|
|
Post by kidsandpets on Jan 1, 2015 1:17:00 GMT -5
The support has been huge to me. I don't think I can say enough about that. Knowing that I'm not alone - even if sometimes I feel alone in life.
Flautista mentioned learning to look at things from different perspectives. I have definitely experienced this here too. And I've learned a lot in doing so.
I think the different perspective that stands out most to me is hearing some of Tulip's story. It made me look at an situation a friend of mine went through many years back in a different light. It made me look at my own response and actions toward her during that time. It brought me to a place of first seeing what I could have done differently - and what I will do differently in the future. And then it also brought me to a place of forgiving myself though too. A place of accepting that during that time I was young/somewhat sheltered/inexperienced and that I did the best I knew how at the time - and I could not live in guilt over what I now know I "should have" done.
|
|
btid
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 139 
|
Post by btid on Jan 1, 2015 7:37:55 GMT -5
I can't even begin to express how much support I have received in my journey of being mom and wife, trying to keep God in the center. You all are my rock that God gave me when I found you. There is no one that supports me except for my dh. He is all for Titus 2 moms. He believes that mothering does matter. I hate to even think where I would be if I had not found you. I need that support and that I am not alone. I wish to be the heart of my home and DH the head of my home. I am so thankful for you all. You are SOOOOOOOOO precious to me! You are mentors, you are my heros. You all know most of my story, buying a home too big for me to be able to stay at home(on my dad's farm that he won't let us sell our home to get a frugal one), getting horrible advise from family, struggling through it all the last 15 years. The rest of the world says big homes and having 2 cars, 2 incomes is what is successful. But God says "train up a child". "Be busy at home" "serve others". I feel like you all are the only people that I know who believe this in your heart.
|
|
justju
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 93
|
Post by justju on Jan 1, 2015 8:52:44 GMT -5
I've made friends with ladies in another continent!
And remember mrs d and Betty?!
|
|
|
|
Post by Cali_Mom on Jan 1, 2015 21:30:53 GMT -5
I feel like this board as a whole really helped transform my thoughts regarding being a wife and being a helpmate. My mom (my example) is naturally the more submissive and patient partner, the follower of my dads lead. I have more of my dads personality and struggled with how to be the wife God created me to be when I had the stronger more dominant personality.
This board also was there for me from the moment I found out I was pregnant and was so encouraging in my walk as a young mom. I got so many great tidbits of advice and encouragement that sustained me along the way.
The board also was a safe place for me to talk about my marriage. I don't have a lot of people irl that I would feel comfortable talking with.
Lastly- the board has made me look at women irl differently. Because I got to know so many different personalities and struggles- I realized that the women in my life irl are going through things too- and need a friend. I guess before i just took things at face value.
|
|
yakky
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 794
|
Post by yakky on Jan 1, 2015 21:49:23 GMT -5
OH man... there are so many things... I came to this board when I had a 22 month old and I was due with my second baby within a month. I was dealing with gallstones and so discouraged. Some of the ladies on the "old, old" board really encouraged me during that time. I remember sharing pictures of my kids and having you all agree with me that they were the cutest (aside from your own, of course)... lol. I remember a certain conversation about my husband and how good looking he was - which totally cracked me up b/c then it became a conversation about attractive husbands (I remember another mentioned too....). I remember a photo I posted of my hubby and I at another time and I still remember Lambs saying, "Now that's a man in love. Just look at the way he's looking at you." I think of that often when I see that photo and it's such a reminder to me. There are some days when you don't feel loved/loveable/or loving and her words echoing in my mind and heart are such encouragement.
When dd was 5 months old we found out we were pregnant again. I kept it a secret in real life b/c I was NOT happy to be pregnant so soon and I was embarrassed (the whole, "Uh, you know how that happens right? comments drove me nuts). Hearts was a place where I could be comforted when I was freaking out, encouraged when I was down and uplifted with prayer and encouraged with words.
OH, OH... there was one Christmas that we were particularly low on funds and I remember coming here and pouring my heart out to you guys. Several of you turned around and PM'd me and I got packages in the mail! DS1 got his first light saber that way! (Thank you 2lp... at least I think it was you!)
I think I've lost and gained 100 pound in the 12 years here! LOL Sounds scary but it's probably about right. I had seasons of being on the health and fitness board and trying to be the first to report exercising for the day.
Remember the days when we used to instant message on msn? There are several of you that I talked to all the time ... but stilljulie and lambs were the most often! HOURS upon HOURS were spent talking together.
You guys were with me when my rental was found moldy and we had to move out of our place... we went and lived in our friend's basement for 6 months.
And then...You celebrated the purchase of our first home. The day that we got keys to our new house I walked up to the door and there was a package there already with my name on it. I opened it and it was from my fellow mod squad girls. It was a willow figurine holding a small house! So applicable and how precious. I think I cried. It still has a spot on a shelf so I see it often.
I found women here who shared similar struggles... whose marriages sometimes looked like mine did (the good AND the bad) .... and I was grateful to know I wasn't alone.
My involvement over the years has shifted and changed ....ebbed and flowed..... waxed and waned... but my heart is still always drawn here as it truly has been a place for my heart to call home.
|
|
rhonda
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 92
|
Post by rhonda on Jan 2, 2015 11:07:30 GMT -5
This thread is not an easy one to reply to... so many things went through my mind as I read what is posted here. I have delayed a response due to not knowing just what to say in kind. One thing I know for certain about my sisters from Hearts is that they are a force of faith. They are prayer warriors who never cease to be supportive and in a major way that involves covering each person's life with prayer! For that I am so thankful and God has blessed us all in that! I have also been blessed to have come face to face with a few of our Hearts Sisters. What a blessing that has been. The first one I call out is Linderlou- using her old board name.. giggle. I have had the blessing of seeing her in person twice . Each time I see her name online my mind flashes back to those meetings and I know she is a beautiful women of faith and friendship. I love ya Linda! She was there once when my Dad was in the hospital and was a real blessing to this daughter who gets shaken each time my Dad gets super sick with his Parkinson's and other health issues.
KristieD is another Hearts Sister I came face to face with. Her warm personality and friendliness remind me that when it comes to meeting new people God does bless us with those people who are a walking testimony to His warmth and grace.
I also came face to face with Kris whom some of you may remember had some very personal issues and presented herself to the Hearts board claiming to be someone she was not at the time. I did email with her after it became clear that she was not all she presented herself to be.. may we all learn from our daily struggles. I pray that Kris has found a way to overcome some of her personal issues. I pray that God blessed her and her family. I think God for having meet her for only He knows the burdens we each carry and what a blessing it might be to meet others along the way. No one person is perfect and we can always count on His grace to help us through our difficult times.
Kinsa is my Sister .. we share the bond of the military family life. I always find it a blessing to see her posts and know God put her here as a way of reminding me that I do have blessing as a military spouse.
Lamby/ Susan... what a blessing you are to this group of believers . Your honesty and openness are so refreshing. With all I have been through with DS's struggles I could always count on you to "listen" and offer both advise and support. God bless you for that. Our Father's both have/had Parkinson's and I take comfort in knowing you know what this is like. Susan.. you are a Godsend to those ladies on the board on a regular basis.
I do not want to slight anyone... I find it difficult to post about my experience here.. there is an abundance of Grace, love and support that pours out on our Hearts boards.. God is good to have blessed each lady here with His valuable gifts! So thankful that we never fail to share, love, learn and encourage.
.........What could be more of a blessing then friendship--- well I maintain friendship with the Love of Christ daily given! ...... |
|
Kinsa
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 787
|
Post by Kinsa on Jan 2, 2015 11:13:13 GMT -5
Kinsa is my Sister .. we share the bond of the military family life. I always find it a blessing to see her posts and know God put her here as a way of reminding me that I do have blessing as a military spouse.
Awww... Rhonda, I've always felt a special bond to you too, because of that. It's a unique lifestyle, that's for certain.  |
|
rhonda
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 92
|
Post by rhonda on Jan 2, 2015 11:15:15 GMT -5
Oh and another thing... what a true blessing some of you who were here during a certain time- when I was in Germany and my DH was deployed . A group of you got together and mailed me Christmas cards. I still have those cards .. such a blessing to me ! They remind me that God's love can be shared from a distance. What a supportive group you were to this then Army wife... my board name then was Drill Sgt. Wife.
|
|
Kinsa
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 787
|
Post by Kinsa on Jan 2, 2015 11:41:13 GMT -5
Does anyone remember when I was pregnant with my now-11yo son, and I attended the H@H national convention... and several of you threw a surprise baby shower for me? I think StillJulie was the mastermind behind that... |
|
|
|
Post by Flautista on Jan 2, 2015 11:49:16 GMT -5
Does anyone remember when I was pregnant with my now-11yo son, and I attended the H@H national convention... and several of you threw a surprise baby shower for me? I think StillJulie was the mastermind behind that... I remember that! I also remember there were pictures from that time. I wonder if anyone still has them. |
|
|
|
Post by countrygrl112 on Jan 2, 2015 11:51:15 GMT -5
I can't think of a way I've grown because of H@H sisters, etc but I can say that over the years, the prayer support has been amazing. The advice has been amazing...even if I didn't take it. There have been some situations where I almost left because it felt like no one got it. But then I would get at least one PM it not 2 or 3 of people who totally got what I was saying and dealing with.
This past month has been...awful. There is no way I would have gotten through it without you ladies to listen to me ramble, pray for me and my family, etc. As my issue is still ongoing and it could be anything from nothing serious to cancer (I still highly doubt that one but...), I know you will still be here for me. I truly believe the prayer support of all you have helped in so many of my situations.
I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the past 4.5 years without you ladies. Especially before we found a church and my only few local friends, while true friends who were there for me, were still basically college drinking buddies.
|
|
BC
Oldies but Goodies
"For all Your goodness I will keep on singing, ten thousand reasons for my heart to find."
Posts: 1,169
|
Post by BC on Jan 2, 2015 17:15:28 GMT -5
Something that this community has taught me is the importance of being a role model in a Titus 2 kind of a way. (Well, that and the pajama thing, lol  ) When I first started here over 14 years ago (  ), the first person who interacted with me was Cheryl. She's really my first memory of H@H. She made me feel as if I belonged even though I was new. It was almost like I wasn't new to her, I was just a friend she hadn't met yet or something. That's a lovely quality that she has. Wonder if she knows that?  I always appreciated the ladies who were a step ahead of me in parenting/life/whatever. Such a valuable resource. And, over the years I've learned the importance of being that to the ladies who are coming up behind me. I see the difference that it can make. God places folks on the same path for reason. We have so much that we are able to learn from each other. Thanks for sharing the road with me. ((( Hug ))) |
|
lambs
Oldies but Goodies
Posts: 111
|
Post by lambs on Jan 2, 2015 18:48:42 GMT -5
Oh my word, this post has had me laughing AND crying and smiling and sobbing. So many memories. My kids tease me about this place I call 'home' but honestly, they have NO idea how much this board has meant to me. I came here when Jared (now 15) was just a little wee one and we were living with my inlaws while we built our home. You got me thru that... and Josh's birth... but I think the most memorable and remarkable memory is my salvation. I was so lost coming here. I had so many questions. Mrs. D took me under her wing... as did others... Julie, and a girl named Heather that is no longer here but always in my heart. So many of you emailed with me, helped me to sort thru so much confusion about my upbringing and such. I was raised in the church but had no eternal security. And then I became legalistic (still am much of the time, workin' on that) and you were all there to point me upward. I have changed so much because of this group of women... each of you so different... little tidbits of information here and there and everywhere.
And thru the years... with Josh... you have all been there more than ANYONE in real life... even my husband (okay, here come the dumb tears again). You have celebrated with me and prayed for me (us) and empathized with bad days (weeks, months). You have encouraged me and loved me at my worst. I sound like I'm talking about a husband or something... and it's funny because you HAVE filled in where even he couldn't be there for me.
And quiet time issues... I'm always so blessed to hear with God is doing in YOUR lives that it encourages me to lean closer to Him.
Linda... I mean... your testimony during all these years of financial struggle... coming to complain but always returning in a day or 2 (or hour or 2) to give God the glory. I have learned so much from you.
Julie... obedience... I yearn to be like you even after all these years of what you call day to day struggles. You get thru them, you do... and are obedient and faithful... to your husband and to God.
Yakky... when you lived in that little small house I used to dream about being you. I'm not kidding. You made that small space seems so incredibly cozy and inviting. I even used to envy you when you talked about folding laundry. Dumb... maybe... but you taught me to be (more) patient... and (more) content. I'm still a total work in progress in both of those areas.
Bronte... your honesty and what you call bluntness is admired. I'm SO not like that... and you do it in a kind way, not rude, just tell it like it is and I love that about you. I try to be more like that often but I fail. Sigh...
Lori G... and the ladies I met when I visited her... and all of you who sent Valentines for her... spoke volumes about each of you.
Mamamunchkin... cshore... rhonda... I think I could write a special memory about each of you when your name popped before my eyes... Laney... Kinsa... Catherine... so many of you.
Amberly... thank you for calling me when Josh was in the hospital and talking to me about everything and nothing and sending your breast pump all the way to Maine for me. I love you.
Sigh... I haven't been here as much as of late. Not sure why... I get so frustrated with my lack of memory that I feel like I'm always forgetting something or someone, not responding like I should... so I stay away so as not to offend. (and yes, I HAVE asked the doctor about my lack of memory and she said the same thing everyone else says... I have too much going on... so tired of being told that).
As Josh would say.... GROUP HUG. 
|
|
|
|
Post by Madrede3 on Jan 2, 2015 20:07:20 GMT -5
Hugs, Lamby. Big, big hugs!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2015 22:04:32 GMT -5
I totally forgot Cindy M. My external Holy Spirit! My walk is the better for you!
|
|
)
), the first person who interacted with me was Cheryl. She's really my first memory of H@H. She made me feel as if I belonged even though I was new. It was almost like I wasn't new to her, I was just a friend she hadn't met yet or something. That's a lovely quality that she has. Wonder if she knows that? 
