Strength found in friendships

Wow!

Wow. What a lovely week I've been having. I got to go visit a friend at her farm in almost-Nebraska. We had a delicious time visiting about everything from the pond we walked around to what life is like living in Africa. She has been to Uganda, and I am getting ready to go to West Africa, so we did talk about that alot. She even made me an African meal, complete with posho, and we ate it with our hands! The fellowship was the best part. There is nothing like sweet conversation while swinging on a homemade swing set!

But that was only the beginning. I got to see another good friend just a couple days after I got home. My little sister had to go to the orthodontist, and a friend I've known since I was 5 lives in the same town as her dentist, so YAY! we got to stay the night with her and her family! We even made time to ride horses in the morning before going into town. If making new friends is delightful, so is hanging out with an old one. Old friends rarely misunderstand you, and you know they will continue to love you, no matter what you do or have done. Even if they aren't coming from the same place as you, they know where you come from, and love you because of it! The best part of this visit, I think, was watching the sun rise in the cool morning air, while we walked to the edge of the pasture, visiting. If you all haven't figured it out yet: I love visiting!

God's blessings are always timed just right. Now I can dig into some of the work that is set before me with the strength found in friendships. God is so good to me!

Few and Far Between

Some friendships are for awhile, while interests coincide. Some last only until the ocasion ends that brought the friends into each other's company. And still others are friends only until trust is betrayed, or character changes. And then there are friends for life and eternity.

Such a one is my sweet friend Jenna. We share great desires for Jesus, purity, music, worship, faith, and holiness. Kindred Spirits come few and far between these days, so I treasure every one.

You will not be surprised at my joy, then, when I heard that she would be coming to stay with me for about a week this winter break. We had one of the nicest weeks ever. Just hanging out was precious to us, because we don't know when we will see one another again. I will be leaving the country, and college dominates her schedule.

We went walking, in the semi-country, the golf course.
We spent talking time, relaxing time, movies and puzzles.
We played piano duets till my brain ached.
And we watched One Night With the King--one of the most romanticist movies ever.

Thank you God, for friends who know You, understand love for You, understand the choices of following You.

Thank you God for Jenna.