My Best Friend is a Rockstar

I met Alyssa during the fall of 2007 in Minneapolis. We immediately bonded over good music and being slightly crazy. Alyssa is an incredibly loyal and loving friend.

In Alyssa's spare time, she enjoys playing soccer:

Climbing rocks:

Falling on ice:

And breaking the rules:

In all seriousness though, one of Alyssa's greatest gifts is loving people.

Alyssa is my "person". If you don't know what that means, go watch Grey's Anatomy. Wait, on second thought, don't- it's a pretty terrible show (in my humble opinion). But in the show, one of the female residents says that another one of the female residents is her "person". This "person" is the one she can go to with the good and the bad. She knows her "person" loves her no matter what and she can completely be herself around her. Well, Alyssa is my "person". She is also an inspiration to me and many others. Why you might ask? I'd love to tell you, thanks for asking!!

Alyssa went on a week-long mission trip to San Salvador, El Salvador in March 2010. She fell in love with the people and felt God leading her to return there to continue to outreach and care for those in need. After much prayer and seeking guidance, Alyssa decided to return to El Salvador for one year to see if God would lead her to move there long-term. In August, Alyssa arrived in El Salvador to begin her year serving at the Guayabo Development Center. The Guayabo Development Center is a community center recently opened in Guayabo, a very poor and needy community. The center both meets physical needs through providing food, medical care, etc. and also spiritual needs by teaching about God. Alyssa works at the Development Center assisting children with their homework after school, mentoring them and in many ways being a positive and loving "older sister" role  model that these kids probably wouldn't have otherwise. Alyssa gave up the comforts of the U.S. to go to country and help those in need. That's not to say there aren't needy people here in the U.S. because we certainly have our fair share, but Alyssa is doing something that I'd wager most Americans wouldn't do. She is giving of herself to help others in ways many people would never even consider. That sort of selflessness is inspiring. That is why my best friend is a rockstar.

Alyssa at the Guayabo Development Center

Alyssa with some of the kids she works with at the Guayabo Development Center

LOVE YOU ALYSSA!! Thank you for being such an amazing friend and inspiration to us all! I'm so blessed to have you in my life. :)