Girlfriends

I have to admit - I have never really been one who has multitudes of girlfriends.  I'm more of a lone ranger with a select group of friends, some of whom happen to be girls.

A couple of years ago I really started praying that God would bring some true, grounded friendships with girls who challenge, encourage, and most of all love me for who I am.  It's taken some time for these friendships to come around - and I'm still one who has a small group of trusted girlfriends; but I truly feel like God answered my prayers!

Here are a couple of my great friends who I treasure:

 Monique

 

Monique is one of my greatest friends!  One of those girls that you just know if you need anything will be there in a heart beat.  She recently got married and was on her honeymoon - so we had no communication for a week & a half! Crazy!  But I am incredibly thankful for her.  She some how gets me to do things I normally wouldn't....Example: running.  She is so kind and gentle and aware of her surroundings.  She brings about a softer side in me.  And I love that our husbands get along so well -- it's one of those things where you don't even worry about the awkward silence, because we're always laughing.  That's probably one of the best parts about our friendship, the laughter.  There's always something to laugh about.  It's so fun!

Heather

 Heather has been one of my best friends since the first day we met in 5th grade!  She had just moved from another school to ours and we were at the same desk group.  Let's just say we bonded over a mutual love for all things Sanrio (it was the mid-late 90's...give me a break!).  Thru middle & high school we ebbed & flowed, but really bonded our friendship in our junior & senior year of high school.  We both chose to go to the local community college and ended up having a ton of classes together still.  My parents look at her as one of their kids, and her folks have lovingly called me "Froggy" since 5th grade (I have a tendency to lose my voice frequently).  She is such a lightning bolt - and marches to her own drum no matter what.  She's my go-to fashion girl when I need help, but most of all she knows who I've been, who I am, and wants me to be the best person I can be.  Plus it was fun having her stay with Isaac and I while her hubby Jim finished some school in VA over the summer.  We've been thru thick & thin together -- and I'm sure there's more to come!

Kathryn

Kathryn -- boy oh boy!  She seriously intimidated me the first couple times I met her.  Like border line afraid because she was that confident.  But bonded over  New Years weekend in Bend, primarily over Guitar Hero (at one point I thought she was going to have an seizure from playing for 6 hours straight)!  There have been so many changes in our friendship over the last 3 years, and I am so thankful.  The biggest, and most significant, change to our friendship came when Kathryn accepted Christ as her Savior.  I can vividly remember sitting in a local restaurant crying tears of joy listening to her share how she was ravenously reading thru scripture and sharing how God was meeting her in a really dark time.  I am so thankful for her -- she shares an innocence of loving God that you don't often find.  She cares so much for her students (she's an autism specialist for our local school district).  And most of all -- she is striving to love & glorify Christ in all that she does! Plus she pushes me to better - a better athlete(she's super intimidating in this aspect too, but I love it!), a better woman, a better wife, and a better follower of the Lord.

Lauren

We were introduced by my old mentor.  I think the first time we had coffee I might have scared her (I was talking about having a beer at Oktoberfest & maybe threw out a couple swear words here & there).  But out of it all she is a great friend.  Lauren is who I went to talk about what to expect on my honeymoon and we shared about our fears about being married, and now we share about the other things going on in our lives.  She is probably one of the least judgmental people I have ever met, and really strives to see the good in others; but is also equally logical.  If something is off, if someone is off -- she can see, feel and call it by name.  I so appreciate that in her.  She's no nonsense without being abrasive.  It's a quality I strive for (and tend not to be so hot at...).  Plus she's a freaking amazingly hard worker! This girl works in a law office as a clerk and then is in her 2nd year of law school! She is a rock star!  She always psyches herself out for exams, but KILLS em' every time!  I love that we are both down to earth and just have a good time sharing our lives.

These women are blessings that's for sure.  God has answered prayers - and of course continues to do so.

Who are you thankful for in your life right now?  

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