Girlfriends are a necessary gift every woman needs.

I was privileged to get to spend the bulk of the weekend with my girlfriends. We went to a Christmas party that involved at least five states and 17 women.

I had two of the 17 spend the weekend at my house. We laughed and talked until after midnight on Friday, and finally went to bed when Michael reminded us we were going to be getting up in just a few short hours.

We got up at 5:30 and left my house at 6:45 to head to my friend Anne's house. We had a quick, delicious breakfast at her house and then all 7 of us piled into the big white van aka the Fun Bus!

In the blink of an eye we were in North Carolina at our friend Julie's beautiful home eating, talking, laughing and even crying a few times (sorry about that girls - you know talking about my babies always does me in). Oh and did I mention we ate - oh did we ever eat! Delicious each and every thing I tried. Boy can my friends cook!

I got to see some friends I've not seen in a while and meet some new friends that I've known for some time but not yet met. God is good and in the details. Got to find out the Fun bus does not like muddy spots - thank the Lord for not having to push. ;0) We had such conversation and laughter for many hours and then turned around and in the blink of another eye we were back at Anne's dropping people off and heading back to La Geron.

I was telling a friend at church this morning about my day and realized that I was driving 10 hours out of the day yesterday. It sure didn't seem like it was 10 hours. I haven't laughed that hard in so long and am so blessed to know such great people. And all of this has been possible because of one little conversation my sweet Sophia started 4 years ago this next week. What a blessing and what a gift.

So when was the last time you spent a few hours laughing with a girlfriend or a room full of your girl friends? Make sure you take time for those relationships. God is in them and in the details of them. He wants us to love on each other by laughing, eating with and encouraging each other. I truly believe He delights in the laughter of his people enjoying each other's company.

In Christ's Love,
Peg

Unexpected grief and unexpected blessings...

Yesterday I went to see one of my best friend's families. Her kids all got out of school yesterday and we went to their house to visit and swim. We had a great time and I was glad to see my girlfriend. We used to live next door to each other. Our kids are similar in age and we have learned and grown to be the best wives, homemakers, mothers and daughters of the most high King together. In a perfect world all my girlfriends would be next door.

When I got ready to leave her house I called my beloved to tell him I would be going shopping for the annual Father's Day gifts with the girls before coming home. As I told him it suddenly hit me in a very physical way that I would not be buying one for Daddy this year. The grief was just overwhelming. I felt like I'd been hit -hard. My beloved tried talking me through it on the phone but truth be told I could not talk at all. Then it hit me even harder in the store. I was trying so hard to hold it together for my girls. I didn't want to scare them. I was so close to coming unglued right there in Sears. Praise the Lord I didn't.

The blessing of it all is the unexpected part. At least unexpected by the world's standards. I have friends all over the world who use the same curriculum we use. I posted on my forums that I was having a hard time. My friends have been praying for me all day - all over the world. I have felt and been upheld by those prayers. In a physical way that is so very hard to describe.

I am so very thankful for my emaginary friends. And my IRL friends. My friend Cheryl talked me through a tough moment this morning. My friend Amy was Christ in the flesh last night. She took care of me when no one else was around to do it. I don't know what I'd do without my girlfriends. I don't know what I'd do without my church family. Both here and all over the world. I am thankful for the blessing of the family bound by the blood of Jesus.

So in the midst of this crazy day I am praising HIM ever more. He is there carrying me through the prayers of old friends and new friends. I can't wait to get to heaven to see my daddy and have all my girlfriends next door.


In Christ's Love,
Peg

Girlfriends ...

And why I love mine.

First, they are there to scrape you off the floor whether you are down there because you are laughing or crying hysterically. And they wait for you to come back from the ladies room before telling the rest of the story that put you on the floor in the first place.

Second, they are there to listen to you vent one more time about the same situation ONE MORE TIME! And they don't complain that you already told them that three times.

Third, they are there to help you when you need it even when you don't think you need it.

Fourth, they can make me laugh/cry faster than anything and they know when I really need it.

Fifth, they love me warts and all. And I've got a lot of them.

Sixth, they encourage me to continue to grow in the Lord by their words, actions and love.

Seventh, they all pretty much knit or appreciate my knitting with the appropriate awe.

Eighth, they like my cookies, bread etc. and gladly try one more thing I've made.

Ninth, they share clothes, yarn, food, drink, tears, laughs and more yarn, food, drink...

And tenth, God put them in my lives at the right times and I'm so very grateful to have them all. Thank you Lord!

So go love on your girlfriends today. Call one and chat. Meet one for dinner or coffee. I promise you won't regret it.

In Christ's Love,
Peg