Mom.

The word mom (typically) stirs up a myriad of thoughts and emotions. It is different and personal for everyone, but for me, it is one of my most treasured possessions. Let me introduce you to my mom, who I affectionately call momma quite often.

Peggy Sue Walker was born on February 25, [(19--) I know this date, but today IS her birthday, and I don't want to publish her age without her consent and this post is a gift for her.] to Basil and Florence Walker. She was the baby of her family with an older brother and sister who were just over 1 and 2 years older than her. She was raised in a loving family who faithfully taught her the importance of being frugal, and tidy, and to love the Lord. She wore clothes that her mom made her by hand which she did not particularly enjoy, but knowing how much time her mom spent tailoring these outfits to her perfect size must make her look back on this season of life with a fondness not many people my age or younger will ever have the privilege of experiencing. They would all wake up early on Saturday mornings and wash the family car(s) and complete household chores. On Sunday after church, they would eat lunch (often a roast, potatoes and carrots) and then make pallets on the living room floor and all take a nap. It is a life that is much different than the life I experienced growing up, but these things (and many others) shaped her into becoming an incredible mother for my brothers and me.

My mom and dad were in the youth group together at Grace Baptist Church. They did not get along, and, according to their youth pastor, were bound to get married. They dated and broke up more than once, but I'm not sure how long that cycle could have continued because they got married at the ripe old age of 19. They were both attending Baptist Bible College during the era of rules that can be deemed nothing less than legalistic. Their conclusion was they should just get married because it was difficult to find a chaperone for the allotted date night and they didn't want to pay any more fines for talking to each other from across their designated sidewalks after 1 PM...
My parents married on December 3, 1977 and my mom officially became Mrs. Peggy O'Donnell. They struggled financially through college often eating cans of green beans and microwave popcorn for dinner. Side note, my dad's parents were planning to pay his way through college, but when he told them he was getting married, they told him he'd forfeit their assistance if he did...love won, hence the financial struggles. My mom was an excellent student, and only received one B throughout college. It impresses me to think of her hard work juggling studying, working and being a new wife.

My parents moved to Ottumwa, Iowa right out of college. My dad was the Youth Pastor and my mom worked at the small Christian School. It was here that I came onto the scene...but it was a short stay for me. We packed up and moved home to Wichita when I was 3 months old, as my dad became the Youth Pastor at the church they both grew up attending. We worshipped with both of my parent's parents every week which will always be one of my favorite things about growing up. In 1984, due to some difficult circumstances within the church, my dad was asked to become the Senior Pastor. My parents were voted in with overwhelming support and this young couple became the spiritual leaders of many people twice their age, many of whom had been their Sunday School teachers when they were kids. This fact alone leaves me in awe of my parents. Probably because at the age I am now, they had already been in this position for 4 years.

My mom is an amazing Pastor's Wife. She does it all, and does it all well. ALL meaning- teaching Sunday School (for children or ladies), VBS, nursery, coordinating ladies' events, AWANA, leading Bible Studies, counseling women, choir, helping with church-wide meals, making hospital visits, keeping our missionary letters up to date, helping with the bookkeeping when needed...the list could just keep going, and these are only the church-related things. But she is best, and I mentioned this in another post, at encouraging people by remembering them with a card. She is like no one I've ever met when it comes to remembering people's birthdays! She has a true gift for this and it is a ministry, I'm convinced, in which she could not be replaced. But it's not only birthdays, it's also sympathy cards, get well cards, encouragement cards and thank-you cards. People know that Peggy O'Donnell cares because she takes the time to put pen to paper and tell them...a lost art. And if there is one thing that could be said of her, it's that she cares, sometimes too much. She is a people-pleaser to the core. She wants everyone to be happy and get along. She wants to be liked and appreciated...and she is! My personality is very different than hers, so I admire these qualities she possesses recognizing my need to find a better balance.

Here's the thing about moms...they remind us of how much we're loved and how much they're praying for us...and that's one of the saddest parts about my mom's mom being gone. We miss Grandma Walker oh-so-much. We talk about how different life would have been these last (almost) 12 years she's been gone. But we can't dwell on these thoughts. We have to take life a day at a time and trust in God's faithfulness through the difficulties.
One of the things that I love most about my mom is how much she loved my Grandma O'Donnell. We all know you're supposed to argue with and dislike your mother-in-law, and granted there were times I'm sure this was the case, but for the vast majority of the time, my mom and Grandma were best friends. This is a gift that they modeled before me and now I have a mother-in-law who is one of my best friends because to me, that's just how it was supposed to be.

My mom has many other titles, and if I tried to list all of the things she does at Sunrise alone, those of you who have read this far would just give up. But she is an adored teacher and she loves her students. She also sponsors several extra-curricular activities, meaning the hours she works are far more numerous than what she gets paid. But she doesn't complain. She also serves as a City Council member in Bel Aire (and we like to watch her on TV when we are home!).

As you can tell, my mom is anything but lazy. She is the busiest lady I know, yet if you ever needed something, she would make time for you. I'm so thankful and blessed that she is my mom. I am grateful for her love and example and her friendship. I'm thankful she taught me how to be a bargain shopper and be organized. She is simply amazing. I think I could type all night long about how incredible I think she is, but in closing, I'll sum it up with this thought: "The truth is, even if she weren't my Mom I would go out of my way to be friends with her."

Happy Birthday, Momma! I'm SO thrilled we get to celebrate your day being together as a family. You are the BEST and I love you beyond words (even though I used quite a few!) :)

Sisters.

Growing up, I was the only girl with two brothers...and I LOVED it! I mean, really loved it. When my mom was pregnant with Tyler, I remember desperately wanting a little sister. But then it was a boy, and I recall my realization of what it meant to be the ONLY girl. And the oldest. It was bliss. For me. Not my brothers. They didn't love me pulling the older sister/mom card as often as I did. I was daddy's girl, momma's (bargain!) shopping buddy, and the older sister of the best two brothers in the world. But the title of this blog is sisters, so I'll come back to all of those others later.

When I moved to Springfield, our church gave us college students adopted families. My freshman year, I was placed with the sweetest couple who were so generous and loving. They took such good care of me and were so encouraging. The next year, I was in the midst of a weird transition from BBC to SMS (now MSU), and found myself without a place to live. That's where the sisters part begins. A family in our church opened their home to me without even knowing me. What was more amazing was how they opened their hearts to me. At the time I moved in, their girls were in 2nd and 4th grade. It was so fun to get to know them and just be together. I soon moved out, only to move back in the following fall, along with my two roommates while we waited to move into our townhouse. Throughout this time, they were never officially assigned to me as my adopted family at church, but we quickly began calling each other such. And for the first time in my life, I had sisters. They included me in family birthday parties. While I was working with the Lady Bears, I would have to come back early over Christmas break before New Years, so I would spend it with them. It was a special bond that made my time away from home more bearable. They made me feel at home, but most of all, loved. When they would travel, I would sometimes get to keep the girls at their house. This was a big deal for me because I realized there were others who could have done this, but they let me do it. They were the first to introduce me to the lake, and the girls and I would tube until exhaustion. And then there was the summer my roommate was getting married, so I once again moved back into their home. And they were so gracious about it. I would try to be responsible and pay rent, but those checks were never cashed. And over the years, there were truly too many meals to count that they provided for me.

My sisters have grown into two beautiful girls, inside and out. And I'm so proud of who they are becoming.

Morgan, the youngest, is tender-hearted, and a natural with kids. She is a senior in high school and very well respected among her peers. She has one of the sweetest dispositions I've ever been around, and I'm proud of the way she leads by example. She has a few quirks that my husband blames on me, and that brings my heart great joy! I'm excited to watch her future unfold, as I know the Lord has an amazing plan for her life.

Ashley, the oldest, is fun-loving, and a risk-taker. She is moving to China on Monday to study abroad. I'm so excited for her! She is going to experience and learn so much while she is away, but we are all going to miss her and her passion (interpretation= drama)! ;) There was a short period of time when I, as a big sister, would worry about Ash. But I could not be more proud of her heart and desire to serve the Lord. I have no doubt that He has a great adventure in store for her life, and I'm looking forward to the outcome.

I'm so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to experience life with sisters. I am grateful for the way He orchestrated my adoption into the Wilson family and the joy they have brought to my life. It is hard for me to believe I've been part of the family for more than half of the girls' lives. It has been a blessing too much for words, but I tried.