January 4, 2008
Growing Friendships
Having reaped the benefits of strong friendships with whom I had shared good times and who I had helped get me through bad times, I always knew that I would make the effort to make new friendships when I moved, as I have several times in my adult life. But even without a physical move, there are changes in a woman’s life that often invite–or require–us to make new friends such as leaving or reentering the workforce, changing churches, involvement in your children’s activities, and many more.
Have you been hoping to find a new friend?
Are you hoping to deepen some relationships this year?
Perhaps you want to learn more ways that you can be there for your friends, or how to enlist help when you need it.
Growing Friendships by Tracy Klehn is an excellent book. Actually, my only criticism about the book is that this is the book that I wanted to write! Tracy Klehn shares personal experiences of her own growing friendships. In each chapter she gives the reader an opportunity to reflect on areas in which she needs to improve regarding her e
xisting friendships or steps she needs to take to make new ones.
I think that this book could help and inspire every woman.
Some women have many friendships and know that they wouldn’t survive without them. They feel like they are good at the skill of friendship. These women will smile and nod in agreement throughout and come away with new ways to make the most of them.
A few women don’t feel the need for friendship, or at least they don’t feel like they deserve the time that it takes to develop friendships with other women. I would hope that this book would encourage these women by giving real-life of examples of the value that friendships with women add to their lives.
Other women look at the friendships that others seem to have with a bit of jealousy, as if looking in from the outside. This book will motivate them to look at the women around them and bring to mind the efforts that others have made to include them.
There’s even a study guide that you can download www.tracyklehn.com that would be a great springboard to deepening your relationship with a few women in your neighborhood or at your church.
We have five copies to give away (they can be shipped to the U.S. or Canada). If you’d like to win, please leave a comment on this post, and check out the New Habits in the New Year guidelines at this main post.
Come back on January 9 to see if you have won. Please be sure that the email address that you provide is one that you check regularly, and also check your spam folder when the winners are announced if you see your name.
360 Comments on Growing Friendships »
#1 - Rebecca @ 9:42 pm
This book sounds so very interesting! Please sign me up!
I just found your website and I must say, you have a lot to offer. Thanks!
Rebecca
#2 - Cindi Hoppes @ 9:51 pm
Evening, I could really use this book. I have been a stay at home mom for 19 years! I had friends, but now we have grown apart. They have jobs, children younger than me, etc. Now, that I have the time, I need to rebuild friendships. Thanks for sponsoring this contest…..Cindi
#3 - Laurie in TN @ 10:15 pm
My sister in law could use this book! Enter me, please.
#4 - Kristine @ 10:31 pm
I could really use this. When I moved here to marry my husband I never really made any good friends. I’m finding it very lonely, especially now that I’m home with a newborn.
#5 - FireMom @ 10:35 pm
Oh, yes. I really need to work on this. What a perfect thing to focus on in the new year.
(Off to post button in side bar.)
#6 - Le Anne @ 10:38 pm
Oh please pick me…oh, that may explain one reason I have a problem making friends. I really would love a book like this. It is nice to know that I am not alone in the winding and criss crossing road of creating and keeping friendships alive as an adult female.
Le Anne
yardsaleprincess1@yahoo.com
#7 - Denise @ 10:39 pm
I could use this!
#8 - Tara Robertson @ 10:45 pm
YES PLEASE!!!!
#9 - Lisa Brendle @ 10:47 pm
Please count me in. Thank you
#10 - Sarah @ 10:47 pm
I would really love to win this book. Sounds like a wonderful idea and a book that many women could benefit from.
#11 - Mikki @ 10:48 pm
Sign me up. I’m taking a step out of the boat and starting a book club in my area. This would be a great book to add to the list!
#12 - JONI CHADWELL @ 10:53 pm
I’M IN!
#13 - Sandra @ 10:54 pm
Sounds like an interesting read.
#14 - Andrea @ 10:55 pm
Sure, why not?
Please count me in too!
#15 - Colleen Raines @ 10:59 pm
Sure could use this book! Thank you for the contest.
#16 - Donna @ 10:59 pm
Sounds like I could use to read this one now in my life!
#17 - Jennifer Barnett @ 11:02 pm
Thanks for the chance. New year, new me.
#18 - Beth R @ 11:04 pm
Could use this!
#19 - Noreen @ 11:18 pm
we move all of the time I would love to read this book
#20 - Stephanie @ 11:20 pm
I could really use this. I realize that I am “friend-adverse”, so I need help! Pick me!
Stephanie
williamspublic at comcast dot net
#21 - Hollie P. @ 11:36 pm
Please enter me, this sounds like a great book! Thanks! Hollie
#22 - Victoria @ 11:38 pm
what a book every one needs. I would love to win this!!!!!
#23 - Lesha @ 11:52 pm
Count me in please. Thanks!
#24 - Amanda @ 11:58 pm
Could definatley use this - army wives find themselves constantly forced to make new friends.
#25 - Tonya Keener @ 11:59 pm
I have a bad habit of keeping myself locked in my apartment alone due to depression. I really need to read this
#26 - dawn @ 12:11 am
Could really use this to rebuild friendships and make others stronger.
#27 - Jean@workingmomma247 @ 12:14 am
I would love this book to help me rekindle and old and dear to me friendship as well as help to create new and lasting friendships.
#28 - Stacey @ Happy Are We @ 12:14 am
We just moved from Oregon to Texas, and I’ve realized something with this major change: friends are EVERYthing! I’ve taken time to let my friends in Oregon know how much they mean to me, and I’m trying to reach out to new friends here in Texas. This book sounds like a great tutor for me in my endeavors. Thanks!
#29 - Angie P. @ 12:14 am
Great-sounding book. I could use it.
#30 - Kristen M. @ 12:18 am
As someone who tends to be shy, I know could learn to be a better friend. Sounds like a great book.
#31 - Kori @ 12:24 am
I could really use this book!
#32 - Jill @ 12:25 am
This sounds like a really great book. Thank you!
#33 - stacey @ 12:26 am
i could really use this right now!
#34 - Dominique Withrow @ 12:28 am
I think I would benefit from reading this book.
#35 - Dot @ 12:32 am
I have lots of friends, but it seems we go in cycles…being close and then not so close. I’m wondering if the book could answer some questions for me. Thanks for giving me the chance to win one!
#36 - AmandaA @ 12:40 am
please enter me thanks
#37 - Elaine Rosser @ 1:00 am
Love this!
#38 - Linda Lansford @ 1:03 am
lol to all
#39 - Sarah @ 1:05 am
Please count me in~ thanks for hosting another great contest!
#40 - Anne @ 1:08 am
I’ve always had a hard time with friendships. I would love to win this book!
#41 - Krista Rose @ 1:16 am
thanks
#42 - Katherine Frazier @ 1:18 am
This books looks interesting, I am a very private person and have a hard time making friends, hopefully reading this will help.
#43 - Caryn Bailey @ 1:24 am
Count me in please! : )
#44 - jennifer @ 1:31 am
ive got my fingers crossed!
#45 - ELLIE @ 1:41 am
The book sounds wonderful - count me in!!!
#46 - Shannon @ some fine taters @ 1:45 am
Count me in. I need this book! I’m not so good at making friends, but as a military spouse the ones I do make keep moving away.
#47 - Jill H. @ 2:19 am
I so need this book, I have a very hard time developing new friendships…If I don’t win, I’m definately going to see if my local library has it!
#48 - America @ 2:22 am
Yep, that is me, do not feel I can afford time to myself to give to growing new friends.
#49 - Emmaline Kuebler @ 2:43 am
I want to win this.
#50 - Angela @ 3:50 am
I would love to win a copy!
I blogged you too :
http://www.prizeatron.com
#51 - David Bertolo @ 3:51 am
Looks like a good book.
#52 - Cathy Wilcox @ 4:30 am
This sounds like a wonderful book!
#53 - Rosanne Morrison @ 5:11 am
Great way to start the new year
#54 - SUSAN VARNEY @ 6:37 am
me and my husband both could use this book
#55 - Kari Follett @ 6:52 am
Thanks!
#56 - Michael Capp @ 7:40 am
This sounds like a good read.
#57 - Mamacheryl @ 7:56 am
This would be a good book for me. I’m not good at making friends and have a hard time cultivating the ones I do have.
#58 - Brandi V @ 7:59 am
At this time in my life I could us this book.
#59 - stephanie @ 8:10 am
Enter me please.
#60 - Adrienne Gordon @ 8:19 am
book looks interesting
#61 - Tari Lawson @ 8:26 am
Any way to strengthen the bonds of friendship is definately welcomed by me.
#62 - Pam @ 8:29 am
I’m always up for a good read!
#63 - hazel hunt @ 9:05 am
nice
#64 - Beverly @ 9:26 am
Looks like a great book. I am in a Bible Study with some friends - we would really likek to explore this book - thanks
Beverly
#65 - Susan Reed @ 9:27 am
I would love to win this.
#66 - Kimberly Pruitt @ 9:29 am
I love to read! Thank you!
#67 - Amy R. @ 9:42 am
This book sounds great!!!
#68 - Meg @ 9:50 am
What a great sounding book.
#69 - Erica @ 9:55 am
This book seems amazing!! Would love a copy!
#70 - Mike Weisberg @ 9:59 am
I want to win
#71 - Beth Ingersoll @ 10:02 am
That is absolutely of interest to me - sign me up!
#72 - Jessica @ 10:07 am
Sounds like a great book! Count me in!
#73 - Patricia S @ 10:09 am
strange I was just thinking about this.. all the kids growing up and leaving home made me realize I don’t have any friends!
#74 - Yvette Mason @ 10:13 am
Wow! This sounds like an awesome book. Sounds like all women could benefit from it! Sign me up!
#75 - MissyMiss @ 10:15 am
Lately I tend to be really reclusive…maybe this book could help me.
#76 - Gretchen @ 10:20 am
count me in!!
#77 - Laura H. @ 10:35 am
I need a new book to read and this sounds perfect.
#78 - melissa @ 10:36 am
sounds good!
#79 - Gayle Morgan @ 10:42 am
I need this one
#80 - bebemiqui @ 10:48 am
Count me in!
#81 - Liza's Eyeview @ 10:51 am
Please add me to the list here. I need this book.
I posted about this give-away here:
http://lizas-eyeview.blogspot.com/2007/12/5-minutes-for-mom-is-on-it-again.html
Bu for some reasons your HTML code would not work on my side bar…
#82 - Susan @ 11:00 am
Sounds like a great book! The changes in my life since becoming a SAHM make this a topic I have thought about a lot.
#83 - Kathy Scott @ 11:02 am
I love to read. Please and thank you.
#84 - Heather @ MrsMomma @ 11:04 am
Count me in! Thanks!
#85 - Dana Noga @ 11:06 am
Sounds like a really interesting book!
#86 - Taowyn @ 11:14 am
I think I would enjoy reading this.
#87 - Faith @ 11:16 am
Please enter me in the drawing. This looks like a fantastic book!
#88 - Linda Howard @ 11:19 am
I would love to read this book!
#89 - Joanne Schultz @ 11:28 am
ooh, book sounds great
#90 - Lisa - The Scrap Princess @ 11:34 am
What a great giveaway! I just blogged this contest
Her book sounds like an inspiring guide - would love to have one….
#91 - Maja Meza @ 11:39 am
i want to win
#92 - Ana Meza @ 11:40 am
Choose me!
#93 - Angel Meza @ 11:40 am
cool prize
#94 - Beth Kuligowski @ 11:42 am
This is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. Thanks for the chance to win!
#95 - Dodo O @ 11:50 am
Sweet deal.
#96 - Sylvia @ 11:58 am
I can use help with making friends
#97 - Beth@sportsmomma @ 12:01 pm
Man, I could really use a book like this!!!
#98 - Kay P. @ 12:06 pm
I used to have friends. Now I don’t. What happened? (Please send help!)
#99 - Bess @ 12:08 pm
Sounds great! Count me in!
#100 - LindaW @ 12:12 pm
This would be really helpful to me and my sister -in-law. We’ve both felt very socially isolated at times and are a bit shy, which so often gets misinterpreted as not being interested in others. Maybe this could help. Don’t think it would hurt!
#101 - charline s @ 12:22 pm
This book would helpp me out alot.
#102 - veronica sandberg @ 12:24 pm
want to win
#103 - Paige @ 12:34 pm
This book looks interesting. I”d love to win.
#104 - Carey @ 12:37 pm
I would love to read this book. Count me in please.
#105 - Alicia @ 12:38 pm
Mummy
#106 - Jason @ 12:59 pm
What a nice giveaway !! Thanks !!!
#107 - Melanie @ 1:14 pm
I could really use this book.
#108 - SJ @ 1:24 pm
I would really like to read this book! It would be a great addition to my collection, it sounds fantastic.
#109 - Melissa Markham @ 1:26 pm
This sounds like a ook I would find very useful. In our busy world, friends often get neglected. I hope I win:)
#110 - Jodi @ 1:35 pm
This sounds like a great book! Count me in!
#111 - Stephanie @ 1:36 pm
So cool! I would love this for me and my best friend!
#112 - Mary B. @ 1:49 pm
Sounds like a lovely book. Please count me in!
#113 - Diana @ 2:10 pm
I’d love to win this! I’d love to make some new friends as well.
#114 - Janice Golden @ 2:14 pm
This looks like something I should Read
#115 - valerie mabrey @ 2:27 pm
I would love this book because this is my year
#116 - Capturing Today @ 2:38 pm
This sounds like an excellent book to read and then pass along to your friends!
#117 - Sarah Stern @ 2:58 pm
Love to win this!
#118 - william causey @ 3:04 pm
please count me in
#119 - Peggy Miller @ 3:06 pm
Could I EVER use this!
#120 - Mommy Cracked @ 3:08 pm
This sounds like a wonderful read.
#121 - Margery Yeager @ 3:10 pm
Please pick me!
#122 - Kim @ 3:19 pm
Sounds very interesting! PLease enter my name as well!
~ Kim
#123 - linda @ 3:35 pm
I hope i win this one.
#124 - Jennifer @ 3:36 pm
Please enter me and thanks!
#125 - Annette @ 3:38 pm
Enter me, please.
#126 - barbara @ 3:43 pm
The book sounds great!
#127 - Beth @ 3:44 pm
One can always use “new friends” especially me.
#128 - sandy @ 4:05 pm
would love it- need it bad
#129 - Erin M in MO @ 4:12 pm
I am one of those women who have lots of friendships which mean a lot to me… and I’m having a new lady over for lunch tomorrow whom I hope to get to know better. Because friends mean so much to me, I would love to read this book for better ideas in how I can interact with these precious ladies in my life. Thank you for the chance to win!
#130 - Mickey Anderson @ 4:27 pm
This is great. Would love to win this. I could use it for goodness sakes. thanks.
#131 - Sheila at Dodging Raindrops @ 4:29 pm
I could use this book. Thanks.
#132 - Stephanie @ 4:40 pm
This looks like a great book! And I could use some nuggets of advice about how to deepen my friendships with the women in my life!
#133 - Karen Gonyea @ 5:02 pm
Enter Me Please !!
#134 - Bhavana @ 5:04 pm
Enter me please.
#135 - Linda Moeller @ 5:10 pm
Sounds like a good one.
#136 - Michele Poynter @ 5:24 pm
sounds like a great read
#137 - jesy @ 5:39 pm
SUPER !!!
#138 - Rebecca Snodgrass @ 6:00 pm
Cool to win this
#139 - Bill @ 6:01 pm
Sounds like an interesting book.
#140 - Mama Zen @ 6:04 pm
Would love to read this!
#141 - Lisa W @ 6:11 pm
I’d love to win!
#142 - Racheal @ 6:32 pm
Looks like a good one too me enter me!!!!Thanks for the chance too win.
#143 - Susanne @ 6:40 pm
Looks like a great read! Thanks…
#144 - LadySnow @ 6:57 pm
Sounds interesting….
#145 - Diana @ 7:19 pm
We are in the process of building a house and moving…this looks like a great read!
#146 - MzzD @ 7:36 pm
Wow, this book is right on time. My New Year’s goal is to tend to my friendships that I’ve been neglecting, deepen some acquaintance relationships and create new friendships. This book would take me a step in the right direction.
#147 - Tonya mcmanus @ 7:39 pm
Thank You for the Chance
#148 - Kelly @ 7:46 pm
Sounds great, again.
#149 - chris swanson @ 7:56 pm
Sounds like a great book. Just what I need.
#150 - Audra Marie @ 7:56 pm
This sounds like an awesome book.
#151 - Sonja Hubbard @ 8:02 pm
Looks great.
#152 - DaLinda Mefford @ 8:04 pm
Would LOVE this!
#153 - Catherine copeland @ 8:06 pm
growing friendships would be a great addition to my classroom library
#154 - brandy @ 8:12 pm
I would love this book. I certainly could use the advice for not just my siblings but myself!
#155 - jessie @ 8:14 pm
sounds like a great book. my sister-in-law just moved and could use this!
#156 - Amanda @ 8:52 pm
I hope I win
#157 - Taryn @ 8:56 pm
Me please!
#158 - Susan @ 8:59 pm
neat
#159 - Dan Smith @ 8:59 pm
please enter me
#160 - Julie Robinson @ 9:00 pm
After becoming a new mom - my entire world has changed and I have discovered that I don’t really have this skill of developing friendships - this book would be great!
#161 - Pam Rudolph @ 9:11 pm
It sounds like a wonderful book. Who can’t use more friends. I’d love to read the book - even if I don’t win the contest!
Thanks for the opportunity to win, though.
#162 - Marcia G @ 9:29 pm
Yeah I need to develope new friendships, and this book could help.
#163 - Jennifer S @ 10:01 pm
This books sounds wonderful. Enter me please.
#164 - Gary Free @ 10:02 pm
This is a very important topic/subject and really needs to be looked into in todays’ environment. These younger kids growing up really need this; heck, even some of us older tykes could use something like this to help us open up; great write
#165 - Erica G @ 10:41 pm
good one
#166 - Michele Wesley @ 10:49 pm
This would be a great help to me.
#167 - erica @ 10:50 pm
I feel that my husband, with a job and ready-made friends (great co-workers), has it easy! Staying at home, it’s harder for me to feel that I’m getting adult time and friendships. I’d love to win this one.
#168 - Jenni @ 11:04 pm
I love to read and this book would be perfect!
#169 - Terry Vanderpool @ 11:04 pm
please enter me
#170 - themommie @ 11:12 pm
this sounds like an interesting book.I would love to read it. A person can never have too many friends. Friends are diffinately important…themommie
#171 - Sue @ 11:14 pm
One of my friends I met in 1976. At a church function that I was introduced to friends of my longtime friend, the women were amazed that we had been friends for so long. I didn’t necessarily take the friendship for granted. I know that it is hard to maintain a friendship where one party moved out of state in 7th grade (1983) but we have been able to maintain it successfully.
#172 - Qtpies7 @ 11:21 pm
I have some of the best friends you could ever ask for. but I would still like this book to help me be a great friend to them~
#173 - Susanne Troop @ 11:22 pm
I would LOVE to read this book!
#174 - Brenda Prentice @ 11:24 pm
Please enter me in this contest. The book sounds like a wonderful read.
#175 - Jennifer Williams @ 11:39 pm
I could really use this
#176 - Tammy Lucier @ 12:21 am
I’d love to win this. This is exactly the kind of book that I love to read..in fact, I wish I’d wrote it!
#177 - Zipporah Sandler @ 12:44 am
This looks like a wonderful book.
#178 - Jenny M @ 1:10 am
THis sounds like a great book for someone like me who has experienced a job loss or any big disruption in their social network when you realize that you dont have a lot of common with your current social group!
#179 - Katherine @ 1:30 am
Please enter me!
:)Kat
#180 - Jessica @ 1:33 am
Great book!
#181 - Angela @ 1:50 am
Having moved cross country last year, the subject of friendships is dear to my heart. Thanks for entering me in the contest.
#182 - Danielle S @ 2:21 am
Sign me up Mama!
dansan826 at yahoo dot com
#183 - Heather @ 2:23 am
I would to meet our neighbors now that I’m a stay-at-home mom. Sign me up!
#184 - Natalie @ 2:35 am
I could totally use this, I made a new year’s resolution to read more.
#185 - Amanda Kaminskas @ 3:02 am
I would love this!
#186 - Kari Follett @ 6:15 am
thanks!!
#187 - Jessica Anderson @ 10:08 am
This sounds like a “MUST READ” for everyone. Growing and nurturing genuine friendship is so important in our lives and I think we all could use advice on cultivating and sustaining this vital connection that so enriches our lives.
#188 - Brenda Markin @ 10:13 am
Sometimes, the cycles of your life leaves you with needs to refresh your friendship circles. I would love to win this and refresh myself.
#189 - Christine Saulter @ 10:36 am
I would love to win this too.
#190 - Rebecca Peters @ 10:57 am
nice..
#191 - Jynell @ 11:09 am
I am definitely one of those women on the outside looking in… Thanks for the chance to win.
#192 - kelley @ 12:47 pm
The book sounds great, we moved away from our hometown and it is tough staying close w/ friends. Please enter me in. Have a great day!!!!!
#193 - Anthony Hedden @ 1:11 pm
enter me
#194 - Beverley Justice @ 1:58 pm
I need this.
#195 - Megan @ 2:14 pm
This really sounds like something that I need to read. Thanks for offering it!
#196 - Linda Pinto @ 2:21 pm
I would like to win this useful book.
#197 - Dave R @ 2:33 pm
me too
#198 - Connie @ 3:22 pm
What a great idea!
One of my resolutions is to make some new friends and improve on the one’s I already have.
#199 - Vicki Wurgler @ 3:38 pm
this book sounds very interesting!
#200 - ter @ 3:52 pm
I would love a copy of this book.
withanangelonmyshoulder@gmail.com
#201 - Valerie Mitchell @ 4:02 pm
fabulous!
#202 - Andrea Ramjattan @ 4:03 pm
I’m getting to move out of state & I could really use this book!
#203 - New Habits in the New Year @ 4:16 pm
[…] two contests and advice on how to Squeeze in Breakfast. Next, we have five copies of the book Growing Friendships to give away. Is changing your eating on your list for the year? We are giving away a copy of The […]
#204 - Shirley Q. @ 4:21 pm
I would like to enter
#205 - Hjordi @ 4:57 pm
Having just moved to a new town… I’d love to receive this book free thanks!
#206 - becky huffman @ 5:17 pm
nice
#207 - Angela Thompson @ 5:21 pm
i love books
#208 - Brit @ 5:58 pm
This would be interesting to read, count me in!
#209 - Megan @ 5:59 pm
Looks like a great read! I would love to win.
#210 - Elizabeth G @ 6:48 pm
Please enter me - thanks!
#211 - Tanya Moyer @ 6:54 pm
This book sounds really neat! Enter me in please, thanks!
#212 - Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings @ 6:55 pm
Coutn me in!
blogged ya:
http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/01/saturday-edition-of-contests-galore.html
#213 - Charles Bauerle @ 7:07 pm
pick me, pick me, pick me…
#214 - Jessie @ 7:51 pm
This sounds like a book I would greatly benefit from. Thanks for the chance to win.
#215 - Marty Crosson @ 8:08 pm