Valued Relationships

This was today's devotional from "The Word for you Today". I thought this would be a good one to pass on to you all out there in blog land.
"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Dr. John Maxwell writes: "If you want deep, lasting friendship, you cannot always be the strong one. And that can be frightening; especially if you've had someone hurt or manipulate you. But you must let a friend see you in your weakness. Some of us have never done this, and we wonder who we're lonely. We're going to have to get vulnerable to have a true friend.
"Friends serve each other. When's the last time you performed an act of servant-hood for a friend to whom you're devoted? If you can't remember, you're probably living with a core of loneliness. A friend is someone you commit to not because of what they can do for you, but just because they're your friend. And friends listen, even though they're busy. Listening is an act of love. It says "I'm going to put my own agenda on hold and devote myself to knowing and caring for you." Friends are not generally looking for someone who can talk very impressively or cleverly or with great wit. Mostly what they're looking for is a world class listener. Furthermore, when something goes right, friends celebrate. Do you do that? When is the last time one of your friends had God bless them-and you threw a party?
"If you're not in this kind of relationship right now, you can't make it happen, but you can open yourself up to it. You can start pursuing it. You can ask God to guide you. You can take little relational risks. And if you already have friends like this, prize them, protect them, enrich them in every way, and take that friendship as deep as you can".

Here are to my dear friends that I value and cherish. Thank you for your support and encouragement!!!!!
Your loyal friend, Tammy

How many more sleeps?!!

You know when you were kids and you were excited about going somewhere, maybe a special birthday party or vacation with the family. You would count down the sleeps that were left, maybe you do it with your kids too because they would continually ask "how much longer?"
Well, I am sitting here and I have four more sleeps until I go away to sunny Florida. YIPPEE!!!!
Putting all the fun aside, I am truly amazed in how much God is intimately aquainted with our lives. He knows all about our struggles, joys, fears and dreams. He loves us so much that He truly wants the best for us. He knows exactly what we need before we know we even need it. I am so grateful for that. I have a friend that sent me this little poem that I want to send to you all out there in blog land. You may be needing the encouragement or just to strengthen the fact the God knows all about you, the small and big needs in our lives. As women I think He is even more attentive to those needs.

There is no one else like you,
You have gifts, that only you can give,
You have blessings, others can only receive through you.
The Lord designed every detail of who you are.
He cares about you!!
You are special,
You are loved,
You are YOU!!!!
And the world is blessed to have you in it.
AMEN, Tammy

Friends are friends forever.

The Gift Of Friends
by Karin Schaefer
There are days when bubbling from us comes the innocent child within,who giggles at the little things and wears a silly grin.There are days when melancholy comes to visit for a while; the mind feels tired, the body weak; we have no strength to smile. There are days when joy abundant grabs a hold of you and me; wraps us up in all it's splendor, lifts us up and sets us free. There are days when sorrow wraps us in its cloak of grief and fear, 'till our hearts ache to the breaking, 'till our eyes can't shed a tear. There are days when love bestows us with its wonderment and light; with its beauty and its mystery, its power and its might. And there are days when life rewards us and seems to make amends by granting us a marvelous gift, the precious gift of Friends.

Just want you all to know how much I appreciate your friendship.
Thank-you. Tammy

I'm Finally Here!!!!!!

Well, I am finally here. I am feeling rather green, but I hope that by looking at yours I can do it. Cheryl, I finally did it, I will try to get a picture of me with coffee in hand. I can't wait to join the club of bloggers.
Happy blogging, Tammy