So PROUD...

Angie made the volleyball team.  She couldn't believe she'd made it when most of the girls who were at the tryouts didn't.  But then the real test began with her coach.  He is a tough guy who likes to constantly yell at the girls and according to Angie, most of the time he gets so frustrated that he

doesn't explain what the mistakes are.  So it is frustrating for everyone.  She was this close to quitting

the team until she realized that nothing good would come out of that.  She had a little conversation with herself and decided there was nothing to do about her coach, but she could change HER attitude.

She's been giving it 110% to improve her skills and not take the yells personally, and it is working!

She has been improving and her face just radiates happiness and satisfaction.

On Saturday night, we had an appoinment with the sister missionaries to visit an investigator.  She has a 15 year old daughter and that's why they invited us.  The sisters began their lesson and talked about Sunday and why it should be a day very different from the rest of the week.  I gave a few times my

testimony and shared some of the things we do as a family on Sundays and how special they have become.  Then Angie stopped me and asked me if she could say something.  She started talking (in Spanish if I may add) and bore her testimony about the Sabbath.  She spoke from her heart and directly to the mom, and asked her if she ever felt she wanted to be closer to God?  Then Sundays

are exactly for that, to feel closer to Heavenly Father and our Savior and show them we are willing

to set apart time in our lives to just think of them and worship them.  This was not a short testimony,

it was a long, clear and powerful testimony.  I was just watching her and feeling like crying because

this is my little girl, and I had never heard her talk like this before.  It truly makes all sacrifices

we do to go to church worthwhile.  After we left, she was feeling shocked.  She said: "Mom, I think I felt the Spirit because for some reason I couldn't bring my self to shut up!"  Then she confided in me that for some time she had been praying because she wanted to know if she really had a testimony...and she said, 'I think my prayer was answered tonight'.  I wanted to cry more...

Yesterday we went to Pam Bowman's house so she could record the music for a video the Mia-Maids

are making.  As a sat there hearing some kind of incomprehensible talk about music, notes, and

computer programs, I thought about how even though she is my daughter and I've known her since

the day she was born, she is growing up and I am becoming more of an spectator who enjoys

the kind of person she is becoming.  After a few unsuccessful tries with the computer they decided

to just have Angie play her guitar and Pam would record her.  Again, I moved my chair away from

hers and just watched...  My mind was just delighted to see her, playing so beautifully, so

confident in herself, so talented, and I felt so PROUD of her.

I am so thankful to have her as a daughter.  Since she was little, she was so active and always moving from one place to another.  She hasn't changed.  She is learning to play guitar, she plays piano, she plays volleybal, wants to do basketball, wants to learn to play the organ, writes stories, poems and songs, wants to learn to design clothes and become a marine veterinarian...so much to do and just one life to live!  I am not just an spectator, I am her number ONE fan, her cheerleader, her friend, her mom.  I want her to live her life to the fullest without ever forgetting she is a daughter of God

and many eyes are looking up to her, including mine.  She was born to be a leader, a star; and so far

her glow is bright and beautiful and sometimes makes me squint my eyes, and that's okay. 

I know we become parents not only to teach our kids but also to let our kids teach us, and I'm more than willing to learn. 

I LOVE you Angie and I am PROUD of you.  :)