Being one of thirteen.

 I'm the 12th of 13 children, born in Detroit Michigan in 1955, when Martin Luther King Jr. and John f. Kenney was alive and well.  I give honor and praise to God for giving me the best parents ever.  They were the best examples of Christians, that really loved the Lord and served God with their life. It was difficult times in the 60's during the Detroit riots, my mother looked more Mexican than black and my father was part Native American, needless to say it was not fun or safe in that city.  The grace of God was strong with my parents and their faith had saved each child by some type of miracles as we grew in the Lord.

   I ask my mother after my first child "how could you have gone through labor 13 times?"  I could not even imagine doing it ever again, but I did go on to have four kids of my own. Even though I grew up in a 3 bedroom, ONE bath house, my husband and I did have  4 bedrooms and 3 baths with bonus rooms and still struggle to give my children the best life a kid could have.  Lot's of love and hugs is what my mother said, and let God do the rest.  I am ever grateful for having a stay at home mom, that was really tuff on us about praying often and doing things God's way.   It's why she was so strong and healthy most of her life.  She taught us to be honest and true, faith to God always, and serve one another.  My father worked most of his life at General Motors which pretty cool because we always had new cars.  Unfortunately, my parents are now living with the Lord and still watching all of us, and the grands and great grand children.  It is fun to have grandkids, they are amazing and I'm proud to say I have the best grandkids.  Smart and fun, and they remind me often that I'm getting old and life is precious.  We all have something amazing and special about us, we are made in God's image.  He is the reason for this beautiful thing called life as we know it.  I personally have return to school after 35 years, suffering with MS and losing my husband to mental illness.  I found that getting an education will not only be beneficial for my family, but I wanted to be educated enough to help people with mental disabilities and struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, learn they are not alone.  I want to  give hope to the hopeless and serving others, that need encouragement.  Also, want to be there for those that need a helping hand and need someone that can listen to their problems.  This is going to last semester in September, before receiving my BS Degree in Psychology/Christian Counseling, and BS Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.   I give God all Praise, Honor, and Glory, to God our Father in the name of Jesus Christ, for the blessed life he has giving me.

 E.M. Gaither