“A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.”
-Hugh Sidey
AUDREY:
About a year ago, by the end of a seven-day marriage event, Frank and Gina became like friends that we had known all our lives.
A couple of months ago we had a reunion…for just a few short moments. We cherished our memories together, hugged, squeezed and loved on each other talking non-stop of the goodness of God. Afterwards they surprised us with a financial gift as well as a very funny musical card, a $25 gift certificate for Robert and a sensational lip-balm-lip-stick-with-color called Burt’s Bees. I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for their generosity and thoughtfulness and wrote them an email to share my thanks.
GINA:
Thank you so much for the thank you email. To be honest we had so much fun searching for the "perfect" card for you. Nothing seemed right until we opened that one up. It was good for Frank and I to laugh and have fun together... you know how life gets in the way! Oh, and we passed by the jewelry shop that night as well and I laid out some major hints as to what would be a great anniversary gift. Can you believe that he still remembered two months later and gave me exactly what I liked? Well, you can believe it, but I was in major shock! The guy pulled thru on that one with flying colors - much better than the mug he gave me for my birthday AND I KNOW he loves to see me wear those beautiful earrings.
So lets just say that while we were so happy to bless you both, it was definitely a mutually beneficial shopping experience!!!!
Now, let me tell you how I’m really doing. I am making my way through your book, “Like Yourself Love Your Life” SLOWLY. There is lots of thinking involved. The past month has been incredibly difficult because I have hardly been able to sleep. Something is up and I am just dealing with the lack of energy and the frustration at night of being so tired and not getting much worthwhile zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs. My take on it is that something deep down inside is being unearthed and I am uncomfortable with it. I keep trying to claim perfect peace and rest but it is still a big struggle. I am all out of ideas and hope on this whole sleep issue. I just try to get thru the day!
The big news is that we are going to Italy in May. It has been eight years for me since I was there. That is a long time. To be honest with you, I am also anxious about it all. My in-laws are not my favorite people and I struggle with my hurt feelings towards them. They are people who are never satisfied no matter what you do there is always something wrong. How could they not like someone as fabulous as me?? Well, they "love" me... it just isn't the groovy kind of love and it definitely isn't mature or anything I can understand. Frank is trying to keep me positive but I am tending to be the "realist", not sure that is working for me. The last time they visited us they accused me of taking their son away from them to our fair foreign country! So, I hear God saying in my ear right now to trust Him with the trip - and lean not on my own understanding. I do anticipate what will happen, though, as I can sense that God is going to do something significant with Frank and his mom.
Soooo.... until we meet again…
WE LOVE YOU GUYS SOOOOOO MUCH
Our love to Robert and Robert!
AUDREY:
First of all, Gina, I completely get you! I too, have gone through seasons of very little sleep, and I’ve also endured the debilitating guilt of people who seem “un-please-able”. I hear your HEART - and i know the challenges of this - but I also believe that you're more ready for this trip than you think. Even the fact that you're able to communicate your heart to me identifying the issues (with your in-laws) is a form of preparation for what you will face.
Gina, I’ve witnessed the Lord making your heart soft as you are facing the buried pain in your life, dealing with so many deep issues. I think you’re going to be amazed how protected you are from attacks. As God heals deep-rooted pain in your heart, the triggers and buttons that once sent you into an emotional tailspin seemingly disappear. I know this to be true in my life, and I’m amazed how peace is my underlying emotion – it takes a lot to rattle me now!
Journeying through circumstances and seasons of challenging relationships is something we never want to do without the Holy Spirit. I have found He gives me patience, strength and gentle responses when others are attacking. (I’m convinced that often people hurting us have no idea what they’re doing) But because God loves me, I believe He provides funny things to help me get through.
All that said, I'm going to pray that funny things happen to you in Italy. I know this probably sounds like a crazy prayer strategy, but He's done it for me over and over again. I pray that you and Frank make memories together that will be treasures forever! I can’t wait to hear your stories when you get back!
I’m glad you’re reading “Like Yourself Love Your Life” The fact that you are slowly going through it is a very good thing – I have heard that over and over from other girls! It takes awhile, mostly because I believe the Holy Spirit designed this particular book to unearth buried pain so that we can live life in the glorious beauty of being completely loved and celebrated by Him. I pray that you will enjoy the sweet peace of Jesus as you sleep, and that you will conquer every hidden part of your heart that is holding you captive.
I love you sweet sister!
Audrey
P.S. I think of you every time I use that Burt’s Bees colored lip balm – it makes my lips feel electric and minty – I bought myself a few more color options. (pretty sure I’m addicted now)
P.S.S. I'm excited about your earrings! You-GO-FRANK!!!
P.S.S.S. I agree: How COULD anyone not like someone as fabulous as you? Seriously people! I’m pretty sure it’s not the end of that story yet.
“Close friends contribute to our personal growth. They also contribute to our personal pleasure, making the music sound sweeter, the wine taste richer, the laughter ring louder because they are there.”
-Judith Viorst
(I usually change names and places just to protect privacy)
