BROOKE NICOLE GRALL
Thinking of a background, it paints in my mind something that surrounds the object or scene that your looking at. Sometimes it can give you adrenaline and anxiousness, while other times it can change to peace and solemnity. The direction of the sun can give a new light to the sand in between my toes, and also a new glare across my board in the snow. Oh, am I grateful for the wonderful weather in Florida, for if that wasn’t so, my two sisters and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the luscious juice of Navel Oranges while under the trees in southern California. North Pole, South Pole. Nothing intrigues me more, except the length of love that I have for my parents. Have you any idea what colors make grey? That’s of no importance, for the God I serve and love created all things to be bright and beautiful, with the background that fits perfectly with the scene.

FILIPE EMANUEL FERREIRA
Looking out the window, with the sun scorching the dust roling in the distant horizon, a creature with a hairy mane leaps out of the shadow and pounces on a striped horse. There’s some struggle, but suddenly they stop and look at me. It was then I realized that memories of South Africa weren’t there, it was only in my imagination. For I came to the States with my parents when I was three months old. I grew up in Illinois but my family’s Portuguese culture was always an integral part of our home. I have lived in the west, east, and mid western United States. I guess you could say I am a little bit from everywhere. My greatest passion in life is to share the love of God with those who have not heard; and when I find myself surrounded with that sweet savory smell that I produce when cooking I feel fulfilled. With a love for people, I always find myself in the middle of an adventure. There’s never a dull moment. Supported and blessed by a great family and amazing God, I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Filipe and Brooke may have gone to college together for four years, but the most communication that went on between them was a casual “hey”, or “how’s it going”. They had the same friends, and they almost always found themselves at the same gatherings, but they never had much of a connection. Brooke always jokes that Filipe liked her from the beginning, but Filipe says, “No, I just always knew you were a special girl.” Their friendship became more than a “hey” or “hello” when they were both elected by their classmates to plan and prepare their graduation program. Although no pursuing took place until after graduation, during their time corresponding and planning, it began to trigger a possibility of something in the future. Each one personally realized that surprisingly, they had many similarities. Even when Filipe finally had plans to pursue Brooke, his plans were thwarted and he ended up in another continent, while Brooke was comfortably at home without a thought of any plan that Filipe had. A few weeks later, Filipe surprises Brooke at her home in California with the question of courtship. The answer to that question is apparant, and the same answer was given to Filipe when the similar question of proposal was asked. From that day forward, with God in the center of their relationship, they began their journey of love and now a lifetime of commitment.