I'll get by with a little help from my friends...

Dear Blogging Friends,

Blogging has opened up a whole new world before my eyes. I'm amazed at the therapeutic aspect of it and have been touched by the love and support I've received through my blog. Some of the people I love the most on this planet have sent encouragement and perspective my way that has enlightened me and buoyed me up. I felt that encouragement particularly in regards to my post "All Hope Can Not Be Lost". I want so badly to let you all know how grateful I am for your support...but all the words I want to say seem just so inadequate.

Then I got to thinking, "How is it that all these amazing people do not know one another?!" That is when I decided to introduce all of you to each other. Some of you may know one another, which is fabulous because you are all so incredible...seriously destined for greatness. By creating these introductions I can perhaps let you know how much you mean to me, how grateful I am for your light in my life and how lucky I consider myself to know you. Thank you a million times over, my sparkly friends!

Love,
Trishelle

Let me start with my favorite of all, CHRIS. He is amazing. From the moment I met him, he sparkled. It wasn't until almost 6 years later that realized just how much. He is strong both spiritually and physically with a mental clarity that has gotten me out of many serious pickles. He is an example of quiet kindness and dignity with an ability to have me in stitches in the blink of an eye...seriously he is one of the funniest men I have ever met. It is amazing to me that a doctor so knowledgeable and gifted can humble himself before God enough to pray to Him for help to heal his patients. The man actually prays for his patients! Perhaps all doctors do that, but it something I have never witnessed before.

JAMIE-It never ceases to amaze me that someone I have known for only 1/3 of my life could be so important to me. When we met, I knew I loved her. She was the kind of girl I would have idolized in junior and high school. She has perfect movie star hair, an infectious laugh and impeccable taste. When I got to know her I was even more honored by her friendship. She is loyal, loving and truly one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. She knows when to swoop in and save people from despair and would give anyone all she could. Even now, as she awaits a little one who isn't cooperating, she looks for ways to brighten and lift other people. It's funny how we didn't know each other well enough to be bridesmaids at each other's weddings and yet have been present at the birth of half our collective children. (that last sentence sounds like we are part of a polygymous family...hehehe)

Heather-There is a song by Tom Petty called, "Wildflowers". When I hear this song, I think of her because she represents so much of what is good and whole on this earth. She and I became friends when we were fourteen which means I have known her the longest of all my blogging friends. She was this cute, perky, darling girl that you couldn't help but love. My parents were even delighted to meet her. Amazingly even better, as great as she was back then she is 100 times greater now. She has a strength that I never thought possible. She would open her arms to anyone without question and give them the shirt off her back. She always give people the benefit of the doubt and frankly forgives. She is probably the only one who has ever kissed my husband that I have absolutely no awkwardness towards. (Okay, now I am really starting to sound like a polygymous wife)

Mary Ruth-This woman certainly has the Midas Touch. She can make anything beautiful and joyous. She works with the youth in our church. I have heard legendary stories of her and what she has done for those girls. I have no doubt in my mind that she is leaving an indelible mark on those kids for the better. She loves her Savior and treats people accordingly.

Kelley-When Kelley came into my life, she was this mysterious, super intelligent globetrotter who just returned from living in the Middle East. She was and continues to be a stalwart ray of sunshine who stands for what she believes in. She always has. She is a true friend who loves and cares so much. She has a great sense of humor but would never laugh at the expense of others. Plus, she had the great taste to date my brother. One can only feel positively charged up when being in her presence. She has enough goodness to have that affect on people.

Jonathan-One of the two greatest eldest brothers. He and Peej, together have exemplified Christ in the way they treat their younger brothers and sisters. He is a great leader who has a way of helping people want to make good choices. He does it a way that makes a person feel so loved. Jonathan has always been supportive of my family and is as constant as the North Star. He too, has a sense of humor that can break even the most serious, straight faced person.

WW-She was my first blog responder! Although I have never met her, I can say that she is incredibly intelligent, deep thinking and led by a deep internal compass that propels her along her path in this life. She will certainly create opportunities for her pupils to think on a deeper level and consider the consequences of their own actions. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could say that about all of our teachers?!

Christine-My beautiful friend! She is one of those people who I admired from a distance for a very long time. Then, we were put together in a church calling and I saw just how truly remarkable she is. This girl is so talented and gifted. Her abilities as an artist are truly phenomenal, she is a musician, and has a way of helping people feel so important and validated. She has a zest for life, her children, her husband and her family. She is living her own love story because of the way she treats her husband (vice versa for him too!) When she speaks of him, her eyes twinkle and she always has a smile on her face. Just talking to her reminds of how much I love my own He-Man.

Kirstin-This wonderful North West friend has taught me so much. She is always kind and yet has spunk that keeps a person laughing. She taught me how to revel in my friends, my children, my husband and in a moment because she has the gift for doing just that. Her friends and family know she loves us because her actions prove that to be the case. When you are a friend of hers your name is always safe. You never need worry about what is said when you are not there. She taught me that a Shirley Temple is just not as good without a squeeze of lime. I will never go back to one without it. She encouraged me to read the book "The Peace Giver" and I am so glad I did. I was struck by how much her life and the way she treats others reflects that of the original Peace Giver.

Miche-Talk about a gifted domestic engineer! She makes everything around her beautiful. She is reliable, trustworthy and genuine. One thing that has always impressed me about her is the way she speaks of her family; her children, parents, husband, siblings. She is always respectful and loving towards them. I have never seen her lose her cool with any of her children and finds a way to see the humor in sticky situations.

Abby-When I was younger, I always wanted a friend named Abby. She and I were destined to be friends, at least by default because our husbands are practically brothers. Lucky for me, I couldn't have asked for a better practically-sister. She is a woman of great strength, devotion and wisdom. She's got the ability to make things fun even if they are hard. I've never heard her complain or speak ill of anyone. She has no guile and treats everyone she meets like an instant friend. She has great dignity while being completely approachable and easy to talk to.

Eric-He is practically my brother. He is the best friend of my husband. No one can get He-Man laughing quite like him. He has given me an appreciation for Opera and while 'Nessun Dorma' really is a crowd pleaser, I have never heard anyone sing it quite like him. He puts so much feeling into everything he does. He-Man has always told me Eric will be successful in what he chooses to do because of this gift. He has an ability to teach a person how to be better without them feeling badly, in fact he can make them feel totally appreciated in the process.

A. Woolner-She is a brilliant mind. She is full of wit yet completely graceful. She appreciates a good laugh and finds joy in what this life has to offer. She is truly goodly and is gifted in reminding others of what is important. A. Woolner loves children in a way that helps them to know she is an advocate for them. They know they are always safe with her. She has faith that can move mountains and teaches others how to hope.

Chrissy-My sophisticated and elegant friend is full of goodness. She has a great sense of understanding and compassion for others yet so easily recognizes truth. She has a romantic flair for life but maintains the balance of a fulfilling life. She treats others so respectfully and adds so much to the world around her through her actions and words.

emnacnud-She is like a sunflower in my life. She shines with the light of Christ. She has a bravery all her own. I watched her grow up from a little 8 year old girl to an able, strong and valuable woman. She has so much to offer this world with her abilities and willingness to try new things, stretch herself a little further and let her curiousity get the better of her. She makes life fun for her kids and stands as solid as a rock for her husband.

Carey-She is a great friend from high school. She has the voice of an angel and is a gifted performance artist. She is cultured and refined yet does not posses an ounce of conceit. She is so loving to her family and has always served as an example to me of that. She too, has a confidence in knowing where she is going and how to get there.

Dani-Although I didn't get many opportunities to spend time with Dani before my husband and I finished grad school, I got to know her enough to know she is filled with love for others. She has a gentility that gives peace to people. Others can feel completely at ease with her. She is warm and happy and beautiful from the inside out. She walks with air of knowing who she is and that she is truly a child of God.


So there you have. You have been introduced to each other, my friends! Please feel free to elaborate on why you love each other. Thank you again for you great support in the first few weeks of my blogging. It's been so fun! I'm looking so forward to doing even more!