I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Dear.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
Growing up, I was the kid that was teased and picked on. Yet I was lucky to find a dear friend in elementary school who became my best friend. Mandy had been held back in school because she received a kidney transplant. Mandy became my best friend. And due to health concerns, Mandy passed away at a very young age. I miss her every day, yet God has blessed me with even more amazing and dear friends along the way.
A year ago when I moved, I was so worried about making new friends, but I should have known that God would come through so HUGE for me. I have the most amazing dear friends. There is my friend EG who sat in the ER with me when my Mom was there and is always so much fun to spend time with. There is my friend KG who is just so much fun to be around and who loves life to its very fullest. There is KW who has since moved but who I am so glad is a part of my life. There is my dear friend CT who is very much my soul sister. These dear girls are my prayer partners and friends for life. I don’t know what I would do without them! I am so very thankful for each of them.
There are also my dear camp friends and my dear seminary friends. There is my dear friend STM who introduced me to the InCourage community. She is one of my favoritest people in the world. I am so excited to spend time with her in January and to meet her little girl little Miss Lucy. I am so ready for baby snuggles! I am trying to relish in every moment, but there is a huge part of me that thinks the end of January cannot come fast enough.
And these are only just a few of the dear friends I have been blessed with in my life. As a blogger, I have always seen my blog as a place for me to express myself and share my thoughts. I love receiving comments and seeing that others are reading my blog. But I never imagined the community that I would find along the way. I have found community through the write 31 days challenge and the Five Minute Friday. I have spent the last three Thursday nights on Twitter chatting and praying with women all over who simply get me and are a part of my tribe. There has just been something so incredibly holy about finding community with these dear women who get me and understand me for who God created me to be.
This community has allowed me to guest post on several blogs where I have been able to share my story. This community has introduced me to wonderful dear women who I can share my heart and soul with. My heart loves opening my phone and seeing a Voxer message from one of my dear new friends. It is almost hard to put into words what it means to chat with each of you and know that I am not alone in this crazy messed up world. And because I love these dear women so. I am participating in my first ever FMFpartySnailMail. I put my first letter in the mail yesterday and am impatiently waiting for my first letter to appear in my mailbox.
Thank you, dear friends, for loving me.
Thank you, dear friends, for being a part of my tribe.
Thank you, dear friends, for being welcoming.
And, dear dear friends, know you are always welcomed here.
And, dear dear friends, know you are indeed loved and treasured by this dear soul!
Oh Tara…I love your posts! I feel like I can relate to you in many ways! I was "that kid" too and eventually found my place. Love that you are with us here at FMF and I have REALLY enjoyed connecting with you time and time again!
Bethany, thank you! I have enjoyed connecting with you too!
Man alive girl, I would love to blog but wouldn't have your courage to tell it…some of it, a bit of it or a lot of it! I read your blog and can see your expression through the words that have so much feeling. I think poor Otto and Ilsa hear most of what I'd like to write! (probably doxie traumatized!)
Thanks Angie!
I'm so glad we've met and connected through #write31days! Your words have blessed me and I thank God all the time for the beautiful communities of writers he has lead me to!
I am glad we have connected too. And I am glad that my words have blessed you.
Tara, what you write is so true! Having just moved recently myself I totally get your feelings. And I share your blessing that we connect through on-line community! Thank you for sharing your words and your blessings today!
Thank You, Carol!
Tara, and you're a treasure as well, dear one. We are all finding our place! xo
Thank you, Susan. Yes, we are all indeed finding our place!
Missions has taught me so much about holding my friends dear to my heart. Loved this, Tara!
Colleen, thank you!
This is such a great post. Blessed are you, and so are they. Rosanne
Rosanne, thank you! I am indeed blessed and so are you!
I love you, my sweet friend! I am so glad we met through #write31days and that you are a part of my tribe 🙂 I got your voxer message tonight, but it was a bit later than I'd normally reply. I should be able to actually vox with you tomorrow instead of texting! Happy 2nd Sunday of Advent!!
Love you too friend! I too am glad that we met through #write31days. I am also glad that we are part of each other's tribes. Happy 2nd Sunday of Advent to you too! Looking forward to chatting on voxer when you get a chance.
What a wonderful thing. I have always seen blogging as an opportunity to connect with others and it was my lifeline while I was struggling with PPD after my first son was born. I'm grateful for your friends and connections.
Amen! Thanks for stopping by, Leah!
I never knew what an amazing community the blogging world was until I joined in the 31 days challenge. You all are truly amazing and I am also so thankful! 🙂
Amen, Erin!!!