Today's post is about two wonderful ladies.
S.S. - You and I met a little over 5 years ago, as we both had started working with the youth at church around that time. You had such a love for my then boyfriend, as you had known him for years, and watched him grow up. I love how you loved the girls in your small group. You were an amazing leader. We got to know each other really well and started spending time together outside of church stuff. Even when we both stopped volunteering, we were still able to remain friends. I was so glad I was able to go to WOF with you this past year, and I love our lunch dates (and, of course, my massage appointments). I love that we can both be so honest with each other. You are an amazing wife and mother, an amazing woman of God, and a huge blessing in my life. I love you so very much!!
L.Z. - You and I have only been friends for less than a year, but you are already such a huge blessing in my life. I love that we share a love for singing. I love how much I have seen you grow and be moved in different ways this year. I love your heart for God and for leading people before His throne. You are a wonderful example in my life. I love how much you care for and love your girls and your hubby. You sacrifice so much for them, and I know they appreciate it so much. I am so thankful for the encouragement I have received from you, and I am excited to see how God is going to continue to use us in each other's lives. I love you very very much!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Love for You: Day Nine
Today's post is for two wonderful women in my life.
C.M. - You and I met through L.B. about 7 years ago. You were returning from a missions trip overseas. I admired you so much for your desire to reach people in other countries with God's love. I remember that you came and spoke at my church's youth group about your experiences. You were not home for long, as you were off again for another trip. You returned in just enough time to be at my wedding, which I was so thankful for. I love your spunky personality, your creativity, and your love for others. I love that you are pursuing your dreams right now...and that they are coming true! I love that you met your hubby online...as if there were any other way for someone so technologically savvy. I was so honored to be in your wedding, and I'm so thankful for our lunch dates. You are a beautiful blessing in my life and I love you very much!!
K.T. - I remember meeting you when you started working at the church. I noticed right away what a huge heart you had. It was obvious that you had a deep love for other people. You have always been a huge encourager in my life...and I know when you say you are going to pray for me, you definitely do. I love that your role at church changed into something that fits your personality so well. It seems like you truly love every aspect of your job. I know everyone gets stressed sometimes, but you still work your heart out for the Lord...and I love that. Thank you for being a wonderful listening ear, and an amazing pillar of strength. You are a wonderful momma to your kids, and it's obvious they adore you. I admire your courage and your stamina so much. You have overcome some very hard trials, but through it all you continue to lean on God. I admire you so much for the person you are and I aspire to be more like you. I love you so very much!!
C.M. - You and I met through L.B. about 7 years ago. You were returning from a missions trip overseas. I admired you so much for your desire to reach people in other countries with God's love. I remember that you came and spoke at my church's youth group about your experiences. You were not home for long, as you were off again for another trip. You returned in just enough time to be at my wedding, which I was so thankful for. I love your spunky personality, your creativity, and your love for others. I love that you are pursuing your dreams right now...and that they are coming true! I love that you met your hubby online...as if there were any other way for someone so technologically savvy. I was so honored to be in your wedding, and I'm so thankful for our lunch dates. You are a beautiful blessing in my life and I love you very much!!
K.T. - I remember meeting you when you started working at the church. I noticed right away what a huge heart you had. It was obvious that you had a deep love for other people. You have always been a huge encourager in my life...and I know when you say you are going to pray for me, you definitely do. I love that your role at church changed into something that fits your personality so well. It seems like you truly love every aspect of your job. I know everyone gets stressed sometimes, but you still work your heart out for the Lord...and I love that. Thank you for being a wonderful listening ear, and an amazing pillar of strength. You are a wonderful momma to your kids, and it's obvious they adore you. I admire your courage and your stamina so much. You have overcome some very hard trials, but through it all you continue to lean on God. I admire you so much for the person you are and I aspire to be more like you. I love you so very much!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Love for You: Day Eight
Today's post is all about two very influential women in my life.
A.G. - I barely even knew you when you invited me to the Bible study at your house. I was excited about being a part of a young women's Bible study, but definitely a little nervous. As soon as I stepped into your house, I instantly felt at ease. You are so warm and loving, and created a wonderful environment for all of us women to just be honest and open with each other. You are the reason for many of the wonderful friends I have now...and I am so thankful to be able to call you a friend as well. You have been such a huge part of my life these past three and a half years. We have walked through some very hard things together, and have been able to encourage and lift each other up. I love that we watched the last two seasons of LOST together with our husbands...and have kept the tradition alive with other shows. I love our coffee dates, our Jamba Juice runs, our days of doing errands, and our days of hanging out at home with your kids. You are such a huge blessing in my life and I thank God so much for you. You are such a beautiful and amazing woman of God, wife, and mother...and I hope to be more like you. I love you very much!!
K.G. - I have known you for about four years now, but we've really only gotten close in the last year or so. I knew the first time I went to WOF that God was leading me to meet with you on a regular basis, and I was so happy that you were willing to. We had some really great conversations on those Tuesday nights at Starbucks. I was so excited when God put on both of our hearts to start a women's Bible study in the summer...and it was such an amazing study. I'm so thankful for your heart, for the amazing example you are, and for your honesty. I am so excited to see how God is going to continue to grow our friendship and bring us many more opportunities to serve Him and the women in our church. You are such a beautiful blessing in my life. I love you so very much!!
A.G. - I barely even knew you when you invited me to the Bible study at your house. I was excited about being a part of a young women's Bible study, but definitely a little nervous. As soon as I stepped into your house, I instantly felt at ease. You are so warm and loving, and created a wonderful environment for all of us women to just be honest and open with each other. You are the reason for many of the wonderful friends I have now...and I am so thankful to be able to call you a friend as well. You have been such a huge part of my life these past three and a half years. We have walked through some very hard things together, and have been able to encourage and lift each other up. I love that we watched the last two seasons of LOST together with our husbands...and have kept the tradition alive with other shows. I love our coffee dates, our Jamba Juice runs, our days of doing errands, and our days of hanging out at home with your kids. You are such a huge blessing in my life and I thank God so much for you. You are such a beautiful and amazing woman of God, wife, and mother...and I hope to be more like you. I love you very much!!
K.G. - I have known you for about four years now, but we've really only gotten close in the last year or so. I knew the first time I went to WOF that God was leading me to meet with you on a regular basis, and I was so happy that you were willing to. We had some really great conversations on those Tuesday nights at Starbucks. I was so excited when God put on both of our hearts to start a women's Bible study in the summer...and it was such an amazing study. I'm so thankful for your heart, for the amazing example you are, and for your honesty. I am so excited to see how God is going to continue to grow our friendship and bring us many more opportunities to serve Him and the women in our church. You are such a beautiful blessing in my life. I love you so very much!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Honesty is the Best Policy
I came across this blog today.
And, it really got me thinking about something I've been talking to a lot of women about lately. Why is it that we try so hard to put on these perfect faces and pretend like everything is ok with us? Why are we so nervous about being real and vulnerable, because someone may not like what we have to say? Why are we so focused on keeping our pains and hurts and pasts a secret, instead of sharing them with others who may be dealing with the same things?
I am so guilty of this. Even with this blog. I share some personal things about myself...but there are many things I keep a secret. Why? Because I don't want someone to think less of me, or think I'm crazy, or give me crap about it later. Is that any way to live our lives? How are we ever going to reach out to people, and be truly effective in doing so, if we give off the impression that we have everything together 24/7?
I was so nervous about this blog post. Why? Because I was afraid of what people would think of me. I truly didn't want to offend anyone, so I think that was a valid reason for being nervous about it...but I was also worried that some people in my life may not agree with me, and think badly of me because of it. It's so silly! Why do we care so much about what people think of us, that we're afraid to be honest?
It's time to start being ourselves. It's time to start living our lives, exposing the not-so-pretty things, in order to encourage others to do the same. We are all imperfect, we all have flaws, pasts, hurts, struggles, and bad days. We all need the encouragement of other people in our lives...and we all need to be pointed back towards God on a daily basis. If we're always telling people we are "fine", no one is going to feel the need to encourage us. It's time to start being real!
And, it really got me thinking about something I've been talking to a lot of women about lately. Why is it that we try so hard to put on these perfect faces and pretend like everything is ok with us? Why are we so nervous about being real and vulnerable, because someone may not like what we have to say? Why are we so focused on keeping our pains and hurts and pasts a secret, instead of sharing them with others who may be dealing with the same things?
I am so guilty of this. Even with this blog. I share some personal things about myself...but there are many things I keep a secret. Why? Because I don't want someone to think less of me, or think I'm crazy, or give me crap about it later. Is that any way to live our lives? How are we ever going to reach out to people, and be truly effective in doing so, if we give off the impression that we have everything together 24/7?
I was so nervous about this blog post. Why? Because I was afraid of what people would think of me. I truly didn't want to offend anyone, so I think that was a valid reason for being nervous about it...but I was also worried that some people in my life may not agree with me, and think badly of me because of it. It's so silly! Why do we care so much about what people think of us, that we're afraid to be honest?
It's time to start being ourselves. It's time to start living our lives, exposing the not-so-pretty things, in order to encourage others to do the same. We are all imperfect, we all have flaws, pasts, hurts, struggles, and bad days. We all need the encouragement of other people in our lives...and we all need to be pointed back towards God on a daily basis. If we're always telling people we are "fine", no one is going to feel the need to encourage us. It's time to start being real!
Love for You: Day Seven
Today's post is for two wonderful friends of mine.
J.B. - I am so thankful you and I became friends. I know we knew each other for quite a few years, but it's only been in the last year and a half or so that we've really gotten to know each other. You have such a beautiful heart. Your love for God is so evident in all you do. I love your passion for animals and photography. You are such an encouragement in my life and I'm so thankful I can call you my sister. We have had so many fun times together. From BUNCO nights, to getting our makeup and toes done, to eating out and laughing a lot. Thank you for being you! I love you very much!!
B.H. - I remember meeting you at A.G.'s house about two years ago. Your honesty and vulnerability blew me away. You have amazing strength and courage. Your heart breaks for those who are hurting and rejoices for those who are doing great. You are a beautiful blessing. I love the joy you get from teaching little kids. Your face lights up every time you talk about them. You love your family so much, and would do anything for them. You are such an inspiration. I feel so privileged to be your friend. I love you so very much!!
J.B. - I am so thankful you and I became friends. I know we knew each other for quite a few years, but it's only been in the last year and a half or so that we've really gotten to know each other. You have such a beautiful heart. Your love for God is so evident in all you do. I love your passion for animals and photography. You are such an encouragement in my life and I'm so thankful I can call you my sister. We have had so many fun times together. From BUNCO nights, to getting our makeup and toes done, to eating out and laughing a lot. Thank you for being you! I love you very much!!
B.H. - I remember meeting you at A.G.'s house about two years ago. Your honesty and vulnerability blew me away. You have amazing strength and courage. Your heart breaks for those who are hurting and rejoices for those who are doing great. You are a beautiful blessing. I love the joy you get from teaching little kids. Your face lights up every time you talk about them. You love your family so much, and would do anything for them. You are such an inspiration. I feel so privileged to be your friend. I love you so very much!!
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