Proud of You Migs

     So around the middle of my junior year, I met a guy named Miguel Salas (not salsa). And let me tell you he's been such a great friend to me and has been great company. It's a funny story of how I met him. He was always in my marketing class but we never really talked. I kind of got the vibe he thought I was annoying or mean, but I didn't really mind. Except one day we were in marketing and he asked his friend whether she knew about Hillsong United (an awesome Christian music group). Me being the creepy eavesdropper I am, said "I DO!" I think I caught him off guard because he seemed a little confused, but still excited non the less. And that's how our friendship started. It was weird because I somehow ended up sitting next to him later on, and that's how we really got close. I thought that Migs was the funniest, weirdest guy I knew (and he is). And that's what brought me closer to him. We just kind of clicked. Instant best friends I would call it.

     After being friends with him for a little while, I invited him to Phoenix (my youth group). And he said he would come, but he told me he had another youth group he went to instead. He either said he couldn't go because of that, or that he couldn't make it. And I understood. But I got the vibe that even though he went to youth group and church, he was still a little shaky in his faith. And that isn't a bad thing at all. I mean everyone starts somewhere. I used to be just like him. So that's why I made it my goal to bring him to Phoenix at least once. And what do you know, he came one week and then kept on coming. It was amazing how he fit in so effortlessly. He came to Phoenix week after week, and then soon enough came to church with me and my friends on Sundays too. 

     It's crazy how much Migs has grown in his faith in such a short span of time. He first came to Phoenix on March 1st, and has been coming ever since. And throughout a 2 month time span, he has already surrendered his life to Jesus, brought other friends to Phoenix, come to church with me every week, and even help me teach the kids on Sunday afternoons. I don't know about you, but that's amazing. I mean I know people who have gone to church for years and hasn't even done that much. And the greatest thing is, that I can tell that he is actually learning more about Jesus and the Bible. His relationship with God is now the most important thing to him, which is exactly how it should be. He used to simply learn about God, but now he's living for him. And that's one of the most beautiful sights to see. Watching someone grow in their faith right before your eyes. 

     Miguel has thanked me multiple times that I brought him to Phoenix, and introduced him to everyone there. And I feel so flattered when he says that. But It's all God's works that got him where he is now. God specifically used me to bring Migs closer to him. It's actually an honor, and I am so blessed. God used me. A minuscule percentage of all the people in this world. Me. And I know that God will use Miguel to bring another person to Christ as well. And let me tell you, seeing someone grow and become more involved with their church and community, is the single most rewarding thing. I am glad I got to witness that. And I'm excited for Migs to experience the joy of seeing someone grow like I have, and still am.

    I know for those unbelievers that this may sound like some mumbo jumbo but its not. It's completely real. For those who don't really know God, don't you think that it's more than a coincidence that I heard Miguel talking about Hillsong that one day? Or that I somehow got to sit next to him and know him better? Most likely no. Whether you know God or not, I know you can still believe that certain people are put in your life for a reason. That's just a basic philosophy. You don't need a relationship with God to know that. But it's who you give that credit to which matters. I give the the credit to God. I know that he placed me in Miguel's life someway somehow for a good reason. But if you don't believe in God, then who or what do you think brings these life impacting people into our lives? The Easter Bunny?

     Anyways, thank you Miguel for being a great friend, and actually acceping my invitation to Phoenix. I'm glad that you didn't regret it. 

-Janey

Beautiful Minds and Beautiful Hearts

     So a few hours ago, I got back from a Christian based camp called "Jill's House" with my Phoenix friends. It was a camp especially for children with special needs, and let me tell you it was a heck a lot of fun.

     So when all of us got to the camp, we were assigned a camper, and were their buddy for the weekend. Me and one of my youth group leaders, Tracy, got paired up with a boy named Johnny (That't not his real name but it's for privacy reasons). He was around 14 and had some intellectual disabilities as well as autism. But he had really pretty, blue eyes and tiny freckles all over his face. He also loved the book Tarzan, which was ironic because I am technically in the story haha. It was really cool to meet him for the first time, but it was really hard to communicate, because he was nonverbal. We did many activities with the kids, but it was difficult to get Johnny to do any of them, because he didn't really understand some of them or didn't like them. And he tended to hit a little if he didn't get to do what he wanted to do. Until the middle of the second day, Tracy and I had a hard time controlling Johnny. But on that second day, we discovered something new about him. We found out that he really enjoyed to take out our hair ties from our hair, and then tell us to put them back in our hair. He also liked us to tie his hair with a hair tie too. It sounds kind of odd, but I could tell that he really liked it, and it made him happy. And he was so gentle about it. He took the hair tie out of my hair slowly and carefully so I didn't get hurt. It was actually really crazy how good of a memory he had though. Even when there was around 5 different hair ties, some even the same color and from different people, he knew exactly which was whose.

     After getting to spend the weekend with Johnny, I've realized that he has taught me so much. He's taught me to be more patient with people. I am not a patient person at all, and so in the beginning I was really frustrated with Johnny and how he couldn't communicate verbally. But I ended up learning to understand that he needs more patience and love. And instead of communicating verbally, I got to use a lot of sign language which was probably the coolest thing ever. But the patience doesn't only apply to kids with special needs, but with everyday people in my life. And another thing Johnny showed me, was to be happy no matter what. I know that he wasn't always the happiest person but a lot of times he was. Johnny would have these random bursts of happiness, or smile because I tied his hair up. His laughs and smiles were so genuine, and I don't think you could find that anywhere else. Just the way his eyes lit up was really a beautiful sight.

     It's so amazing to think that these kids are still so happy with their lives even with a disability. I mean we are always complaining about how unfortunate our lives are, even though we are blessed with a healthy mind. Yet the kids who go through obstacles everyday because of their special needs, are able to see the good in so many things. They live lift to the fullest, and take good advantage of it. And even with their learning disabilities, in the end their special needs are exactly what they are: just special needs. I know that their diagnosis' can challenge them, but I find that it's just something they have to deal with, just like normal people. And we all know that they don't acquire the skills normal people have, but they may also have skills we can't ever have. They're a model to us and how we should lives our lives; being thankful because you're blessed. And that's why God made them the way they are. Except so many people don't understand why these disabilities exist. And they need to know that God made everyone the way they are for a purpose. He created these kinds of kids so that God's glory could be shown through them. And I witnessed that this weekend. In a sense it's a blessing.

     I just wanted to thank Johnny for teaching me so much, and making my weekend great. I have never seen such pure joy in anyone I know. He's made me see the world in such a better perspective. And I also thank all of the other kids at Jill's House this weekend too. Because of them, I've realized that there are so many good things in life to appreciate, that there isn't time to do anything else.  And if they can be happy with disability, then I can be happy without one.

A Man Born Blind 
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of 
God might be displayed in him." -John 9:3

-Janey

 


   

I'm Moving?

     I'm really sad to say that I'm probably moving soon...back to Louisiana. So my parents like Fairfax, but a lot of my family lives in LA including my grandma. She's really sick and has my grandpa to take care of her, but it's hard because he has a small job to do on the side. He manages a family restaurant (Chang's BBQ). I mean my grandma isn't the prime reason we might move. My family also likes the atmosphere of the south better. I mean honestly I do too. In Fairfax it's a little too busy and lacks a lot of culture. In LA, there's Cajun food, beignets, crawfish, Mardi Gras, and most importantly southern hospitality. My family and I love it there because there's so many unique places and people are just more nice. You will actually have a conversation with your cashier there. And people will offer to help you unload your car. I remember one of my neighbors there brought us fresh fruit from her backyard like every week. And my other neighbor gave me and my bros an Easter basket with candy. I've never had such awesome neighbors before. Anyways, so yeah me and my family like it better there a tad bit. And it's sad I'll have to leave my friends. That's the one thing that makes this hard... Well I guess this is probably goodbye Fairfax. It's bittersweet but I guess I'm okay with it. I'm used to being new. Until next time. 

-Janey

Oh yeah and umm April Fools. Ha did I get you? Probably not. But I didn't prank anyone so I had to get at least one joke in last minute. It wouldn't feel right if I didn't. Yeah so I don't have a grandma in LA and I have never heard of Chang's BBQ. If you found that believeable you are racist... Just kidding, why wouldn't you belive it? But other than that, everything else was true. I do like the atmosphere better in LA. But the people I know in Fairfax make living here a little more bearable. I would love to move back to my old house with the awesome trampoline, but that's not going to happen. And I do like it here. So no I'm not moving. You guys will continue to see me walk the halls of FHS.