Makenzie Gets An Award

Leadership is the special quality which enables people to stand up and pull the rest of us over the horizon. -James L. Fisher

December 2009, Joy School presented Makenzie with the Leadership Award that they give out one time a year for the whole school K-12. She was super proud as we were also. I am always stopped by teachers or people telling me that she is a "adult woman" in a child's body. I must laugh as Makenzie is my best friend,we can talk and talk and hang out and she can shop and hands down out last you the whole day being dragged around stores :) She has a kind heart and others see this. She tells people about her sister and brother from Africa,how yes she has gone through a lot,she is still proud and happy she opened her heart and life for them. It amazes me what comes out of her mouth,where does she get this stuff from?She will say prayer at dinner and talk about a Bible story that relates to the day,she will randomly come up and thank you for the life she has or that we brought 2 orphans into a Christan home and are now a part of our loving family. She boosts you up when you are down,gives you a hug when you least expect and you know you needed one deep inside.Makenzie can feel your heart speak and knows what you need and how to push you to do it.She amazes me daily,gets me up and going when times are rough,and it just makes me feel like OK I can DO IT and I have the drive! I will never forget when she was born in 2003,Jon left 2 days later for Iraq for a year. I was left in Italy,alone and with this new baby.I had no clue what to do,but love and nurture her.We grew so close and bonded,like nothing I have ever felt before.She is special in the sense,we only had each other at certain times in life,Iraq,Afghanistan,etc and we knew what we needed from each other. Makenzie will do amazing things in life,her love for others,God,changing peoples hearts and minds,letting others see past "color" and that people are people.I never knew then what I know now about bringing the babies into our lives,how YES we get comments,bad looks,loss of friends,or people unsure to play with the older kids because of the younger...but in the end,I know my bio kids see that color blocks people and they will stand up and have to face so many challenges and beat the odds and know well OK move on,we at least have family and that is what matters the most.Love,God,Peace and what lies ahead for Makenzie to change the world,I cant wait...I can see so many amazing places she will travel,change hearts and souls.She has a spirit about her that you can feel a mile away and you know she is a Leader,a trusted friend and loved daughter,sister,and best friend. May God always lead her to be the best she can be,to not let the world or "things" cloud her mind and her ability to go forward with her dreams be achieved,may she see past the bad in the world and people and never let anyone put a road block in her way...I pray all my children will be great examples of Gods good work and leaders for the world and future.Blessings xoxo