Friends~~

I must say that I have been SO blessed to call many people my friend. There are different types of friends and obviously some are closer than others but I am blessed. I want to tell you a special story though about a few of my friends.

Being in ministry, it is hard to have close true friendships in which you can allow yourself to be TOTALLY 100% transparent. I mean, yes you go and do fun things together and you may chat about work, kids, receipes, etc but you can't just lay it all out there. This has probably been one of the biggest challenges for me as a minister's wife. I am a social person - seriously! I can't stand to be home more than like half a day before I am bored, I love to be with people.

While in college, I developed an AMAZING friendship. Sharon and I are TOTALLY opposite and yet we are so incredibly close! Sharon is quiet, likes Winnie the Pooh, loves to sew and cook. Ha ha me? I like to talk, watch action movies and sewing is meant for the factories and I am fine to pay someone to cook. Yet, for whatever reason we connected and have an amazing friendship in which we can share anything and everything. Sharon was there when I lost my sister, she was there a year later when our sweet friend Anita was killed in a car accident, she was there in my wedding, there for my first baby and we were even in the hospital at the same time with my third and her first! I can go for MONTHS without talking to Sharon, pick up the phone and it is like I saw her yesterday. The really cool thing is that Sharon grew up in a minister's family and so she knows the ups and downs of ministry....so she even can relate to that!

However, after graduating from college and moving on, Sharon and I were separated by distance and so although we still talk we can't get together near as much as we would like! As we went from church to church and one ministry to another throughout the past 15 years - I prayed for a friend that would be in the same town as me that I could TRULY relate to and be open with. Joel joined me in that prayer that it wouldn't just be a friend for ME but another couple that would be truly friends with us and that we would share interests with, life with, etc. So many times I almost gave in and said "never mind, guess it isn't that important". Yet - God is faithful! He hears the cry of His people and He answers!


When we moved to Bayfield Colorado, we were so blessed to be in a church that had younger families and couples. There are many that we are able to do things with and relate with. However - God had not forgotten my prayer for a couple that we could be open and close with. He answered! Dani and Tony entered our lives through church. I can't tell you that I specifically remember the day we met - I am sure it was one of our first Sundays here. However I CAN tell you when Dani and I connected and had a bond. It was at women's retreat when we were trying to sneak in a window of another ladies room and Dani said something about "this is an immaculate conception!" We looked at each other and laughed and laughed and laughed some more! Throughout the next several months our families came to know one another and a special friendship was built. As it turned out - Dani and Tony were BOTH preacher's kids and knew what life in the limelight of ministry was like so once again we could relate. Having another couple that is friends with you and can relate to you in ministry is so unique and so incredibly special. I am so blessed that not only did the Lord see fit to answer my prayer for a friend - He gave me someone who was married to a man who could be a friend to my husband.

Others have special places in my heart. For instance, my friend Misty from Wayland is like a solid rock and inspiration to me. She has 4 kids similar in ages to mine, she has a husband that is battling cancer, and she loves the Lord with all her heart! My friend Olivia here in Bayfield is like the calm and quiet that comes after the storm...she has such a tender heart and loves to serve others from the background. Of course, my Phi Chi sisters have been there too and that is a bond that can't be broken either! Several others come to mind as I turn the pages of my life - don't get offended if I didn't mention you by name because that isn't my point in this post. This is just a post to say how much friendship means to me!

All this to say - I am so thankful for the close friends I have been blessed with. For those that laugh, cry, and just sit with me. For those that hurt when I hurt and aren't afraid to point out my weaknesses or when I am wrong. For those that despite the curve balls life throws - are still there.

Just this past week, Satan challenged my friendship with Dani. It wasn't anything either her or I did but rather just some mean and hurtful things that were said to us and about us. I began to seriously feel guilty that I had made this special friend within the church - as though I didn't have the right to be closer to one person than another. However, I was reminded of this solid truth. Why would I question when God answered a prayer I had prayed for 15 years? Why would I feel guilty because the ONE who created me chose to love me enough to place a friend in my life? You see, the enemy doesn't want our happiness, he doesn't want us united with other believers - he wants us divided and angry and hurt. Thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with a David/Jonathan relationship and we were able to dodge the firey balls thrown from the enemy through prayer and acceptance of one another!

God knows our EVERY need. He created us to be relational, he created us to desire and long for close friendships and because He created us, He will bless us and meet our needs. Thanks Jesus!