My name is Rosemarie Munoz.  I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my husband, Pedro, and our two kids, Esperanza Maria and Pedro Jorge, Jr., who are 15 and 16.  I work at Mom's Diner with my best friend, Martha Morgan.

I have known Martha for several years.  She has a beautiful fifteen-year-old daughter, Alaska Dawn.  The past few years have been rough on them.  Two years ago, Brent, her husband, died while fighting in Afghanistan; he was only in his thirties, way too young.  It truly hit Alaska hard; she was really close to her daddy.

Then, if that were not enough, Alaska was cruelly teased in school.  Kids threatened her online and tripped her as she navigated the halls, causing her to fall and suffer several broken bones to her face, cheeks, and nose.  Alaska can't move her hands or arms very well, so she couldn't break her falls.  It got to be so bad Alaska tried to commit suicide just after Thanksgiivng and ended up in the hospital.

Alaska is now seeing a counselor several times a week and is keeping a journal to help her deal with her feelings and the grief of losing her father.

Alaska is a wonderful little girl with a sweet personality (although she is rather shy, but once someone gets to know her, she never seems to shut up! LOL She'll talk your ear off if you let her! LOL).  When I heard that she was in the hospital, I went to be with Martha to offer her my support.  She has always been there for me; why couldn't I do the same for her and for her daughter?

I invited Alaska and her mother to my church (Christ Community Assembly of God Church); to my suprise, they accepted the invitation and came to the Christmas program we put on.  Both were not overly religious, but I could tell by the end of the play that it touched Alaska; she was crying, as was her mother.  Both came down to the altar after the presentation where they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  I was very happy for them; I had been praying for them for over a year.

Now I no longer see Alaska or Martha at church; they are currently looking for a new church to call home.  They both felt that our church was too big (and it IS big!).  That's okay; I just hope they find one that they will be happy at and will be more suited for their needs.  I do  miss them, but at least I get to see her mother at work (and sometimes Alaska, too, if she comes with her).

It's not like I don't see them at all.

Well, I hate to run, but I have to work tonight; I go in at six (but have to be there at five thirty).  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Rosemarie Munoz saying so long! May God bless you always!

~Rosemarie.  :)