Kindred Spirits

I have had many friends in life. I am a very social person and have many friends. Growing up in a small town, I had lots of friends...even those I considered my best friends; however, it wasn't until college that I found my first (in the words of Anne of Green Gables) bosom friend or kindred spirit. Christina and I hit it off immediately my freshman year at CBC. We both weathered a lot individually and together during our time at CBC. She was definitely an answered prayer to me during my time in college. I was honored to stand as her maid of honor at her wedding. After her wedding she moved away to Michigan, but then came back to Springfield for a couple of years. We worked together during that time and caused much mischief at good ole HQ. We also went through some difficult times. She was there for me when I had a broken heart. I was there when she lost her brother.

When she moved back to Michigan I took my first flight by myself and had a wonderful time visiting her. Two years ago I drove to visit her in Kansas and I had the opportunity to do so again this past weekend.

What I love about my bosom friend is that even though we both have taken different paths in life, we live 6 hours apart, we have different friends, careers, etc...when we see each other for the first time in a couple of years and hug...it's as if no time has passed and nothing has changed. We can reminisce about the past, but live in the today and dream of the future.

All that to say, I had a wonderful weekend in Kansas visiting my BFF. I am so blessed to have Christina in my life. She has been the best of friends through the good and the bad. I dont know what I would have done without her. I am so thankful that God brought us together as friends! I have had many friends come and go throughout my life, but the true ones remain and you continue to grow as friends, even though distance and circumstances in life may separate you.

I love the Gale family!

When I graduated from CBC in 2002, I felt God leading me to a new church. Some dear friends were attending Evangel Temple and they recommended I check it out. I wen tot Sunday school and that particular week, Jennifer Gale, the associate pastor, was speaking. She hooked me. Having gone through Bible college and having a desire to enter into ministry myself as a single female, we had an instance kinship. We struck an immediate friendship. At the time, she was pregnant with her 2nd child, Nathaniel. Jennifer quickly became a mentor to me as well. We began going out every Monday night visiting guests that had come to church. I was an appointed Missionary Associate to Inner city St Louis, but when my assignment fell through, I became a M.A. to Evangel Temple for a year working with her. After that year I was hired part time to work at the church to work in the Christian Education dept and I continued to work closely with her. Some of my most wonderful memories come from my time working with her and our Monday night times visiting. When I left Evangel Temple in 2009 my biggest internal struggle was leaving her family there because I hated the idea of not going to church with them. Even though we didnt see each other as often or talk as often, we still maintained a close friendship. Those early years out of CBC were a very difficult time for me. I was completely stuck and struggled with a bit of depression trying to find myself as a fresh college graduate and finding my purpose in life. Jennifer and Greg were always there for me. They took me in during holidays when I couldn't make it home, she let me cry on her shoulder over a broken heart and was always there when I needed her. She let me play a huge role in her children's life. I have watched her kids grown and blossom and love them like I love my own nieces and nephews. They're my babies! It's hard to put into words how much she has meant to me over the years and how much her family has meant to me. I just get jumbled up thinking of all of the memories we've shared over the last 9 years. It's almost impossible to put into words the profound impact she and her family have had on my life. When I decided to go back to school in 2007 to become a teacher she was my biggest fan. Her love and prayers have helped me to become who I am. She has seen me through the best times and the worst times. I am going to miss our conversations around the island in her kitchen with Victoria climbing all over me and spilling food on me and the boys fighting over the TV in the next room. :o) I am so thankful I got to spend this Easter with them. I'll always remember hunting eggs in the rain with them! I'll miss Victoria running and jumping into my arms when she sees me. I'll miss chasing Isaac and giving him kisses. He still loves that! I'll miss snuggling with the boys and their big blue blanket at Christmas and watching Polar Express. I'll miss our summer Pineapple Whip dates. I'll miss trips to the park and fun times at their house playing snow ball fight with paper wads, hide and seek and just hanging out.

I am also going to miss Greg always being my "car guy." I've bought three cars from him and he's always taken care of me and the issues I've had with my car. Of course...I'll miss him also...not just b/c of my car!

Yesterday I said goodbye to her as she enters a new stage of ministry and moves on to Pennsylvania. I am overjoyed at this amazing opportunity she has. I believe God is going to bless her and her family in ways she can never comprehend. That said, I have to be a bit selfish. I am going to miss her so incredibly much. I am going to miss those kids more than I can even begin to think about. I have yet to be able to think about them leaving without bursting out in tears! Jennifer has been my pastor, my mentor, a sister, and one of my dearest friends. I know she'll always be a phone call away, but it will never be the same. I love you all Gale family!

Marti Jo

Father's Day

http://animoto.com/play/NSW0hDIDUGLFbBaDCN1vjg

I hear people say they have the best dads, but I gotta say....I got 'em all beat. I really do have the best. He is the most loving, caring and self sacrificing man I know. What man would drive 4 hours to watch his daughter conduct a 2 minute band piece at her senior concert just to turn around and drive 4 hours back? What dad shows up at midnight (from 4 hours away) to help you paint your new house and move in to it the next day? What Dad shows up on New Years Day because he knows that his daughter is having a rough time and simply needed a hug? What dad is always there with open arms (and wallet when necessary) when any of his girls need it? I have seen my dad go without just to help his kids and grandkids to have a better life. What man gives to missions sacrificially both in time, body and finances giving of himself in both Mexico and with women in prison in West Virginia? What man drives the bus every week without fail to pick up kids to take them to church? What man loves his wife with all of his heart and has been married to her for 41 years always doing his best (and she as well) to have a happy marriage? What man has loved all 3 daughters through heart breaks and not killed jerks he really wanted to? :o) What man loves his grandcats and granddogs just as much? ;o)

My dad has believed in me when I didnt believe in myself. He has encouraged me to follow my dreams. He has encouraged me to pursue my missions dreams even when it meant going to a country he fought a horrrible war in. He has gone to every concert he possibly could that I've ever had from 6th grade until now...even when it meant missing work or driving to Springfield. He took me to church every week as a child even when I didnt want to go. Every Sunday as a child we would eat at Long John Silvers and every Wednesday night we had malts from Baskin Robbins. He lives a life that I can model. No, he's not perfect...he has his weaknesses and has made his mistakes, but he learns from those and encourages his family to learn from them also.

So as you can see, my dad is the best. Hands down....


Happy Father's Day Daddy! I love you!

Summer time!

It's SUMMER! I've not had the opportunity to NOT WORK since high school (a LONG time ago!). I saw myself sleeping in and staying up late but let me tell ya...that's not been the case! I spent the week after school with my family in Sikeston. It was one of the best trips home I've had. I spent a great week with my whole family. No sleeping in with a wired 3 year old waking me up! Loved it! I made a HUGE decision to get my first (and ONLY) tattoo! Thanks to my nephew Corey who did it for me.

There's a story of a man walking along the beach covered in starfish. He picks one up at a time and throws it in the ocean. Someone says to him why are you doing this, there are so many you can't save them all. He picks up a starfish and throws it back in the ocean and says "But I saved this one." A few years ago I worked at a camp for abused kids and foster kids. That was their philosophy. We can't save them all, but we can save one. I have adopted that philosophy in my life working with kids in teaching, babysitting and children's ministry. I have always said if I ever got a tattoo, it would be a starfish...and that is what I got. Let me tell you...IT HURT!!! (and still hurts!) but I am happy with it. I had such a great time with my family. I am so blessed to have such a close knit family! Every time I leave them my heart is stretched from one side of the state to the other.

My friend and I got season passes for White Water and Silver Dollar City....so we've been going as much as possible. That's been a lot of fun.

I am going to visit my bestest friend Christina in a little over a week. I can't wait. God has blessed me with her and she is amazing. We have been through so much together and when we see each other about once a year it's as if no time has passed.

Ireland is rapidly approaching! I'll be flying out on July 1st. I'm still short on funds so praying that the last $300 comes in very soon. I have a crazy flight itinerary also. I'm flying from STL to La Guardia in NYC and hten have to get a bus and fly out of JFK in NYC. Should be...exciting! I am working on organzing a tea for girls age 12-15 while in Ireland. I will be speaking on purity and modesty. I have to say I freaked out at first but now that I am getting things organized and brainstorming...I am pumped! I've also had the opportunity to get to know a couple of my teammates through Facebook since they are in other parts of the US. I'm getting very excited! It's the first time I've travelled with adults and not college students....I'm looking forward to it!

When I get back from Ireland, I'm hopefully taking a trip to Illinois to visit friends up that way. Then....Aug 1 I start back to work. When I look at my calendar...summer is already almost over. I have a lot to do before school starts in preparation for school so I have to squeeze that in. I could get used to not working and just travelling! I need a job like Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel!

In my spare time...I'm also CLEANING! I also want to refinish my dressers..but not sure I'm going to be squeeze that in this summer. I've never done that and I'm not sure I'm ready to undertake that project. ha :o)

Well...that's it! Until next time...