Girlfriends Giveaway!

Mark and I just got home from spending time with dear friends of ours. We had yummy Thai food for dinner and ice cream (mint oreo!) for dessert. But the best part of all was just catching up on each other's lives and laughing so hard we almost fell out of our chairs.

For example, we swapped stories of odd things our spouses have done while sleeping. Just after Mark and I were first married I woke up to find him persistently poking my forehead. It was as if he were inwardly asking his sound-asleep self, "Can she be real--really, really real?" (Insert one poke of the forehead for each word in that last sentence). I woke him up by laughing hysterically and it has been one of our favorite stories to tell ever since.

Since I'm feeling grateful for friendship at the moment, I'm kicking off the week with a "Girlfriends Giveaway." (Yes, there were boys present tonight but I'm not convinced they're interested in free girly stuff. If I ever give away power tools and/or electronics, I will repent and come up with another name.)

So here's the deal. If you win the contest you'll get two of these Friends of the Heart journals. I wrote them and they have different sections for memories, prayer requests, etc. The journal is meant to be shared and you could do so with one friend or a group.

   

AND you'll get two of these Friends Forever mugs. The mugs also include the Scripture, "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).

The catch is, you can't keep both. Your mama taught you to share and now is the time to make her proud. To enter the contest leave a comment telling who you will give the other journal and mug to as well as why she deserves it.

Spread the love and tell all of your girlfriends to enter.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday!

* If you're a subscriber, please remember to post a comment on the site rather than replying to the e-mail.

Comments

[Amber@theRunaMuck]

Oh, I have a bff, and I love to share with her! Brooke has never heard that I needed a thing that she didn't do everything she could to make sure I receive it. She has been at the birth of my three little ones, and I was at hers.

You're great Holley. Thanks for the chance.

[Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect]

Without a doubt, I'd give them to my friend, Mandy. I got a heart-wrenching email from her last night about major struggles she's going through. She moved two states away last fall, so I can't even give her a hug! I wish so badly there was something I could do to fix her problems. For now, I'm just lifting her and her family to God. (But a gift wouldn't hurt, I'm sure!)

On another note, a few years ago when my husband first starting working for FedEx, I woke up in the middle of the night to find him leaning over me and staring at my t-shirt. He kept saying, "Where is it? I can't find the label!" He thought I was a package to deliver!! We still laugh about that today.

[Jeanette Levellie]

My friend, Debby McClarey is one of those "loves at all times" kind of girlfriends. She is a pastor; i am a pastor's wife, so we understand each others' lives. But that does not mean we haven't had our share of misunderstandings and hurts. Through them all, however, Debby has remained steady in her love for me, always praying, encouragaing and kindly caring for me. She is a precious gift from Jesus!
Thank you, Holley, for this opportunity to share.

[Becky Harris]

I would love to be able to give one of these to my sister, Joanne. She is truly my best friend. She has gone through many struggles in the last six months, physically, mentally, and financially. I think she would love these and it would be a reminder to her that someone is always thinking of her and praying for her. She has a beautiful heart and is always there for me. She is truly one of a kind. And, we love our coffee time! Thanks for the opportunity!

[Angie]

What a blessing you are Holly to so many and now you want to bless others with this giveaway.
I would give that amazing Journal and Mug to my Bestfriend, my sister Bari! Who know lives 650 miles away. Bari is my bestfriend not only because she is my litte sister but because she is my "Hero". GOd gave me such a great treasure in her. SHe has over come alot in her life. Is living proof of GOD"s divine purpose and later Rain....
I miss her so much i moves away when i married my husband. It has been 10 years now that we have lives apart. there is nota minute that i do not miss her and the kids. This Journal would be be a very special way to connect to another. plus we both LOVE coffee. :)

[Linda]

Thanks for encouraging us to bless and honor our friends, of which I have quite a few. I choose Karen as the friend I would give the journal and mug if it were mine to share. Karen and I became friends through a divine appointment when she and her late husband started praying for me while I was going through a difficult time. Someone had mentioned it to them that I was in need of prayer. I have a sense their prayers made a marked difference in my life.

During the time her husband's cancer returned God laid it on my heart to send them notes of encouragement. At that point we basically just knew each other by name and hadn't gotten to spend time together. I was in their house for a few brief visits during the final stages of her husband's illness.

It was after her husband's passing that Karen and I became close friends. Karen has allowed me to enter into her grief journey and has enriched my life by the privilege of being her friend. She's the kind of friend you can call anytime day or night if you really need to talk or need more prayer. We laugh together, cry together and spur each other on in our walk with God. She has a way of speaking into my life that is a priceless gift. Her spirit is such that I can more readily receive admonition from her that I really need to hear. All my life I have wished for a friend I could call up on a whim and see if we could get together. Karen has been that kind of friend for me. She has encouraged me in my faith and been persistent that I continue in prayer on certain issues when my faith is faltering. She is a wonderful friend with a safe home and heart. I love you, Karen. I honor you today for your friendship. You are God's incredible gift to me!

Holley, I sure hope you didn't have a word limit. :) I celebrate you too.

[Deborah]

God bless your beautiful giving heart Holley! Thank you for this "Giveaway" opportunity.

I would share this beautiful gift with my friend and daughter, Stephanie. She has been there for me so many times, always encouraging me in what the Lord has given me to do in the mission fields of Kenya, opening her home to me when I needed a place to stay, and caring for me when I broke my shoulder and foot in a fall.

She is a blessing to so many people and even while battling with thyroid cancer, she still went out of her way to be there for others, including me. It been a year since they removed her thyroid and underwent the treatments, and just this past two weeks, was told the blood test showed traces of the cancer, and would need to go through the treatments again.

She is a single mom, with two girls, has put herself through school earning an Associate Degree and is currently working towards a Bachelor degree in Human Services Management. She's a very special friend,and full of life that spills over to others.

I would love to be able to share this gift with her. A mother can have a daughter, but to know that she's your best friend, makes it even better! I know she would love the journal, and the mug too!

She is doing good after this week's treatments! The scan was done and no traces of cancer to be found! We praise the LORD for his hand on her life!

Thank you Holley for the special friendship you share with your readers and for this chance to share our stories with you. God bless you abundantly!

[Sandra Joseph]

I have a good friend, Merry who lives in California (I live in PA). We have ministered together several times at women's events - she leads a prayer legacy workshop and I lead a workshop on remembering God's faithfulness. She loves the Lord and is faithful to His Word and calling.
The few times we do have time to spend together it is always filled with rich talk about the scriptures and what God is doing in our lives and prayer about our lives.
I am a coffee drinker and she is a tea drinker - but I would enjoy drinking my coffee in PA as she drinks her tea in CA and praying for God's glory to be reveal in our lives.

Sandra Joseph
Recognize and Remember
www.sandrajo.wordpress.com

[Darla Wilson]

How wonderful, the opportunity to give a gift of love to a wonderful friend! Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Holley!

The friend I would share this gift with is my beautiful, precious daughter who was a gift to me for our God. When I found I could not have children at the tender age of 18 I was devastated. I had just given my life to Christ so that began my first prayer of the heart...to become a mother. When my family doctor phoned me at work 43 years ago to tell me my "daughter" was ready to be picked up at the hospital my life was changed by the ringing of the phone! My prayer was answered and so begun my journey to raise my girl. As with all parents I went through every stage of her life from the first time she discovered her fist, her first words, her first step, her first day of school, first love, first heartbreak, college, marriage and sadly divorce. Through all of this the Lord has led me as her Mom to keep Him first in my life and trust His answers as I prayed for her life as well as mine. Little did I know when I brought home that beautiful little curley blond haired baby 43 years ago I was bringing home my best friend! Today we share everything. I go to her when I'm down, need a good laugh or just to hear her voice. We love to shop together, cook together, and just sit and watch all of Jane Austen's movies over and over together in marathon fashion! She has a bubbly personality that lights up a room when she enters and a glow when departing. She is truly my special gift from Heaven and my life has been fulfilled because of answered prayer. Everything I have is hers, especially my heart and it would honor me to give her these special gifts of friendship. I have many friends in this life that I've made from childhood to adult life and each one is a blessing sent, but my daughter, Cindy, is the most precious of all...my gift of the heart!

[Mary Jane Greer]

Thank you for your service to the Lord and how you minister to us. My friends name is Annie. She and I went to Bible College together, then she was in China for awhile and when she returned with a Chineese sister they both came to live with me. Years went by, I had a friend who lost his wife and had 2 small children..to make a long story short I introduced them and God answered many prayers with that union. Those 2 children are grown, one in the service and the other a nurse, and then there are 2 more. I know she is busy with her children one having Downs and autisim but still needs and appreciates time to be alone with God and count her blessings and your choice of a gift is so great. Thank you , Annies' friend Mary Jane

[Bobbe Brooks-Fischle]

Precious Holley!
I would share with my dearest pal for 25 yrs—Mary O. Amidst lots of tears, laughter & chocolate--our gut-level-sharings-in-love drew me closer to the heart of God & made me a chocolate connoisseur.

[Cindy Faulkner]

Kathy and I have been friends since we were little girls. 40 plus years later, she is still my confide-in-person. We have lived long distance from each other for the last 12 years, but we stay in touch regularly. We clear our schedules and share at least one cup of tea while talking on the phone a minimum of once a week. We laugh together, pray together, and, certainly, cry together. I love her dearly. She's the best!
Thanks for sharing with us. I look forward to the newsletters.

[Vinessa Johnson]

I would share my gift with my closest girlfriend, Machelle. She has stood by me for years and always been my supporter and my encourager. No matter what issues I have had in my life, she has never, ever judged but always been there by my side. My son was in a tragic accident, and she was there with me every minute during this trial. My brother was an alcoholic, and again, my friend was with me during his illness and his death. We've shared a lot throughout the years. We both went on a Mission Trip to Africa two years ago, and we're leaving again to go on March 21st. We have a relationship that is so special, and we draw our greatest strength from God but we also draw it from each other. God has tremendously blessed my life with my friend, Machelle, and I am richly blessed.

[Samantha Green]

I am one blessed woman because I have three BFF's. They are all very different but in a good, wonderful way. They are my sisters in Christ, my confidantes, my belly laughing friends, my prayer warriors, my heart healers and my unbiological sisters. We would love to have these journals to pass around. We have so many memories to fill them plus we will be making so many more! These ladies are truly gifts from the Lord above and I thank God for them every day. My cup truly runneth over.

[Sandy Crawford]

My best friend would have to be the person who has always been my best friend...my Mom. From day one she has always been there for me, in sickness and health, through all the boyfriends, through all the girlfriend spats, proms, graduation, college, my wedding and the birth of my precious son and then a dreadful divorce. I was blessed to meet a wonderful man and remarry but unfortunately for my Mom and I, being married took me half way around the world to Australia. I no longer get to curl up on the sofa with my Mom each week to catch up with a cup of coffee. It would be nice to know that when I drink from my cup that she is also drinking from her cup and thinking of me. Thanks Holley for all of your encouragement...no matter where we live.

[Gaye Pollinger]

Cathy and I have been friends for over 30 years and have experienced tears and laughter together. She was my best friend when I married and moved to California and remained my best friend to this day even though for a period of 22 years we were geographically separated.

Today, she has a great job and I have been laid off and am unemployed. Cathy calls daily to give me a word of encouragement and to pray for me, my "future" job, and other financial dilemmas that I face. She is the most generous person that I know and she doesn't expect anything in return.

Cathy's birthday is in a couple of weeks and I would definitely share a journal and mug with her. The sentiments inscribed on both are exactly how I feel.

[Ann]

Holley, Thank you so much for this offer. I would look forward to sharing this gift with my wonderful friend and prayer partner Janice. She has been a blessing to me through many difficult times. Pr.17:17 ~ A friend loves at all times... Blessings to you Holley, Ann

[AUTUMN WHILE]

I would give one to my pastor's wife. She has been there for me ever since my husband left us in Oct. 2008(me & 2 kids). She has cried with me, prayed with me, laughed with me, listen to me and even had to be firm with me. She showed me that I don't have a "right" to be unforgiving towards my husband and that I need to love him anyway. I wouldn't have made it as far as I have without her and the Lord. She has been a strong place I could run to, a shoulder I could cry on, and unconditional love is always there for me. I could never pre-pay her for all she has done for me. She has been there to hold my arms up and keep me on the Lord's path every step of the way. And not letting me think about giving up. This journey has been the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. It is very painful and raw.
But I am fighting for my marriage. I am willing to love my husband no matter what. I am going to win his haert back with the help of the Lord. I am going to do whatever it takes! Because I'm a fighter.
This would be a way for me to share my heart with her and tell her that she has meant so much to me.

[Claudia]

Not having sisters, (only brothers) I never learned how to make girl friends when I was young so consequently always felt more at ease around guys. I now have 4 really close friends (and they say you're blessed to have 2 in your lifetime) we get together on Mondays to delve into God's Word, pray for each other, our husbands and families. What a blessing these girls are, trying to pick just one to give the mug to would be hard.
I read somewhere that we make our friends when we are young, but the friends that come to us later in life are heaven sent, and I can say AMEN to that.

[Shea Frazier]

I would love to share this wonderful gift with a Dear Friend. I have in so many ways even with prayer, to have our God save her, have her walk with God, trust him, seek him, understand him, etc. & I think this would add that personal touch in her heart & soul! This is a very good idea~

[Otto]

I would give one to my wife as I have ALS & she has taken care of me for 23 years & we been married for 54 years.

[Elizabeth]

Without a doubt, I would give one to my dear friend and sister in Christ, Nita. We met in church and have been friends for 19 years. I had struggled all of my life to find a friend that I could trust with my innermost self. When I joined that church, I prayed for that, and He graciously sent me Nita. It was as if we knew each other all of our lives. We were in a discipleship group together and have since shared leadership in the church and now co-lead a discipleship group. We are always there for each other and, with our spouses, enjoy monthly dinners-where we also are usually falling off of our chairs laughing!

[Rachel]

I would share this with my best friend ... my daughter Cynthia! She has been a blessing since that day she was born in 1965 and I've watched her blossom into a beautiful and gifted woman. I thank God for her each day. This would be such a beautiful and thoughtful gift for her. Thank you for the possibility.

[Merle]

What a beautiful idea, Holley.
I would give the gifts to my dear friend Patrice. Her mom passed away in January and now her Dad has been in the hospital for the past 3 weeks -- and things are not looking good for him. And of course they live 8 hours away....
We both sing on Praise Team at church and were on together yesterday. What joy to be there, give her a hug, and we actually got the giggles together (during practice -- not the service) -- I am a firm believer in prayer, but also "laughter is the best medicine".
Thank you Holley, for being a blessing to so many

[Holley]

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful comments! Wow, you sure know how to love and be loved.