5 Minute Friday: Friend

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This week's 5 Minute Friday topic is "Friend."  We have 5 minutes to write the first thing that comes into our  mind when we hear the word - unscripted, unedited, and real. Here goes.

Friend.

I was 19 years old and at a college retreat feeling alone.  Everybody seemed to know someone, and I felt a bit like an outsider.  She saw me sitting on the couch and made herself comfortable next to me.  She started asking me about my life, my family, and my dreams. We realized we had so much in common that God must have brought us together.

It is now 17 years later.  We talk, text or communicate almost daily.  She gives me a look and I know what it means.  She wells up with tears and my eyes well up too.  We have our share of inside jokes that make us laugh until we cry.  We have loved, we have lived, we have mourned, we have struggled - through joys and triumphs, through pain and heartache.

I cannot imagine my life without her.  As opposites, we challenge each other, we sharpen each other - because we know the potential that each of us has.  We won't let the other one fall.

She is my friend, a gift from God to me. He knew what I needed that day when I was 19, and He knows what I need now.  I am so thankful for her.

My Apologies

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This morning I clicked on a video by Michael Hyatt called "3 Blogging Mistakes That Are Killing Your Traffic."  BAM! I was hit by the first mistake - inconsistent posting.  Yep! That's me!  When life gets busy, my blog takes a backseat.  Last month I promised that each month on the 15th I would bring you a blogger interview. My first interview with Christin Slade was so fun to do, and I learned so much about her, that I decided I wanted to do one each month.  Yet weeks went by and I forgot about it!  Then I remembered, and could not decide who to interview!  So rest assured, I have been working on that and the post will be here shortly.

In other news, as you are well aware, our nation has been hit by another string of tragedies this past week.  From the bombings in Boston, to serious flooding in the midwest, to the factory explosion in Texas, it's almost impossible not to know someone in one of these areas. My heart has been heavy the past few days.  My heart is heavy not only for the victims of these tragedies, but by the response to them as well.  Instead of really praying, we hurl out reasons why these things happened that are not helpful.  The worst responses I have seen have been from fellow Christians, quoting Scriptures about the end times and prophecies and how we've left God out of our government and "this is why!"

Those responses are not helpful.  They are not loving. They are insensitive and pointing-fingers-in-victim's-faces.  What is wrong with us that instead of mourning with those who mourn, we launch into diatribes about why this is happening?  It's why I refuse to listen to talk radio, watch cable news programs with commentary, or participate in these kinds of conversations. One of the best blogs I read on this topic was my friend Don's blog post called "Terrorized" where he says we have been caught up in the sensationalism of it all:  " I’m sickened by those who in one breath tell us that they are 'praying for Sandy Hook or Boston' and then quickly turn to Twitter for the latest body count and rumors."

I admit that I have been one of those people who has gotten caught up in the sensationalism of it all - and isn't it partly because we are bored with our own lives?  It feels good to be connected with the rest of the world in some way?  But then we spend more time in the news than we do in the Word, and more time calling our friends than truly calling on the One we need to.

I'm not saying the news is bad, or we shouldn't be informed of the latest updates. But where is our heart in all of this?  Do we really care, or are we just pretending to?  Because if we really care, then let's check how we are spending our time, and spend more time praying for them than reading about them.

Please share your thoughts on this - how do you balance staying informed with not getting wrapped up in the sensationalism of each event?

I have written a few other posts on tragedies in the past, and how we can learn to respond appropriately and walk our children through these events.  Take a look:

When a Killer is Close By
When the World is Falling Apart
Choosing Peace Over Fear
Joy Through Pain
Be the Body of Christ
The Power of Goodbye
Heaviness

Winner! Winner!

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Thank you to everyone who stopped by from the Ultimate Blog Party '13, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom!  I am slowly getting to all of your blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds. I can't wait to learn more about each of you who stopped by.

A special thank you to Kelly Bowers, Independent Designer with Origami Owl, for providing our first giveaway item of a medium locket, 2 charms, and a ball station chain.  Please visit her website at Kelbirds Lockets, and give her a "Like" on her Facebook page too.

And the winner is:  Jim N Elisa Luangrath!!  Congratulations Elisa!  

Another special thank you to  Jennifer Hall, who provided the Garlic Lovers Gift Set from Wildtree.  Visit Jennifer's Wildtree website to see all of the natural and organic food products that they sell.

And the winner is: Michelle Boor!!  Congratulations Michelle!

I will be contacting both of you in the next day or so to arrange for shipping your items.

If you are new to my blog, feel free to visit me on:

Facebook

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and become a blog follower (click the button on the left), or follow by email (top left).

On the 15th of each month, I highlight another blogger (Read last month's interview with Christin Slade here), so stay tuned for that coming up.  

You also might be interested in reading some of my most visited posts:

On Motherhood

On Faith

On Home Decorating

On Recipes

On Photography

Thanks again for stopping by!

Ultimate Blog Party '13 - WELCOME!

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Welcome!  If you are visiting from 5 Minutes for Mom's "Ultimate Blog Party," I am so happy you have stopped by!

 

This blog is for you, whether you are a fun mom, a messy mom, a tired mom, an overwhelmed mom, or the mom who has spit-up in her hair and old oatmeal on her clothes, because I have been there.  My desire is that this blog would encourage you and minister to your heart.  But even if you aren't a mom, you will find fun information here too!  I love to blog about home decorating, recipes, photography, family and faith.

My two boys are 5 and 7 years old, and I have been married to my husband for almost 14 years.  My husband and I work in ministry at a church near Los Angeles, CA.  For the last two years, I have been speaking at MOPS groups and churches, as well as writing my first book, which I hope to be released later this year.

But enough about ME, this blog post is all about YOU!

This week I am sponsoring a giveaway of 2 fabulous items! Read about each of the item below, and then simply complete the steps for each item you'd like to win.

1) Origami Owl Living Locket ($40-50 value)

This giveaway is for one medium locket of your choice, two charms, and one ball station chain.   The    sponsor of this giveaway is Kelley Bowers, Independent Designer with Origami Owl.  (Winner must be in the U.S.)  Visit Kelley's website at KelBirds Lockets, or her Facebook page to see beautiful examples of these lockets.

To Enter, complete any one (or more) of these steps:


2) WildTree- For Garlic Lovers Gift Set ($25 value)

This giveaway is for one Garlic Lovers Gift Set by Wildtree (all natural & organic).  The sponsor of this giveaway is Jennifer Hall. (Winner must be in the U.S.) Visit Jennifer's Wildtree website  to learn more about the Garlic Lovers Gift Set, as well as to see the other amazing food products that they sell!

To Enter, complete any one (or more) of these steps:


Both of these contests will run from April 5th until midnight of April 12th.  I will contact the winners of each giveaway on Saturday, April 13th.

Thank you again for stopping by!  Leave a comment to let me know you were visiting from the UBP '13, and I'll be sure to visit your blog too!