Season of Friends

You know, I get really sad when I think about how much friendships can change. I am the type of person that likes having really close relationships with people instead of just simply knowing hundreds. I like having a close knit of people that I really share my whole life story with. I can probably count on my hands how many people I do that with. It is just unfortunate though how life just simply can change that. Living in Lynchburg, you get used to it. It is such a transitional place to live. People are always coming and going. I have a few of my really close friends who do not live here anymore. I keep in contact with them, but it is definitely hard. I just want to take a few warm fuzzy moments to talk about my good friends...
My best friend Heather lives in NOVA. I miss her terribly because she knows me the best out of everyone that I know. She and I were college roommates. We were randomly put together our freshman year and we totally just hit it off. I love her dearly!! We have both been through a lot in our own personal lives, and we have seen each other through it all. She was totally there while my dad was sick and then in his passing and I will never forget that!! She always knows the right things to say, she is definitely more blunt than I am when it comes to things and she does not care what people think about her when she expresses her opinions, but I love that about her. She is such a blessing in my life and I praise God that we still have each other, even living away from each other.

This is my beautiful roommate Marlene. Man, words probably can't express how much of a stronghold she has been for me this past year. Her and I are so different from each other and friends laugh to see how well we live together. She is a total SO CAL girl :) Her heart will forever be in San Diego and she absolutely HATES this cold weather that we get in Lynchie. Her and I have made it through some hard times as we both go through this "20 something slum" every now and then. She is a true woman of God who is constantly having to remind me to have "open palms" with situations in my life to allow God to work. She is inspirational and I am so blessed that she lives with me!



This is Ash Bash. I love this picture of her because this just a typical "Ash" expression :) Here is another one of my best friends who now does not live here anymore. She moved back home to NC last Spring and I definitely miss her tremendously! I could always depend on her to tell me exactly how something is. She will be the first to tell you that sometimes she lacks compassion when it comes to giving advice. But you know, sometimes we don't need stuff to be so mushy-gushy. Sometimes I need the cold hard facts of life. What she may not know is that even though she thinks she lacks compassion, the way that she expresses her love for others is totally ministry-minded. She is always wanting to better herself in the Lord which I totally look up to. Her and I pretty much just love to laugh together. She has seen me through a lot of those same hard times that Marlene had to see me through. In fact the two of them were my accountability for quite a while. I don't get to talk to Ash as much as I would like, mainly because we both hate the phone, but we do know how much we love each other and will always be there for one another.

Adam Wise. Everyone in Lynchburg knows this guy, I am convinced! And everyone who knows him can't help but just smile when they say his name because he is so darn hilarious! I am sure he would be surprised to make this "friend momento" list, but he is up there when I consider people whom I am close with. When him and I first met, I really feel that he helped me sort some crap in my life out. Again, he may not know this. He was there for me more than he realizes. I feel that I have seen him go through his share of ups and downs. He is a man of the Lord so he is always game to share with others about God's awesome Truth. His musical talent astounds everyone and he is always such an amazing entertainer at his shows. We know that God is going to do great things with him with his music and hopefully as "The 3clectic" grows.
Katie and Heather. Oh man...these girls. Ok so we all started hanging out this past summer and they made my summer!!! We had MANY wonderful in-depth life discussions on Adam's front porch. We consumed alot of fried dough and sno shack! And it seems that we went out to eat pretty much all the time. Individually...Heather is my encourager. She would on any given week, take time out of her day to send me a card or send me a funny email just to make my day. I loved it! She was always there to be a listening ear whenever I needed to vent. Katie is like sunshine on a rainy day :) She always has such a cheerful disposition and it is contagious! She is very easy-going which I need more of in my life...ha! She is a fashionista! The deals that she is able to get on a shopping spree is quite amazing! She is one to give me great advice because she is able to think outside of the box, in my opinion. Both of these girls gave me a lot of laughs....and both of them no longer live here either. Katie is in Roanoke which, thankfully, is not far. And Heather is now in Florida.

Finally, this is James. He is totally just like my brother. In fact one of our friend's moms thought we really were related. Hilarious. James is a deep thinker. He likes to look at things from all angles before giving what he believes to be right or true. He is definitely doing all things right to live whole-heartedly for Christ!! I am so proud of how he really tries to live in the way that men should live. He is going to make an awesome husband to someone someday and I can't wait until he finds her! (Sorry if that embarressed you bro). James is my guy mind. If I have a question about anything pertaining to men...I go to James. He gives me a perspective that my girl friends can't. He is trustworthy and honest. He actually just moved to Richmond because he is helping to start a church there and I am totally stoked for him. Luckily that is my home town so I know I will get to see him often, but it is still sad to have another close friend move away.


So there you have it. Those that I mentioned there are who I consider the glue to my life. Yes, I do have other friends and if I did not mention you in this blog, please do not be offended. You know I love everyone deeply..it's just a matter of the time spent with each of these and the things that we have been through together. Good times. So for me...when people talk of seasons of friends...yeah I can think of a few that may be that way, but I think I'm pretty good about choosing friends that are here for the long-run, no matter what life may bring. I love each of you guys so much and thank you for being little blessings for me! I hope that in reading this, you were able to see how you look in my eyes. Don't ever change anything about yourselves and how our relationships are....they are perfect the way they are. You are all beautiful and I pray God continues to bless each of you as we continue this journey of life.