My mom has been my rock for as long as I can remember and has made me into the religious woman I am today. With all honesty, my mother is the reason that I am as giving and kind as I am. Ever since I was a little girl, she has kept me active in the Christian Church community starting with baptism and then my first communion, and I have since then kept my faith strong and growing. She tried her hardest to keep me busy and unaware of the abuse of my biological father. She gave me the whole world and more all while hers was falling apart. She was a big part of the reason I have and continue to volunteer at my church with the youth. When I entered high school, I became a camp counselor and then soon after became an assistant head counselor where I was active for 8 weeks, 6 days a week, 8 AM to 7 PM. The lives of the children I have impacted were all worth it. We received kids from Kindergarten to incoming 8th graders, ranging from orphans, fosters, at-risk kids, kids who couldn't be taken care of because parents were working, or kids who just loved the camp environment. Regardless of their background, I always ensured to make sure they felt as if they had that safe space at camp. My favorite part was sharing the love of Jesus with them just as my mother had taught me. ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’ (Psalms 34:18). I always quoted that as that was what my mom always recited to me. I would offer all of my worries and sadness to him and I always felt better. My mother has been the greatest instrument in my life in becoming who I am today as I continue to grow in my faith and spread the gospel and the love of God. I continue to serve by going to Saturday Oratory where we help kids learn basic life skills like cooking, washing, communication, and other things. Additionally, homeless outreaches where we made care packages with food, and hygiene products and prepared meals with gift cards. I felt a connection with the people in need because I understand what it feels like to live without necessities and not be able to do anything about it. It was a long trying day in Skid Row in Los Angeles but I was with my mother helping our community and I felt like I saw Christ in every single person. I cannot even begin to try and explain the love and adoration I have for my mom. She always has taught me to give even when I don't have much because ‘God gave us blessings and sharing our blessings with people who might need them’. As a little girl, I may not have gotten all the newest twinkle toes or the newest Barbie dream house but I can say with my heart that I was always loved. Every day I continue thanking God that I have my mother with me, alive and healthy. I would love to retire my mother in the future. I am planning to go to Azusa Pacific Univesity, a private religious four-year university, to get a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and become an elementary school teacher. I hope to leave an impact on the children that I am allowed to teach. Thank you Mom for the life that you have paved for me.