Friends for Life!!!

Go with me back in time......
It's August 2005. Steven and I are newlyweds, adjusting to being a blended family and less than a month into our first ministry together. Steven comes home from the church one day and begins to tell me about a family he met that day. Our church had a want-ad for a nursery position and a couple came by the church to inquire about the position. This couple had just moved to the Army base that was about an hour a way from our church. I couldn't believe what Steven told me that day. This couple was newly married. The wife had 2 kids from a previous marriage and their daughter and son were the EXACT ages of our daughter and son.
After that meeting, despite the distance, this family became one of the most committed members of our church.
Sean, Dee Dee, Kiara and Jacob are some of our dearest friends. Sean, who was a Chaplain Asst. in the US Army, is a gifted singer and musician and he eventually became the worship leader at our church. (Dee Dee is a gifted singer as well!) We always knew their time at our church was limited because of the Army and Sean's plans to eventually go to seminary so he could move on to the Chaplain program. This past October it became official. Sean was discharged from the Army so he could attend seminary and God opened a door for him to be the Youth and Music Pastor at a church in their home state.
Here's some pictures from a going away luncheon~
Dougie and Jacob Emma and KiaraWhen Sean was released from the Army, he was commissioned as an officer into the Chaplain Program the next day. It was a very informal event but monumental in Sean and Dee Dee's life so we were honored when they asked us to attend. I couldn't understand why he would be discharged one day and commissioned the next but it was such a rare occurrence that the Colonel pictured below had never been a part of an event like this in his 30 years in the Army. Pretty cool, huh?!
The Colonel sharing some words of wisdom with Sean~

The Colonel, Capt. S. and Sean. Sean being congratulated by his fellow comrades. Sean and Steven I can't tell you how much I love this couple!!!!Even though I miss them, I'm so excited that God has started this new chapter in their lives. One thing I learned from Pastor Johnny is that when people follow God's call into ministry and leave your church, you're not "losing" them but sending them out. If we're losing them, then it's about us but if we're sending them, then it's about HIM.

Sean, Dee Dee, Kiara and Jacob, we love y'all sooooo much!

1980-Something

When I was younger, I use to wonder what it would be like to be able to say, "I remember 20 years ago..." I don't know why I focused on the 20 year mark, maybe in my young mind I thought that if you could remember something from 20 years ago then you were old. Well I'm waaaay past being able to remember 20 years ago, in fact I probably can remember things from 30 years ago. Oh who am I kidding, of course I can!

Early this summer, I was able to get together with some of my best friends. Growing up, we didn't attend the same schools but we grew up in church together. Almost every memory I have from my teenage years include these girls.

My mom found this picture, we think it's from 1986 or 87. (Over 20 years ago!) And from the abundance of pastels and sparkling white shoes, I'm postive that it was Easter Sunday.
From L to R:
Kim, me, Danny (Jean's boyfriend, who was also our chauffer since none of us were old enough to drive), Jean, Laura (my sis), Jan (twin sister of Jean) and Sabrina.
Fast forward to 2009


Gone are the days of big hair and little waists. (I wouldn't want the big hair back but wouldn't mind the little waist!) And even though we're not as close as we were back then, I know that if I needed these girls they'd be there for me in a heart beat!


Along the same vein, this past week, we got together with one of Steven's best friends from high school. Chad moved away their Jr. year (84) and they hadn't seen each other since. Thanks to FB, they reconnected and found out he lives about 3 hours from us. So we took a get away to Jekyll Island on Tues. and met Chad and his wife for dinner. It was so much fun seeing them rekindle their friendship.


And next month, I will have my 20 year high school reunion!

Love Y'all Dearly!

Friends.....

Thank you to Mindy for this sweet award. Even though Mindy and i have never met, I consider her a friend. She is a pastor's wife and I love to read her blog!
As part of this award, I have to answer the following questions:

Do you have the same friends as childhood?
I have 2 that I keep in contact with because our families are so close. But other than that, not really.
What do you value most about your friends?
honesty!!!! And being able to laugh and have a good time.
Are your friends your sounding boards?
To be honest, my husband is my first sounding board but I do have my sister, my mom and some other friends that I turn to for advice. I've even emailed a few pastor's wives that I 'met' through blogging to get their advice about ministry stuff.
What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?
I love attending women's conferences with friends because it's like a girls get away weekend and a get away weekend with God! You can never underestimate the bonding experience that traveling together will do for a friendship. :0)

I want to present this award to some friends:

Laura, my sister, even though she hasn't updated her blog in months!

Amy, a sorority sister and friend for life!

Natalie, a bloggy friend and fellow pastor's wife.

Shelley, a dear friend who has taught me so much about blended families!