A look inside: EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER...

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER...

Happy 30th Birthday Shauna!!!

Shauna with her nephew, Trey

(Thanks Angela for the picture)

If I remember correctly, I met Shauna when I was in the seventh grade and she was

in the sixth grade. She was a new student at Salem Academy. We both stayed at Salem Academy all the way until our high school graduations. We played varsity volleyball together, she was our team's exceptionally gifted setter, and I was the incredibly talented defensive specialist :) With my perfect passing and her perfect setting, we were the backbone of our team...right Shauna?!!! :)

We were also in the same home-ec. class together, and as cooking partners, I have vivid memories of us dropping eggs on the floor, and making eclairs that looked like flat oval pancakes! And oh, how could I forget Mrs. Patterson's class?! Shauna sat right in front of me and I would always talk to her. Right when she would turn around, we would hear, "Shauna, please stand at your desk for the remainder of the class!" Oh, Shauna I'm so sorry! It was always my fault, and you always got blamed for it. I remember saying things to purposely make you laugh, and then you could never stop laughing and always got in trouble.

I clearly remember having a conversation about a certain boy who she thought was very cute....his name was Duane. I also remember chatting with Shauna about Duane's cousin, Jon, who I thought was pretty darn cute. I was honored to have Shauna as a bridesmaid in my wedding, and I was thrilled when she elbowed out the competition to catch my bouquet! I remember her pulling me out on the dance floor at Darrin and Angela's wedding. Neither one of us could dance (private school does that to you), and we laughed so hard. I remember how beautiful she looked on her wedding day, and how, for a girl who doesn't cry easily, I got tears in my eyes as her and Duane exchanged vows. We have both had our share of tears over the years, and at times my heart has truly been broken for my friend. Yet just 2 1/2 years ago my heart was overflowing with joy, as I watched her hold her brand new baby girl. She is one of the most devoted and affectionate mothers I know. And although we don't get to see each other very often, every time we see each other, we just pick up right where we left off. I always feel like we're 16 again, laughing it up! Shauna, you truly are a joy. You always have a smile on your face, and something encouraging to say. I'm so thankful, that after all these years, we've remained friends. I'm so sorry I'm posting this so late on your birthday, but I thought about you throughout the day, and I hope you had the most wonderful day. Welcome to the thirties!!! We will wear our age with pride!

OK, I can't resist, one last picture.....

12 comments:

Sharon said...: Long term friendships are just priceless, and you captured yours so well! So many of the memories you described take me back to my days at Seattle Christian, with those friends that span middle school and high school. It so wonderful to just be able to pick right up where you left off with those people! I love how you say that you feel 16 again whenever you're together. I completely understand that~what a wonderful feeling! Happy birthday, Shauna!; December 5, 2007 at 11:17 PM
Angela said...: This is so sweet Liz!
Happy 30th sister!!!; December 5, 2007 at 11:25 PM
Stefanie said...: I have met Shauna once at Becca's - when they were working on her baby girls' announcements. It's good to know more of her story.
And of course, Happy B-day Shauna!; December 6, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Lindsay said...: What a great post... for a GREAT gal!

Happy Birthday Shauna!!

May you know how special and loved you are today & EVERY day!! :); December 6, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Glory Laine said...: Shauna, I am so glad that Liz took the time to honor you today. Otherwise I wouldn't have taken the time to echo her joy in you. Shauna, you have given me such a gift. You let me watch God to a modern miracle in front of my eyes in creating your family. It is such a blessing to have friend around you who "gets" what you are going though. And now watching you mother Ella has brought me such a thrill. You are cherished and I hope this day brought you much much happiness.
Becca; December 6, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Rachel said...: Liz, you are too cute! Happy Birthday to your good friend!; December 6, 2007 at 3:30 PM
momaof4 said...: This almost made me cry! What a great story of friendship.; December 6, 2007 at 4:09 PM
Michelle said...: What a precious post!!!; December 6, 2007 at 6:53 PM
Unknown said...: how sweet of you to post such a loving blog about your long time friend. Such sweet and kind words and the pictures are great!; December 6, 2007 at 7:08 PM
Julie said...: Happy Birthday to your friend, Shauna!; December 7, 2007 at 4:59 PM
Sharon said...: Love the updated pictures! She's really beautiful~30 is good to her, for sure!; December 7, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow! Thank you Liz for the special birthday post. That really means a lot to me. I am so thankful for our friendship. It's hard to believe that we've been friends for as long as we have. And, I'm proud to now be a part of the 30 year-old club! Thanks again for making my day extra special!

Shauna; December 9, 2007 at 10:18 PM

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Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.