21 years ago today...

...My little sister turned three!

definitely not world's best picture... but I have a limited supply from the past six months

Beautiful Betsy-

I know you wanted to give up the ghost three years ago when breathing was too hard and your body was so battered, but I’m so glad you didn't. (sorry, melanchol appearance...)

You are a sparkle in my life. We both already know how amazing you are, but since some of my blog readers might not, I thought I’d list a few of my favorite things about YOU! Here’s a list of twenty-four, one to represent each year of your life :).

24 Reasons Betsy is Amazing 

1. She rides a unicycle
2. She wears striped socks
3. She loves to meet new people
4. She is a true friend
5. She sends me the jolliest email updates ever
6. She mails me packages
7. She is always working on achieving goals (saving money for specific projects, exercising her torso, sharing her faith)
8. She’s generous- always sharing with me and others
9. She likes shopping at Salvation Army and sharing Blizzards with me
10. She gives the most delicious shoulder massages ever… I’m so desperate for one…
11. She acts out her faith- standing in front of the abortion clinic once a week, sharing with her co-workers about Jesus
12. She’s a bargain-finder (suitcases for China!)
13. She does her hair in less than five minutes every day
14. She’s a collector- medicine bottles for missions, yarn for gifts, bags and purses for… well, I guess that’s just because you can never have too many!
15. She’s creative- she crafted a personalized jack knife pouch for her pocket, a button-up Carhart for Brian, and bicycle pouches made out of recycled backpack pockets!
16. She volunteers with Hospice
17. She does fun activities with her patients at work
18. She makes cool movies on her Mac
19. She persevered through nursing school, even though she wanted to quit partway through the first semester
20. She packs my bags for international trips... even though we've never been able to take a global trek together yet
21. She knits, crochets, and sews amazing gifts for people (like the flannel quilt she made me- stuffed with her sheep’s wool)
22. She works with our brothers on the farm
23. She’s not afraid to be different- you should see the sunglasses she keeps in her car!
24. She’s 24 and living life to the fullest for the King

Betsy, I love you! God has blessed our family so much with the gift of your life. Wish I could be there to celebrate your birthday together.

PS- If you have Big Apple Bagel sandwiches for lunch, be sure to count them before you leave the shoppe!