A Day in the Life...

Dear Me....

At the ladies' retreat I went to this last weekend, one of the quiet time activities was to write a letter to yourself at an age of your choice. This is my attempt at that....it's not an easy task!

Dear Fourteen-year-old Me, It's been 25 years since I've been in your shoes, and much has taken place. First of all, let me just tell you to save the glasses that you're wearing in this picture. They came back in style about a year ago. Lord only knows why. ;) You are a freshman in high school. Your family will suffer a loss this year. Aunt Janice will pass away on your mom's 40th birthday...nothing a sister should ever have to experience. (Incidentally, I'll be 40 on my next birthday, so that is a little surreal to think about. I can't imagine losing my sister right now...or ever.) This is your last year with your sister in high school. Enjoy spending quality time together because life and family will never be the same once she goes to college. But don't let her try to talk you into letting her teach you how to drive a stick shift instead of Dad. You'll just make each other frustrated. You know you don't really want to learn how anyway because many people will try their hardest to teach you, including your best friend. Y'all are 17, in Lubbock, leaving Justin's house. Somehow you make it around the block, despite pulling out in front of that blue car, channeling Mario Andretti, both of you laughing so hard you pee your pants. Thank God for those vinyl seats in that poor old Chevy Chevette. That is one of your favorite memories. Kristi remains your very best friend to this day. You both get each other through a lot. I know this sounds crazy, but the summer before your senior year, Kristi's family will move to Lubbock to work at the district office, and your family will move to Seagraves to pastor the church there. I know, I know you are freaking out and thinking, "REALLY?! MY SENIOR YEAR?!?!?" But don't worry...you are strangely calm about this move and are able to finish school with your class in Plains. It's only 32 miles away, so you get to drive back and forth. It makes planning a bit tricky, but it is worth it. Don't take the easy way out in high school. Take athletics, and do not let a negative self image keep you from missing out on this part of school. You are good at many things, but the things you question you totally avoid out of fear. This will follow you your entire adult life if you do not get a hold of it now. So, please...walk in confidence, not fear. You won't be the star player, but play anyway. Try new things. People are not staring at you disgustingly as you think they are. Wendie goes to church camp with you this summer after freshman year. Let it be about her and include her more. She will say she had fun, and sophomore year she will write in your yearbook that she wants to go back, but that opportunity will never come. She and Dave will be killed in a car accident on a foggy morning on the way to school. You will always regret your self-absorption, but you will never forget your beautiful, graceful, cowgirl-friend. Every time you see a yellow rose, you will think of her. Okay, I must tell you....you will never date J, B, L, or D, BUT! You will have dates to both proms. You will laugh on the inside when that certain uppity friend of yours tells you that she "can't believe YOU have had dates to both proms, and SHE has not..." Hahahaha....it still brings a certain amount of joy. LOL. (Oh, you will come to know that means Laugh Out Loud.) At age 18, you will meet a guy at Mr. Pizza, your first job. Please, please, PLEASE....save yourself the heartache. It will be a 2 1/2 year emotional roller coaster that will drive a wedge between you and the people who truly love you. Listen to your sister and best friend on New Year's Eve when they tell you that you are better than the way you are being treated and deserve more. Eventually, you will come to your senses and begin dating THE GUY who had been there all along....YEP! Dan Elliott will ask you to marry him, and you will get married when you are 21. Life will not be perfect, and it won't be easy for a good while. Well, it won't ever be easy. There will be many, many years of wanting children. You will think that God has forgotten you. You will pray and believe for others and yet not believe for yourself for fear of being disappointed. SO. Soak up all of those camp and retreat moments now. You will draw from them during those hard years. BUT, guess what?! God comes through for you!!! It won't be in the way you think, but she is perfect. Absolutely perfect. And finally...just know that eight inch bangs and wings will not always stay in style, but you will always have an affinity for the big hair. Stay close to Jesus, sweet girl, and know that not everything is in black and white. Love, Your 25 year older Self