A while back, I asked two blogging friends, Linda of Creekside Ministries and Sheila of Longings End if I could meet them in person over a cup of coffee after a conference that my husband and I were attending in New York.

Linda wasn’t content with “just coffee” and suggested that we all have dinner together with our hubbies, as well as graciously offering to let me and my husband, Gary stay for the night before heading home.

She also suggested that we devote one of our upcoming posts to sharing about our experience with all of you. Linda’s just full of great ideas!

So here are some of my observations of our time together …

I was blown away by how meaningful and encouraging it was to meet these friends! I always thought that I had a lot in common with these ladies, but after spending an evening with both of them and their hubs {Tim and Michael}, as well as a bit more chatting in the morning with Linda, I could plainly see why I was drawn to each of them.

I so resonate with who they are and what they are about!

Oh, and before moving on, I can’t fail to mention the gluten-free chocolate cake that Sheila made for our dessert! It was divine and I’ll be sharing how you can get the recipe below!

Linda has from the first day I met her {online} been a generous soul, with encouragement to offer me always close at hand. But what struck me most about  Linda was her vulnerability, and authentic/humble sharing of her life and feelings with me. She didn’t shy away from or hide her faults or insecurities and shared openly about the struggles she has experienced along the bumpy road of life and ministry. I went away from our time together wishing I could spend more time getting to know this intricate lady and learn from her, laugh with her, and do life together.

You really need to visit Linda’s blog, if you haven’t already! It’s full of her amazing wisdom on spiritual matters, marriage and relationships. I know this wisdom comes from Linda’s years of devotion to Christ and is also strengthened by her many years of counseling and ministry experience.

I knew from Sheila’s blog that she is a deeply thoughtful and philosophical person. But it was her gentleness and sweet nature that seemed to shine from the moment she hugged me at the door. Sheila, like Linda, has lived through many storms in life. And instead of this making her bitter, I can tell that she has allowed God to use this to refine her and soften her heart. She must also be very loyal and persistent because even though she had an injury to her elbow and was in pain this past week, she pushed past that to attend our gathering anyway.

Sheila’s blog is full of spiritual, relational and marital wisdom and encouragement. She shares out of the brokenness of her own messy marriage and painful upbringing, so you will be blessed by her redemptive and authentic approach. Michael, her husband, also writes there from time to time and I’ve been impressed by his Bible knowledge and insightfulness.

Speaking of hubbies, here are my observations of them …

Michael seemed inquisitive, and asked me some questions that really challenged me to think deeply. And during our dinner he shared openly with all of us about his writing career, his messy marriage years, and many of his defining spiritual moments along the way. He seems to be an open book.

Tim, Linda’s husband, made both me and my husband, Gary feel so comfortable right off the bat! He was friendly, down to earth, and had a funny side that kept all of us laughing during our dinner and dessert together.

It was a treat to be welcomed by these kindhearted men who hold the hearts of my dear friends, Linda and Sheila.

If you haven’t gotten together with another blogger along the way, I would encourage you to do whatever it takes to do that! I’m always so amazed by how God can draw us together from all parts of the globe and that we can feel this instant family connection. I feel blessed to be brothers and sisters in Christ with these lovely people!

 

When have you met other bloggers and what’s that been like for you?

 

What have you learned from your blogging connections, either in person or through the blogosphere?

 

Please hop on over to these ladies blogs to read their thoughts about our time together AND to get that gluten-free chocolate cake recipe from Sheila while you’re at it! Linda’s blog – Creekside Ministries and Sheila’s blog – Longings End.

 

Next week I will be posting on Wedded Wednesday on forgiveness, picking up where I left off before my vacation. There’s so much still to share on this topic {and yes, I plan to make it into a free ebook}, but I also am brimming with new information and experiences that I had at the Emotionally Healthy Conference I attended in Queens, NY. I will be sharing some of “that” next week on Monday as well! So I hope you come on back to check it out!

Click on the link to read the last post in my forgiveness series – When a Boundary Conversation Fails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joining with  Works for Me Wednesday,  To Love Honor and Vacuum, Whimsical Wednesday and Wholehearted Wednesday

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