it's a gong show

So last night Mike and I were lying in our bed just reading and attempting to relax when the little Mikey Moo came barreling into our bed. Of course our boy has to be "in da middoe" so we gladly move to make room for him to snuggle in right between us.

Anyway....he has been obsessed with God and heaven lately.

"Hey Mikey, where are you going?" (as he walks out of the room)
"Heaven" (is his reply)
"Oh no you're not! Not until Mama gets there!" (anxiety settles in)

Well last night's conversation went something like this.

"Hey dad, where does God live?"
"God lives in heaven Mikey."
"Does he have a house there?"
"Ya, something like that?"
"Dad....do you think God drives a truck or a van?" (in the little accented voice that only Mikey can do)

Mike and I just burst out laughing and Mike said,

"Probably a big monster truck Mikey" at which his little boy's eyes just lit up!

Good times!

I've been thinking about this post for about a week now cuz I knew her birthday was coming up and I knew that I definitely wanted to post about her.

I still don't know even where to start so I'll start with what she means to me. My sister has been my life line way too many times to count. She has been there for me through the ugliest of ugly and never once slammed me down or shut the door on me. The example that she sets is amazing. Integrity and Christ are the two things that she lives by daily and to me, that is the greatest thing she could ever give to those that are close to her. She makes a difference. The light shines through her.

If you don't know my sister well, that's really too bad, you should consider it a great loss. She is not the social butterfly that some of my family members are but it's mostly due to the fact that she is raising two beautiful God-loving daughters and is dedicated to coaching and following them to almost every activity that they do.

She has taught me SO MUCH about being a mother, wife and a woman.

Dedication. Unconditional Love. Integrity. Commitment. Faith. Strength.

There is a Proverb (31:10-31) that I think of regularly when I think of my sister. In my Bible it is titled:

The Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

There are so many verses here that are her to a T. The one that strikes me is verse 20 that refers to the poor. My sister is a huge advocate for child poverty. She has made many trips to Guatemala to help assist in the projects there for the less fortune. The last trip she was the only woman there in the group and she worked her tail off building cinderblock walls for the medical center. Wow! She truly amazes me. I probably would've spent that money on a nice little vacation in Mexico or somewhere but not her.

I thank God for her. She has not only been a sister to me but many times she has played the role of Mother to me and she is by far my best of friend.

I know this post doesn't really do justice to how I feel about her in my heart but hopefully it lets you see into it just a little bit.

Have an awesome day Sister!

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. ~Barbara Alpert