Statuary, Grapevine Botanical Garden, Grapevine, TX.

Today's Joy: Finding Out What Other Hearts Need.

Co-led our weekly church community group meeting with SH tonight, Reader. Our usual leader is on vacation this week. Though I was nervous, it turned out to be a smashing success. The readings went smoothly and each woman opened her heart and shared personal concerns with the group.

It was like a breakthrough, really. And as the group grows and evolves, I can see our needs changing too. Am also beginning to get a picture in my head of ways we can be flexible in the group while still meeting all of these needs, whether they be spiritual or fellowship-related. I will pray for guidance on what will be the right path for this group. Thank you, God, for providing me this place where I can come and share with other new believers.

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.

Me, B & Leaky Bucket

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Today's Joy: New Beginnings.
I took a step out in faith tonight, Reader. I attended my first women's community group through church. While God has blessed me tenfold since I've been home, I confess I miss the day-to-day closeness of my best girl friends (all of whom live in other states). Now that I'm attending a church I really like, it feels like the perfect time to reach out in search of fab new local female friends to share this faith-journey.

Over the last 14 years, I've been blessed with several lifelong women friends. We've met while living in a treehouse and while studying physics. Two started out as my boss and another as my editor. Over the years, they've been my conscience & spiritual guides, my personal beauty advisers, my cheering squad and (when needed) a gentle reality check. They've been generous beyond measure and once even crawled through mud to get my car un-stuck so I wouldn't get my dress filthy.

K & J

P.S. They can rock any look from purple alligator-print stilettos to pink-lined camo gear.

D at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden

Whatever we go thru in this life, it's my pleasure to remind them I still see the bold, young women underneath the mommy, wife and career roles they've taken on. What a joy to watch them grow and mature into better versions of themselves! I suppose I feel about my girl friends the way some women feel about having children--there's always room for more!

S & her new HHR

Anyway, I had a good time tonight and met some fascinating and honest women. Can't wait to get to know them better. Have that feeling of being right where I'm supposed to be--you know the one I mean--where you can clearly feel God working in your life. Something special is beginning. Can't wait to see how it will unfold.

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit. ~Emmanuel

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Today's Joy: A Call from a Good Friend. Just got off the phone with the Divine Miss "K". From the moment we met when I moved to Dallas last spring, I was a bit in awe of this glamorous, open woman who can sweep into a room in 4-inch heels & red lipstick and make everyone she meets feel special.

She exemplifies all the things I've come to admire about strong Texas women. And no one has a bigger heart. She gets as excited about her friends' successes as if they were her own. Of all my friends, she lives life the fullest. Look, Mom, no hands! And her faith makes almost any leap possible. She inspires me to be more. And to wear eyeliner. Can't think of a better way to be a friend.