One of the sweetest things about my life in Christ is the friendships I've been blessed with. These are not the kind of friends who always tell me that I am right, or who are there for me only when I have something to offer. These are friends who display the very real character of Christ, through encouragement and perseverance and steadfast love in the good, bad, joys and sorrows of life. I've learned so much about the Lord's perfect love for me, through these friends. I could literally dedicate this entire blog to the stories of friendship.
The Coffey and Cosper Kiddos, pre-Ehren. There are not enough ways to say "precious."
One of my blessings is Sarah. As soon as I met Sarah, I knew I loved her. And I felt that she loved me. When I started attending Sojourn in 2002, there was a certain insecurity I dealt with in wanting to establish friendships that were my own, and weren't based on my status as Lachlan's girlfriend. But with Mike and Sarah the history with Lachlan was more a comfort than a cause for me to be self-conscience. I love that Mike and Lachlan have been friends since 3rd grade. I love that Sarah and Lachlan were theatre geeks alongside one another and prom dates. I love the confidence Mike and Lachlan have as brothers in Christ, that allows them to speak truth, and fight and get mad and be like--well brothers-- with no fear in ever losing one another. I love that they were all apart of God's plan in starting this crazy thing called Sojourn in the living room of an apartment, with 9 other people. I also love that I got to work with Mike for a year and a half--and refuse to clean his stanky bathroom in that nasty apartment we tried to pass off as an office. I love that we got to receive pre-marital counseling from them, and were served communion by them at our wedding. I love that I borrowed Sarah's necklace to walk down the isle in, and that Mike was standing next to Lachlan, promising to fight for our marriage as we took our vows. I love how our first born girls are just 10 weeks apart, and that we get to chat in the waiting room of dance class each Thursday, watching them grow-up together. I love that Mike sometimes cooks gourmet meals for us, and that they brought us wine after Ehren was born. I also love that they've showed us how to suffer and love each other in the midst of it. We love the Mike and Sarah rule, that if you are sick, the other spouse has to go get you anything to eat that you want. We also love their rule on allowances for each other. And so we stole both of them.
Lachlan and I are so very thankful to both journey alongside the Cospers and be led by them as well. Sarah is soft spoken and gentle, and I have so much to learn from her in how she speaks to and respects others. Mike is hands down one of the smartest people we know. Sarah has gone before me in the realm of suffering from an autoimmune disease. Her symptoms and suffering are beyond what I have had to endure. And I hate it for her--but I'm thankful, too. She kinda blew me away last night with a lovely letter that was addressed to me, but is applicable for all those faced with specifically Celiac Disease, but also other autoimmune sufferers or those with gluten allergies and sensitivities. Here is her post. If you are now, or have to go gluten free, this will be a good read. If those things don't apply, read it anyway and learn about going gluten free, and how much my friend loves me.
Here's praying you have such friends who love you as well as my friends love me!
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