Lunch With a Friend

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend, and felt like you had to put reserves or restrictions on what was said out of fear of what the other may think? I know that I have many times ... But that is just because of my huge fear of rejection. But this past weekend, I had lunch with a friend who has taken our friendship on a roller coaster ride of emotions to say the least. We have had our highs and have had more than our share of lows. It had been about 3 years since I had actually sat down and had a conversation with this person. We have stayed in contact through emails, letters, cards, phone calls, etc .. But we had never really talked face to face until the other day. I thought about the restrictions and reservations I would have to put on our conversation .. I didn't want to bring something up from the past and open old wounds, BUT what an amazing God we serve! He reminded me that if this person was a true friend and I was a true friend back, then it didn't matter what was said between us, because true friends love unconditionally with out reservations or restrictions. So over lunch, we talked about the past. I talked about how she had hurt me and she talked about how I had hurt her. Tears were shared, hugs were given, and we left each other wishing we would have said those things so many years ago. So my words of wisdom today are: Don't wait to say something that you really need to say to another. Tomorrow may never come, friendships and relationship may be lost forever, and you'll never get the chance to make things right again. You never know what the outcome will be if you are too afraid to speak up and say something first. Because if a person truly loves you unconditionally with out reserves or restrictions, then it doesn't matter what you say .. If they judge you by the words you use, the language of your body, the tone of your voice, or the subjects you bring up .. They they do not love and understand you enough to know that you were not doing it to hurt the relationship, you were doing it to help. So keep that in mind the next time you feel like you need to put reserves or restrictions on a conversation you are having with friends, family, co-workers, etc.

Virginia Here I Come!

After wishing and praying for a much needed vacations, I finally got one! :-) I left for Virginia on August 10th. After a short drive, realizing I had left my purse in Bryan, turning around and going back South, I finally got to my aunt and uncle's house. After all of that, I was informed that my uncle was in the hospital. On Monday he had open heart surgery. So from Thursday of one week until Thursday of the next, I spent my 'vacation' sitting in the hospital lobby waiting and waiting and waiting. Meaning, no tanning on the beach, no ridding jet skis, no horse back ridding .. Just sitting. BUT 'so is life' I suppose! But through it all, I saw the amazing power of prayer. haha and the amazing power of gossip! We tell one family member that my uncle is in the hospital and eventually we have 30 calls coming in every night asking us questions about his heart attack ... he DIDN'T have a heart attack! ugh that was so much fun! :-)

Oklahoma or Bust!

Okay, so after being prompted by Amy, I am posting once again on my blog site.

Oklahoma was a blast! We set out on July 23rd and after many long hours on the 24th, lots of construction and one accident, we finally arrived to HUGO, OKLAHOMA! :-) I spent one amazing week with a group of teenagers that I wouldn't trade for all the tea in China! They were great. Sure we had our moments ... But with a group of teenagers in a 12 passenger van ridding for 17 hours in 100 degree heat without air conditioning ... Wouldn't we all have our moments?! But overall, the week was great. We painted and painted and painted some more! And after painting there was more painting! :-) But we could see the appreciation and gratitude on each of the boy's faces when we left .. One that said "Job well done and thank you!" I've never quite understood how something so little can mean so much to another, but after seeing the looks in those boy's eyes when we left .... I now know that there is nothing little ever done on a missions trip ... Everything is HUGE in they eyes of one who has never felt that kind of love from anyone in their life. Sometimes I think I can relate, but now I know that the love received is like none other. Thanks for the great trip guys and I hope to see you again soon! :-)