Precious Friends...

Sometimes I wonder why God blessed me with such wonderful friends. My whole life, as far back as I can remember, the Lord has given me real, true, life changing friendships. In fact, I can't remember a time I didn't feel the security and agape love of a handful of friends. There was even a time in my life that I was definitely not being a friend to those that considered me as a friend, and yet, deep in my heart I knew that those precious girls would do absolutely anything for me.

It overwhelms me to think that I could be so blessed even when I have been so undeserving at times. I had some deep special childhood friends growing up that I'm still super close to today and thru the years, I've collected a few more along the way. My eyes are filling with tears as I write this and I think of all the ways I've benefited from such special women in my life. It is a precious thing to share God in the center of such deep relationships, because friends bump up to "family" status very quickly in such relationships.

God knew what He was doing when he designed our need for relationship. I know that my walk with my Father would not be as intimate and real if it weren't for some pretty special women in my life that continue to teach me by there example and encouragement. I am reminded of the verse in 2 Timothy 1 where Paul writes such sincere words to his special friends, "I thank God whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers... I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy."

I love you my sweet friends, you know who you are--you are not only friends, but sisters. Thank you for blessing my life, bringing me joy, picking me up when I fall, and loving me for me.

I'm Back!!

Hey there! Yes, the Strachan's do still exist! I've wondered if I'm not on some crazy roller coaster that won't ever stop though!! Wow, life with 3 kids is pretty wild! Everybody needs something at the same time, including me! I have to admitt, I've lived the past several weeks feeling pretty overwhelmed, but thank the Lord, I think I'm coming out of the "fog" I've been in lately. I'm calming down a bit and am trying to listen to the Lord speak to me again. Why on earth do we forget to do that when we need His voice of direction the most?!

I picked up my bible in desperate need of peace yesterday and prayed for the Lord to speak to me through His word and this is what He showed me... From the Message, Psalm 119 I read,
" By your words I can see where I'm going, they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything's falling apart on me, God, put me together again with you Word... Your my place of quiet retreat, I wait for your Word to renew me. "

Wow!! Exactly what I needed to hear from God! I need to be in His word to keep from falling apart. The quiet retreat away from the caos is simply found in Him. I'ts funny how light bulbs can go off in our heads at just the right moment! Duh, all I need to do is STOP!! Stop to breath, stop to relax a minute, stop to enjoy my precious babies, stop to savor my husband, stop to be thankful for the gifts that lay in front of me. Just be quiet in God's word and Stop!

I know that one day I'll miss this busy part of my life and long desperately to return even for a short minute to re-live what I'm not stopping to appreciate today. All of us with little ones at home, let's take a break from the stress and just enjoy, savor and appreciate what we have been given, what we don't deserve.

As you can see, our precious little Connor is growing so fast! What a joy he is to our family! He sleeps 7-9 hours at night too! Whew! I can survive anything when I have enough sleep! He is laughing and smiling all the time and focuses on us now, especially his active brother and sister that never stop moving! He spends lots of quality time with daddy too. They are great buds.

love to all,
Donna