Friends, encouragement

Jill, Janna and me and Pita Jungle

It seems that I have a theme here on my blog...friends.  It's just that I have so many awesome ones that I have to tell you all about them!

Today I had lunch with Janna and Jill.  Jill is my friend whose daughter Emma and I hung out with at Phoenix Childrens Hospital a few weeks back.  Janna is my amazing friend whom I have known since Emma was a baby...I will get back to her in a bit.

Now onto Jill....she has five beautiful daughters.  3 of them are teenagers and then she has Isa who is 6 (she used to be Eli's girlfriend until we left SBC and she moved on!:( )  and Anabel, who is the one in the hospital.  Jill is such an amazing woman!! She has such trust in the Lord and I just know that she is such a joy to all that come across her at the hospital.  She did not say ONE negative thing today about dealing with Anabel's leukemia.  She only talked about the positive....the positive of Anabel having Down's Syndrome AND the positive about their leukemia journey.  I am pretty certain that she would say that this journey has changed her family forever, for the better.  That's because Jill's faith has not only stood strong, but has grown stronger through this experience.  She is such an encouragement to me about the power that the Lord has to get us through those tough times that we are promised in this life.  She gives Him all the glory for her strength and for carrying her family through this.  She spoke of all the people who have come alongside them in this journey.  It is amazing  to think about all those who have cooked meals and come to the hospital to sit with Anabel so Steve and Jill can have some time with their other children.  I am in awe of her...but even more so of our GOD who is always so faithful!!

Janna....my other dear friend in the picture.  Janna and I have known each other since Emma was about 2.  We met at MOMS at our church.  Janna is my rock friend.  She is the one who I can vent to about anything and she is ALWAYS ready with an encouraging word.  She always speaks truth to me...but always in a loving way.  She is eternally optimistic and always thinks the best of people.  She is a light to all who know her.  Our kids are dear friends now too and I am so grateful for that.  Her husband is my hubby's "wing man" (accountability partner) and I know that he encourages him in so many ways as well.  I know that Janna would do anything for me. In fact, the night before Bruce and I ran our first (and only!) marathon we heard noises out in front of our house...we went out and there were Matt and Janna with a huge poster that they had made for us and a picture frame to put our marathon picture in!!  These are "friends to ride the river with"...to quote my husband (I think it's from a Louis Lamour book!)  Love you Janna!