A MySpace Shout-Out! Here's to Friends! And Happy Friday!

Good Friday Morning, everyone!

Today is October 17th, 2008 and I am awaiting the arrival of my two best girlfriends! I'm up early, I meditated, am enjoying a cup of coffee and will be hitting the shower soon!

Yesterday, I was thinking about how fortunate I am to have such fantastic friends in my life! The overwhelming amount of love and support I receieve, on a daily basis, is downright astounding! My grandma sent me my box of handmade wedding favors and they're just beautiful, I teared up going through them because they're just so intricate and pretty. I can feel the love of my grandma when I hold them. I know that sounds a bit sappy, but it's true! Then, last night, Colin and I worked hard together getting the house together. It's so exciting having my friends come visit us....they've never been here and suprisingly, never even met my Colin. So I'm super excited about that! But, it dawned on me, as it so often does...that even with all the chaos, confusion, heartache and downright craziness of the world, I myself, am doing pretty well.

I think it's harder these days to be positive, at least I'm struggling. The economy, the news about possibly another war, and two daysa go here in Vegas, a really cute little boy was kidnapped from his home. Cole Puffinburger...he's 3.11" with rimmed glasses and is just a doll. You can go to KVBC.com for more information. But this just breaks my heart. I'm not a parent, but I would imagine that not knowing where your child is, and having him/her kidnapped would be the WORST feeling in the world. My heart is just aching for this little boy and his family and I'm praying for his safe return. I hope! Apparently, his kidnapping was part of a drug connection, I'm telling you folks, NOTHING good EVER comes from drugs--nothing! That's prodiminenatly why I never did them! As for other sad news, one of my dear friends (not one visiting me today) is getting a divorce. This friend of mine and their spouse has been married for almost 12 years, together for about 16. It's just so sad and heartbreaking, it really shook me up. It reminded me that although the journey I'm embarking on here (getting married in March) is wonderful and exciting, it's also real and sometimes, rough. I really do not want to end up divorced, I don't think anyone does, but I swear it seems it's almost fashionable today to do so. Marriage is hard, it takes tons of comprosmise, communication, selflessness, respect, love and balancing. When this friend emailed me to inform they were divorcing, it shook me up for a few days. But it also made me eternally grateful that I am getting married. And grateful for Colin, a man who's more committed than anyone I've ever known. (At least in a romantic capacity). I don't blame my friend or their spouse, what so ever...their business is their business. ButI am praying for them, long and hard. Divorce is a death and to those of us about to get married, it's quite motivating to make our own marriages work. The truth is, you never really know, though...you can take those vows, and completely and totally 100% mean them, but still, life is incredibly uncertain, especially in these crazy times, and all I can say is that I will work at and for my marriage, and I will see it through. That is my promise to myself and my to-be-husband. Abuse (of any kind), infidelity and complete and utter neglect; however, are grounds for divorce in my opinion. Those Colin and I have already agreed upon. Other than that, we're totally and completely 100% in this for the long haul. And I really admire that about us to be honest!

Anyway, with all of that sadness and heartache and financial stress for every single person I know, along with the upcoming election and the stress of having to pick a canidate...I honestly haven't decided who I'm voting for yet...it's rather digusting. And the pressure of school and looking for another job (it was great while it lasted the time that it did)....well, life can be a bit overwhelming these days, I think it is for all of us.

But yesterday, I heard of Billie Jean King's book, "Pressure is a Privilage," and a light went off in my head. I know she's a tennis player and made leaps and bounds for womens' rights back in the day. But, the title struck me. Pressure IS a privilage. We all may be facing difficult times in different ways; but we're in this together and God is with us and it truly is a privilage to be under pressure. Of course, not loads of it, that's no fun and not healthy for the body, but a forseeable amount of pressure is good. It's healthy, it makes us who we are, keeps us on our toes and make life endlessly interesting!

So I'm focusing on the positive now. No more stinkin' thinkin' for me. It's Friday, my best girlfriends are coming into town and I cannot wait!

Now, for the point of my entry in the first place:

Not only do I have a lot of fantastic friends in my everyday life, but I have fantstic friends here on MySpace. Friends who are no less my friends simply because we're friends on here. I have friends on here that are facing difficulties of their own; the loss of a parent, the joy of a and struggle to stay motivated with school. Another one of my friends (who I've actually known for almost 6 years) and talked to every day for long while)is totally rockin' with her home-based business she and her husband share! That is joyful news in this troubled economy.

Anyway, alright, I'll name names, in order of their current experience: Debbie, I am sorry for your loss. Just heartbreaking and earth shattering and although I know good and well I'll experience the death of my own parents someday, I sure hope it's not soon. But when it does come, I hope I can cope with it in the amazing way that you have. With hope and grace and courage and strength! You are outstanding and your dad was and is, most certainly proud of you! I know that for sure! Thank you for your advice about my own mother and for always being there despite your own troubles. I so admire you! I'm praying for you and I love you! Angelina, words cannot express my joy! Grandchildren (so I hear) are twice as much fun as kids. I'm so happy your grandaughter was born healthy and that you get to enjoy her! Who wouldn't love being a grandma?! I look foward to it someday myself, but again, not anytime soon, I have to be a mother first, right? LOL! I hope you're feeling well these days and taking it easy. I think of you and I love you! Melanie, I tried AGAIN with your paper. I honestly did, I think I'm going to print it out, write on it physically, scan a copy and email it to you that way. I'm so sorry girl. But I am so proud of you with your sticking to school and going for your degree. I'm happy you found Andy and I'm glad you went home for Thanksgiving. You are becoming quite the young woman! Love you girl! And Ellen, I truly miss our days of chatting! But, alas, we've got our men, our homes and our different lives. Just know that I am so proud of you. It's been a joy to watch you, your marriage, and your business, grow. I am praying for our friend, Liz, too and will attempt to contact her again. I miss you dearly, and I think of you everyday. To all of these ladies: I love you. I thank you for your friendships and your support. And I thank you for your patience! (Melanie!) You are each an inspiration to me and I'm so glad to have you in my life! I pray for you and yours each and every day and I count you all among my many blessings!

So that is how I'm choosing to spend this Friday; in happy, excited, wonderous gratitude! Not because it's easy, but because it beats the alternative! :)

Have a fantstic Friday, everyone and a great weekend! I'll write again soon! My love, prayers & blessings to you all; and of course, as always...Thank You Lord for my abundance of blessings and friends and great things in my life! The people, the network of parents (mine & Colin's--normal and Grand) the home, the man, the weather, the car, the lasting friendships, the eyes, sight, hearing, touching, smelling, thinking, feeling, eating, breathing, the everything! Please keep it coming and continue to bless it all!

In Light N' Love,

-Sarah Liz :)