Lisa's Gift

My college friend Lisa sent me this collage when I was in Spain. It has traveled with me through four countries, across two states, to six different places I lived and now hangs on my cube wall at work. It’s a small piece of art that connects me to happy memories. It reminds me of the good things that have been and the adventures yet to come. I wonder if she knows that.

Friends

This morning I want to rejoice in the power and beauty of friends; friends near and far in both distance and emotional connectivity. There are some friends we would give our lives for, drop everything to help. We have day-to-day friends and we have the lifers.

I have seven great friends I grew up with and have stayed in contact with for over 19 years. We stood by each other as we worked to figure out this world together. I can still remember the first time I shyly said hi to a few of them and our friendships bloomed from there. Now they are getting married and having babies. It is amazing.

I have eight very close friends from college. I also think it is amazing how I still talk to and keep in contact with a ton of college buddies two years out. However, nothing compares to the eight ladies that I shared almost every college moment with over four years. Not a day goes by without some sort of contact with one of them-even though distance separates all of us. Now they are getting married. We have our girl time as a group and couple time as a group and each moment brings with it an incredible richness of love, laughter, and care.

I can tell them anything and they to me as well. I think our openness grew substantially after we left college. As we embarked on life in our separate directions never before have we needed so much love and guidance. It has made the road easier to walk knowing they are by my side. Not keeping thoughts or questions bottled up inside, I can resolve them quicker and move on to the next thing faster.

Now, as I left college behind me, I love walking around the seminary’s campus saying hi to people, stopping to chat, and being late to things because my social agenda keeps me busy. I love going out for coffee, for a little snack, for a walk or a drive with spur of the moment randomness that is incomparable. It is a wonderful world.

Last night I reflected on this as I listened and tried to sing along with Aaron in his room. It was a song that was belted out between him and another friend on a drive through the South African countryside. My friends and I always burst out in song, random songs. It’s those simple moments that bring me so much joy.

Contentment is what I have found so far in 2007. Things have been tough, but in the big picture life can only been seen as positive. Through God’s amazing blessing so much has happened in two short months.

Companionship means so much. As I cuddled up with another warm soul, while we both did homework, I felt safe, happy and ready to take on the world. God, I thank you for all that you have given me, all that you have provided me, and the encouragement to make it through the tough times in life.

First Saturday Back

It was a good day. It certainly beats the 36 hours of travel I did last Saturday. Strangely (due to time zone changes) I spent less then 24 hours traveling. What a weird world we live in.

Here is a selection of today's goodness:
Happily Slept In
Made Pancakes
Sang
Sat Around
Laughed
Did Homework
Overall got to know someone better
Attempted To Make My Own Version of The Egg McMuffin
Caught Up With An Old College Friend

Negative:
I never know when the Mono is going to leave me struggling to stay awake, or subside for awhile so I can enjoy life. Luckily today it was on my side.

Overall Rating:
A+