Appreciation

When I wrote about driving four hours to photograph my friend's birth, Becky commented* about my being a good friend. I spent a large part of the day mulling over whether or not that was true. I want so badly to be a good friend, but I often find my own life so utterly consuming that I fail to set apart much time for others.

*You may notice that many of my recent comments have disappeared. It's a little glitch that I caused with Disqus by switching my domain from blogspot.com to just plain .com. Hopefully we'll get it fixed soon! My blogroll is gone too. More on that later. New comments are safe though, so please, comment away!;)

I was being selfless when I agreed to photograph the birth, but it didn't take twenty-four hours for me to realize that I might actually enjoy photographing births, friend or not.

Thanks Renee (my business muse and confidence builder!):)

I don't feel there is much I can do to connect with the world right now; I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling this way. My main ministry to the outside world happens on this blog. And I think that a lot of what I write here is important, but I'm always shocked to find that anyone agrees with me!

I turned thirty this year; I had to laugh because, if, with five kids at thirty years old, I still don't feel like an adult, it's very possible that I will always see myself as young. I just do not see myself as someone who is taken seriously. I guess that's not bad for my pride, but when others tell me that they receive something from this blog, I cry (every. single. time.). And I know it's not me, it's all God; but it's God through me, and I find great joy in knowing He can use my life.

Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to
the world.

I LOVE hearing from people I've never met in person, but because a prophet* is [indeed] not received in his hometown, I consider it a special honor to be appreciated by people who know me.

*I'm making a biblical reference, not referring to myself as a prophet.

So, I have to share with you all the honor that I received in the mail today!

First of all, the card was amazing! My sweet friend, whom I have know since grade school, wanted to thank me for my blog.

Yes, I cried.

She said,

I have been so blessed by your blog. When I need an encouraging word, I can always read your blog. Sometimes I feel convicted (in a good way) and sometimes I laugh. It always seems to lift my spirits.

Seriously, Sarah, you just made my year!

As if the card wouldn't have been enough, she sent all of these goodies for the kids!

Stickers, glow sticks, snacks, t-shirts, toys, workbooks...Amazing!

She obviously knows little girls!

And kids!

And my blog (I laughed out-loud at the roll of bubble wrap. Girl, you are too good!).

She hand-made this unbelievably beautiful blanket for Baby Bear (I bow to the domesticity)!! And while I'm not normally very materially sentimental, I cannot imagine ever letting this blanket get dirty!

Then, because I serve an amazing God (and have friends who serve Him too), there was cash in the envelope!

Ummm, didn't I just ask for blessing last night!

Sarah an Jon, I thank you both from the very bottom of my heart. It is an honor and a privilege to call you friends.

I'm feeling so encouraged and appreciated right now that I thought it might be fun to pass on the love (and possibly rebuild my blogroll at the same time)!

Do you have a favorite blogger?? Link to them in the comments section and tell me why you love them. I promise to visit every link and add at least some of them to my new blogroll!

And let's use this time to encourage the little guys. We may all have the same top five bloggers, but this isn't the time, or the place, to point to them.

Start linking. I can't wait to meet your (in real life but not necessarily in person) bloggy friends!