Trying to be Thankful Thursday ~ but I'm really, really sad

Hey Friends!

Happy Thankful Thursday to you!

I'll be honest ~ I hate goodbyes. If you've been my friend for any length of time, you know this is true. You can't get rid of me if you try :) .

Goodbye is not in my vocabulary.

I know what you're probably thinking. "Cindy, experts say the ability to say goodbye is a necessary life skill".

I know, I know.

And I want to be healthy and whole and normal ~ I really do.

But goodbyes bring up too much pain for me...especially after experiencing the tragic death of my fiance David just 5 months before our wedding and 2 weeks before Christmas.

I don't want to have to say good-bye anymore.

Which brings me to today. The Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful group of friends. I'm so fortunate, I realize this.

And there are 3 friends that I spend the most time with, and these girls really, really know me.

Julie, Jill and Jen. I call them my "3 J's" and thank God for them daily.

Last fall, when Jen's husband received a job offer in Pennsylavania, I could barely take it. I cried all of the time. I had a melt down in gymnastics. I still get teary-eyed when I walk past our favorite weekly coffee shop.
Did I mention I hate goodbyes?

Thankfully, Jill and Julie helped me through (of course, Jesus & John were also there for me!) and I settled into having my "2 J's" close by (and cherish my phone calls from PA with Jen).

Imagine my sadness when Jill shared this spring that her husband was offered a job in Minnesota. NOOOOO!! Jill and I meet every Tuesday at Starbucks. We sit together at church every Sunday. Her husband is mentoring my son Jake. Our kids love each other. We celebrate St Patricks Day & New Years Eve and go to 4th of July parades together.

And only Jill would show up at my door like this when I was having a bad day....

You know the rest of the story. The moving truck arrived at their house yesterday.

Saying goodbye is a necessary life skill, and I guess it's time I start to mature in this area (but I still don't want to!).

Today I'm choosing gratitude. I made a list of the Top 10 things I love about Jill, and have been cherishing our special times together over the past 6+ years.

How about you?? How have you made it through painful goodbyes??

I'd love to learn from you, my dear bloggy friends. :)

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Wishing you a joy-filled day!

Wordless Wednesday: SURPRISE!

West Michigan friends ~
I'll be at the Praise & Coffee Night tomorrow night (Thursday the 11th) in Plainwell, Michigan. I'll be talking about addiction, body image stuff, living 'Fat Talk Free', and the FREEDOM that we have in Christ! Grab a girlfriend for a fun night out! I'd love to meet you there! :)

Hey Friends :)

Happy Wednesday to you!!I thought I'd try a Wordless Wednesday again, but you know me....I'm not very good at it! How can I not say "something?"?! :)

10 years ago today I was pregnant with baby #2. Our doctor had done an ultrasound for us, and assured us we were having a girl.

We were blessed to have a number of different baby showers for "Baby Rebecca". We painted "her" room and got the nursery all stocked and ready with pink onesies, dresses, and more!

On the big day, as soon as I delivered my new precious baby (without any drugs, I might add ~ not by my choice...another story!) ~ I turned to the nurse and asked...

"Does she have red hair??"

The nurse replied, "HE DOES!"



After the initial shock (and desperate attempt to come up with a boy name!) ~ we immediately rejoiced in God's provision (and sense of humor!).

And yes, if you attended Mars Hill Bible Church in 2001, you may remember Benj's story! Our friend and pastor Rob Bell got a big kick out of sharing with the congregation Benj's birth .

(I'll never forget when Rob called the hospital at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon and said, "Cindy, I told everyone at 9 & 11 services, and can't wait to do it again at 6".) For many years, folks would say, "Oh, is this your baby girl? Snicker. snicker."

That's ok ~ God knew EXACTLY what He was doing!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Benj!!! We love you and thank God every day for making you uniquely you (and totally sports crazy, 100% boy!) !!!


And I'm also grateful you love a good celebration ~ just like your mom! :)


Speaking of celebrations, we've got one planned for tonight to celebrate Benj's 10th birthday!!! I'm off to pick up the hockey cake!!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! May the Lord bless you with a Wonderful Wednesday!!!

P.S. I love my husband John's note to Benj on FB today..."Happy Birthday Tiger. That's what I called you when I gave you your first bath because you didn't have a name yet!!" :)

Happy Anniversary to Me! :)

Hey Friends :)

As you may remember, John and I celebrated our 11th wedding Anniversary this week. Woo Hoo!

Years ago, our wonderful marriage mentors suggested that John and I take time away once each season to reconnect, enjoy each other's company, have fun, and relax. We've graciously accepted the challenge! And whereas we've not been perfect at getting away once a season, John and I have been intentional about going on "mini-moons" as often as we can ~ especially to celebrate our Anniversaries!

So this past weekend, we enjoyed a special Anniversary "mini moon" to....(any guesses??)

After checking out lots of great ideas from my friends, I selected Traverse City. (Last year, John picked ~ so this year was my turn! He likes boats, water, etc.. I like fancy hotels and Starbucks nearby). I did try to compromise :)

We enjoyed our time at the Grand Traverse Resort. Here's a view from our balcony...

And a view from Aries, a restaurant located on the 16th floor.

But don't worry ~ John still was able to see lots of boats (I just didn't have to ride them across Lake Michigan this year!)

I enjoyed some cherry pie (since we were in the Cherry capital of the world!)


And John was sweet and brought me a latte in the morning :) The art of compromise!


John and I have both enjoyed our mini-moons over the past 11 years of marriage! A special thank you to our marriage mentors, Doug and Judie Childress, for giving us the challenge many years ago! (And for my parents for watching the 4 kids, and my inlaws for keeping the dog ~ bless you!!!!)

What about for you?? What's the best nuggest of marriage wisdom you've received?? I'd love to hear from you!!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have a wonderful, joy-filled day!!

P.S. I'm linking up today with Jen and friends at Soli Deo Gloria. Be sure to check out this amazing sisterhood of women! :)

Monday's with Beth Moore ~ next Monday! (August 15th!)

For my West Michigan Friends...

Just a reminder next Monday, August 15th will be a NEW "Mondays with Beth" Bible Study gathering!! Woo Hoo!!

This month's teaching is called "The Guarded Heart". It's awesome ~ Beth's teaching is powerful, funny, and full of life application. The teachings do not build on one another, so if this is the first time you can join us ~ don't worry ~ you have not missed a thing!!

Whether you are a new believer, have been studying the Bible your whole life, or still trying to figure this whole "Jesus thing" out ~ we would love to have you join us!

We'll start Monday night at 7:00 PM at Sunshine Church in the Sunshine Room. The teaching is 1 hour in length, and then we’ll have time for food & fellowship afterwards....plus the free cappuccino/coffee bar will be open too!! Yum!!

Come as you are, bring your Bible, and sit back and get ready to dig deep in the Word. No homework. No cost. Regardless of your church home, all women are welcome!!

Here's a sneak peek of this month's teaching...

What do you have planned for Monday night?? Why not call a friend, drive out together to Sunshine, and join the FUN!! We would love to see you there!!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have an AMAZING, joy-filled week!!

God's richest blessings to you~



P.S. This will be our last Monday's with Beth for Summer 2011....but we sense God is planning a FUN JOURNEY for Fall....

Please prayerfully beginning now about joining us! :) I'll be sharing more on August 15th, and more details to come here on *She Sparkles* too......