As I sit here on this last evening of September 2009 (with the windows CLOSED mind you since it’s getting into the 40’s here during the night!) in the midst of this crazy thing we call life–I failed to blog about two women in my life that have birthdays in September. They mean so much to me, I can not let this month come to an end without spending just a moment to reflect on these two women.
2007: (As you can tell–Sami had her growth spurt–I on the other hand am still waiting…)
On September 15th, my dear friend Haley turned 31. Haley is my friend that I attribute a lot to, whether she realizes it or not. You see, Haley I became friends on our first day of high school at Richmond Hill High School. We sat in the same home room and were assigned a locker together–all because her last name started with a “Sl” and mine with a “Sm”. We were assigned that year, but chose over the entire course of high school to share lockers. And let me just tell you—I am who I am today because there is no doubt in my mind that this dear friend prayed for me everytime she went to our locker. Haley is a believer–and was in high school–something I was not. It was not until my 5th year of college that I completely surrendered my life to the Lord–but I know it is in a direct result of the prayers sewn by this fierce prayer warrior during my high school days.
After high school Haley went to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia–a place that has become her home for the past 12 years. I had the priviledge of standing by her side as she became a wife to Shane in the Bahamas on New Years Eve almost 9 years ago. Seven years later, she then stood by my side and prayed fervently for me right before I walked down the aisle to become a wife.
I don’t know if I’ve ever let her know how grateful I am for her, so I want to do so now. Haley-thank you for loving me even when I was unlovable. Thank you for loving me as you watched me throw my life and my heart away to many many things. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for being my friend even when I was not following the same Man that you were. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING ME INTO THE KINGDOM. Even now, thank you for still speaking Truth into me. Thank you for setting for me an incredible example of what it means to be a godly wife and a godly mother.
1997:
2007:
As I was looking for a picture to close out this post to these two special women in my life, I found this one….somehow of just the three of us, which is a perfect picture of how these women have carried me through life:
There aren’t words big enough to tell you both thank you for the impact you have made in and on my life. I love you…and Happy Belated Birthday to the both of you!