brother of mine

Stephen. My dearest brother and my only brother. There are 10 years that separate us. I know having an age difference like that can play a part in how close you might be to your sibling. Of course when I was younger it was more difficult because by the time I was going to school, he was off to college. I do have some fond memories of my brother when I was a little girl. One being at Christmastime we acted out the nativity story. My cousin's were in town, so as I recall, they played Mary and Joseph, I played a shepherd, Christen was a sheep and Steve was a moose! What a great memory. Steve also had a love for Alaska and took trips there. I remember him bringing me home some neat things. One of which was an Eskimo yo-yo...which I still have to this day! A deeper relationship has really occurred since I've become an adult. Again, I appreciate my family more now and it makes those relationships even deeper because I am able to understand them on a different level.

Like I mentioned earlier, Steve is my only brother. He had to put up with 3 sisters! Poor guy. My brother loved music and I recall him listening to his different albums and playing on his guitar...jamming out. My brother used to listen to Keith Green back in the day. There was one album cover of Keith Green where his face covered the whole thing. Steve would hold that up to his face and dance around. I loved that! It made me laugh. I have that album now and every time I look at the cover it just brings a big smile to my face.

I have always been proud of my brother. He is a strong person with a tender heart. I don't know if everyone sees that but I do. He is kind and loving when it comes to his family. I love hugging him. There is just something about a brother's hug. My brother is truly unique. He has a great love for the outdoors. He enjoys Clint Eastwood movies. He used to make his own movies...I remember once going out to the reserve for one of his movies. He likes the west. He is a wonderful artist and has a lot of creativity. He has an affection for a lot of things and I know on the top of that list is his family. He is a wonderful brother and friend. I don't know what I would do without him. I thank the Lord for him.

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters

Sister: 1: a female who has one or both parents in common with another 2 a: a girl or woman regarded as a comrade b: a girl or woman who shares with another a common origin

My sister, Christen. I can tell you when we were around the pre-teen and teenager stage; we were each other’s worst enemies. I remember having crazy fights with her pretty much for no reason at all. I would sit on her, try to scratch her and she would try to do the same to me. I really cannot recall what would start these fights. Of course mom or dad would always come try to resolve whatever the issue was at the moment and I remember my mom always making us say “I love you” to each other. I’m sure I instigated a lot of the arguments because I wanted to be where Christen was and I wanted to know what she was doing…I wanted to be like her. I think that’s probably common among siblings. Well, I remember my mom always telling us one day when we grew up we would be good friends. At the time there was no way that was possible…but mom was right! We are not only sisters but dear friends.

When I became an adult, I was able to appreciate Christen more. I could understand her on a different level as we both were more mature and didn’t have the silly sibling rivalry going on. I think the first time I really realized how much Christen meant to me was when we moved away to Germany. I think I realized that about most of my family. I had always lived at or near home and always had my family nearby but when we moved, that was gone and the security was gone. I know phone calls and emails and IM chats helped me get through some of that but it was when I would come home to visit and had to leave again that it made me realize just how important my family was to me. I am so thankful for my dear sister and for the friendship that we have today. I am so thankful for her support and love.

Christen has a soft and gentle spirit about her. I’m sure she would say otherwise especially when it comes to disciplining her children, but I think she does. She is a loving and caring person. She is artistic. She has a great talent in painting and drawing. She likes to reminisce about our childhood, like I do. On one of my last visits we had fun trying to play old records on the record player. She is the best sister a girl could have and I thank God for allowing her to be a part of my life and family.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. By: Amy Li

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. By: Marion C. Garretty

Family Ties

Family. I just love my family. When you look at the word Family in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary it says:



1: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head

2 a: a group of persons of common ancestry b: a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock

3 a: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation

I like all three of these meanings. My family is so vital to my person and my being. My family makes me who I am. Family, as we see defined, can be your blood relatives, or people you hold common convictions with, like Christians. I have a fantastic close knit family into which I was born and I also have an amazing family of God! I am so blessed to have both.

As the new year has started I’ve been thinking a lot of family…probably because we are expecting to add to ours this year. I’ve been reflecting on the time spent with family and how my own family has molded me into the person I am today. I want to try and focus on those who make up my dear family and share what I appreciate about each of them.

Hello 2009

It's officially 2009...it's hard to believe but it's true. This year will be an interesting one in many ways.

As a country we have a new president coming into office and we have a faltering economy that everyone seems to be watching. Obama preached a campaign of change...so we will see what kind of change is made to our country in 2009.

I'm just glad that even though things may seem insecure and at times the world seems scary that there is hope and it's not courtesy of any politician...it's from God. No matter how topsy turvy our country and our world get, He is the one holding us in His hand and He is the one that knows the future and has a master plan. That is the only thing that gives me confidence in the year ahead.

Personally we have some great things to look forward to this year. We are moving into a different house this month...one with more room. My niece will be getting married this summer. And our biggest blessing this year will be the birth of our child! We are expecting our blessing to arrive around July 15. So we are just thrilled that the Lord would bless us with this awesome gift. We are truly thankful.

So as I look to the future and wonder what it may hold...I don't make resolutions because I'll only get depressed when I fail...I just look to my heavenly Father and seek His will and pray to be in the center of His will regardless of the outcome because I know that's the best place for me.

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Happy New Year! May it be a blessed one for all of you!

Goodbye 2008

We said goodbye to 2008 last night. 2008 has held 365 days of good and bad. When I look back most everything I remember is good. I was able to go back to Ohio twice to visit with family and friends. My husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. I was able to share in my father's 70th birthday. I got a job. We experienced the power of prayer and saw requests answered. I know this year was a roller coaster ride for us at times. There were times of questioning God and wondering why he allowed certain things to happen. There were times of crying out to God...times when words couldn't even express what was being felt. But in the end, as I look back, I can see His plan was weaving into a master design...the design He had in store for me and for my husband for 2008.

I don't know what your 365 days were like but I hope when you look back you are able to see the hand of God. I hope you are able to reflect on the good and the bad... reflect on how you are a changed person from your experiences. Remember: God brought you through each and every day whether you realized it or not and He will be there all 365 days of 2009.

Matthew 28:20- I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.