Friends

Our church had a wonderful Family Night last night. After over a year we've finally plunged in to our churches Wendesday night activities. I am really enjoying looking through the advent calendar of devotionals for the month of December. It was also a very sweet time as we went with Katy and Michael and did our family time at the nearby Starbucks.

Family makes me think of friends who are family. In that spirit what follows is a tribute appreciating the friends who are in my life. I need to do this. In the last 2 ½ years I’ve been fighting against focusing on the wants instead of the already haves in my life. It starts bleeding over in other parts of my life outside of pursuing a family. This is not an all inclusive list and I definitely don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by leaving them out.

Amy W and I go back 2000/ 2001. I trust this girl so much we've not only been roommates but I worked for her for 10 months. She is a wonderful accepting encouragement, and a trusting support that enriches my life. We have so many shared memories spiced in there with similar experiences.

Katy and I haven’t known each other quite a year and she feels like family. We allow God to grow us both through knowing each other and it’s beautiful to have a friend and little sister with such an open spirit.

Sarah is an answer to prayers in ways I couldn’t have made happen if I tried. We slowly became friends over the last 15 months and I feel like I’ve known her forever. There is also a comfort level when our spouses are around with the four of us that is so rare.

Amy A and I have been used by God in each other’s lives in a way that still amazes and comforts me. Sharing some of the toughest times of our lives together being honest when it wasn’t easy has made her a very special person to me.

Liesl continues to be an incredible source of supporting encouragement taking me under her wing making adoption look so easy. Her warmth and welcoming heart are priceless.

Brooke is one of the most selfless people I know. I admire her compassionate giving heart and have benefited from it many times. Brooke and I were almost roommates, Chris got her first, hehe.

Wendy has such a gentle respectful demeanor and I pray it rubs off on me. She is an example of being attracted to the type of person I want to become.

Debra and I share a love of children, Ukraine and photography. She's my only other roommate. I laugh with Debra until my sides hurt.

Kristen, Courtney, Trina, Angela, Amanda - From RHCC I am so glad we have kept in touch and become better friends then we lived in the same town.

Jennifer, Kylee & Stacy- Opened their arms and hearts during a Captivating retreat during a weekend that I felt very discouraged. I pray to start meeting up again soon. I still can’t wait to hold Elizabeth and Bethany. Holding Casey last weekend was just beautiful. The combined chemistry of all of our different personalities is magical.

Robin, Angela, Ashley L, Emily, Ashley B, Kim B, Kimberlee, JT, Amy D, Kyri, Dawn, Brandy, Shawnda & Kate, Diane, Cre, Jean, Rebekah, Laura, Joanne, Rachel, Bivi, Melissa, Sharon, Alli- all women I met from the PCCC for making me feel included still no matter how often we see each other.

Jill, Mary, Allison W, Anna, Teresa, Krista, Pam, Sheila, Jamie, Becky, Crystal, Diana, Jessica, Christine, etc, etc (you know who you are)…… GOCC all the girls in our Sunday morning bible class, ladies bible study and ladies ministry at our church. I feel like it’s a welcoming ever growing family.

Kim, Tiffany, Kirsten, Haley, Jamie, Misty, Dana, Shelby, Kelly, Donna, Cynthia, Krista…All the girls from high school and earlier that I’ve been blessed to reconnect with after 17 + years through Facebook and blogs, it’s like all that time just melts away.

Amy J, Amy M, Sarah W, Miranda, Mica, Tanya, Paula, Becka, Lisa R, Jessica, Chelsa, Jessica, Jena, Jordan M, Shandra, Joannah, Carolyn, Connie- women I’ve gotten to know through wonderful small groups, jobs and here in blog land.

I’m glad I did that. When I’m feeling down, I’ll have this in archives to look back on and know I’ve touched these lives in some way too.

I’ll leave you with today’s Advent devotional:
Luke 1:46-56

“Then Mary said, ‘My soul praises the Lord; my heart is happy because God is my savior. I am not important, but God has shown his care for me, his servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed, because the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is holy. God will always give mercy to those who worship him. God’s arm is strong. He scatters the people who are proud and think great things about themselves. God brings down rulers from their thrones, and he raises up the humble. God fills the hungry with good things, but he sends the rich away with nothing. God has helped his people Israel who serve him. He gave them his mercy. God has done what he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his children forever’. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned home.”

1. Why is Mary so overjoyed and excited?
2. What is your favorite thing she says that God does for his people?
3. How does Mary know all of those things about God?

Mary praises God because of the miracles He has done in her, and in Elizabeth. She praises God for all of the things he has done, and will continue to do for his people.

Dear God, today we praise you for what you have done. We praise you for the things you are going to do… Give us eye to see and ears to hear so that we can always know the things you are doing.