I just had a look at the blog, it is written in July 2011, so a year after they moved to CALI (and I was wrong - again. The oldest daughter must have been 22-23 years old.
Here is what she writes about the visit, not a word about abuse or filth or even mess:
The second reason we went to California was to visit my Uncle and Aunt and their 12 kids. I've only ever met two of their children before back when I was 6 years old. We have always lived a continent apart and considering the size of both our families (I'm the second oldest of five) we never were able to visit each other. So when we walked into their home and I saw my 12 beautiful cousins for the first time it was truly a dream come true. I cried, and it takes a lot for me to cry. They were all the sweetest, most well behaved kids I've ever met. I'm going to tell you right now, I am more blessed than all of you! All twenty of us went to Disney Land together and it was the most unforgettable time of my life. It was amazing to be in "The Place Where Dreams Come True" with so many little bright eyed dreamers. It truly was a dream come true.
My eldest cousin, Jennifer Dawn, is the same age as me. We became so close in the few days we were together. She is the sweetest, most pure-hearted person I think I've ever met. And, boy, is she a dreamer! She dreams of one day being a professional singer and songwriter. She has never had any sort of musical or voice training, but she has such a beautiful voice and an amazingly creative imagination. Jennifer told me that she has written 141 songs, "And that's not counting the ones I haven't finished or the ones I don't like to sing anymore," she told me. All 141 of those songs are ones she sings regularly to all her younger brothers and sisters. She sang to me some of her favorites, and I was truly blown away by both her voice and the great lyrics. Than she said to me, "Can I sing you my worst song?" She sang it to me and my mouth dropped open, I said, "THAT'S your WORST song?!" It was called "Have Faith" and the lyrics were so uplifting and catchy that I caught myself humming it in the shower the next morning.
What really impressed me about Jennifer's songs is that she sings solely because she loves to sing and not to try and impress anyone. She told me that she only ever sings for her brothers and sisters and never has a chance to sing outside the house. I think I was the first person outside her immediate family that she has ever sung to. Because of this though there is an amazing purity to her songs and her heart shines through so brightly because she is not trying to impress anyone and she has no reason to fear what others think of her. I asked if I could record her singing some of her songs. I wish I recorded all of them! She actually wrote me a song while I was there ("It's number 142!" she told me cheerily). I recorded that one, which she simply titled
"Miranda". I've never had anyone write me a song before. I was extremely touched. I also recorded another really fun and catchy one titled
"Where is my Superhero?" But my favorite one, which she first sang to me on the way to Disney land, is titled
"My Dreams." I'm telling you, I don't get emotional over music. If I ever tear up during a song, it just that, a little teary eyed. But while she sang this song, tears were streaming down my face. Was it because of the high emotions already in the room? Maybe. But still, when I listen to it now I still feel like she is singing about me. After she sang it, I told her all about my Dream Chaser blog and how I write this in order to inspire others to chase after their own dreams. I asked Jennifer if I could post the video of her singing on here and her face just lit up. This will be the first time anyone outside her family will have heard her sing. I hope you all are as blessed as I was.
So without further ado....
(Music links that don´t work - unfortunately, would like to hear her music.)
