still love me, in spite of myself.
You choose to stick around bearing my burdens, helping to heal my wounds, watching my back, inspiring me to love better and give my best shot at life. You encourage me, and by seeing the best of me you help me to believe in myself. You remind me that there's nothing love can't do, no place love can't reach. You remind me that there isn't anything in this life that can't be conquered, because you are fighters yourselves.
You're many times just the reminder I need, telling me that I'm not alone. And it's true, I never am.
You are more than enough reason to celebrate, not just now but to live celebrating!
Not many are blessed with such friends like you, sisters, angels in disguise...and partners for crazy moments.
To you! (clink, clink)
I love your girls -smiles- thank you for your unconditional love. You take me as I am.