Birthday Wishes

This week my sister, MJT, turned 16. Such a magical number; such an awfully wonderful age. She is now legally allowed to date and drive and will soon be embarking on that hideously wonderful thing called adulthood. As her older sister, I have compiled a list of wishes for her in honor of her birthday.

I wish....

That the boys you meet will have the courage, faith and desire to talk to you. That people will see you for the wonderful person you are and desire your friendship. That some courageous boy will ask you out on a date before you are 22.

That you will have more reasons to laugh than you do to cry.

That you will be able to pursue all your educational goals and find happiness and joy as you learn more about the world in which we live and the people who share it with you. That you will question the things that you are taught because it is your divine right to know why.

That you never lose your desire to be friends with the Savior, Jesus Christ. That you always seek the guidance of our Father in Heaven. That you learn to converse with Heavenly Father as you converse with your closest friend. That you desire to seek wisdom and knowledge from those men and women who have been called by God to lead and guide this marvelous work and wonder. That you seek for answers in the scriptures. That you feed your spiritual self more than you do your physical self.

That one day you will find someone who: loves to talk to you, is your best friend, wants to go exploring with you, and has the courage and faith to ask you to do him the great honor of becoming his helpmeet for eternity. That one day this wonderful man will take you to the House of the Lord and kneel at the altar with you. That he will look into your eyes and you will know without any doubts that he loves you because you are you. That you will have children who will love and respect you as their mother and friend. That you will have grandchildren who will runaway to your house because you are so much fun to be with.

That you live without fear of the unknown and make decisions out of faith in the plan our Father in Heaven has for you, no matter how much it might be opposite of what you think you want. That you come to recognize the hand of the LORD in all aspects of your life. That you see the wonderful adventures He has planned for you, even when they don't feel all that adventurous at the time. That you enjoy going down the roller coaster track as much as you enjoy flying up the track.

That you learn to understand who you are and recognize the desires of your heart.

That you will have many opportunities to go play with me around the world. (Great Wall here we come! And then Mt Kilimanjaro better look out...)

That you never lose your ability to bluntly and plainly speak your mind and share your opinions with others. That you always ask questions. That you have the courage to walk up to a stranger and start a conversation.

That when you have days where you don't like yourself and are so lonely you can't hold back the convulsive sobs that come, you have amazing friends who tell you how wonderful they think you are, how pleased they are with the decisions you have made and the progress you are making in this journey through life. And then tell you they love you and say something they know will make you roll with laughter. That you always remember you have a family who loves you so much and a sister who prayed for you to join our family for 13 years.

That I was more like you.

I love you so much, MJT! I hope that this year is marvelous for you and that you have all the righteous desires of your heart. I know I tell you all the time, but I will say it again....

I LOVE YOUR GUTS!!!!