Friends

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately and the impact that so many of my friends have had on my life. Through blogging, I've been reconnected with many friends from my childhood. I've been impressed and inspired by who they have become. They were good examples when I was young and continue to be good examples now.

During my early married years, while serving in the RS presidency, the Lord once again placed great friends in my life. These friends helped me through some difficult times, but also helped me have some serious fun. One night Lynette called me to go out to a movie. It just so happened that I was in the middle of infertility treatments and John was out of town. I told her I could go as long as she was willing to come and give me my shot in the bum. She handled that needle like a pro! (a little scary if you ask me).

I still keep in touch with "my girls"- (the other teachers that I taught first grade with). I don't know if I ever would have survived teaching without them. Penny always knew how to cheer everyone up with a "girl's sleep-over" at her cabin, Arlene could brighten my day with a simple piece of chocolate being thrown at my head in the middle of a math lesson, Lisa was a great listener and always had good advice, and Jaimi- let's just say she and I went to the same infertility doc, had the same adoption case worker, taught next door to each other, and each adopted our babies within six months of each other- coincidence? I think not!

I've also been so grateful for the friends that the Lord has placed in my life since we moved here to Texas. Last week, John was out of town so Kristina and Jen ditched book club to spend an evening with me. I loved and appreciated their company. They always know just what I need (typically good food and a lot of laughs)!

The Lord has very carefully place each of these people (and many, many others) in my life during very specific times to meet my very specific needs. What a blessing!

I was reading in the New Testament in John 1:43-51. Jesus goes into Galilee and finds Phillip. He says to Phillip, "Follow me." Phillip then goes to find his friend Nathanael. He tells him that Jesus, who was prophesied to come, is here. Nathanael then asks if anything good can come from Nazareth. Phillip says, "Come and see."

I picture these two as being old friends- the kind that have grown up together, studied together, worked together, and played together (that's just gospel according to Carrie). But I love that when Phillip finds Christ, he wants nothing more then for his friend to also see Jesus. His loving, inviting words to his friend, "Come and see" have been in my mind as I have thought of all the ways my friends over the years have invited me to "Come and see."

I have been so blessed during every stage of my life to have had friends who have led me to Christ simply because of the way they chose to live their lives. The Lord knows that I am the type of person that NEEDS friends, and in some cases I have literally prayed them into my life (but that story is for another post). I am so grateful for the friends that He has placed along my path who have uplifted, inspired, taught, supported, and cared for me, and who have ultimately invited me to “come and see.”