FRIENDS

This week I was privileged to host a luncheon for nine of my friends. This was the 2nd annual Christmas Luncheon and I was able to increase from five friends to nine this year. One of my friends was my sister, which was extra special since she had to leave her home in Virginia very early to make it to NC for the lunch. I have know these ladies from all my life, to 28 years to just a few days and each one is special to me.

I have been blessed by the Lord with many special friends. They are all different except for their love for the Lord, in that we all the same.

There is Marti Barkman, our Pastor's wife. I have known her going on 29 years. We have shared many experiences together with both of us having daughters the same age that grew up together. She has always been a blessing to me, we may not socialize much through the year but I know she is always just a phone call away if I need her. Which I have done in the past. She holds a special place in my heart for when my mom was dying and we needed to get her to my home from the hospital Marti was the first person I called to come to my home to wait on the delivery of the oxygen.

Linda Nance, I have known her about the same amount of time. We too have daughters the same age that shared many memories together. Linda to me is an amazing woman and friend. She is always so caring. When my parents moved here from Illinois in 1996, Linda became their friend. She was first known at the "Cake Lady" due to the cakes she would bake and bring to them. She even stopped by their home to entertain them in her special way as "LuLu the Clown". We have spent many hours together donating platelets in Durham. I so enjoyed those drives to Durham and back for the fellowship has always been so sweet.

Mae Counts, wow what a friend she has become over the years. She is one of the most loving and caring individuals I have ever met. I have known her again for almost 29 years. If I had to describe Mae with one word it would be consistency. She has a great sense of humor that I have enjoyed over the years. She and her husband, Gerald, made it a point to make my parents their friends. They were with us through the entire process of Mom going home to be with the Lord. There just is not enough words within me to properly tell how much this couple means to me and my family.

BJ Massey is another friend I have known for almost 29 years. We have shared many memories over those years. We learned to play golf which I have become a true believer that you never learn to play golf, but that is another story for another time. BJ is one of the most tenderhearted friends I have ever known. The love for the Lord just shines through her all the time. She is simply amazing with all she can accomplish, but she always has time for a friend and many friends she has. Our families has started a new Christmas tradition last year and that is to have a Christmas Supper at BJ's home. My dad looks forward to this so much, and he is not one for going to other peoples home. BJ and I have many fun memories on the golf course with our husbands and many with just the two of us. BJ cut the cake and served it at my daughter's wedding, which was no small feat. The cake was chocolate with chocolate frosting and then broken Hersey candy bars all on the outside. BJ's hands were covered with chocolate.

Barbara Coble again a friend for almost 29 years. She is so calm and sweet. Barbara always has a smile for me whenever I see her. She too has a very caring heart as all my friends do. Her love for the Lord is such an inspiration to me through the years. She has gone through some very hard times but one would never know it from her outward appearance. She too has an amazing sense of humor that I have so enjoyed over the years.

Leann McElhannon is a relatively new friend. I have probably only known her about 8 years but in those 8 years we have grown very close. She and I teach the 6th grade girls at our church which sometimes is quite a challenge. Leann lights up from the inside out when she smiles. She is the type of friend that will do anything within her abilities for you. She came to my home and vacuumed and dusted when my mom passed away to get the house ready for people to come and pay their respects. Even last night she came and helped me by making two cheese balls for our Christmas Drop-In. I was telling my sister how Leann honored me by asking me to help her home from the hospital from same day surgery. We have shared a lot of laughter and special times together. She is a friend I can pour my heart out to and know that she will encourage me to be a better person.

Ann Rose is an amazing woman. She is one of the most talented and humble ladies I have ever met. She is so caring and tenderhearted to all she meets. She enjoys life and helps all those around her to enjoy it too. She always pats me on the back at church when she comes and sits behind me. There is never a time I have seen Ann when she does not ask about my (as she puts it) "Sweet daughter". She helped me make curtains for my home many years ago and I know that if I needed her she would be here for me.

Marti Anderson is a very new friend. She is a missionary to Mexico City. She and her family are here in the states for an extended furlough. I am so glad I invited her to join us so I could get to know her better. She asked when to meet at my home and I jokingly said if you come early I will probably put you to work, which I did! She is what my daughter calls a "Kindred Spirit". I am so looking forward to getting to know her better thorough the years to come.

The last person is my sister, Paula. She has become my best friend. We have shared many memories over the years and not all of them pleasant. But with the Lord's grace we have overcome some very hard times and now are the closest of sisters. Paula gives up several days of work each December to come and help me get ready for mine and Walt's Christmas Drop-In's. This year it looks as if we will have between 40 and 50 people coming each of the two nights so it is no small sacrifice she makes. This year is especially a blessing to me since her husband lost his job back in January and Paula's job has been the only source of income for many of the past months.

In writing about each of these special ladies I have to stop and thank the Lord for bringing them into my life. I always told my daughter, Cristy, that the Lord brings special friends in and out of our lives when we need them the most. I have been bless with many more very special friends. It would be closer to say they are family. We have shared tears and laughter over the years and I am so humbled by their love for me. I pray that the Lord will help me to be a fried to them that they are to me. Thank you Lord for loving me and blessing me so much throughout the years with these special ladies.