Brandy, Taleen, Katie, Michelle, Elyse, Krista, Spring 1999
In unpacking the final boxes, I found stacks of old pictures, albums of college experiences, and a plethora of mission trip memories. Many might feel embarrassed if I posted the pictures from our younger years.
But I, for one, laughed at my big glasses, our 90’s haircuts and clothes, and friends who looked like mere babes before they had their own babies (who are now teenagers!).
My walk down memory lane was filled with a myriad of emotions, but the overwhelming thought I came away with was:
Thank you, Lord, that I am not the same person I used to be. Thank you for the experiences that have shaped me. Thank you for the relationships that have influenced me. And thank you for the lifelong friendships that have weathered the storms of life and grown with time.
Katie Forbess and Michelle Goff, Nov. 2013
One example of the transformation of a friendship is my relationship with IRSM Board President, Katie (Labowski) Forbess. The pictures included here are from a missionary team retreat my senior year of college (1999), a bilingual IRSM retreat in Denver after we had not seen each other for nine years (2013), and right before I moved to Searcy (2015).
I see these as a reflection of how our own relationship that has grown, of Iron Rose Sister Ministries’ transformation and growth since its beginning, and the personal growth in our respective spiritual walks. I thank God for the progression that these pictures represent. And I thank God that we are not the same people that we used to be. We may not see it in the day-to-day changes, but as we reflect back, we can see God’s hand at work to strengthen our walks with Him and one another.
Katie and Michelle, June 2015
You see, we each must continue to grow and focus on that growth—in our relationships with God and one another. Our spiritual health depends on it. Because, as with a plant, if you aren’t growing, you’re dying.
