Have you ever really thought about your best friend? I don’t mean like in a quaint way like, “gee wonder what_______ is up to today?” I mean REALLY think about your best friend? How did you meet? Was it awkward at first? Did you not get along? Did you have the same interests? Or did you just take a chance to find out about a total stranger. Maybe even a stranger you’d never laid eyes on?

Well, Mennonite Maidens is exactly that. A little awkward at first, same interests, got along immediately, and total strangers we had never laid eyes on!

Oddly enough, these two Sisters met through eBay! Yes, that’s right. eBay! Our Virginia Sister contacted our Oregon Sister asking some simple questions. About beliefs, certain interests and items. Actually, I believe she said something about everywhere she went to look at things she saw the others name. Well, almost everywhere. It always seemed to be the same types of things and interests that she was also interested in. One email led to another and nearly 9 months later they are in contact every day!

I’m the Oregon Sister. And my Virginia Sister, Christina is my very best friend. We talk about everything from cooking and cleaning, to sewing and soap making and everything in between. In fact, the very first time I ever made homemade soap was with her on Instant Messenger! Her batch in Virginia and mine in Oregon.  I’m pleased to say…IT WORKED! The soap, I mean.

As we continued to share our stories, our happy times, our sad times, successes and failures our relationship blossomed into a Sisterhood that can’t be torn apart. Being touched by the “call” is a strange experience to be sure. And when you think you are going through it completely alone you suddenly find someone. Out of the blue? Or Devine intervention? I like to believe it was definitely Devine. This Sister was just like me. Not just in beliefs and lifestyles but our growing up years were similar in many ways. Anyway, our decisions on two different sides of this continent were mirrored. So mirrored, in fact, that we both were a little worried about it being really true.

We both had been called to the covering and wearing of more modest clothing. We both had been called to a simpler way of life. And when I say simple I mean SIMPLE! We bake our own breads, cook and bake from scratch, sew our own clothing, grind flour, grow our vegetables, raise animals for food and the list goes on! Makes me tired just reading it back to my husband!

We had spoken at times over the many months about starting a business to help other like minded people. People, who were looking for plain and more modest clothing. (Next to impossible to find in the stores).  I think it originally started out as just something to say. Then we joked about it for awhile longer and one day just up and did it! If she and I had decided to be too cautious, I don’t know that we would have been in business together at all. It’s easy to procrastinate. And actually I AM the procrastinator. And if it hadn’t been for HER jumping in and taking it by “sewing threads” I would STILL be procrastinating. (Actually I still procrastinate but she doesn’t know that. Shhhhhhh.)

Our husbands have been supportive through most of this relationship. I say MOST because at first I think they were a little worried that we were both putting a lot of ourselves into a relationship that we could neither see nor validate. I wonder though, did Jesus have to validate His relationships with people? And if I believe this to be Devine providence that she is my best friend, then validation isn’t important.

In short, we prayed and then prayed some more. We followed our calling both in our lives and in our business. We are growing spiritually and business wise. And when we need a shoulder or an ear or a prayer we are only an I.M. away.

You know, when you think about your very best friend. Ask yourself a few questions. And take as much time as you need to answer them. And do yourselves a big favor. Pray!