I came to Sky Coffee with a semi-lengthy agenda on this nice Sunday afternoon. Reading, journaling, replying to some long-awaited emails, and possibly writing a blog update. I am the biggest facebook stalker you'll ever meet (of Lindsay and Chris Dale). I wonder if they know this. Now you do, guys! I am utterly obsessed with my siblings. Anyway, I was actually able to log into facebook this afternoon (the Vietnamese government consistently tries to block it) and saw this…
I don't even know where to begin. My sister has my heart. She's a lover, she's spunky, she's compassionate, she's a HOOT, she's a leader, she has a brilliant mind, she fights for what is right, and she seeks the depths of the Father's heart. She is my best friend. When I saw this picture on her wall this morning, I about lost it when I realized how much I truly miss this kid. It doesn't help that I've been pretty darn homesick recently. With the end of the Race on the horizon, I often find my mind shifted toward life back in the states. It's a daily battle of adjusting my thoughts to the here and now in Vietnam when all I want to do is hug my mom, dad, brother, and sister. As the Vietnamese pastor was speaking gibberish to my English-speaking self early this morning, I found myself in a daze, my thoughts wandering home yet again. They wandered home to my best friend…
I've have more wonderful memories memories with her than anyone else in my life. The memories range from large to small. After sports practices in high school, we would make a game out of scrounging up every last dime from the bottom of our backpacks and every last penny in the seat cushions of my dad's pick-up…all for a gatorade at the Sunoco. Just last summer, we were driving back from a trip in Slower Lower…praying together…worshipping together…simply, yet extravagantly seeking Him. One of my favorite pastimes with Lindsay is geocaching around cemeteries in our hometown. That excursion definitely doesn't match the adventures we had when we were little. We would gather our American Girl dolls along with their entire wardrobes, trekking to our play house in the far corner of the backyard. There, we would have picnics and struggle to get our unwilling dog, Jack to come up to hang out. We let the little bro join us on many occasions.
Of course, we've had our "not so great" moments as well. I recall dumping a glass of milk on her head when we were teenagers…just because. I used to get so infuriated when I found that she had stashed my clothes in her room for months. Everything always worked out ok and it was all extremely short-lived because when we fought, my mom would make us hug on the corner of the front yard for the whole world to see. If we fought, or rather, when we fight, it always ends with us apologizing endlessly. We're usually quick to forget and get on with something more fun and worthwhile like lounging around on the couch in our sweats with tubs of Breyers ice cream while watching Law and Order.
Linds and I have been with each other through thick and thin. One summer we worked at the Dairy Queen together. The job was so horrendous, that we both cried after the first shift. But we had each other and somehow managed to make the most of it by creating crazy renditions (about DQ) of Tim McGraw songs on our way to work each evening. I was beyond elated when she began high school, for I finally had a bus buddy. This was spectacular because I would have someone to laugh with when our "too cool for school" neighbor peed in a bottle within plain sight. I would also have someone to bear through those retched, depressing Evanescence songs with me. We've told each other about those particular guys in view that we were pining over. I can't tell you how many times I've spilled my guts to this girl. My younger sister has God-given wisdom that I am incredibly blessed to draw from.
…our cones never looked this good.
I could go on and on and on some more about how much I adore my little sister. I am so proud of the person she has become and the ambitions that she holds. Anyone who knows her understands the blessing it is to do life with this girl. She has so much going for her and many new adventures on the horizon.
When we were in high school, our good friend Kevin Manz gave us a name. That name still stands today as Malindsa. Feel free to laugh hysterically or roll your eyes. We love it.
I dare to say that there is more on the horizon for Malindsa. More memories, more struggles, more victories. Distance, life, jobs may pull us apart, but this girl will always remain my most favorite girl of all time.
