How I Thrive

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[Inserting a slideshow is so much easier than inserting individual pictures. You may be seeing a lot of this feature in the future!]

I realized, yet again today, that I am a very relational focused person. I love having friendships. I love getting to know people, hearing their stories, strengthening bonds, etc. etc. I thrive on relationships. And I love it!

This morning I went to my weekly Bible study, and it was such a special morning. There were a number of women out this week so we had a smaller, more intimate group. I really enjoyed it. I heard stories from women I've seen on Fridays but never really had the chance to talk to. I'm so thankful when people are willing to open up the doors of their lives and allow others to step inside for a while. I'm thankful for a group of women who aren't afraid to be vulnerable, who are willing to invest their time and lives in others, and who won't judge or ask questions. Basically - I'm thankful for my Friday morning Bible study group! Sweet, sweet fellowship.

After Bible study, we went to the mall with some of the other moms and kids from my Bible study group. We specifically went to herd cattle. (Friday is Mini Moo Hunt day at the mall!) And we had a blast! It was after 12 (and for almost all of us, that meant close to or past nap time). So we were rushing around the mall, running in and out of stores with our strollers, searching high and low for "baby cows" (as Cayman called them.) It was so much fun! And I must admit that I had no insight as to the location of the cows. It was as much a hunt to me as it was to all the other women. So far, that is my favorite marketing event that Ian has come up with. I think it was such a great idea. And I believe the stores in the mall like it too. He's had stores coming to him asking him to hide cows in their stores! So proud of my hubby - he is so good at what he does! I can't wait to see where the Lord takes us with this fabulous company!

When we got home, the kids went down for naps (thank the Lord, Cayman slept today!) I got on Facebook to update the CFA page and check my inbox, where I had a message from an old friend - someone I went to school with in Wake Forest. She and her family are moving to Augusta, GA! My hometown! She posted on Facebook the other day that her husband had finally gotten a job, and they were moving to Augusta. I immediately wrote her and told her that's where I was from, and if they needed any insider tips to let me know. Since then, we've been chatting about some homes I know of that are for sale in Augusta, churches in the area, good neighborhoods, etc. We talked on the phone today, and it was just like the good ol' days when we'd chat in Old Testament Survey. I love catching up with old friends, and I'm even more glad I could have someone else to see in Augusta when we go back to visit (whenever that might be...haha.)

For dinner tonight, we drove down to Cape Coral, FL to eat at one of our favorite restaurants...Chick-fil-A! :) Ian is trying to visit different area units to get new ideas, meet new people, etc. So tonight we decided to go there for dinner. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, we saw the owner/operator heading inside. Ian called out to him, and he came over to the van and talked with us for a little while before heading inside his store to help out some on a busy evening. As we pulled away from the store, about 15 minutes later, I told Ian, "I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A." Since moving down here, I have been so extremely impressed with everyone we have met. Ian's business consultant, owner/operators, other IMs...everyone has been so encouraging to Ian. But not only that, they truly desire to see Ian succeed! They want him to do well with Chick-fil-A. They take time from their busy schedules to sit down with Ian and give him advice, answer questions...basically anything they can do to help him get a store except doing the job for him. It's not about competition. It's not about whose store gets the highest numbers or has the fanciest marketing calendar. So far, it's been all about pushing one another to excellence and helping one another achieve personal goals. What an incredible company you have created, Truett Cathy. Well done, sir. Well done. I wish other companies in our country would take notice.

We ended the evening at the Connelly's house. We called them as we were leaving CFA to see if we could drop by for a little while since we were down in their neck of the woods. "Come on over, please!" Gail said when I asked. I have known this sweet couple for a number of years now, but due to distance, I've never really gotten to know them, if you know what I mean. The Connelly's are my sister-in-law's parents. Jim lived in Texas when my brother married Allison. Gail lived in Connecticut with her late husband James. Gail and Jim later retired down to Cape Coral. When James passed away suddenly in a motorcycle accident, Jim and Gail became reacquainted and remarried a short time later. (Do you know how much fun Allison had telling that story..."my parents are getting remarried!" How often do you hear people saying that these days???) So needless to say, I rarely saw either one of them. But now, here we are, living 30 minutes from one another. And they treat us like family. I feel like our kids have become their grandkids...at least that's how they make us feel whenever we go over there. Cayman goes straight for the toy bin as soon as the greetings have been made. We all just sit around and talk; we make ourselves at home, just as if we were at one of our parents' homes. I love it! I thrive on these relationships! I love feeling loved and cared for - and I love making others feel the same way. I'm so thankful for a God who also thrives on relationships. I mean, that was God's reason for sending Jesus to this earth. A relationship. With me! And you! God desired to have a relationship with us so badly that he sent his son to die a horrible death on a cross. That cross, that death was intended for us, due to our sins. Yet Jesus, who was SIN-LESS, took our place on the cross and bore our sins for us. Since I asked Jesus to live in my heart, God no longer sees the wretchedness of my sinful nature. He sees Christ living in me; He sees me as a new creation. So now I am capable of having that relationship with Him that He so badly desires...and that I so badly need! I thrive on that relationship more than any other.