Inspired by Love

This summer has been exciting and challenging in many ways.  I've stepped outside my comfort zone and forced myself to try new things.  One of those new things is to make new friends, something I'm not quite good at considering I'm an introvert who is not prone to initiating friendships.  One of those new friends is Kirsten LaBlanc.  Kirsten is a wife and mother to a 3 year old little girl.  She is passionate about writing and blogs over at Eating Neon Yogurt.  Today Kirsten has opened up her blog to me.  I am both humbled and honored at such an opportunity.  Thanks, Kirsten!

A few weeks ago when Kirsten gave me the opportunity to guest post, she asked me to write something that was "inspired by love."  Click here to read my first ever guest post!

Friends Simply Make Life Better

Mondays are typically long days, and today was no exception.  After such a great weekend, who wants to go back to work or school or whatever?  As much as I enjoy my job, sometimes I would love to just stay home and sleep in.  Especially because I'm a night owl and sleep does not come until late most days.

No such luck today.

And that's OK.

Because today was a good day.

Today is the day the Lord has made & His mercies were brand new for me this morning.  (Check out Psalm 118:24 & Lamentations 3:23)

Instead of feeling exhausted all day long, I had energy to make it through the day.

I laughed.

I got all my work done.

I even had a good attitude while standing in the line at Kmart for 10 minutes because there were only 3 lines open.

Then this evening I got to spend time with my husband, my best friend, and her two girls.  And that made all the difference in the world.

Friends simply make life better.

Monday may have started out a little bit manic, but it ended up being a whole lot of wonderful.  :)


How was your Monday?  Was there something good about your day that you'd like to share?

meet honesty

Meet Honesty!

L-R:  Josh, Honesty, me

Honesty - yes, that's her real name - and I have been best friends for what seems like forever!!  In reality, we met sometime during our middle school years and have pretty much been friends ever since.  While I don't remember the exact day we met, I have a lifetime of memories with this girl...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We've been through it all together, even when we've been apart.

One of my favorite memories is actually one I've shared about before on this blog.  As kids we came up with dance movements to the Audio Adrenaline song "Big House."  To this day, every time the song plays on the radio I remember the dance moves and all the silly times we had together.  What makes me smile even more is that Honesty taught her daughters the dance moves, so our legacy of silliness will go on and on for generations to come (well, maybe)!

Another one of my favorite memories with Honesty is this one particular summer at Kings Island.  We were determined to ride every roller coaster in the front car & front seat.  So we'd wait in line for what seemed like an eternity and then finally it was our turn.  Well, that summer we had watched Encino Man with Pauly Shore over and over and over again.  We had every single line of the movie memorized (and probably still do)!  Anyway, we were riding the Vortex or the Beast, and as we were slowly climbing up the long hill to the first drop we'd say to each other, "I'm a stony crusty dude, did you know that?  And I've got a mop on top!"  and laugh like crazy!  (Yeah, we're weirdos....)

Anyway, yesterday Honesty celebrated her 31st birthday!  She and I spent a couple hours together, and during our time together I really had a chance to witness something special...something I've known all along about her.  She truly loves with an unconditional love and walks in forgiveness.  Those are rare qualities to find in friendships today.  Yet Honesty possesses them.  I'm thankful that God blessed me with such a wonderful best friend, and today I celebrate her life and friendship.

What memories do you share with your best friend?

meet hayleigh

Me & my 'lil sis' Hayleigh

Last summer around this time I met Hayleigh, a 13 year old tomboy that lived next door to my father-in-law's grocery store.  Whenever I was in the store, she seemed to sense that I was there (or maybe she just saw my car & knew I was there....she's smart like that), so she'd come over and visit.  We developed a bond pretty quickly, and to this day people either think she's my little sister or my daughter (I prefer people to think she's my little sister.  I'm not old enough to have a teenager!).

Hayleigh is a beautiful, intelligent, funny, caring, artistic girl!  She's always doing something or saying something to make me laugh.  We spend a lot of time laughing together.  She's also very creative and artistic.  Hayleigh loves to draw and write.  Although her creativity has a tendency to get her in trouble (she draws what she feels, which is often anger), she has such talent.  With just a little bit of guidance, her artwork would flourish.  Hayleigh also has a heart to help care for poor, neglected children and animals.  One day she and I brainstormed about what she could do to make a difference in the world.  She wants to go to Africa someday and help kids there.  While she still thinks it's an impossibility, I know that with God all things are possible. 

There is no doubt in my mind that God brought Hayleigh into my world.  I love this kid!  I pray that she will one day realize that God loves her and has great plans for her life.  She's gone through so much in her short life, yet has so much to give.  Without a doubt, she has blessed me and truly enriched my life!

Has God brought a "little sister/brother" into your life??

seasons

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

As a winter storm is fast approaching central Ohio, most Ohioans are anticipating spring's arrival. Not me. I love winter. Actually, I don't love winter as much as I love SNOW! There's something about snow that simply makes my heart happy. Maybe it's the way it sparkles like diamonds under the night sky. Or maybe it's because it is so white, so pure. Or maybe it's because of all the great memories I have of building snow forts with my brothers as a kid. Either way, snow is wonderful, and I hope that we get a ton of it tomorrow!

Even as I think about all the snow that we may get tomorrow, I can't help but think that spring is right around the corner. Not long after spring arrives, summer will follow, then fall. Before you know it, winter will be here all over again. Seasons.

Not only do we experience seasonal weather patterns, we also experience seasons of life. We experience seasons in our careers, families, friendships, etc. For me, I am going through of season of change in my friendships. To be honest, for the last several years I haven't had any close friendships. I have two best friends, but I don't talk to them on a regular basis. I haven't actually hung out with either of them in years. And to be honest, I've been lonely and longing for true friendships these past couple of years. But that is slowly changing. It's been hard, but I am putting myself out there and risking rejection in order to make new friends. There is a group of girls that I am developing friendships with, and I truly believe God has placed them in my life at just the right time!

What season of life are you experiencing right now? How are you responding to that season?