Of little brothers and such

At times God brings people into your life that hold a special place in your heart.  I love when a friendship is created that is just a little different.

Brady is one of those friends.  At 16 (almost 17!), he is basically the little brother I never had.  I had the privilege of interning alongside him for a month in Costa Rica.  From the moment I met him, I knew there was never going to be a dull moment with him around. 
For four weeks we ate, worked, worshiped, prayed, played, talked, laughed, and lived life in the same place.  Countless hours spent in conversation, both in English and Spanish!
I remember the evening we were sitting on our intern director's couch...fighting. Fighting the way siblings fight.  I said something, he shoved me with his foot, I spilled my coffee, I yelled, he yelled.... all while laughing.  Or the many times he ate my food... because he was always eating.  Or walking to Wal-Mart and then back in the rain. 
But there were serious times too... the time I helped him brainstorm for his devotional, or talks about his girlfriend and the future, or even theology.
Brady is crazy.  There is simply no way around that fact.  But, amongst the joking, laughing, and odd comments, he is pretty cool.  He has a sensitive heart and is always eager to learn.  He dreams big, loves big, and lives big.  You are guaranteed to be laughing and smiling within five minutes of being around him.
I am so very grateful that God allowed our paths to cross.  I love the brother-sister (and at times mother-son) relationship we have.  I am blessed by his energy, encouragement, and endless amounts of jokes.  Thanks to him I now love country music.  And thanks to him I now say really weird things at times.
I miss spending time with this goof, I miss laughing till I cry, I miss getting frustrated at what he thinks sometimes, and I miss talking about God.
Brady, I am excited for what God has for your future and how He is going to minister to people through you.  Keep your eyes focused on running this "race" of life to glorify Jesus.  So excited to hang out on the 30th!
Ciao mae!

My Brothers...

Its 10:30 pm... I am doing math homework at the kitchen table, Grant and Andrew are doing chemistry and other stuff in the office. Dylan is already asleep (very wise). Every once a while I catch drifts of conversation involving terms that I have no clue about. Its quiet here, with only the fire making noise. Then I come to a halt in my homework... my brain can't figure the next problem out. I go ask my brothers for help...

Or...

I hop around the kitchen... grab the permanent marker and peek to make sure the boys aren't looking. A face sticking it's tongue out goes on Andrew's napkin, "poor Bill" goes on Dylan's, and "Get Well Soon" goes on Grant's. Hahaha... what good sports. They just look at me and roll their eyes. At dinner there is a constant stream of teasing, although there is still lots of seriousness. Grant wants ice cream... so eventually the ice cream appears on the table. I serve some up for Andrew to make up for me being "mean" to him.

Or...

My last day at the Larsen's, Dylan made me some popcorn chicken. Very good!!! I never get that at home! And it was even served on a plate with barbecue sauce!
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Yup, so this past week I found out how awesome and totally annoying brothers can be (and I think they have found out how annoying a second sister can be). Because my family was very sick I was been banished from my home, but welcomed in at another home that is almost like my real home. Becoming a temporary part of this family has provided me with great entertainment as well as a store of hilarious and fun memories.

The three guys that I call my brothers have been the brunt of some of the best practical jokes I could come up with, they have teased me to no end and been teased back, they have helped me through volleyball game after volleyball game, and they have provided a constant source of amusement for me. But despite all of the fun and good times, they have blessed me with yet another aspect. Countless times they have sat through one of my long upset speeches at school, or advised me on something, helped me with homework, asked me how I was doing, or encouraged me through IM, email, or talking.
For years I wanted brothers, now I don’t. Not because I think they would be bad to have, but because I already have them. They know that I call them my brothers and they just smile and take it when they hear about it. I have been called both sister and mommy by them… so I guess I am like a sister too. I go to school and church with them, play with them, eat with them, and study with them. They have seen at my worst (which probably means they have never seen me at my best) and I have seen them at some of their “not so good” times. Their patience is quite amazing… how many people are willing to explain a game to somebody like me (who takes forever to understand). I have to laugh at some of it... my, my. All three are crazy, in a good way though, and kindness is something I see in all of them. The best part though, is that all of us share something in common… we are children of God, making us truly brothers and sister in Christ!
So thank you to my brothers! Without you I wouldn’t be who I am today and have learned more from you guys than you know.

Note: Post coming soon on my "sister".