Writer's block

This is my phenomenal sister, whom I affectionately call Haha!



And this is the certificate she got for winning a national poetry contest.
And now maybe you know why I have just a bit of writer's block. How do you compete with such incredible talent?

The truth is: You don't!

I learned long ago that it was no good to compare myself to her. It's not that I think I can never measure up to her. (although literarily speaking... I'll never compare! Is literarily even a word? Oh well, it is now!)

We're just different. Wonderfully, beautifully, uniquely different.

I was once asked during an interview with a member of my bishopric which one of us is the better singer. I said, without a moment's hesitation: "We both are. We have completely different vocal ranges. She's a much better soprano, and I'm a much better alto."

(For having writer's block I'm rather wordy!)

Since she told me about her award I've been dying to write something about it. Something to tell you (my half dozen or so readers... if there are even that many) how wonderful she is. I'm always dying for others to know just how incredible she is, and for her to know how insanely lucky I am to be related to her. The words just never seem to be enough. (Especially now that I'm writing these lackluster words about a soon-to-be-published author!) But however inadequate it may be, I'd rather write it poorly than not tell her at all.

Congratulations to my beautiful, wonderful, spacey, terrific, brilliant, sensational sister! I'm so honored to be your sister. And even more blessed to have you as my friend.

Sometimes God gives us people to show how much He loves us.

Throughout all of my moves I have kept a simple card given to me by my sister. I can't remember now why she gave it to me in the first place. I run across it every once in a while and it reminds me that I do not have to face my struggles alone.

The front is a picture of two little girls decked out in rain hats, ponchos and galoshes underneath a great big umbrella. Inside is the simple phrase "Until the sun comes out again for you, my umbrella's big enough for two."

At the end of my sister's loving, hope-filled words she wrote a list of scripture passages and this quote:

"... the greatest anchor to your soul, in time of trouble, in time of temptation, in times of sickness, in times of indecision, in times of your struggles and work, (is that) you can know with a certainty that defies all doubt that God lives."
--Pres. Harold B. Lee
Read:
Doctrine & Covenants 121-122
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

I am grateful for my knowledge that God lives, that He loves me. And in times of trials when I am faced with challenges sure to break my soul, those struggles which cause me to doubt whether God really does hear me and answer me.... I am eternally grateful to Him because He gave me a family who loves me and a sister who shares her umbrella.