what is no more

I somehow found my way back to my old blog and got stuck there for a long while. In tears. Remembering what was and is no more.

Memories that literally seem a lifetime ago …

I came across many different posts … happy, sad, stressed, birthing children, raising children, the store, vacations, and friendships.

The friendship ones seem to have gotten the most tears from me. And I’m crying again as I type.

As I was perusing, I came across this video … it reminded me of the “tribe” I had. Friendships I treasured. Friendships I never thought in a million years would go away.

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17

And now they’re friendships that suffer at best. At the time I posted this video, it represented my own “pigeons” … the ladies I would grow old with. We had journeyed breast cancer, parents dying, sickness, children, schools, potty training. I thought I would always be surrounded by these women … limping one minute, being carried the next.

{if you’re reading via subscriber, please click here to view video}

God created us for relationship … “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18 {NLT}

It’s been a difficult journey for me … finding lasting friendships in a unfamiliar town. And while I continue to pave my way into new relationships … there’s nothing like being surrounded by people who know you inside and out. They know your story and love you anyway.

And yet … with circumstances that were out of my control and not of my doing, circumstances that literally swept the rug out from under me … those circumstances took very special friendships right along with it.

I received this charm bracelet for a milestone birthday a few years back. It’s from my group of “pigeons.” They each picked a charm that represented me in their minds-eye and wrote me a card telling me why.

Even as I looked at each card, and the writing of my name on the envelope, with one look — I knew who each card was from just by the penmanship, or art work gracing the envelope. You know when you know your tribe so intimately, you smile just by seeing their penmanship?

I may’ve sat and cried over these cards, charms, and words yesterday … remembering what was and is no more.

To each and every pigeon who has entered my heart … I love you, I treasure you, and I miss you … desperately.

Posted in friends, movie

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(in)RL … it’s back!!!

True story!!

Did you laugh out loud? Or at least smile? Cuz it’s true isn’t it?

Some of my very best friends live in my computer! And I’ve been so incredibly blessed to have some of those friends become In Real Life friends!

Last year (in)courage had this “crazy” idea to take community off the computer screen and bring it into our homes … IRL. Crazy? Or God-directed? You be the judge.

Almost 2,000 women connected last year … and lives, hearts, and relationships were changed because of it.

Last year when (in)courage asked for women to host an event in their home, I stepped out in faith, signed up, and walked away blessed!

If you didn’t get a chance to attend, or host an event last year … never fear! Cuz guess what? It’s happening again!

Registration opens Monday January 14th at www.inrl.us
It’s FREE!
Here’s the BRAND-NEW-EVERYONE’S-INVITED-TRAILER

Important deets:

• About: (in)RL was born out of two years spent listening to women in the comments at (in)courage craving local, real life community. Derived from the social media acronym “IRL” or “in real life,” (in)RL is an invitation to share what we’ve learned about community and encourage women with stories and suggestions for connecting deeper in real life.
  
• When: The (in)RL webcast kicks off on Friday, April 26 and (in)RL meetups follow on Saturday, April 27.
• What: Last year we explored the nitty gritty of community. This year we’re taking a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community when sometimes just walking away would be so much easier and tons more convenient. Women share stories of how they’ve chosen to stay through hard marriages, challenging parenting, worthwhile friendships. How choosing to stay has freed them more fully and unexpectedly than if they’d cut and run.

Fun deets:

• Everyone who registers on the day registration opens (Monday, Jan 14) gets a copy of our (in)courage 365 Daybrightener while supplies last (US residents only).
• Everyone gets a copy of our first eBook: “Best of the Beach House 2012.”
• Think of it as a FREE girl’s weekend away that doesn’t require packing or plane tickets, where women can kick off any expectation of perfect, set aside their fears, their shyness, their worry that they’re not good enough, and find some of Jesus’ words of rest woven into every video shared here.

I’ve signed up to bring the beach into my home again this year and would be honored to have you join me! Sign up is easy-peasy … after you’ve registered, just follow this link and add your name. Hope to see you in April! {I’ll keep you updated right here with more information as the time draws closer!}

Posted in (in) courage, friends

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friends

“Friends love through all kinds of weather …” Proverbs 17:17 {MSG}

Friends:

• share sour gummy worms
• eat popcorn together
• take long walks on the beach … and in the park
• share sandy feet
• lay in the sun … and play in the surf
• encourage
• share fried pickles … three days in a row
• can sit in comfortable silence
• share sweaty headphones
• love at all times

Posted in friends

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for narnia … for emily …

Emily
11.15.96 – 8.10.11
Born to Eternal Life

Sweet angel Emily … the memories you’ve left behind continue to fill our hearts and minds. You, sweet girl are so dearly missed. So dearly, dearly missed.

Your mom, dad, and Kiki are doing their best to face each day with faith, strength, and grace, but at times grow very, very weary. I continue to cover them in prayer … lifting them before God asking for peace and continued strength. They love you forever Em and have been left with a gaping hole in their hearts. I pray for the day when they’ll see you again.

Thank you for your legacy. Thank you for who you are and what you did with the very short time you were allowed here on earth. You’ve touch me and so many others with your sweet, quiet, yet crazy spirit!

Remembering you today … and always …

Posted in friends, quote, random

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almost wordless wednesday :: bff surprise visit

Through a series of unfortunate events, our scheduled visitors had to cancel. One of those visitors was the family of Piper’s BFF from Wisconsin. Oh how my heart hurt thinking about the disappointment of my soulful 10 year old!

And then … a light bulb moment! I enlisted some help from the families of both Wynter and Piper’s WI BFF’s … and we secretly had the girls flown out for a visit!

My girls had NO IDEA whatsoever! And I could barely contain my excitement! I was at a conference all weekend and told them I’d have a surprise for them when I got home.

Once home and parked safely in the driveway, I had their friends climb into the trunk, and then called my girls out for their surprise.

This is what followed …

I’m not gonna lie … I truly thought there’d be nothing but hootin’ and hollerin’ … instead, it was a sweet reunion of hearts longing to be together again. And watching them together this week has made me one happy momma!

Have you heard? Beginning August 1, I’m hosting a Facebook study group on my e-book 31 days of faith. Each day in August, I’ll walk through the book with you in a more in-depth sort of way. My hope is to breathe encouragement into your day, to help you see Jesus, and to show you joy in the middle of a trial.

And … if that’s not enough fun … guess what? This weekend, July 28th and 29th, 31 days of faith will be available on Amazon for FREE! Free I say! So be sure to download it and tell all your friends too!

P.S. … don’t have a Kindle? No worries, download Amazon’s free Kindle reading app and you can begin reading on almost any device you own … including your computer! I’m all about the ease here folks!

Additional details found here.

Posted in friends, movie, wordless wednesday

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