Real Friends

I am thankful for my real friends.  I know you all probably have at least one of your own.  He or she is that friend who loves you day in and day out no matter what.  You can share all of your secrets with them, laugh until you cry, dance with them like no one is watching, cry the ugly cry, tell the truth, never wear a game face, count on them to be there before you ask …  You get the picture. 

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

from The Velveteen Rabbit

I am so very thankful for my real friends.  If this made you think of someone, drop them a note or give them a call.  Real friends are a treasure.

The Invitation

When I was in the fifth grade, a new friend changed the course of my life.  Seriously.  My entire life from the fifth grade until now.  She began by inviting me to retreats and youth group functions over the next three years.  When we were in the 8th grade, she invited me to camp.  When camp was over, I started to attend SBRCC on a regular basis. 

Over time, this friend stopped coming to church.  I still call her and I still invite her.  I know what a difference her invitation to me made.  Yesterday, she and her family came to church.  It wasn’t the first time in years, but it was the first time in years I was able to sit by her.  As I sat there with her I thought about all of the people that I love and have great friendships with as a result of her invitation. 

• I met and married my husband there
• We are raising a child there
• Our child was baptized a year ago there
• My sister met and married her husband there
• They are raising two children there
• I met my best friends there – these are true, life long friends

The list goes on and on.  As a result of her invitation, I have a relationship with the Lord that has allowed me to grow and love in a way that I might never have experienced. 

Share your faith.  It just might change the course of someones entire life.

Thank you for the invitation Chantell, I love you. 

You Might Be A Redneck

… if you are in Jr High where Chelsea goes to school.  “Redneck day” kicks off jr high homecoming week today.  So, I guess you might be a redneck if you start homecoming “week” on a Thursday ?!  Redneck day will be followed by cartoon character day, twin day and spirit day.   Obviously, homecoming “week” continues next Monday and Tuesday.  No homecoming week would be complete without a dance – except one at a Christian school.  So, this weekend there will be a Homecoming Luau.  Did I mention that exams start Monday?  And the “homecoming game”  is Tuesday night? 

Other homecoming issues would be three girls who want to be Chelsea’s twin on twin day.  She can’t have three twins.  I suggested they break into pairs – trying to be the peacemaker Mom – ha!  That started a riot!  The other three did not want to dress up like each other.  That left Chelsea with the job of choosing which one would be her twin.  She settled it the best she could.  One will dress up with her on twin day, one will be Thing 1 on cartoon day and she will be Thing 2.  The third girl is still left out but says she doesn’t care because she doesn’t want to dress like anyone except Chelsea.  Maybe Chelsea and girl 3 can wear matching blue shirts on spirit day.

Ah, homecoming week with 12 year old girls …  It makes me glad to wear uniforms on a regular basis (sorry Christi).

Full Circle Moments

Some things are falling in to place for me now and I am having more and more “full circle moments”.   As these little moments happen, I realize I am an adult now.  Sometimes that hits me out of the blue.  I really don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my age or the age I was when my parents were the age I am now.  (follow that?)  But, when the full circle moments of life happen, I am reminded that I am defintely getting older.  And I like it.  I am in a good place now with memories of good things and good things to look forward to. 

The best full circle moment I have had lately was out at camp during our week.  (surprised?)  On Sunday morning, the staff comes together for worship and the purpose of entering the week with the right mind set.  This year, as the communion tray was passed and I looked around at the faces of the staff members that I was in the youth group with and the staff members I have known since they were campers (some even since they were born!), I was not prepared for the emotional impact I felt when I saw my daughter and Christi’s daughter sitting side by side sharing communion as Christi and I have done so many times.  Full Circle Moments – some are more joyous than others.

I Wish You Would Blog

I read plenty of blogs everyday.  I read all of the ones that I link to.  In addition, I click on the links at Dusty’s site, John Dobbs site and Sandy’s site.  I never miss Jeff Jenkins’ site because I love to read “It’s a great day at Shannon Oaks Church!”  His enthusiasm for what he does really shines through.  All of these are great and are fun for me to read.  However, there are some people who do not blog (!) and I would love to read what they have to say.  They are (in no particular order) :

George Myer – he’s a level headed guy.  I appreciate his willingness to rely on scripture even though, in some cases, he has to eat crow because of what the scriptures say.

Christi Grady Marin – She is an awesome wife and Mother.  She has the heart of a servant and she should share some of her insights.

Sara Fergus and Van Chesney – oh the wisdom!  and lessons that could be learned from such beautiful women of God.

Ray Morris – because when I was a teenager I did not appreciate fully what he was trying to teach me.  I would like to opportunity now to learn some things from what he has to say.

Lance Hendrix – because he is so stinkin’ funny!

Eddie Parish – wouldn’t that be a fun one !  If you know Eddie P., you know what I mean! 

32nd Anniversary

Yesterday during church we looked back at 32 years and then we looked forward.  I really enjoyed it.  It was neat to see all of the people who were at South on the first Sunday and it was neat to see how the church has grown and the different ministries that people have been involved in. 

My favorite part was hearing Mr Ray talk about the youth ministry.  The “young people” are so important to him and you can hear it in his voice.  I remember a special time following Scotty’s dad’s funeral when Miss Sam came to our house and talked about the youth ministry and it’s importance in the beginning of South. 

The service yesterday led to a lot of discussion in our house.  We talked about fond memories, youth ministry, tradition, out-of-the box thinking ….

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I have written and deleted many times while trying to compose this post.  I cannot seem to adequetly express my love for this congregation of people.  Thanks for the memories, thank you for helping (sometimes pushing) me to grow, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for 32 (25 in my case) great years! 

Prayer Requests

I am interrupting the Pensacola story to bring you two special prayer requests.  Please remember Vicki in prayer today.  She is scheduled for surgery at 10:30.  Vicki is a remarkable woman and a true servant.  Please pray that her surgery is successful.

My second request is for a member of our “soccer family”.  Hannah is a good friend of Chelsea’s and they have developed a special friendship throughout the past two seasons of soccer.  Hannah has been to camp with Chelsea as well as a few youth group activities.  Hannah’s older sister, Kasye, was in a car accident yesterday and was air lifted to the hospital.  Today she will see an ortho doctor and a plastics doctor.  She has a broken pelvis and lumbar spine.  Please remember this entire family in your prayers.

***********UPDATE *******************************************************

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY FOR VICKI – NO CANCER – REJOICE! ANSWERED PRAYERS !

A Few More Pictures

For a few more pictures of Chelsea’s baptism, click here : http://picasaweb.google.com/lsteinlee .  All of the people that attended (some not pictured) have had such a great impact on Chelsea.  I love the picture of George with Chelsea.  Even though you cannot see their faces, the picture reminds me that the love we (should) have for one another in the body knows no boundaries (age, color, male or female, short or tall, etc).   

Weekend Notes

I learned some things before, during and after my friend weekend.  Here is a random list:

… it is against my better judgement to ask a man on the street in N.O. how he is doing.  It is not against my friend’s husband’s  better judgement.

…  in a parents vs. kids soccer game, it is good to let the children win.  So we did.  Final score Kids 5 Parents 1.

… having your vacuum cleaner break while you are doing “one last run”  through the house will send you into complete panic.  Your sister will save your butt by letting you borrow hers.

… so much of what we do centers around where we are going to eat and when we are going to eat next.

… a true friend enjoys “dining” at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville with you and for the same reason you like it : it’s a Jimmy Buffett thing !

… my brother in law makes a mean gumbo and was nice enough to share it with all of us.

… I always learn new things about LA when my husband is a host.  He really enjoys that part of having company. 

… Seven people, two bathrooms and we’re all still friends

… the people living in my friend’s old house ruined it by adding siding.  It made me wonder what bad movie they were watching on a Sunday afternoon.  (Do siding companies sponsor bad movies where you live?  Or is that only in BR ?)

… there is nothing better than having a friend like my friend and spending the weekend with her every once in a while is an added bonus

CRAZY with excitement

Today I am so excited I cannot sit still!  My best friend’s family is coming to visit us from TN.  I am looking forward to an awesome weekend.  Her entire family gets to come this time, including her husband who we joke must be my soul mate because we are so much alike.  As a matter of fact, she and my husband share a few personality traits too (all good of course).  This is my plan for their visit : #1 The family shows up #2 We all have a great time!

Recently, I have been able to talk to my friend more on the phone (thanks to an unsuspecting, but superb boss) and we have been discussing “all things spiritual” in our lives.  It is so great to have a friend who lifts you up and challenges you to growin your walk with the Lord.  I can honestly say our friendship has changed my life.  We met when I was 16 and I knew immediately there was no one else like her.  Twenty-two years later (wow) we are still laughing and praying for each other and encouraging each other. 

If I knew how to link to another one of my posts, this is where I would do it.  Since I need a lesson (from Jimmy) on how to do that, you will have to manually go to my archives and search for the post titled “Friendships” on June21.  My friend who is visiting today, as well as some of the others that have been a blessing, are mentioned in that post.

Who is (are) your best friend(s) and why?