Life Lessons from a Co-Ed

This is my sister, a co-ed.

I have realized a new benefit from having a sister-its like having a built in best friend. Sisters are guaranteed go to girls. You need someone to go to the mall with, you call her. You want someone to go to Sonic with- you call her. Now, we missed out on some of these benefits earlier in life b/c well... there is a 9 yr age difference and while we were both under my parent's roof I didn't always see the potential fun in a 9yr old. However, I have always loved her.

Other benefits of Sarah (not just for me, her sister, but for everyone) are that she is a blast to be around. Her laugh is contagious and everything is funny when she is around.

She came to visit for a while and we had a great time. We did a lot of baking actually. Although I am a homemaker by profession, I never took a home-ec class in school. I had bigger plans! LOL. Anyhow, she has no plans to be a homemaker, but she did take home ec and has taught me a lesson or two when it comes to sewing and cooking. This is us tasting egg nog for the first time, it wasn't so great.

So... as we have grown older, basically meaning we both surpassed the teenage stage, we have really been able to flourish in our relationship.

So, I while she was here I asked why she thought God didn't give me a girl and she simply and quickly answered "it wasn't in His plans". Very basic, very simple, very matter of a fact. If someone had told me that earlier, I certainly did not hear it.

We proceeded to have a conversation on a book she was reading entitled "The Dream Giver". Its about all the blockades you will find on your way to "living the dream" God knitted in you. I was like... so you are saying having a girl is my dream? and she said "I don't know, is it?"

Well, my initial thought was no. My life's dream isn't to have a little girl. It would be a nice bonus, but not the goal. So, during the Christmas Eve service at church I was looking down at Benton thinking how weird would it be if I was holding a little girl in a red velvet dress with a big bow. It would be weird, almost backwards. Plus, I thought he looked quite nice in his boy outfit!

Anyhow, the conversation was the beginning of deep thoughts from Becky. End result--- Heck no, a girl is not my dream. Above all I desire to live out what the Lord has planned for my life. For example, is it hard living so far away from family?? Of course, but I rest in the fact that i truly believe the Lord put us here and has not asked us to move. I also truly believe His path is best for us. It may not always be the easiest or most comfortable, but always will be the best.

Thus, I have had an unexplainable peace about never having a daughter. There was certainly a time when I wondered if God said "not now" instead of "no" (which my sister also suggested), but I am not holding out hope for that to be the situation. Basically I am just saying I feel a new level of peace or healing, whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't be this open except I made a pretty big deal out of the whole gender thing and I don't want people forever wondering if I am okay (although I think my dear husband will always do). Again, its not like "oh, I so don't want a daughter", its just that I can understand now that its okay!!! The Lord still has plans for me and I am excited for what he has given me. My heart strings may always be pulled when it comes to father/daughter scenes in movies or bridal moments, but I feel I at least have something to rationalize with now. So, thank you to my sister, who incidentally doesn't even read my blog! If there are any single gentlemen though who do read (which would be a little weird)... she is SINGLE and quite a catch!!!