Friendship

I have received the loveliest reminder this past week of the beauty and importance of friendships. Everything from the sermon at church to my daily readings to some CDs that I was listening to... really friendships are essential in our lives. We were made to be in fellowship and friendship. We actually need friends- we're not capable of doing life without them. Even Jesus had friends. He had a large group of people He fellowshipped with, a smaller group of 12 and those much needed intimate friends, His group of 3!
It's so true that honesty is a key element in a friendship. I think we all long for those safe places to share our hearts and still be loved. I know that it can be the hardest thing at times to open up with those vulnerable truthes, but then it always seems to be the most freeing, fulfilling thing to me to have my secrets released or my deep feelings embraced or my twisted thoughts understood.
I also believe that to have great friends we must be one first. Kinda like an example on a CD I was listening to by Helen Burns- its like a bank account. You can't always be withdrawing and withdrawing from a friendship, you need to make deposits too, or naturally there will be nothing left in your account (friendship). I find it so beautiful that God is a God of relationship. That He's designed us to NEED relationship. Although in relationships there is always risk, I find the rewards are greater and personally I LOVE needing people. I love how all my different friends fill a different void in my life. They all know me in different unique ways and are able to invest into my life in so many diverse ways.

My prayer is that I will be able to do the same in your lives! I'm asking you, my friends, if you would be willing to be honest with me, to open your hearts to me...I will be working on the same!

• Naturally I realize that it is not realistic to be ultra close with everyone, but that's why there's different circles, layers - and "everyone loves parfait"(For those who are clueless, its a quote from Shrek).

Went for a drive...to Scotland!

Well as some of you may know, we had some more lovely company this week. Our dear friends Ang and Shane came for a visit. So we were able to drive up to Scotland to see a few sites- isn't that just neat "just drove up to Scotland". Anyways we had such a nice time with them. Great fellowship, convesations, and exploration of some pretty neat castles (including the William Wallace Monument-we got to see his sword!). Scotland is a really fun place for us because that's Ronnie's roots, his Nan being from Scotland and all. So it was super nice being able to visit like old friends do, but it certainly reminded me of home and all you wonderful folk back home. Well I'll keep this short because last night was a short night. As many of you might have done, Ronnie and Shane stayed up to watch the Stanley Cup game last night, and us gals did some of our own late night bonding. The time factor however meant staying up from 1 till 4 am to see the game. So after sending off our dear friends, we're in need of some good sleep tonight!

Missing you...

I just felt like letting you all know that we do miss you muchly. Having all these wonderful visitors just reminds us how many wonderful, very lovely friends we have back home (and here too) -God has been so good to us! So thanks for being such great friends and family. We're truly soo grateful!!
And HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you dads out there. Be Blessed!

Look, Listen, Feel

Well it's been a busy but wonderful three weeks with my mom! I must admit though, its been great to rest yesterday and today from the business and fulness (physically and emotionally) that they brought. I've found myself having a lot to process today. Its interesting isnt it how you sometimes learn more about yourself while trying to learn about others. I find I always learn so much while with family. Maybe its because we all resemble each other a little more than we think. I feel asthough I've put lots of 'processing' on hold while out and about visiting with mom. I don't know about any of you, but it seems that 'business' in general tends to do that- rob us of some of those precious 'thought moments' or 'processing life' or maybe just the moments to sit and relax and drink in what God has created for us to enjoy or hear what is being spoken to us (likely in that still quiet voice). I feel that already, just being here a few months, God has stirred soo much in me. That I'm growing and needing to learn that much faster or something.... Amazing what starts to stir in our hearts when we actually take time out to listen, to think, to dream, to understand... That's my goal for the week (amungst cleaning the house for our next visitors-I'm so excited Ang!!!, finalizing some nursing decisions-please pray for me- and finish settling in the last of our boxes, which yes, did arrive safely a couple weeks ago) Right, that's my goal for the week, to MAKE time to look,listen, feel the breath of God! (Funny, just like in CPR- sorry, I'm a nurse!!)

Still playing...

Still playing I know- I'm feeling guilty already, but my mom's still here playing with me and STILL waiting on this nursing course thing to pan out!!!! Please pray for me in regards to the course- everytime I talk to them some new issue has come up and all the other course (which I may just have to take-rather than the on-line course) are all sooo far away and would be very expensive due to travel and accomodations!!! But in the meantime I'm trusting and having a good time with my mom!!!
So the three of us were in London this weekend showing mom the sites. We were blessed with being able to stay with some family of friends of my mom- what a blessing!!! It was great! So we went to the London Tower, the London Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, saw 'big ben' really the parliament buildings, the national art gallery, Borough market (the largest outdoor market in Europe- so cool) etc etc...and you wouldn't believe how much of it was free!!! Which is also so great! We also went to the -can I call it a musical?!- Stomp! Wow, was it great!!! Here's some pics of our time there....