Lisa

Lisa and Kim

As you can see, my girls love Yisa (Lisa) Okay so you are probably going to kill me for that last picture, I am sorry. I love the way Gracie is loving on you:) And once I had it on there I couldn't get it off.

I am supposed to be honoring someone who has invested in my life every week. Well, I am very behind! So today I want to honor my dear friend, Lisa:)

Lisa is my get-to-see-you-almost-everyday-and-love-it-kind-of-friend! Through God's kindness we live about 30 seconds apart. They moved over near us a year ago, almost exactly:) We have known each other for about six years now, and four of those years we have known each other really well. We met at church in care group and began hanging out when we were both pregnant with our first little ones. I have so enjoyed our time together and being in the same season of life with Lisa. Jackson and Gracie are six months apart and so are Sydney and Piper.

Our kids are growing up together, which is a treasure to me. This morning Jackson told Lisa, "Mommy I am so glad Gracie lives so close.. it would be really sad if God had her move." We agree Jackson! My girls love Lisa and are so excited to see her when she comes in the door. Sometimes she gets more kisses from them than I do.

We share alot of the same passions-shopping, french fries, ice cream, eating out. Oh and of course we both love our Lord and Savior which is what makes our friendship sooooo sweet. We have been meeting for accountability for about three years now, along with another dear friend. Lisa is so great at listening to my struggles and encouraging me and pointing me to the Lord for my strength. And most of all I am so grateful that she prays for me so faithfully! And if that wasn't enough, she is very quick to ask me about things I have shared to check up and see how I am doing and if I have followed through with how I am supposed to be responding to things.

Lisa, Danny, Jackson, and Syndey are really like family to us. We hang out ALOT. Thank you for putting up with me! When we are together we always seem to have so much fun. Whether we are playing the Wii, cards, or just talking about what God is doing in our lives the fellowship comes naturally. Danny and Jeremy joke about us needing a date night! Funny, we think that's a great idea;)

My friend is also very humble. She is open to input and desires to grow in her walk with the Lord and in the way she serves her husband and children. When circumstances are difficult for her at home I rarely hear her complain. She is quick to point to the good that is going on and how God is meeting her needs. Keep it up!

She is also such a servant to me. Lisa is constantly offering to watch my kids for Drs appts or when I have migraines. I know she is just a phone call away. Thank you for that friend!

Well there is so much more I could say about my dear Lisa but I will close with this verse...."I therefore..urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift." Eph 4: 1-7

Lisa thank you for living these verses. For walking with me in love. You are a gift of grace to me!

Love you!!!!

They're Baaack!

Yes, my girlies came back home yesterday! They have been at Gamma and Papa Ron's since last Friday!! They were having so much fun that they begged for a few more days. So Jeremy and I let them stay. What a gift it is to be able to let my children spend precious time at their grandparents like this. And what a blessing that we have Ron and Wanda to desire this time with them. You guys rock!

Which leads me to my next point... Part of my plan for reviewing 2007 is to honor those who have invested in my life. You are supposed to write them a letter but there are sooooo many people who have invested in me. I just thought I would honor them here, one by one so that all of us can give glory to God for them. So maybe I will do one a week. Who knows? They will be in random order:) Starting with my dear in-laws.

Ron and Wanda, Thank you for my husband first of all. Thank you for caring for him those 21 years before I met him. For loving him unconditionally. And thank you for loving me like you do. That is such a privilege that I do not take lightly. That you would accept me into your family and love me like I was your own. Thank you so much for that. And thank you for loving my children. Oh my, they soooo love spending time with you. I am so grateful to God that we live close enough to see you as often as we do. Thank you for the effort you put into making that happen. Gracie asked me the other day about where our geese had gone. (We have a pond with geese) I told her they flew south for the winter. Gracie wanted to know if she could go to Angier for the winter!!! It was sooo cute, but what a testimony to the care they receive from you. They adore you two! Thank you for playing so hard with them and spending quality time with them while they are there. Thank you for trying your best to uphold our standards:) You do a great job honoring our wishes.

Most of all we love seeing you grow in your walk with the Lord. Papa Ron, thank you for consistently seeking the Lord! I love hearing about what he is doing in your life. And thank you for pointing Gracie and Piper to Him often.

You are both incredible servants. They do meal on wheels for homebound people in their area. They have been doing this for years. I used to go with Wanda when I lived there. It was so neat to see how many lives they have touched doing this. Wanda also just started reaching out to a nursing home in their area. She saw that noone was caring for these people outside of the staff that work there and she got busy. Now three churches are involved! They have provided food, clothing, parties, and lots of love to these dear people. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

I love you guys! Thank you for investing in my life through your love for me, my husband/your son, and my children. Thank you for taking the girls so that I can have a break, go on a trip, or spend extended time with the Lord. You are a blessing! I will be there to testify to the Lord of your faithfulness on the last day. I can't wait to hear Him say to you "Well done my good and faithful servants!"

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." YOU LIVE THIS SO WELL. GOD IS PLEASED!