I have a lot of friends.
Ask my parents. They often get confused at which friend I’m referring to in conversation and have requested that I make a spreadsheet so that they can keep track of which Mel is the Mel I worked with at the country club and which Mel is the roommate from Boulder who just got married.
I’m popular what can I say.
But long lists of gal pals and teaching buddies aside there is a special friend that I would like to give a shout out to today and every day.
Her name is Brennyn Hoose.
Back before we had cell phones, Snapchat, and real adult responsibilities she befriended me; a loud-mouthed theater chick who thought she was some cool business back in high school. Back when lamenting over boys who didn’t know we existed was all we had to worry about. We were 14 and had no idea what would become of our lives.
She’s my rock.
When my heart was epically curb-stomped last year she was the first one I called at 4am, snot dripping out of my nose and writhing in pain in the corner of some dark parking lot.
When the shit hit the fan with my health last Fall she was the first one there again. It took her all of two seconds to drop everything she was doing, drive across town in rush hour traffic, and arrive in my hospital room with a gigantic bag of chocolate and flowers.
Here we are in 2015.
I am up to my elbows in new teaching stress and Brennyn is by my side every step of the way as she always is. After my first day of school she dropped by my house to give me a box of chocolate and listen to me ramble on about my inability to work the copy machine and effectively manage my classroom.
She’s my rock. And you know yuh' girl is all about that chocolate.
So when Brennyn told me that her dream in life was to go to England for a mission trip with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) to change lives, I knew I had to do something about it. Big time.
So I invited Brennyn over for wine and chatted her up about her journey in front of a cheap front-facing camera on my parent’s couch. We talked about how she discovered the program, what led her to her faith, and where she will be stationed to work.
What you don’t see in the video (which is terribly edited by yours truly) is her non-stop hustle. For the past 6 months Brennyn has been working herself to the nubs for this dream.
Standing in line all day to fill out paperwork for her Visa. Saving up every penny she has. Talking to complete strangers about the importance of her journey and trying to convince them that she is worthy of this. Getting denied from one program and applying to another. Working two full-time jobs and still having time to call me on the phone and hear me dump my own emotional trauma on her.
I actually don’t know another human being who works as hard as she does.
The woman doesn’t quit.
So therefore I won’t quit until she achieves her dream.
This is where you come in, my devoted readers. I am asking you to give. Give back to the woman that has made me who I am today. Give back to a soul that is so selfless and real that she makes you want to be better than you ever thought you could.
Give her a dollar, a penny, a prayer. Make her dreams come true. Because if I know anyone who will make a difference in this world, it’s Brennyn. So help get her there.
Below I have attached her personal blog and funding page. I encourage you to read up on her mission and what she plans to do in England and other parts of the world. I encourage you to donate to her cause and her never-ending dedication to her faith and her number one fan (me).
Join my campaign to send Brennyn to Britain!
Click here to read her blog and here to donate!