These are the sites that I miss more than words can express...
Anyone who knows me knows that I adore Los Mochis, Mexico. I believe it will always be my home away from home. Through all of my time spent there, I learned so much about myself in so many ways. God blessed me with some incredible and lasting friendships with natives of Los Mochis, as well as some pretty wonderful people all around the United States. I will forever be thankful for my time spent in Mexico. God used my time there and the people I met there to shape my self, my walk with Christ, and my faith in many, many ways. I long to return SOON! I can honestly say that many of my most favorite memories come from my time in Los Mochis and time with people I met there. For example...
One of the best moments of my entire wedding weekend was going to dinner the night before my rehearsal. I rode with my dad to meet my two favortie Los Mochis men, Marco and Abner Vallejo (two of the most amazing men that I know) for dinner at a Mexican restaraunt here in Birmingham. These two men have played such an important role in my life and have demonstrated the love of Christ to me in so many ways. I could not get married without them there and considered it such a blessing when they said that they would come read scripture at my wedding. We walked into the restaurant and right before I turned a corner, my dad said, "So there may be more people here than you were expecting..." I look up and see two large tables filled with my Mexican family! Marco's family, Abner's family, and my precious friend, Danitza, were all sitting IN BIRMINGHAM and had surprised me for my wedding! I have tears in my eyes as I write this and just think about it! It was the best wedding gift I could have asked for! Of course I started crying then...and later during dinner...and again before we left! I could not believe it! After getting over the initial shock of seeing everyone, I began drilling them on how they got to Birimingham, where they were staying, how they got to the restaraunt, etc. I soon learned that the AMAZING people in my parent's small group at Brook Hills had pulled their resources together to bring the Vallejos up to Birmingham, and house them for the weekend. I was speechless. They knew how special these people are to me and they knew just how much it would mean to have them at my wedding. Praise God for these people and their hearts! It was incredible :)
This past fall I had the privilege of teaching a Personal Development class for ladies who are in the process of receiving their GED. M-Power Ministries, here in Birmingham, began a Christian Womens Job Corps program a couple of years ago...and after lots of hard work, training, and preparation, M-Power held its first CWJC graduation this week! Six ladies, ages 23 and up, worked diligently over the past year learning how to read, comprehend, set goals, schedule, manage their time wisely, accept change, be a better parent, respect themselves, and most importantly, these ladies spent the past year learning who Christ is and who they are in Him. What a joy and privilege it was to get to know these ladies, hear their stories, and watch them grow over the course of this year. My eyes were opened in so may ways through conversations with them and helped remind me of just how blessed my life has been. I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I was of these ladies as they walked down the aisle, dressed in cap and gown, knowing that they were experiencing what each of them called their first accomplishment. Throughout the graduation ceremony, each of the ladies had the chance to give a speech about what M-Power and the CWJC means to them. As I sat there and listened to them to talk about how far they have come over the past year - spiritually, personally, emotionally, academically - I was overwhelmed at the amazing grace and faithfulness of our Lord. What He has brought them through is truly unbelievable.
Marilyn, Jovanda, Sharon, Wanda, Danielle, and Tamika are changed women and are now not only my friends, but also my sisters in Christ. Praise God for His faithfulness!
The weekend before the graduation, these 6 ladies, their mentors, and their teachers all went on a retreat to Camp Dawson. What an experience that was!!!! I was able to lead them in a painting activity - it was a blast! I love painting and trying to be somewhat creative, so it was fun getting to share that with these ladies.
Now I cannot talk about M-Power without mentioning my amazing mother. She has worked so hard over the past couple of years and dedicated the majority of her time to pulling the CWJC together. She has impacted the lives of not only these ladies...but the 8 others who were in the program this year as well. I am beyond proud of her and so thankful for the example she has been to me!
Being a part of the CWJC is such an incredibly rewarding opportunity. If you are interested in volunteering with them, or with the Christian Mens Job Corps, let me know and I'll be happy to get you some more information :)
Quick update...Melanie is doing well with her pregnancy. Thank you so much for all of you who continue to ask about her and be updated on her progress. Please continue to pray for her health as she has had a rough few weeks... Her first trimester will be over soon...I know she is ready!
