Appreciation April: My Mentors and more

Sorry I've not been very good at blogging for Appreciation April. It's been a busy month. Thats not an excuse, just a fact! But I'm back, and still appreciating SO much.

I've been blessed to meet many amazing women in my life that I look up to, I have several "mama's" and several mentors. Today's Appreciation April is all about them. Yes there will be names. :)

My mother- She is more than a mom, she's a friend and she's a mentor. My mother is one of the sweetest, most wonderful people I've ever met. She's been through SO MUCH in life and come out on top. No one knows my mom like I do. She's stubborn, sweet, kind, beautiful, and SO STRONG. She also has such a heart to serve the Lord and learn more about him daily! When I was younger, I remember thinking I didn't want to be like my mom, but now... now I know that if I'm anything like her I will be truly blessed.

Anita- She's again one of the absolute strongest people I know. She's a very determined person. Above that she has one of the kindest of hearts, a heart to help others. I worked as her assistant for CARES for 6 months and learned SO MUCH from her. She's still a very dear friend and I'm so thankful to God for bringing her into my life. (mama bear 2!)

Aunt Kay- This woman is kooky (in a good way) she's crazy awesome, has a heart for the Lord that is just fascinating to see! She enjoys life, loves everyone she meets (even the ones that are hard to love.) She's inspiring, beautiful, sweet and just fabulous!

Mama Sue- The mother of the girls in Everlife... I started out my life after HS by being in the Task Force for Everlife and was the state leader for Kentucky for several months before I went to college. Mama Sue and I found each other on Facebook a few years after I had been in college and reconnected that way. Her testimony is one that is amazing and once again she's strong and loves to have fun!

Gena- She has had so much going on in her life, her testimony is beautiful...and in recent months faith has been tested yet she's still SO strong. This woman is beautiful inside and out. She and her family have become like family to my mother and I.

Laura L. Smith- My writing mentor, and I'm not sure she even knows it! :) It's always been a dream of mine to write...and I started to lose hope in that dream but then I met Laura. Her faith is strong and her books are written so beautifully! She's taken the time to talk to me and understand what makes me tick. She's encouraged me and helped me to see that I have something to say and should just say it!

These 6 women have similar personalities, and I've been drawn to each of them for different reasons. They each have their amazing testimonies, they are women in whom one can see God when they look at them. They each inspire me, and I'm so thankful that they've opened their hearts and lives to me. More than that, I'm thankful to God for choosing these 6 women to mentor me with their own special touch. I love that he's chosen so many amazing women to help guide me to the woman he wants me to be.


There are other amazing women that I call my other mama's they are protective, amazing, and I look up to them as well. Suzanne, Laquita, Debbie, and my Aunt Debbie. There are others also. If I didn't mention you and I've called you "Other mama" you are still VERY important to me but my brain is all foggy right this second. Just know I'm thankful that you've each invited me to be another child of yours. I love all my other mama's!

 Laura Kurk, Jennifer Murgia, and the other Authors of playlist Fiction, you are all quickly becoming very important to me and I appreciate you as I already said in my post for that.


There are a lot of friends I have that aren't mentors but we have mutual respect for each other and I want to say I appreciate them too: Stephanie C, Jennifer C., Stefanie S, Esther H., Labanya K., Ameet K., Katelyn W., Ashley H., Rhiannon, Katie B., Jacq  C., Carla C., and Mary Beth L. Thank you all for being so amazing. Again there are others, but my brain is not letting me think. I love and appreciate ALL of my friends, but the ones that I have a special friendship with the ones that I have mutual respect for... you all understand the way our friendship is. :) Thank you for letting God use you in my life, and I hope you feel the same about me.