Feeling Fortunate for Family as Friends!

I’ve told you before about my sisters and how much I love them. I even posted a picture of all of us celebrating my birthday together. Today I want to focus on just one of them. My sister Betty turns 70 years young today and I want to honor her in my writing today.

Elizabeth Jane Houchins was born on February 23, 1940 to Pete and Mayme Houchins. After the tragic death of her Daddy, her mother married Harvey Green in 1945 and little Betty was destined to become a “Green Girl” and my big sister.

The oldest of five of us, Betty has had a big influence on my life. As a little girl, she was partially a mother figure to us, helping my full-time working mother take care of us “little kids.” There were many times when I thought she was much too bossy!

After Betty married and left home to go to Germany with her military husband for a year, I can still remember missing her a lot. She came back home and I was so happy to have her home, especially since she brought my little nephew, Mark, back with her!

She had three children and unfortunately, after several years of a hard marriage, she and her husband divorced. It was during these years as a single, working mother that her strengths really shone through and I began to really appreciate her for the unique woman she is.

She is a very humble person and on many occasions has tried to tell me she isn’t very smart because she struggled some in school. I have been quick to remind her that she is one of the smartest ladies I have ever known. The way she managed her family on a really tight budget has always impressed me. She can find better bargains than anyone I know and can make a dollar go farther than it was meant to go! She was mother and father to her three children and stood her ground with them when it would have been easy to give in. Today her three adult children are shining examples of what happens when you raise your children with loving discipline and a lot of faith in God. They are all devoted to their Mom and her grandchildren adore her. She is a pillar in her church and is always there to help prepare meals for their many fellowships. She can do just about anything, from putting siding on a house to installing flooring! She is a hard working woman!

Betty is my hero. The following verses could have been written about her:

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version)

10 [a] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Happy Birthday my Sister, my Friend! I love you with all my heart!