WE HAVE A WINNER!

OK, this was not a very successful contest since only 3 people entered it. But I cannot wait any longer for the stragglers (….G-knee….)–I have to put an Usborne order in tomorrow so I need to announce the winner.
It was a tie between 2 of you with 8 right answers out of 22 (it was a hard quiz!). But the winner pulled ahead with a 50% right-answer ratio…….11 out of 22!
Congratulations go to Gretchen! Let me know what book you want SOON! (I personally love the Christmas Things to Make and Do–they are my kind of craft projects.)
Good job and thanks to Morning Rose and Jana for playing also.
(Oh, and here are the answers–I’m sure you all wanted to know who was who!)

*Sara planned the hippie party in my dorm–I just found a picture the other day of me dressed as the baby.
*Jill got in an accident with me two years ago on Black Friday–it totaled my nice (paid-for) van. Sad….
*Erica once went to Monona Terrace in Madison with me and crashed a jugglers’ wedding reception–it was definitely an experience!
*Tiffany went out and bought all of my Christmas gifts last year. She always remembers when I say that I like something, so she helped Josh out in that department.
*Danielle was my dorm sup my freshman year, poor dear. I was a handful, and God knew that I needed someone like her to “guide” me along that first year.
*My bro-in-law Tim is in the Marines–just got back from Iraq in April. We are so proud of his service!
*I yelled at G-knee twice when we were making a trip into Chicago. We were tired and slightly tense after getting lost. Love ya, G!
*Morning Rose’s oldest son was in my preschool S.S. class–he always gave profound answers.:-)
*Casey used to live a block away from me–that is actually how I met her.
*Jana and I used to play stupid practical jokes if we were ever stuck in the dorm on a Friday night (not that we were often–we had so many dates and all……)
*My poor husband planned our engagement for the top of the Sears Tower but when we got there, the guard wouldn’t let us go up because it was too fogged in. It was still a nice proposal, in a different location, and I was still totally surprised.
*Amy and I once went to a Beach Boys concert (before they all started dying)….that was back in my wild days also.
*Beth’s hubby (better known as Tim) had a Packer bathroom in their little apt. after they first got married. Since then, I have given into the Packer craze also, and have even allowed my children to dress in green and gold…..sigh.
*Gretchen decorated her Christmas tree in the American spirit in their first apt. after they got married. It was so cute!
*Donette and I once dressed up for Halloween with a bunch of other girls and went to Ed Debevic’s for a party. (I think Donette was Donna Reed or something and I was a hippie.)
*KJ decided to TP our apartment while we were on our honeymoon–I am still not sure why she had keys to our place…..
*Karen and I used to let each other know about the good garage sales in town!
*Kevin, my newest relative, ran for the Constitution Party in MA.
*Beth took me home to Indiana for Thanksgiving–her family is great! I think I actually went there several times.
*Kristi once went on a date with my husband in college. Obviously nothing came of it! I am glad….
*Melissa and I had a blast one summer school–she decided we needed a tv to watch to pass the time. I still can’t believe we didn’t get caught–Danielle, where were you? JK-I’m sure you would have found us out!
*And last, but not least, Tansy was my roomate. I think that was the year she was sick most of the time though, so I didn’t really see her much!
Lots of good memories–thank you to my friends for all of them!

So long, farewell….

We said goodbye to some good friends last week, as they are moving to FL to work in a ministry down there. Tiffany and I enjoyed a common adoration of coffee, as well as a kinship as West Coasters. I will miss her tons, and will now have to find some reason to drive to the desolate tip of Florida!

I told Tiff that she was not to be offended if I did not cry when I told her goodbye. For some reason, the realization of separation from a dear friend or family member never hits me until later. Then it kind of overwhelms me in a sudden flood of sadness and bittersweet memories. It is also easier for me to say goodbye now that I am an adult with a family (I think because I am too busy to dwell on my loss!). But I have noticed–and commented to Josh–that I do not make such close friendships as I did in college. So when one does slip away, it is slightly more depressing.

All of this to say that lately I have been having a “poor me” complex because I do not have “bosom friends” surrounding me as I did in college. When I have a bad day and just want a girlfriend to vent to over a cup of coffee, I do not have as many around as I used to. And then just this morning I was strongly convicted…..I am sure I have mentioned this before, but it really hit me hard this morning. Christ is all I need! Obviously, friends and their encouragements are an added blessing in our Christian lives–but if I never had a friend to talk to again, I would not be poor and helpless and abandoned. God is the author of comfort and solace and…. “relationship”, really. I MUST be content in Him, no matter how alone I feel. He desires to meet my every need. And to tell you the truth, most of the times that I feel abandoned, I just want someone to sympathize with me and my “hard life”–when in fact, my hard life is brought about because of my lack of patience, trust and contentment. It all boils back down to one basic fact: God is all I need!~

Psalm 116:1-2~ I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

P.S. I don’t mean to sound like a lonely hermit, sitting morosely in my house with narry a soul to talk to. My dear husband is truly my best friend, and I have many sweet friends in my life. But I sometimes miss my “soul sisters”…you know who you are!!! Then I vent on my blog! That is what it is for, right???