The Seattle Leadership team from 1994 - Nitchoffs, Overstreets, Riveras, Soters, Tachers, Webbs

Last Christmas I wrote an article called “Best Friendships”, describing the relationships I had built in Tacoma over the years.  I talk about the unexpected nature of some of the friendships and how closeness was built, sometimes forged.

This fall I am in a new place, Issaquah, Washington: leading the Eastside region of the Seattle church.  A lot of change has taken place.  We have new schools, a new house, new stores to shop in, new dentists to see.   Many of these changes are stressful and difficult to adjust to.  I don’t really like change.  I like to feel comfortable.

The one thing that has not caused me a bit of anxiety is my friendships.  God knows that we need them.  He is the creator of the “friend” relationships.  In John 15 he calls His disciples “friends” and in the same way, us; if we do what He commands.  I trust that he will provide me with the relationships I need in my life to help me spiritually. And He already has.  It has been amazing to rekindle old friendships here on the Eastside.  It is as if we never left.  The depth, grace and understanding in God’s church build friendships that withstand time and geography. For that I am grateful.  It has also been so refreshing, for us and our kids, to meet new friends in the church.   What a rich life we’ve been given to have a built in support system moving from one city to the next.  We have been very encouraged by all the calls, texts, emails and care packages.  It has made this transition seamless.

If you go back and read my old article (still on the Tacoma website), I talk about how sometimes friendship can come from unlikely sources.  God knows who we need, what we need and when we need it.  If we think that our friends should look or act or be a certain thing, we could be missing God in our lives.  I am excited to see what God is going to continue to do with my friendships.  I also pray that as we all grow together in the Eastside ministry that we all commit to deepening our friendships and enjoy the rich blessings God gives us all.

How happy are you? Recent studies indicate that women are less happy with their lives at this point than they have ever been before.

Please join us Sunday, October 17, 2010, at 10am for this amazing annual event hosted by the women of the Seattle Church of Christ. We will not be at our normal church locations. This event will be at Town Hall, 1119 8th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.

We are privileged to have Barri Lusk of Denver, Colorado as our guest speaker this year. Barri and her husband, John, have inspired many around the world as they have led churches in places as diverse as Bankok, Manila, St. Louis and Denver. Barri herself is a happy person, but more importantly, she is insightful into the ways women can attain happiness in their daily lives.

Don’t miss this special annual event.
Sunday, October 17
10:00am coffee
10:30am service begins

We will explore together the subject of happiness… gaining it and keeping it.