21 years...He's been here all along

I turn 21 on Tuesday!!! And since I'll be having a wonderful time with my sister on our visit with our fabulous Aunt Laurie, along with other family birthday festivities...I figured I ought to do this post early.

Thinking about birthdays and growing up and a new age has had me reflecting a lot on all that God's brought be through and blessed me with in my life...21 of which, I'll share with you ;)

1. He brought me through years of sinus infections, steroids, and surgeries to be functionally healthy and ultimately...alive!

2. He spoke to me through a talking donut.

It's cheesy, but I was little...and thus began my journey with Him...we've moved on from the donut :)

3. I somehow survived that awkward time in elementary school where all the kids hated me because I always won the spelling bees. It was a very traumatic time for me...LOTS of tears and prayer!

4. He pursued endlessly a real relationship with me...all the way to Friona (the middle of nowhere), where I was all alone and finally found a friend and Father in Him.

5. He introduced me to freedom through being held hostage. He proved Himself faithful on every promise He'd ever made me and showed me the importance of other people's opportunity to put their faith in Him.

6. He taught me to trust Him by not giving me my scholarship. Then gave it to me anyway...just because He can.

7. He blessed me with the perfect roommate my freshman year.

8. He gave me Tuesday night Bible study with my sweet sister.

9. Nieces and nephews...'nough said :)

10. He gave me parents I can talk to about anything.

11. He gave me a Daddy who doesn't complicate my view of God as my Father, but rather enhances it and makes it that much easier to trust and love Him.

12. He's put stories in my heart that I can't get down on paper fast enough...I cannot wait to communicate the reality of His love through fiction!

13. He's taught me how to let go of some people to make room for others.

14. He's made me fall in love with Africa without even going...who knows what He'll do when I'm actually there!?

15. He's built my resume for me...dropping opportunity after opportunity right in my lap

16. He led me to the worst internship ever....but taught me more about church ministry and serving youth than I ever would have learned anywhere else.

17. He's put people in my life that speak truth.

18. He's made things difficult, but worth working for

19. He's pushed me

20. He's pursued me

21. He's never left me alone

That's just a short list! These 21 years have been a whirlwind with Him, and I don't expect the next 21 to be any easier or calmer...and I wouldn't want them to be! I can't wait to see what these next years will bring. Do what You want, Lord. Shake things up! I'll hold on for the ride...

Happy Birthday Becky!

Today is my "big sister" Becky's birthday! And to celebrate her day here's 10 reasons why I love her!

1. You listened to everything I ever talked to you about when I sat on the comfy couch in your office.
2. You taught me how to flirt...I'll forever be indebted to you for that ;)
3. You say exactly what you need to say...in the nicest way possible
4. You shared your house, and more specifically, your bathroom with me
5. You helped me grow up...really. From day one when I was so nervous for my interview with you, to now...I'm not the same person and you had a big part in that
6. You taught me how to make sweet potato fries....and NOT cut off a finger :)
7. You love a good IHOP date!
8. You like Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus music ;)
9. You're a book/Bible study nerd...basically we're kindred spirits
10. You got me to start blogging! ;)

Happy Birthday Becky! I love you!...those are just 10 of the reasons :)

Happy Birthday Sister!

Monday was my sweet sister's birthday! With she and my Daddy getting back from Africa that day, and school making me cRaZy, I didn't get to do this until now, but.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLEEN!

And in honor of your birthday, here's 21 things I LOVE about you or have loved doing with you! By the way, it is 21 right? ;)

1. I LOVE that you always read to me when I was little...Chronicles of Narnia, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, The Polar Express (especially our favorite page about the "hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars"!)

2. I LOVE that you LOVE to take care of people: your guys, youth, kids, etc.

3. I LOVE that at least once a week, while putting on my makeup, I remember that I learned how from years of sitting on the bathroom counter and watching you do it

4. I LOVE when we talk and remember stories about Dad that make us laugh until we can't breathe! wwwWWhHAT?! (in his one-of-a-kind way)

5. I LOVE our haircut dates :)

6. I LOVE that you can't keep gifts a secret.

7. I LOVE that you were never big on the color pink, then you had all the boys, and now you love it!

8. I LOVE that you love investing in youth and love to see them grow spiritually.

9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to Bible study with you

10. I LOVE the time we watched A League of Their Own at your house in Brookshire, and cried our eyes out during that last game

11. I LOVE that we've always fought over who loves the other the most

12. I LOVE that we both have the same opinion of Matt Damon

13. I LOVE that I can talk to you on the phone for a long time...even though I hate talking on the phone.

14. I LOVE that no one else in our house would ever watch My Fair Lady with me but you

15. I LOVE the way I picked up on your ability to trip up stairs, your fear of birds, and your annoyance with mouth noises

16. I LOVE to see you being a mommy....and SUCH a good one!

17. I LOVE that you love your husband and stick with him

18. I LOVE that night at youth camp...you were pregnant with Joseph, and I had a headache. Dad brought me to you and Larry's cabin instead of going to worship and we sat on the couch for a long time with my hand on your tummy so I could feel him kick.

19. I LOVE that we're really different.

20. I LOVE that sometimes we're exactly the same.

21. I LOVE that you're my sister!

Happy birthday, big sister!

I LOVE you!

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