Friends

I love to read my family and friends' blogs. It is such a fun way to catch up with everyone and see what goes on in their lives. Interestingly, it seems like lately there has been a reoccuring theme with everyone.....friends. Funny thing is, I've been wanting to post about the same topic for a while now. Now I'm even more impressed to blog about my friends. Ever since I was a little girl, my mom has told me to pray for good friends. I have always done that. I must say, it works. I have been blessed with the most AMAZING friends a girl could ever have. It has been such a huge blessing in my life. Here's a picture of one of them. Miss Elizabeth Cluff (aka Libby).

Elizabeth and I have been friends for 20 years now. We met each other at Ricks college our first year out of High School. She followed me to Arizona after that. Elizabeth has been one of my sweetest, dearest friends. We have been through A LOT together and she has always been by my side. No matter how far a way we are from each other, it doesn't matter. Our friendship has always been strong. Through roommates and boyfriends and getting married and trying for children and then having those children.... she has been there. Right now Elizabeth if fighting breast cancer. Once again I have been amazed by her. Don't get me wrong. She has her bad times, she has her pain, but she is such a source of strength to all who surround her. Despite all of her trials and difficulties, she remains positive. She is such a blessing to all of us. I can't imagine my life without her. Thank you Elizabeth for years of laughter, tears, joy, frustration, and more laughter. You are an amazing blessing in my life! I love you! This girl below is Heather Biggs. She and I have been friends since the 7th grade. She has also been through a lot with me too. Heather was around when I lost my father. I can't tell you how much she meant to me during those dark, dark days. She stood by me through the most difficult time in my entire life. Through the years after college we stayed in touch, but our lives went different ways. Recently, we have gotten to be close again. It has meant the world to me to have our relationship strong again. She too has had a lot of health problems lately and lots of trials and difficulties associated with it. Once again, I stand in awe as I watch how she faces these problems. She too has her bad moments, as we all do. But her overall attitude is so optimistic and full of faith. She is such a wonderful example to me. I am so grateful to have her in my life. When I'm having hard days, she is one of the first I want to call. Heather, I am so grateful for you. Thank you for putting up with me over the years, not giving up on our friendship and staying a huge part of my life. I love you!

AND THEN, I have all of my OTHER friends. I seriously could write a blog devoted to all of them. I have had so many special friends that have shared such important parts of my life. I have friends that are there with me in my own trials, laugh with me in the good times, friends I can confide in and know they will be there for me no matter what. To Stephani and Shelli... thank you for filling my days in Texas with so much joy. Your friendship means more to me than you'll ever know. To all my friends that live here... you are an amazing bunch of women. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such fun people that enjoy having a good time and yet strive to live a good life and stay close to the Lord. I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the friends I have here. Thank you for all you do and who you are! To all my friends in high school... thank you for supporting me through such difficult years. I couldn't have survived it without you. To my very best friends (besides Jeff)... my sister and my mom... no one gets me like you do. You are my favorite people to be around. I can never thank you enough for EVERYTHING! Okay... this is way too long. But my point is, I am very, very blessed. To all my friends ..... THANK YOU. My life has been touched because of you.