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    The Gift of Friendship: Stories That Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments
    The Gift of Friendship: Stories That Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments
    The Gift of Friendship: Stories That Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments
    Ebook209 pages2 hours

    The Gift of Friendship: Stories That Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments

    By Jennifer Dukes Lee

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Whether next door or in the next time zone, our friends provide some of our most important relationships. We cherish time spent with them, endure time spent apart, and look forward to the next time we can have coffee or rush to greet them as they walk toward our door. And nothing warms our hearts like reading stories of true friendship.

    Collecting over fifty true stories from some of today's best writers, Dawn Camp offers readers a chance to sit back and experience the gift of friendship. With its beautiful photographs and poignant prose, this collection is a great gift for a dear friend and the perfect pick-me-up any time you need a boost. Contributors include Crystal Paine, Liz Curtis Higgs, Tsh Oxenreider, Myquillyn Smith, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Lisa-Jo Baker, Jessica Turner, Lysa TerKeurst, Bonnie Gray, Holley Gerth, Renee Swope, and many more.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateFeb 9, 2016
    ISBN9781441220646
    The Gift of Friendship: Stories That Celebrate the Beauty of Shared Moments
    Author

    Jennifer Dukes Lee

    Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn’t believe in Jesus; now he’s her CEO. Find Jennifer at www.JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.

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    Reviews for The Gift of Friendship

    4.5/5

    6 ratings3 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is a great collection of stories telling of friendships over time and how they became friends and how many of the friendships have stood the test of time. It was great to see all these stories and be able to read a few at a time. They were enlightening and great to read when you just needed some encouragement. I received a copy from the publisher to read and review.
    • 5/5
      "We need our people. We need friends standing in our corner, cheering us on, believing in us. We need listening ears, shares of inside jokes, keepers of secrets. We need those who laugh when we laugh, cry when we cry, and then pass the chips and salsa...that's the gift of friendship." - Dawn Camp (19)Well said, Dawn. Just like in her first book, The Beauty of Grace, The Gift of Friendship is a collection of personal stories from writers, with the power to bring grace to our lives. Every single story in this book is one of beauty, of personal shared moments with a friend or community that lends to God's plan for us as relational beings. I can honestly say each story touched me on some level and brings forth past memories, or a sudden desire to call a friend or send a note to one. These are heartfelt stories of friendships that may be simple, short or of the past, but each story shares of a sense of communal belonging, of being loved and wanted and remembered. A beautiful book, with stories that will captivate you, disarm you and make you feel. And that's why, this is a winner. Get one for yourself, and share one or more with others. As you read this, many will pop in your mind, and those are the very people that will appreciate this gift, and your gift - your gift of friendship.This review was first posted on Just Commonly blog: //justcommonly.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-gift-of-friendship-giveaway.htmlNOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Revell for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      I couldn't possibly get through life without my girlfriends. I have friends that I've known since childhood, friends from college that I've reconnected with because our kids are in the same school, best friends and casual friends, and friends for all seasons of my life. Each one fills a need in my heart and knows just what to say or do at just the right time. When we moved to this small community over twelve years ago, I was nervous about leaving my friends behind, knowing that with some of them, I would lose that daily connection, but hoping that new friends would fill that gap. There is always that trepidation about introducing yourself and trying to find that connection with a new person. Thankfully, I have been blessed to be surrounded by an amazing group of women in my community that I consider to be some of my closest friends.Friendship is born at that moment when one says to another: "What! You too?"C.S. LewisThis collection of stories from well-known Christian authors, celebrates everything that friendship is about. It celebrates those moments when a friend knows just what to say when you're hurting, it acknowledges those moments when you are feeling vulnerable, and reminds you not to compare yourself to other moms in this "pinterest perfect" society. There are plenty of stories that you can identify with. I expect many of them will encourage you to reconnect with a friend when a story reminds you of a certain friendship or memory.I had one particular story that resonated quite strongly with me and that was the one by Melissa Michaels. Her story of "Lessons in Hospitality from my Hairstylist" brought me to tears. Many of us wouldn't think of our hairstylist as our friend, but I sure did. Mary was my hairstylist for many years and I looked forward to seeing her every six weeks, catching up on our lives, sharing both the good and the bad. She was a friend to me while I was an exhausted stay-at-home mom. I wasn't always able to have my appointments without the kids tagging along and she never minded. The kids adored her and she always had a drawer full of cookies ready for them. This story hit me emotionally because Mary died of an aneurysm just five years ago. In fact, the day I read this story was on that five year anniversary. Michaels's story reminded me of how much I miss that friendship but yet so thankful I had it at that time in my life. Mary was the epitome of hospitality and kindness as a hairstylist and a friend and I miss her dearly.As you can imagine, there are numerous other stories that will remind you of the joy in having meaningful friendships. This book would make a wonderful gift for a friend that you want to thank for being a part of your life. You can read a few stories a night and go to sleep with a smile on your face and a prayer to God for placing these special women in your life. My friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges.Helen Keller

    Book preview

    The Gift of Friendship - Jennifer Dukes Lee

    © 2016 by Dawn Camp

    Published by Revell

    a division of Baker Publishing Group

    P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

    www.revellbooks.com

    Ebook edition created 2016

    Ebook corrections 05.17.2017

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

    ISBN 978-1-4412-2064-6

    All text reprinted by permission of its respective author.

    All photos courtesy of the editor and may not be used or reproduced without permission.

    Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

    Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

    Scripture quotations labeled GW are from GOD’S WORD®. © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

    Scripture quotations labeled HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

    Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

    Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

    Published in association with William K. Jensen Literary Agency, 119 Bampton Court, Eugene, Oregon, 97404.

    "The Gift of Friendship came to me exactly one year after an out-of-state move. With the power and importance of human connection high on my radar, I found myself nodding, laughing, and wiping away tears with each page-turn. The beautifully crafted stories in this book reveal exactly what I’ve found to be true: friendship can be flawed but still provide perfect healing. Friendship can be stretched by time and distance but still come back unscathed. Friendship can be brief but still have a lifelong impact. Friendship can be completely unexpected but still divinely planned. This lovely book reminds us that time with friends is healing time; it is holy time. And no matter how busy we are or how much we have going on, we must make time for one of life’s greatest blessings."

    —Rachel Macy Stafford, New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama

    "In a culture that glorifies busy, The Gift of Friendship is a refreshing reminder of the importance of investing in relationships that fulfill the soul. This uplifting collection of stories invites you to settle in and rediscover why friendship truly is a gift. Its beautiful photographs and encouraging words make it the perfect gift (no pun intended!) for the girlfriends in your life."

    —Kayla Aimee, author of Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected

    Reading this book is like spending time with a group of encouraging friends. It’s full of laughter and tears, beauty and brokenness, inspiration and honesty. Dawn Camp has created a warm, welcoming place our hearts can go back to again and again whenever we need to remember we’re not alone.

    —Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of You’re Already Amazing

    "I was late to discovering the deep beauty of friendships among women. I moved a lot during my growing up years, and later became busy with work and kids and, well, life. I missed out on some of the best moments I could have shared with a friend, simply because I didn’t realize my need for it. Fortunately, a couple of friends stuck with me as I found my way, and I’ve come to know just how very much I do need them. As a ‘beginner’ in friendships, I find this book particularly meaningful. It makes me appreciate the friends I have and makes me want to reach out and widen my circle even further. It reminds me of the treasures I have all around me: women who enrich my life with their presence and who inspire me to do the same for them. The Gift of Friendship is a book you’ll want to give to every one of your friends, because you’ll see your own friendships in the pages and you’ll just have to share it!"

    —Rachel Anne Ridge, artist, blogger, and author of Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances

    For my dear friends:

    because of you,

    I know what true friendship

    looks like.

    contents

    Cover    1

    Title Page    2

    Copyright Page    3

    Endorsements    4

    Dedication    5

    Foreword by Jennifer Dukes Lee    9

    Acknowledgments    13

    Introduction    15

    Building Community    21

    Becky Keife • Sarah Forgrave • Dawn Camp • Alia Joy Hagenbach • Laura Parker • Francie Winslow

    It Takes a Friend to Be a Friend    43

    Kristen Strong • Sophie Hudson • Ruth Chou Simons • Anna Rendell • Lesli Richards • Crystal Paine

    Pursuing Friendship    69

    Liz Curtis Higgs • Dawn Camp • Ann Swindell • Karina Allen • Joy Forney • Dawn Camp

    Hospitality    89

    Tsh Oxenreider • Melissa Michaels • Myquillyn Smith • Jennifer Dukes Lee • Sandy Coughlin • Lisa-Jo Baker

    Friendship on Purpose    111

    Katie Kenny Phillips • Melanie Porter • JoAnne Kelly • Edie Wadsworth • Jessica Turner • Christie Purifoy

    What I Learned about Friendship from My Family    131

    Dawn Camp • Tina Anderson • Lisa Leonard • Lysa TerKeurst • Bonnie Gray

    Vulnerability    147

    Holley Gerth • Mary Carver • Deidra Riggs • Seth Haines • Crystal Stine • Holley Gerth

    Making a Difference    165

    Amanda Williams • Dawn Camp • Jennifer Dukes Lee • Shannon Lowe • Edie Wadsworth • Dawn Camp

    Old Friends    189

    Renee Swope • Robin Dance • Elizabeth W. Marshall • Lynn D. Morrissey • Dawn Camp

    Contributors    209

    Back Ads    219

    Back Cover    223

    foreword

    jennifer dukes lee

    It was the morning I sat down to begin reading this beautiful book, the one you now hold in your hands. I had read only two pages when my iPhone beeped with a text message.

    The message came from a woman I had recently met. She took a risk, reaching out to someone she barely knew, by texting me with sixteen words of vulnerability: I feel so invisible. I need friends. I’m to the point of pretty much giving up.

    My heart broke when I read her words, because they are the echo of so many women I’ve met across the country as an author and speaker. Women want to know they matter. They want to know they’re loved. They want to know they’re not alone.

    I texted back: Don’t give up, friend. You are seen and known. You are not invisible to God. And you are not invisible to me. Believe everything that Jesus says about you—not the least of which is this: He calls you friend.

    I prayed for my new friend, and then I returned to the pages of this book to find Dawn’s words: We need our people. We need friends standing in our corner, cheering us on, believing in us. We need listening ears, sharers of inside jokes, keepers of secrets.

    Her words were so perfect, so timely. When I read them, I felt tears stinging in the corners of my eyes. Tears of sadness for every woman who’s ever felt relationally bankrupt, and tears of joy for all the friends who’ve poured life into my soul.

    The thing is, I have tasted the sweet gift of friendship. My people love me for me. These are women who don’t care about my muffin top or my crazy hair, which has its own zip code most mornings. My friends take me as is, despite the fact that I’m forgetful and quirky. Despite the fact that there are, right now, petrified French fries that have been lurking under my car seats since 2013. I am soul-embedded with these women. We’ve seen each other through cancer, death, job loss, and betrayal.

    But I’ve also felt the sting of loneliness. Several weeks ago, Dawn emailed me to ask if I would write a foreword for this book, a collection of touching stories and gorgeous photographs that highlight the beautiful bond of friendship. She had no idea that I was struggling through my own season of loneliness.

    In all my busyness with ministry obligations, I had slowly isolated myself. I had forgotten how much I needed my people. Dawn’s book was a timely gift because it reminded me what I knew deep in my heart but had forgotten: we are better together.

    While reading these stories, I vowed to invest in my people—and I vowed to allow people to invest in me again.

    I don’t know where these words find you today.

    Maybe you’re feeling invisible, like my new friend. This book is a fresh reminder that you are seen and known—that you are not invisible to Jesus, Who calls you friend.

    For anyone feeling alone, this book is an invitation to go first, to be the friend you want to have, or perhaps to send sixteen words of vulnerability to a new friend.

    Maybe you’ve been blessed with beautiful friendships, but you desire deeper connection with those heart sisters. Through these stories, you’ll hear how women like you have done just that.

    Maybe you need to believe again that you—yes, you!—have something very special to offer in a friendship.

    This book is an invitation and it is also a celebration. A celebration of doing life together, of sticking it out when things get messy, of all the things that make friendships between women so special.

    Step inside these pages. Let your heart hear it again. You are known. You are seen. You are not invisible.

    Someone out there needs you, friend. Someone needs the gift of you.

    Jennifer Dukes Lee,

    author of Love Idol

    acknowledgments

    Bryan—my husband, my best friend.

    My children—Jacob, Hayden, Christian, Sabra, Chloe, Clayton, Felicity, and Lily. I love that children grow into friends.

    My sweet friends—I’m humbled by the way you love, support, and pray for me. I wouldn’t want to do this without you.

    Melissa—thank you for your unconditional friendship, your encouragement, and your words, It’s your time. We all need someone who believes in us.

    Michelle—you remind me Who carries me when I’m afraid. And you make me laugh!

    Becky—I don’t see enough of you, but I know we’ll grow old together.

    My church gals—have we really been together this long? Thank you for always being here.

    My Moe’s crowd—food and fellowship are a magical combination. Thank you for the ways you bless my family, one Wednesday night at a time.

    Ruth Samsel—more than my agent, my friend.

    My Revell team—working with you exceeds expectations. I’m thankful for all you do and I’m so glad we chose each other. You take my work and make it beautiful.

    My contributors—I’m thankful for the forty-two writers who shared their words and made this book possible. Your willingness to be vulnerable changes lives.

    My family—thank you for how you’ve loved me through this process. You’re

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