like precious gold

Do you ever look at your life and just feel so immensely blessed?

I sure do.

Anthony and I have been exceedingly, abundantly blessed.  We have both had the amazing privilege of being able to travel.  A lot.  Anthony spent years traveling the world as an international model.  His job took him to many exotic and beautiful places.  While modeling in the fashion capitals of the world, he also had the wonderful privilege of taking people on mission trips.  Yes, models sure can be Christians too. It's not easy, but it is do-able.

I, on the other hand, never had the modeling genes happening. At all! My life as a twenty-something had me feeling restless and eager to see the world.  And so I did.  I traveled a lot before marriage--seeing something like thirty countries. It was a fun time.

Then the Lord brought us together.  I met Anthony when he came to South Africa as a missionary in 1996.  We lived in Africa for five years after being married, and then moved to Australia, then to Virginia, then to Colorado.  And here we are now.

You know the thing that really stands out for me?  Not the great places I have seen, nor the different foods I have tried.  Neither is it the stunning scenery, nor the variety of languages I have heard spoken.  No...the true treasure lies in the people we have met on the journey.  Amazing people.  As we have moved and traveled, we have gained the most incredible friendships along the way.  People who we know will be friends for life.  Friends who live on different continents--but are never far from our hearts and thoughts. Thank the Lord for e-mail.

What a blessing friendships are. I have come to treasure them like precious gold.

When I started blogging eighteen or so months ago, I never imagined that God would use this little blog to bless my life so richly with amazing friendships.  Anthony always teases me that some of my dearest friends are here in blog world.  People I have never even met in person.  I guess it is kind of funny.  The internet, though wicked in so many ways, certainly has made the world a much smaller place.

Last Saturday I had the absolute privilege of meeting a sweet bloggy friend. Kristin and I met through her best friend, a precious woman of God who has been a dear blog friend of mine for ages.  I don't even know when Lisa and I 'met' here.  But I sure am thankful we did.  Lisa has been such a treasure to me--always encouraging me and pointing me toward the Father.

Kristin and I had a few hours together last Saturday, and what a sweet time is was.  Of course we talked non-stop, as only women can do...such a gift from above!

I was so blessed to be able to spend such special moments with Kristin.  She and her hubby have one little angel girl with Down Syndrome, and are soon going to be heading to the same country as Hailee and Harper to adopt another.  Yep--that seed of adoption is planted in their hearts.  Such a beautiful thing.  I can hardly wait to see how the Lord leads and guides them in the months and years to come.

Thank you, Kristin, for taking the time to visit with me on your vacation.  I was truly blessed. You are like precious gold, my friend.

Thank you, dear bloggy friends, for journeying with me.  It truly has been such a treat to get to know so many of you.  You have inspired me to become a better mom, a better wife, and a better servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I appreciate every comment you leave me, and every e-mail you send me.  You are true treasures in the Kingdom of God...like precious gold.