Lessons in the Father's Love

Carlyn and Wyatt

I had a blog ready to go about a week and a half ago, but someone sped up life and I didn’t get to it.  It will be up soon, but I don’t want to wait on this thought…

Last Thursday morning, I found out that I had officially become an aunt.  I already knew I was excited for Wyatt’s arrival and would have so many emotions surrounding his birth, but I had no way of knowing how much I would love him. 

As I arrived at the hospital, it was almost surreal to think that my little sister now had a little baby.  Carlyn took me into the nursery to see him, and I fought back tears.  There he was – this tiny little baby that God breathed life into.  I just wanted to sit and stare at him.  All I kept thinking was how much I wanted to love him and protect him and do anything I could to make him healthy and strong…and I’m not even his mom.  

I love children.  But I have never felt such a strong desire to keep anyone from harm.  I have never felt such a strong responsibility to love someone.  And he’s not even my child.

As I was driving home, God brought this verse to mind:

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! – Matthew 7.11

I am evil and my heart is corrupt, selfish, and broken.  And yet, all I want to do is love and protect this little baby that is not even my child.  God’s love is perfect.  I would not even have a glimpse of what love was without God giving me that ability.  And what I do know of love is less than a dim shadow of His true love.

Why would I ever doubt his love for me?  Why would I ever think He desires anything less that what is best for me? 

I have loved you with an everlasting love… - Jeremiah 31.3

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

            For his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 136.1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. – 1 John 3.1

Happy Birthday, Carlyn!

On her 25^th birthday, I thought I’d share 25 things about my sister, Carlyn.

· Her name is Carlyn, which is pretty unique. So is she.

· Someone was named after her. A girl in her kindergarten class’s mom named her other daughter after Carlyn.

· She is totally the middle child – center of attention and peace-maker/seeker in the house.

· We’re 20 months apart. When we were younger (and our mom dressed us alike), people thought we were twins. Sometimes they still do.

· She once saved a child’s life…when she was about 5. A friend’s little sister slipped in the pool and since none of the adults saw it right away, Carlyn jumped in and pushed her out. Pretty impressive, I know.

· She is really good with money. Since I know how “great” she was with money in high school, I know that’s amazing. Dave Ramsey should be proud.

· She is super smart. She didn’t always give a great effort in high school, and she’ll tell you that, but since she was about 19 she has studied/read about/learned all kinds of things including banking, money, real estate, raising kids, marriage, and the Bible.

· She once met Donovan McNabb (at Michael and Marcus Vick’s house)…and didn’t know who he was. (Her defense is that he wasn’t on the Campbell’s soup commercials, yet.)

· She paid her college roommate to let her use the bottom of her closet for her shoes because they wouldn’t all fit in her own closet.

· She is a really good dancer.

· She is great with kids of all ages, which helps a lot in her marriage.

· One time at a homecoming assembly in high school, she stood up on the bleachers and started dancing, and eventually everyone in the gym was chanting, “Go Carlyn, go Carlyn.”

· She once tried to make cookies, but they turned out a soupy, boiling mess. When my mom asked her what went wrong, she said, “I don’t know. I guess it’s because I used diet soda (instead of regular soda).”

· Her sports motto is, “If you can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter.”

· She was invited to be in Who’s Who of American High School Student Athletes. We’re not really sure how.

· She got married over a year ago, and it’s still kinda weird to me.

· Before they started dating, she wanted to set me up with the guy that she’s now married to. I was living in China at the time, so I didn’t end up meeting him until they were engaged.

· She has incredible fashion sense (or so I’m told). In high school, she would frequently forbid me from leaving the house until I changed clothes.

· She’s a great wife.

· When I was in China, she gave up her Christmas and New years to come visit me, and even hiked up a mountain to stay in a village and build a greenhouse.

· She’s going to be an awesome mom.

· Though we haven’t always seen eye to eye on everything, she’s an amazing sister.

· She started talking late because when we were younger, I knew what she wanted before she could figure out how to say it, so I’d just tell our parents what she was trying to say. She’s more than made up for that late start since then.

· She’s really good at talking.

· She loves the Lord and loves people.

That gives you a little glimpse into my sister, though it doesn’t come close to telling you everything she’s about. I hope if you haven’t met her, you get the chance to. It will probably help you understand me a little better, too.

I think the thing I love most about my sister is how much she has grown in Christ over the past several years. It has been totally amazing and humbling to see her draw close to the Lord and let Him teach her. I love the conversations we are now able to have because of where the Lord has brought us and how His Spirit has worked in our lives. She seeks God in all that she does and the advice she gives me is Biblical and inspired. I don’t always want to hear it, but I’m so thankful that God is using my little sister to sharpen me.

I’m so proud of the person you’ve become over the last 25 years, Carlyn. Happy Birthday! I love you!

That's Where I Come From

So I was gonna write a serious blog or 2 today, and I still might, but after reading my sister's blog I just had to share. Check out what happened to her this morning in our wonderful hometown:

Thanks...I think

It would make it so much better if you knew my sister and could hear her voice telling this story, but it's hilarious nonetheless. Also, if you haven't seen the "Can I have your number?" sketch, you should watch it here and here.

My Sister Finds the Greatest Videos

Check out the video on my sister's blog.

Carlyn and Jamey's Wedding Week - Part 1

Well, my sister now has a last name.  Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jamey Menser! 

I put some pictures up on Facebook.  Here's the link if you want to check them out:

Wedding Week Part 1