Growing up I did not have a perfect expression of love in my home. This made it very hard to come to accept the merciful love that Jesus has given everyone and then to show to others. Through growing closer to God and strengthening my faith I have been able to better my ability to accept this perfect love that washes away all sins. In accepting this love it is something I want to be able to share with all people. Romans 5:8 "But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”
My sisters and I now that we are closer and the divorce has been over for a year things are better.Even though I did not have this love shown in my house growing up, the family who took me in, the Willises, showed me the love of a family that was supportive. As I described in the value of Hope, they have been able to bring me the comfort I needed at this time and also set an example for how I want my future family to look like. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have a very welcoming home and include their extended family in the majority of activities they do. In growing closer to them I was able to feel part of that family. My relationships with their children also grew more and more. I consider Kelsey Willis, their daughter and one of my best friends, somewhat of a sister to me. She has been there for me through so many times and I know I can share anything with her. Her brother, Ben, who is about a year older is a very close friend as well and he I think of him as a sister. Growing up in a family with two younger sisters I did not have a brother, although I had always wanted one. He has been able to be that older brother for me. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have grown to be considered second parents to me. My mother and sisters have grown closer to them over time and I enjoy that our families share Thanksgiving and Christmas together. I hope to one day have a family and a home where all are welcome, as their family and home are. All of our friends and family recognize their house as one that always has its doors open and one everyone is welcomed into. This photo is of Ben and Kelsey (bottom right and bottom middle) and me (top middle) during the snow days last winter when we made their house our cabin.
Another example of this love is from another family that I have been welcomed into and enjoy being a part of very much. I look at these experiences with families as learning lessons for how families operate for all to feel welcome since my family was not one that was very close, affectionate or loving. Families are one of the best examples, other than Jesus’ life example of love, which we can learn from for welcoming others. My boyfriend’s family and his close family friends have also played a role in how I am gaining a better understanding of love, affection and support in that setting. They are very accepting and from the first times I spent with them I felt at home and welcomed. Seeing how well their family gets along and how situations that could cause drama in the family are properly handled helps me re-educate myself from the conditions I had learned growing up. Whether it is how to interact with children to make them feel comfortable or how to accommodate for something you may disagree with but want to show love anyway, I have been able to observe their family in being a healthy unit.
These examples of love in families are just one part of being able to show love for people. I am to build relationships that bring faith, hope, and love to others through doing service and in simple ways as well. I aim to be able to be a loving person and seek out ways to serve others and show them they are loved and cared for. I know how much of a difference it has made in my life and how much impact love will continue to have on my life and want others to be able to experience that difference as well. Without love life can be so broken and hopeless, but there are such simple acts that can make even a stranger feel loved. I do my best to be a friend to all.
My mom has played a role in how to show love and serve others. When I was in middle school living in Gig Harbor I would join her in going to serve meals and hand out needed items to the homeless who would gather under the bridges of Tacoma. At such a young age this was very impacting, as we would get to know many people and hear their stories. It meant so much to them to be given even a smile and a small hello when they are used to being ignored and avoided as homeless people. This has made me continue to seek out these opportunities by helping serve food to the homeless and build relationships with them on Saturdays under the Washington/ Jefferson street Bridge. By going there I hope to bring a smile and warmth to these people as well as a warm meal.
In my future, if God has planned for me, I hope to one day be able to welcome all these lost people I have made friendships with into my home and experience the love and a community that families can bring. Loving others can be shown in so many ways, but I think the greatest impact can be made is when people feel the unity and affection a family can bring. Being able to build supportive families can be such an asset to someone’s life and their source of hope and I hope to be able to bring that to many people by opening up my home and genuinely seeking to care for hearts, not just their physical needs.
My Mother's sister and mom with my cousins and my sisters. I am in the front with my grandma and youngest sister.1 Corinthians 13:2 "And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
