Monday, February 25, 2008

My Mission


Let the Games begin.
My sister, an IMB missionary in South America, is on an airplane heading this way for 30 days of vacation. We will spend much of our time trying to annihilate each other in Scrabble.
This is serious business. Once when she was here years ago, we actually quit playing 2 days before she left. We were tied in the number of games we had each won, and neither wanted to risk losing bragging rights for the next several years.
She will be staying with us. And since this is just a vacation, she will have no transportation except for me, myself, and I.
As glad as I am to see her come, I'm generally just as glad to see her go! You know how sisters can be: we alternately adore each other and drive each other nuts.
I hope I didn't just burst any bubbles you had about perfect missionaries.
If so, it's not the first time:

Years ago, she was on furlough (now it's called stateside assignment) and was based in Houston since we hadn't moved my mom up here by me. I think my dad may have still been living. Anyway, a fairly new friend of hers from the church in whose missionary residence she was staying came to dinner at my folks' house. She was pretty impressed with this "real live missionary" (as opposed to a real dead one, I guess! That term always cracks me up) and had her a bit on a pedestal.

During the evening she asked me, "So Linda, what's it like to have a sister who's a missionary?" I laughed and said, "Well, I used to think missionaries were these really special perfect people, but now I know anyone can be a missionary." The friend looked shocked and a bit horrified! She hadn't lived with my sister! LOL

In all fairness, I will say that yes, missionaries ARE special, and my sister has followed God's calling on her life unswervingly. She is 7 years older than I and has been with the Board 25 years; she works tirelessly (actually, she's exhausted!) with juvenile delinquents, prostitutes, and house churches; and she has been accosted by armed men several times.
But perfect she is not. And though I love her dearly, she still makes me crazy.
And I'm gonna beat her boooo-tox off in Scrabble.

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9 comments:

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

That's great that you are going to be able to spend some time with your sister. Sister's are funny that way...one minute you're laughing together, and the next minute wondering how you both came out of the same womb!

I heart Scrabble! Trevor and I spent countless hours playing it when we were first married, because it was such cheap entertainment.

Enjoy the time with your real live missionary sister!

Xandra

Dimple Queen said...

Real live missionaries are just like real live ministers! They are all sinners just like the rest of us! :)

I hope you have a blast with your sister! ( I also understand that "want her to leave" feeling) just like when anyone comes and stays a few days! You love to see them come, but you love it even more to see them leave! :)

Anonymous said...

Loved it! I hope you and your sis have a great visit!

I just LOVE never ending Scrabble wars!

Annette said...

Sounds like a blast...playing Scrabble! My husband and I love playing. Most of the time I beat him because he is notorious for making up words that don't exist. Hope you have a fabulous time reuniting...

Melissa in Mel's World said...

It is so nice to hear your honesty...so many times people try to "put on a show" for others on their blog. That is totally what I love about you Linda...you tell it like it is, and that my friend is exactly how I am!

Break out the dictionary and get your fingers ready...let the Scrabble games begin!

Amy L Brooke said...

I'm glad you will get to see your sister.

I understand the real life part of people. Missions has such an "awe" factor to it but behind the scenes its real people who fall down the same as anyone. Typically the stories we hear are the ones that are the exceptions. Most of the army is in the trenches!

I hope you win at scrabble. Are you studying your dictionary?

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch the two of you...I can just picture this.

You crack me up!

Praise and Coffee said...

I hope you girls have a blast!
I wish I had a sister!
Blessings,
Sue

Anonymous said...

We always played scrabble with my dad, He was the ultimate CHAMP!! you two have great times great memories to behold:)