When Tina & I talked about a contest I was so looking forward to reading the responses. The girls of the company ( Jodi , Tina & myself) got together, got comfy and started reading. It was really hard to decide, there were some really good ones. This was the winner though, we all agreed on that. Which you can read and see why....
My four closest friends, Brooke, Becky, Katharina and Chelsea have not only been the phone conversations or movie nights out a girl needs once in awhile, but more importantly they have also been my support and encouragement through the year my husband was deployed and my first child was born. God has blessed with me four beautiful friends and four beautiful sisters in Christ. As I think about each friend and her own unique gifts, I can clearly see how God used each one of them to show me His love during what could have been a very tough year. .
Brooke, also my sister-in-law, has dealt with her own health struggles this past year, yet setting her own problems aside, she filled my house with talk, laughter and friendship when I needed it most. Specifically, the following weeks after Steve deployed and I was 6 months pregnant, she and my brother (her husband) made an extra effort to call nearly everyday and spend many evenings with me watching movies, playing cards, and simply sharing in conversation. I am sure they don't fully realize the comfort of their presence on those evenings, but without them, the last couple months of my pregnancy would have been incredibly lonely.
Recently we got new neighbors, Jared, Becky and their son Colton. It's amazing how God can fulfill a need before you even realize it's there. With a son only 6 weeks older than ours, a common love for fitness, the outdoors, and our relationship with Christ, Becky and I had no problem becoming fast friends and even better, morning running partners. Running together has given us much more than an incentive to get in shape, but also a chance for real conversation. It gives us an hour for advice and encouragement as wives, moms and women of faith. Having a willing and eager listener is a true blessing.
Katharina has endured an incredible test of her faith this past year when her 2 month old son was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot (a hole in his heart) and had to have open heart surgery at three months old. Amidst this personal agony helpless in her child's sickness, she was still visibly joyful in the Lord with such a peace and understanding that He is in control. She showed me that through every trial life brings, you can maintain a true joy in the Holy Spirit. Life does not depend on being happy about every situation, but it does mean being joyful and trusting in Him. She has also been an active part in strengthening my faith when she followed a call from the Holy Spirit to lead a cell group through our church and encouraged me to join her in a leadership role. I had reservations. I felt intimidated and inadequate. However, through her encouragement, I agreed and found that I have been more blessed as a leader than I ever could have been as a participant. Being in a leadership role has stretched and challenged my faith and taught me how to better hear his voice when he asks me to step out or accept a challenge.
Chelsea and I have the kind of friendship I will take with me everywhere. With both of our husbands deployed last year, we were each other's emotional support, but even better yet, we understood each other. I could never thank her enough for the support of this past year; the television/dinner date nights, Raleigh road trips, church events, running races, and most importantly birth coach. How do I thank someone for getting a call at 3am, rushing to the hospital 30 minutes later and assisting in the birth of my son? To sum it up, she has been and remains to be the friend who is always there and always will be.
I believe that God provides us friendships to illustrate the kind of friendship he desires with us. He wants to be our comforter, confidant, encourager, and support. He wants us to know that he understands us better than anyone ever could. He has placed each of these women in my life to give me a small glimpse at the friendship He desires with me. Each of these four women have showed me God's grace, love and compassion, for which I am eternally grateful.
This contest arrived at the perfect time. We (my husband and I) are PCS-ing this February to Columbus, OH and I have been thinking how I could thank each of these women for the past year before we move. A photo shoot would be a perfect way to have a tangible reminder of our friendship and a great opportunity to get all of them together before the year is out.
If for nothing else, entering this contest gave me a reason to really sit down and take a minute to reflect on each friend and realize how wonderful she really is.
Thank you, Rebecca!!!
The next few photo's I played around some in photoshop.... I found it fun...:)
Thank you all so much for a fun afternoon. You are all so beautiful and unique in different ways. I can see why Rebecca picked you all as friends... Hope you enjoy the pics.
