I miss you Ashley

My 16-year-old sister Ashley is gone this week, and I miss her. She's on a mission trip in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee, and the house is quiet without her. She even left her cell phone at home due to mission trip rules, so I can't call her or text her. Since she has a blog too (and I think Ashley is one of the few people who even reads this blog, haha...) I'm going to write her a note.

Dear Ashley,

This is the fifth day you've been gone, and even though I was at college for eight months without you, I already miss your bright smile and your messy presence! I was looking out my window this morning and I saw Mrs. Denninger's daycare pass by our house. Mrs. Denninger was pushing a stroller, and there were 4 or 5 children trailing behind, holding onto a rope. They were SO stinkin cute, and the image of children walking single file holding a rope made me laugh out loud. Then I realized they probably miss you because you play with them and make them laugh. Then I realized that I miss you, because you play with me and make ME laugh! I wanted to go join the line and hold onto the rope and then have you appear and make me lunch, like you do for them when you work.

I hope you are having an awesome time in Tennessee. I hope you are blessing people and praying a lot and enjoying a new part of the country. Most of all, I hope you are listening to God and following his guidance as you work together with your team to get to know the community and help them. I'm wishing for deeper friendships and a deeper relationship with God for you! And that maybe you will come home with a southern accent and a love for fried okra... okay, that's probably unrealistic. But I do hope the trip is wonderful, and I can't wait to hear about it.

Even though the bathroom is neat and clean without you, and the food doesn't disappear as fast from the fridge, I miss you. And I love you! Come home soon, sista'.

Love you,

Brooke