I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my momma you'll be!

Today this incredible lady is celebrating her 57th birthday. 

Some days are much harder to be away from home than others and today is one of those days. I would love nothing more than to be with my momma having a picnic in the park near our house like we typically do on her birthday every year. 

This year is especially difficult to be away from her because we have grown so close. The events that have transpired and brought me to Uganda have also strengthened mine and my mom's relationship so much. She has always been one of the most Godly women I've ever known and I have admired her trust in Jesus and love for him. 

Since I was a newborn baby she has prayed for me and encouraged me to pursue Jesus and love him with all my heart. There is no greater gift than the gift of salvation and I am so thankful and blessed to have a mom that loved me so much that her number one priority for my life was to see me come to an intimate relationship with Jesus.

By the time I was ten years old my three older sisters had married and moved out of the house. That left me at home in a situation similar to that of an only child. So my mom and I have always been close. I was her side kick. We would make forts with blankets in my bedroom and I would force her to sit inside with me and read books (bless her heart for putting up with me!) We would plan tea parties for days that included just the two of us. On rainy days you could find us making sand art, beaded necklaces, sewing pillows or purses, making cookies, sculpting play-dough, playing Chinese checkers, or orchestrating weddings for my barbie dolls. When the weather was nice you bet you could find us hiking around Letchworth State Park and enjoying a delicious picnic of Al's chicken fingers and fried veggies. My mom is the all around super mom. There was never anything that was too hard for her. If it seemed impossible, she could do it. 

Before I left the states to come to Uganda I made a list of things that I wanted to do. Some were silly little things like making my favorite foods and watching specific movies. But other things were more complex. One of those things was going to Potter County, Pennsylvania where we always go camping as a family every year. As the weeks drew near to leaving we were running out of time to go camping for a weekend. Nevertheless, my momma said, "We will do it, even if is just for a day trip!" So early on  a Saturday morning in May she, my dad, and I packed up the car and drove two hours to PA just to go hike our favorite trail. It sounds silly, but that is something we have done together since I was a little girl and I wanted one last hike through Spooky Hollow with my parents before I moved half way across the world. I am so glad we did it. I think about it often and have these pictures on my wall in my room here in Uganda to remind me of the great day we had together.

My mom has always fought for me. From the day I was born and didn't poop she has fought for me. Since they told her I had cystic fibrosis she has been my number one advocate. Never did she let it keep us from making the most of life as a family. She never let my diagnosis be an excuse to not make the most of life. She never let it discourage her. She always encourages me to pursue my dreams and do the things I love. I will forever be grateful to her for that. She always emphasizes that CF is part of me, but does not define me. Therefore I shouldn't live as though it defines me. That is something that I absolutely have to remind myself from time to time, especially when my health is bad. 

Last month my mom and sister went the extra mile and pedaled 30 miles and 70 miles to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. My mom came in 4th place in the 30 mile bike race. The only people that finished before her were 3 young and fit men. I was so so so proud of her. Imagine your mom pedaling 30 miles in your honor. She pushed through the miles of difficulty in order to find a cure for me. So special and so sweet. It makes me cry just to think about her doing it. I wish I could have been there to cheer her on or better yet ride along side of her. But nevertheless I am so proud of her and thankful that she would do that for me. That doesn't even begin to compare to the hours she has laid in a hospital bed with me, rubbing my back and dealing with doctors, the hours upon hours she has spent on the phone with insurance companies and medical companies, the hours I have kept her awake coughing all night and all the other unpleasant things she has put up with.

She is my hero and I am so grateful to have her as my momma! I can honestly say I don't know if I would be here today if it weren't for her being so responsible and prayerful with my life.  

I had the privilege to serve along side of her twice now in Uganda. The first time in January and then again in June when she helped me to move here. They were possibly the two most incredible experiences with her ever. We had the opportunity to do some really neat ministry together and meet some amazing people, including the sweet little anointed one who we will hopefully be able to share more about at a later time!

My mom will forever be my best friend and the woman I look up to most. She has so much love to give and is always considering other people before herself. I am so thankful she is my mom! I may be slightly biased but I dare say she is the best mom in the world (:

I miss her more and more everyday. I look forward to getting home and spending hours in the kitchen making dinner together, walking on the beach together, having picnics in the park together, watching chick flicks and eating ice cream late at night together, and so many other things together. Only three more months until we are reunited! 

When I was a little girl she would always read a book to me that we still quote to each other today. 

"I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living,

My momma you'll be!

Happy Birthday to the best mom in the world! I love you forever and always!