A Getaway with Girlfriends

I had fun in Iowa this weekend catching up with longtime girlfriends. As a woman, we have a God-given longing for friendships with other women. For over 21 years, these women - who were once my high school classmates - have fulfilled this longing. These friendships, though we are all different, have been strong and rewarding even through our seasons of change. We know everything about each other and still love each other anyway. I'm very thankful for the blessing of these women in my life and the rare longevity of our friendship.

A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17

A Substitute for Starbucks

If you're like me and crave an iced vanilla latte from Starbucks on a hot summer day but live several miles from the closest one, this recipe from a friend is a great alternative:

Creamy Iced Vanilla Latte
6 cups brewed coffee
1 cup milk
1 cup half & half
1/3 cup sugar (or more if needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together in a pitcher, refrigerate all day or overnight and serve over ice.

So good!

On your mark, get set, go!

It was an overcast morning in Chicago, but, despite this, it was great weather for the American Brain Tumor Association's 5th annual Path to Progress 5K walk/strut/run.

I met some survivors and caregivers with amazing stories as well as family and friends of those that have lost their battle. Also, after a few years of communicating primarily through YASG, a message board for brain cancer . . . specifically glioblastoma multiforme (also known as GBM IV or Stage 4), and now Facebook, I met two ladies from Texas and Virginia that lost their husbands and another lady from Iowa that lost her sister. We actually spent the afternoon and evening together which was a time of tears and laughter. No one understands the trial of brain cancer and the grief of losing someone to it like those who have traveled the same road, so it was a healthy part of our healing process.

This year's event was the largest and most successful yet with over 6,000 runners, strutters and walkers, volunteers and supporters raising over $750,000 for research to treat, prevent and cure brain tumors. My team, Hearts for Heads, contributed over $3,600.

God blessed this event and me in many ways and it was a privilege to participate in such a worthy cause. Thank you to those of you that participated with me by running, strutting or walking, donating and praying. I look forward to doing this in memory of Kent and others again next year!

A Bittersweet Goodbye

The last MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting of the year was this morning. It's been a great year of learning how to nurture and grow our relationships with God, ourself, our husband (if, of course, we have one), our children, our family, our parents and in-laws, our friends and our community. We had great speakers this year that were quite a blessing of encouragement. I'm prayerful to hold close to my heart what we learned in order to have healthy, thriving relationships just as God intends.

While I'm ready for a break from ministry responsibility, this last meeting was bittersweet for me, because, for the last five years, I have served in MOPS but will not be returning next year. My pre-school days are coming to an end with my youngest son starting kindergarten in the fall, so it's time for me to prayerfully consider other ministry opportunites.

With relationships fresh on my heart and mind after this year's theme, I'm so thankful for the friendships that have derived from being a part of MOPS. God has definitely used this ministry and these friendships to enrich my life.