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Sweet Danielle.


Our friendship began sitting across the room from one another in a woman’s Bible study.  There was Danielle with a beaming smile, kind eyes, and a spunky, bubbly personality.  I listened to Danielle talk that first night….sharing stories of Sudan, the story of how God brought her to small town, Glenwood, Iowa, and most importantly her desire and passion to share her Jesus with everyone she met.  How very quickly did I admire the young woman before me.

In the following few years, we spent time together going to garage sales and thrift stores, hanging out drinking coffee, planting flowers and just talking.  During this time, Danielle shared many things---her passion for teaching, a love for crafting, and a desire to be a woman of grace.  She truly was a remarkable woman that taught me many things by the way she walked through life.  She taught me to laugh more, love fiercely, and not take for granted all of God’s sweet little blessings each day.

One Saturday morning, Danielle and I got up early to check out what we thought was to be this HUGE garage sale.  We headed out on an adventure to find some treasures.  Several miles, minutes, and laughter later, we concluded that it did not actually exist…well at least not where we thought it should be.  Disappointed, but enjoying each others company, we started to make our way back into town.  Suddenly, Danielle shouts, “WAIT! STOP!”  Skidding to a halt on the side of the gravel road, I turned to see a joyful face declaring….”Wild flowers! I want some for my table!  Get out! We are going to pick some now.”  Reluctantly, I stopped the van and assisted with picking Danielle’s new table arrangement.  While I was worried about being stopped alongside a random gravel road picking flowers from else’s land,  Danielle was not.  She was laughing and beaming with joy. 


You see, Danielle always found joy and happiness whatever the situation or circumstances.  She took time to stop and appreciate life’s little blessings---even something as simple as flowers along the road.  I will never forget the joy she had for life.  But more importantly, make no mistake---Danielle had joy BECAUSE of the hope she had in Jesus.  She trusted in God and His plan for her life, always holding on to his eternal promises.  Though our hearts ache today for more memories with Danielle, we rejoice that her joy is finally made complete---meeting our Savior face to face.


Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 8, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    So beautifully said!! You brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing this!!! God has more plans for her & you!

    ReplyDelete

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