My Apple Tree: Giveaway Winner and FRIDAY FAVORITES

I am pleased to announce the winner of my first giveaway is

(#26 using random.org)

Hope you enjoy!

I really wish I could have given you ALL one! Thank you all for participating. Keep checking back as I have other great giveaways planned for the near future.

My Friday Favorites is going to be slightly different this week. I had such a great week spending time with some special friends, all at different times this week. So that is what my Friday Favorites are for today …

FRIENDS

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I am truly blessed with some amazing friends. I have found throughout my 30 years that TRUE friends aren’t the easiest to come by. Sure I’ve had some great and fun friends along the way, many of which I still keep up with. But I had the chance to visit with one of my dearest friends this week – just the 2 of us, and it reminded me how important my true friendships are.

I was devastated when she and her family were relocated this summer and had to move 2 states away. We went through so much together … the births of our first children, just a few months apart, then struggling through bedrest together at the very same time with our seconds. Talking each day and lifting one another up made this worrisome time a little less worrisome. She came home for a very brief visit to pack up their old home. I already miss her so much, but the distance between us won’t keep us apart. That’s what true friends do … no matter what life brings you and what obstacles you face, you stick together and are always there for one another.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with another dear friend that very same afternoon. She and her new beautiful baby came over and we just played with the children, talked, laughed, and just hung out, talking about anything and everything, understanding one another without having to explain or justify things. It was so nice just being together. I’ve only known her for just over a year, but you know how some friendships just click, and you feel like you’ve known each other forever. She is a beautiful person, inside and out, and I just love spending time with her.

Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

I also get to spend the entire afternoon today with another dear, dear friend. She always finds the positive side of things and always knows just what to say to me, regardless of what I have going on. She is always willing to do ANYTHING for me, and sometimes I just say, “yes!” She is one of those that I feel so comfortable with and can be so real with. We always have so much fun together but never seem to get enough of that time together.

And another friend is one that I unfortunately don’t get to see as often as I’d like simply due to schedules and the fact that our children are at different stages right now. We still talk when we can, and I tease her that she better not call me or answer my call unless she has an hour to kill! We just understand each other and share too many of the same thoughts. She is always there for me no matter what and I admire her in all areas of her life. She is an amazing mom.

Rejoice with those who rejoice;

mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15

All these friends love me for who I am. I don’t feel as if I need to be someone else when I’m around them. Just me. And that makes such a difference. You know how there are some people that unfortunately make you feel yucky when you’re around, like when you leave them, you know all they are doing is talking about you behind your back and trying to stir things up?

A perverse man stirs up dissension,

and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28

I have tried to limit these types of people in my life – people that bring me down. I am trying my best to only keep happy and positive influences around because I just don't need that. That’s how these friends are to me. They lift me up just being around them. I have shared in all my joys and exciting moments with them and also my frustrations and difficult moments. And they are always nothing but supportive. But mostly, all these women are Godly women. They love the Lord and you can see it in all that they are and all that they do and also all that they are NOT. The values of these women are true and honest and their character is genuine.

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Proverbs 22:24-25

He who walks with the wise grows wise,

but a companion of fools suffers harms.

Proverbs 13:20

A righteous man is cautious in friendship,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26

I do have some other very special friends that are true to me, and I regret that we have lost touch. Writing this post has made me realize this, and I plan on pursuing some of those very special relationships because friendship is so very important and I am so blessed God has brought these people into my life. I realize this post is a long one, but I hope that by reading this, it will remind you how important your friendships are to you and how important it is to nurture them.