Dear Little Sister

Valuable Conversations

2012-02-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I typed up a conversation between myself and my husband. That's gotten me thinking about two other conversations I've had recently that have really stuck with me. I'll try to remember the wording as exactly as I can, but you know how memories are...

Conversation 1:
Me (talking about losing my literary agent and not going to the gym): Yeah, that really took a lot out of me. I haven't been doing much lately. Just hanging around moping.
My brother: Go mope on a treadmill.

He said it nicely, and it fit the conversation. I really like his no excuses perspective. It doesn't matter how you feel; you can still do the right thing, the things that are good for you, the things you should be doing. I can tell you, that's really helped me get back in the swing of my routine and, it turns out, sometimes going through the motions helps turn things back around for the better. Pretty soon, you're not moping on the treadmill. You're finding new challenges and celebrating what you're capable of.

So, what's the other conversation? Hm... You'll have to check back Monday!

Love,
Your Sister

Sunny Side Up

2012-02-10T07:28:00.000-08:00

I was trying to see the bright side this morning. I walk talking about how I ran yesterday with my husband. Here's how it went:

Me: Not everyone could've run that far. But it wouldn't have taken some people I know that long to run those miles.

Adam: It must be hard to be you.

Me: What? Why?

Adam: How do you even think of stuff like that?

So, give your hard-working mind a rest. No negative thoughts today! Vow to see the bright side!

Love,
Your Sister

One Win for All the Sisters Out There

2012-02-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

This is a blog about sisters, right? And sister stories don't get much better than this.

Love,
Your Sister

Poetry in the Bible

2012-01-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

I'm on a bit of a classical literature kick. I read some Milton and then started flipping through the English Lit textbook one of my college professors gave me. The rhythm and images have put me in a peaceful frame of mind and have helped inspire me to work on my own writing in a time when other discouragements seem to abound. But then I got to thinking. There's some classical poetry that I confess, I have lately been neglecting: The poetry of the Bible.

I suppose the Psalms and Song of Songs or maybe even Job might be more obvious places to turn when looking for poetry in the Bible, but I went to the first few verses of the Gospel of John because I remember those verses striking me as just beautiful a couple years ago. Oh, they still are! And, with the notes in the study section of my Bible, I got to go on a journey through a few passages of poetry that have helped restablish who Jesus Christ is in relation to creation, to people, and to God. Maybe it'll do something for you, too, so here's the path I took:

John 1:1-18 - This is about the Word (Jesus) being with God since the beginning and throughout creation.
Proverbs 8:22-31 - This describes wisdom as being with God since the beginning and throughout creation. A note in my Bible says that Christ is the pinnacle of God's wisdom, and pointed me to the next passage to prove the point.
Colosians 1:15-20 and 2:3

I hope you get something out of the journey like I did.

Love,
Your Sister

The God of Lost Things

2012-01-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

I lost my wedding ring yesterday. Today, when it hadn't shown up in any of its normal hang outs, I started an all-out search. The last place I remember seeing it is on the corner of the counter, and I began to wonder if I had wiped it up with the crumbs and thrown it out, so I even pulled on rubber gloves and went through the coffee grounds and lemon rinds in the kitchen trash. No luck.

I've been losing things since I was a kid. Funny how, as soon as something goes missing, it becomes exponentially more valuable. I didn't help pick out my engagement ring. Honestly, I would've chosen differently, and sometimes I wish I could change it for something different or, since money isn't as tight now as it was then, bigger or better. But as I searched for my ring today, I started thinking about how sweet the ring is. I got married young, and the ring is the best my husband could afford. He went and picked it carefully for me. He put thought into it. Wedding rings are supposed to represent the unending circle of love that lasts a lifetime, but, for me, now that I've considered what it would be like to replace my ring, my wedding ring will always be a reminder of where we started.

My search continued for over an hour. As I worked, I thought of the parable of the woman looking for her lost coin. It occurred to me that our God is a God of lost things. He has a heart for those who are seeking, and, he will reward us for the time we spend scouring for glimpses of him and his truth. I also believe he has a heart for those who follow him, so that the things we care about are things he cares about, as well - including wedding rings. My prayer as I searched became this: You have a heart for those who are seeking. I know you know where my ring is. Show me where it is.

I was giving up my search. I had one last idea; I could check the pockets of the pants I wore on one of the last days I think I had it. When my fingers felt the firm weight of the ring, I couldn't pull it out of the pocket fast enough. I actually waved my hands in the air before quickly jamming the ring on the wrong finger to admire it.

As I type with the ring now on the correct finger, I can't help being grateful for this morning's journey. God brings us on so many adventures in search of lost things - material and spiritual. Let's not forget to trust him as we seek. He is the God of lost things, and he cares.

Love,
Your Sister

A Note on a Bad Day (or Week, or Month, or Year)

2012-01-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

Nothing has changed; it's all still in God's hands. It always was, and it always will be. He will eventually bring you through this.

Love,
Your Sister

Going to Great Lengths

2012-01-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wished that someone cared about you? That someone would go to great lengths to prove it? Well, someone does, someone has, and people (and God!) will continue to throughout your life. But this post isn't really about you. ;) This post is about other people.

When was the last time you went to great lengths to show someone how much you loved them? Stop and think about it. Does someone come to mind?

They may or may not be going through a tough time. Doing something special for someone who's in a good place will give them something to remember when things take a turn for the worse. They'll know who they can count on, and who really cares, and that can make a bad time so much easier. And, of course, we all know how uplifting it is to be on the receiving end of a good act when we're feeling down.

So. What can you do?

The answer to that is as varied as the many relationships we're all in, but here are some ideas:

Buy a small gift (cu-ute earrings I found on clearance - awesome!)
Send a card or a package
Bake some cookies
Cook them dinner
Invite them out
Support a cause they love
Accompany them to something they love more than you love it (this must be done cheerfully to count!)

What ideas do you have? Who comes to mind?

Love,
Your Sister

2012-01-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

You only live once. Wear the fancy skirt.

Love,
Your Sister

Resolution: To Make Someone's Day!

2012-01-03T05:48:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, and we're all out to make the best of ourselves, right? Sometimes, though, it's fun to turn the focus on others with a resolution to make someone's day!

One idea is to put together a Valentine's Day package for a friend who's out of town. Especially a single friend, since V-Day can be depressing for some people. I know; I'm as bad as Target, bringing up Valentine's so early, but if you're thinking about it now, that gives you time to:

Find glittering, heart-shaped confetti
Purchase (or make!) some little ornement
Bake some sturdy (read: mailable) cookies
Design (or at least write a note in) a card
Wrap the whole thing in red tissue paper
Tape up and address a box and...
Get it in the mail!

If you know of a little girl who would like to help, all the better! I know that my neice, for one, loves to help load up a package with a generous helping of confetti under the right circumstances. :)

Love,
Your Sister

Calendar for a Good Year

2011-12-31T07:24:00.000-08:00

As the seconds of 2011 are ticking away, I've been doing two things:

Looking for a fun, inspiring 2012 calendar. (I found one for work, but wanted a different one for home.)
Thinking about what kind of goals I want to set for 2012. (Yes, you could call them resolutions, but I like to call them goals because the idea of New Year's resolutions is so tied to giving up by the end of January.)

Yesterday, I settled on a Georgia O'Keeffe calendar. Not that her work isn't fun and inspiring. It just wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I settled anyway because I needed a calendar and it was 50% off and if I didn't pick one soon, 2012 was going to leave me behind.

This morning, with the calendar hanging next to me, I committed my 2012 goals to paper. The last few years, I've picked three big goals and then worked all year to make them happen. This year, I have 10 goals. Some are big (complete a novel manuscript) and some are small (start a Roth IRA).

Then, my two year-end chores merged into an awesome idea! What if I made my Georgia O'Keeffe calendar fun and inspiring by using it exclusively to record my progress toward my goals? See, I have a calendar at work, and I have one on my iPod, so I generally just use the one at home to see what day it is, leaving it free to be dedicated to the pursuit of goals. I am so excited. You have no idea.

Here's the plan (I know. I'm all about numbered lists today.):

I will tape my goals so they hang from the bottom of the December page and can be seen each month.
I will invest in some colorful markers.
I will use those markers to note every time I make a step toward a goal.
I will also fill the days with things that inspire me, whether that means jotting down a quote, taping up a fortune cookie message, or drawing a little dancing stick figure when I reach a landmark.

What about you? How are you going to keep your goals or resolutions fresh in your mind for 2012?

Love,
Your Sister

The New Years Funk

2011-12-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I recently found out that I'm not alone with feeling a bit depressed about the year ending. It happens to me most years. Something about the passage of a marker of time, of having that much less time left. 2010, however, was a big year for me. I accomplished so much that I didn't mind that a year had been dedicated to the cause. This year, I haven't accomplished such big road marks, so it's a little harder. Then a friend emailed me about being in a funk herself. To get out of it, we're emailing each other "Best of 2011" lists where we're listing our biggest experiences, accomplishments, and joys of the year and I would love to get you in on the fun. I'm going to list some areas of life to consider when writing your list and, next to it, I'll put something off my own list. Email yours to a friend or post it in the comments. If you're jealous of what someone else did, go ahead and make that a goal for yourself for 2012! And don't stop at the categories I listed or at one thing each. This is the time to brag about the year that was.

Travel (I flew solo for the first time to go to a conference in St. Louis!)
Work (I was left in charge when my boss was out of the office!)
Relationships (I learned about how to resolve professional conflicts)
Spiritual (I attended Sunday school again for the first time in a loooong time, and it's looking good for continuing into 2012)
Material (I finally got a piece of furniture that requires the use of coasters! Yes! REAL. ACTUAL. FURNITURE.)
Financial (I (mostly) stuck to my goal of saving out of each paycheck and thereby increased my savings exponentially)
Health (I dropped 20 pounds!!!)

What am I forgetting? What made your 2011 worthwhile???

Love,
Your Sister

Holiday Check Up

2011-12-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

How are you doing? Are the parties and the gifts and the family events starting to feel more like chores than privileges? I admit, I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed, and there is still another week of celebrations - the ones centered around the new year we're about to welcome. I don't want to stat 2012 feeling frazzled, so I'm taking measures now to make sure I can enjoy the end of this year and start next on the right foot. Here are some questions I'm asking myself to make sure I'm taking care of myself and setting up for a good week. Maybe they'll help you, too.
1. Have I been meeting with God? Sure, the biggest holiday this time of year is the one celebrating his birth, but all that celebrating can tend to crowd him out - at least, for me.
2. Am I getting enough sleep?
3. Am I eating (at least mostly) right? What a drag! But I overdid it yesterday and it feels awful today. I don't want to feel this way again.
4. Have I been moving? My dogs and I will both benefit from keeping up our walking, even if I'm missing some of my usual work outs.
5. Do I need to say no or skip this so I have time and energy for something else that matters more?

Okay. Take a deep breath. Drink a calming cup of cocoa. Take on the world!

Love,
Your Sister

Christmas

2011-12-25T06:42:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

If someone or something can ruin your Christmas, you're doing it wrong.

Love,
Your Sister

Thoughts on Pain

2011-12-12T05:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

There is so much heartbreak in the world. So much tragedy, so much pain, so much depression and hopelessness and darkness. Jesus said, "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:9-10, NLT) But some days, it seems like the thief is edging out Jesus's mission.

For Christians, the good news is, this sad imbalance is not going to last forever. Revelation 21:3-4 says, "I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people.God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.'" (NLT)

So what about now? What about the darkness and brokenness of our world now? God is working in our world. I hope you've seen and felt him here. But he's not working alone. In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." We are the lamps, and the house is the world. We can spread light in this dark, heartbroken world.

Notice the way the verse doesn't say the lamp will climb onto a stand. It says, "a lamp is placed on a stand." I think we can apply this to ourselves. God has lit us for a purpose and then purposely placed us on some kind of stand; we're all in some kind of position to share light with someone who really needs it. Who can you help today?

And, sister, if it's you hurting today, please know that you are loved. Know that you, too, were purposely put in this world, in the life you have, by God. Please reach out for help and accept it when it comes. I am praying for you.

Love,
Your Sister

Prayer for the Wounded

2011-12-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I heard about the accident you were in. You and I have only brushed shoulders. We don't know each other, so it's hard to describe how sorry I am for what you're going through and why. I guess that sometimes people's emotions latch on to others or their situations for no good reason besides, possibly, prompting from God, who has a way of loving us through the people around us. Maybe that's what's happening here.

I want you to know that I am not the only one who longs for your life to be not only spared, but improved. I want you to know that there is a crowd of people who are gathering around you in spirit, lifting you up to our Heavenly Father.

My prayer is that God would hold you and your family and all the others affected by this accident so close to his chest that you would feel the fabric of his love press against your cheek and enfold you. I pray that he would heal not only your body, but also the wounds in your spirit. I pray that he would guide and fill each set of parents that are involved, as well as each family. I pray that he would give peace.

I would like to say so much more, but really I don't have words, so I will end with a few verses from Romans 8:

An the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (8:26-29, NLT)

Love,
Your Sister

Quirky Stay-Svelte Tips for December

2011-12-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I don't know if your holiday traditions are like mine or not, but this time of year, overeating becomes so easy for me. Here are some ways I hope to keep things under control:

Have a candy cane. Candy canes take a while to get through, they're relatively low in calories (though they are empty calories, so don't go crazy), and they smell like peppermint, which is supposed to be an appetite suppressant.
Wear your skinny jeans. If things are a bit snug, it'll help remind you that you are trying to make good food choices.
Skip cutout cookies and use the metal cookie cutters as pancake molds. This way, you still get to eat angels and bells and mittens, they're just not packed and coated with sugar and frosting.

What ideas would you add?

Love,
Your Sister

Cleaning House

2011-12-03T09:41:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Do you have Christmas decorations up yet? I don't, but today is the day! I spent the morning straightening up and decluttering in preparation for finding homes for all those snowglobes and orniments I want to accommodate. I have a laundry basket full of things I plan to drop off at Goodwill. The difference between this load of donations and others I make? It's good stuff. Some of it, I've held on to "just in case." Like, just in case my other two pairs of running shoes (one for the gym and one for home) don't strike my fancy one morning, I'll keep my old pair because they look fine, they just don't have enough cushion left in them. Or just in case I want to reread this book I didn't particularly like, I'll keep it. There are a couple gifts in there - things people I love gave me that I just don't have a use for but have kept for a year or more simply out of care for the person who gave it to me. There are things, like glass votive holders, that are perfectly useful and fine... until you consider how many glass votives I have.

It feels good to be rid of some of the extra clutter. What about you? Are your possessions weighing you down?

Love,
Your Sister

Whispering Obscurities

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

In church on Sunday, my pastor spoke about asking friends and acquaintances - even unsaved ones - if we could pray for anything for them. The point was to be the Christmas messenger those around us need. I found myself thinking that praying like this is dangerous. What if God says no to the prayer? Then an unsaved friend has all that much more reason to not believe. However, this morning, I was forced to consider these verses:

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)

"I am the Lord," he says, "and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. [...] For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation!" (Isaiah 45:18b-19a, 21b-22, NLT)

If we're praying about everything, that would include the needs of our unsaved friends, right? After all, if Jesus Christ is truly the only God, he is the only hope for all the people of the world, including our unsaved friends. And if we're not worrying about anything, we cannot worry about how God will answer the prayers we made on behalf of our friends. So forget trying to go halfway and "whispering obscurities" by praying convoluted, inexact prayers for our friends. Instead, tell God specifically what your friend needs and let both him and your friend know that you believe God when he says he can be found, he is Savior and he loves us.

God knows who he is. If he went to the trouble of spelling out who he is - a righteous God and Savior - then he's in the business of protecting his own reputation, so let's not be afraid of whether or not the answers to our prayers will bring our friends to Christ. I'm not saying to make bold promises God hasn't made - like that everything will turn out just the way your friend wants - but remember that God has promised to answer those who seek him and that he has plans for all of our lives. He may so no to the prayer, but maybe the witness to our friends is not so much how the prayer is answered but that glimpse into our relationship with the God we serve.

So, let's approach God and ask him to work in the lives of our friends to fill them with real joy and peace. Let's pray with our friends for the things they need like money and healing, let's ask that God will bring glory to his name through his answers, and leave whatever those answers might be to God.
Love,
Your Sister

I Will Carry You

2011-11-28T05:45:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Sorry it's been so long. I came across this verse today and wanted to share it. It's the second time I've come across it, but it has stuck out in my mind both times, so many someone needs to see it today.

"I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime -
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you."
- Isaiah 46:3b-4

Love,
Your Sister

For the Aspiring Author

2011-11-19T07:42:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I hope your dreams come true, and soon. I hope that at each new achievement, you find something new to capture your attention, something new and wonderful to strive for. But in case success takes longer than you thought it would, I wanted to share some of the moments important to my writing life with you so that you would know that dreams can survive the years.

I finished my first novel-length manuscript in high school, and I started looking for a literary agent. The rejections piled in, and I kept working on new projects, so in love with writing that the rejections didn't slow me down. This continued through college. When a poetry professor spoke of a promising student by saying, "He could see publication at 25," I resented that I wasn't the talented student in question. But no matter. Certainly, I could be published before 25. When that same professor told me that I should write just for the enjoyment of it and not in hopes of making money, I brushed it off; I loved writing, and I was certain I was called to write as a career.

After I finished college, I had to start working full time at a "real" job to put my husband through school, but the dream hadn't died, and I attended a writer's conference. I took a seat near the front of a nearly empty room to wait for a keynote address to start. Ahead of me and to the left a couple seats, sat a woman who I would guess was in her seventies. We waited, and I suppose I didn't even know she was aware of my presence until she turned around and said, "I feel like I'm supposed to tell you to keep at it." She said that she loved writing when she was younger, but she gave up on it, and now she has to start over with it. She wondered where her writing would be now if she had kept working on it when she was my age. The encouragement felt God-breathed, but by my 25th birthday, I had not only failed to find publication; I didn't even had a literary agent to represent me.

At age 27, in late summer 2010, I remember riding my bike down a nature trail and seeing the wildflowers. I had heard somewhere that God created flowers for his own joy; there are millions of flowers that are never even seen by human eyes. Then, I had a revelation. If God wanted me to be the flower in the middle of the field that no one ever saw, if he created me with writing abilities for his own enjoyment, well, then that was good enough for me. I would write for God.

In September of that year, I was offered representation by an agent. Soon after, we were submitting my manuscript to publishers. Now, I'm 28. I still don't have a publisher, but I have some prospects, and I have hope.

Sister, there are discouragers out there. Ignore them. There are encouragers, too. The story of my writing career would be quite long if I went through all the people who have discouraged me and all the people - some whom I've never met in person - who have patched up the walls of my dreams. As I write this, I've come to recognize that my main, relentless encourager is God. He often chooses to work through my mom, of course, but he's always there for me, and I know he will be for you, too, if you let him.

Yes, time wears the polish off dreams, but God breaks out the rag and shines them up again. He gives them back to us with glittering hope and promises of fulfillment. Whatever happens with your dreams, may you always rest secure in the hands of your Encourager.

Love,
Your Sister

Comfort for the Screwups

2011-11-14T09:11:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I made a bad call at work last week. It was completely unintentional, but I've been kicking myself for it ever since it happened. I know I'm not alone in this because I found this article on an NFL quarterback who lost a game due to one bad decision. So maybe something similar has been chewing away at your sense of peace and confidence? If so, here are some of the truths I'm looking to for comfort:

God can (and does) use bad choices to put his plans into action. Consider Joseph. His brothers made a bad call; they sold Joseph into slavery! But when it's all said and done, Joseph tells his brothers, "But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here" (Genesis 45:5). Romans 8:28 reinforces this, saying, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
God won't leave you hanging. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."
We're still winners. Romans 8:35 and 37 read, "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if he have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [...] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." I'm not suffering anything that serious right now, despite my mistake, so it must be even more true that victory is still mine, despite the screw up. It's true for you, too.

I'll end with a verse from Paul: Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Love,
Your Sister

All the verses in this post are from the NLT version of the Bible.

Office Politics and Career Growth 101 with Queen Esther

2011-11-11T09:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I recently found myself reading the book of Esther and was surprised to see some truths that apply very directly to the office world. To see what I see, I guess you'd have to think of being a queen as a job where the king is the boss.

1. Our career plans may not even brush shoulders with God's plans, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have great things in store for us. Esther was quietly being raised by her cousin Mordecai when, one day, the king issued a decree that forced her into the king's harem and on the path to becoming the queen. Sounds like a fairytale, but I don't think it was. Mordecai told her to keep her Jewish nationality a secret, indicating that he sensed some danger in the situation. Also, several times throughout her story, Mordecai and Esther had to communicate through others, which tells me that she was not free to go see the man who raised her. Surely, she wouldn't have chosen this life for herself, yet later Mordecai asked her, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).
2. A woman can succeed in a man's world. At the start of the story, the first queen, Vashti, disobeyed the king. The king went to his trusted advisers - seven men - and asked them what to do. Things didn't turn out in Vashti's favor. However, later in the story, we see Esther holding great sway with this same king. So much so that he trusts her over Haman, who was one of his most noble officials. The difference? Well, I'm not sure what Vashti's relationship with God was. Maybe the fact that it isn't mentioned indicates that it didn't exist? However, I know do that Esther depended on God for her salvation.
3. It's okay to disagree with authority as long as you do it with respect. Esther and her people had a problem. Haman wanted to kill all the Jews. He got the boss (a.k.a. the king) to issue a decree that on a certain day, all Jews "must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated." Yikes. A little more cut throat than most offices. Esther was queen, but she didn't let that go to her head when it came to disagreeing with the king. She put serious thought and preparation into what she would do and how she would do it. Her respect for the king and for the customs of her culture helped her get the audience with the king that she so desperately needed in order to sway his opinion in her favor.
4. We sometimes have to ask for more. Esther managed to appeal to the king, and he had Haman put to death for his part in the decree... But that didn't solve the problem; the Jews were still looking at a day of slaughter. So Esther approached the king again and asked him to reverse the decree. It couldn't be done, but they were able to issue a decree that the Jews were allowed to defend themselves. If she hadn't been persistent and let the king know that she needed more, she wouldn't have gotten it.

Take a look at Esther. Do you see more lessons?

Love,
Your Sister

Bet Your Bottom Dollar

2011-11-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

We recently gave a gift that was less-than-comfortable financially. I was happy to give it, even though it meant not retaining my normal bank account balances. But then, after the initial joy wore away, I got worried. There wasn't enough money for things I wanted. Buying the things I needed was tight. I made the decision that I was going to give and trust God to be as good as his promises, but when it came down to it, I really struggled with the trusting. I was worrying about it to my husband and he said, "His eye is on the sparrow, right?" That shut me up fast, but... I was still worried.

But then, I remembered I was getting a check from a credit card rewards program. And then, my husband called and said he won a drawing for $100. And then, not more than an hour after that, I won a contest for $50. And, my husband has had a lot of work, lately, so we're looking forward to an extra big paycheck to pick up some of the slack from this pay period. Suddenly, there is enough for everything we need and some of the things we want.

I'm so glad we decided to make the gift that we did. It went to a good cause, yes, but the best cause it funded was our faith. I am reminded that God has good things in store for those who follow him. He is waiting to bless us. All we need to do is step out into his will and claim his promises.

How have you stepped out lately?

Love,
Your Sister

Dry Shampoo

2011-11-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I read an article recently talking about ingredients you should avoid when trying a dry shampoo. Apparently, some of them can be bad for you... and the rest can be EXPENSIVE!! So if you've wanted to give it a try, but don't want the bad or the expensive, check this out.

Love,
Your Sister

For My Sister, Overseas

2011-10-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I just want you to know I'm proud of you. You've followed what you believe to be important around the world. You've allowed yourself to be called away from the comforts of family and ease. You flew away from birthdays and Christmas and Thanksgiving and English and burgers and fries and a career with a decent paycheck. Somehow, though you've done this for years, it's just hitting me what a sacrifice you make. You are such an example of what we are all called to be - willing to walk away from the normal earthly priorities and toward things of greater importance.

While you're there, I hope you know that you're a beloved part of an eternal family that would be so sadly different without you. I hope you know that all the paychecks you're not getting here are being forwarded to a heavenly address where the dividends are multiplying. I hope you know that back home, we miss you and think of you often and count months until we can see you again. Our comfort is knowing your absence from us is presence in the center of God's will for you.

Thank you for being so brave. Thank you for allowing us a glimpse into God's heart for this world. Thank you for allowing us to take part in God's work.

Love,
Your Sister

Prosperity 101

2011-10-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

prosper v. To achieve success.
Syns.: BOOM, FLOURISH, THRIVE

That's what my dictionary has to say about the word prosper. Here's something my Bible has to say about it:

This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord's commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you! - 2 Chronicles 24:22 (NLT)

I've heard that there is some debate about whether or not a person can expect to prosper in this world simply because they are a follower of Christ. I am in the camp that believes we can expect prosperity. Take a look at the verse again. It doesn't say "keep yourselves from a prosperous afterlife." It says "keep yourselves from prospering." That "ing" on the end of prosper means that we can prosper in our current circumstances on an ongoing basis if we will obey the Lord.

While following God is not a guarantee for worldly success, the above verse leads me to believe that God does cause the lives of his followers to boom, flourish, and thrive while we're in this world. Do I believe this relates to worldly success? Absolutely. See Malachi 3:7-12. Also, consider Job. For a while there, he had it good. Then he had it really, really bad. But that ended, too, and eventually, he had it even better than before - not only in a spiritual sense, but in the worldly sense, too. Do I believe Christianity is a guarantee for wealth? No. Not all of God's followers are rich. Some are kings and some are beggars. Many have alternating periods of little and plenty. According the Philippians 4:10-19, Paul was one of them. However, one thing doesn't vary: God's followers always have as much as they need to perform God's will. And, for a true follower, that is enough.

Love,
Your Sister

Bad Things and Good People

2011-10-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Our generation has seen some tragedies. Earthquakes, shootings, tsunamis, hurricanes, wars, and disease... just to name a few. It's obvious to us that bad things happen to good people, and it leaves us with a frustrating question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

From what I gather from the first few verses of Luke 13, the people of Jesus' day also wanted to know why. One popular answer to this question back then was that bad things didn't happen to good people; bad things happen to people who deserve it. However, when someone told Jesus that the governor had murdered some people, Jesus' response took away the popular explanation for tragedy. "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?" Jesus asked. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all!" (Luke 13:2-3, NLT). So much for that reason for tragedy.

What Jesus says next leads me to believe that both our generation and Jesus' generation are asking the wrong question. After all, if the answer to the big why question is what we need, Jesus would've given it to us. Since he can tell us what the reason ISN'T, it seems to me that he does know what the reason IS, but instead of telling us, he moves directly from taking away the then-popular explanation for why to giving a stern warning: "You will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God" (Luke 13:3, NLT). He answered a question no one was asking: What if? What if it was me who died? What if I were meeting my Creator today?

Now, I don't mean to be a downer, but think about that for a minute. The thing about tragedies is that we rarely see them coming and rarely have time to put our affairs in order before they strike us. So, what if? What if you die today? What if that coworker you've been meaning to witness to dies today? God wants us to leave the why to him. We need to put our energy into the what if and let that question spur us on toward using each day like it's our last.

Love,
Your Sister

On Having Questions

2011-10-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Having questions is okay - good, even - as long as you're looking for answers.

Don't stop until you find them.

Love,
Your Sister

Death

2011-10-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Steve Jobs died. It makes me think about everything that is and is not guarenteed in this life. Basically, death is guarenteed. I had planned to write a post about it, but then, I saw Ecclesiastes 9:1-12. Those verses stole my thunder. ;)

Now, though, it occurs to me that something other than death is guarenteed: God's love.

Love,
Your Sister

So We Disagree

2011-10-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

We disagree about some aspects of your lifestyle. You said you don't know what to believe about religion, and you said you have questions. I know that some painful things have been happening in your life. It's a tough time for you. I want you to know that I'm sorry for the pain you're in. Yes, I believe there is sin in your life. Yes, it's hard for me to find some encouragement to offer you in the grand scheme of things because we believe such different things. But please don't ever assume that means that I don't see you as a person who is worthy of love and life and happiness. As for your questions, I don't know exactly what they are, so here are some of the things that I want you to know.

I am a sinner. I do the wrong thing sometimes. I even do it knowingly, sometimes. You are no less redeemable than me, regardless of what sin is in your life. The Bible teaches that every human is guilty when compared with God's standards, so none of us can look down on the other for being guilty of a "worse" sin. Every single one of us deserves Hell. Every one of us is separated from God by the wrong we do. The thing is, God wants a relationship with us, so he found a way to get our wrong doing out of the middle. Christians believe that Jesus paid the death penalty we deserved. So, we are saved from an eternity in Hell because of something that someone else did for us. This means salvation is a gift. Like all gifts, we believe that salvation has to be accepted. Accepting this gift means having the relationship with God that he was after when he sent Jesus to die for us. The relationship with God changes people; Christians believe that God fundamentally changes us when we accept the gift of Jesus. It is God that enables us to become better people and start moving away from the sin we used to love. This change is what Christians are talking about when they say something about being "born again." It's the spiritual birth into Christ's family.

I pray that, on some level, that made sense. Even if you still disagree, I hope I've given you some insight into Christianity. I believe that you are loved by God. I believe that there is hope and healing and freedom for you in Christ. I believe there are answers to your questions. I pray that your questions and your curiosity lead you to truth.

Love,
Your Sister

On Doubts

2011-10-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

How much can a Christian doubt their faith and still be saved? It seems to me that, especially if you've been raised in a Christian family, there comes a time when everyone must really, truly decide what to do with Christ for themselves. It would be dangerous to attempt this decision without some serious study and attention to the whys and hows of what we believe. If you're in this place, I urge you to seek truth and wisdom. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (NLT) This faith we claim is not a weak wisp of reason and idealism. It can withstand honest, earnest examination, and those who seek truth will find it.

I do not believe that having questions and seeking answers means a person isn't saved. First, Job comes to mind. Here's a sample of what was going through Job's mind: "My complaint is with God, not with people. I have good reason to be so impatient. Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock. When I think about what I am saying, I shudder. My body trembles." A complaint with God? No wonder he was trembling! But he earnestly sought an answer to his questions; Job is a pretty long book, and it's full of Job seeking truth. He didn't give up, and eventually, he was addressed directly by God in response. Granted, he didn't get an explanation. God reminded him who was boss and why, but God did not condemn him for having questions. Now, if Job had turned away from God when God responded, the story would've ended far differently. Then there's John chapter 3, where Jesus talks with Nicodemus, another man with questions. Third, in Mark 9:14-27, we read the story of a man who brings his son to Jesus because the boy is possessed. Even this man obviously had faith issues. In verse 24, he says, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" Does Jesus turn him away for having issues? No! The man did exactly the right thing and was rewarded; he brought his problems honestly to Jesus and saw healing. So, God has time and patience for questions.

One thing I would caution, is that not only should you be examining your faith, but you should examine yourself and what it would really mean to believe something else. Are you trying to get away with something the Bible deems a sin? Does it seem like not being a Christian would simply be more convenient? Wrong motives will taint your search and will affect the outcome. Seek to know God and bring glory to him. After all, we all die, and our lives, our affect on this earth, will fade. God is the only everlasting constant. Bringing glory to the everlasting is the only way for our lives to have meaning. That's what I believe. Let's say you disagree. Regardless of the religion or theory you chose to believe, you will be taking some things on blind faith. You will never have all the facts. You were not present at the start of the world. You do not have firsthand experience at what comes after death. You'll have to believe something. It will take faith.

Assuming you're still seeking with the right heart, I believe that eventually, God will respond. When he does, you will be faced with a decision. John 3:18 says, "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son." Eventually, you must believe or not believe. You will either grow in your faith or walk away from it. The effect the decision to walk away would have on your eternity would take a lot more study, debate, and posts, but I can assure you it would not be pretty. Like Job, you may find that not all of your questions are answered. Still, God expects a response from you.

My prayer for you is that your quest for answers will end like Job's did: with a response from God that will bring you to your knees in awe and repentance saying, "I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." (Job 42:5, NLT)

Love,
Your Sister

Take a Break

2011-10-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I know your life is busy, and I know a lot depends on the work you do. You make such a difference in the lives of others, and I'd bet you only know the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your positive effect on your friends and acquaintances. Just don't forget that you sometimes need to be a blessing to yourself. Take a break once in a while. Have a treat. Pamper yourself. Recharge so you can go back to all that work with all the enthusiasm and passion you have to offer.

Love,
Your Sister

Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say...

2011-09-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Have you ever noticed your self-criticism impact those around you? Once, one of the instructors at the gym was recovering from surgery. She told me she tried a "wimpy" plank, meaning she was in push up position on her knees instead of her feet, and couldn't do it for the full minute or two that she had hoped to. That was pretty discouraging to me because all I ever did were the "wimpy" planks. Recently, though, I think I did the same basic thing to a friend of mine; I was critical of myself and I noticed my friend immediately changing her behavior as if I had been criticizing her. It had never even occurred to me that my comment would make her uncomfortable or self-conscious, so I thought I'd pass along the lesson I learned: be careful what you say, how you say it, and who you say it in front of!

Love,
Your Sister

When It's Not God's Will

2011-09-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,If it isn't God's time for something you want, you don't want it. Trust me. :)Love,Your Sister

Answered Prayer and Fasting

2011-09-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

This last week, I took some serious time to pray. So serious that I fasted for a day and spent extra time reading the Psalms. The results I've seen make me want to share the experience with you so that you can consider the power of fasting and prayer. I guess I don't feel like we often come into contact with talk about fasting, in particular, and I wanted you to know that it can make a difference when it's done with the right motives.

First off, a lot of things went into the decision to forego food for what turned out to be more than twenty-four hours:

I wanted to humble myself. Not eating was a reminder that without God, I would not have food and would not even exist. I wanted to remember how dependant I am on God.
I wanted to remember to pray. Feeling hungry was a reminder to turn to God.
I wanted answers to my prayers about several problems in my life, but I didn't want just any answer. I wanted the right answer. I wanted God's answer, even if His answer wasn't going to be my first choice.

I didn't mention the decision to anyone but some close family and friends, who I asked to join me in prayer. Matthew 6:16-18 says, "And when you do fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (NLT) Interesting that he says "when you fast" and not "if." Also, he says there's a reward for fasting if you go about it correctly.

At the end of the day, when I got in bed, I took a notebook with me and wrote out what turned out to be a two-page prayer. Again, I wrote it out to focus my thoughts and dedicate myself to praying. A couple spontaneous prayer requests wormed their way into my writing. One of those requests has already been answered in a very direct way, so I'm left to believe that I was led by the Spirit to write it out. Another request (this one not spontaneous, but, rather, heavy on my mind when I made the decision to fast), was also answered with a complete change of heart in someone else that I can only trust God to have orchestrated.

I'm sorry that I have to be so vague about what I prayed for and the answers I've received so far, but I hope that despite that, it's clear that two prayers were specifically and quickly answered. Granted, I'm still waiting on a number of other answers, but these first two are a reminder that God is good, present, active, and interested in me and my life. And now, as I close this, my prayer is that, in some way, you will be shown the same miracle of grace and love.

Love,
Your Sister

What Have You Done Lately?

2011-09-22T19:23:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,What are your dreams? What is the thing you've done most recently to get yourself closer to that dream? Not everything you do will be big or expensive or radical (though to my way of thinking, if you're serious about a dream, some things you do will be).Use the comments to share!Love,Your SisterPS-My dream is to be a novelist, and I am at a writer's conference this weekend. Now, it's your turn ;)

Freaking Out

2011-09-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

As I was freaking out about getting everything done to prepare for an upcoming writer's conference, my mom asked me a wise question that completely shifted my focus: Are you enjoying yourself?

Funny how, in my pursuit of what I thought was best for my writing career, I let myself lose sight of why I wanted to write in the first place. I do it because I enjoy it, but I was not enjoying the preparation for the conference because I was stressing myself out over all the things I had to get done. Why not enjoy the process if I was going to go to all that trouble? It's my life, it's what I believe I was called to do, and I believe I was called to it not only for God's glory but also for my own enjoyment.

I've since eased up, so now I'll turn the question on you. Look at the things you're striving for. Have you put so many expectations on yourself that you've stopped enjoying your life pursuits? Remember why you're doing what you're doing. Relax. Enjoy your life.

Love,
Your Sister

CC: The World!

2011-09-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Have you seen the field labelled "cc" on an email, just below the place where you type the "to" email address? I didn't know what it meant until I finished college and started a regular full-time job. In case you don't know, "cc" is for people you want to copy in on the message. The message isn't necessarily for these people, but they're people who should probably see it. Well, this field is a bit dangerous. It can sometimes mean that a lot of people could see the message, and when you get a message where extra people are copied in like that, you run the risk of sending messages to extra people if you happen to hit "reply to all." The reason it's dangerous is because you may forget who all is copied in on your message. It's a relatively common office mishap for someone to reply critically to a message or say something negative in an email where they don't realize they've copied in entire departments or companies. Oops.

Needless to say, you learn quickly to watch who is in that cc field. The writer of Psalm 49, however, was not worried about it in the least. He starts with this:

Listen to this, all you people!
Pay attention, everyone in the world!
High and low,
rich and poor - listen!
For my words are wise,
and my thoughts are filled with insight.
(Psalm 49:1-3, NLT)

Now that's confidence in a message! What's he talking about? Well, check it out. After all, you're copied in on the message. ;)

Love,
Your Sister

Happy Friday

2011-09-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Wherever you are, whatever your day holds, I hope your week went well and your weekend is restful and productive! I'm sure there's a lot of work to do, but make sure you take some time for things you enjoy.

Love,

Your Sister

The Long Road

2011-09-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

From the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I didn't want to have to worry about any other full time job. Eventually, after graduating high school and college, it became necessary for me to get a "real" job. I've come to love that job, even if it wasn't my original plan. Now, as I'm preparing to go to a writer's conference where I'll meet some editors, I'm even more grateful for the experience I've gained working in the business world; I feel prepared to have an intelligent conversation with a professional (editor, in this case) about work I know is the best I have to offer (writing, in this case) because I regularly have conversations like that with my boss at work about projects I do in the business world.

Obviously, I don't know how the conference or those meetings with editors will turn out yet, but I'm reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9, which says, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Working full time wasn't my plan, and I didn't know the benefits it held for me. But God knew things I couldn't imagine - and still don't understand, I'm sure. I'm so glad He's the one in control.

And, sister, when I miss you the way I've missed you this last week, I'm comforted knowing God has a greater, bigger plan for you than you or I could imagine, and the distance between us is part of that.

Love,
Your Sister

Dreaming Away

2011-09-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Do people ever stop dreaming? I guess I figure they don't, but maybe they do rename dreaming. It seems like some people start calling dreams "wishful thinking" and stop striving to make those dreams happen. I wonder why. Maybe it's the rejection and the failure. If you're hot on the trail of a dream, you're bound to come up against both of those... probably frequently. Maybe it's the uphill climb perseverance that kicks them into complacency. Dreams often take a lot longer than we think they should. (At least, some of my dreams are taking a lot more than I thought they would.) If I can take this a step further and relate it to my house cleaning, it seems like the longer dreams are left unattended, the harder it is to them back on track, just like it's harder to keep a house clean when I let things go for a few days.

Still, if you're not working for a dream, you're also not likely to see it come true. And, if you're like me, you'll look on with envy when someone else achieves the dream you had but put on the back burner. So, prevent wishful thinking and seize the day! Take a step, even if it's just a small one. As cliche as it is, those small steps add up.

Love,
Your Sister

Birth Control

2011-09-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Maybe you wouldn't know it because I have two blogs, a Facebook page, and a website, but I'm pretty private, especially when it comes to certain subjects. One of those subjects is birth control. So please know that I wouldn't go here - wouldn't write about this subject - if it weren't hugely important to me. I realize many of my readers aren't at a point where they need birth control - if you're unmarried, I hope you're saving yourself for marriage! - but that's exactly why I'm writing this post. I want you to know what I wish I had known before I went on the patch.

I went on the patch because I was getting married. I always had the idea that someday, I would stop hormonal birth control because I had this inkling that it was probably not good for me. Last winter, I started researching it and learned that the reason hormonal birth control is so effective is that it contains abortifacients - substances that cause you to lose a baby. Previously, I had thought hormonal birth control PREVENTED pregnancies. Learning that it causes women to lose very young pregnancies was jarring. Still, this truth about birth control was confirmed when I told my doctor that I wanted off the patch. She told me that if I ever "get caught up in the moment" and forget to use my diaphragm, I should come in for the morning after pill. She said, "It's the same thing you're on now, just in a stronger dose." I told her that that was one of the very reasons I wanted off the patch in the first place. I may not want to have kids right now, but more than that, I don't want to get to heaven and learn that I've ended a life - or maybe more! - in a selfish desire to control my own life.

I'm just a couple months into post-hormonal birth control life, but I've found that not everything is back to normal. When my periods didn't start up again right away, I went online for more research and learned that it can take a few months your your body to pick up where the patch or pills left off. Sadly, I also learned that some women's bodies never go back to having regular cycles after they stop birth control - even if they were normal before they started. In my mind, this just confirms that hormonal birth control does not fit God's plan for my life.

If you're considering birth control, do not trust your doctor to tell you about the cons of using hormones. In fact, if you're like me, you'll actually get resistance to going another route; my doctor made it pretty plain to me that she didn't approve of my choice to switch off the patch. But don't just trust me, either. Do research; there's also a lot more to know than what I've written here. Pray. Remember that, in the end, you're the one who will have to answer for how you managed your body.

As for me, I am happy with my decision and ready to trust God with that increased "risk" of pregnancy. I would rather risk creating a life than ending one.

Love,
Your Sister

Warfare

2011-09-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I am reading the book Driven by Shellie Neumeier. It's about a high school student who's life as a Christian has come under the attack of a demon. It's a good read and I recommend the book, but that's not why I mention it today. I bring it up because it has reminded me of something I think slips from many of our minds when we're not reading books like Driven or The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: We are in the midst of a spiritual war. After all, Romans 8:38 couldn't refer to demons and "powers of hell" if they didn't exist.

Remember that on a daily basis, you are center stage. The God of the universe went to great lengths to secure your salvation, and the powers of hell would love to separate you from His love. Don't be worried - the Bible tells us NOTHING can separate us from God's love - but be aware. Those thoughts that spring to your mind, those temptations, some of those bad things that happen could be the handiwork of spiritual beings who are, in no uncertain terms, out to get you. Make sure you respond in a way that brings glory to Christ.

From Revelation, we know that God will win this battle, and dispose of Satan. As for us, followers of Christ, Romans 8:37 says, "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (NLT) Fight the good fight.

Love,
Your Sister

2011-09-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Sometimes, you just have to let it go. Forgiveness is freeing. You don't need the weight of resenting yourself or anyone else.

Love,

Your Sister

2011-09-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Fall has always been a dark season for me. Up here in Wisconsin, the days get shorter, the greens of trees fade and then disappear altogether, leaving us with dark skies cut by the black veins of naked branches. Being depressed three months out of the year, however, seems unreasonable, and I've noticed that having traditions I enjoy has helped brighten my mood. In case you're in need of some happy traditions, I'll share mine.

Take a trip to a local apple orchard - and get a caramel apple!
Go hiking up north - try to plan the trip for when the leaves are at peak.
Make soup and hearty food - I have a roasted sweet potato and onion dish that I love.
Take detours on walks to make a trip by the most colorful trees. Drink chocolate tea. Yes, there is such a thing, and it's amazing. Right now, I'm hooked on Double Dark Chocolate Mate by The Republic of Tea.

Feel free to borrow traditions and comment with some of your own!

Love,
Your Sister

Controlling Fear

2011-08-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I've been going to Zumba classes and picking up the moves as I go. There's been a lot of trial and error, but, once I got past the initial shock of doing something so new (that first hour was rough), I found I really love it. When I tell people about how I'm learning the dances, I'm often told that I'm being brave or that whoever is listening to me wouldn't be brave enough to do it.

Don't let that kind of fear control you. Pick your spot at the edge of the class (you know, where you won't run into anyone when you go right as the rest of the class goes left...), and throw yourself into it. Use this as a metaphor for whatever you want to tackle. Get out there and stop living in fear!

Love,
Your Sister

Are Hedges of Protection A Good Thing?

2011-07-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I was looking at Job today, and I realized the phrase "hedge of protection" or "wall of protection" was something Satan said as a bit of a criticism of the way God was looking out for Job. Job 1:9-11 says, Satan replied to the Lord, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" (All the verses in this post are from the NLT)

This leads me to believe that it is time to give up being so obsessed with being safe and comfortable and give up being so shocked and ready to ask "WHY???" when a time of blessing ends. I'm not saying to go seek out trouble. I'm not saying to give up praying for protection. I'm saying that we need to value God more than protection so that when circumstances change, we can accept with faith that God is still good, even if our lives are not. Jesus set the ultimate example of this kind of prayer and faith when he was preparing for his own crucifixion in Luke 22:42. He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Having this attitude is easier said than done, but, as Job says in 2:10, "Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?"

My prayer today is that the trials we're going through or that are coming will draw us closer to God as we remember that he is good and that it is worth our suffering to be in the midst of his will.

On a side note, things were terrible for Job for a time after God removed that hedge of protection, but in the end, the Bible tells us, "When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!" (Job 42:10) Interesting that Job was praying for someone else when his own restoration was granted, don't you think?

Love,
Your Sister

Reasons To Love America

2011-07-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I have a calendar that asks me to write a list of something every month. Last month, it had a spot for "Best Dance Songs." This month, it has a list requesting "Reasons I Love My Country." It's sad, but this was a hard list for me.

But then, I heard a talk from someone who has been spending a lot of time in China. So, here are some things that I - and I think a lot of us - take for granted that are truly great but do not exist in every country (and I'm not just writing about China here):

Americans with disabilities are not hidden away or severely limited by the world around them.

Americans can have as many kids as they choose to have.

Americans can freely meet to have Bible studies.

American women are not treated like second class citizens.

Americans have a say in what their government does.

The list can go on and on. Let's not just let the Fourth of July come and then be forgotten. Really stop to think about how blessed we are to live in this time and this place. Add something great about America in the comments!

Love,

Your Sister

Calling In Sick

2011-07-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Are you like me? Do you go to work on days when you're truly sick? I just did this last week and ended up going home early when I started to get a little bit dizzy (I think it came from hunger, but still, it seemed like a bad thing). Before this, I had ignored plenty of signs that I shouldn't be at work. I've decided that I am going to learn from my mistake though, and that, of course, means I would like you to learn from it, too. ;) So, if you're not sure if you're sick "enough" to stay home, here's a checklist for you to consider.

If you can't physically and emotionally handle an activity you normally do, STAY HOME. In my case, it was Pilates. I went thinking it would help with my headache. I felt worse as the class went on and left five to ten minutes before the class ended. I cried on the way home about feeling sick. I'm embarrassed that I didn't take that as a HUGE sign to call in, but for our purposes, it does go to show that I was both emotionally and physically drained.

If you would tell a close friend to call in to work, STAY HOME. As I was driving home from Pilates crying and sniffling, I pictured my sister sitting in the seat next to me, and I pictured the way I would tell her to stay home from work if she were in the condition I was in. In fact, I would've tucked her in bed and made her soup from scratch, if that would've made her feel better. Yet again, I ignored the obvious sign.

If you are sick and longingly jealous when you see that someone else called in, GO HOME. After my crying episode, I got it together and started to feel a little better, so I went to work. When the email went out that one of my peers had called in sick, I longed to be home in bed. Yet, instead, I stayed doing relatively unproductive work.

If a coworker shows unusual concern over you, GO HOME. In my case, I should've gone home when I noticed a coworker giving me concerned looks while we were talking. This wasn't a coworker I consider a friend. Not that we don't get along or like working together. But it was a coworker, not a friend.

If said coworker actually asks if you're feeling all right, GO HOME. Don't be like me and wait until you feel dizzy or throw up or ... whatever.

Love yourself. Take care of yourself. You are so worth it.

Love,
Your Sister

How to Love God 101

2011-06-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus says, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."

Hm. How're you doing with that? I mean, really. All your heart, all your soul, and all your mind? Every little bit of all of it.

In my mind (you know - in that mind that's supposed to spend itself loving God), loving God often equates to doing what he would have me do, and that often sounds like a chore. But, in Jone 10:10, Jesus says, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

Let's do something radical here. Let's believe Jesus. Let's believe that he came to give us a rich and satisfying life. That means that the most important commandment in his mind should also be the one that leads us to this wonderful life. That means, loving God shouldn't be a chore.

But...

It still kind of sounds like one, doesn't it?

So, how do you love God with everything you've got... even when it sounds like a chore? Let's try believing Jesus again. In Matthew 7:9-11, he says, "You parents - if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (NLT)

I'd say love for God could only be considered a good gift, wouldn't you?

Though I've spent an unusual amount of time on this post and this path to this answer is my own, the initial question - How does a human love God even when she doesn't particularly want to? - and it's answer - Ask God for help! - were something I discovered through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Since reading about this there, I've prayed for God to give me more and more of a desire for him, and he's answered. I think that if you earnestly pray for a desire for God, you'll see yourself change, too.

Something to think about. ;)

Love,
Your Sister

A Good Read

2011-06-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

If you're looking for a book that'll challenge you to passionately pursue a relationship with God, I highly recommend Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The book is easy to read and gives an awesome dose of perspective. I'm just a couple chapters in and have already been inspired to talk more about my faith, delve further into my Bible, and think more about my place in the universe and in God's plan.

Love,
Your Sister

Guarding Hearts

2011-05-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

We all have things we hope for, and when something comes along that has the potential to fulfill that hope, we're challenged with finding the middle ground between harmful skepticism and foolish, unquestioning trust. Today, I was wondering about how to find that safe place where we don't hold ourselves back from something good out of fear but where we don't hand our hearts out to false hopes, either. I found that Philippians 4:6&7 speaks to this perfectly:

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

From this, I learn that God will take care of the guarding if we'll just turn over our cares to him and then put our focus firmly on him and what he's capable of. If we tell him what we need, I can only imagine that would take just a minute or two, but did you see the part about thinking him for "all" he has done? How long would that take?? But in the process of attempting it, I think we would all learn something: If God can do all this, surely, he can take care of you.

Love,
Your Sister

Following Your Conscience

2011-05-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

If you've determined to make a change in your life because you believe something is right, be ready for resistance. Study your options and your decision. Pray. Make sure you're on the right path. But then don't let people talk you out of what you decide. They don't have to live with your conscience. You do, and God gave it to you for a reason. Stick to your guns. Be confident. Live the life you were called to live.

Love,
Your Sister

Be the Cheering Section

2011-05-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

It seems like no matter what I do, someone has a negative opinion and it seems like the more I care about something, the more negativity I encounter. I suppose I'm guilty of doing this to others, too. How often do people destined to succeed fail because they listened to the critics? I bet the number would astound us.

Let's save each other from this. Let's take a stand against saying whatever pops into our heads about what someone else is doing. Let's wait it out, see how they do. Let's love each other and offer some much-need support rather than forming a band of constant criticism and skepticism around someone who's doing their best. Let's lift each other up, give each other the benefit of the doubt, look for the positive attributes of everyone's effort, and see if, by doing so, we can lift someone to do the very thing we first thought impossible!

Love,
Your Sister

Losing Friends

2011-05-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Do you feel like you're losing touch with a friend? Maybe she hasn't called as often as she used to or hasn't been around as much. It's painful. If you're like me, it makes you count all the times she seems to be careless about your relationship with her. Maybe it's a defense mechanism kicking in - it's easier to feel angry than hurt. Unfortunately, that kind of resentment isn't going to get you anywhere, though, if you actually want to keep your friend. Drop the grudge and start making contact yourself. See if that doesn't help. In my case, it changed things around immediately.

Love,
Your Sister

Facing My Faith - Part 2

2011-04-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Yesterday was Easter. Can you imagine being there to see the empty tomb? Can you imagine being there, seeing the empty tomb, and then not telling a soul what you saw?

In my last post, I talked about how I had missed some opportunities to witness. I talked about how I don't witness to the unsaved very often. I once heard someone say that one reason Christians don't witness is because our faith, as it manifests itself in our lives, isn't exciting. We don't get involved enough to have truly good, real-to-us faith. We haven't had experiences like standing at the door to the empty tomb - or, if we have, it's been a while - so it's hard to get up the excitement to share our faith.

Life with Jesus, when he was on Earth, was full of excitement and surprises. The disciples had so much to talk about. And I think that today, we can have that, too. But to get it, like the disciples, we have to spend time with Jesus every day. He has to be part of our lives. Once he's part of our daily lives, I think sharing our faith is going to feel much more natural and comfortable.

Love,
Your Sister

Facing My Faith

2011-04-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Last night, I took a survey that surprised me by asking a number of religious questions. I expected to half-mindlessly answer questions about books when I suddenly found myself figuring out whether I feel that sharing my faith is absolutely fundamental to my beliefs or not and what particular characteristics make a person saved. It was uncomfortable.

First, I know a lot of people would disagree when I clicked on the bubble that I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven. I hate making other people angry. But it's what I believe.

But that brings me to the second, larger problem. If it's really what I believe - that the unsaved are going to hell and that Jesus, who gave us the great commission is God - why don't I witness to people? I try to live my life the way it needs to be lived. I talk about my faith on this blog sometimes, and I write Christian fiction to share my beliefs that way. I try to enhance my husband's spiritual life along with my own. But when someone at IHOP asked what denomination I am through an odd string of events, I told him I was an evangelical Christian. That meant nothing to him. I could see it on his face. And I didn't have a good explanation ready for him. Like I didn't have a good explanation ready for the woman at my work who asked what it meant to be "born again."

While I now have a better way to answer both of these questions, I feel guilty. Maybe the fact that they asked at all is a good thing. Maybe it means I'm on the right track. But I'd rather not settle with "maybe." Don't you settle for it, either. Are you living your life according to your true beliefs?

Love,
Your Sister

On Finding the One

2011-04-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I know you are anxious to find the right guy. The wait has been long. There have been frustrations and disappointments. Your beginning to wonder if it will ever happen, or if maybe it's your fault it hasn't happened. You're beginning to reexamine your standards and wonder which one you should toss just to find someone.

It's not you, sister. Chances are, you've done nothing wrong and there's nothing you should change. By trusting Jesus Christ as your savior, you became a child of God, and whatever he has in store for you, it is good. So good, in fact, that I get this image of him rubbing his hands together and smiling as he watches the domino of events he planned for you fall perfectly in to place one after the other. God is a master. A million dominos may make up your story, but he's capapble of placing every single one right where it needs to be.

Will you end up happily married with a houseful of kids like you want? I don't know. But I do know you can be excited about God's plans for you. You can take hope.

Love,
Your Sister

If You Want Something...

2011-04-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Sometimes, if you want to get something, you have to ask for it. It takes courage to face the risk of your request being rejected, but sometimes, getting what you want (or need!) is well worth the gazillion pep talks you have give yourself to work up your nerve.

Wishing you courage, success, and favor,
Your Sister

Wisdom from the World's Oldest Man

2011-04-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

The world's oldest man died on Thursday at the age of 114. He had a lot of interesting things to say before he went, though. I'm impressed by how healthy he was - physically and mentally - and I just had to share this link. Check out what he had to say!

Here's to a long, healthy life!

Love,
Your Sister

Car Tips from a Master

2011-04-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I happen to have married a very valuable resource: a master technician. Just don't call him a mechanic. He doesn't like that. ;)

Since I realize this is a privledge, I wanted to share the wealth. So, here's a little car advice from a guy who went to school, got certified as a master tech, makes his living off fixing cars, and has the grease-lined hands to prove it.

Follow the maintenance guide in the owner's manual. This will tell you when different fluids need to be changed. The most important thing is oil changes. Regular oil changes not only prolong engine life, but also allows someone to inspect your car more often to find small problems before they become big problems.

Paying more for a quality car in the beginning may save you more money in the end. The example he gave makes me proud: I bought a Corolla in 2001 that we kept until just last month. It was a 1990. Granted, it needed some work throughout the years, but it still ran when we sold it.

Snow tires are definitely worth the investment. If you're planning on keeping the car for at least four years, snow tires are worth the investment. Switching back and forth between snow tires and summer tires will prolong the life of all your tires and will give you the best possible traction. If you've ever done an accidental 180 on an icy road, you know how important traction is.

My car advice? Marry a mechanic - er, a technician. ;)

Love,
Your Sister

On Behalf of Patrick the Pit Bull

2011-04-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

A pit bull was found at the bottom of a trash chute, abandoned and starved down to just 20 pounds. I have a super-skinny pit bull mix myself (pictured above!), and even she weighs 50 pounds, so that gives you an idea of how poorly this dog was treated. The hospital that has been nursing the neglected dog back to health has named him Patrick, and you can read his story here. They're taking good care of him, and he's getting healthier by the day.

Unfortunately, many dogs aren't well-cared for, even if they haven't been through the same ordeal as Patrick. As a dog lover, I firmly believe that if you're a pet owner, you're responsible for giving your pet a happy life. A pet depends on you for everything - entertainment, love, companionship, shelter, food, and guidance about how to survive the human world (ie discipline and training as far as it's necessary). You owe these things to the animals you've chosen to take into your home or under your care.

If you're thinking about getting a pet, be serious about the responsibility. Consider the time and resources (including patience!) that you have to invest. When you're honest about what you have to offer and pick a pet based on that, I can tell you from personal experience that it's very rewarding!

If you already have a pet, give him or her a pat on the head and a hug from me. Unless he's a fish. You're on your own on that one. :)

Love,
Your Sister

Criticism and Proverbs

2011-03-28T17:59:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Recently, someone made a discouraging remark to me about my career. It seemed to come out of nowhere - everything up until and everything after that comment was positive - and I respect and like the person who made the comment that discouraged me. Proverbs 22:17 says, Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. In Proverbs 25:11 and 12 the Bible says, Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

When I'm discouraged or criticized, I have a tendency to believe the speaker is wise and that there's something wrong with me and my judgement. (Plus, I don't want to miss out on gold jewelry!) Needless to say, I can be very easily swayed or shaken by criticism. However, this time, I got the feeling the discouragement wasn't coming from a place of wisdom. Instead, I think it came from jealousy, insecurity, or fear - even though the comment came from someone I respect and like. This got me thinking that not all discouragement and advice comes from people who are as wise and well-intentioned as I think them to be.

Proverbs 26:16 says, Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors. If someone thinks they're wise, chances are, they're telling people what they think. That doesn't mean they should be trusted as being wise. Also, you can't assume an advisor is well-intentioned. Proverbs 26:23 says, Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as pretty glaze covers a clay pot. And sometimes, even when people seem to be right in so many ways, their motives are off, so they also might not be as trustworthy as you first think. Proverbs 21:2 says, People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

While I still have respect for the person who made the comment to me, I need to remember that I can't believe everything that people say to me. If you're in a similar situation, remember to slow down and carefully weigh criticism against God's wisdom. You'll be better off if you pay attention to wise advice, but you'll be setting yourself back if you listen to every negative comment that's tossed your way.
By the way, make sure you examine the words that come out of your mouth, too.

For more advice on wisdom - and so much more! - check out more of Proverbs. I used the New Living Translation in this post.

Love,
Your Sister

Don't Let the Waiting Get You

2011-03-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Whether you're waiting to graduate high school, find the right guy, or land a great job, don't let the waiting get you. People's aspirations fall victim to long waits in so many ways: they give up on dreams, they settle for less, or they become miserable.

That last one, becoming miserable, is so easy. Just remember, complaining about or resenting the time you have to wait is only going to make it seem slower. In fact, a negetive attitude could actually make the wait longer; it's a turn off to guys and to potential employers.

Someday, you will suddenly turn a corner in life and find that you've arrived at the place where you've longed to be for so long. But just because you're not there yet doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. Live it up.

Love,
Your Sister

2011-03-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

Dar Little Sister,

There is more to you than you ever dreamed. You are capable of more, you are worth more, you are loved more. Don't settle. Don't give up. Don't limit yourself. Never stop reaching, dreaming, and growing. Refuse to live in a box of limitations. Tune out the discouragers and challenge yourself. Give yourself a chance to rise to the occasion.

Love,
Your Sister

How to Move Toward a Better Life

2011-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Do you wish your life was different but have no idea how to improve it? You might have an idea that you want to accomplish some pretty big things. The great part about the big things is that they're made up of small steps. Here are some to get your started:

1. Research online. Thinking of going to college? Start by looking at the websites of local universities and colleges. Or Google your intended field of study combined with the word "schools." This step is all about learning what options exist and thinking about what might work for you.

2. Talk to people. This includes friends and professionals. If you want to run a marathon, friends who have done it can offer valuable insight (and company on those long training runs!), but a professional may actually be able to offer better advice on how to avoid injuries and what type of equipment (shoes, in particular) suit your needs.

3. Invest. If this is really a "big thing" it'll either take money or time or both. Eventually, to achieve the life you want, you're going to have to risk something to get it. That's why change is hard. If you've done the leg work and know where you want to go and have an idea of how to get there, the risk is worth it. Even if you fail, you're likely to learn and grow as a person, making you more likely to succeed the next time.

Good luck!

Love,
Your Sister

Changing Courses

2011-02-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I have too novels written for young adults. I was determined to become a YA author. And I still hope to - it's just that now, for the first time, I'm trying to write a novel for adults, and I love it. By trying this, I'm learning a lot about myself, not least important is the fact that I can do more than I gave myself credit for.

Since it's been so eye-openning for me, I'd like to turn this on you: What options have you closed your eyes to just because they don't fit in with your plan? A college major, maybe, or a career opportunity, or a friend, or a class. Whatever it is, maybe it's time to give one or two of those a chance.

Love,
Your Sister

Undercover Love

2011-02-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I love certain people more than they will ever suspect, and I'd bet you do, too. We feel a connection to them. We would (at least attempt to) bend over backwards to help them. We would really, truly miss them if they left. This kind of love tends to be awkward and hard to explain, so we rarely let our feelings show. It's undercover love. Lately, though, this kind of love has made some slips, and I've come to realize it's a lot more common than I ever thought. It's everywhere!

One friend found out a guy she knows from church sincerely cares that she ends up in the right relationship (not with himself, or any one person in particular, but just happily in love). One found out that a number of people were happy she had made the decision to go work with them miles away from home. She was even blessed more when someone she isn't very close to bought her the perfect going away gift. Another friend was trying to figure out what to do about someone he appreciates at church, who is leaving town. Currently, someone in my life is going to far greater lengths for my benefit than I ever, ever expected they would.

Maybe all of this shouldn't be a surprise, since I'm familiar with undercover love myself. The earliest example of it that I can remember is back in high school. I became friends with a boy who was... maybe you'd call him a trouble maker. He drank, he got into trouble, his friends were basically the opposite of my church friends. But we would only talk in class and between classes when we happened to be headed the same direction. Still, I was concerned about him. I remember being grateful when I saw him after summer break. I remember being glad he had made it through the summer and was back at school. When we didn't have classes together, we didn't talk, and I don't know where he is today, but I hope the best for him. Also in high school, I noticed an elderly couple at my church. The man had what I considered to be a sad face. I don't think I ever once spoke to him, but I prayed for him and often hoped he was happy. If I cared about these two people, imagine all the others who care about people who will really never have any idea.

I'm writing all of this because it's occurred to me that maybe you haven't seen any glimpses of undercover love lately. Even without knowing you personally, I am certain people in your life care about you. People you might be surprised to learn about. People who may have never spoken to you. They are watching you, rooting for you, happy for you, sad for you. They are praying for you and thinking of you. You are not alone. You are valuable to them. Something about you rings true to them. You are worth fighting for, worth protecting, worth time and money, worth thought and prayer. In some way, you light up their world, bring them joy or companionship, encouragement or friendship.

I'd like to take this one step further: God loves you, too. It's easy to forget the lengths he goes for us or the-behind-the-scenes care and attention he puts into our lives, but never, never mistake his love for something flimsy or old or disposable. While God's love is not undercover - he published a bestselling book about it, after all - it can be subtle in day to day life, especially if you're not looking for it.

If you're feeling lonely and neglected lately, I suggest you pause for a moment to remember all the times when God has provided for you. Think about all the people you've loved undercover. Remember that you are loved, too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,
Your Sister

Tracking God

2011-02-02T05:03:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Remember that poem "Footprints in the Sand"? The one about walking down a beach with God? When the speaker looks back at the footprints he left throughout his life, he sees that God's footprints are next to his. He's disturbed, however, when he sees that during the tough times, there's only one set of footprints. When he asks God where he went when things were so hard, God says that those are the times when he carried the speaker.

I was thinking about answer to prayer this morning because I realized just how perfectly God answered a problem I was having. I almost missed it, almost didn't realize that God had just given me exactly what I needed. That got me to thinking that if we really want to see what God does for us, it's a good idea to write down our prayer requests and needs and reveiw them regularly. That way, we're forced to thinking about how and when those requests have been answered. It's like laying down sand so you can look back later and see the footprints.

You're welcome to use the comments to share some grains of sand. What are you waiting for from God?

Love,
Your Sister

Money Trouble Is All In My Head

2011-01-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Lately, for some reason, I have been feeling like my finances are too tight. My car needs repairs, we just finished paying off the money we got behind on from Christmas, and now We just had to replace not only our laptop, but also our router. Plus, this is the year I finally joined a gym for the first time ever after years of having it in mind. I worry that we won't be able to afford the membership and I'll have to cancel the membership I've been enjoying so much. I also worry that I won't be able to stick with the financial goals I've made for this year, which would help us save for retirement, major emergencies, and which will put us on track to pay off the house in five years.

While these things are all important to me - and for what I still believe is for good reason - God has been working against my worry about these things today. As part of my effort to memorize two chapters of Philippians. I read and brushed up on some verses about having everything I need, but somehow managed to not find comfort or hope. Then, after leaving my new laptop to be set up for my use, I was riding though town. I saw a cemetery and considered that if, given an extra day, none of the people buried there would worry about money- especially not in my position. After all, when was the last time I couldn't pay for something I really wanted, let alone something I truly needed? God has never failed me. Why am I doubting him now? When I got home, my attention was drawn a few verses ahead of where I am in my memorization.

"At the moment, I have all I need - and more! ... And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:18&19 NLT

God has given us his glorious riches! Why would I spend another day worrying? Here's my suggestion: Don't waste your life worrying, either.

Love,

Your Sister

Glancing Back to Press Forward

2011-01-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I don't know about you, but I'm already struggling with the goals I set for myself for 2011. But the end of 2010 was just days ago, and, at the time, I was so happy to have accomplished two of my three big 2010 goals. For once, I was satisfied with what I had completed by New Year's. I want to feel the same way at the end of 2011. To get there, I'm going to have to refresh my resolve, so I took two mementos of my 2010 successes and framed them. I'm still not entirely happy about the effects of being on the budget I set for this year, but I'm feeling better now that I've been reminded of how I felt the last time I stuck with it.

Do you have goals this year? What past successes can you borrow from for inspiration to drive you forward?

Love,
Your Sister

New Year Jitters

2011-01-03T06:43:00.001-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

The start of a new year is usually filled with promise. You've got a whole year to move closer to your dreams and the person you want to be. But maybe you're feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you're feeling like you'll never reach your dreams, let alone reach them in the next year.

Some dreams, some truly great dreams, take a whole string of years to accomplish. And some dreams morph and change. Sometimes it's the journey and not the accomplishment that God is leading you toward.

Whatever the case, take a deep breath.

Philippians 4:6 and 7 say, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Live in Christ Jesus. Make that goal one. He'll take good care of you and help you accomplish whatever else you need to accomplish.

Love,
Your Sister

Happy 2011!

2010-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Happy new year! What new things will you try this year?

Love,
Your Sister

When Was the Last Time?

2010-12-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

When was the last time you played in the snow?

When was the last time you decorated Christmas cookies?

When was the last time you went carolling?

When was the last time you went to a candlelight service?

When was the last time you drove around looking at Christmas lights?

When was the last time you watched an old Christmas movie?

When was the last time you made hot cocoa from scratch?

When was the last time you wore a Santa hat?

When was the last time you caught a snowflake on your tongue?

When was the last time you decorated a real Christmas tree?

When was the last time you searched until you found the perfect gift?

When was the last time you donated food to someone in need?

When was the last time you thanked God for the gift of His Son?

Love,
Your Sister

Dressing for Christmas

2010-12-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Yesterday, I read an online article/slide show about what not to wear to a holiday office party. While I agreed with some of it (beware the too tight, too short, too low cut), other recommendations seemed to come from people who take themselves too seriously. For example, they recommended you not wear Christmas sweaters or novelty items like an antler headband. I suppose there are some work cultures where that sort of thing might hurt your reputation or undermine your professional demeanor, but I think the majority of us can afford to have some fun. If you love that Christmas sweater, wear it! If the antler headband makes you and others smile, put it on! If the fashion-conscious can find fault with the dresses stars wear at awards shows, they'll find something wrong with me, too. But who cares? I say it's time we all just lived our life and stopped worrying about what the fashion police will find to criticize.

Love,
Your Sister

Glorious Surprises

2010-12-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

May your Christmas season be filled with glorious surprises and may you never be too busy to stop and enjoy.

Love,
Your Sister

Ribbons and bows

2010-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

I just found an article in a magazine about how to make a bow for gifts (Christmas is coming soon!). I tried it a couple times, and I'm pleased with the results, so I thought I'd share the fun.

Here are directions to make bow from a magazine page to go on a gift. This is your standard Christmas / birthday gift bow.

Here are directions for making a curly bow from paper.

Want something more elegant? Here's how to make a layered fabric bow.

Who needs to go to the trouble of wrapping? Here are some ideas for using yarn to decorate a simple box.

Happy gifting!

Love,
Your Sister

Up Days and Down Days

2010-11-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Lately, I've been up and down a bit. Nothing extreme, really, but I find that I tend to go down more frequently and for longer on days when I haven't spent time with God. It makes sense. Jesus Christ promised his followers a lot of things - joy, peace, forgiveness, provision, and so much more - but all of these things come from God. If I'm not there with him to receive them, I cheat myself out of the blessings I could have. Instead, I try to get them for myself. I end up worrying about how to pay for things and eating junk food that makes me happy... for about the thirty seconds it takes to eat it. I end up feeling depressed and listless - the opposite of how I should feel!

For me, and I believe for you, too, spending time with God is the key to preventing these down days in the first place. There have been times when I feel like I don't really connect with God or like spending this time with Him is boring. I completely blame myself for this. The God who created spotted horses, wild imaginations, and high seas is anything but boring. To tap into the excitement, to bring home His message for me, I've found that it's helpful to:

Read a good inspirational book. I mean the non-fiction kind that teaches you something new and exciting. Look for an author or a topic that is relevant to you, then look up verses they reference and pray about what you're reading.

Study the "current events" in your life. Worried? Look up verses that speak to that. Wonder what the big deal is about tithing? Use a concordance to study it. There are also books available that are organized by topic/subject and have select verses grouped together that speak to that topic. I have one, and it lends quick insight into a number of topics.

Memorize chunks of Scripture. I've talked about this before, but it's wonderful to have have access to God's Truth when you're not even near your Bible. Something will happen in your day-to-day life, and you'll realize you know a verse that applies to the situation. Also, memorization requires you to think about every little word. I'd be surprised if you could get very far in your memorization without having a deeper understanding of God's Word.

Still feeling down? Pray about it. God promises us peace when we give him our problems in prayer (see Philippians 4:6-7). Claim that peace. It's yours in Christ.

Love,
Your Sister

Putting Off to Tomorrow What Can't Be Done Today

2010-11-16T20:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

You can do everything you need to do through Christ. The Bible tells us that. Some days, you'll have unbelievable stacks of work in front of you, and you'll get through them with help from God. But some days, you will do your best, you will commit your work to your Lord, and you still won't finish everything you thought you should have, but the day will be done anyway. Those days, trust that God guided you to the projects you did complete, that He will be with you the next day, that He will take care of anything and everything that needs taking care of, and that you have done everything you need to do.

This post? Yeah, mostly for me. But I thought maybe you'd find some comfort in it too.

God, my unfinished work from today is yours now. I commit it to you. Thank you for enabling me to complete what I did. Recharge me and give me wisdom for tomorrow.

Good night.

Love,
Your Sister

Memorizing

2010-11-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Little Sister,

Have you ever tried memorizing a big chunk of Scripture? I memorized Psalm 23 some time ago, and occasionally brush up on it, but that's nothing compared to the passage I'm going for this time. I try to get down a few new verses a week, and should end up with a full chapter and a half from Philippians when I'm done. I'm not so much suggesting that you pick the same passage as me, but I suggest you find a chapter or two, maybe about thirty verses, and go for it. Why bother?

It gives you an uplifting activity when you have a few minutes during the day.

It makes you look closely at the Bible and reveals new understanding.

It will come back to you when you're in a tough spot and need the wisdom.

Just something to think about.

Love,
Your Sister

Cast Your Vote

2010-11-02T06:06:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

For me, watching the government and politics is discouraging. So many things happen that I don't like, so many laws pass that I wish hadn't - and vice versa. Most days, it's easiest to just turn a blind eye to what happens. Here are my tips for basically non-political people to keep an eye on what's happening:

Get/Stay Informed - I subscribe to an email newsletter from the Family Research Council (), a Christian organization that fights for things I believe in. I get to learn about what's going on in politics as it pertains to some of the issues most important to me. They give me the opportunity to sign petitions and send alerts if they think it important for me to call a representative about an issue.

Support Your Beliefs - This can mean monetary donations to organizations or campaigns, volunteering, or calling representatives.

Vote - Put the information you've gathered from staying informed to let your voice be heard!

Pray - This is like voting with God. He's the ultimate official and, though you can't vote Him in or out of office - except in your own mind, I suppose - you can petition Him with requests and you can trust Him to stay clear of dirty politics to always act in your best interest.

Love,
Your Sister

The Stupid Things

2010-10-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

We all do stupid things. We embarrass ourselves. We unintentionally hurt or annoy friends and loved ones... or even strangers. We mess up relationships. We have moments that cause us to cringe when we look back. Some of it, we can "fix" (or at least apologize for), and some of it, we can't.

But noticed, I didn't say "you" do these things. WE ALL do stupid stuff. With this in mind:

Forgive yourself. Those mistakes are a rite of passage. You learned from them. You're better than that now.

Forgive others. Remember that you're no better.

Love,
Your Sister

Keep On Truckin'

2010-10-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

When the going gets rough and you don't feel like doing anything, try to hang on to your normal habits as much as possible. Letting yourself have free reign on bad days can set you up for another bad day tomorrow. For example, if you neglect to walk your dogs because you're tired and crabby, what are your dogs going to do? In my case, they chew my shoes when I go to work. That can just lead to more crabbiness. Or if you eat a bunch of comfort (read: junk) food, you could end up feeling sick or drowsy or, if it keeps up long enough, have trouble fitting in your jeans. On the other hand, if you go for your normal run (or walk), you can reap the pick-me-up effects of exercise. If you stay on top of your chores, there'll be less to worry about tomorrow.

One thing to make sure you do, above everything else, on good days and on bad, is spend time with God. Jesus can help you through the low points like no one else, but he can help you best if your relationship with him is already strong before you hit the low point. In fact, strong faith can help keep you from feeling so negative in the first place.

Hang in there.

Love,
Your Sister

We're Rich!

2010-10-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I read an article today titled Why the Rich Don't Feel Rich. You can read it here. Even the title hints that wealth is all a matter of perspective. The article is about a man whose family brings in $250,000 per year, but who still claims to not be rich. I certainly don't live in a family that brings in that much money, however, the article got me to thinking that in some way, we're all blind to our own wealth.

I'm blessed with a happy marriage; two mostly-well-behaved dogs; a close family; a safe neighborhood; and a good job. And the list could go on. More importantly, as a Christian, I know that God loves me unconditionally and ALL things are possible in Him. That's the kind of thing money can't buy.

But sometimes, I start to doubt my own wealth. I forget about the eternal and about God's perspective. Instead of rejoicing that I have eternal life in Jesus Christ and a relationship with the almighty God, I get tied up in petty worries that I'm not good enough, not accomplished enough, not far enough in life, not at a successful enough job, or not successful enough at the job I do have. It's all a matter of perspective.

Today, I'm choosing to remember the big picture, to look at things from God's perspective. I hope you do, too.

Love,
Your Sister

Traits of Happy People

2010-09-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Take a look at this article, which talks about traits common to happy people. Having a sister made this list, along with other traits that you can control - like exercising!

Love,
Your Sister

Goodbye, Uncle Jim

2010-09-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

It's hard to believe I've let so long slide past without writing you. A lot has been happening in my life, but events this last week have shown me that's really not a good excuse to slip out of touch.

I got word yesterday that my uncle died. It was unexpected; he didn't seem unhealthy. It's gotten me thinking about missed opportunities to get to know him, to show an interest, and to share a bit more of my life with him. I'm newly interested in making sure I connect with others in a meaningful way.

Make sure, sister, that you do the same. Remember life is fragile. Remember people move into eternity unexpectedly. Even young people, even healthy people. Cherish your life and the lives around you.

Love,
Your Sister

The Day Will Come

2010-09-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

One day, you will wake up, and you won't know it right away, but that will be the day that this thing you've been hoping for and working on so long will happen. You will finally be able to declare to everyone who's watched you struggle, "Today is the day!"

Praise God!
Your Sister

A Flower in a Feild

2010-09-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I recently heard a line of thought that intrigued me and that tied in with my own ideas to bring me to a place of revelation and peace. Because I don't know where I heard this or where my ideas start and the original speaker/writer's ideas end, I'm going to just lump it all together for you. I just want you to know, this wasn't all me.

The Bible tells us that God clothes the flowers in such beauty that no person can compare to them. He cares for them and makes them beautiful, even though many of them are never seen by anyone, let alone seen by large crowds of people. Some flowers, for example, grow in fields and are never seen by humans. Those flowers' beauty is there for God's enjoyment.

I was out on a trail for a bike ride or a walk. I saw the wild flowers growing along the path, and thought to myself, "What if I'm like these flowers? What if I never make it to publication? What I'm I'm a flower in a field who writes for God's enjoyment alone? Is that enough for me?" And, possibly for the first time in my life, the answer was yes.

My prayer for you is that you will come to the same place; the place where you don't give up on your dreams, but where you believe that being in the center of God's will is the only place to take root.

Love,
Your Sister

Faith in Fear

2010-09-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I've been listening to Kenneth Copeland and Dr. Don and Mary Colbert on KCM.org. The broadcasts from August 26th and 27th talk about how the devil uses fear and negative thinking to take over our lives. Fear, as they say in the program, is just faith moving in the wrong direction. Fear is having faith in the worst "what ifs" we can imagine and letting those things rule our thoughts and then our emotions and eventually our actions. For example, if I worry and fear that I'll never be a published novelist, I get upset and depressed about it. Next, I might start acting like it'll never happen by investing more and more of my time and energy in a business career while abandoning my writing. I'm still unhappy, and now I'm nowhere near where God wants me to be. Girls who are looking for Mr. Right can do the same thing to themselves. It starts with worry, and moves to depression. And then the girl starts acting like it's never going to happen for her by lowering her standards and seeing guys she has no business with.

It's time to turn it around, sister. You and I both need to start remembering that as long as we trust, obey, and move ever-closer to God, no matter where we are, we will be at the center of God's will. And if the Bible is true - which it is! - being at the center of His will is the only way to be truly happy. He has good plans for us! Achieving our dreams won't bring the kind of hope and joy we desire - unless of course, our dreams are to commune with God. Let's start dreaming for that.

Love,
Your Sister

Honestly

2010-08-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Honesty, I'm learning, is a rare thing. I've been thinking a lot about this very recently, and I think the reason is that lies are the devil's native language and the he's out to wreck as much havoc as he can. With the lies that surround us, it's no wonder trust can be hard to gain - and even harder to regain, once lost.

But other people's lies aren't the only problem. There are also the lies we tell ourselves. Lies about how we look lead to extremes like anorexia, but also to things like uneasiness in our own skin. Lies about what the best decision is lead us to betray our friends for our own selfish gain. Lies about what's fair lead us to turn on trustworthy authority figures like parents and mentors and bosses.

In this dark world of deceit, be a light. Be trustworthy and honest. Cherish truth in your thoughts, in your words, in your friends, and in your leaders. Lies are the devil's native language. Refuse to speak it. Refuse to listen to it. Fill yourself with Truth.

Love,
Your Sister

Falling

2010-08-23T18:28:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Did you notice the birch trees are just starting to turn. Their leaves are tinted yellow against the blue sky and the forest of maples and oaks. Soon, fall will envelop us.

What have you gotten done this year? What were your resolutions early on? Did you make progress? What can you do before December to turn more into the person you've always meant to be?

Be aware of the passage of time, but remember that it's never too late to start.

Love,
Your Sister

To the Girl Whose Fav Hair Accessory is Sunglasses

2010-08-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I have a theory about you. Your favorite hair accessory, based on careful observation, appears to be sunglasses. While I won't argue that sunglasses have no place on our heads, I would suggest that there is a cuter, just-as-simple option available to you: headbands!

I love headbands, but haven't always. It took a while to figure out that headbands with any kind of notch on the ends (you know, the part that goes right behind your years?) will give awful headaches by the end of the day. To prevent this, look for rather flexible headbands that are smooth or have teeth, but have no ball or wad of fabric bunched at the end. Other than that, the market's open.

To stlye your hair easily on a bad hair day or a day when you've only got two minutes, just pull it back, slap in a headband, and you're ready to go! To illustrate, I got out some of my favorite headbands and took a few minutes to take some pictures...

A low side ponytail

A (normal) ponytail

A big 'ol mess

A low, pulled half through ponytail

Step away from the sunglasses! ;)

Love,
Your Sister

Miles to Go

2010-08-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Some days, you get to celebrate milestones along the way to acheiving a goal. Most days, however, it's best to keep your head down and plod toward your goals without a true idea of how far you have yet to go. If you do happen to look up and find that your dreams are still as distant as the horizon, take stock of the progress you've made so far and celebrate that, rather than cry at how far you have yet to travel.

Love,
Your Sister

What Makes You Happy?

2010-08-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I came across this article when I turned on my computer this morning. It's the type of article that makes me grateful for my small house, my long roadtrips, my running time with my sister. It makes the point that purchases rarely make us happy in the long run. Rather, it's about memories and anticipation.

Before you buy something - or do something else that promises a kick of pleasure - stop to think about whether or not that thing will still be making you HAPPY a few days, weeks, months, or years from now. In fact, I'd like to revise my subject line question. Instead of "What makes you happy?" consider "What keeps you happy?"

So, what keeps you happy? How can you amass more of it into your life?

Love,
Your Sister

Things Are Looking Up

2010-08-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

Sorry it's been a while! I've been travelling for over a week now, and you know what I've noticed? No matter where I go or how beautiful the ocean or statues or landmarks are, the sky holds a quiet, pastel beauty that nothing on Earth can rival. Take time to look up once in a while. :)

Love,
Your Sister

Don't Quit Your Fake Job

2010-07-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

A coworker told me that she thinks of the job she'll get after college (a job that lines up with her area of study) as a "real" job, while she and her friends joke about their current, part time, entry level jobs by calling them "fake" jobs.

I suppose I started at the place I still work when I was looking for a fake job to get me through college. I did not start out enjoying it much, and I had little interest in it beyond the paycheck. I never expected to apply for and get a promotion with the company. I never expected to stay on nine years. I never expected to find it as fulfilling as I do. Yet, today (well, not today, since it's my day off...) I still head to the same business to put in my forty hours a week. It turns out, I'm passionate about it. I have fun. I get to be creative. I get to interact with interesting, friendly, and funny people. I get to grow and be challenged. If I may say so myself, I think I'm good at it.

But the question is this: Since I'm not working in the field I intend to do my life's work in, is my job a fake job? See, I have always planned to be a writer, not work in retail and business. I asked my coworker what she thought. As I think back to her response, I think I put her in a tough spot, and I don't remember getting a firm answer out of her. I think, in her opinion, it still qualifies as a fake job, since my current position doesn't tie in directly to my main career goal of being a full time novelist.

Now, I like this coworker, but I find that I have to challenge this idea of the existence of fake jobs. Any job can teach you social and professional skills you'll need when you make it into your dream job. Besides, you never know how long it'll take you to get a break into the field of your choice. Considering while you wait, you might want a promotion or a raise or a good reference from your current employer, you're doing yourself a disservice by not doing your best at whatever job you're in - and who does their best at a "fake" job? You have an obligation to yourself and to God to make the best of what's available to you. Even if that means answering phones with a smile in a call center.

By the way, if you've got a job that you like a job and find fulfilling, certainly don't write it off as "fake" just because the paycheck cowers and runs from the whopper paychecks your friends bring home from jobs in more lucrative fields. Your own happiness is more important than an impressive bank account.

So love the job you're in. Keep it real.

Love,
Your Sister

Break Up

2010-07-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I came across this blog entry over at Yes and Yes today, and I wanted to share it with you. I, for one, am often afraid to break things off, even when I feel like it might be best for me. The post encourages us to make a break for it when the time comes. Important, because sooner or later, we're all going to need to do it.

Love,
Your Sister

How to Land a Job

2010-07-13T07:10:00.001-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I get to know a little about the factors that become important in some hiring decisions that are made in my company. At this time of year, I imagine those of you who graduated high school or college with the intent of starting your careers are out, applying and interviewing for jobs. No matter what position you're going for, I've found that one thing can really help you catch the attention of hiring managers: Enthusiasm!

I've seen it more than once: the competition may be more experienced, but the job goes to the interviewee who exhibits excitement about the possibility of getting the position. I think this is because the right kind of excitement suggests to managers that you'll be honored to have the position, and you'll do everything you can to prove you deserve it, even after you're hired. You'll be an eager learner, you'll bring contagious energy, and you'll care. As someone who's tried to motivate employees that just don't care, I can tell you it's a nightmare. I tell my team at work that, as long as they're trying and they care, we can overcome other performance issues.

How do you show enthusiasm in an interview without breaking out the pompons?
Sit up straight.
Do your homework. Know about the position and the company so you can mention what you know in the interview and talk about how your skills fit this job.
Get dressed up for that interview. If you see other people with the position, dress a little nicer then how they dress on a day-to-day basis.
Avoid speaking in monotone. You don't want to chirp and coo like you're trying to win over a puppy, but you shouldn't sound like a professor bent on putting the pit to sleep, either.
Ask questions about what is expected of the person they hire. If you can't think of any, there are plenty of resources that can give you some universal questions you can apply to most interviews. Just make sure the ones you pick are ones you actually want to know the response to.

The good news is, if you're applying for the right position, this enthusiasm should come pretty naturally. If you're not excited at the possibility of working in a job, here's my advice: Don't apply for it.

Love,
Your Sister

In the Garden

2010-07-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

I was outside, weeding this morning. When I first walked out of the house to check on my garden, a hawk landed on the railing of my neighbor's deck. It sat there for a minute or so, and I got to watch him. I have a thing about birds. I love seeing them, and they remind me of God. For some reason, I often feel like he's sent a unique bird overhead just to remind me that he's thinking of me. (The pelicans that frequent my city in summer thrill me, so I was pretty excited about the hawks moving into a neighbor's tree.)

As I was weeding, I saw some bugs that I don't remember seeing before. God is so creative! I'm no bug expert (and, in fact, some bugs make me freeze and back away), but I was pretty impressed. One was tiny, black, and shiny like a highly polished pebble. One looked like a potato bug, but seemed to have a hard exoskeleton. Like when I saw the hawk, it occurred to me that maybe God sent the bugs just so I would see them. I wondered if it even went further than that. What if he had caused the weed to grow and the bug to be there at just the right time so that when I pulled the weed, I would see the bug and get to enjoy it.

Sound far-fetched? I don't think so. Here's Genesis 2:19:

So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. (NLT)

From this, I get that God likes to see our reactions to his creation. So, yes, I'm a firm believer that God brings animals (and birds!) into our lives to enjoy us enjoying the animals. It's another reminder of how much he loves us.

What animals have crossed your path lately?

Love,
Your Sister

Important Reminder

2010-07-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Little Sister,

You are beautiful.