Friends....

I usually look at the glass half empty. I tend to focus on the negative. I know, not the best thing for me. Tim and I went through some things with friendships about 3 years ago and it lasted for about 2 years and it still effects us today. It wass really hard and made us seek the Lord a lot and grow closer together. I still struggle and think about what we went through. I was in the shower this morning and felt like the Lord was reminding me of the wonderful friendships I do have. I decided to take some time to be thankful for the friends I do have. These will be in alphabetical order...not in order of importance!


Daun ~ I have known Daun for about 8 years now. We became good friends after Tim and I got married. We have watched our families grow with a total of 6 :) kids between us. She is one I can talk to about almost anything. She gets me and is there for me. She is always willing to help when I need help - like bed rest! I love having play dates with her and her boys. Our kids get along so well and it makes our friendship even stronger. Daun - Thanks for being an example of a Godly woman. Oh, and thanks for freaking out with me on our schooling decisions!! :)


Lynn ~ I have know Lynn since the day I was born. We may be sisters, but we are best friends as well. I am so blessed to have a sister and a sister I am friends with. We talk everyday....more than once a day, and I love that! We have been through a lot together....good and bad. I am glad she has been by my side even if she doesn't understand what I am going through. She is a wonderful aunt and sister-in-law. Lynn ~ wow....there is too much to say in a couple of sentences. Know I love you and thank God for what we have. I am truly blessed. My prayer is that my girls will have just what we have.


Misty ~ Not sure how many years I have known Misty. I was in our College and Career class at our church when I met her. We had a lot of fun time together back then! Although Misty moved away and I don't see her anywhere near as often as I would like, we just pick up where we left off. I love this about our friendship. Misty is real. What you see is what you get. I LOVE this about her. She is genuine and sincere. Misty - thanks for our friendship and who you are. You truly are like me in a lot of ways...and I like that! I love watching your family grow!


Mom ~ Yes, she is my Mom, but she is my other best friend. I don't need to give any background on how we know each other. I also talk to my Mom more than once a day, and love it! She truly is a Goldy women that I look up to. She is always there when I need advice, need a friend, need help...the list goes on and on. Mom - Thanks for raising Lynn and I like you did as a single parent. I know the Lord was guiding you every step of the way. Thanks for raising me in a Godly home where I watched you serve your God and obey Him. I serve Him today because of decisions you made.


Sarah ~ I have known Sarah since she was born. Sarah and I grew up next door to each other. We did EVERYTHING together - no joke!! I love the fact that Sarah knows so much about me. She gets me. I love the fact that we now attend the same church. I love our Wednesday nights where we "work" and talk. I think it is neat we are still friends and are now raising our families together. Sarah - thanks for all your years of friendship. I am truly blessed to have you in my life. You and your family hold a special place in my heart. God knew we needed all of you.


Rebecca ~ Becca and I grew up in the youth group together. We were inseparable. We just clicked from day one. I have so many memories with Becca. I wish she lived here, but am thankful that after all these years and the miles that separate us, we are still really good friends. I love our phone chats and love comparing our families. We are in the same stage of life and it is great to share that with her. Becca, you are a great wife and Mom and I appreciate that about you. I saw your marriage when I was out there and took note of some things I needed to change in my marriage. I am so happy you are loved by James and blessed with your cute family. Thanks for being such a dear friend to me.


Tim ~ My hubby! I have known Tim for 16 years. We truly started out as friends...in the youth group. We were not real close, but were friends. We then grew closer in College and Career. And then eventually I fell in love. He truly is at the top of my friend list. He really gets me and he really loves me in spite of my issues, and I have many. We love to spend time together even after a long day. I love going to bed with him and waking up with him. He is my soul mate. Timothy, thanks for not only being my husband, but my friend. Thanks for listening to my issues and helping me through them. You are the best friend a girl could ask for.


The Lord gives and takes - I believe that is what He does with friends. I need to keep my focus on what I do have and not what I had. I am truly blessed with these friends.

The Red Door

When my Mom and Dad built the house on Pierwood, they were trying to decided which lot they were going to build on. They drove around and noticed a white two-story with a red door. That red door stood out to my Mom and they decided to build next door. Little did we know what this would mean for our family. We became very close with the family behind the red door - The Leeseman's. Mom became friends with Julie and Lynn and I became friends with Sarah. Our families did everything together. They were like a second family to us. After my parent's got divorced, our families bonded more. Julie and chuck helped my Mom out in so many ways. We just all had a special bond. Julie passed away from cancer 3 years ago. She was like a second Mother to Lynn and I. It was hard to see Chuck and the kids go through this. I was thankful that I could walk that road with Sarah.

On Friday night, Sarah and Stacie (Sarah's older sister) and I were at a retreat given by our church. We were to room together that night. Stacie received a call that changed their lives. Their brother had passed away. I won't go into details out of respect for the family. I found myself in the middle of grief and there to walk the road with Sarah. When my parent's divorced, the Leeseman's were there for us in so many ways. It was my turn to be there for them. I never thought a friendship that started 30 years ago could be so strong. My heart hurts for Sarah. I want to take the pain away. I want to make it better for her. I can't. But, I can be there for her and pray for her and her family. I do know this - I watched Sarah lose her Mom. I watched her grieve. I watched her have to face such a tough thing. But, I watched her grieve with dignity and grace. Sarah has grown into a woman who loves her Lord and who serves Him no matter what she goes through. I have no doubt she will make it through this very difficult time. She will once again, turn to her Lord, her Savior and she will let Him heal her. She will also lean on her husband, Dad, Brother, and Sister. I have no doubt she will make it, but my heart still hurts for her.

Sarah - the Lord had a plan when that red door was painted. He knew our families would be knitted together 32 years ago. What an awesome God we serve. To think he orchestrated Friday night the way He did. I could be there for you - Just like your family had been there for us in the hard times we had. I consider it an honor to be your friend. May the peace and comfort of God's love be so Strong over these next couple of days. You know I love you and you know I am here for you.

Please keep the Leeseman, Wylde, and Fischer families in your prayers. The viewing is on Wednesday night and the funeral is on Thursday. They have a tough road ahead, but I know our Lord and Savior will be there every step of the way.