My Sister

So, I currently have a hero that is near and dear to my heart. My sister, Brooke, has been through an interesting journey in her life within the past few months and it has inspired me in more ways than one.







(Looking through all of my pictures on my blog, it is clear to me that the two of us need a picture together, all I can find is her with Avery!)

Anyway, my sister has her own blog and she has posted her journey in the last few months. But just to explain a little bit, my sister found out she was pregnant back in April (you can read about that here). In May, when she went to have the sonogram, they discovered some bad news and the following week, on a follow up sonogram, they couldn't find a heartbeat. Brooke was heartbroken, especially knowing that even though there was no heartbeat, she still had to wait for nature to take it's course, which meant waiting, anticipating pain and heartache for an undetermined period of time.

During that time, she went through alot of emotions. Sadness, confusion, frustration. She didn't know where to go next. She received her Bachelor's a couple of years ago and quit her full time job in an effort to pursue her hopes of going into teaching. She began waiting tables at a restaurant and studying for her teacher's certification. That did not work out the way she had hoped. She had a few more job opportunities come her way, but nothing seemed to pan out. Two years later, she was still waiting tables, not sure what was next. She didn't really know where she needed to go, then this happened.

In the midst of dealing with a lost pregnancy, Brooke did a lot of soul searching. Circumstances in her and her husband's life began to come together, and suddenly, things began to open up. She had an opportunity to do something she really wanted to do with her life. She decided, after alot of thinking, that she wanted to follow her true dreams - cosmetology. Ever since I've known Brooke, she has loved hair, nails, fashion, makeup. She thought, "Why not?" And decided to go to cosmetology school and work for herself after she graduates.

Brooke started yesterday and knew immediately this is exactly where she was supposed to be. We spoke on the phone last night for a long time and I just told her that first of all, I was so proud of her for pursuing her real dreams. Second of all, she is inspiring me and encouraging me to do the same.

We talked alot about God's plan. We do not always realize what is going on, in the midst of the pain and confusion, not understanding, asking WHY? We don't know that God is making a path for our life in the direction it's meant to go. All we sometimes see is pain and disappointment. We don't know that God is just preparing our lives and our hearts for His true meaning for our life.

But even then, we sometimes don't always follow and take advantage of the opportunities He presents us with. Sometimes, we are too scared or content, too nervous or complacent. But my sister did. She doesn't really know where this will lead. She doesn't know how much money she will make. She has a degree that she is not using (right now) and it is not a job with alot of stability. But it is her passion. And because it is her passion, I know she will be a great success at it. And at some point, she will use that degree to start a business that will enable her to make her passion and dream her life's career. I am so proud of her for taking that risk and not just taking the easy way.

And someday, that beautiful baby (or two, or three) that will enter in her life, that is just waiting in heaven at this moment for God to say, "Ok now, it's time!" will have a mom who can spend time with her, and who is happy because she spends her days doing what she truly loves to do.

Have you ever heard the Rascal Flatts song "God Blessed The Broken Road?" I know it's a song about finding your true love after a journey of broken hearts and missed chances. But I think that song can really apply to anything that you finally get after years of looking. And I think Brooke is going to be so happy with the way God is working in her life. In fact, she already is.

I love you Brooke - go get 'em!