Welcome Kristi!

Kristi arrives in the good old State of Indiana today! It will be so nice to actually meet her!

God has really blessed me in the friendships that I have been given over the past few years. I am honored to add Kristi to that list, and I wanted to take a few minutes to be thankful for some of the amazing women that God has placed in my life through the past few years. In alphabetical order, they are:

Ariel - no matter what time of day or night, or how many times you've heard it before, or if it makes sense or not, you always listen to me. Thank you for that. Thanks for always pointing me back to God when my focus starts to stray, and thanks for keeping me from getting too serious.

Emily - You have shown me a wonderful example of discipline. Both in creating time for God in the midst of an incredibly busy schedule, and in prioritizing things in your life. For people like you and I, that is an immeasurable challenge, and I truly appreciate the example that you have given me.

Katie - You are one of my oldest friends, and I'm excited that you are my roommate now! Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me. I think one of the things I appreciate most about you is your kindness. You seem to always see the good in people, and that is always a welcome contrast to my sarcasm and cynicism. Thank you for reminding me to love people.

Kristen B. - Watching you over the past year especially, as we have gotten to know each other better, and as you have dealt with significant struggles has been such an encouragement to me. The way that you have turned to God as a source of comfort and correction was humbling.

Kristen S. - the grace and strength you have shown over the past year seems boundless, and never ceases to amaze me. Your heart for service, both for your family, your teammates, and your community is more evident each and every day. But I think the think I appreciate most about you is the way that you talk with God. When I hear you pray, I know that you know that you are talking to God. That your prayers matter. More than that though, I appreciate your faithfulness in seeking God, and in praying for those around you.

Kristi - I haven't known you as long as the other people on this list, but that doesn't mean that I value your friendship any less. God has given you the gift of counsel, and watching you as you seek knowledge to help guide people closer to God has been very cool. I'm excited to meet you today, and watch you continue on the next step of that journey at church!

Lauren - Lauren Joy! Your name is so incredibly appropriate. You bring such joy and light into my life, and such wisdom, and understanding. I don't know what I would have done over the past two years without your friendship, and I thank you for all of the late night conversations and cups of tea, and early morning breakfast meetings, despite all of your Erable homework.

The Joys - This is a group of three women named Joy. They are all adopted mothers to me in various ways, and I am thankful that God has placed older women in my life to act as mentors.


Each of you has been so incredibly special in my life, and I am blessed, honored, and incredibly humbled to count you among my friends.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I thank my God every time I think of you. I love you girls!