My Journey That Changed My Life

I haven’t been alive for too long and I’ve lived a pretty normal life though I do know of one specific event that changed me forever. On January 12 2010 I came home from school like every other kid in Haiti. It was a completely normal day. My mom was cooking in the kitchen, my aunt was holding my little sister while watching TV, my dad wasn’t home yet and I was by myself in the living room playing games on my dad’s computer. Then out of nowhere I hear a deep low loud rumbling noise. Right when I start to wonder what the noise was, the shaking starts. Being a normal eleven year old kid I just sat there in shock and fear and just watched as my whole world came crashing down around me. Paintings, vases silverware, my moms china set, they were

Cleaning out a barn, organizing a hoarder’s collection, painting a garage, hanging siding on a house, pouring concrete for a walkway, making meals for families--all projects promoting my life goal of helping make communities better and serving others, especially the less fortunate. I have been able to go on several mission trips with members of my church volunteering their efforts in completing helpful community projects where needed. These trips changed my life and made me a better person.

Everyone tells you life isn't easy right? That there’s going to be obstacles that you’ll have to overcome . For me, the biggest obstacle was to change, I couldn’t be another failure in the system, neither be a burden. Many fail to realize that change isn’t bad, is to better yourself on who you really are.

I was a new freshman in the Fall of 2014 starting at Mountain View High School, short, shy, and oblivious. The bus pulled up a few blocks away from my house I was nervous and unaware of what the first day would be like. I got on the bus and made it to school at the exact time the bell rang, when I got inside all I could see was a sea full of students. I thought to myself, here's to new beginnings, would the people be approachable? Would it be easy for me to make all new friends? I was stressed out and nervous about what would happen when I made it to that hallway, I didn’t even know where to go and who to ask for help. I finally found this teacher in the hall and I approached her and she helped me to my homeroom class that started at

Throughout my life I’ve had many experiences that shape the way I am today. Everything I’ve experienced and the people I grew up around and called my friends have influenced me in many ways. For example, what sports I liked, the music I listened to, what movies and shows I liked and basically everything else that made me the person I am today.

It’s time. It was April 12th, 2015. I was prepared to experience the most transformative event of my life; today, I would officially become a Jehovah’s Witness. The attendants prompted me toward the baptist as I anxiously descended the pool steps. I plugged my nose and prepared for the submersion. The baptist promptly submerged me in the water, then raised me out, only to do it a second time because my legs were reluctant to submerge. This feeling of doubt didn’t end in the baptismal pool; it shaped me throughout high school.

Treat others how you would like to be treated. We’ve all heard the saying and we all know that it’s simply something we should all believe in. It’s burned into our brains from a young age. But most of never have put that action or thought about doing it. I know that I never did. Until April 7, 2017 the day before I had made an awful decision that landed me a trip to the principals brand new, freshly painted, horrific room. As I walked into that room I was fearful, unsure of what was gonna happen to me knowing what I had done was awful. The principal and I discussed what I had done and After talking about it she had me think about the golden rule. She made me tell her the Golden rule but not only that. She made me think and talk about it until I fully believed that the golden rule is something we should all follow for every second of our lives.

With me graduating in May, Looking back on how I have changed is something I do a lot actually. Just over these past couple of years, I feel like I have changed a lot inside and out. Even though I have changed, I still have a few of the same characteristics. For one, I have always been a little lost when it comes to talking to girls. Hopefully one day that does change but for now, that 's always been me. Another quality that I have kept is my sense of humor. Call me immature if you want, but my sense of humor has not changed since I was a little kid. SpongeBob and Patrick will always have me rolling on the floor laughing my butt off. As far as how I have changed, where do I start? One thing I feel like I changed was my procrastination. Even though this is being written the day before it 's due, I use to be so much worse. Freshmen year I would probably have done this assignment in the last hour before it was due or just not even do it at all. That 's one thing I 'm glad I changed. If we were to go back 10 years ago when I was 12, I would have to say I 've changed a lot. I know back then I use to be terrified of driving. I never thought I would be able to learn to drive. I actually remember telling my mother that I would have to ride my bike everywhere just to get around. Now I can 't image not driving for even one day. Likewise, I can remember a few things about myself that are still true to this day. As a 12 year old, I always seemed to have a darker perspective of life. I

Did you ever think that your life could change from one minute to the next? I sat on the couch waiting for the news that would change my outlook on life. I had a pit in my stomach before there was even news to tell. I knew this news was coming for a long time, but I did not know how. My world was going how any 15-year-old would want it to go. A loving family, nice friends, and all the free time in the world. What I did not know was that was all about to change. I was laying on the couch with my head buried deep in the cushions. Almost like that would shield me from the news I was about to receive. Goosebumps started to appear on my arms and tear drops rose in my eyes. I heard the door knob turn, and I knew my mom was home. Picking my head up from out of the cushions, was like picking up a boulder with my bare hands. Before this point in time my life was basic.

I was eleven years old when I first became a certified scuba diver, and over the last thirteen years none of the dives I’d been on could prepare me for this one night. My vacation started out just like all the other family dive trips I had been on, white sandy beaches, crystal clear what, warm ocean breeze, and brilliantly bright colored fish but it all changed when my father came back from a night dive with a story to tell. My siblings, husband and I all gathered around the dinner table eager to hear about my father’s adventures. He starts off slowly making sure he has everyone’s undivided attention before he discloses any details of importance. Once we were all on the edge of our seats practically begging for him to speak he takes a long slow drink, looks each of us in the eye and says “I’ve had the most incredible life changing experience on this night dive.”

For many, a life changing moment comes in the form of a tragedy or a hard-earned revelation. Mine came in the form of a five-year-old girl named Sofia. Sofia spent most of her time in the oncology ward of the hospital where I volunteered. Her days consisted of sterile hospital rooms, scans, and chemotherapy. She was losing her hair because of chemo when most girls her age were learning how to braid theirs. She played with a doll (Mr. Buttons) in her hospital room instead of playing with other children.

I think I have changed a lot in the past year. I am the same as I was a year ago because I psychically have the same name and same social security number. I still am in love with my husband Andrew hall and we still live in the same house and we still have our beautiful step daughter Macie every other week. I am different then I was a year ago because we have been married this whole year and weren’t married last year. I have also put on more weight this year and changed my hair color. I am the same as I was five years ago because, I still like doing the same things, like shopping and tanning. I am different then I was five years ago because, five years ago I was in High School in the 11th grade and lived in North Carolina and I drove everyone and didn’t have a license because I was underage. I am the same as I was ten years ago because I still had the same family, my mom and two brothers and I loved cheerleading and I still love cheerleading just too old for it now but I still love watching cheerleading. I am different then I was ten years ago because, I am taller, married, in college, have a child and go to college. As a ten year old I never even thought college was an option for me.

On the date of October 27th 2017, me and my friend Tovah were on our way to a cabin in Branson for her birthday. While we were there we went shopping at Tanger Outlets and we went to The Haunted Lost Cavern at Top Of The Rock. Now in the essay below you will read about my memorable journey with my friend Tovah.

Growing up my parents would always teach my siblings and I to be the best we could in anything. Whether we liked it or not my siblings and I would always do things to our best ability. I was about seven years old when all of us started to realize that things at home were changing. My older siblings knew exactly what was going on at the time and would always tell me something to just make me go away, or to think that nothing was going on. I thought about my life at that time, every good thing that happened to me was a blessing. Having a mother who would wake my little brother and I to some good breakfast, she would walk us to the bus stop every morning, and we would pray that the day would be great. Life then was fantastic, not too many worries other than how many cavities I would have at the dentist. Shortly after I turned 8 years old, I could see a change in my parents. They weren't how they used to be. I would come home from school and not find my mom at the bus stop waiting for me, I would come into the house and see men in suits. As a child I didn't know what was going on, but when I saw my older sister cry, I was terrified. No more than a couple days went by and my sister told me what was going on. She told me there was nothing to really worry about.

Last summer, I had a life changing experience with my family and my friend Jenny in Oregon. My intention of this vacation was to show Jenny the beautiful Oregon views and spend time with my family who moved there two years ago. We rarely see my aunt and uncle because school and work often get in the way. However, we booked a trip for last August and flew out to spend two weeks with them. I am thankful for this experience because I am now a different person.