friends

I have some really great friends.  Through this journey, they have shown themselves to be unfailingly loyal and dependable.  There are a few of them that have been such an incredible blessing to me and I want to brag on them all the time.  

Hannah

This girl has been so good to me.  Always an encouraging word.  Always realistic.  Never tries to tell me what she thinks I want to hear, but tells me the truth.  I appreciate it so much and I love that she and I get to be friends.  She's that person you can always talk to no matter what the circumstances are; whether what you are going to say is embarrassing or weird, or if it's just plain hard to talk about, it's easy because there is zero judgment there.  

Abby

Wow.  Countless evenings drinking tea and chatting.  We go to each other's houses randomly and all the time.  She has such a kind spirit and is always trying to point people toward Christ.  She loves God and loves people so well.  And talk about an amazing voice.  This girl can do some serious singing.  She and I are both learning how to walk the road of becoming worship leaders.  It's not an easy calling, and I'm so proud of her for listening to God and His plan for her.  

Anna

She's been one of my closest friend since 8th grade.  She can immediately tell that something is wrong when she sees me and finds ways to reassure me that everything will be okay.  She is quick to forgive and quick to listen.  I love that, and I love her.  Never ceases to make me laugh.

Allie

We've been friends for less than a year, and in that time, we have gotten to know each other so well.  She loves the Lord, music (especially Hayley Williams/Paramore), and really tight hugs.  We always have honest, heartfelt, sometimes just plain hard conversation.  Now that she's away at college, it's so much more difficult to communicate and have conversation, but she's one of those people I know will always be there and we can pick up right where we left off.  

Kaitlyn

I've known her since 6th grade.  Though we don't get to hang out much, we do talk all the time.  We've called each other in the middle of the night before.  Neither person gets angry that they were awakened.  Everybody needs that friend that you know will answer if you need them in the middle of the night.  She is that for me, but she is also so much more.  I know I can always depend on her to give it to me straight.  We joke that we're "soulmates".  In reference to Grey's Anatomy, I would consider her "my person".  She means more to me than I could ever put into words.  

At Advance this Sunday, we talked about "Me-Friends" and "We-Friends".  "Me-Friends" always focus on themselves; "We-Friends" find ways to place the focus off of themselves.  Those "We-Friends" are some of the most valuable people anyone can have in their lives.  They are those people like Hannah, Abby, Anna, Allie, and Kaitlyn.  I don't get drained talking to them, they lift me up.  

Friends are the people motivating me to keep going through this journey.  They are incredible, and most of them don't even know it.  They lift my spirits and they are so quick to give up time and energy to help push me (sometimes drag me) to where I'm going.  I'm grateful for all of them.  I would not be able to go through any of this without them, and I love them all.  I just pray that one day I can be a rock for them the way they have been one for me.