When my nephew Jacob was a little boy I wrote him a letter that I’m pretty sure he’ll never get to read. In it I talked about his name and shared with him the story of Jacob in the Bible– the one where he wrestles the angel:

“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed…” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”  Genesis 32: 24-30

Jacob, what I told you in that letter years ago and what I want to tell you now is this: Your strength is your stubbornness. God is not afraid of your fight. He is like a strong father who will wrestle you through a long, dark, painful night. Be blessed son…

One word to describe me is resilient.

I’ve learned to never give up.

Anything can be achieved and conquered if you try enough.

I’m independent and like to work my way through things in my own special way.

In my free time I like to hangout with my friends, and take my dog to the park.

I listen to mostly rap and mostly old school.

After graduation I plan to go to college and pursue Aerospace engineering.

In ten years I see myself with a stable job lots of dogs and a good friend group to have my back.

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