Since this trip to Wales wouldn't be possible without Ariel, I found it appropriate to honor her via blog. =)
Anyone who knows Ariel knows she's "THAT" kind of friend. She has innumerable times, sacrificed her time, desires, and preferences to serve me when I'm struggling. She loves being willingly inconvenienced to be a blessing to someone else. She prays for me almost as much as my MOM. (WOW!) She encourages me every time we talk telling me what a blessing our friendship is to her and how she sees God working in my life...and she uses specific examples. I'm not exaggerating when I say every time. I really mean EVERY time. She's the friend that raises $1300 for you to move half way across the world-- because she wants to support you in whatever you're doing...even if its the opposite of what she wants.
She loves TRUTH. She loves applying truth to her life. She has a listening ear to hear ways she can grow or better serve others even when that's not what's being discussed. She responds humbly to correction. She brings correction humbly. She longs to grow. To be changed. To help.
She's the friend that notices that you don't do well without a lot of sleep (or food =)- and instead of telling you to "get over it", she seeks to make sure you're able to get rest (or eat), and serve you in whatever way to make it easier for you to overcome the temptation to be short or harsh.
She tells every story the same. With the "OH NO!" expression as her hands curl and move towards her mouth and she lifts her right knee. And every story is just as dramatic as the one before. Always ending in uproarious laughter from the hearers, and usually with an unintentional dirty joke she makes...and then she covers her face.
She's the friend that will shove you into the men's bathroom on a cruise(don't worry, it was just one stall) as you're puking to make sure you make it to the toilet in time...or close enough.
Ariel is all blond. 100% Miami. Completely crazy and super FUN. Everything's an event. And if she brings her camera...WATCH OUT. There will be pictures of wallpaper, trash, light fixtures...you name it. (Right, Amy?)
She steals drinks from bars on cruises, gets hit on by guys who like her A LOT, has more embarrassing jokes being apart of a Worship Team than I've ever heard of before, and most importantly, is a friend Biblically defined. She is an answer to many prayers.
Ariel, I love you so much and pray that this year is full of JOY as you continue to position yourself to obey the LORD and whatever He has for you. He is not with holding any good thing from you!!! I anticipate many emails and phone conversations about our hearts, sin, and the abundance of God's grace this year!
4 comments:
Oh my goodness. How true all of that is!!!! She is truly such a blessing to everyone she comes in contact with. And she is definately the friend that I use as an example of, "Oh my gosh, my one friend has THE MOST embarrasing stories of ANYONE I know; quantity and quality!!!"
"She tells every story the same. With the "OH NO!" expression as her hands curl and move towards her mouth and she lifts her right knee. And every story is just as dramatic as the one before. Always ending in uproarious laughter from the hearers, and usually with an unintentional dirty joke she makes...and then she covers her face."
Ariel, I love you! It was so much fun watching you get blessed during lunch yesterday! You are so loved! ;O)
(great job, JJ!)
J.J. you are amazing…It is actually an evidence of Gods work in YOUR life that you can see that much of his work in me. Thank you so much. I am so honored. I have had a blast being your friend! You can bring light to any dark time. I love you.
Oh! And thanks a lot for telling the world I steal drinks from bars on cruises! Hahaha! Mrs. Leach it was TOTALLY an accident!
J.J. we are praying for you as you travel!
Ariel
What a great post!! I couldn't agree more!
It still hurts that she lives in Orlando...but it makes it not hurt so much to know that my best friend is blessing so many other people!!
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