And Another Thing...Friends. Part 2.

I came outside to read on my back porch in my jeans, short-sleeved tshirt, and barefeet, but I think, instead, it's time for my first blog of 2012.

You might remember my original "And Another Thing...Friends" post about my friend Sam. If not, read here and it'll give you some perspective on what I mean by "And Another Thing...Friends".

Well, the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 has been a rough/sad chunk of time as you can tell in the previous posts. 2012 hasn't had anything super hard or anything, but mostly sad. I've been really missing Oregon and the nearness of certain dear relationships - both in time zone and physical nearness. People who I love dearly and love living life with.

I love to laugh a lot. I love to laugh often. There aren't too many people who can get me truly, deep-belly laughin'. Like truly. And honestly I can't remember when the last time was that I truly laughed so hard that my stomach hurt...until today.

There really isn't anybody who can get me truly, deep-belly laughin' like Kory and Sara can. When I'm with them, I laugh and laugh often. I could be legitimately crying then one of them way say something and I can't help but laugh. As I was talking with my dear brother today I had tears rollin' down my face and my stomach was hurting so bad because I was laughing like crazy! It felt so good! It has been so long since I have laughed that hard. It was just what I needed. It has brought me out of this funk that I've been in. We could be laughing for what seems like forever at what seems like so little. I love it.

Kory and Sara - a couple of more "And another thing...friends" - some of the most important. Friend/family that have laughed and cried with me.

And one more of these dear friends is my sweet friend Lindsay. I talked to my dear friend Lindsay on the phone yesterday for about 10 minutes and it was so wonderful although short with her promising to call me next week when company leaves. Lindsay has been a dear, sweet, friend in my life.

Although my family and her in-laws have been friends for decades, Lindsay and I didn't meet until the summer of 2007 when her husband, Nate, was on Assignment doing Program at SharpTop while I was on Property Staff there. While I had seen Nate a couple times since that month, the Lord didn't have Lindsay's and my paths cross again until we both moved to Oregon. Nate and Lindsay (who were pregnant with their second child) moved to the Canyon about six/seven weeks after I did. Oh it was glorious. You see, I had no clue that Nate and Lindsay were moving to the Ranch until they showed up to State of the Property that night. I was so excited to see them there and have them apart of the Canyon Family.

Lindsay has been a great friend who has asked good, real, deep questions and walked with me during some really hard and confusing times. Love her and her sweet family.

These dear people are some of the biggest reasons why it was so hard to leave the Canyon and the reasons why I miss it the most. Can't wait to come home and visit with them in person. Love you guys.