Family of Five-

I actually wrote this randomly about 2 months ago! I thought I might as well share it- with whoever reads this :)

         

         Lately- I have just felt so overwhelmed with the love I have for my family. I guess being away from them since I moved to Oxford has caused me to see them in a “new” light. I feel unbelievably blessed that God placed us together as a family. My parents are undeniably the absolute best that exist. They have been married for 26 years and are still in love. They truly display what a healthy, Christian marriage should look like. My Dad is amazing in my eyes. I have never met anyone that makes me laugh more than this man does. He is the one person that NEVER fails to put a smile on my face. I am thankful for a parental figure that serves as a great role model of someone who truly and devoutly puts GOD before Man. His love for the Lord is shown in so many things that he does and in so many attributes of his character.  My mother is one of a kind. No doubt. She is one of the most fun, blunt, strong willed women I have ever known. Although growing up we never saw eye-to-eye and continually butted heads about everything, I have learned to really appreciate a lot of who she is; She is a strong woman who loves the Lord so much. She is so selfless and puts up with so much from her sometimes, most of the time-selfish children. She stands strong in her convictions and has a ton of self-respect. Most importantly-my parents have modeled what a healthy, wonderful marriage should look like. My older brother is quite the character. He’s funny, smart, dependable and well rounded.  He always finds a way to pick on someone- but it’s always so funny! When I look back at our childhood, I remember him and me always, always, ALWAYS picking on one another.  He would do some horrendous, boyish things to me! Although he grew out of that TYPE of pestering, he still finds little things to pick on me about, and no matter how bad I want to act mad, he always drags a smile across my unwilling face.  I admire how when he finds something he loves, or enjoys, he is very passionate about that thing. He also is very dependable and loyal. I’m very grateful that God placed us in each other’s lives as brother and sister. Sometimes words cannot even scratch the surface of the admiration I have for my sister. Growing up we constantly fought. We did happen to share a room for over 14 years and being the younger of the two, I always got stuck with the boring bottom bunk. Where we are now though, best friends, who enjoy each other’s company, I would relive every single year of fighting and arguing just knowing it led me here. My sister has always been so strong in what she believes. And she has always let her actions reflect what she believes, even amongst many controversial times. Her gentle spirit, abundance of patience, and structured mind have always been qualities I admire about her. She truly portrays someone who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  Not only did God bless me with a sister when he gave me her, but also a best friend.

            I can’t help but read back over this all and smile. Sure, we have a lot of moments where it’s nothing but pure craziness when we are all together. It seems like any time we all get together something happens. But regardless of how it makes us feel in the moment, when we look back on it all, we can do nothing but laugh. I can’t imagine one thing being the same without every single person in our family of five involved.

You know what is so beautiful about the bond you share with your family?  It will last forever. I know that regardless of what I do, where I go, or who I become, my family will always love me. The same goes for the love I have for my family. No matter where they are, what they do, or who they become. I will love them with my whole heart.  God knew what he was doing whenever he put together our crazy family of five.