"Go! Fight! Win!"

I think it's safe to say most of us have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.  

I hate it because I allow it to be a time-wasting-beast.  I loath it for a million other reasons, which evidently aren't enough to restrain me from daily Facebook consumption.

But today isn't a hate Facebook day, in fact, I kinda want to wrap my arms around Facebook and hug it.

Because of Facebook, this last year I reconnected with the mother of my 1/2 brother's son.  And after a handful of messages, this summer I was able to see my nephew Dylan for the first time in 6 years!

Because Dylan hadn't seen his paternal side of the family since he was 4, mid-summer I arranged a little picnic in the comfort of his hometown to spend a bit of time becoming reacquainted.

Dylan with his great-grandmother, Vava, and his cousins (my three and my sister's boys).

Dylan with Tia Toni and "Favorite Tia Denise."  

   
Dylan is a GREAT kid.
He is a delight to be with.
He enjoys playing  youth football.
His favorite color is purple.
He does not like broccoli. He does like "exparugus."
Pizza is his favorite, but he really likes the hot wings from Jura's Pizza Parlor.
He thinks tias that send him "Oreo, No You Di'int" cookies are the bomb-diggity (he didn't say this exactly, but I'm sure he was thinking it). 
He doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up (I told him that's okay because I don't know what I want to be when I grow up either).  
He looks just like his great-grandfather- my grandfather, who I adored.
When Dylan smiles I see my grandfather's smile (when I see that sweet smile I want to hug him, and tell him repeatedly how cute he is, but because he is 10, and we are still new to him, I don't.  I can hardly wait till we are no longer new to him). 
His mother told me that last year Dylan started going to church, then he wanted his family to come to church, and now they all go.

This Saturday my family and my sister's family went to one of Dylan's football game.
I was a proud tia as I watched his Teodosio jersey power it's way across the field.

On Sunday my sister hosted a Teodosio family gathering at her house, which Dylan came to, and where he met great-aunts, great-uncles, first, second, and third cousins.

I was thrilled to hear  one aunt shout to another aunt as she arrived, "Did you see the Surprise?!" 

I was delighted as I watched my dear aunts see the reflection of their beloved father in their great-nephew's handsome face, and to hear them tenderly declare, "He looks like father."

Teodosio means "God Gift" & "God-Giver."

 Dylan is the only grandchild who will carry on the Teodosio name.

Though I hadn't seen Dylan for 6 years, over the years God's Spirit has stirred me to take my role as his tia purposefully.  Showing me that the way I could love my nephew was through prayer. 

This reconnection with Dylan has been such a blessing to me because I SEE how God has already answered many of my prayers for my nephew!  AND I see that God didn't answer them halfway, but GENEROUSLY! 

This is a post of celebration and also of  encouragement to you to PRAY!

Be a cheerleader at the sidelines of someone's life- even if the one on the field doesn't know you're there rooting for them.  Cheer them on to One True God and to Life abundantly and everlasting through His son, Jesus.

There is power in your prayers... POWER IN CHRIST TO SAVE AND MOVE AND DO MORE THAN WE CAN HOPE OR IMAGINE! 

Who are you cheering on to God from the sidelines?