Cathy

Today's beautiful blossom is Cathy. I was fortunate to get to know Cathy while she and her family were attending the same church that my family attends. I went to visit a cell group one week when my husband was out of town, and it was there that I really got to know this friend. It's hard to believe that this summer that will be five years ago. Our families attended the group together for a while and it was really a pleasure to spend that time with them. That was a difficult year and the group was really there to help me through it. Cathy is so kind and encouraging, and I know that she can be trusted to measure a situation according to God's word. She is open and sincere which makes her easy to share your thoughts with. Cathy is a fabulous, loving mom who has spent many years homeschooling her children. She's creative too, and really great at decorating. Cathy is lots of fun to be around. Cathy, I am glad I got to know you and your family, you are in my prayers this evening as I thank God for you.

Sherrie

My garden planting of the day is a very friendly flower who makes people feel included and accepted. I know when I hear her laugh that I have a friend in the room. Sherrie has faced many heartaches in the past few years, but she has leaned on God to get her through each one. She is a loving and devoted wife and mother, her family is her pride and joy. She is active in her community. I have seen her out ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and I've overheard her talking of plans for the scholastic book fair at her son's school. I have a feeling that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am glad to know Sherrie; she is a friend with a sweet yet dynamic personality. Sherrie, keep laughing, keep smiling, and keep trusting God. There's a prayer in my heart for you this evening.

Aunt Ruth

I present to you today a flower that has been blooming in my life since the earliest days of my childhood. She is my Aunt Ruth. As long as I can remember she has been kind and patient. I have fond memories of coloring eggs at her house on Good Friday. The adults would first have to complete their task of making and coating peanut butter and coconut eggs, it seemed to a child that this process took forever, but our turn would come and we would make our pretty eggs to play hide and seek with. Many fun times and family gatherings occurred at Aunt Ruth's house, and I remember spending many weekends there. It was a place where I felt peaceful and safe. When I look back at some of the things we got into it is a mystery to me how she so calmly bore all of the noisy, messy, sometimes destructive shenanigans of three imaginative children (her son, my sister and I). On Friday nights she would take us to the bowling alley where she participated in a league and there were even more cousins and friends to hang out with. When I was in my teens and early twenties I worked with my mom and Aunt Ruth at their sewing shop. How she loved me through those years is another mystery, but she remained kind and forbearing as I grew through all the difficult stages of life. Thank you Aunt Ruth for giving me a place to relax, have fun and be a kid when life at home was so stressful. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ♥

Chelsea

Each flower in my garden of friends is unique and beautiful. Today I am adding Chelsea. One of the things I admire about Chelsea is the wonderful job she has done as a nanny. I believe the family that she has worked for has been exceptionally blessed to have this godly young woman loving, nurturing and influencing their children. Chelsea has endured trials and losses that have made an enormous impact on her life. I found this quote on her facebook page, "Life is 10% of the things that happen to you and 90% on how you react to them." Rather than letting them tear her down and make her bitter, Chelsea has leaned on the Lord in the difficult times and trusted Him to make her stronger through them. I also found that her goal in life is "to be used for God's purpose instead of trying to use Him for mine." So many times people get this backwards, but she's got it right. Chelsea, It's a joy to see you happily engaged to Peter; getting ready to begin a family of your own, I pray for abundant blessings in your life together.

Jeremy

The friend I want to share about with you today is Jeremy. He is the youth pastor at Park Forest Baptist Church, and an all around great guy. He is dedicated to his family as well as his students and youth leaders. It is obvious that he enjoys spending time with all of them. He promotes healthy relationships between teens and their parents; a characteristic which I particularly appreciate. Jeremy has a heart for outreach and encourages the youth to share their faith with their friends. He has set up special events where kids can bring their friends to have a ton of fun and most importantly hear the gospel. He has also made sure that students have opportunities to serve the community and share the gospel in missions situations. Jeremy loves the Lord and expresses this through teaching and music. He participates on the worship team and even leads it sometimes. He has been such a blessing to our church and to our family. Thank you Jeremy for all you do. I pray that through your diligent ministry you will have the joy of continually seeing teens and their parents put their faith and trust in Christ.

Titus

I met Titus about four years ago when he came to my house to teach a 5 day club for kids. He was great with the kids, he got right down on their level and played hide and seek with them. He was really good at teaching too, he has a personality that captivates his audience. The second opportunity that I had to see Titus in action was at day camp a couple of years ago. I thought he was like a ray of sunshine that brightened everyone's day. He seemed to make people feel welcome, included and important. He was fun and energetic; on the more serious side however, I remember him showing compassion for a friend as she cried over a strained relationship in her life. My interaction with Titus has been mostly limited to those encounters, but they left me wishing that I knew him better. Titus is an attractive young man with a great deal of potential. Titus, my prayer for you is that you will look to God's Word to lead you in your decisions, and that you will use your special gifts and talents for His glory.

Elaine

Elaine is a friend that I met when I was 15 years old. We were sailing to Mexico on the Bluegrass Supercruise in 1991. I spent a good portion of that week hanging out with the Deaton family and have some very fond memories of trying to barter with the local people on the islands and cruising around Cozumel in dune buggies. That summer I was invited to spend a week at their house in Georgia, but by the end of the week my flight home had been changed so that I could accompany them on their family vacation to Panama City. I just really appreciate Elaine "adopting" me as part of the family, I had so much fun hanging out with her kids. I remember going home with a new outlook on things. I had felt so accepted by the Deatons that my self esteem improved. Many of the problems I faced at home seemed more manageable because I felt like I had a refuge. I was able to visit with the Deatons a couple of times after that, but being more than 700 miles apart, well I haven't seen them in a long time. I do have hopes that since my kids are older now we will plan a trip to Georgia one summer and will be able to visit Elaine. I feel very blessed to have this special lady as a friend. Elaine, I thank God for you and pray that he will bless you and fill your days with joy and delight.