Celebrating Lori

It’s that time of year again. You know, Lori’s birthday month. It’s impossible for me to overstate what she means to me. She is probably why I am even alive today. She has brought light to my darkest days… and nights. She makes me smile in my sadness. She’s my dreamer, my partner in adventure, my comedic relief and my love. It pains me to admit but I need her! Today I celebrate Lori and all that she is and is becoming in Christ. 

Lori, you lead with purpose and intention. You call people up. You laugh. You push for gratitude. You fight for healing. You make everything more beautiful. You are beautiful. 

Fortunately you don’t have to just take my word for it. A few friends wanted to share a little bit about what they love about you too. The bottom line is we love you and celebrate you! Happy birthday beautiful!

Jenna Henault

Lori is such a gift to me, and clearly many others. I admire the way she deeply cares for how those around her are doing, even if her own world is crumbling at that moment. Her creativity and eye for detail, her entrepreneurial spirit, her steadfast faith, her intentional parenting and caregiving….it all inspires me. I can think of so many times when she really sees people, acknowledges their “hard”, and offers grace. Her days are so full, and I know if I needed help, she’d still come. I also love the way she loves Justin.

One of my favorite memories with Lori is the night at Luca where she tried to secretly buy dessert for a young couple that she didn’t even know, but in a hysterical turn of events, invited them to sit at our table.  My stomach still hurts thinking of how hard I laughed that evening.

Lindsay Rossman 

I have a million fun memories with Lori which is extra awesome because we have really only known each other for 4.5 years but we always joke that it feels like a lifetime. My funniest memory with Lori is taking a very last minute 24 hour trip to Philly, renting E-bikes and flying around the city (several sketchy parts).. this did not phase her in any way. She actually didn't even bother looking back to see if I was still alive, she just kept yelling "you back there, Linds?!" and laughing so hard... it was a blast. Her light, easy, carefree spirit is SO refreshing!! Her 24 hour getaways are usually with a friend, so she can step back and do something for herself and hopefully get poured into and recharged- but I have a strong feeling that, if anyone else has had a trip with this girl, they'd agree that they were the ones feeling recharged and poured into. Time with Lori is just the best. I treasure this friendship so so much- it has become such a strong sisterhood because of Christ. Lori has such a gift of being present when you're with her. She makes you feel so comfortable and just loved, seen and important. Never judging. Always encouraging. Never complaining. Just honest and kind. She is the most hardworking and dedicated person I've ever known. What an incredible example she is.. I admire her for so many reasons but the biggest reason is for how she loves and cares for Justin, Talia and Ben. For better or worse, in sickness and in health.. just clinging to the promises of God and the hope for what's to come. It's how I hope to be in my own life. 

HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY TO YOU LORI! You are a gift to all who know you! I pray you feel nothing but loved and cherished today and every day! 

Love,

Linds

Eden Barbush

Happy birthday, Friend!

I’ve been sitting and trying to figure out to put into words how incredible you are. I don’t know exactly how to accomplish just that but I’m going to do my best. 

I am thinking of 2 things that I love most about you.

1. Your warmth. Everything about you from your smile to your presence is filled with warmth. You draw people in, make others feel welcome and cared for. You genuinely want to know people and make them feel valued. You are inviting, you are loving, you are supportive and selfless. People flock to you and they want to be near you. I don’t know that I have ever heard anyone say a negative word about you. You are just so easy to love. 

2. Your faith. The light of heaven shines through you. I truly mean that. Your life is not easy and you daily face significant challenges and yet you choose God. Over and over, you choose God. I know that doesn’t look or feel perfect but He is your provider and the source of your strength. You speak his wisdom, you seek more of Him, you put Him first and turn to Him continually. You live your life with such grace because of this. 

This side of heaven you will never truly know how much you have impacted others just by loving Jesus and loving them. But when you get there, I believe the line will be long.

My most significant memory in our friendship was almost 10 years ago, not long after Kendall was born. I had postpartum but didn’t recognize it at the time. I was so consumed with keeping my baby fed, changed and in positive sleep cycles that all of my life outside of that world had fallen away. I was lonely but too distracted to even reach out to others. By the time I recognized the distance I’d created, I assumed that people had just moved on, found other friends and wouldn't have time for me anymore. One night after a sporadic Bible Study at your house, you walked me to my car. You gently brought up how we didn’t hang out as much anymore and pushed a bit as to why. You expressed that you missed me and wanted more time together. I was genuinely surprised that you had sought me out, wanted me. I was so encouraged and touched by your invitation to deepen our friendship. To this day, you continue to pursue me and freely offer your friendship. You continue to demonstrate that warmth and a level of faith that I both admire and aspire to. You make my life better, Lori. You make SO many lives better just by being a part of them, however large or small. 

I wish you the very best birthday and I love you so much!

Love, Eden

Heather Zeamer

Happy Birthday, Lori!  How do I sum up my love and thoughts in a short paragraph? AGH!  I can’t do it.  Truth is, we Vox so much love, prayers and encouragement back and forth, we have a living diary of our friendship.  I think one of my favorite aspects of our friendship is how we come to the table real, raw, authentic and vulnerable.  I’m afraid to tell you….nothing.  You love me with our Dad’s love- no judgment, full acceptance, so much history and, always, sincerity.  We are so different in many ways, yet our friendship works beautifully.  It’s not even that we balance each other, it’s that we give each other the freedom to be who we are, and hold nothing back.  One of my favorite memories is recent- you looking longingly across the table at me during a work meeting.  We laughed, but also, your intuition!  How blessed am I to have a friend that knows me so well- no words spoken except those of the deep heart places.  My prayer for you, as always, is that today you find moments of joy and meaning, places of laughter and that you would, indeed, feel the love, honor, gratitude and joy of your circle of people!

Charlotte Longenecker

Lori!! Happy last-year-in-your-30s!!! I love that you are consistently intentional about creating meaningful moments among our friend group. I’m so honored to have experienced your friendship for the last 15 years (!) and I’m always inspired by and appreciate the thought and care that you put into even the smallest details. Thank you for encouraging me to explore my relationship with God in a way that resonates with me (through nature), and for always inspiring authenticity through the way you live. Cheers to another trip around the sun! Love, Cha

Cait Carpenter 

Lori is such a breath of fresh air! I just love and admire her authenticity. She is always so light hearted and has such a calming presence about her. I am inspired by her incredible creative talents with interior design and how she effortlessly applies that talent in other areas of her life like Talia and Ben's artwork and even gelato! Her entrepreneurial spirit and her tenacity to actually apply it is truly impressive. She has an infectious smile and a warm welcoming presence and I am very lucky to call her a friend! -Cait

Lauren Wittenberg

What a gift it is to call you friend, Lor! When you and Justin started dating, I had no idea how closely we would live life someday! You have shown me what it means to live with both strength and grace, creating beauty wherever you go. You bring order and loveliness into the world even amid life’s most challenging seasons.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:25-26).

This passage captures what I see in you—a woman whose faith runs deep and whose steadfastness has been a source of encouragement to me. Your commitment to Christ shines through not just in your words but in the quiet, consistent way you live each day. Watching you navigate these years with such unwavering faithfulness has been one of the great privileges of my life. I’m so grateful that the Lord allowed our lives to intersect and that I get to witness the beautiful life you’re living, one faithful day at a time. Happy Birthday, to my sister, neighbor and friend!

Love you, Laur

Amanda Turner 

Caring. When I think of one word to describe Lori, it’s caring. Not only is Lori a wonderful wife and mom, roles in which she cares and loves deeply, but she’s an amazing friend. When we spend time together, Lori always asks about my life, my family, and my struggles because she truly cares. When she asks a question, she’s showing how much she cares, and while my struggles may seem trivial in light of hers, she doesn’t view it like that. Amidst a very full life at home, she still finds time to reach out to encourage me, check in, and to just be a friend. God has given Lori a beautiful way of loving and caring for others and I will forever be grateful for her friendship and the example she leads by each day. Love you, Lori! -Amanda

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Jana Mackay

One of the many things I admire about you, Lori, is that you are intentional. From your tastefully decorated home to your desire for deeper conversation, you are intentional in the ways you act. Proverbs 4:26 says, "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet." You exemplify this in so many ways! I see this in the way you live out your faith, in your relationship with Justin, the way you parent your children (your family characteristics list!), and in your compassionate conversations with others. You move through life with purpose and dedication. You set a wonderful example, Lori!

Eric and Heather Keller 

from Heather….

Happy Birthday Lori!

You have ALWAYS loved people well. You are super creative. FUN! Full of joy! Intentional. Authentic. Faithful. Generous. Sweet. Gentle. Kind. You have a great laugh. Awesome hair. You’re an overcomer! Powerful woman of God! Full of wisdom. Incredible sense of humor. You have a HUGE heart. You’re flexible. Selfless. A big time encourager! A precious wife. A spectacular Mom. Honest. Patient. Beautiful inside and out! You are one of a kind! I am so blessed to know you! Thanks for being so wonderful! I’m so thankful for your friendship!

Happy Birthday! You deserve to be celebrated! Love you so much!

Love, Heather Lee Keller

Lorice. My gosh, it’s your birthday… again. Seems like every year. We’ve had some good times for sure. Lots of laughs as you walked into things and broke things and such. Thank you for coming out to Lancaster those many years ago. You were a gift to Netcasters and to our family. I’m thankful that we reconnected over the last few years. You are an inspiration to me…. a hero of the faith, as I like to say. To say you are an incredible wife and mother is a tragic understatement. Thank you for demonstrating what it means to walk with the Lord through inexplicable struggle. Thank you for choosing to be my friend when you didn’t have to.

Happy Birthday Lori

Lots of love

Eric

Raquel Porreca

Happy birthday to one of the most amazing people I know!! Lori, you have truly impacted my life in so many ways since we met 15 years ago, while working the Mosaic cafe together! You are the most loyal & faithful friend. Your love for the Lord is so evident, & it inspires me in my walk with God. I love the joy that you carry with you wherever you go & the laughter that just never ends!! It is a true honor & blessing to be your friend! Thanks for all the fun adventures & memories … probably the most memorable being the last minute beach trip with the bike fiasco 😂. Love you Lori, & I hope you have the most amazing birthday because you absolutely deserve it!!

Raquel

Ashley Schwebel

Lori,

You have so many amazing qualities that inspire me to be a better version of myself- to be a better mom, wife, friend, daughter of God. When we are together, you are not only fun and hilarious, but you are intentional, thoughtful, and full of depth.  You ask questions that make me think, you listen with your whole heart, and you give feedback that is both wise and full of grace. I’m so thankful for your friendship and so glad you were born. You’ve made my life brighter just by being in it!

Michele Greenockle

Lori! It’s your birthday! It’s time to celebrate you- a girl who has given so much to others. You bring life and joy into the atmospheres around you! You love consistently. You dream constantly. You have a strength that is truly from above. I love you! Remember- Jesus is with you every day and every step through life! And He is so proud of you!

Happy birthday! Love, Michele 

Ashley Williams 

Lori, 

There are so many things that I love about you dear friend, but one of things that I have noticed in these last years that I've seen in you all along has been your joy. Your light heartedness and your laughter. When so much has been demanded of you, so much has been denied you, and so much has been not what you expected, AND YET, the joy of the Lord exudes from you. You have a rich delight in your kids and I love watching you fully engage them in play - jumping on trampolines, sliding down slides (), and drawing masterpieces. You and I can be in stitches fully just enjoying each other's company and the moment. The joy you display is beautiful and real because I know that it is of the Lord and that it has seen both the heights and the deep valleys of life. I've seen you on hard days, I've witnessed the desert, but your love and joy has remained a constant. You are like a tree planted along a riverbank, bearing fruit in each season. Their lives never wither, and they prosper in all they do. - Psalm 1:3. 

I praise the Lord for how He continues to water you, continues to uphold you, and it is so clear that He is shining through you. I pray for many more laughs and joyful moments this next year! Love you dear friend! Cheers to the last year around the sun in our 30s

-Ashley Williams