You know those people that come into your life at perfect opportune times in your life and you know that God had to have sent them to you because there is just no other way to explain the incredible impact they have made on your life?
I have had MANY of these encounters. It seems that every person I meet has a certain lesson(s) that God has specifically ordained for me to learn from them. When reflecting on this and those encounters there are 4 specific women who have a distinctly LARGE impact on my life.
These four women were brought into my life four years ago. I met them my freshman year at Iowa State. The great thing about college is that you get to meet lots of new people. In this season of my life God brought each of these four women into my life through a Bible study I attended. This is picture from our first outing to Jenny's house. We watched Anne of Green Gables. I knew I had definitely encountered some "kindred spirits"in these ladies.
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| 2008 |
The following four years would be a time of incredible growth in my relationship with God. These four women knew Jesus and He has given them each different perspectives in which to see Him. I have learned so much from each of their lives and their walks with Jesus.
As we studied His word together, prayed together, and just lived life together (some of us in Apt. 4), something extraordinary happened-a bond formed that goes deeper then the natural. These women have seen me at my worst. They know every secret. They know my fears. They know my many weaknesses. They have listened to my whining (thanks ladies). One of them even sat with me for hours in a Bible Camp cabin bathroom while the stomach flu hit me hard (thanks Jenny!).
Through all of that, they have been a beautiful display of God's love in my life. They have spoken Truth into painful moments. They have called me out on sin issues. They have prayed, oh, have they prayed. We have worshipped together. We have served together. We have wrestled through some of the hard questions life brings. Together we have seen Jesus do incredible things-things that seemed impossible (at least to me) were possible right before our eyes.
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| 2010-A Vacation to Duluth |
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| 2011-One of our more ridiculous moments. We took "Tabitha" for a 22 mile bike ride. |
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| We went camping for vacation. Thanks to these women I now sorta enjoy tent camping... an example of the impossible made possible ;) |
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| 2012-In Kansas City this fall visiting Anna. Nicole would be the little thing Anna's holding. |
Together we have grown and matured. They had the distinct pleasure (or misfortune...depends on how you look at it ;)) of seeing me at the very beginning of my walk with God and being a part of God teaching and growing me. These women are incredible and words will never be able to express how grateful I am for each of them. Life on this earth is so short, but I am forever grateful I get to live it with these women and see the way Jesus works through them. Even if we don't live in the same country (which seems highly likely and has already happened in short increments) God will continue to show His mercy to us and glorify Himself in our lives.
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| This weekend-Getting together before Jenny leaves the country for 6 months |
I know Jesus better because of them and for that I give God all the glory.
I love you Anna, Natalie, Jenny, and Nicole! :)
