Dear Taitlyn,
I love you. And I miss you. You probably thought I’d never actually say that out loud, but I do truly miss you.
I miss driving places together. I miss telling you all the little things immediately after they happen. I miss sitting on the couch and watching TV with you. I miss you knowing what I’m going to say even before I say it myself. I miss your constant advice, even if I don’t choose to listen to it. I miss hearing your daily stories. I miss calling you on the phone. I miss singing in the car with you. I miss our late night chats. The list could go on and on about the things I miss about us since I haven’t been in your physical presence for more than two months. While being apart, I have begun to realize how important you are in my life.
I miss you so dearly and long to be back in your presence, but I am here on the race continuing my growth journey with the Lord because of you. I am here because you are there praying hard for me daily and encouraging me any moment you get, even if I am not in the mood for it. You remind me constantly to push into the people I am surrounded with now, but you are also there to talk to me when I just need a good old conversation with my sister. I am here on the Race because of the trust you have in me and in God and the potential you see that this will all be worth it.
Now enough about me and your impact on me. I have a few words I want to tell you. Words that I hope will reach you and speak to you just how God wants them to. I also hope they may speak to another racer’s sibling or close friend to know just how valued they are exactly where their feet are right now. Some of it is specific to you, but other words can go for everyone so, to all my other readers, be creative in what you get from these words! So here’s what I have to say to you my dear sister:
I am proud of you. I am proud of how strong you are in what you believe and you don’t let other people talk you out of it. Whether this is just your belief and trust in Jesus or something you believe about yourself or anything else. Whether you have strong evidence to back it up or it’s just something you morally believe and have very little reason as to why you believe it. You always stick to it and don’t let others change your beliefs. I am proud of how strong you are.
I am proud of all you have accomplished in life and all that you are going to accomplish in life. It may seem little to you, but Taitlyn you have no idea how proud I am of you. I honestly bring you up in conversation whenever I can here and show your picture to whoever will look! I am so proud of you big sister.
You have taught me so much and lots of it I hadn’t realized. You taught me that I deserve good things, and I shouldn’t settle for less. Fight for what you want and don’t back down. You taught me that having an outside perspective matters. It reveals things that you wouldn’t see or understand otherwise and brings more light into situations. You taught me that the narrow path is hard, but so worth it and to not let people’s judgement of it change your ways. You’ve taught me it’s okay to be sad, but not for too long because then you’ll never move on. These are just a few things you’ve taught me but know the list is never ending.
I love you exactly the way you are. Never ever forget that. Your bold personality. Your passion for dance. Your enormous love for Nala (her puppy). Your small stories. Your gift for math and teaching it. Your clumsiness. Your ability to braid. Your willingness to serve. Your drive and motivation. Taitlyn there is so much I love about you that I can’t even put it into words. I love you.
Now really listen up Taitlyn. The biggest thing I want you to take away from all of this is coming up.
I want you to know exactly where you are now is where God wants you. God created you exactly how He wanted you to be. Never ever forget that. Taitlyn, where you are right now is your mission field. Take what God has gifted you with and use it to show people who Jesus is daily. My mission field may be across the world and that’s cool, but I truly think your mission field is so cool and just as, if not more, important of a mission field. Show your college campus how great Jesus’ love is. Don’t forget how important your mission field is.
Remember this verse while you walk across your own mission field daily: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
With all that being said, Taitlyn, don’t forget that I love and miss you very much. I am looking forward to the days that we’re back in the same room together, but right now I am beyond thankful that you are my number one supporter. Thank you for all you’ve done for me and all you’ll continue to do for me. See you in person in less than seven months!!
All my love,
Your dear sister Paige
P.S. Enjoy this fun picture of Tait and I because it brought me joy when looking at it! :):)
