I've been waiting....

....for a girl like you

Know the song? It's Foreigner! I use to sing this song all the time when I was about 12 years old. I had the 45. As in, the record! (guess I'm getting old because some of you won't have heard of Foreigner and won't be familiar with the "45" reference.)

Any old way, I noticed a bit ago that I had 99 followers!! So I've been waiting for NUMBER 100! And she's finally here! What a wonderful comment she left for me today!
Let me introduce Kristine @ I Love You More Than Peanut Butter! Her blog is adorable as she shares about her life in a family of 6. 3 children of which she adopted from Russia. What a story. I hope you'll visit her.

Thankfulness

I'd just like to say how thankful I am for my friends. I remember reading a poem some years ago about the different seasons of your life and how friends can come and go. (Reason Season Lifetime by Brian Chalker) Whether that friend passed away, moved away or turned away from you, we learn something from these relationships. Some are fleeting and some are long lasting.

Yesterday, at my house, I reconnected with 2 of my dearest high school friends. After spending 2 fun hours together, I remembered all the reasons that I had picked these friends all those years ago. I am so blessed to have these long lasting friendships! The kind that time does not disturb.

My view on friendship has truly changed with each stage of my life. I spent this morning talking on the phone with another dear friend of mine. We were discussing our children's difficulties with their own friendships. 5th grade can be very trying, can't it?!

We all go through times of difficulties and hurt within our friendships. First of all, remember that God is our constant friend so we are never alone! Secondly, if you desire "human" friends, then be prepared that You Will Be Let Down at some point. And yet, we still gain something from those losses. Strength and understanding.

So for my kids...

To have a friend you must be a friend. Loyalty, kindness and generosity will attract the right kind of friends!!

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Final Word on Christmas Cards

Thanks to my blogging friends' comments, I finished addressing and mailing my Christmas Cards. And I did it with a thankful and joyous heart! I kept my list small, mostly just going to family and friends out of town. I won't feel guilty if I missed someone, because most of my friends don't expect me to be perfect and hopefully I'm able to show those around me that I care in other ways. At times, I get into this "why me" ridiculous pity party over things that don't matter at all. The holiday season is stressful for most and with the cards, I was trying to find legitimate reasons to put off the work. I vow to never again obsess over this trivial task.
Thanks again to my buddies. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that the comments left on my last post were heartfelt and encouraging. (God's love shines through all of you)
Now, I'm off to the store, gifts to wrap, house to straighten up, party to attend this evening!

Thanks Marty

It doesn't happen often, but once in a while, someone takes time out of their busy day to share some encouraging words with someone else. And the God part of that, is that it happens exactly when it is needed!

I've been struggling this week with a teenage dilemma. I have good kids, but this is part of growing up. In fact, I am more than grateful for the relatively small troubles that I've been faced with thus far. Yet, here I am, heartbroken that my son hasn't discovered the importance of good grades. This kid is a sponge! He has talent beyond my dreams, but homework isn't fun and therefore does not merit his full attention. You can imagine my frustration and despair.

Here's where God stepped in today...
I received an email from my buddy "Marty." She jumped right in with the humor, empathy and encouragement. In just that order too! Write that down... humor, empathy and then encouragement.
Humor is sometimes a touchy matter. It may not be a good idea to start w/ humor in a more serious matter, but in this case it was absolutely a necessity. Empathy, not everyone can relate to each other's problems, so if that is the case then go with sympathy instead. And the most important of all is encouragement! God is our finest encourager, but we have this power also. I don't know why we don't share it with others more often. Take some time today to be an encouragement to someone else. It's as easy as sending an email, making a phone call or just smiling at a stranger!

Lastly, I just have to share the humorous part of the email that Marty sent me...
"I heard one time that raising teens is like being pecked to death by chickens."
Isn't Marty a hoot?! Thank you Marty!