Yes, it’s time for The Summer Girlhood Home Companion Giveaway! To celebrate summer and friendship, we’re giving away “seven” issues of our beautiful (and very popular) “Between Friends” summer issue.
Here’s what you have to do to win. Tell us what you appreciate most about your dearest friend (or friends). Is there someone who has helped you through a tough time in the past? Tell us what she did to support you. Or do you have a special friend who draws you to Christ? What about a special friendship with a grandmother, mother, daughter or sister? Tell us what qualities you appreciate most in your friend and pay a tribute here. We’d love to hear your story.
This contest runs through midnight, July 23rd, so enter now to win – and don’t forget to tell your friends!
Blessings,
Jill Novak
I appreciate my daughter, Rebecca Joy, from the time she arrived she has absolutely been a joy to me and her dad. She is caring and considerate, a caregiver to anyone in need. She has taught me many lessons in 13 years and I thank God for each and every moment shared with her! She brings hope when there seems to be little and she loves Jesus!
I met my childhood best friend in kindergarten and still today we talk about 2-3 times a week even though we live in different cities. She lost her mother unexpectedly when we were in kindergarten and throughout the years I knew the hurt of that loss was still evident in her life. She was like a sister to me and when my own mother was diagnosed with cancer when I was in college, my friend was right there to support me through it all. Two years after her diagnosis my mother passed away and she was the only one who could totally relate to the loss and hurt I was feeling. Now as adults and almost 16 years since my mother died, we continue to support each other in our own roles as mothers and challenge each other in our faith. It would have been hard to make it through the loss of my Mom without her, but we both realize that God was really the one who carried us both through those losses. Thanks for letting me share the story of my best friend!!
One of the qualities that makes my dearest friend so special is that she is contant, faithful. She is there to laugh me with me in the good times, and encourage me when that path is a rocky. She is one that I know I can always count on ~ our friendship is one of God’s precious gifts to my life.
My sister is my best friend…well both of my sisters. Growing up, they helped me after my Mother died. My oldest sister took me in when I just couldn’t live with my abusive Father any longer. She nurtured me in every way she knew how. She tried to the teaching that a Mother would do and the listening that a sister would do. I am so very grateful that she has NEVER turned her back on me. My other sister helped me stay focus on the LORD and not give up faith that everything will be OK with HIS help.
There is so much more that I could write about them both. I just don’t know where to begin. The only thing I could say is that I am a better person because they were in my life..then I would be without them.
Those I call my true friends are those women whose hearts are always seeking the will of the Father. Because of their constant nearness to the Lord, they overflow with joy, hope, faith, and love. When I need advice, I go to them, because I know they will guide me to walk by His word and not what I feel or what the world has to say. A good and godly friend explores the hidden treasures of Christ with me and together we rejoice in our daily findings.
My sweet daughter is one of my closest friends.She has such a love for the Lord at such a young age, she inspires me. I remember when she was about 2.5 she came and put her hand on me one day and ask “Mommy whats wrong”? I told her I was just worrying about something, she said “Mommy you shouldnt worry Gods in charge!” God uses my sweet 10yr old daughter to minister to my heart almost daily.
Memories. They can draw up the strongest of emotions. Both good and bad. Memories of special friends can bring up the best of emotions. Again, both good and bad. Special friends are there for you through the best and worst of times. They love you even when you are unlovable. They are there to share in both your joy and your sorrow. They laugh when you laugh, cry when you cry and stay with you to the end. Special friends tell you the truth, even if it hurts and you can accept what they say because you know they care about you and want something better for you. Even when there is a distance of miles they will forever be close to you. When there is the distance of time, you can pick up right where you left off. Ah, special friends…
My special friend is Mimi. I met her in a singles group that started up at our church almost 20 years ago. We spent almost 2 years together getting to know each other in this group. Mimi was actually a good friend with my husband, Paul, before I entered the picture. I have so many special memories of Mimi as I look back and laugh at her antics to get Paul to ask me out and her nudging me to find interest in him. When Paul asked me to marry him, she was the first friend we told.
Mimi continued to be a strong friend in our lives for many years. Our family then moved 1500 miles away. We would visit her when we came to town and picked up where we left off. We didn’t talk much on the phone or write but we always knew no matter what we would be there for each other.
Then the unthinkable happened. Mimi’s daughter was killed in a car accident. When she called to tell us, my first thought was, “Are you for real. This isn’t a funny joke.” Although I thought this, I never said it. The reality was it was not a joke and this really was happening. I caught the first flight out to be with her. I tried to stay strong for my friend but broke down and sobbed. I know she was comforted by my love for both her and her daughter as I cried uncontrollably. In my “weakness” I was a strong influence in my special friend’s life. The emotions and memories of this time are both sweet with love and compassion but also of deep sorrow and pain.
This difficult time brought about a unity in our relationship. It is at this time that I realized “family” is more than blood relation. Family are those we CHOOSE to have in our lives and draw close to. Both Mimi and I have talked about this over the years. It is so true for us. Mimi is no longer a special friend, she is FAMILY.
My friend is always there for me…we don’t get together as much as we would like but we could spend hours talking:)
I’m so thankful for my sweet daughter, Hannah. I gave birth to two boys before the Lord blessed our family with a beautiful little girl. She is so meek and gentle. I am thankful for all of the memories that we have made, for joy that she has added to our family and for all of the wonderful experiences that we have to look forward to together.
I’ve had many friendships over the years but none have been as sweet as the friendship I share with my daughters. We laugh together, cry together, and share each others hearts. My youngest daughter and I share a Titus 2/Keepers at home heart with a love for all things homemaking, and my oldest and I share a heart for artistic things and love for animals but the greatest is the Spiritual relationship we share with our hearts bent toward God and the resulting multitudes of late night discussions. I am forever thankful to God for the blessing of two beautiful yet different daughters.
I have two beautiful daughters. Everyday I am humbled as I watch God do what He promised in them and I feel so honored to be their mother. Though they are young now, I am watching God set us up for a beautiful friendship as we share our days of learning together. I see all my good and bad qualities in them and know I am becoming better because God gave them to me with their unique purpose. I have a son as well. He is my knight in training. I’ve told them over and over that although I didn’t get to pick them, nor them me, I would choose them again and again. I don’t have to spend my days with them, however, I get to every day. I look forward to each coming year as we grow together.
I am thankful for my friend Natalie. My husband was killed in a motorcycle accident 7 1/2 years ago. I was left in a wheelchair, and told I would never walk again. When I needed someone to just talk to, or someone to help with the children she was there for me. Her willingness to bring my children into her home, continue their homeschool lessons, and just be a shoulder to cry on was one of the things that helped me to get through the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life.
While I was moving from TX to CO she kept my children so I could take care of selling my home (once probate was over), and buying a new home.
We have known each other for 15 years. I have never had a better, more Godly friend.
My special friend is a grandma that adopted me as her own daughter,so to speak,,we had moved to Colorado(my husband & I &6 kids)and I did not know a single person in that state,anyways this old sweet neighbor lady started befriending me like I’ve never had someone do to me before.The love of God in her was simply amazing.-after I gave birth to a baby she walks in my house loaded with a yummmy meal and talking praises to God while at my house…..then for our anniversary,birthdays,etc she was always setting up surprises and did truly show the love of God over and over,babysitting my kids,etc,loving on us like crazy…We have now moved out of Colorado but we still keep in contact—she has definitely made a difference in my life and I want to bless others like she has blessed us!!!!!!(by the way our children call her ‘grandma’)
For 2 years i was without any friends! In those years God brought my mom and I closer together. When the time was right God saw that I was ready for a friend. That is when Kathryn Floyd and her family visited my church. We became very close friends and now we email about every day. We are all the time planning sleep overs and fun things to do together. God is an awesome God and I love the way he works in my life in giving me friends!
I am Alexandra’s mother. As she expressed in her comment, she struggled through 2 years without a girl friend. We live in a rural area and began to homeschool the year her only close friend moved miles away. During those 2 years, she would ask me about why there weren’t any girls in her life. I would painfully tell her that I did not know other than God has a plan. We would pray for a friend to come into her life when she was ready and one that shared her same interests and faith. That friend did come. They have such a sweet relationship as well as us as a family. However, I feel the most important part of the story is how she patiently waited. It was a meaningful lesson in the power of prayer. She and I prayed together developing a very special bond. Even though she has a dear friend her age and interests, I feel that she and I are extremely close due to this hardship. I thank the Lord for her, our relationship and this opportunity to share this story. Just as she has patiently waited on a friend, she has patiently waited on a magazine like yours. We had been looking for a publication that would fit her interests and faith. Someone recommended it to us recently. No matter the outcome of this contest; we are excited to begin a subscription.
Thank you!
I have many friends that I have met through church or school who have encouraged me at various seasons in life, but I am particularly thankful for the relationship God has allowed between me and my mother. She happens to be the most Godly woman I know. We love to spend time together just talking and encouraging one another. My mother always has a scripture verse to help me when I call her for advice. I love that about her. In a day when many women don’t have such great relationships with their mothers, I find that mine grows deeper with each passing year and for that I am truly thankful.
I would say that my hubby is my closest freind. He has been there for me at times when no one else has been. There are times when knowing him has made me seek God in prayer more than other times. It is a journey we are on together to live our lives to Glorify Christ and train our children in the way they should go. I am so blessed to have him on this journey with me.
I am also so blessed to have God in my life He is so faithful to me all the time.
I have many special women/girls in my life but my daughter is the one closest to my heart. She is growing up so fast. She’ll turn 7 in August and I feel as if I was just in the hospital giving birth. She is the most precious girl with a huge heart. I love her with everything in me.
I have a dear friend who is a constant support and encouragement to me in my relationship with God. She models a tremendous example of discernment, wisdom, and Biblical womanhood that inspires all around her. The first time I met her, when I was not yet a believer, I remember feeling like I had just met an angel! She has seen me through the best of times and most assuredly through the worst. I thank God for the blessing she is in my life!
I appreciate my daughter. My daughters name is Angelia. And she is 18 years old. She is a wonderful young lady. She was born learning imapaired. With the mental age of about 9 she just surprises me. She can follow a schedule better than me and as for getting up in the morning its no problom for her. She is dressed and ready for the day. Every morning all smiles.
Through the years of going to Church and getting baptised 3 years ago she has grown to LOVE God and Jesus so much. I LOVE her with all my heart.
Angelia is my best friend. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. Its amazing how she can always have a smile and look at the good in people.
My daughter is a beautiful person inside and out.
My sister is my best friend. She has always been there for me. As a child, she would take time out of her busy schedule to teach me how to draw and paint. She liked planning special events. So for Mother’s day, she would have me choose a country and then she would figure out all of the things we were going to make for our mom. It was a great time. She was my matron of honor. We made that decisions as little girls. Now that we are older, our children are more like sibilings then cousins. We still need to talk to each other every day. She is a great friend.
My mom is my best friend. I have had many friends over the years, but now that I am a mother, my mom and I have gotten really close. We have both tried to encourage each other as Christian women, which has been a blessing. My daughters are little right now, but I hope that they are my best friends someday too when they are grown.
I have several friends that have been close…but I would have to say that my husband has been my best friend for 35 years. There is nothing I can not tell him.. He knows when to just listen or when to give advice or correction. He is always there through the trials in life. Together we have grown in the Lord and closer to each other.