Jemma's Tales
Gift Of Encouragement From Friends & Family
December 13, 2017
Hello friends and Welcome to The Perk project! Today Stacey and I are focusing on encouragement.
I believe that one of the greatest and most powerful gifts in our world is that of encouragement from friends and family. Their friendship is like a priceless pearl from the sea. So today it is with great joy that I am sharing with you some of those friends in my life and their unselfish nature, loving disposition and gifts of encouragement which they have extended to me. You know there are just some people in this world who give of themselves so naturally. I am sure you all have some of them in your life too. I guess we should call them Angels!
Today I'd like to give a big shout out to my friend Laura Peyton. No matter where or when or how long it has been since we have spent time together, when we meet up it is as if time has stood still. Whether life is flowing smoothly or the chips are down, my spirits low, my health is failing and all hope seems lost she is always there for me. Her steadfast support and encouragement means everything to me. She offers upbeat words, hope and laughter.
Friends are like a warm cup of tea, just pour yourself a cup of friendship. What you share you always get back and more! In fact I encourage you to make time for a lunch date or tea with a good friend.
Although I do not see my Angel friend Alice Huege as much as I'd like to, she is a lifetime friend who is like those delightful first buds of Spring. Consistently sharing kindness, hope, love and encouragement in her thoughtful handwritten notes and cards. Distance separates us but the love of a true friend never fades.
There are times in our lives when friends are the music of reason. They laugh with us and make us see the truths that sometimes we like to avoid, while giving us a shoulder to cry on. These dear friends also encourage us to buy those perfect shoes and handbag!
Have you ever lost your way in life and wondered what path to take? Was there a friend waiting for you at the foot of the stairway to lead the way?
Friendships are vital to life, they are our comrades. I am fortunate to have made new friends through my blog and Instagram and I thank you for sharing yourself and time with me.
A darling photo of my two old and new friends! Laura and Stacey:)
Our winners from our recent PERK project post are Carol from Art and Sand and Meegan from Meegan Makes. They each won a handmade pompom wreath and a gift card to Target.
Carol and her darling puppy Lulu are happy with their pompom wreath! Isn't this such an adorable picture!
Carol shared this viewpoint that she and her husband share on living a life of Positivity on Instagram, so I just wanted to share it with you all.
"When one of us starts on a negative tangent, the other says, "that's not in the script!" We're the authors of our lives and we have control of what's said. It's amazing how easy those little words get us back on "script," for the positive and happy life we chose."
I hope you'll share your thoughts on encouragement with us today and also visit Stacey for her sweet little giveaway!
I believe that one of the greatest and most powerful gifts in our world is that of encouragement from friends and family. Their friendship is like a priceless pearl from the sea. So today it is with great joy that I am sharing with you some of those friends in my life and their unselfish nature, loving disposition and gifts of encouragement which they have extended to me. You know there are just some people in this world who give of themselves so naturally. I am sure you all have some of them in your life too. I guess we should call them Angels!
Today I'd like to give a big shout out to my friend Laura Peyton. No matter where or when or how long it has been since we have spent time together, when we meet up it is as if time has stood still. Whether life is flowing smoothly or the chips are down, my spirits low, my health is failing and all hope seems lost she is always there for me. Her steadfast support and encouragement means everything to me. She offers upbeat words, hope and laughter.
Friends are like a warm cup of tea, just pour yourself a cup of friendship. What you share you always get back and more! In fact I encourage you to make time for a lunch date or tea with a good friend.
Although I do not see my Angel friend Alice Huege as much as I'd like to, she is a lifetime friend who is like those delightful first buds of Spring. Consistently sharing kindness, hope, love and encouragement in her thoughtful handwritten notes and cards. Distance separates us but the love of a true friend never fades.
There are times in our lives when friends are the music of reason. They laugh with us and make us see the truths that sometimes we like to avoid, while giving us a shoulder to cry on. These dear friends also encourage us to buy those perfect shoes and handbag!
Have you ever lost your way in life and wondered what path to take? Was there a friend waiting for you at the foot of the stairway to lead the way?
Friendships are vital to life, they are our comrades. I am fortunate to have made new friends through my blog and Instagram and I thank you for sharing yourself and time with me.
A darling photo of my two old and new friends! Laura and Stacey:)
Our winners from our recent PERK project post are Carol from Art and Sand and Meegan from Meegan Makes. They each won a handmade pompom wreath and a gift card to Target.
Carol and her darling puppy Lulu are happy with their pompom wreath! Isn't this such an adorable picture!
Carol shared this viewpoint that she and her husband share on living a life of Positivity on Instagram, so I just wanted to share it with you all.
"When one of us starts on a negative tangent, the other says, "that's not in the script!" We're the authors of our lives and we have control of what's said. It's amazing how easy those little words get us back on "script," for the positive and happy life we chose."
I hope you'll share your thoughts on encouragement with us today and also visit Stacey for her sweet little giveaway!
This post is so sweet and poetic! You and I were both thinking of other specific people when we were writing. I honestly don't know where I'd be without the people who've given their encouragement over the years. From the time I was a little girl, I remember those who had those qualities and always thought that was the best way to be. Let's all encourage each other through our days.
ReplyDeleteAren't Carol and her husband gems? The way they've chosen to spend their lives is so neat.
Love you Jemma!
Jemma your heart always shines and we see your beautiful soul when you write your posts. This is a wonderful example of your sharing yourself with all of us. It is amazing how some peeps come into our lives for a short while and then there are others that become our lives and stay with us no matter how close or far the distance. I believe friends are the angels God gifts us with. Thank you for this lovely post.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kris
What a beautiful post and I'm not saying that because Lulu was featured.
ReplyDeleteThis week I have been the recipient of a few of the sweetest and kindest comments on my Instagram pics. I am a very upbeat person and not in need of "uplifting", but I can't describe how wonderful those words were to receive. We have no idea the impact a few kind words can make in someone's life. So, I'm going to share a story with you.
Years ago, as I left church, a deacon handed me the weekly flyer and I browsed through it as I waited for my children to be out of Sunday School. One tiny quote caught my eye and it literally changed my life then and there. It changed how I acted as a spouse, mother, friend, neighbor and as a teacher. The gist of it was, "you have the power to make someone's day by just dropping a kind word. It costs you nothing, but it means the world to them." The next morning I walked past a child sitting sadly on the concrete next to her classroom. I smiled and said, "cute shoes". I passed another child and said, "it's good to see you this morning." And so on... Years later I opened my yearbook on the last day of school to read the comments and a young boy who marched to the beat of his own drummer had written, "thanks for actually liking me!" My little comments such as, "nice new hair color" and "catch any fish this weekend" told him that he meant something to someone.
With that, thank you and Stacey for spreading joy, kindness, happiness, friendship ... Imagine a world if we all used only nice words!
I LOVE that your friend and her husband say, "that's not in the script". Oh, wow, that is just powerful! Thank you for sharing such a lovely post. Oh, my, I have so many dear friends who keep me encouraged and hold my feet to the fire when I am tempted to give up, none more so than my dear husband and son. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. God is so faithful to place those special people in our lives when we need them the most, and usually, we find that they need us just as much as we need them. He is an amazing God to always give us who and what we need. Merry Christmas, Jemma!
ReplyDeleteWow!! I'm famous! Lol. Thanks for the shout out! You are such a sweet & kind friend. I think we hit it off from the moment we met nearly 25 years ago! It has been easy being friends & kindered spirits, hasn't it? We have celebrated many life events & weathered many storms, also during that time! Knowing an encouraging, loving friend is a phone call away makes all the difference in the world! I hope to always return the graciousness, positivity & love you've always shown to me! I think after the 15 or 20 year mark, SISTER is a more appropriate title than friend! Love you Sister!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Jemma. I know I've valued the encouragement you've shared and shown to me and my art. Yesterday I spent the afternoon with two of my closest friends because it was biopsy results day and I knew if it was good, we'd celebrate and if not, theý would be in my cheering corner. I can see why you have wonderful friends, Jemma. You ARE a wonderful friend.
ReplyDeleteJemma, your post came at the perfect timing for me and we are truly on the same page, as tomorrow's post will be about the Christmas coffee I had with my best friend of 42 years. In fact, I wanted to ask you if I could send her this beautiful picture you took of the yellow tea pot, I love that! You have so many special friends as well, Jemma, new friends and old friends. And can I just say that your daughters smile is like a brilliant star shining on the screen haha It is one of the most lovely smiles I've seen, and yours too!!! Your post about friends encouraging us with their presence and their words was very special, indeed. : )
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Love these Perk project posts Jemma. Keep it up! Is that a picture of Stacey and Laura Peyton by chance? She emailed and we are suppose to have lunch together next week. Crazy how all that worked out! Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a balm for the soul you and Stacey have created for all of us to share- and there could not be two nicer more encouraging people in all of our lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Having good, encoursging friends and family is such a treasure in life. Encouragement is also something we can share daily with all we meet during the day and so needed by so many!
ReplyDeleteI love this and I love Carol and her husband's viewpoint. We all need friends to encourage us and I am so fortunate you and Stacey are here in blogland to encourage us! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cecilia
Jemma,
ReplyDeleteYou and Stacey are doing a wonderful job of encouraging all of your readers with this wonderful PERK project. I hope you two are feeling encouraged by the comments supporting PERK.
Merry Christmas,
Judith