1. Who has had the biggest influence on your life and how?

My mom has been the biggest influence on me. I know that may sound cliche, but she has been able to push me towards remaining strong in the hardest of times. She has relied on me often to even hold her up through our life, and that has only improved my ability to handle what comes my way. Her love of Christ has also been a strong example to me in the way I should love Jesus and how to have a relationship with Him. She prayed with me every morning before school, even if we were mad at one another or if she was having a bad day. That proves to me that loving Jesus is a choice each day and is to be practiced through worship in any form that can take place.

2. What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?

The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was in the face of what everyone wanted me to do, I had to the choose the right thing instead. My dad was not present in my life most of the time and I have taken a huge step toward forgiveness with him. I work daily on finding a way to love him even with all the pain he caused in our lives. It is difficult because my family did not want me to pursue a relationship with him again, but the Lord has other plans and I want to listen and be an example of love and forgiveness.

3. What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest?

The happiest moment of my life was each day I had a child. Children are truly a blessing. The first time I met my Ember girl was truly overwhelming. She was beautiful and healthy and wide-eyed. I fell in love with her and have done so with each child since that day.  The saddest day of my life was the day of each of my mom’s decision to leave her husbands. It was upsetting and emotional to realize that once again we would not be a whole family.

4. Who is your favorite relative and why?

My favorite relative is my Nanny (Mom’s mom). She helped raise me most of my life. She grew up in a military family and endured hardships such as living with polio and all the complications it entails. She remains strong in her faith and sends me scripture every single day. I love her and her discipline and heart for family. She is a fighter and she is my ultimate role model.

5. If you could everything again, what would you do differently?

I would be more thoughtful. I carried a lot of anger as a child and it made me not very kind to my siblings and family members. I wish I had been more kind and enjoyed life more instead of holding in so much anger and resentment.

6. What is the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? 

Be still. Enjoy the calm. Fix what you can, but realize you cannot fix it all. Work towards loving others, even when they seem unlovable.