birthday wishes...

For a few days now, I've had the thoughts of this post running through my mind.  There is so much I wish to say and words fail me.


Thirty-nine years ago today, God blessed me with an incredible sister.  I wish I could say that I recognized the blessing right away.  According to the stories that I have heard from both my mom and my grandmother, I was less than thrilled at the prospect of being a big sister... to the point of not talking to my mom for a couple of days when she showed me my new baby sister.


I'm just stubborn enough that I didn't really realize the blessing of my sister until I was in my 20s.  Pathetic, eh?  


However, twenty years later, I can say that not only do I recognize the blessing of my sister, I love her deeply.  She is an amazing woman....


~my sister mothers five children all at the same time!  That blows my mind!!  I can hardly mother three kids.


~my sister has taught me much about speaking less and listening more.  I doubt my sister's mouth has very many accidents... mine mouth has accidents all the time!


~my sister's taste in decorating and clothing is incredible.  Some day, I am going to hire her to do a redo on my entire house.  Her home is so inviting and so relaxing... just the ambience I desire for my home.


~my sister doesn't talk the talk until she is walking the walk.  She loves Jesus deeply.  She works out her salvation with fear and trembling in her own heart and then shares what she has learned.


~my sister stands by her man.  She willingly talks about some of the storms their marriage has weathered and how those storms have strengthened them.


~my sister has a quiet confidence about her... though she may be rattled to the core inside, she rarely shows it.


~my sister is absolutely beautiful inside and out.  When we were younger I was often envious of her outward beauty.  The older I get, the more I am envious of both her outward and her inner beauty.


On this day, June 29th, I wish Gabe an amazing 39th birthday!  I love you!!


... feel free to stop by her neck of the blogging world to wish her a happy birthday as well...