I have to start with Wednesdays. Our summer Wednesdays have really changed my quality of life in Macon and I've been meaning to write about them for some time. It will just be hard to put into words the goodness that has come from Wednesdays. For probably 3 years, Thomas and I have been a part of a Wednesday night Bible Study at our church. It has been a roller coaster of trying to fit, working to make it work, giving up, giving in, and finally finding a balance of dedicated people, directed study, genuine leadership and just good honesty. In June we had sort of found our Bible Study whittled away to about 10 people who seemed to truly want to be together learning. We started a study series called Crazy Love by Francis Chan ... I really can't say enough how transforming this study was for our entire group, literally as a group and for all the individuals in the group. I felt very directed by the Chan's presentation of Biblical principles and his humanistic approach to how we should be relating to God and others. I would do the study again 10 times I think. And the connection I feel to Maddie, Jenny, Carter, Meg, Betsy, Susan, and Mary Jo is really sweet.
Then there's work. Work, oh work. The source of much stress and grief, but also the source of some great new friends. I recently had a birthday and there aren't many people in Macon (other than the in-laws) who I felt would be looking to celebrate. I just have had a hard time making friends here. We could debate the reasons behind that, but that's for another post. The point of this post is to say that work has provided me with some really fun-loving ladies who help make me smile, and who really want to be friends. And on my birthday weekend, that same Friday when I came home in tears, I ended the day feeling so special because Erica, Deneen and Becky took time from their weekends to go to dinner with me. It was SO nice. I felt normal and had a blast laughing and having margaritas with them. I'll say again: it was SOOO nice. Wish I had taken a picture!
Then there are those special friends who you don't have to see every day or even talk to for weeks, and when you do it clicks. And when you don't it clicks. Those friends are really rare to come by, but I'm realizing that's ok because that means that they are special. I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend, Kristi, who I used to spend lots of time with in Macon before she moved to take a job in Atlanta. I was a little nervous to see her because lots has changed for us both since I saw her last (about 2 years ago... weird!). But immediately it was wonderful. She was so happy and receptive to rekindling our friendship. I wanted to hug her neck and not let go. It made me remember that even if things are not where you want them to be, they can get there - whether it be by moving forward or returning to a place of "rightness." And if I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I cherish my friend Christina because she is just that - a real friend. What a true enhancement she has been to my life and a real shoulder to lean on in those "ugh" moments. It's nice to be "gotten."
And my family. It is HARD to not live by them (even knowing that if I did live near them we'd probably all be trying to kill each other). But it makes seeing them really count. I know Ellen gets so tired of me calling her all the time (and I know this because she never answers!), but sometimes I just need to know what they're doing because I miss them so much. My little Emy Cate and Bowden are just changing everyday and I just need to be spoiled enough to see them grow. I love being their aunt! And I love being a daughter ... and my mom and dad are really good at being parents. I know that Dad sharing his youtube videos is his way of saying he values me, and mom's reminder texts every other day are her way of letting me know she is thinking of me. I have a really good family.
And of course, there's Thomas. That man. Does anyone know how to drive me nuts like he does? No. But does anyone know how to make me feel like the most cherished, special person in the whole wide world like he does? I can say without a doubt NO! I guess because it was just my birthday, I feel very reflective on that. He went above and beyond this year to make it tailor-made to what I love. He helps me in the house (I'm a slave driver for neatness, especially when I have private therapy kiddos and families coming to the house) sweeping, picking up, washing dishes, building random stuff, fixing random stuff. I feel very lucky to be his pair. Thomas is a really hard worker and he works alongside me (and often while I'm just hanging out) to make our house a sweet home, to make our marriage strong and honest, and to make our life so fun and right for us. And he knows how to do nothing with me. I love doing nothing with him! And we are really lucky to have time every now and again to do nothing guilt-free.
So that's what this blog is all about right? Remembering these people and moments so that when the Ugh sets in, I've got a record of goodness to look back on.
Then there's work. Work, oh work. The source of much stress and grief, but also the source of some great new friends. I recently had a birthday and there aren't many people in Macon (other than the in-laws) who I felt would be looking to celebrate. I just have had a hard time making friends here. We could debate the reasons behind that, but that's for another post. The point of this post is to say that work has provided me with some really fun-loving ladies who help make me smile, and who really want to be friends. And on my birthday weekend, that same Friday when I came home in tears, I ended the day feeling so special because Erica, Deneen and Becky took time from their weekends to go to dinner with me. It was SO nice. I felt normal and had a blast laughing and having margaritas with them. I'll say again: it was SOOO nice. Wish I had taken a picture!
Then there are those special friends who you don't have to see every day or even talk to for weeks, and when you do it clicks. And when you don't it clicks. Those friends are really rare to come by, but I'm realizing that's ok because that means that they are special. I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend, Kristi, who I used to spend lots of time with in Macon before she moved to take a job in Atlanta. I was a little nervous to see her because lots has changed for us both since I saw her last (about 2 years ago... weird!). But immediately it was wonderful. She was so happy and receptive to rekindling our friendship. I wanted to hug her neck and not let go. It made me remember that even if things are not where you want them to be, they can get there - whether it be by moving forward or returning to a place of "rightness." And if I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I cherish my friend Christina because she is just that - a real friend. What a true enhancement she has been to my life and a real shoulder to lean on in those "ugh" moments. It's nice to be "gotten."
And my family. It is HARD to not live by them (even knowing that if I did live near them we'd probably all be trying to kill each other). But it makes seeing them really count. I know Ellen gets so tired of me calling her all the time (and I know this because she never answers!), but sometimes I just need to know what they're doing because I miss them so much. My little Emy Cate and Bowden are just changing everyday and I just need to be spoiled enough to see them grow. I love being their aunt! And I love being a daughter ... and my mom and dad are really good at being parents. I know that Dad sharing his youtube videos is his way of saying he values me, and mom's reminder texts every other day are her way of letting me know she is thinking of me. I have a really good family.
And of course, there's Thomas. That man. Does anyone know how to drive me nuts like he does? No. But does anyone know how to make me feel like the most cherished, special person in the whole wide world like he does? I can say without a doubt NO! I guess because it was just my birthday, I feel very reflective on that. He went above and beyond this year to make it tailor-made to what I love. He helps me in the house (I'm a slave driver for neatness, especially when I have private therapy kiddos and families coming to the house) sweeping, picking up, washing dishes, building random stuff, fixing random stuff. I feel very lucky to be his pair. Thomas is a really hard worker and he works alongside me (and often while I'm just hanging out) to make our house a sweet home, to make our marriage strong and honest, and to make our life so fun and right for us. And he knows how to do nothing with me. I love doing nothing with him! And we are really lucky to have time every now and again to do nothing guilt-free.
So that's what this blog is all about right? Remembering these people and moments so that when the Ugh sets in, I've got a record of goodness to look back on.
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