Today's Joy: Cultivating A New Friendship.
Had a wonderful day, Reader. Spent the day with a new friend, SH, from my church community group. We went to Sephora to redeem my birthday coupon for a fabulous eyecare set and then meandered through a few clothing stores before eating a lovely lunch at Panera Bread on the patio and discussing this week's group session, which we will be leading together.

What a lovely day! I really enjoyed getting to know SH a little better. We had a ball bonding over sequined tops, turquoise rings and a zillion fun things at Home Goods. Once our shopping fix had been satisfied, talk turned to the spiritual and personal. Am really enjoying sharing my spiritual journey with others who are also walking their own newly-found path with God. I feel His presence strongly in those moments, and His delight in our efforts to be closer to Him. It's a sensation that is difficult to explain. At the same time, it's deeply fulfilling.

Hurray for new relationships (both earthly and transcendent). May they continue to bring long-lasting blessings to all the lives around us.

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. ~ Baltasar Gracian

Today's Joy: Oodles of Laughter.
Spent a wonderful night communing with my women's church group, Reader. Seemed like all we did was laugh. A lot. Over stupid, unremarkable things I cannot even recall now. But the laughter was contagious and we all just kept laughing until our faces were red, our breath wheezy and our stomachs hurt from laughing too much. What a blessing God has a sense of humor! And how clever of Him to make an activity so enjoyable that actually helps tighten your abs at the same time. Genius!

Today's Joy: Watching God at Work.
I saw God working in the lives of the women in my church community group tonight, Reader. As we got to know one another better, the walls of formality began to drop and we started to to talk about the things we struggle with in our personal faith journeys as well as the specific obstacles we face each day. It was illuminating and redeeming to share and listen and offer encouragement. I love to watch God's plans blossom in the joy of shared relationship. What a blessing these women are already in my life! I hope that I can do the same for them.