Titus 2 Tuesday-Lighting the way

I haven't been good at participating in Shanda's (from A Teachable Heart) Titus2 Tuesday. It's a celebration of women who have influenced our lives, and the point of the post is to answer the question  What have I learned from another woman this week? (or ever). 
This really should be easy for me, because I am blessed with being around so many wonderful women; at church, at school, at scouts, and at home. But somehow, taking the time to really think through a post and make it meaningful is hard for me. I can dash off something silly in a heartbeat. Pictures? Posted in a flash. Even those everyday moments in which God speaks to me seem to roll off my fingertips and into a post. But honoring a woman who has influenced me? It's just hard to do justice to these special sisters, and by the end of Tuesday I just can't get it together. Today, I'm going to try, even if it isn't perfect.
I have been blessed with the most wonderful neighbors a person could ask for. They moved in late in 2002, so we've been neighbors now for 6 1/2 years. They had 2 little girls who were 1 and 2 years older than the Bug Hunter, and since then, they've added 2 more princesses to the mix. Hubby owns a painting business, and in this economy, things are tough. My wonderful neighbor/friend/sister in Christ (who started me going back to church by patiently and gently inviting me.. over and over.. investing in my life until I went) has been an inspiration to me during these hard times. She doesn't whine or complain; she's just found ways to make things work, and she is ALWAYS smiling. She loves my boy and welcomes him over to play whenever he heads their way. And through it all, she leans on God. Always. (and, she wears cute shoes and looks like a teenager, even with 4 kids, but I don't want to introduce envy to this post, so I'll just stop right there).
Anyway, I just wanted to celebrate the light that she has thrown on my path over the years, and especially now. I cannot imagine not having her next door, or not having the "God moment" discussions that are so dear to me. She is not only a Proverbs 31 woman, but she exemplifies these verses to me:
Matthew 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

To read about more influential women and celebrate the light they bring, head on over to Shanda's and check out the other Titus2 Tuesday entries. Be blessed......