March Musings - Day 5

So I sat in on John's church's youth group today as he has been helping with it, and they were talking a bit about friendships. I got to thinking about my three closest friends so here they are:

Obviously, John is the first! He is steadfast, smart, silly, and stuck with me! Haha, but really, he is a great friend through and through. He's my sweetheart, my friend, my fiance, my confidante, my prayer partner...I could go on and on, but there isn't enough time so I shall say this: I really don't know what I'd do without him!

Heidi: I've known her the longest of these three. She's been a protective friend when I was younger, and the roles have reversed a lot as we've gotten older. She's good at giving advice and praying for me, and she knows a lot of my past struggles so that's helpful when something new or similar arises!

Emily: I haven't known her as long as Heidi, and probably a little longer than John but not much more. She's a great friend, loyal, and good at keeping secrets. She is always there to listen to you rant, and isn't afraid to rant at the same time about life. She listens, prays, and hears you out.

Each friend is different in their strengths and weaknesses, they know different aspects about me, and yet they all are very special to me. 

So when you three read this, know I love you!!! And I thank you for everything!!

A Simple Prayer

A simple prayer on a walk home.
A miracle the following day was shown.
A friend was sent from many miles.
A friend to share so many smiles.
A blessing bestowed upon us all.
A simple prayer that was oh so small.

Beautiful Blessings - 11/3/15

~ Root beer floats with the birthday girl!

~ Listening to her and her bro jam on the piano! lol It was a lot of fun listening to them improvise....made me grin! :~D

~ Seeing the Milky Way! Its soooooo beautiful!

~ T-bug and her first Bible!

~ Pouring over old photos of my friends and seeing how they have changed!

Beautiful Blessings - 9/16/15

Friends....a topic on my mind today. And they certainly are a beautiful blessing!

~ Being there for you when you need them, and vice versa!

~ Being able to laugh together about anything!

~ Being able to get to know how each other think!

~ Being able to depend on their prayers for you!

~ Being on the verge of tears when you realize how special they are to you! <3

Friends are so incredibly special to have! Im very thankful for each and everyone of my friends! God has brought each one into my life for a reason, and its amazing to see who He brings, & why He does so! God is good!

Beautiful Blessings - 9/14/15

~ Finding a perfect hiding spot for a cat-nap and a bath! ;~) She even has towels to ensure everything is perfect! Heehee!

~ The girls getting their first swim lessons!

~ Swimming 8 laps, and Dad swimming 20! He swam a 1/5 of a mile!

~ T-bug getting 5 inches taller over the past year....tis amazing how they grow!

~ Having a friend's honest advice. Thanks girlie! <3

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,

    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 

~ Proverbs 27:9 (ESV)

Beautiful Blessings - 9/7/15

~ Having Heidi come over for a day of fun!

~ Chatting about anything and everything....with lots of laughing in between ;~)

~ Going for a walk and taking a detour at the creek! Ahhh the water felt so good! We saw a Monarch Butterfly, a frog, crayfish (aka crawdads), little fish and minnows, and a snake sunning himself on a rock!

~ Enjoying some delicious "Panda Paws" ice cream! Thanks Heidi!

~ Having fun creating a movie to the song "You've Got a Friend in Me!"

  

(Email readers will need to go to the blog to see the movie!)

Beautiful Blessings - 8/20/15

~ Meeting friends I have chatted with many a time and never met!

~ Being able to laugh with friends!

~ Safety driving through some nasty rain!

~ Celebrating T-bug's 3rd birthday!!!

~ Spending the day with John before he heads off to Seminary tomorrow!

Pneumonia and why I'm thankful for it!

Nearly 2 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Pneumonia is not fun, in case you want to know. You're exhausted, your lungs ache, and you just feel blah! Today I actually feel like I'm getting better. It's rather nice I must say, and while I could talk about my pneumonia, I'd rather talk about some things I find amazing and I'm so thankful for!

First of all, people who have been praying for me! So many of my friends, my family, my parents' friends and people from Church have been praying for me! To know that people care that much about you is truly amazing. For all of you who have been praying, thank you. It means so much to me!

Secondly, my friends have been a big source of encouragement! From quick "how are you?", to long emails full of alliterations, to listening to my ceaseless chatter, or even coming over for a visit, it's been so encouraging! I'm so thankful for their encouraging words, verses they've shared and just giving me something to laugh about! (Even though laughing really hurt for a while....  ;~)They've been such a blessing to me! Thank you, my dear friends, for everything you've done!

Thirdly, my family, specifically my parents. They've let me get in extra naps when I've needed them. They've given me space to just sit quietly to rest. They've gone out on snowy nasty days to get my medicine, and freezing-cold days take me to the doctor's. They have done so much for me. Thank you Mom and Dad!!

This pneumonia has been a test of my patience. I've wanted to do things, go out to the library/post office, help around the house, etc., but I've been unable to. Instead it's given me a chance to sit, and study my Bible. It's given me a chance to spend time in prayer and pray for others. I've even been able to encourage others which is hard to do when one is busy. I'm very thankful for this time of quietness. God is so good!

(Two little munchkins hopped on my lap while I was resting one day. They were cold from playing outside and ready for some delicious hot chocolate!!)

Prayer is......

 Prayer is......

 Associating with God

Beacon during times of trouble

Chatting with God throughout the day

Developing a deeper relationship with him

Enveloping yourself in his arms and love

Friendship with him that will remain strong and true

Getting wisdom for rough spots

Helping you occupy your thoughts in a God-pleasing way

Ignoring Satan's threats to focus on God

Just the way to get through life when it's hectic

Learning from your mistakes and releasing guilt

Messages straight to God that don't go through a post office

Never leaving his throne room when we constantly pray

Opening your mind to an infinite number of unimaginable things

Presenting your heart to God

Quintessential to growing in faith

Revering God

Sending God a message from your heart

Taking your faith to another level

Understanding a little more about who God is

Verifying your trust in God

Waiting for his answer patiently

Xylophones - harpsichords,  trumpets - organs, praise God through music and prayer

You can pray anytime, anywhere, for anything

Zealously opening your heart to God

Friendships Forged with Time

I like 2 of the definitions of the New Webster's Dictionary, one says to form by heating or hammering, and the other says to move forward slowly = Forge.

Friendships are so special to me. Some friends I've known since I was knee-high, others for the past few years, and yet others I've met with in the past year. Each friend is special, and each friendship is different, but a common is that no matter how long I've known them, they've been forged with time. When I read about heating and hammering, my thoughts immediately flew to Proverbs 27:17.

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.

How true! My one friend and I constantly keep each other on our toes. She knows how to tell me truthfully what's best, and I do the same for her. We keep each other sharp, and focused. By doing so, our friendship has been forged, sharpened, and grown. In fact for my birthday, she gave me a plaque that says: 

"Friendship is like sunshine. It keeps us warm and helps us grow."

The definition of friend (according to the New Webster's Dictionary) is a person known and well liked by another. My personal definition of a friend is someone who appreciates you for who you are; who will stand by you, and you for them; never leaving for frivolous things; and who is always honest with you.

Recently, I noticed another friend was online, so I messaged him to find out how he was, as I hadn't heard much from him. To be honest, at the time, I was bone-tired, yet when he said he was exhausted, it gave me a boost. Though I was exhausted, I was able to show empathy. I have a quote I keep in my Bible that says it best:

"You need people to hold you up emotionally and encourage you. By doing this, you will be strengthened, and they will be strengthened."

 I have a friend, who compared to my first-mentioned friend, I haven't known as long. She's battled many health problems, yet is always ready to pray for you, even if she needs prayer more. She has unknowingly showed me the verse below in tangible ways.

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 

but also to the interests of others.

Many many friendships have been forged and strengthened. Each one is special because each one has been forged in different ways. In order to have a deep and meaningful friendship, you need to invest in others. Find out how they are doing, what they've been up to, and how you can pray for them. This goes both ways. You also need to be open about what is going on in your life, things you are struggling with, etc. Quite often my friends have struggled with something similar, so they are able to reach out to for pray and comfort me, and I for them. Friendships are very important to me, and as they are forged, strengthened, and withstand the passing of time, then I know I have special friendships indeed!