Tag Archives: Time

Girlfriends

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I’m taking some time to celebrate genuine girlfriends. No matter how old you are, if you’re a woman, you’ve probably had great female friendships, and a few not so good. Mean girls are not just reserved for high school. Most of those mean girls grow up to be mean women. But today – I want to give a shout out to those women who give unconditional love and support, who celebrate the great times, and stand beside us through the tough times.

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Women from the Class of 1978 – Durand High School

I’ve been blessed to have many wonderful women friends through the years. My high school classmates are still great friends, even though we don’t see each other often. We are planning a couple of “Girls’ Night Out” events so we can come alongside one of our own who is facing a tough health battle. We love her so much and want to show her our support.

“We are friends for life. When we’re together the years fall away. Isn’t that what matters? To have someone who can remember with you? To have someone who remembers how far you’ve come?” ― Judy Blume

As a young pastor’s wife, I moved to a different city wondering if I’d have difficulty making friends in this new place. It didn’t take long to bond with some amazing women who loved me and helped me acclimate.

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Ladies who brunch!

Friends who threw me a baby shower, babysat my boys, took us out for dinner, gave me homeschooling advice, had us over for family birthdays and holidays, sat with us through sickness and health. Priceless friendships that have stood the test of time!

I have been fortunate to have older women mentor me in ministry, marriage and parenting. I’ve loved the opportunities to mentor younger women in those same areas. They are treasured friendships that now span the country. Thanks to social media we can still be a part of each others’ lives.

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My sweet friend Nichole

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Best buddies Debbie and Jody

As I head toward my 60s,  I’m spending time in reflection…remembering fun road trips, shopping trips, ministry trips…ladies who have hugged me as I cried, ladies I’ve hugged through their own pain. We’ve prayed, laughed, worshiped, cheered, and eaten chocolate together. I’ve tried to stand by them through illness and grief…they have done the same for me. They point me to Jesus and my goal is to be a light in their lives.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate my beautiful sister as a girlfriend. She’s my confidante, my inspiration, my favorite friend. I wish we lived closer physically but I know there is nothing we would not do for each other.

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My sister – my first and best friend

Pray for your friends today. Send someone a card. Give one of them a call. Make a coffee date. Connect. As we get busy, life passes us by. Make time to celebrate the special women in your life.

“I’m so thankful for friendship. It beautifies life so much.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Time + Family = Love

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Don and I do not live close to either side of our family. Except for our own children, the closest family member is two hours away. In years past, for a variety of reasons, I did not spend much time with any of my family. I can make excuses. I was busy raising my kids, busy in ministry, busy with schooling and work and activities. But in the last two years, I’ve come to realize that anyone will make time for what is important…what consumes your time, consumes your heart.

So I determined that for 2016, my word is family.

Now that we are almost one-quarter of the way through the year (yikes!), I want to evaluate my progress in meeting my goal of more family time. In January we travelled to Dubuque to see my nephew’s basketball game. In February Don and I went to Ames to take our son to breakfast and to meet some members of my soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s family. Today I just returned from a quick visit to see my sister, brother-in-law, aunt, brother, nephew and niece.

I love my amazing family…those I can visit often and those much further away. No matter how far apart my visits, I’m always welcomed with open arms. My sister and I can talk constantly, laugh uncontrollably, and reminisce tearfully…all night long.

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I’m determined to be more than an aunt in name only to my brother’s kids. I want to watch my nephew play baseball and my niece perform gymnastic feats. I want to be a presence in the lives of my aunts and uncles. I enjoy listening to stories from my 8-year-old niece and my 88-year-old aunt. Both are delightful. In two weeks, I’ll watch another beloved niece get married. I’ll enjoy the antics of my little great-nephews, and hug my lovely mother-in-law. Two months from now, at my own son’s wedding, we’ll have the privilege of hosting many McGarvey and McCullough family members. What an opportunity for joyful expressions of love and acceptance!

I’m still very busy ~ I’m still involved in ministry, parenting, and work, but my determination, my priority is now to make intentional time for family. Time passes so quickly ~ let’s live so we have wonderful memories, not regrets.

An Extra Day

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For those of you who whine about “never having enough time” or “there are just not enough hours in the day,” this particular Monday is just for you. An extra day. A day to get something done that you had at the bottom of your “to-do” list…or a day to have fun and do something you’ve put off, because you knew you’d be too guilty to indulge when so many other things and people are screaming for your attention.

I don’t understand space, and time, and planetary rotations so this Leap Day thing is way over my head. I’m not even interested in “googling” it. But I do know that, if given an extra day, I want to live it fully. So take a moment (not right now – read the rest of this first) and write down three things you’re going to do with your extra day.

Maybe you want to call someone from your past who you haven’t heard from in a while…an aunt or uncle who would love to chat with you, or a friend from high school is isn’t on Facebook. How about learning how to make yeast bread (I’ll taste test, if you need someone) or pancakes  from scratch (Side note: we bought this wonderful raspberry syrup from Aldi last week and now I think I want to make chocolate pancakes. Doesn’t that sound decadent and delicious? Yeah, I thought so too).

Maybe on this extra day, you want to pamper yourself and do a spa day or get a pedicure. Spring is right around the corner and that means open-toe sandals and flip flops. How about a massage? Yes. Please.

Maybe this would be a great day to get off-line (wait! Read the rest of this first!) – and go tech-free for 24 hours. It can be done. I remember as a child (when Abe Lincoln was president, I think) when we didn’t worry about who was saying what or being seen with who in any given moment. CNN, Facebook, Instagram, and Google weren’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye. This extra day could be spent powering down with the electronics and powering up with mental and emotional energy.

How about spending today in the presence of God – take a walk outside, read completely through a shorter book of the Bible, study a characteristic of God, listen to some new worship music…The Lord loves to meet with you (no matter what day it is) and I promise, it will be the BEST extra day of your life!

Those are just a few spontaneous ideas about how to spend your extra 24 hours – I’d love to hear more from you!