An Ode to the Sisterhood

Upon my arrival in the big city of Fort Wayne

I had a deep ache to find community and quickly!

You see I had no family or friends nearby

And as you can imagine, I was very lonely.

I was delighted to find girls of similar plight

at my new church home, FMC.

We decided to gather on neutral ground

In a meeting room at our new church

on a cold wintery Sunday morning.

I remember that day quite vividly.

Although this exact meeting date

remains elusive to us all.

We went around the room answering

Those oh familiar “getting to know you” questions.

Where did you grow up?

Where did you go to school?

What are you doing now?

How did you come to know Jesus?

Why do you want to be a part of a small group?

We must have liked what we heard

And found similar interests because

It wasn’t before long that we met again

And began the journey toward building

our own little community.

Our days together are ones

I’ll always hold dear to my heart.

Who can forget our tendencies to have

The uncontrollable giggles at the most

Inopportune times?

Like the late night we got busted by the

Angola State Park ranger?

You’d think we were a bunch of jr. high girls

All stuffed in a tent during a weekend camping trip.

And how about the time our laughter

Rippled through the air during

The very serious wedding toast

 to Steve and Michelle Ziegler?

It’s too bad the only time we thought

To pull out the camera and capture the moment

Was during our weekend retreats when

We threw out the showering component.

But one thing we excelled at

Was always having scrumptious food at hand.

Homemade pizza, lasagna, quesadillas,

Fresh greens, and forever DESSERT!

We’ve had our fair share of ice cream nights

Bridal showers, weddings, baby showers,

Overnighters, garage saling, walks in the park,

Serving together during Go Days,

sharing stories of child rearing,

Making 12 week Bible studies last 12 months,

And extending making decisions for as long as possible.

While we shared joys we also

experienced sorrows together including

Break ups, deaths, family issues,

Job loss, health problems, and financial concerns.

Yet through it all, we’ve loved each other

Unto the better.

I’ve discovered life happens no matter what.

Trials come. Joys come. Mundane comes.

And life is better together.

Michelle Hoffman, Michelle Ziegler,

Christin Easterhaus, Amy Johnson,

Amy Shriner, and Kari Braun,

You’ve all given me a priceless gift.

The gift of your love, your loyalty,

Your listening ears, your encouragement,

Your friendship, your hugs,

Your shoulders to cry on, your prayers,

Your wisdom, your joy, and your happiness.

I’ll forever hold you each closely to my heart

And in my prayers.

While miles may come between us,

There’s nothing that could stop the

Love and trust we’ve built these past

Several years.

I vote for Small Group Retreat 2012

to be held in Redding, California.

All in favor, say, “Aye! “