It is so neat to see them growing in the Lord like they are. I know some of them have been really worried about me, so it was nice for them to see me in the flesh. Oh, while I was there, 4 of the boys shaved their heads for me. So sweet! And a couple of them were pretty attached to their lovely locks so it was a big sacrifice. The other two sport a shorter look already but it was still a very touching gesture and I love them all for it.
After that, we headed over to the worship night. It was really good. I did well all the way through it until my dear friend D. came over and gave me a hug and offered Jason and I communion. I pretty much lost it. She is a very special lady to us both (and especially to Baby Kearyn who has taken a liking to her) and she really just touched both of our hearts in a way that I can't even describe.
After that, we headed over to a fund raiser that my friend Sarah helped coordinate for me and another man here in town. His name is Steve and he desperately needs our prayers as well. It has been so amazing how God has worked through all of this. Evidently Steve and I were diagnosed at the same time. However, what Steve was diagnosed with was my worst fear. He has stage 4 Lymphoma. We went to a restaurant 2 days after my first treatment (which was crazy for us to even go because I did not feel well at all) and I saw his picture hanging up in the window with a little bio of what was going on. My heart just broke for him and his family. I remember telling Jason to look, that was what our situation could have been. I think I even blogged about it that night. Every since then I have been praying for him. When my friend Sarah said she was planning a fund raiser for Steve and wanted us to join as well, I just couldn't help but to realize that God had his hand on this whole situation as well. The last update that I received on Sunday was that Steve is in the hospital due to some complications from his chemo so please pray, pray, pray for Steve and his family.
We had a wonderful time a Domiano's. If you haven't dined there yet, you need to go. Anthony and Lisa are wonderful people and opened up their restaurant with open arms - literally, the first thing Lisa did was give me a hug when I arrived. Their food was amazing, that atmosphere is amazing, Jason and I definitely will be back for our next date night. :-)
Thank you to all who participated in the fundraiser. Thank you Sarah and Chris from the bottom of my heart for putting it all together and getting all of the silent auction donations. Sarah, I know you spent many hours away from that baby girl of yours to pour into us and it will never be forgotten.
Jason and I joked that by the time we got there after the concert it was like we had the restaurant all to ourselves with some of our very closest church family and friends. All of it was overwhelmingly wonderful. I also wanted to thank Randy and Wendy at Looney Bean. They donated so much stuff and on top of that came to the dinner to support us. We love you guys so much and if you are in Looney Bean, and you should be as often as you possibly can, tell them thank you for what they did for us.
So, on to what I wanted to write about tonight. I am hoping this isn't too long that it bores you but no guarantees.
One thing that God is really revealing to me during this process is my friendships. If you would have asked me 6 months ago, what was the one area I was weakest in my life, it would have been friendships. Not that I didn't have a lot of friends, it is just that I have always consumed myself with Jason and my children that I didn't feel like I am very good at maintaining them. I felt like I always fell short in doing what I needed to do to be a good friend. About six months ago I could really tell God was working on my heart in this area. It was like He was making me open up. I have always been a private person as I have shared before, but I know I have been through a lot of trial in my life. Each time I would go through something I felt like God would tell me, someday you are going to be able to help someone because you went through this. Finally, about 6 months ago, I felt like He was saying, okay, it's time - you need to start using the things you have gone through to help people now. Little did I know what He had planned.
In the past 6 months God has brought a lot of very lovely people into my life and He has also brought a lot of wonderful people from my past back into my life. I have started crossing paths with people I went to school with years ago and the list just goes on and on. So, here I am, fast forward to 6 months later, and I am surrounded by all of these wonderful friends. I can literally feel the love from so many of you. I know I have countless people praying for me everyday and it is the most wonderful feeling. I told Jason that I am going to be a walking testimony to the power of prayer.
But back to my point on friendships - I know God isn't done teaching me yet in this area. I do know that he has taught me a lot though in this area and I wanted to share these things with you.
- It isn't about the amount of time you spend with a friend, it is about the quality of the time you spend with that friend.
- A true friendship doesn't keep score.
- A true friendship can take off right where it leaves off no matter how long it is between conversations.
- You can be totally real and they will love you anyway.
- The difference between a deep and meaningful friendship and a superficial friendship is you.
- It is okay to tell your friends you love them and you need to do it often. Don't let words go unspoken as life is too short.
- True friends forgive.
- People can change if you let them.
- If there is a friendship there that needs mending - mend it. Again, life is too short and you never know, they just might need you more than you need them.
Like I said, I think God is just scratching the surface here with me on this subject. I am excited to revisit this topic at a future date(s) and I will continue to share what He is doing in this area of my life as well.
God bless you all. Thank you for you wonderful love and support. Oh, and thanks for your friendships. I couldn't do it without you.
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