Monterrey Mexico summer 2001

an amazing group of teens.  2001 summer monterrey mexico mission trip.  we had the pleasure of staying for 2 weeks.  we grew closer to each other by our friendship and the fact that we will each spend eternity together.  that's what those smiles are for and about!  mine atleast.  praise to our Overseerz!

faces from the past: 1

So I really enjoy the re uniting with ones i haven't seen  for so long.

1 in particular  is julie lee.  her last name was different 10 - 12 years ago when i knew her.  NOW!! she's all grown up!  AND musically gifted!  so because she has been blessed with the talents in music, she is in our band: sing, guitar, keyboard, piano, egg shaker.  totally awesome.  re united with her late June this year!

another i ran into is devin gallagher.  i was just walking through target and walking past me was a young man who looked so familiar but i was a tad, just a tiny bit, uncomfortable to ask if we knew each other.  but then i realized, "i ain't uncomfortable for nothin'" so i slowed to the point he realized what i was doing.  and it began from there, "do i know you" and i said, "yes because i know you from cru over ten years ago".  he was in town for the up coming holiday.  it was so good to see him again, to hear what he has done and what he is doing and where he is living (san diego) wow!  reunited late June this year!

at my job, which i am blessed with, as i walked back to my "station" called "the booth" i was stopped by another very very familiar face i hadn't seen  for over 15 years.  amberly.  we talked.  we hugged.  we laughed.  we hugged.  we talked.  we encouraged.  we hugged.  such a good friend she is.  ya she and my sisters were the bad apples of the basket in youth group.  (laughter)  i believe i will have the privilege of seeing her every tuesday!  and it better be more than that.  she is a great person.  reunited early July this year!

can't wait to meet and remeet my friends.

GO BLUE

Go Blue!!

this was also taken spring break high school freshman year.  at the beach!  i like sand.  i like sandy.  i like sandy beaches.  i am an artist.

 GO

BLUE

under that michigan hat, little does anyone know.  i have a head full of dark wavy curly hair.  about 2 weeks after this spring break trip, when Michigan lost the NCAA Basketball tournament, i also lost a bet.

and that's when I began to shave my head.

go blue

why is 6 afraid of 7?

so this is me the summer before my 8th grade.  it is in zambia solwezi.  this might have been taken when i was in the infirmary.  i was feeling very weak and i can remember, like it was yesterday, i had no energy and i was cold, in Africa, i was cold, etc.  they said my white blood cells count was next to nil.  it also has something to do with me being slightly anemic.  

below, another picture of me summer before 8th grade, now were in france and while the team was going up a french building i was ordered to watch everyone's luggage.  i believe i did a fantastic job.

jump ahead a year and a half, it is spring break.  i am a freshman at shawnee mission west and my affinity for michigan really jumped.  due to alot of friends getting me michigan apparel for the last christmas.  they're awesome.  

go blue!

i believe my sister, Leilani, took these pictures with my other sister, Candace, begging to be in them, "please big brother, please"!  she wasn't wearing Michigan.  "sorry sis".

silimba

so these next couple of months, i am going through old pictures, maybe to help rediscover who i am.  yes this could be about "identity" which i feel i've lost ever since waking up 15 years ago.  this could be about "value" which i'm told i have but i also feel was lost.  well, i think i've looked at others' value and maybe to the point where i ignore mine.  i am not going to live by the tapes that make fun of me for posting pictures of who God created, "me".  i'm not gonna stop saying i'm beautiful or wonderful because the church tells me to stop because it is vanity.  i am alive and valuable and purposeful and no body can take that truth away from me cause it comes from God.  and this isn't being possessive it is being confident in how God made me.  when i see hospital pictures of me, i see ugly.  i am ashamed.  but that is not how God made me.

so, ok, going back in time, a bit, and crossing the ocean.  this one is from Africa.  i must have been in 7th grade just before kansas city christian school told me i am not allowed back to school for my 8th grade year.  funny.