There's just this unexplainable joy I get when I see Nestor and Kimberly's faces light up when I ask if they want to play Dominoes. I realized last night and today how much I've come to love them as my little brother and sister, and how much I'm going to miss having them scream "Tiffannnyyyy!" when I win at dominoes or we are chasing each other around. I've focused a lot on the classes, church, and teaching but today I just stopped for a moment and truly appreciated this family. It's been wonderful to be in the house of Victor once again and to be apart of their family. I have never seen a brother and sister who love each other the way Nestor and Kimberly do, and they are so open in sharing their love with their parents too, hugs and kisses all around in this house! ... Victor and Yudermy are with-out a doubt wonderful parents and I admire what they have instilled in Nestor and Kimberly. God truly blessed me last year when he placed me with this family and no amount of money could ever repay the hospitality, the love, and the wisdom that they have shared with me.
I admire how active Victor is as a pastor, his work doesn't stop after the sermon is over, he's involved in the lives of the people here, he plays basketball with the youth and maintains friendships with everyone. He's always there to listen and welcomes anyone to his home. His philosophy is "this is not mine, this is God's so why not share it?" I hope this mentality continues to stick with me.
Yudermy is the most devoted wife and mother I've ever met, she is such a quick learner, and I can tell that she's understanding a lot better now in English. I enjoy talking to her and observing her as she teaches Kimberly, helps Nestor with his homework, keeps up a spotless and beautiful home and does So much more. The neighbors adore Yudermy and come to visit her all the time, she's also very admired in the church, the ladies all love her and she is a great teacher with the young children. She stays very active and involved and she is so devoted to God, its evident in everything she says and does. I hope to be half the mother and wife she is one day, she truly is amazing.
Oh and my dear little bro Nestor, who's energy is ever abounding and his competitive drive matches mine perfectly. At first it was difficult to talk and understand but as time went on we've developed our own way of communicating and I love spending time playing with him. He is so smart and picks up on things really fast, if he had the desire to learn English I know he'd speak it in no-time as every time I've had someone at the house for a lesson he'd just walk by and start repeating whatever it was that we were saying. He's an incredible kid and I can't wait to see what he's like as a teenager!
And sweet little Kimberly who wants so much to remain the baby but at the same time wants to be a big girl and be independent. She's grown up so much over the past year and I love it when she comes in my room to have a little talk. I can understand her so much better this year and its wonderful to talk with her because children have more patience than adults and a lot of the time she just thinks its funny when I say something. I think she's liked having an older sister as I now have a shadow whenever I stand at the mirror to brush my hair or if I put on makeup before church or something, she loves using chapstick because she says she's a "little lady" when she has it on. I'll miss the moments of giggles and smiles with her and having her fall asleep in my arms almost every time we're in the car. :-)
God has blessed us all with amazing families, and I hope today that I can learn to appreciate my own family back home as I've learned to appreciate my dominican family. My mom told me a long time ago that God placed her on this earth to be a light in my life to guide me along the path until it was time for me to light the way for someone else. Let's all thank our parents today for being that light, without them, none of us would be where we are.
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