What about them?

We all have them in our lives. Maybe you've only have had  just one, maybe you have been blessed and have had many.  They come in all different shapes, sizes. Some are around for life, and  some for only a short time. What am I talking about?
Life changers. That's what I like to call them. These are people who come into your life and somehow connect with you so much that your life absolutely changes. Some people call them life coaches, some mentors, but I call mine my friend.

My friend Randy turns ___ today.
Carlos posted a birthday post about Randy here.
I wrote Randy a birthday email today and while I was writing it, I realized that the relationship that I have with Randy is a once in a life time deal. Besides Bobby (our counselor) there is no one else that has shaped Carlos and my relationship more.  Randy is that person in my life that I can look back on and say... They poured into me at a time where I needed direction and because of them my life is forever different.  We have been able to experience some major things with Randy. It has been so wonderful to be able to experience  a true, raw and  authentic friendship.   Randy has given me hope, he has given me a dream and he shares my passion for life and I am honnored to be able to call him my friend.
Who has changed you. What about them makes them different than all the rest?

Comments

[Amy]

My best friend Melissa. I love her dearly and miss her every second of every day I'm away from her. She's my female soul mate and I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for her.

[Kristiapplesauce]

So I love your banner by the way...I know that you are probably looking for specific people...who have influenced us, but I can't think of just one or two. Especially since we moved here. I recently read "captivating" and it talks about seeing the face of God in all the people around you (even though I know they are talking about women) I have grown to see or look for that in my friendships/relationships with men too. I am also a big,big, huge believer in seasons. Not that I don't think you can't have life long friendships with people...but for so long I have tried to keep things the same with people in my life and so not growing or allowing them to grow. All that to say that I glean God stuff from almost everyone I meet these days. People on blogs, my family, almost every single person who comes on teams and especially people in my email or who take the time to write us letters...those are our life lines these days. It takes a lot to carry real relationships, I am learning because that thing I was doing (multi-tasking) at it in the States was really kind of faking it. So yeah...even you Miss. Heather. I don't even know-know you...but you have changed my whole view on life and adoption. We are surrounded every single day by orphans and widows and you and your troop of a family go and sacrifice everything to give one (a child) a real family. Seriously...if we all can't learn from that, and be changed by it, then we are blind and stupid. And then the JC's girls thing that you do...if I hadn't read about that...I don't know if I would have known or have been brave enough to start a relationship with the people here who are struggling to get out of the "working girl" lifestyle they are battling. But God used you there as well. So thank you Heather. You are one of those people...and I don't even really "know you". Bla bla. Now that I monopolized your comment section...

[Judith Thomas]

Yes, my husband and I have these people. Our parents are our biggest influencers though. They are all these awesome Jesus hippies and we got married when I was just 18 so we took all of the advice on love and marriage that they would give us. I wrote all about how they shaped our marriage on my blog. We have a fairytale kind of love...thanks to them.