TGP: Day 14

Day 14

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

We arrived home late last night, fully exhausted - so this morning, I started the day out, grateful for a full, uninterrupted night of sleep.  Having had recent issues with insomnia - good sleep is cause for gratitude!  TRUST ME!

It was great to have my Pastor (also my "boss") back in the pulpit today.  Sitting between my baby girl and my wonderful hubby.... was also something that I cannot take for granted.  On the other side of Britt was her "man" , along with his sweet mom and sister... I love it!

We had a very meaningful time of worship and an incredible message on Hell...why would that be cause for thanks?  UH - because I'm very glad I'll not be spending eternity there! I'm BEYOND grateful God made a way for us to spend eternity in Heaven rather than facing eternal judgment - tormented and isolated. 

This evening was capped off with dinner at our dear friends' house - when I say "friends", it grossly undervalues the love we have for them.  They are an extension of our family - theirs is a house where all of my kids feel at home, and theirs are equally comfortable in ours.  The best times we have are typically around the kitchen or dining room table - almost always involving food of some type and perhaps even a glass or two of wine.  We literally can sit and talk about "real life stuff" - which we all have dealt with much.  Just as easily, we can sit and laugh hysterically.  Tonight, a scrumptious dinner (that I didn't have to prepare) with great friends, a little wine, our children, and daughter's boyfriend - who feels equally welcome and at ease - was EXACTLY the perfect ending to a slightly challenging week. 

I'm grateful for such dear friends - the kind that truly know all of your "stuff" and love you in spite.  The kind of friends who will go out of their way for you on a moment's notice. The kind of friends that you can be comfortable around in sweats, a ponytail and no makeup...the kind of friends that your children think of as "second parents"....the kind of friends that you have no reservations about giving access to your security codes, garage door codes, extra keys, etc.  The kind of friends you can cry with just as easily as you laugh with.  I can't imagine life without them - and am very grateful that I'll not have to. These are the friends we'll have til death.  I'm immensely grateful that God caused our lives to intersect many years ago - during an otherwise "unmemorable" season of Little League baseball.  How blessed we are!  (Love you guys...)

Our "Extended Family" - We are so BLESSED by these amazing friends!