Happy Birthday!!!

Today, my little sister, one of the most amazing people in the whole world, is turning 18. She has been one of the most amazing examples, and she may be younger than me, but she has taught me SO much.

Today I want to share 18 things that I love about my sister.

1. My best friend

My sister and I did not get along when we were younger, and in the times that we didn’t argue all the time, we just weren’t close. I was in a rough patch and I didn’t want anyone to get close to me, and so we basically just lived in the same house. I never really had any girl friends when I was growing up. I remember week after week, just crying, wishing that I would have a girl that I could turn to. But God knew before I was even born that I was going to need a girl to count on, He knew how hard it was going to be for me to have girl friends. Way before I prayed for a girl best friend, God granted it. This prayer came true in some of the hardest years for Mikayla and I, but God used it to bring us together. I love whenever people ask us about our relationship, because I get to tell them with 100% honesty that Mikayla and I rarely fight. We really are best friends. I know that I can go to my sister with everything. She will always be my go to.

2. She is present

Similar to #1, Mikayla is present. That means that even when things are difficult and even when I’m going through stuff, Mikayla is always there for me. She will always find a way to squeeze into whatever is going on and provide me with light.

3. The way she loves

When I think of Mikayla, I think of the word love. She really is such an example of the love of God. She is kind to everyone around her and always has a welcoming heart. It is rare to see a young person with as much love as my beautiful little sister.

4. The way she serves

Mikayla is one of the most selfless people that I know. If we’re upstairs and she knows I want chocolate milk, she will go get me the chocolate milk. Whatever she can do to help people, she finds it and she does. She goes out of her way to serve others the way that Jesus served.

5. Her goofy personality

My sister is probably the funniest person that I know. She just has the ability to always say the funniest things at the most appropriate times, or even just act goofy with her singing and dancing. She just has a way to bring smiles to peoples’ faces.

6. Does what’s right

Mikayla does what’s right. She could care less about what the world tries to tell her to do, Mikayla does what she knows is right and according to God’s will. She constantly seeks the right direction.

7. Stands up for what she believes in

She will not just sit back and not stand up for herself. If Mikayla believes in something, you will know what she believes in. She finds a graceful way to share the truths in her life.

8. Dedicated

Whatever Mikayla puts her time into, she will be fully dedicated to it. She doesn’t waste her time to give a little effort, she works hard for whatever she puts her mind to and she stays dedicated, whether that’s to a sport, a job, etc.

9. Faith

In the hard times, when I lose focus, Mikayla has a way to point me back. She has a faith that I don’t often see. She knows that in the good and bad, God is good and He is mighty. She continues to fix her eyes on the one that will continue to pull her through.

10. Patience

Mikayla is patient. Even if people are doing things to annoy her, Mikayla makes sure that she is gentle and kind to the people around her. She remains patient through it all.

11. Hugs

These are one of my favorite things. I don’t get hugs from Mikayla a lot, but when I do get them it’s when I need them the most. Whether it’s me crying over a loss, or just because my heart is hurting, Mikayla just seems to know. My favorite memories with her are the ones in the middle of my heart ache where she would just find me and wrap her arms around me, and sometimes just lie on the floor with me until I calm down.

12. Forgiving

Mikayla is forgiving, even for people who continuously take advantage of her forgiveness. She is willing to give another chance, and forgive 77 times. She never wants to give up on people when she knows that she can be a light for them.

13. Honest

She is honest. Similar to the sticking up for what she believes in, if Mikayla doesn’t agree with something or doesn’t like something, she will lovingly share the truth to show the person ways to grow and improve.

14. Focused

This is one of the things that I admire most. When I was growing up, I was so distracted by boys and relationships, that I never really made the time for Jesus and devos and everything. But, Mikayla has her focus on the greatest love, the most important relationship that there is. Mikayla focuses on a relationship with Jesus and doesn’t let the people or the world around her distract her from what really matters.

15. Improving

Mikayla looks for ways to grow. She doesn’t just settle for where she’s at, she tries to learn more and become the best version of herself that God created her to be.

16. Devotion

Mikayla spends the daily time seeking God. Whether we’re away, super busy, or even if we’re just at home, Mikayla makes her time with God a priority. This has always been so inspiring to me. She will pull out her devotional book at her work place, in hotels, or even just in her designated alone time in her room. She spends daily time just connecting with God.

17. Used

Mikayla has stepped into things that I never would have expected. This year she did a short sermon for Fine Arts and is even on her student leadership. This shows her growth, but it also shows that she is willing to be used by God in whatever He has planned for her. I know that He is going to continue to use her for great things!

18. Godly

All of the things on this last wrap up into one fact. Mikayla is a Godly woman. She seeks God first, shows humility, displays true beauty, and speaks gently. Mikayla is one of the most amazing examples of a Godly woman that I have ever seen. There is no possible reason as to why we turned out the way we did other than the fact that God was there all along. In the darkest moments of our lives, God reached out to us. And, in our individual timing, we let Him transform our lives. It brought us together. I am so incredibly grateful for my little sister and I’m so grateful that God has grown her into the beautiful person that she is.

Happy 18th Birthday, Bug! I'm so grateful that I got to grow up and experience so many things with you. I love you so much!