My sweetie little nephews and niece! Part 3 "A Miracle"

Jonathan is my third nephew and Jordan's younger brother. Jonathan is sweet and very affectionate. He has a smile that lights up his face and a happy personality. Jonathan is special. There is much to be said about Jonathan...

Jonathan was born without a femur bone in one of his legs. The Femur is the bone that connects the knee to the hip, the bone over which are the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. When this happened, the whole family was thrown into unexpected shock. This is an extremely rare occurrence in fetal development, and there seemed to be no apparent reason for why this had happened. Until this day, doctors cannot explain it. Needless to say, my sister and her husband were distraught. Thankfully, besides this, everything else was normal; all his cognitive functions were and remain perfect!! Jonathan is bright and intelligent and expressive. Through the years, Jonathan's condition has been challenging and at times heartbreaking; but the love, faith, and hope that exists between his Father God, his family, and him has far surpassed any hardship along the way. Jonathan has had moments of wondering why and wishing for what most of us usually take for granted, but overall he is content and joyful. He is always grinning from ear to ear, and he never really complains about his disadvantage or much of anything else. Out of all the children, he is the most obedient and cooperative and understanding. Life hasn't dealt him the best cards, but he is so grateful and patient. He believes and trusts in the Lord, even though our human nature would tend to blame God for things beyond our control. He has a giving heart and is so very unselfish. He has been one of my great life teachers in the art of gratitude and counting my blessings. He has suffered the strange looks on peoples faces as they have stared at him awkwardly trying to figure him out, and he has had frustrations when he couldn't do the physical things and activities most kids can easily do, but he always has kept and keeps a gracious and positive attitude that truly humbles me. He is vibrant.. Vibrant the way we all should continually be, having the blessing of all our limbs and all our possibilities.

Jonathan is an shining example of forgiveness, perseverance, and resilience. He likes to be self-sufficient, he enjoys whatever responsibility is delegated to him, and he believes he can do anything by God's loving Grace. He is talented musically and is learning to play the drums. He is also so handsome and tall. He is vulnerable and loving. He loves to give me hugs and kisses and compliments. He loves to joke around and make goofy faces. He has a great relationship with his parents. He admires and looks up to his brother Jordan so much, and Jordan is so protective of him. He and his younger sister Julia are so close too, and the love between all three siblings is unbreakable.

Some things happen for a reason. Sometimes they don't make sense, and sometimes they are simply and irrefutably unfair. But that doesn't mean that beauty cannot come from them. What the enemy or this imperfect existence may mean for bad and pain... God and Love, and the perspectives we take and the actions we choose, can change for something indescribably amazing... something that cannot be bought with money, or that can be faked, or that can be fully understood or put into words... But it is miraculous. Jonathan, you are a miracle.

Jonathan, I look up to you, my precious little one. You are priceless and perfect, and I wouldn't change you for anything in the world. I know it gets tough, but you are definitely up to it!! You can do anything, anything! I have a scripture for you:

Hebrews 10:35-39

35 So do not throw away your fearless confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.

38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back in fear, I will not be pleased with him."

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Thank you Jonathan, for teaching me about faithful endurance, about courage and so much more.. I love you and miss you so much. Sometimes you may feel that you get lost in the middle, but the middle is in the center of my heart. I still believe in miracles. Don't stop believing ;)

My sweetie little nephews and niece! Part 2

Jordan is the oldest of all my nephews. My sister had Jordan when I was just 10 years old. They still like to torture me with old home videos of me back when I was a scrawny little girl with geeky grandma glasses playing with Jordan when he was still a baby. Because he was my first nephew, Jordan is special to me. Shortly after he was born, I moved to Florida; it wasn't till I lived with Luli for that one year that I got to spend a good amount of time with him.

Jordan has always been bright and full of life. As the eldest of three, he has always had a lot of responsibility placed on him. Having a younger brother with a physical disability, Jordan sometimes unfairly had to make sacrifices that most kids don't need to make while growing up. I think that has become an advantage to him though. He is so mature and compassionate and is a great brother. Jordan has also always been super intelligent. Making good grades with hardly any effort, he has always exceled scholastically. He is talented and artistic. He has developed great skills in shooting, directing and editing film footage. He has created some really witty and humorous shorts, and I have wishfully told him he should move out here to California with me to get into the movie business. Jordan likes to sing like his dad, and he has actively participated in his high school choir and his church's youth group's worship team. He is learning to play the base guitar too. Jordan just started college, and though I am not sure what direction he will ultimately decide to take, I know he will be successful and stand out wherever he ends up.

When I lived with Luli, that was when Jordan and I became the closest. I would blast my music like I always do, and Jordan would ask me why I liked it that loud. He probably was wondering about this noisy aunt who interrupted his family's quiet country home life. I would always spoil him though and stick up for him when his mom would be scolding him about something he did or didn't do. My favorite times were spent in the kitchen. Jordan acquired an appreciation for the culinary arts ever since he was a child, and I would enjoy watching him cook up his strange and tasty concoctions. He used to love it when Luli and I would goofingly argue in our chipmunk voices while making supper, and he would chime in with us. Jordan would make me laugh constantly; he is hysterical! I still remember after the movie "The Sixth Sense" came out, one time Jordan sneaked up behind me and whispered in a creepy voice, "I see living people.." LOL! Sigh, I miss him. When I left the east coast to move to LA, I can't help but think that Jordan took it personally and felt a bit abandoned by me. He is really sensitive to the people he loves and is close to. He is loyal and would do anything for his friends. He is honest and trustwory. He is emotional. When he was in elementary and junior high, he got picked on very much by his classmates and by some of his many cousins. He was on the chubby side and wore glasses, LOL! ..and kids can be cruel. When he finally hit puberty, he grew drastically and lost his baby fat. Standing at 6'3", my how the tables have turned! No one messes with him now, and people that really know him, adore him! Anyhow, he is not the type to retaliate. He does tend to take things to heart though, and I don't think he knows or realizes how wonderful he is. He has become so handsome too.

I am so proud of Jordan. The way he strives to please God, the way he treats his friends, the way he cares for his brother, and how he makes wise choices when it comes to important issues make me admire him and want to steal him away to California so I can hog his attention. Jordan, I hope you know how much I miss you, and how much it meant to me to live with you that year at your house. I'm so glad I got to know you better then, and I can't wait to spend more time with you in the future. I know you are becoming a beautiful adult just as you have always been my beautiful nephew. I am always here for you even though I'm farther than we both would like. I love you and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

My sweetie little nephews and niece! Part 1

My sister Luli made me aunt when I was just 10 years old! Nine months later Monica had her first son Joshua. Now, years later, I have four nephews and one niece!! All five of them are precious and unique, and I am crazy about them. Even though my oldest nephew is Jordan, today is Joshua's birthday, so I will write about him first in honor of his special day.

Joshua is a darling. He is gentle and sensitive, obedient, responsible and respectful. Joshua never went through a "I'm too cool for you" stage, and he has always been easy and open to talk to. He loves to laugh and has an optimistic and cheerful personality. From a young age, Joshua developed a sensitive and caring nature. He is eager to comfort and encourage anyone he senses or knows is down. He also rarely says a negative word, nor is he much of a complainer like a lot of other kids. When Josh gets mad, he becomes really quiet and frustrated, but he usually won't snitch on anyone. He forgives quickly and gets over it fast. Joshua is so sweet, he gives the nicest compliments that just make you melt. Whatever girl he chooses will be so lucky, but I pray a girl never breaks his heart, because I suspect he is quite the romantic. Watch out girls, if you mess with my Joshie, his aunt (me) will, in the words of Madea, "shank you!!" LOL! Joshua will eat mostly whatever you cook for him and is so grateful, showering the chef with comments of how delicious and scrumptious the meal was. It makes you just wanna do anything for him. Being the eldest of two, Josh is a helper and very cooperative, even when he doesn't feel like it. Parents usually give their older child more responsibilities then their younger siblings and also expect more from them, Joshua handles this well. Having a little brother that is 6 years younger then him, Josh is so patient, even though Jesse can drive him nuts sometimes. He is also such a good example to his brother and peers. Joshua will be graduating high school this year, and he has never gotten into drugs, alcohol, or smoking. I am so proud of him. He goes to a public school, but he has always chosen the right friends and has kept himself away from the wrong crowd. I give parents large credit for the way they raise their children, but the child plays the major role and ultimately makes his own decisions.

Joshua possesses a self-confidence that is rare in teenagers. He has always been sure of who he is and has never cared much for what people think about him. He has had his share of kids being downright mean to him, making fun of and picking on him, and hurting his feelings, but Joshua never let that get him down. He constantly sees and speaks of his bright future, all the conquest he will make, and how great his life is gonna be. Even as I write this, I find myself learning from him. He also inherited his dad's knack for handling money, and since he was a wee thing, he has saved and managed his allowance money better than some adults budget their incomes! Many times I've heard his cousins, friends, and even his mom ask to borrow money from him!! How funny, but how admirable is that! He also is like his father in that he is naturally good at sports and is competitive. When he and his dad are on the same team, no one wants to play against them. It's kind of annoying!

I can't say enough how proud I am of him, the way he spends time reading his Bible and writing his profound thoughts in his devotional journal, how he doesn't settle for anything less than what he believes in, and how he wants and strives to make a difference in his generation. Joshua, I am so blessed by you and the maturity level you have acquired so early in life. I believe in you and I know, though life can be checkered with failed attempts and disappointments, you are going to excel at it! Your story is just beginning to be written, and I am so excited and looking forward to witnessing all your great feats. You have many adventures ahead of you; and though transitioning into adulthood can be scary, you have the tools, the love of family and friends, and all the faith in the world to face challenges and difficulties with the certainty that you can overcome any obstacle that crosses your way. I love you and am here for you, no matter where in the world I am. Happy Birthday hunny bunny!

The best brother-in-laws in the world! Part 2

Again, I am blessed to have, not just one, but TWO wonderful brother-in-laws! Glenn is Luli's husband. Glenn comes from a very large family in Pennsylvania and has like a million nephews and nieces and cousins! I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but Glenn is great with kids. When I was little, Glenn used to give me horsey back rides and tell me fun stories about imaginary creatures living in his truck. I used to love it when Glenn would come visit Luli while they were dating because he would always play with me. Glenn is most always in a cheerful mood, and he has a calm, serene personality. Glenn is sometimes like a quiet giant. Rarely ever losing his cool, he is about 6'2" with a wide frame, and he likes to listen to what everybody else has to say. He let's all us chatty ladies talk his ear off as we confidently voice our rather harebrained ideas LOL! When Glenn does decide to speak, he is usually smart, practical, and straight to the point. However, I do enjoy having long philosophical conversations with him. He is a deep thinker and gladly participates in pondering the great mysteries of life and spirituality. He loves to read, and it is always delightful to discuss his take on books he has read or is reading. Something I love about Glenn is how content he is doing anything. Whether it's just sitting around in the company of family and friends, playing all sorts of games and sports, sipping a fine glass of wine, or piecing together an intricate 2000 piece puzzle, Glenn goes with the flow and is down to do whatever happily. Always with a clever pun in mind, he makes light of mostly all circumstances with hearty laughter and good nature.

Glenn is quite talented. He paints for a living, and he makes houses look amazing on the exterior as well as on the inside. He doesn't advertise; his business is mostly by referral, and he is always busy which speaks highly of his work. Glenn cooks the most awesome breakfasts, and that is usually his acclaimed task when he and Luli are entertaining guests. Glenn is also a wonderful singer. He is the worship leader at his church and has always had a heart for ministry. He appreciates music and art and has an affinity for recognizing people's gifting and unselfishly encourages and promotes them. He never, or not that I've heard, says an idle word and never speaks negatively of anyone. He sees the good in those around him. Even so, he is well-rounded and not at all flimsy. He has strong opinions that he adheres to. Whether it's God, government, global warming, social issues, or wearing a seatbelt... Glenn holds to his convictions and isn't afraid to share what he firmly believes pertaining to any subject matter. Whenever I have a question about politics, I know I can call Glenn up, and he will be able to clarify things in a way that I can understand. He is intelligent and savvy and always up to date on current affairs. Possessing an inquiring mind, he watches documentaries, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the such on a regular basis. He loves to learn new things; he is humble and teachable. I respect him greatly for all of this, and anyone who knows him can tell you there is a sense of peace when you are around him. Like Carlos, he doesn't waste time worrying about things but resorts to problem solving instead.

Glenn is dedicated to God and his family, friends, and community. He is a loving and faithful husband and works diligently to provide for his home. He is a great dad and is very involved in his children's activities. He has been very supportive with my sister during our mother's health issues and has been generous in any way he could to help me and my mom when we've needed it.

My brother-in-laws are men of God, both kind and patient with my occasionally crazy and exasperating sisters (like all of us women can be at times), haha! They truly know what it means to be there through the thick and thin, for better or for worse. I am honored to know them, and am so glad and relieved that my sisters can lean and depend on them in trust and confidence. Their marriages are a beautiful testimony that there are still couples in the world that honor and stand by their commitment to have and to hold until death do them part. I pray and look forward to the day God blesses me with a man like them, and I know He will.

Thanks Glenn for all the things you've done for me and my mom. I admire your simplicity and insight, and I always look forward to conversing with you and picking at your brain :). You are a super awesome bro!!

The best brother-in-laws in the world! Part 1

I have known my brother-in-laws since I was about four. In fact, I don't remember much before they were around. My brother-in-laws are great examples of how men should be. They are God-fearing family men, hard workers, faithful husbands, and loving fathers. They have integrity and honor, high standards and values, and deep moral convictions.

Carlos is Monica's husband. Carlos is fun and extremely extroverted. He loves to entertain company and loves to be the center of attention. When our family comes together, we play a lot of board games and card games, and when the weather permits, volleyball and such. Carlos is very competitive... VERY. He likes to win LOL! Even though he tries with all his might, he can never beat me at Rummikub!! He always says, "Hey Becky, let's play a game of Rummikub so I can beat you." Haha! He wishes. When he is playing a game of cards and has a wild card, he sticks it to his forehead so everyone can see. Then he flashes a mischevious grin as if to say, "I win." He loves to play sports and is naturally good at all of them. He also loves karaoke and has a good voice and gets slightly irritated if we aren't as enthused to sing at that moment. He's like a big kid. Carlos is sensitive; and since he is a people person, he gets hurt when he feels left out, even though he plays it off.

Carlos has an optimism that is rare. He never worries, and if he does, he never shows it. He is full of faith and always believes things will work out, business will get better, and sickness will give way to health. He has a cheery disposition and a positive outlook on life. He believes God will never fail him and acts like it too. Recently, Carlos suffered a heart attack without realizing it. It was not until the next morning that he drove himself to the hospital, because he felt strange, that the doctors informed him of his condition. It was scarry! Through it all, Carlos didn't complain once. You would have never guessed what he'd just been through by the usual happy-go-lucky expression on his face.

Carlos has an intelligent business mind and has a knack for seeing opportunities where others might not. He never says anything can't be done and always has an open mind to new ideas. Even though the economy has been better and business has taken a hard hit, Carlos has kept a victorious mindset and knows things will look up again. He is a tither and a giver and is never stingy. His generosity has helped many people through difficult times.

Carlos loves Monica like crazy and would give her the world if he could. He works hard to provide his children with the best life possible. He believes in me too and has always trusted my judgement, even when he hasn't completely agreed with my decisions. I know when I ask him for his opinion, he will give me wise, sound advice. I remember when I wasn't sure whether to leave LA or stick it out, he asked me if I was tithing. When I told him I hadn't been, he uncompromisingly advised me to start again and commit to it. It wasn't what I wanted to hear at the time, but I knew he was right. I've been tithing steadily ever since and all my needs are always met.

Carlos, you have been like a real brother to me and like a son to my mom. I appreciate you and am glad you are in my sister's life and are a part of our family. Thanks for being there for me and for always cooking cuñapes for me whenever I ask you to. :)

The most amazing sisters a girl could have! Part 2

I am so blessed, not to just have one great sister, but TWO!! Luli was around 13 when I was born, and being the baby until I arrived, she probably wasn't the most thrilled to be waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of a crying infant. There is a story I have been told that she saved my life when I was just a wee bundle. The tale goes that I was sleeping, and she came in to check on me and found that I was nearly blue, almost suffocating. Well Luli, that was your chance.. LOL just kidding! In all sincerity, thank you thank you my adorable, just in the nick of time, baby-saving sibling!! My tone is a dead give away to the type of relationship I have with Luli. We are big dorks, always goofing off together!!

When I was a child, Luli was still in the middle of high school; and being quite the extrovert, she was more into her social life than her new, little, precious, drooling baby sister. She didn't waste any time either! When she was just 18, she met her soulmate and married him two years later at the tender age of twenty. Needless to say, while I was bonding with Monica, Luli was in her own world, and it wasn't until later in life that we would really have the chance to get to know each other. Even though we've always been at different stages in life, Luli was always supportive and proud of me as I went from childhood into adolescence. Before I moved to Florida, I would spend a lot of time in the summers and on weekends at her house in Pennsylvania playing with her husband's many, many nephews and nieces. Then, when I moved, it was my turn to be in my own little world of jr. high and high school. We started getting closer as I entered into my teen years and more as I neared my twenties, but it wasn't until I lived at her house for a little over a year that I really came to know the extent of her wonderfulness. After I studied and got my degree in Orlando, I moved back north looking to eventually be in New York City. Luli's house was nearest to the Big Apple, so guess where I ended up.. Yep, in the middle of the corn fields in the beautiful and picturesque, but desolate, Amish country of Lancaster County, PA. Living mostly in suburban areas and on the outskirts of large cities my whole life, being at my sister's rural abode was less than exhilarating, LOL. I had A LOT of time on my hands. But looking back, that was the best part because I spent it with Luli and the kids. Now about Luli...

Luli is truly lovely with her flawless, porcelain skin and her dark, almost black, spiral curls. Luli always jokingly called herself the "black" sheep of the family because she's the "forgotten middle child," but this is far from the truth. Always the life of the party, Luli has an innate charisma about her. People are just drawn to her, and with her welcoming and witty personality, she has never had a problem making tons of friends. Luli is very sensitive to those around her and accurately aware of their emotional states. She is genuinely empathetic, caring and compassionate. It amazes me how she can just look at my face or listen to the sound of my voice and know if I am discouraged or anxious about something. Without any questions, She quickly affirms me, " It's gonna be ok. Whatever your worry is.. It's not real, it's a lie. You are a mighty conqueror."

Luli loves the simple things of life, and those are usually the most important things anyways. She has a humble spirit and is quick to apologize when she is wrong or if just to keep the peace. On the other hand, with Luli everything is white or black, right or wrong; there is no in between with her, and though that drives me nuts sometimes, and we've had our disagreements, I respect her for that. She has so much patience, and it is never exhausted. She has been through many challenges including having a bright and intelligent son with a physical disability; and circumstances have caused the majority of the load of our mom's illness to rest on her shoulders. However, no matter how tired she may become from her daily duties as a wife and mother, she is always ready to run to mom's side whenever the need arises. Through it all, she never ever loses hope. Like me, she believes in miracles until the very end and beyond :)

Luli has her share of talent as well. She can draw as good or better than most of the art you may see at galleries. Although she has not cultivated her skill, it's there, and I hope someday she will use it more. Luli can make me laugh till I wanna pee in my pants. Sometimes, when she is in an extremely cheerful and goofy mood, she will bust out her "witch laughter" in playful jest. OMG!! It is sooo funny! She could make a living here in Hollywood doing witch laughter voice-overs, and she would be in high demand for it! I miss talking with her in our chipmunk voices while we cook dinner together, and the kids listen and giggle at us.

Like Monica, Luli is an exceptional wife and mother, devoted to God, her family and her community. She has a servant spirit and has been a blessing and help to many people, including to me. We have lifted each other up in times of sorrow; we have shared our fears with each other and helped one another deal with them and move past them.

Thank you Luli. Thanks for believing in me. Thanks for your encouraging words. Thank you for your prayers. Thanks for the care you give mom. Thanks for being a great example of the kind of woman I want to be. I love you and miss you tremendously.

The most amazing sisters a girl could have! Part 1

Sisters are knit from the same invisible material... Not just in their intricate, biological DNA; but in their deep, spiritual substance as well...

I am so thankful for my sisters!! Throughout my life, they have both been exceptional role models and dear friends. Being born while they were already in their teenage years had the benefit that I never really had the physical catfights with them that a lot of sisters have when they grow up together. Nope... I was like the spoiled brat baby that everyone pampered :) As close as all three of us have become, I have a unique relationship with each individual. Today, I will rave about Monica Raquel.

Aaaaah! Monica is as beautiful and as sophisticated as her name... Even more than that, she is a shining star. When my mom had me, Monica was barely 16, and she felt the need to help mom carry the responsibility of child rearing immediately, without anyone having to ask her. She was beyond my sister... She was my babysitter, my playmate, and I would say, my first friend. She would pick me up from and drop me off at school. She would take me on walks and we would bond as much as a little child and a blossoming young lady could. Being the eldest, Monica was my mother's helper and was always very sensitive to mom's hardships as a single parent. But that is just her nature... She always wants to lighten people's loads and, sometimes even to the point of her own personal detriment, she is willing to sacrifice her own wants and needs for those of others. Monica always helped mom by giving her her checks when she started working her first jobs and even after she got married. When mom suffered, Monica suffered; when she laughed, Monica laughed. This is not a sob story! LOL! There was and is plenty of joy, laughter and good times in our family, much much more than bad. My point is that Monica has a heart of gold, compassionate and giving.

It doesn't stop there! Monica is just as wonderful on the outside as on the inside. She has always been so gorgeous with her blond hair and green eyes, her perfectly pointed nose and ballerina figure. She took years of ballet, tap, and Flamenco; and when she would dance in front of me with her pretty dresses on, my soul would light up. Perhaps witnessing her talent was one of the first things that triggered a love for the arts in me. She had an oh so sweet, angelic singing voice and I wanted to sing like her. She loved Shakespeare and would recite Hamlet, Macbeth, and of course, Romeo and Juliet on regular basis. Haha! She even taught my nephew, her first son, some of the playwright's most famous lines, and the little tot would walk around somberly inquiring, "To be or not to be?.. That is the question. Whether it is nobler...." and on and on the articulated toddler would go. Monica has so many skills and talents, too many to list here!! She even paints magnificently! And, if you ever see her house, it's ridiculous how tastefully furnished and decorated it is, you'd think she hired an interior designer, but no... It's all her!

When I was 11, my mom and I moved to Florida. Monica was still in her early marriage years and had just had her baby boy. Although age and distance now separated us, my sisters were always routing for me, proud of my grades and accomplishments in school, and always a part of all my quintessential moments. Monica would write me cute, humorous letters that would have me laughing on the floor. I never wrote back because I was just a lazy kid about that sort of thing then; but I have kept those letters, and they were always special to me because they meant she hadn't forgotten about me even though she was busy making a family of her own. When I finally graduated high school, I went to live at Monica's house in Virginia for two years while I tried to "figure things out." It was like getting to know each other all over again. She wanted so badly to know everything about me, and I was a hot-headed teen that didn't know anything about life, but thought I knew it all! Ha! You know how that goes! My time there definitely did bring us closer now that I was older, and we could talk about the "birds and the bees," a subject I couldn't comprehend when I was the little girl she was helping to raise. Since then, I have lived other places, but our relationship has continued to grow. I admire her in so many ways, not just as a sister, but as an amazing woman, a faithful wife, a phenomenal mother, and a trusted friend. I have learned so much from her, from her devotion to God and her family, from her steadfastness in times of trial, and from her wisdom and hospitality. She has opened the doors of her house to so many people and showered them with attentions. She's like the energizer bunny, she keeps going and going, giving and giving! I can always share my heart with her and my concerns, and I know she will always love me. I don't ever have to be afraid of messing up around her. I will never forget the many times that, right before leaving to go to my gate at the airport, she has inconspicuously slipped a 100 dollar bill in my hand without me ever asking her for it; and as the tears rolled down my face in humbled gratitude and relief, she would smile and say "I love you and miss you." Nor will I cease to remember the facebook comments she has posted on my wall when I needed it most, encouraging me to keep dreaming and assuring me the day will come when I see those dreams realized.

Monica, you inspire me and I am forever grateful and blessed that you are my sister and you are in my life. For all you do and have done for me and our family, and for being the only person in the world like you, I thank and appreciate you. I love you Mini. XOXO