Volume 72: Rest in Birthday!

Officially 27! Wow!

There I was, sitting around Debbie's kitchen table, a setting I have become very accustomed to over the past 3 years. And the table was full of people I adore here in Chattanooga. I was grateful!

I had left my phone in my car so once I left, I saw right there, on my screen, glimpses of texts from Seth! And Colby Cole! And Eddie! And Madison! And Larkin! And Yaneri! And Summerson! And other important people!

Messages from friends I grew up with! Longtime friendships proven by their contacts in my phone...

Messages from my roommates and other friends from college I haven't talked to in years!

Messages from my old Wyldlife team and old kids I led!

Messages from people I have worked and currently work with at Camp Ozark!

Messages from the teachers on my hall in Greenville! And even Baby Luke singing!

Messages posted on Facebook (of course!) from all of the random adults that have been a part of my life!

As I end this birthday, as with every birthday, I am overwhelmed with gratitude at the people that I have been blessed with in my life! So many memories. So many different people that have impacted me in a variety of ways. That have made me better!

I am about to enter a season of change.... and as we all know, it is not quite my strong suit.... but if today is a reminder of anything, it is that God provides. And He works through His people. 

I can specifically remember the day that my high school best friends and I were messing around at the softball field, weeks before moving off to college. We were reminiscing on our memories and kept declaring "we will never be able to make these kind of friendships again!!!!! Blah blah blah!"

And I truly believed it... these friends knew my siblings, my parents, my grandparents, my home phone number, and just about everything there was to know about me. 

But my naive, comfort driven mind could not even begin to imagine the depth of friendships that God would provide! Or the mentors that I would be able to learn from! 

I got to college and made some of my best friends. 

I worked at camp and made some of my best friends. 

I moved to Greenville and made some of my best friends. 

I moved to Chattanooga and made some of my best friends. 

(^^^This is where all you Unpluggers enter the scene!! Well done!!!)

And..... I will move to Houston and.... make some of my best friends!

This life isn't always easy, but it is well worth it when I get to share it with such incredible people! I am grateful to God for His people that He has put in my life! To help me know more of His heart, patience, strength, power, and many more characteristics I have learned from my friends!