6th graders.

Nick's Mom came up to me last week and told me this exact conversation she had with her son. It made me laugh.

Mom: Nick, who is that girl?
Nick: MOM, she is not a GIRL, she is a LADY!!!
Mom: Oh my bad, I am sorry. She is definitely a lady. Well is she replacing Mrs. Lees this week?
Nick: No Mom... she is a teacher!
Mom: Well then, why is she observing Mrs. Lees?
Nick: She is getting training on how to be the best teacher!

I thought I was not a fan of middle schoolers... and I was proved wrong. I love them.

22 and Friends

On Wednesday I celebrated my 22nd birthday with my closest girlfriends. These girls have supported me, loved me, encouraged me, challenged me, and have enjoyed life with me. I felt so cheesy when I was looking around the table because all I wanted to do was give a little speech on why I loved each of them so much. God has been incredibly loving to me in bringing such amazing girls into my life- most of them Intercultural Studies majors, of course. Haha.

As I was looking around the table I was thinking, "Wow, these girls are going places. God has put such crazy passions in each of their hearts." So because of that I want to give a little blog shout out to them all and express the passions that the Lord has given them.

(Going clock wise.)

Teddi- This lovely lady is engaged to the man of her dreams and has a huge heart for the Lord. Both her and her fiancée serve in their college group. She is planning on getting her Masters in Social Work and using her love for art to help underprivileged.

Emily- Em has been one of my most beloved friends at Biola. We just click. She is destined to work with immigrant women in the United States by using TESOL. I ADORE HER.

Justine- This crazy girl has been my roommate and my adventure buddy. We have gone to DC together, walked through life together (good and bad) and totally love each other. She has a heart for inner city Chicago and wants to work in the city doing community health

Michelle- Michelle is completely real and has a big heart for Jesus. She is stubborn and knows that God is calling her to minister to the people of Hollywood. She wants to go far away from here, but knows that God is leading her on a completely crazy road.

Shannon- Shan is my soul sister. She knows my heart and knows well... knows everything. She said she would never go to the Middle East and that she was destine for Argentina... but God switched things up. She now lives in Artesia (Little India) with her husband and is planning on moving to the Middle East in the next few years for long-term Missions.

Kat- Kat is so GREAT. I cannot emphasize the word great enough. She is hilarious, sweet, fun, and so loving. This incredible ICS alum has a heart for human rights and is going to pursue her dream by going to law school and hopefully working for the State Dept or other human right groups by using her law background.

Rachel- Rach is my homegirl and lovely roommate. She is one of the silliest people I know and has a big heart for art. Even though I do not understand anything in the art realm, she has helped me appreciate it greatly. She is most likely going be doing commercial photography in the lovely food world.

Christina- My sister and my best friend. She loves Mexican children SO much. She is headed for inner city Los Angeles after graduation to teach elementary school children.

Melissa- This is Christina's best friend and one my dear friends as well. She is going to be an elementary school teacher as well. Melissa makes me laugh more than most people. We just "get" each other.

Sophie- Soph and I have only been friends since about March. It feels like we have known each other forever. God has called her to be a leader- I just know it. She is going to do something crazy in the government and in regards to International Relations/Development. She has a big heart for India and will probably return after graduation.

As you can see... God has blessed me with a lot of girlfriends who have big hearts and big passions. I am blessed.

Thank you girls for being you- for reals.

21.

Well well this is the last day of my life as a 21 year old. When you say you are 21 to people younger you feel old. But when you say you are 21 to those older than you they just think you are drinking all the time. So I am kind of excited to switch up the number.

Although 22 is a somewhat boring number, I think it completely beats the number 19. So bring it 22.

Being 21 has been a year full of challenges, growth, and a shift in passions. I celebrated my 21st birthday in Washington D.C. at Matchbox (had the most delicious burger) with some of my closest girlfriends their.

21 has been a shift in passions. I thought I was destine for the middle east, but God has other plans... teaching in the inner city. Who knew?

God blessed me with an internship at World Vision this summer and been opening all sorts of doors in the teaching world recently. I am incredibly humbled by the work that He is doing around me.

I am just thankful to be alive. I am thankful to serve a God who loves me so much- even though I cannot fully comprehend it.

Tomorrow I am going to The Olive Tree (my favorite Arabic food restaurant) with some of my closest friends- I cannot wait!

Current train of thought: Must survive finals!

I AM GOING TO MEMPHIS IN 11 DAYS. AH (so excited).