In 2008, I had four fantastic siblings, a mom and a dad who loved me well, and a home that instilled a love of art, people, and the crazy goodness of Jesus inside my passionate little body.

When I was ten years old, my parents started adopting my little brother, Aklilu, from Ethiopia. Now by the name of Timo, he is one of the greatest treasures I have ever known. My life changed the day I held that sweet child of God and I am constantly reminded of the gift I have in him.

Fast forward to 2012, my family full of dancers and musicians decided to adopt again: this time, Ghana, Africa.

After going through two years of visa difficulties and enduring all the family changes of several of us becoming teenagers in the midst of it all, my two twin sisters and my new brother finally came home. The “Hi, nice to meet you” hugs were what I imagine heaven feels like and this was only day one.

My mom gave birth to me, taught me to dance, and has tuned my ears to stand in the midst of diversity and hear nothing but Jesus. She has traveled the world teaching and dancing with a grace I was convinced I would magically have when I grew up. Not true– you choose it. You work at it, and you refuse to let darkness win. She left our family when I was 16 and I’m still working through the toughness of that.

My dad is the best man I have ever known– a musician that makes musicians out of others. He is always stable, always loving, and always showing me Jesus. He has a ponytail, is 6 foot 3 inches tall, and gives the kind of hugs that make you cry because you didn’t know you were that lovable until he said it to be so. The greatest parts of me come from him.

So, we total at 9 kids. My favorite friends. We fail often, but what a blessing it is to love and be loved by this group of people.

You’ll be hearing much about them.