Thanks for all of your great feedback from my Fat Talk Free posts (recap here and here). I spent the afternoon mailing out "Friends Don't Let Friends Fat Talk" decal stickers ~ if you requested one, it should be coming soon!! :)
Hello friends! :)
Recently I shared I was dreading saying goodbye to a very special friend. Your words of wisdom and insight were so helpful to me as I've prepared to say goodbye (I mean, "see ya later") to my dear friend, Jen Torresson.
Jen and her family are loading up the moving van today, and will be heading to their new home in Pennsylvania (which is a long ways from Michigan!) as I write.
Today is a very sad day :(
Have you ever had a friend that from Day 1 you knew this friendship was going to be special??That was me and Jen! At our first "coffee" years ago, we were already sharing real life. Jen's family had just moved to Michigan from California, only for her husband Tom to lose his job. Jen and I kind of bypassed the small talk and went right into sharing our hurts, our hopes, our disappointments.
Then I asked the question, “Oh, so where do you guys go to church?”.
“We don’t” Jen replied.
I soon learned that although we shared a common love for family and for kids – we also shared many differences.
Jen wanted nothing to do with the Christian religion. Nothing. She prayed to a higher power. Believed there were energies in the world. Didn’t understand my love for God, and didn’t want to. It was as if her mind was veiled to God and His Truth (2 Cor 4:3-4)
You know what I did? I started praying for Jen and her family. Praying that this veil would be taken away. My Bible study started praying for Jen. My husband, our kids were praying. Friends’ friends that didn’t even know Jen and her family were praying. Praying that this family would know God's great love for them!
Jen and I continued developing our friendship and she became one of my closest and dearest friends.
After about a year of journeying together, I invited Jen to my Bible study. She said yes. I couldn’t believe it! That night I finally had the courage to ask Jen if she would like to invite Jesus into her life. Jen wasn’t ready, she said. So I asked her if we could we pray together?
Jen said that would be ok...so we tightly held hands and I prayed that God would take away the veil getting in the way for her and her husband – and that God would reveal Himself to them.
Soon after, Jen and her husband started attending church as a family. (I couldn't believe it!) And on Easter Sunday of 2008, as they were driving home from church, Jen’s husband Tom leaned over and said to her – "I met Jesus today". (Can you believe it??! Yippee!)
Soon after, Jen went on a women’s weekend retreat with her new church – and she gave her life to Jesus! (Woo Hoo!!!)
"Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:16
It has been amazing to watch God work so powerfully in Jen's life over the past few years! God clearly has a very special and significant plan for Jen and her family! And she handled the trauma of Tom's heart attack with such faith in God and tremendous strength in Him. She is truly an inspiration!
And I will never forget the day, just 2 months after Tom's heart attack, that I was sitting between Tom and Jen at their church, waiting for Jen's name to be called, so that I could baptize her.
Only God.
Last week, as we gathered in my home to celebrate Jen (and her mom) ~ my heart was so full of gratitude to the Lord! Jen and her family have such a special place in my heart...always.
See ya later, Jen. Although our times together will not be as many (who will meet me at Starbucks every week??) ~ I trust that our conversations will not be any less meaningful. I thank God for the amazing opportunity to journey with you over the past 4+ years. I appreciate your generous spirit, your love for family & friends, your wisdom, and listening ear. You are family to me, and I will always treasure you and the gift of your friendship!
It's not goodbye.....just "see ya real soon"! Love, Me :)
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. May your week be filled with much joy, friendship, and life-giving moments!!
10 comments:
Friends are the sprinkles on the cupcake of life, aren't they Cindy? Love your "see ya later" tribute to your beautiful friend!
What a sweet, sweet entry about how the Lord can use us to bring others to a saving knowledge of Him. Blessings to this family as they relocate and blessings to you as you "keep on keeping on."
Happy week!
Where in PA is she moving???
Thank God for our BFF's! I can't imagine my best friend of 5 years having to leave! Isn't it crazy how much you can go through in this short amount of time? 5 years doesn't really seem like that long but when I think about what we really have gone through, I am amazed. I have birthed 2 amazing children during these 5 years, 1 child has had heart surgery, fights with our spouses, hard spots on the job, spiritual growths! It is amazing to think back where we were 5 years ago and look at us now! :)
I wish you both the best and will be praying for both of you...until you see again! :)
Have a great day!
My best friend and I haven't lived in the same town in more than 25 years...I was the "newbie" then and we met through a small group in church. She was my first visitor when our youngest was born...memories! Our husbands were best friends as well. All these many years later, she is still my best friend. We still have the occasional get-together and our cell phones definitely get a work out - thank heavens for free Verizon to Verizon calling!!
I know it's sad to see her leave and know you can't just pop in the car and meet down the street...but I'll bet 25 years from now, you'll have some great stories to share of how your long-distance friendship has stood the test of time! (((hugs)))
Such a precious God story. Wow! Praise God for how He used you to bring this family close to Him. Our God is so good!!! He NEVER ceases to amaze. I pray God fills that empty spot in your heart or vicinity with a new friend...maybe another one who needs Him.
Love the story of your friendship and am sure your page in each other's lives will continue to be written.
Oh how I love their testimony!!!! She will be missed :)
A beautiful story, beautiful friendship! A true gift from God!
Jen and I were in the same Mom's Group - but we didn't get to know each other very well. I really like Jen though, I remember when her husband had the heart attack and how much we all prayed for her family.
I didn't know she arrived from CA wanting nothing to do with religion!! She has so much faith; I didn't know you were the one to connect her with it. WOW!!!
Post a Comment