Sam Well

Because Griffin turns 18 on Wednesday, I thought I'd bring out some photo memories that I have of the two of us. There are some that go much further back than these, but I don't have virtual copies of them. I'll attempt here to use these pictures to tell some of the reasons why Samuel Griffin Metcalf is, by far, one of my favourite people on the planet.

10. You want to talk about silly? This kid is the definition of silly. He, however, keeps me laughing. I can be in a terrible mood, and a single word from him causes nothing but laughter. There have even been times that he's the very reason I'm in a bad mood, and within 5 minutes, he cracks me up.

9. Although he's the younger of my two brothers, he takes care of me as if he's years older than I. About two years ago, he jokingly assured me that he would do a background check on my next "friend". That's our relationship. We can mess with each other, but if outsiders mess with one of us, the other one will be on you "like a spider monkey".

8. He's willing to hang out with my Garrett and me. When the three of us are together, we have insane amounts of fun. Inside jokes beyond what you can imagine, and we make one incredible Catch Phrase team!

7. He's had pretty big changes in the past year or so, and overall, he's adapted well and been compliant with my parents. He had to leave a school and friends that he loved. He moved to a different state--a state he knew nothing about. He had to change churches, too. He knew no one except my parents,

which I'm sure, was rough. Through it all, though, he's made comments about knowing that he's still under mom and dad's authority, so he supports whatever God calls them to do.

6. Griffin loves people, and he can make a friend out of anyone. It's awesome to see the heart God has given him and is continuing to shape to be so welcoming and loving to those who too often are overlooked, ignored, and mistreated.

5. I miss him. Lots.

4. He's smart as a whip. The kid rarely has to study for anything. At the top of his class, he's not your typical geek. Yeah, he's a self-admitted nerd at times, but he's such a well-rounded kid. Everybody likes him. He sets a good example for those around him, not putting up with people's crap. He's very much one of the most popular kids in school, and such is so for good,

healthy reasons. How often does that happen?! You know what I mean? Most popular kids are popular because they are willing to compromise their standards on the weekend, because it's "cool" to rebel, and such. Griffin's different. He's cool, but this is true because he's such a good kid. He's kind, he's smart, he's athletic. He has a backbone. He's the whole package.

3. He's not afraid to be himself.

2. He has instilled in me a desire to be healthy--to eat more healthy foods and to exercise on a more regular basis. He's all about running, and he's an absolute beast when he runs. I'm nowhere near his calibur of physical fitness, but he helps me be a healthier me. Even though he's way more in shape than I, he is patient with me and makes a point to include me when we are together. One time, he and I went for a run. Even though he could have runs lots faster than he did, he intentionally ran more slowly to stay so I wouldn't be alone. It took a great deal of humility to do that. I'm telling you...he's awesome.

1. He loves the Lord. To hear him pray or discuss the things God is doing in his heart and life is such a blessing! He will make such a great boyfriend and husband, some day. I'm so proud of him for not giving into dating before God ordains it time. If you can't tell, I'm pretty stinkin' proud of Griffin. It is such a great privilege to be his sister! Happy birthday, Giffeh. I love you!

I want to be praying for...

submission to parents - vision - character - a shepherding king - strength - power - a warrior - faith - wisdom - a mentor - heart - love - a friend - a protector - a defender - gentleness - servanthood - courage - respect - accountability - submission to God's authority - accountability - genuineness - faithfulness - commitment - time spent with God - a guide - a provider - dedication - a hard-worker - mercy - investment in the younger, less mature - transparency - honesty - willingness to listen - sharing of successes and failures - connection - deliberation - consideration of others - balance - communication - authenticity

The First 25

I'm not sure why I'm so into making lists as of late, but here's another for you.

Top Reasons I'm Looking Forward to Christmas Break:

1. Christmas lights!!!!

2. I want to volunteer at a soup kitchen.

3. I will be able to leisure read.

4. Hot cocoa makes me smile.

5. All three siblings under one roof??? Yessir!

6. Slumber party with Mallory Huber

7. Christmas carols on the radio make driving time more enjoyable.

8. Putting up the Christmas tree with Jennifer Metcalf is a tradition that can't be broken, yet.

9. Christmas trees, in general :)

10. There's something magical about being able to see your breath on a cold day.

11. NO MORE SCHOOL!!!!

12. bulky sweaters

13. turtle necks

14. warm, Christmas socks :)

15. reading the story of Jesus' birth with my family

16. CPR recertification? I'm a nerd.

17. Christmas choir!

18. Loukas time

19. annual sibling picture

20. There's something to enjoy about finding that perfect gift for people.

21. Hearing the Salvation Army jingle bells is completely nostalgic.

22. Christmas parades

23. Bellevue sing Christmas tree

24. It's a Wonderful Life :)

25. I'm determined to watch A Christmas Story in its entirety, for the first time ever (!!!) this year.

There's more to come, kids. I'm excited.

Mothers Amaze Me

I seriously think that when lady becomes a mother, she receives this whole new set of superhuman abilities. It's almost like Peter Parker when he's in the Spiderman suit. I joke with my mom that I'll be the worst mom ever because I can sleep through anything. I have this fear that I won't hear my kids crying in the night. She, along with others, has assured me that "something happens when you become a mother", and for sure, I'll hear my children crying. We shall see, I suppose. Nevertheless, mothers amaze me. All mothers.

I can be having a crummy day, when I get a phone call from my mom. I can intentionally try to make my voice sound like everything is fine, and her first words after "Hello" are "Are you okay? What's going on?" When I tell her I'm fine, it's always, "What's wrong?" in this pathetic, I-know-you're-lying-because-I'm-your-mother voice. How does she do that?

This morning, I had another Mothers Amaze Me moment. The lady I live with--who granted, is not my mother but is a mother, nonetheless--was able to know that I didn't feel well without even seeing me. She knocks on my door and basically told me to stay home and rest "if" I didn't feel well. What in the world! Spy cameras? ESP? Psychic? More like motherhood. It's amazing.

Hopefully some day I'll be as amazing as these and so many other women I know.

Fall is my favourite because...

1. Scenic drives become even more beautiful.

2. Pumpkin flavored coffee, ice cream, bread, muffins, scones, and such come out to play for a while.

3. Long sleeve tshirts are finally able to be worn.

4. Thanksgiving is the beginning of "the holidays", and for the Metcalfs, "the holidays"=seeing cousins!!! :)

5. Seeing a thermostat read 50 degrees makes my day every single time.

6. Bonfires are so much fun!

7. Roasted marshmallows don't taste the same in the other seasons.

8. Christmas choir rehearsal begins.

9. School is almost over.

10. Stepping on crunchy leaves makes me giddy.

11. Lonnie Pearl's heater knows what's up!

12. The ambiance in shopping malls is just right--not too crazy, but exciting and festive.

13. College kids make their way home, and it's special.

I'm sure I'll think of more later...

why I love my best friend...

"'For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.'...I was sad and depressed. I had no reason to be. I felt that something was wrong...But even though I am 4000 miles away, I am still fighting this fight with you. I love you. I’m praying for you."

Yesterday, I was going through a really rough time, and I sent her an email pouring out my heart. This morning, I opened my email to find this incredibly encouraging message in my inbox. I"ll admit it: it made me cry, but I felt so loved. God is amazing. He uses words that were typed by someone on the other side of the world to comfort my heart. How gracious!