50 Before I'm 50 - Day 26

Something you grow.

Relationships.  

Annie Robinson, Laura Jones, Toni Elliott, Jenni Wissel, Baby Ari, Erin Serr, Carie Shealy

I wish you knew how much joy this photo brings me.  It is a BIG answer to prayer.

When I lived in Montana, our friend, KJ, always went on girls trips.  They are her friends from high school and college and they go every year.  They call it BGW (B*tches Gone Wild).  I didn't love the name, but I LOVE the concept and started praying that I could have a group like that.

At the same time, I go to Jesus Community Church and meet women who have been going to church there together for 35-40 years.  YES PLEASE.

Then a couple of years into going to Summit Church, I meet Marie Conner.  She tells of her "Spiritual Formation" group and she's been with the same group for over 20 years.  She tells me about them over the years.  They do a retreat annually.  They get together every month and do worship, a devo, prayer, spiritual direction, etc.  They have a group chat where they talk all the time.  Spiritual formation, you say?  YES PLEASE.

All of these little nuggets in my life gave me the desire in my heart.  I want a group of ladies in my life that know me, love me, will pray for me, will not let me get away with my crap, speak truth in love, hold me accountable, laugh and cry with me, travel with, learn about spiritual disciplines, grow in faith. 

With these ladies I have all of that and MORE.

It started with Carie and Marie Chillemi.  We tried with Yvonne T, but she flaked early.  Then a bit before COVID, Marie just dropped off the face of the earth.  She even lives by Carie and they'd see each other in the neighborhood and she'd just wave and say "Hi".  Pretty weird, but wasn't meant to be.

THEN, we did a study in our small group called "Find Your People" in 2022.  It encouraged to get a group of people together and just try.  Start.  It helps if they live within 5 miles of you, but that's not a requirement.  It wouldn't have mattered, Carie is farther (15 min without traffic!)

So, I did.  I asked Carie, Jenni, Toni, Annie, and Sheria Butler to join and be intentional about the group.  We met in Nov 2022 at Mod Market, came up with the greatest name "OMG"!  Which stands for Obey My God.  We found a few Bible verses that were ours:  Jeremiah 42:6 and Job 36:11.  And planned to get together monthly.  

That worked for a while, then it just got hard to get everyone together at once.  Travel, kids, work, etc.  So, we decided to do a weekly video call.  I could probably figure out how long we have done that, but just know it's been great.  It's at 630am on Tuesdays.  First thing in the day - hard to miss it!

This summer, Sheria and her husband Daimeon moved to South Carolina.  She stayed connected for a bit, but as you do when you move, you lose touch.

Enter Erin.  I like having an even number so I told the girls to pray for someone to invite.  Carie instantly said Erin and we all went "DUH".  Most of us were already in small group together, we've known each other for a long and it just made sense.  One night at a family BBQ at their house, Jenni and I had an opportunity to tell her about it and she said YES immediately.  God is so good.

I don't know how I got so blessed.  These 5 women are gems.  Carie is the most considerate, thoughtful human on earth.  Best friend you could ask for.  Toni is my voice of reason and bold and willing to be vulnerable first. Her honesty is refreshing.  Annie is a sweet soul who loves deeply and is so loyal.  She is SO smart and boy can that girl pray.  Jenni is my kindred spirit, seeking and learning as much as she can.  Her growth has been an honor to witness.  I am so inspired by her.  Erin just fit right in from the minute she joined (according to our WhatsApp group, May 29).  She is hilarious, humble and kind.  It's wild to think about how long we've been friends and that we can do this together is AWESOME. 

It's been unreal.  We've gone through the good, the bad, the ugly and Jenni became a new mama.  So much to celebrate and praise the Lord for.  Many trials to work through together.  And I'm sure many more to come.  But we are committed, trustworthy, and loved.  Not much more you could ask for.

It is everything I ever dreamed of and more.  

In one of my spiritual direction appointments, I discovered that rooted relationships are important to me.  And this is THAT! 

Next year we're planning a trip to Sante Fe.  I can't wait.  And I can't wait to see what God does through us individually and as a group.

One thing I know for sure.  If you want a friend group, you have to be so intentional about it.  And if it doesn't work the first time, keep trying.  If you are an introvert, partner up with an extrovert.  Be brave and ask.  And if you are asked, be brave and say yes.  We weren't meant to do life alone.  We all need our select few trusted friends.  And these are mine.