Pretty much amazing

When I was in middle and high school, I wrote in my journal every day. Sometimes I would devote a whole entry to a friend, telling my journal all about them: why they were cool, what we did together, what they liked and disliked. There wasn't really a point; I just wrote.

This post is about one of my friends, and today it has a point. For once. ;)

My friend, Rachel, and her husband, Ryan, are in the process of adopting. Actually, they're finished with the paperwork and are in the process of waiting. You can check out their official adoption profile here and Rachel's blog here.

Spread the word, folks!

And here are some of my favorite things about Rachel, in addition to what's on her profile:

- She is super motivated.

- She loves writing, so she started a creative writing club. (That's where we got to know each other.) She loves chocolate brownies and other delectable desserts, so she incorporated that into the creative writing club.

- During college, she placed in the Brimhall Essay Contest-- twice! And one of the essays she literally wrote the night before. Both times, she used a portion of her winnings to take our entire club out to ice cream. Talk about incredibly talented-- and generous!

- She visited an orphanage while she was in El Salvador, so she started up a program sending volunteers down to live there, plan stimulating activities, and generally brighten the lives of the disabled kids and adults who live there. She and Ryan spent a semester down there right when they were first married.

- She moved to New York and wanted to get to know the neighbor kids, so she started a cookie club, teaching all the kiddos to bake.

- She runs. And I'm talking 5k races and stuff like that, not just when something rolls into the street or someone holds a knife to her back, which would be the case for me. ;)

- She goes ALL OUT for holidays. Halloween, Valentine's, Christmas, you name it! This hearkens to both her enthusiasm and her generosity.

- She is the best English teacher I know. Every time I had to interview a teacher for some of my education classes, I'd always call her. She has incredible dedication and enthusiasm for reaching out to her students.

- She sings. Beautifully.

- She's amazing.

That basically sums up Rachel. She's amazing! I know that the child they end up adopting is one lucky kid. I'm keeping my ears open, and I ask you readers to spread the word as well.

If only I weren't too old to be adopted....