Where to begin...
First, I am feeling much better. Phew. It never ceases to amaze me how a little bout of sickness suddenly puts life into perspective. There's something about feeling terrible and not being able to enjoy anything that makes me realize just how good I have it every. single. day.
OK, about my little retreat...I am so very bad at wrapping up moments with words. They seem to fall short of conveying my experience, but here goes...
I went with my friend Jenni and new friend Amie. Jenni and I are the kind of friends that can tell each other like it is, no sugar coating it...remember the movie Steel Magnolias? Jenni and I kinda remind me of Clairee & Ouiser...and I love that! (I tried to put a clip from that movie on here, but turns out, there's some naughty little words in there!)
Amie and I are new friends. We have mutual real life friends, but really only knew each other through blogging..which made her feel like an old friend. On December 19th 2007 Amie's beautiful son Andy was born...and he was perfect. 40 days later, Andy died of SIDS. She worked on his scrapbook this weekend. I'm not quite sure how she did it, but she did...and God showed me something about life through this beautiful mama.
Life is about hurting and grieving and laughing and silliness all wrapped up in a big jumbled mess. One moment we could be crying with her, and the next moment we're all laughing about something completely trivial. It's how we all survive. It's what we're meant to do. I used to misunderstand this, I think. I took the words of Solomon...a time to dance, a time to mourn, etc and looked at them as one at a time, when really, the laughing and crying are many times all mixed together.
The connection with these two girlies is supernatural. There's no other explanation for it. We share a Savior. We share the same hope. We know the same forgiveness. It really is beyond words. So thankful to have been able to spend the weekend with these wonderful girlies...can't wait till next year ;)
Jenni, me, Amie
I love you. I really really do.
ReplyDeleteAnd....you missed the small little detail about how many beautiful layouts you plunked out with very little effort!!! :) And I heard you say "next year".....and I like that.
Know what I think? I think that there is a side to your posts that you don't write about. The part of how amazing YOU are. The humbleness must make your fingers stop typing or something. Thank you for being so wonderful. :) Love you.
So glad you are feeling better! Glad too you had such a great time!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteglad you had such a great time & that u are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteand ya'll have snow... beautiful! there is cold weather here but snow would be better!!!
It sounds like such a wonderful time. I love getting together with my friends and having those moments. I'm glad your feeling better too!
ReplyDeleteThose pictures look like insanity and bliss all in one!
ReplyDeleteSnow/cold sledding/fun scrapping/torturous relief
all the papers and bling/so fun
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! My Stamp group starts up the end of the month...I am looking forward to creating again.
Looks like y'all had a fabulous time! =) It's so great to be with friends, old and new.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are feeling better! What a great weekend. I love those special times with friends and the memories made.
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're better:)
Sarah, those kinds of friendships are truly priceless! It's encouraging to hear about. So glad you had such fun - AND that the barfing has ceased.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great weekend!!!!! You are my TRUE friend. I am so grateful for our friendship... more than you know.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said "the laughing and crying are many times all mixed together". that is so true.
ReplyDeletesounds like you had the best weekend...sorry it ended with the flu and barfing (I like that word too)
How special and unique it is to have such wonderful friendships. Especially as a pastor's wife. It's almost crutial that you have those bonds!!
ReplyDeletethat looks like enough fun to makes me think about scrap booking... can i go and just talk???? looks like it was lots of fun. life is messy isn't it, sure glad he threw real friendship into that mess!
ReplyDeleteMe Jealous even though I hate scrapping!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your post was great ... and then I read Amie's comment & even though I don't know you in {real} life ... she nailed it. She's got you figured out.
ReplyDeleteKeep enjoying those friendships that God has blessed you with so richly!
"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Steel Magnolias. And that is how we remember that life is so good!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better. The weekend sounds like it was very special. I love to scrapbook and meet new friends.
ReplyDeleteThe snow in the picture! Goodness, that's a lot of snow!
What a wonderful weekend! And I love Clairee and Ouiser.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time!!
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI loved this...and I am so glad you and Jenni and Amie spent this time together. What a gift!
What a special time. You are three neat ladies.
ReplyDeleteGood friendships are a must have!! Even more than cute shoes and Starbucks. ;-)
ReplyDelete