goodbye

This weekend I helped my friends Josh and Stephanie move out of their home in Lawrence. They are official Oklahomans now. We have been praying for months that a buyer would come along for their house here, and God provided one. It was in His perfect timing, but it still felt too soon. Too soon for them to really be gone. They have been living in Tulsa for a few months now, but I suppose it never felt permanent until now. Man, I hate saying goodbye. But, I know that our friendship can last across a few miles, and God's calling for them to raise their family in the next state to the south is in His perfect will. Their faith and obedience will never cease to amaze me. So, for now I'll be a long distance friend and aunt (of the "honorary" variety) to their daughters Aubrey and brand new Alexis (welcome to the world, little one!). They are still working hard at getting me to move down there. After how sad I was this weekend, I might just consider it... I mean, who wouldn't miss this face?

This weekend served as a reminder of the amazing friends I have, and how great it is that we are all there for each other. It's amazing how moving can do that for you--people tend to just come out of the woodwork at moments like that. I'm thankful I have been blessed with a group of people (not all present in this photo) that constantly lift me up and make me laugh.

So Steph, here's to memories of Snickers Ice Cream Bars, birthday cakes in the cafeteria, lemon pepper chicken, Coldplay, all-nighters, bridesmaids, house-sitting, church, caramel frappes, the mom-mobile, sneaking out (with the crazy German kid!), and Dr. Pepper. Thanks for teaching me so much, praying for me, and writing me excuse notes in high school when we'd come back late from lunch. I was always glad to do "interviews for the Budget." Love and miss you.