Thankful Thursday - Friendship

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
       and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel".  (Proverbs 27:9)

What wonderful gifts I have in my friends...my beautiful Sisters in Christ.  These will be the focus of my thankfulness today...

• I am thankful for Jennifer, my precious friend who speaks truth into my life almost daily.  She came into my life almost 4 years ago, and I can honestly say that I have never had a friendship so sweet or so true.  She has grown into such a wonderful woman of faith, and one of the godliest mothers I know.  Her recent battle with breast cancer has only strengthened her faith and her resolve to live in passionate pursuit of The Savior.  She knows me as well, if not better, than anyone I know.  She knows that I am a recovering "pit dweller" and she is not afraid to boldly, yet ever so lovingly, confront me in my habits.  She also celebrates with me in my accomplishments...no matter how large or small.  The thing I love the most about her is that she is a woman of prayer.  When she says she's praying for you, she means it.  She rarely lets a day pass that she hasn't gone to her knees before the Father with her petitions. I  love her so dearly... she is my hero,  and I thank God for allowing us to share this time in our lives together.
• I am thankful for Paula.  Talk about a cheerleader!! She is such a powerhouse of energy, and purpose.  She lives her life to that end, willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill God's purpose and plan for her life.  She is so taken with our Jesus that she never fails to present the opportunity to come to know him as Savior and Lord to others in her sphere of influence.  She is a natural motivator, and is gifted at "spurring me on" in my faith and in my business.  God truly sent her into my life "for such a time as this", and I will be forever grateful.
• I am thankful for Donna.  She is so precious to me, and is always such an encouragement.  Her faithfulness to serve our God and honor His name are inspirational.  I love to see her smiling face each Sunday.
• I am thankful for Dori, and Karian, and Priscilla, and all my other "Mary Hearts" girls. This group of women has become an awesome support group, and wonderful sisterhood in the faith.
• I am thankful for new blogging friends such as 'Nise and Alycia, and Iris and Lisa, as well as all the others who stop by my blog to offer encouragement and love.  I am so thankful to have met you and been graced by your presence in my life. 
• A post about "sisterhood" would be remiss if I did not take time to thank Jesus for my own two precious "flesh and blood" sisters...Betsy and Karen.  I thank God for all of the years we have had together.  They know all of my history, and they love me anyway.  We don't currently live in the same towns, but I know if I am ever in need, all I have to do is call them, and they will be by my side.  They were my first friends, and are two of my best friends.  We have a saying that we use to sign off on emails and myspace comments "Always Sisters & Forever Friends".  They are, and will always be, so precious to me.

For more Thankful Thursday entries, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Have a wonderful day!!

Love,

Susanne