Friends

I have been feeling really blessed in the friend department lately. It is nice to really feel "connected" with other people. First of all, my best friend, Gail, has been going through a lot and we just haven't had the time to spend together in the past year or so. It was really starting to bother me that we were not talking much. I felt like our friendship was slipping away. This was not happening due to some "issue" or bad feelings or anything between us, it was just life getting in the way. Last weekend, we were able to "re-connect" by going on an overnight trip together to the Women of Faith conference. It was so nice to just hang out and catch up! Speaking of the Women of Faith conference, it was not just Gail and I that went. My dearest neighbor and close friend was also able to go with us. I am so thankful to have Lisa as my friend. It is funny to me how we have known each other for years but never really worked to develop a friendship. I mean, we were friendly to each other but didn't go out of our way to talk or anything. It was more of a "speak to each other in passing" sort of friendship. Anyway, little did I know, when we moved in next door to her a little over a year and a half ago, that she would become one of my closest friends. She has truly been a blessing to me over this time. I am sure she doesn't realize it but she has. I think a big part of this blessing comes from her example of loving God. No matter the circumstance, she holds strong in her faith. She has played a big part in my growing closer to the Lord and getting my life, and my heart, back where I need to be. Now, I know I am far from where I *NEED* to be in this area, but I am working on it and I have come a long way from where I was a couple years ago. I thank her so much for gently showing me and reminding me, once again the path I need to be on. The amazing thing is, she probably doesn't even know she has done this!! I do have to say though, even though it may sound as if our friendship is more the serious kind, there is more to it. We have laughed and cried together and shared the majority of our day to day lives together in the past year and a half as well. It has been a lot of fun to say the least!! I am so glad to have her in my life to call my friend.
Now, back to the Women of Faith conference, I wanted to share a few pictures!! Gail, Lisa and I met up with my sister and some of her friend from her church in McDonough! We had a great time and even survived having 8 of us share one hotel room Friday night!!! That in itself should win an award!! HAHAH! I guess I should clarify a little, this was not a normal hotel room. We had a 2 bed/2 bath suite so there was plenty of room and TWO bathrooms!! LOL. The neat thing was that this was the first time we had been together, and it was like we have always known each other. We had a great time!!








The whole group



My sister and I!





Now, last, but not least, I have to mention my newest friend. This friendship was just sort of laid in my lap for lack of a better term! I'll start at the beginning.........I volunteered to help with Vacation Bible School at the church we have started attending back in the beginning of June. I figured, since I was new, and since I was going to be there with the kids anyway, this would be a good way to meet some people from the church and get to know some of them. So, I was asked to be in charge of one of the registration/sign in tables for the first couple days and then the rest of the week I would just be a runner or help out wherever I was needed. Sounded good to me! Bright and early Monday morning, we arrive at the church to start the week. I go find Mrs. Cheryl to let her know I was there and find out which table I need to be at. She showed me what I needed to do but then says " Oh, BTW, we ended up needing more workers so I went ahead and put you down to work in the K class for the week." OK, that was fine with me too. At our old church, I always taught the K class for VBS so this was perfect. Once we finished up with registration, I went to join up with the K class and meet the other workers. There were 5 of us ( 38 kindergartners takes lots of workers!!). After we all met and started discussing what we were going to do, Stephanie walks up to me and lets me know my name was at the top of the list as being the "leader"!! UMMMMM.....OK, LOL, I didn't know anything about what was supposed to be done but I did the best I could. Anyway......to make an already long story short, Stephanie just sort of "clicked" after that. We had never met or even laid eyes on each other before that morning but by the end of the second day, it was like we had known each other for life. The more we talked the more we found we had in common, such as, we both have sons with the name Tyler ( Aaron's middle name), we both have a 5 yr old daughter named Morgan, our husbands are both Randy, we are the same age and our b-days are only 4 days apart, our husbands birthdays are 5 days apart and our 10 year olds b-day's are 5 days apart. We think the same about a lot of things and just in general have so much alike!! It was like an instant friendship. Even the other ladies we worked with for VBS had thought we were friends before that week. They were shocked to find out we had just met that Monday morning. Since VBS Stephanie and I have gotten together several times just to hang out. Even though we have only known each other since June, it is like we have always been together. This is a friendship that formed quickly but I think will last a lifetime. (I mean, you have to know, when you can visit each other's house and just come in and make yourself at home by sprawling out on the couch, you have found a good friend, right Stephanie?!?!?! ) You know I love ya girl!!