A Friend Loves at All Times-Friendship Series #1

Friends.  Most of us have a variety of friends.  Some are acquaintances, some we have fun with, and then there are the true friends that you can totally be yourself with, and they love you unconditionally. This is the kind of friend the Bible talks about when it says, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."  There is nothing better than a talk with your friend about the things that are closest to your heart.  Your cares, concerns, joys and sorrows.

I really value friends.  We have moved so many times in our married life that I am super aware of the importance of having friends and the emptiness when you leave friends behind and have to start over. I have been able to keep up with some close friends but it takes time and effort to do that.  I could not have made it through all these moves without my friends.  The Lord has been faithful in bringing me friends everywhere we have moved.  It has been hard; very hard.  But, when I look back, I realize that I would not have known these dear sisters in Christ if we had not lived so many places, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know these wonderful women; even for a short time.

This brings me to the many ways we can creatively encourage our friends.  We don't know how long we will have them and we need to tell them how much they mean to us today.  I like to surprise my friends periodically with a small gift of appreciation.  It doesn't have to be elaborate or fancy; just something to let them know you are glad they are in your life.

IDEA #1:  Envelope Punch Board Dove Chocolate Treat Box

I happen to own the We R Memories Envelope Punch Board pictured here.  You can purchase it at most craft stores.  It makes many different size envelopes and is a very handy tool to make other things as well, such as bows and boxes.  You can find oodles of ideas on Pinterest.  I used the smallest envelope measurement which uses a 5x5" paper and the envelope measures 2x3 1/2".  I used plain cardstock for the envelope and a coordinating patterned paper for the belly band.  The belly band measures 1 1/4" x 6".  I then used a stamp and coordinating ink color that matched my paper and stamped a message to add to the belly band with a dimensional foam dot to make it stand out.  If you don't have a punch board, you can easily use a small purchased envelope and make a colorful paper band to go around it.  You can find a friend stamp in the dollar section at a craft store and purchase a small ink pad.  I then put my Dove chocolates, three different kinds of dark chocolates (my favorites), inside, glued it together and it made a cute gift to encourage and surprise a friend.  Pictures of my project are below:

Go, encourage a friend today!