Friends....

Since we have moved, yet again in our married life, it gives me time to ponder on the roads I (we) have chosen and where they have taken us. In my old age, I have come to know many things for sure......and one of those "for sures" is that the Lord is aware of our wants and our needs, and that nothing is ever an accident. There is purpose and reason and grace in all we do and all we experience.

As we said goodbye to our friends in Declo, or at least "see you later", I have been reflecting on the many, many lessons and examples I had in my friends. People who would have been my family. Women who, when I am with them, feel like I'm coming home. I hope, one day, to live up to the blessing they have been in my life.

LAURA-there are girlfriend types of friends, and then there are kin spirit/sister type of friends. I can't count the times I was thinking or feeling something that you voiced at the very same time. I can't count the amount of times you helped me pick myself up, dust me off, and with a hug encourage me to keep going. There are those times in life, when if necessary, you'd stand up against something and be quite sure you'd be doing it alone. You are one of those friends who would be across the crowd standing with me. I love you. LESLIE-I hope to somehow be the kind of friend you have always been to me. I would have died of loneliness without you calling me to invite us to go play, or boat, or watch movies, or eat food, or or or or.....you have been a much better friend to me than I have ever been to you. Your tenacity for speaking up when it's not popular for what is right, your ability to serve those who need you, and your deeply driven love for your Savior is admirable and obvious in everything that you do. I am blessed to call you friend. ANGIE-You have taught me a lot about being patient, loving without conditions, service service service, being a willing vessel of whatever the Lord asks of you, of loyalty, and choosing to be happy regardless of what life throws at you. I marvel at you every. single. day. and when I think of whining about anything, I am reminded of my friend Angie. SANDY-once you decided I didn't have the plague (hahahaha) your timing in my life was perfect. You bring a little ray of sunshine into every room and life you walk into. The fact that you lack a social filter is so fun to me. I love it. I love your willingness to participate in things that you are oft times alone in doing. Your love of family and devotion to them is as amazing as your love and devotion to your crazy friends. You know I love you dear. TERINA-My other social filter lacker. I'm so grateful for that first day in RS when you were a newbie and stuck sitting by me. :o) I'm not sure I would have made it through the last 7 years of baby drama and heartache without your constant support. There is something truly beautiful about someone being able to say "I know.....I've been there. And I'm here for you." Thank you, thank you, my dear friend. SHERI-the best neighbor ever. You are irreplaceable, and I know this to be true. You became our Declo family and we miss you already. There aren't many I would trust my home, my cats, and my yard to, but I knew they'd be in better care when I was gone, knowing you looked after them. You are the SWEETEST grandma ever, and I absolutely love watching this phase of your life. KRISSY-You've taught me so much in such a short amount of time. I've watched you with your girls for awhile now and always thought "now that is a woman who actually ENJOYS her babies." I always hoped, if I ever got the chance, I would be the same way with mine. Having experienced what absolute joy a baby girl brings, I think about you every. single. day. Mostly at night, when I put baby girl down for bed. I look at her as I rock her to sleep and cannot imagine how I would get through the days and hours if she was taken from me. I spend much time and effort keeping my testimony alive, growing, and strong as possible......and that would shake the best parts of me. I am grateful to you, for letting me be a part of your life. For allowing me "in" to a very sacred place. You are in my prayers, each day, Krissy. At least once. MAVIS-my adopted Declo Grandma. Need I say more? CHAR-the woman who can be YW president after having served in the same auxiliary for like 100 years, and still do an amazing job, cheerfully. Who has a baby via-C section, gets an infection, has 3 other children to raise, and still walks the parade a few weeks later. I'm pretty sure when I'm not around, you have a little Supermom cape stored in your shirt. You are one that I have watched stand up for what is right and good, while still having appropriate wiggle room for those around you. Considering I have been the WORST visiting teacher lately, I think you have earned the Celestial Kingdom for so many of these things. (I still have my feather!) JULIE-my very first friend in Declo. You are the kind of Mom we all try to be like. I've watched you in church with 4 kids hanging on you and pulling your hair and you like, 5 months pregnant and serving in Relief Society, and still have the where-withall to be cheerful and good natured and patient beyond measure. You visit me way more than I've made it out to your house to visit you. You have an amazing capacity to be honest and even more amazing is your ability to forgive and trust. I love you Julie. Thank you for being my friend. TIFF-it would be very easy to skip church each week with poor Trav's crazy schedule. I love that you still make the sacrifice. Thank you for your friendship....your sweet disposition and sharing your crazy in-laws with me.

So many more that I will have to cover later.....but you can tell that I have been richly blessed by the friends who have intertwined their lives with my own. I am anxious and hopeful to make more friends in our new area. They have big shoes to fill. :o)