My brother came to me a few days ago and asked if he could interview me about my life story for some school assignment he had going on. Of course I said yes. I mean, what was I going to do? Be a terrible big sister? I think not. I feel bad enough that he is the only boy. Anyway, I learned a lot about myself while we were doing it. I was also reminded of why I know that being a full-time missionary is completely possible for my future.
Here are some of the questions he asked me along with the answers:
*Who is one of your favorite people and why? That’s easy. It’s my mom. She taught me how to be strong and stand on my own two feet, but most importantly she taught me about and helped grow the most important thing in my life… My faith.
*What are you parents like? My mom is one of the most amazing people I know. She is strong and “takes in all the strays.” She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Unfortunately my dad passed away when I was 10, but he was awesome! He knew how to love my sister and I in a way that would stay with us forever.
*What are your grandparents like? They have passed on now, but my Mamaw was the funniest old woman you would have ever met. She was hilarious! My Papaw was the most humble man in the entire world. He did so much for so many and never expected anything in return. I wish there were more people like them in this world.
*Who is your significant other, where did you meet him and tell me something about him? His name is Dylan and he is a mechanic for the Army National Guard as well as a mechanic in the “civilian world”. We met in September 2014 when we were paired together in ours friends wedding. Technically I guess we have already walked down the isle? Ha!
All these questions and the others were great, but there was one that really got me to thinking for a minute and brought up some awesome memories.
*Who is one teacher or other adult that influenced you the most in your life? How? MR. CHARLIE!! Definitely Mr. Charlie. He is an old family friend that has been around since WWWAAAYYY before I was ever even thought of. He was one of my Papaw’s good friends. Since I was a little girl he would always ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. At first I wanted to be a judge. Then I wanted to be a police officer. Then who knows what between then and a missionary. And that’s where I stopped. Missionary. I want to be a missionary. I want to be used by God to do the things that others are too scared or incapable of doing. I want to be obedient in my walk with Christ and go where He tells me to.
Mr. Charlie was always one of my biggest fans. He always supported me in whatever I wanted to do. He told me that I could do whatever I wanted to as long as I put my mind to it and was brave through the process. Because of Mr. Charlie, I learned how to dream big dreams and that sometimes those big dreams change and turn into different big dreams. Guess what? That’s okay! One of the biggest lessons of my life and I learned it from an old man that had no idea the impact he would have on me. Since those words of encouragement in my earlier years, I have grown up knowing that I could excel in whatever I chose to do with my life.
The way we treat people in life means something. Words of encouragement go a long way. His words have lasted for 23 years and have launched me to start a journey that will take me to 11 different countries in 11 months. I am forever grateful to him for teaching me that dreams can come true if we work at them and believe we can make them happen. Thanks Mr. Charlie. Wherever you are today, know that you are one of my favorite people in the whole world, I love you and I thank you for always being there to root me on through life!
Too blessed to be stressed,
Danielle
