Change your THOUGHTS and you can change your WORLD.

As I am preparing for this giant step in my life, I am reminded of the many steps I have already taken and the people that have helped me get there. I am reminded of the events in my life that have changed me and the people in my life that have shaped me be who I am today. So, for the days leading up to my internship, I have decided to share with you just what some of those things are in my life.

Cozumel Streets

Today it is City of Angels. If you know me at all, you know that this is something that has captured my heart like none other. During my Junior year of High School, I began this journey of spending my Thanksgivings in Cozumel, Mexico. The mission trip to Cozumel, Mexico serves the City of Angels children's home and the community of Cozumel through various activities such as VBS, nightly activities with the Angels, Special Olympics, handing out food baskets to the community, and building relationships with everyone we come in contact with. Never been to Mexico before. Never been on a mission trip before. Never spent a Thanksgiving away from my family. But I knew that this mission trip would be the start of something new in me, a huge turning point in my life to say the least.

Gustavo

God truly has his hands on these teams and Angels. Right before my second year going on the trip with GACS, I had brought up the idea of sponsoring a child to my parents. Of course, they had never been so they were not fully on board nor were there any children in need of a sponsor at the time. A little while before the trip, I so kindly volunteered my Dad to be a leader... then I asked him if he really would. With that undeniable servant heart that my Dad possesses, he says yes. If there is any man capable of absolutely anything in this world, any man thats love is so contagious that it is obvious to everyone around him, any man more willing to serve above and beyond anything else, it is my Dad. This man serves with all of his heart and asks for nothing in return every single time. He deserves to be thanked every single day for his leadership and heart. The Angels absolutely adore him just as he has loved on them. So giving. So loving. Such an incredible example to us. 

Dad with Elias, Mari Chuy, and Angel at Christmas in 2008.

We arrive in Cozumel that 2008 Thanksgiving to find that a family of four (one more joined a short time later) had just arrived a week before. It is heartbreaking for me to think about this family being in the rough living situation they were in before. I like to believe that God brought that Garcia family of four energetic, loving, radiantly beautiful children there to join the Artusa family only a week later. Mari Chuy, the oldest, has such a loving heart caring for each of her younger and older siblings. Angel and Elias always brighten up the day with their laughter, sweet sayings, and fun attitudes all the time. And, Daniela.. our gift from the Lord that year, a light in our life, and truly a match made by Him. We were chosen as her sponsor family after that week with her, loving her, her loving us, and promising to pursue this relationship. What a ball of energy running around, always everyones favorite little princess, speaking so fast that you get lost in translation, and she gives the best hugs. Daniela's smile brightens up the room every time she is there and it blows my mind that we are the lucky ones that get to call her "hermana." 

Sophia, Daniela, and I on our first night of the 2009 trip

Family. When I started going to Cozumel, I had no idea that I would have Angels, team members, and mentors that I consider family today. I have so many people that I need to always continue to thank for shaping me today.

Family. 2010.

To my sister, Sophia. I have been traveling to Cozumel with Sophia for the past three and a half years whether it be on our own time or with GACS. Sophia, even though my younger sister, I look up to her so much. The way she connects with absolutely every kid blows my mind every day. Her love just radiates from her as she walks onto the City of Angels campus every day and every child there knows her by her name and her beautiful red hair. I have seen her from her first day with the Angels to being considered a part of the Cozumel family today. I still remember her first night meeting the Angels.. she asked me what to say and do as we walked that long walk through the streets to the Sports Park. I told her nothing that I say can prepare you for this, it will put you completely out of your comfort zone at first, but I knew that all she had to do was be her and they will instantly love her. Sports Night is a crazy night and as soon as I found my Angels, I introduced them to my sister and they spread the message FAST that I had a sister and she was there to play with them too. With Sophia by my side, I have been able to take my trips to Cozumel to a whole new level. There is nothing like having someone in your life that shares the same passions as you and especially on such a close level as this. She has been there for me to bounce ideas off of, just tell stories with of my sweet Angels, lend a shoulder for me to cry on when I have to say my goodbyes, and just always be there for me in both my days of serving and my days at home missing Cozumel. Because of Sophia, we have been able to share special connections with the Angels and we have also been able to build a family in Cozumel with our sisters, Mari Chuy and Daniela. For this, thank you will never be enough.

The girls of the family in 2010.

Fantastic Four in 2010.

To my Angels. All of them have truly impacted me over the years so writing thank you's is ultimately never enough for showing my gratitude towards these kids. The Angels all come from very tough backgrounds and live together at the City of Angels. They become a family. The number of Angels has grown every year that I go down and that makes me so excited. To know that the orphans of Mexico have a safe and loving home is so comforting to me. My love for orphans began here at City of Angels and I am so lucky to call it home just like these kids. So... the angels I have not already shared with you (Just going to share a few).

Jose and I on our last night of the 2008 trip.

Jose, my baby boy from the beginning. This boy's smile keeps me coming back each year. I have seen him grow up to be such a loving young boy and every year, when I take him a picture of us from the year before, it is so nice to see them in his room.. I know that we are in each other's lives for good and I am so thankful for that. 

Chanti and I in 2010.

Chanti, wow my girl has grown up. This one always does keep me on my toes watching out for her pranks and jokes towards me. No matter how funny we are together, there are always tears in our eyes as we part each other. Her hugs make me remember why I long to go to Cozumel every day of every year.. because I love these Angels with all of my heart. And her love shows me that. What a servant heart, this girl.

Carlos and I at VBS in 2009.

Carlos. I have also been able to see this sweet boy grow up to be so kind and loving towards every one that he meets. He is always one of the first to welcome us onto the property and he is always looking out for others. I cannot wait to see how God uses him in the future.

Damian and I in 2009.

Here I am visiting Damian at his Starbucks Job! Damian and I remain great friends today, mainly because Damian can speak perfect English! So close in age, we are able to go to each other with everyday life and just have each other in our lives. I would say I am unbelieveably lucky to have this boy in my life and I get to visit him at least once a year. When we do meet up again, it is like no time has passed and we are able to pick right back up chatting about just about everything. I am proud of him and know that God will use his heart to change the world.

Gustavo and I in 2010.

Oh Gustavo. The special candle in a decorated glass jar sitting in the console of car.. friends, it belongs to Gustavo. It is a reminder of our friendship everywhere that I go. We have grown to be good friends over the years and I am so thankful for this joy in my life. To know that I have someone in my life like Gustavo brings happiness and peace to my heart as I am home.

The Big Kid House in 2010.

And of course I could never describe my Cozumel experience without mentioning how grateful I am for my mission teams. To all of the adult leaders, we could not ask for any better. You each bring something so special to the team and because of all of you, I have made it a dream of mine to lead a trip like this. I have considered all of them my honorary parents for the weeks of the trips and will never forget the funny times we have all had together. When I think about not going with the GACS team over Thanksgiving this year, what saddens me most is that I will not get to stay up late and hang out with Dr. Morris, Dr. Overman, favorite Coach Lana, or hear bedtime stories with The Landreths. 

With Dennis and Theresa Wilson in 2010.

The American Directors of Cozumel, Dennis and Theresa Wilson, have been such inspirations to me. Their servant leadership is so evident and I always hope that I make the impact they have made on the Angels. Their hearts are so big and their lights are so bright. Every team is so lucky to have role models like these two to look up to. And I am even luckier to consider their family friends of mine. 

Billy and Juan in 2010.

Gotta give a shout out to my partner in crime in Cozumel... Neighbor. Without him, the trips for sure would not be the same. I got to know Billy when I moved into Country Club of the South and instantly we became good friends. I would have never guessed back in Junior High that I would still consider him one of my very best friends going into my third year of college. Like I said before, it is an unbreakable bond that you have with someone when you share a passion for something such as The City of Angels. Because Billy and I share this love of the Angels, we are able to stay connected and dependable on each other every day of the year. On the trips, we are able to join together for the good of the Angels and have so much fun together. There is absolutely nobody else that  I would have wanted by my side all of these years making me laugh, comforting me when I need it, and playing with the Angels. 

Our Garcia/Artusa family all together: Daniela, me, Juan, Sophia, Mari Chuy, Elias, and Angel in 2010.

The island of Cozumel has shared its people with me and for that I am forever thankful. Because of my love for Cozumel, I have been able to learn so much about myself and what I want to do with my life, why I am here on this Earth. I have seen God work through me, my teams, my family, and my Angels. I have witnessed His love in every person I come in contact with, witnessed His miracles over and over on our trips to Cozumel. I have found lifelong friends and family and I have no idea how I will ever be able to say thank you for that. So, everyday I thank God for each of you that have impacted me through Cozumel. I say an extra prayer for you and know that God truly does have his hand on that place that I like to call home.