Have a Friend; Be a Friend

Over the years I have had many friends come and go. I say this not boastfully; but, rather as a teacher educating her students. Each friend has served one purpose or another and many have left lasting imprints in my life. I venture to say you have experienced the same. 
Some will say your high school years are among “the best days of your life“others may say “college” is. I personally disagree. Although, I have carried some of those friendships with me and certainly enjoy the occasional meetup with an old friend as much as the next guy. Nothing, could have prepared me for the friendships I would have as a wife and mother. 
Marrying my husband meant an instantaneous adoption of his very tight knit group of friends. A rare group at its best; one I’m sure does not exisist most anywhere, a group of high school  sweet hearts that graciously opened their arms to the outside girl. These friends have served as an unbelievable foundation over the years. They truly model what it means to live in community with one another; all living within 10 minutes of childhood homes, and holding a divorce rate of zero: what’s not to love? 
Over the coarse of the years I too still cherish a few of my own childhood friends which still remain. I might not see them everyday but they are there if needed; these friends are my rock if the storms should become too strong.
There have been MOPS friendships, neighbors turned friends, church friends, homeschool acquaintances turned friends, and online turned (in)RL (real life) friends. The number of people that have impacted my soul becomes immeasurable; and, in turn makes me ponder those lives I have touched along the way too. 
Have I done it with grace and open arms? 
What kind of friend have I been to those lives who have passed mine? 
Why surely; in order to have a friend you must be a friend. I desire to be the friend I would want but the truth is I know I fail. Life happens and stretches our being. We make mistakes, stumble, fail, and get back up knees knocking reaching out offering an out stretched hand in hopes of coveing where we have fallen short. I know no one is the perfect friend because we as humans are far from perfect! 
So what kind of friend am I? I am an ear that lends listening to and a gentle voice of comfort on a bumpy road kind of friend.  I am a cheerleader rooting for you each step of your journey. I am the outstretched hand covering past failures but lending support in the most needed of times. My gifts come not in pretty packages or in the way of cards as I simply do not think of these things (dang, my friends who do spoil me so regardless. I love you!) 
My prayer is that I may continue to be the friend I desire; casting all pain, fears, and failure aside. May I become the friend you  need and that He has created me to be. 
1000 Gifts of Friendship 
1. Surprise morning coffee brought to my door
2. Chocolates with a message 
3. Special notes of encouragement 
4. Phones that lessen the distance 
5. Bravery to step forth and take risks when others might choose to ignore 
6. Carpooling friends
7. Extra muffin cup, egg, and vanilla kind of friends
8. Project Love  
9. Old friendships that are steady in a shaken world 
10. New friends 

I’m A Writer

I am a writer; whew, I said it! Writing is where I am most at peace with what goes on around me. I’m a list making, pros/cons, write it out kind of gal.When the pen hits the paper the world begins to make perfect sense to me. 

Hold on… as I begin to prepare my next big writing adventure. 

What are your gifts and how do you intend to use them today?

Lovely Yarn

So I took these pictures with the intent to post this on Valentines Day (well, that did not happen)!! However, they did come out super cute, and I thought this would still be fun for upcoming “holidays” (St.Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc.)! They would also make great “little gifts” for family, friends, and teachers.

You Need: 
Cookie Cutters (any shape we did hearts)
Corn Starch
Yarn
Water
Parchment Paper
A Magnet Strip (or old advertising magnet would work great too!)

First, cut the yarn into pieces and make the cornstarch glue. Using a sauce pan heat 1/4 c. cornstarch and 1/2 c. water over a low/medium heat stir until smooth (see below).


Allow the “glue” to cool to touch. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet/activity tray. Then place the cookie cutter on top of the parchment paper let your little ones go to town dipping string pieces into the “glue”. Carefully pulling out one string at a time and using your thumb and forefinger to clean off an access “glue”. Lay the yarn inside the cookie cutter. Repeating the process until a thin layer of yarn is in the cookie cutter forming the chosen shape.

Remove the cookie cutter and gently press the shape down. Let dry completely (we put ours in the oven for 1 hr @ 250 degrees). After the drying is compete you can then glue your yarn shape onto a magnet for a fun gift or decoration!!