Friends
On March 3, 2015 the first book in my new Prairie State Friends series will be published. I chose to write this series because I know the value of friendship. I appreciate the friends I’ve been blessed with, some whom I have known since I was a girl. Others are newer friends, but all are equally special. Some friends live near me, while others reside in other parts of the country. No matter where my friends live, I know I can count on them, if only to pray when I have a need.
A true friend is loyal, loving, encouraging, compassionate, understanding, and so much more. Those are the attributes of the three special friends in my 3-book series set in the Amish community of Arthur, Illinois.
In Proverbs 17:17 it says “A friend loveth at all times.” In the Book of John, chapter 15:12 we are told, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Is there a special friend in your life you wish to thank this week? What are some ways we can show our love and appreciation to our friends?
try to see the good in everyone – a difficult task but very rewarding. friends are there even when you didn’t think you needed any at that particular time. somehow they just ‘know’. thanks
I am your biggest fan. Love us books so much
I have 2 very special friends. They pray for me and I pray for them. My husband of 45 years is my very best friend. We show respect for our friends when we spend time with them and be there for them with our prayers and support.
Hi Wanda. Always nice to hear from you. You are right we can have friends we have never met in person. I have many who are special to me on these author blogs. We can show our love for a friend by sending a pretty card or letter now and then to let them we care. Give them an occasional call or drop by to check on them now and then. It means a lot. I know personally. A call or visit can make the day a happy one for many lonely people. Especially those who can’t get out anymore. . And old friends are just a call away. Stay in touch. If you can’t afford the call then drop them a card or letter to show you haven’t forgotten. I love the looks and sound of this new series and would love to have it. Hopefully it will come to my library. That is where I met you was from finding some of your books there. GOD bless you my friend and stay safe and warm. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I have Matchmaker which says it is number three. I would like to know how many books are in the series and what are the others in this grouping. I can’t find it listed. Thanks
My closest friend is my sister. We live about three miles apart and she and I married brothers. Our husbands came from a Christian family with two children-our husbands. Therefor, my sister and I share many things in common.
I enjoy reading your journal and books!
I can’t wait to get this book. I so enjoy reading them. I always tell people when reading your books always start with the first one and read till the last book of the series is read so much joy. I hope you come up with anothers quilter club book. I will say the Lady at my church who got me into reading these books I can’t thank enough. She was right they are wonderful to read.
One of my best friends is not a Christian’s but we can share are darkest secrets with each other and know there safe. But she always ask me to pray for her. And when something is wrong with her even us living 1000 miles away I can feel it. So I pick up the phone and she always says you always know I need you. Love your books Can’t wait for these new ones on friendship.
My husband of 49 and 5/12 years is my best friend next to my Lord and Savior. I can talk to him any time and discuss everything. My God is my best friend as He helps me through every day. The best way to let Him know is to thank Him every day no matter what is going on in my life.
My closest friend is my daughter. Phone contact each & every day. Going on a trip end of month together. Enjoy reading your books.
My younger sister Lori is my best friend, I’m sure she doesn’t realize this but ever since she was born 47 years ago I helped my mother care for her so mom could go to work. I would baby sit Lori. My mother past in 1990 and I have always stayed connected to Lori the most of my two sisters. As adults I can always count on here to listen to my woe’s without much judgement. I just love her to pieces and glad to have Lori in my life.
Best friends are ones you can call up and share your most treasured news… Good, bad, or secret for now type. A true best friend responds with your best interest in mind, as the Lord Jesus would. It may be in rejoicing with you (even through tears of sadness), it maybe to encourage you to choose the right choice not the easiest way through life, it will be to encourage you through using God’s Word, it may be to rebuke you as you had chosen the wrong way in life. Without a being a best friend, you will not have a best friend. Best friends rarely come in bunches but rather come spareingly into your life so that you can cherish them each and every time you have the opportunity to share one on one time with them through a letter, phone call, lunch, text, email, or message on facebook! Best friends are truly sent from God! I usually get to spend a phone call, text, or a luncheon with my most cherished friends! Every time it is very uplifting to my heart! :). (McDonald’s is my favorite spots, the pops are only a dollar with all the free refills you wish…. And they only push you out the door when they are closing up an hour after they lock their doors!!!! We have done this a few times also!!! Time flies when you are with your best friend!
My book club is a group of friends — most of them for 55 years although not many in the book club. That has been off and on since the late 1960’s. This time going since the early 1990’s. We started as a faculty wives group at the university where our husbands taught. Unfortunately of the 13, over half have lost a spouse. The number of 12-13 has been a constant — but the people have changed as we have lost members due to their moving or passing away. For Lent, this year, in addition to our monthly get-together, we are doing a “at-home Bible study.” We have chosen the book of Acts; each Wednesday we put our reflections to the rest of the group. W did chapters 1-5 the first week; next week we’ll do 6-9. One of our members volunteered to figure out the breaks. The comments from the first week were realy interesting — and diverse. I thought that you might like this idea.
Jesus is our best friend. He siad He will never leave us or forsake. He is a mighty God and freind indeed.
A true friend is one in a million. My father always told me if you you have one true friend you are lucky. I have two Jesus and my husband. I can not wait to read your new novel.
Jesus is our everything. My best friend is my husband Jay for 61/2 years hes been there for me. He’s my angel and love of my life. We have a passion for Jesus Christ and live it everyday. We choose our days and rejoice in all things. Dancing in the fire.
My best friend is my husband. And like any relationship we have our disagreements but we are always there for each other in the end. I show my appreciation by being there for him as he is for me. But being true friends we don’t really have to prove our love and appreciation as we just know how they feel.
I enjoy reading all your books. Originally, I accidentally picked up one of your books to read, and now I am hooked. I have even gotten my husband to read them. So now it is a family affair. I appreciate the lessons learned as well.
Wanda, thank you for sharing your heart with your readers. Your books are such a blessing. God bless you.
My husband is my best friend. Other than Jesus, he loves me unconditionally. Agape love.
I tell him everyday I love him and how much God loves us both.
My best friend other than Jesus, is my husband. We have been married a little over 6 years. Sometimes we feel like we have been married 60. The ways I try to show him how much I care and love him are little things, such as fix his coffee for him before he even asks. Take his dinner and serve him first and I also leave little love notes around for him to read and let him know how much he means to me and how much I love him.
I am so excited to read the book Decisions. I hope and pray that I am chosen to receive one autographed. Thank you for offering this opportunity 🙂
Hi Wanda – I love your books. I love the verse – a friend loves at all times. We are to love
as Jesus loved. Great words to live by.
I truly enjoy the stories you create! I can’t wait to read each new book as it comes out!
I have a couple of best friends, and I try to keep in contact with one, by phone calls, visits, and every year we meet on our birthday’s for lunch. Very excited, because mine is this week (March 6th), and I will get to see her. She just found out she’s going to be a grandma for the 1st time! God has been so good to us! We should always cherish our good friendships.
A true friend is someone who , even when you haven’t seen them in a long time, you just pick up right where you left off.
I have several true friends who are so close to my heart that I cannot imagine life without them. My ex-husband is one of my best friends but I’d have to say my Momma is definitely my best friend. I just love being with her no matter what we are doing. Same with my Dad. I am posting here to see about your give a way. My Momma, who is also named Wanda, is one of your biggest fans. We both keep tabs of whenever a new book is coming out. I got her an autographed copy of one of your books, missed you by a day at our local bible book store, where they had one. You would have thought I’d given her a million dollars! My parents have always been there for me and my son and vice versa. We pray for each other and discuss scripture together. I am truly blessed. Jeremiah 29:11 is my constant reminder to never give up. Thank you for all you do!
I love all of your books and would be honored to have a book that was signed by you!
Always like the saying ” A friend was once a stranger.” You never know who will be your friend.
Your books give me so much relaxation and are so comforting to read.
Hi Wanda! So looking forward to reading The Decision. I hope I read my own book, won from this give-away!
My closest friends are the ones I don’t see regularly. This is how you know they are true friends: no matter how much time has past if you call they will come. I am so blessed to have 2 such ladies in my life.
Christian friends are one of life’s precious gifts.
My mom got me started reading your books I love your stories I came to Ohio and you signed my books it was a birthday present from my daughter and her husband!
I have so many wonderful friends from so many different walks in my life. Like the song says, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold!” I thank God for his bountiful blessings! I try to be the friend to them I would like them to be to me. I often pray for them and do little things just to let them know I am thinking of them.
My special friend is someone I met at church 20 years ago this month. Tracy and I became friends as did our husbands. At the time, she was pregnant with her second child. We started doing things together, and became really close when her husband was injured on the job one week after she gave birth to her daughter. She asked if we could go watch their older daughter while she took her husband (who had refused to go to the doctor earlier that day while at work) and the baby to the hospital. We’ve been really close since and just spent the weekend together. They get invited to all of our family get-togethers, and we get together to grill out a lot in the summer. We’re always there for each other in good times and not so good times. That’s what true friends do–love each other, encourage each other, and just be there no matter what.
My very best friend is my husband. Today though I would like to thank a friend that I have been friends with since sixth grade (20 years). I bought her a vase with her favorite flower.
It is so great to have supoortive friends that hold you up and pray when you feel you can’t. Also a great support group at church is amazing too.
You are an amazing writer and I love your books. They have been very inspirational for me. I have completely changed my life around because I’m learning the right way to be because of you. Thank you so much for all your inspirational words. Love to you and your family from me and mine!
sent. Crd but most of all call her not email or message which is all good but a time out to hear her voice floods the soul and mind God gave us a special friend treated is such a way you’ll never forget.
I have been blessed with many friends in my life. As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that I wasn’t doing a very good job of telling those important people in my life how much they meant to me. I now make an effort to tell my friends and family that I love them often. Sally, you are so right..Jesus is our best friend. I don’t know what I would do without him.
I am so excited for this new series. I live near Arthur, and visit as often as opportunity allows. I can’t wait to fall in love with this series!
Sometimes being a true friend is just being there to listen, being a shoulder to cry on, or someone to share a laugh with. I want to thank each of my friends just for being there for me. The best way I can thank them is by being there for them when they need me.
My best friend is my little sister Kimmy. I am so grateful for her and her love and support. I am so very excited for your new series. I cannot wait to read it!
My best friend is my husband of 22 years. I am very thankful for him everyday. I am also thankful for 2 very good friends I only know from facebook. They are two of the best friends I have ever had in my life. One is in a different state not to far to travel to from me but the other is in Australia and I so very much wish I could go there to meet her in person. Wanda, I am thankful for meeting you, my dear friend, in person this past September in Ohio and thankful for the amount of personal time you spent with me and Sarah. I love your books and your journal entries.
Wanda: My best friend is my husband. We will be married 36 years next week. I don’t know what I would do without him. He completes me. I love your books so much. I met you this past fall, in PA.
Love, love, love reading your books. Can’t wait for the new series! I went grocery shopping this morning with my best friend (husband of 44 years).. We ran into several friends while there. My motto is “Be friendly with everyone and offer each person a smile”. You never know when a smile is just what a person needs at that time. Friends are important but to make a friend – you have to be a friend. Looking forward to reading the Prairie State Friends series.
Love, love, love reading your books. Can’t wait for the new series! I went grocery shopping this morning with my best friend (husband of 44 years).. We ran into several friends while there. My motto is “Be friendly with everyone and offer each person a smile”. You never know when a smile is just what a person needs at that time. Friends are important but to make a friend – you have to be a friend. Looking forward to reading the Prairie State Friends series.
I am patiently waiting to read your next book. I have read so many and have enjoyed them so much. My Mom got me started on your books quite a few years ago and I am always looking for the next one. I have learned a great deal from you in reading your books, along with getting closer to the Lord. I share my books when done, with the local library and also one of the Senior Centers. I share with my Mother-in-law after my Mom and I, then they are shared with others. Some people can’t afford them, and I enjoy having others get the benefit of them. My MIL has a library at their living facility and she sometimes shares with them. You are a fabulous person and a fabulous writer. Continue to put your heart and soul into your books, that’s what makes them so great. I laugh at myself when I find a trilogy/set – won’t get any housework done till I read them all. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Amish and God in all of your writings.
I appreciate this posting. Most of my friends live far away, too. I enjoy keeping in touch with them on social media.(short notes, photos, support) It is a great way to encourage each other with prayers and much more.
Hi Wanda. I just love your books. My closet friend I would have to say is my mother. We both live in different states now but are very close still and talk every week. ~Liz
Probably the best way to show love to our friends is to listen to them. We all enjoy talking about what is going on in our lives, but many times, we don’t want to stop talking and really listen to what is going on in others’ lives. The test of true friendship does not come in only the best of times, but also in the worst of times.
Wanda I love all your book they are so inspiring,and Godly.I have lots of family and friends and without them my life would not be what it is today.I had cancer 4 years ago without them and God’s Grace it would have been awful, but with their support and God’s Love I am doing well.Love Rita Gregory.
I love your writing, have read all of your books. I will have to say Kacey, she is my best friend, loyal, loving, honest, and funny. Always there when I need her. She is the best.
I so love your books and have a lot of them in my library. I can’t wait to read The Decision.
My best friend is my sister. We’ve always been there for each and help each with all kinds of things. I’m disabled and I lived with my sister so she could help me with things for 12 years and all that time she put my needs first. When I help her she comes first before my needs. That’s how it has always been with us.
my special friend is jasmine welch! We have been friends for 17 years. We first met when she punched me in the stomach. We grew apart awhile but now grown up we make time for each other. I feel that’s important. I mail her cards randomly just to remind her how much she means to me.
My best friend Barbara, accepts me as I am, no questions asked. She is always there for me
and would do anything for me. We never end a call or visit without a hug and “I love you”. Thanking god every day for this wonderful friendship.
I love the idea of a book on friendship! I believe the best thing we can do for our friends is pray for them. And if they know you are a true friend and a prayer warrior, they will be interact with you about items for which to pray. As a girl, I remember something that I think came from our Brownies or Girl Scouts: make new friends, but keep the old…. one is silver and the other gold. Some of our closest friends live far away and we don’t see each other often, but when we get together it’s like no time has passed.
Best thing we can do for our friends is pray for them and be there for them when they need us.
I love all my friends so much, they will pray for you when you are sick and in need of prayer. Some of my friends are in my church, some live many miles away but they are always in my heart.
I am happy to hear that the first book in your new series – Prairie State Friends Series – is being released today! I know I will enjoy it as much as I have your other books! How true are your comments on friendship and how you value both new ones as well as the old. What would this world be like for us if there were no dear friends in our lives! Thank you!
I am so thankful to my friends who pray for me and help me when I am not able to do things myself. They are all special to me.
Can’t wait to read “The Decision” My closest friend is an 86 year old lady “Edna Vercher”; she and I are librarians in our church and I truly enjoy every second I get to send with her. I love your books and and can’t wait to share this one with Edna.
Thank you for the chance to win.
JoAnna Wright
True friends are few and far between. I have been blessed with one friend in particular that has been there for me in my best and my absolute worst times. She and I have been friends for about 10 years. We have seen a lot of good together as well as some bad, but we’ve had so many fun times too.
I believe in paying if forward and treating people the way you want to be treated. I live my life that way daily. I have two great friendships in my life. They have been there for me through 3 brain surgeries, my MS diagnosis, and I can talk to them about anything. One of these people is my sister she is the rock in my life and the other is my best friend Laura. Thank you both for being there for me and fighting for me when I couldn’t fight for myself.
My best friend has been in my life since 7th grade.She is the only one who knows everything about me.She has always been there for me thru happy & sad times.I am so blessed to have her!
I’ve also had many friends over there years one dear friend who has moved many times we’ve always stayed in touch writing letters and calling each other. I believe god put us in each other’s lives for a reason .
Wanda your books are such s blessing. I can hardly wait for this new one. I always preorder all your books because I can’t wait. Of course my husband is my very best friend he is who showed me Christ so I am forever great full. But i have a wonderful godly girl friend. She shows me in so many ways how much she cares. If it’s a phone call , a card or a prayer . My friend has been there through the bad and good times ,the last 35 years . With the death of our son she was on the first flight and just came in and was a great support . I could have never done it without her and MY LORD. You always just capture the heart of your readers and for this I say THANK YOU very much.
I’m so excited for your next book! The characters seem so real, and I always feel uplifted by the end. My husband is my best friend. I try to show him my love every day by making his favorite foods, listening when he tells me about his day, and carving out a few minutes of alone time with him when the kids are occupied.
I so enjoy your books. I have been blessed with many friends throughout my life.I havebeen blessed friends with since school 20 yrs. We have been through the good and the bad. I am .si thankful God has blessed with a true friend ( Sharon)
My best friend is my mom. Even though she is 82 and I am 54. We talk everyday and spend time together as often as possible. I tell her everything my ups and downs. She always provides me with a wise answer. I love her so much even in her eightys she still is there for me everyday. I thank god for a mom like her.
I am looking forward to reading many more of your Amish books. Forgiveness is the greatest gift.
I have a very good friend who I can ask for prayer, and she can ask me for prayer. Its so nice to have a friend that I can trust. Recently she was told she has breast cancer, so she is really counting on friends for prayers. Thankful for friends because at times like these you really need them.
Hello Wanda, first of all I would like to say, I love your books!! I just finished my 33rd. Book, ready to start, “women of courage” and waiting for my new book” The Decision” to arrive!! Can’t wait!! I love the way your books bring encouragement, faith, trust, love and the word of God to life!! Thank you and may God bless you always!
I need to thank my mom. She is great to me and I need to appreciate her more!
Friends are most important in our lives. They tell the truth about us, stand by our side always, bring us up when we are down about something, stay with us through thick or thin, good or bad. Love is what we need. I love to read about the Amish, simple life seems to be the way to live. I feel that my ancestors lived this way, although not Amish, still lived the simple life. I would like to go back to that time, life would be so much simpler. Keep on writing the books, I am anxious to read them.
Friendship is very important in life. I don’t have many close friends. I think I have one childhood friend. I like just being there for her. Anther friend of mine is my husband! He’s my number one supporter!
I would like to thank you for the words you write about the Amish I so enjoy reading about them. God is Good would love to have a book if I win thanks again,
God Bless
My best friend Leeann. Been friends since middle school. A true friend & very special person. Pick up where we left off even if its been a while!
My best friend’s daughter has CP, and she has always been there for me through the good and the bad. Her daughter, Rachel, is having 3 different procedures performed over the next few weeks. I hope she will feel that I am as helpful to her. I am so thankful for her and Rachel.
I just found you on Facebook and now have learned about your website. While this is all new to me, I have been a fan of your books for a very, very long time. I originally thought I could find these books only in the Amish areas. Now I have found many other sources, and I so enjoy your books. Wonder if other readers feel the same as I do – these Amish people become our friends and neighbors. I grew up in much the same way the Amish do – went to a country school, lived on a small farm, church and family were the important ties in life, garden and canning and raising chickens were important parts of our daily life. Although we did drive cars, otherwise our lives were much the same.
Last summer God sent someone to me through prayer. While at the clothesline one day He sent me a name of person and I started praying. I had no idea why I needed to pray for this person but I just did it. Later on that day I had seen the person at our VBS and told her what I had done. She then told me that she had to deal with the toughest thing in her life that day but because she felt as though someone was praying she was able to deal with it. We have been friends ever since and I thank God for her every day. When God speaks we shouldn’t ignore him…we should listen because it just may be that He’s opening up the door for something special.
I have a one really best friend. His name is lee zickuhr. he is my husband (who is currently serving over seas.) I am blessed to get to talk to him. he keeps me grounded. i tell him and show him how much i love him everyday. I guess it would be hard to pin point another one. i grew up in a small farming town in kentucky and my first move from home was to colorado springs.(we got station at fort carson). ad people who knew me growing up will just send me a message or something to check on me . which mean the world to me so i guess that is true freind ship. cause everyone knows everyone back home
I have the very best forever friend! It takes years and many experiences to have and be that friend that finishes the others sentences. Talking when you need to talk. Sitting in silence if there are no words needed just someone there. Sharing everything with no reservations…. That connection is so special and doesn’t come along too many times ! So it’s to be cherished. Through marriage, divorce, birth of each other’s children, happy times, heartbroken times. The older you get you realize more and more it really doesn’t matter what you have beside you but who. She’s been there through the good bad and ugly and I wouldn’t trade her for anything !!!
Hi Wanda! I am looking forward to reading The Decision.Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading your books.
My husband is my best friend and has been for almost 30 years 🙂
To be a good friend, I think you need to be there whenever you can, to visit, to help…to sit and talk, laugh, and most importantly when the other person needs someone to talk to….be there for her/him sometimes all we can do is listen, and lend a hug…..I used to shy away cuz I didnt know what to say…but most of the times, our friends just need someone to listen to them …. be there….
I am always thankful for my best friends. My best friend in the whole world is my mom because despite our troubles in the past, we still have an amazing love for one another. I am also beyond thankful for my boyfriend, Steve. He treats me like a queen, he’s always been nothing but loving and supportive. Finally, my best friend Tracey has been in my life almost as long as I’ve been alive. We met in Sunday School class almost twenty years ago and since then, she’s been my partner in crime. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people I have in my life.
Some friends come and go. But true friends will stay with you all the time. You might only have a hand full or true friends. I have to say I love my true friends and will stand by them not matter what happens.
Hello Wanda
I really enjoy reading your book’s and I thank you for this opportunity of maybe winning a signed autographed book. My bestest friend is my Mother, I don’t think anyone can have a better friend on earth unless its is Jesus himself.
My best friend is my husband. He and I do everything together. We are about to be empty nesters so we have lots of time for each other. It is great when your spouse is your best friend. We encourage each other, pray for each other and we know we have each other’s back no matter what.
my husband of 51 years is my best friend. I also have 3 very special girlfriends. We call ourselves “the Fab Four”. We are there for each other in times of difficulty.
My husband is truly my best friend…when I have no one else to talk to, he is always there ready to listen to my concerns, my excitements, my challenges, my heartaches, my goals and always puts God first in our marriage. What more can you ask for in a best friend.
Hi Wanda, enjoy reading your books so much! The best way to show your friends you care is by helping them whenever your needed and praying for them. My best friends are my husband of 45 1/2 years, my daughter and my son. They are always there for me. My daughter and son call very often and I am blessed to live very close to my daughter. We laugh, cry, travel, share our concerns together. When we disagree, we make sure to quickly reconcile with each other. My daughter, granddaughter and myself are looking forward to your new books!!
Friends who listen without criticism & just love & understanding are priceless!
I love your books. My daughter and I both have read most of them. She has been sick with cancer for 2 years 2 months and I moved to Ga from NC to care for her. God recently came to take her home. She was reading one of series at that time. I continue to read, helps keeps me sane if that’s possible after losing your child/and best friend. Please continue to write, I need your books. Such an inspiration. I would love to have an autograph copy. Love you!
I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. May God give you His comfort.
There is definately a lot to learn about this topic.
I love all of the points you’ve made.
Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this web site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more,
thanks for the advice!