Friends

Lately I've been thinking a lot about friends.  I was lucky to grow up in a big family, providing me with my best friends, and then eventually marrying my best friend Mike, which in turn gave me a whole new network of family/friends.  Yeah, it's awesome.

I have had a lot of people come and go with all the moves we've had and I'm so grateful for them.  There are three people lately that I've been especially thankful to meet and call friends.  Their names are Meagan, Michelle, and Yvonne.

 Meagan

Meagan is such a creative person.  She is also extremely fearless.  She has 4 kids and one on the way, and yet she gets out and about with them probably 10 times more than I do.  :)  She is a great mom, a fantastic friend, a great gym buddy, funny, and so much fun to be around.  I think there should be a rule at the gym that two people should not be allowed to laugh as much as we do while working out.  However, the thing that impresses me most about her is how diligent she is in keeping the commandments of God.  When she gets an impression from the Spirit to do something, she does it.  She listens, obeys, and teaches her children what she learns.  I love my Meagan.

My friend LaDawn is on the right, and I adore her!

Michelle

   There are a lot of reasons to love and admire Michelle.  She is so gorgeous, so talented, so put together, and has a great happy personality that makes everyone around her happy.  She is one of those few people who truly sees others and makes a point to make everyone around her welcome and loved.  I think the main reason I am grateful for her is that she tries to always do what Heavenly Father wants her to do.  She is so comfortable talking about the gospel and applies it to every aspect of her life.  She reminds me of Esther in the Bible - strong, poised, faithful, and ready to do what God wants her to do.  (Plus she's super funny.)

 
 

 

Yvonne

If there was ever a woman placed on this earth to be an example of a humble follower of the Savior, it would be my friend Yvonne.  Seriously, when I grow up, I want to be like her.  (Never mind the fact that she is several years younger than me.)  She is fun, funny, sweet, loving, soft-spoken, careful of others and their feelings, a wonderful friend, and an amazing mom.  She is very organized but always willing to change plans if need be so she can help anyone in need.  Yvonne is just a true daughter of God, and I like her so much!!

 

There are so many others I could go on and on about.  Dereth, with her love and lack of whininess, no matter what life deals her.  Laura, for her ability to look past the abuse and sadness of her past and provide a fun, happy life for her children.  Natalie, for her ability to have fun and our ability to communicate silently when something weird is going on.  Liesel, for her steadfastness and gentle example.  Liz, because no matter how long it has been since I have seen her, it feels like we just saw each other.  My sisters, who are the best anyone could ask for.

 

There are so many more, but it's late and my brain shuts off at 8 pm lately.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm grateful for friends who make me want to be better and makes my life more enjoyable.  I hope to learn from them and become a better friend by their example.