Ash

Aren't they cute?  

Ash can pull off linen, cloth napkins, Vera Bradley & who knows what else, because she is from the south and it's just her.  She is super pretty...i mean, the kind of pretty that is just ageless. 

 It's possible she will look the same at 70 plus...lucky girl.

She is possibly the smartest woman I know and yet, she can explain things to me.  She can make a spreadsheet out of anything and loves doing it.  She is a mad woman in the kitchen, makes gumbo and has helped me plenty of times with fish and other unknowns to me.

She makes effort to better things....more efficient and so on...business type stuff.  

And she uses that to minister to others...time and time again.  She's good.

She is a detail person, I am not.  She puts up with that:)

She laughs easily and uses her hands when she talks and that makes me smile.  

She is wise, loves/totally gets her man, 

is honest about how hard/beautiful mothering is & has been a trusted friend.

She is a beautiful woman and I'm gonna miss Ms. Chet Sears:))
Prov 27:9

Erin

 

Erin...holy smokes, where do I begin pal?  You are super creative, hilarious txter, fabulous friend & just downright cool.  I have NO idea why you ever wanted to be friends with me but I cannot imagine my life w/o you.  

You are crazy fun:)   You invented the term "fun killer" and I love it.  Our kids play famously and I am thankful.  I remember when we first became friends what a year ago and you said something like "I would rather have a genuine friendship for a week than a superficial one for life"  And we ended up not moving that next month, but now a year later.  So glad you were willing:)

You do things I would NEVER think of....crazy creative things.  I really like that about you.  You are super honorable to your man...such an encouragement to me.  And you seem to really 'get' or try to get your kids.  That has reminded me to take the time to really see them.  

You have no trouble saying things I need to hear or just what you think.  Love that.  

Your blog is fun and someday I'll copy you and have InstaFriday's too....

Thankful you're willing to come see us from time to time...it'll be weird not seeing your cute face.  

Man alive, you brighten my days!!  You make running errands fun, rainbow bday parties & on and on.

Oh friend who loves life...keep doing it.  

Lucky (ok, really blessed) me to have you for a lifer friend. 
Prov 27:17

Sara

If you ever get the chance to chat with/sit near her, do so, and maybe bring a notepad.  She is so stinkin' fabulous.  She brings so much to the table, there is no room for anything else (in a good way).  

Sara is smart, has an amazing home that you want to move into, loves life, loves her man so much & her kiddos as well.  She is capable of speaking the truth in love....it's rare people.  She is wise beyond her years.  The first time I ever met her she was the MAPS director and I was brand new to town...didn't know a soul.  And the second week, she said hi to me and remembered my name?!!!!  It was profound to me!  I never forgot that feeling of someone remembering.

She quilts which is a lost art for the most part; helped me create some of the quilts I have.  She does flowers like none other and is super well priced:)  She has made me flower arrangements here and there....knock my socks off.  Oh and cinnamon rolls...whoa.

She makes me laugh hard about all kinds of things.....her perspective is super rare.  She stays pretty darn busy and I remember thinking man, is it worth being friends with her...she never calls back, rarely emails and come on...the answer came back very quickly.  Yes, she is, hang on Emily, you're in for a real treat:)  She calls me back now, even txts!!  

She is a wonderful, most wonderful woman and I will miss so very much.  
Psalms 1:1-3

The Fabulous Katie

So, this is possibly the most incredible gal I'll ever meet.  

I just adore her...is that ok to say?  I mean, when I grow up...ha!  I want to be mostly like her.    She loves the Lord even through all the pain and sadness her life has brought her.  

She chooses joy.  Every. day. 

She is married to a fabulous guy, Jeremy.  He is a ton of fun and a friend to my hubby.  He sometimes deploys and those times are hard on Katie.  I've been around her enough to just look her in the eyes and know she is not ok.   I mean, like we've done enough life that I get that privilege.  It is an honor to read someone's heart.  I mean, that they will let you.

She had 5 kids and 'gets' or tries to get each of them.  She has a character trait of the week to teach them different ones.  It is super cool.  

Katie, you rock my world.  You have been a champ of a friend to me and I am forever thankful.  

You're def going with me.  I can't ever not have you as a friend:)

You have taught me so much just be being who you are in Him.  Keep keeping the faith.

I get to hang and do life with some of the most amazing woman.  So super blessed.  

  Gal 6:9

B & C

So it's time for me to take a little bit of time to sum up what I believe to be a total gift from God.

Brandon & Christy Procell have been so stinkin' good to us in our time here in Wichita.  I could not have imagined what God had for us/me here with them.  Their desire to befriend us was the most cool thing.  Their willingness to teach/mentor me was a whole other thing.

Holy  moley, the memories are forever etched in my memory...sitting on the floor of a reception bc all the seats were taken.  It was the most fun!  She hosted my 30th bday party which was the coolest night.  I should've taken pictures of that.  They taught me how to shoot a camera and how to do many other things.  Brandon taught me a bunch of business stuff and is a man of honor.  Love that.  Trying to teach my boys that!

A ton of weddings in my mind....a bride's super long veil flew off, a bride who was so sick she kept leaving to throw up, a groom who thew up a Jagar shot(sp?), and on and on and on.  

We have laughed so hard that we've cried.  She can make you laugh just by laughing...for real.  That girl is a energizer bunny, so much energy for life and the things of God.  She adopted 2 fabulous kids before she even knew if she could/couldn't have her own biologically...she may never know.  It doens't matter to her...she did what God told her to do.

She's from the south, so she has a bunch of funny sayings that come out at random times and are so funny, you just might have to sit down or pee.  Who knows:)  I could seriously go on and on, but I think you get the idea.  She. is. fabulous.  

Neh 8:10