12 Extraordinary Women ~ Part 6

Halfway there!  I had no idea when I started this that it would take me such a long time.  It is not from lack of choices in extraordinary women but more lack of time to really sit down and write exactly what I want to say about each of these women.  The things I have said about each of them barely scratches the surface on some of their amazing qualities and the way they live their lives.  It is such an honor to know so many extraordinary women.  As I have said before, these are not the women that stand out immediately in our minds; these are the women who are quietly, faithfully serving God who are not always recognized for the great things they do and way they live their lives.
Today I am going to tell you about one of my favorite people in the world.  She is someone that I look up to, admire, and wish I could be more like.  She is definitely an extraordinary woman.  Gaye is an incredibly godly woman, she loves the Lord with all her heart.  She is an amazing mom, grandma, daughter, sister, wife, and friend.  She takes amazing care of the people in her life.  She is giving, sensitive to the needs of others, selfless, and such a hard worker.
Gaye is someone who I have been blessed to know at church and working together in the nursery.  She is an outstanding nursery director; she loves each one of the children that walk through the doors.  She speaks so kindly to them, knows how to communicate so well with their parents, and keeps things running smoothly.  A few of us try to fill in when she isn't there but no one can do it like Gaye does!  She is missed very much when she isn't there but I am thankful for the times she is able to rest or take care of herself and let others minister to her.  Gaye and I have spent many, many, many hours together over the past several years and I have loved every minute of it!  She has such wisdom and Biblical knowledge.  She gives great advice and when she doesn't have the answers she will pray about it and always come back to you with some words of wisdom! She is an encourager and a cheerleader for the people in her life.  She makes you feel at ease and like you could pour out your whole heart to her if you could.  I respect her so much.  She is a faithful servant of God, obedient to His will and call on her life.  She is steady and consistent.  She is full of joy and peace that only comes from the Lord.  She is a prayer warrior and true example of Christ's love.
Gaye is someone who does her "job" at church with a joyful heart and a burden for the lives of children.  She too often goes unrecognized for all the hard work she puts into her ministry and we tend to take for granted that she will be there or will take care of things.  I am personally wanting to do better about thanking Gaye and other people in church ministry for all of their hard work, dedication, and devotion to the church and the things of God.  Without women like Gaye things would be very different.  I love that Aden loves to see "Miss Gaye" and runs in (almost) every time he sees her.  She makes him want to be at church.  The nursery is a place that is peaceful, exciting, and filled with love for all of the children.
I also love how Gaye loves her family and friends.  She loves life, she spends quality time with people, she is devoted to the people in her life, and she cherishes moments with them.
Gaye, thank you for being such an extraordinary woman!  You have made a huge impact on my life over the years and I feel incredibly blessed to know you and to call you my friend.  Thank you for all you do! Thank you for loving the Lord, loving His call on your life, and loving others like He does.  I see Jesus in you!  You inspire me and motivate me to do better! Thank you for all you have taught me and for all the things I have yet to learn from you.  Thank you for loving my children and showing them Jesus.  You are one of the most faithful, consistent, gracious, knowledgeable, enoucoraging, patient, godly women I know!  It really is an honor and blessing to know you!  I LOVE YOU!

12 Extraordinary Women ~ Part 5

I have a friend who I admire so much.  She is someone who follows hard after God and makes extraordinary look easy!  She made my college years much more fun and she always made me laugh!  I have an incredible amount of respect for her and I love how she loves the Lord.
Stacy is a few years younger than me, we met while I was at USAO.  She and I were both in Deaf Education and had LOTS of classes together.   She was a mess...I love how she never really cared what people thought of her.  She did her own thing.  She loved life and made it exciting.  Going through all of our classes together we became friends and I am so thankful for that.  We became close while we student taught at the same school.  I loved spending everyday with her and getting to know her better.  The more I got to know her, the more I saw that her zeal for life came from her daily walk with the Lord.  She was bold in her faith, she was an encourager and example, she made me want to do better.
Fast forward to today, Stacy is happily married to an awesome guy and has two adorable kids.  She is still all of those things I said before.  She is steady, consistent, faithful, and strives to be like Christ.
She is a godly wife who loves her husband.  They laugh together, they make memories, and they love one another just like scripture says.  Stacy is a great mommy who is raising children in a home filled with love, laughter, and a desire to live for God.  She is also a pre-k teacher who loves those children as well.  She works hard and does what is right in every area of her life.  Stacy is faithful to her  church.  She is active and involved.  She is committed to doing the things of the Lord in ministry.
What I love about Stacy is she doesn't take things too seriously, she is relaxed and at peace.  The light of Jesus shines through her and I have never seen her waiver.  She makes people feel at ease and comfortable. She loves others, she loves like Jesus.
Stacy is a great example of an extraordinary woman.  I have seen her at high points and low points but never did I question her faithful to God.  I am so grateful that I have been able to be a part of a life that is so molded into the image of Christ.
Stacy, thank you for being an example.  Thank you for doing right.  Thank you for being consistent.  I have so much respect for you.  Your knowledge of the Bible is amazing.  Your love for the Lord is inspiring.  You are one of my favorite college memories! :)  I am blessed to know you and I am so glad I have such an extraordinary woman in my life.