Friends are Friends Forever

    I am dating myself a bit, but as we travel across the country toward our new home, I have had a 90's song running through my mind..."Friends are Friends Forever" by Michael W. Smith.  We have turned the page and are beginning a new chapter in life...new state, new home, new church, new job, new adoption opportunities, new friends.  With all the new, I am so happy that we don't have to leave everything behind.  We can't pack the mountains of California in our suitcases.  There was not room on the moving truck for Primo Deli (although I'm craving one of Tammi's sandwiches right now).  But we can carry friendships with us all 2200 miles across the country. 
     Friendships are not limited by geographical distance.  We have friends that we met the week after we were married (now over 18 years ago).  They have definitely endured the test of time and distance and remained friends with us through eight moves and four states- even driving across the country to help us move to California six years ago.  While Jim was in Seminary we were part of a close knit group of friends.  We sang together on a worship team and ministered together at a mission church on a weekly basis.  Although we all live in different parts of the country (and world) now, whenever we do get to see each other or even talk on the phone, it's as if we just pick up right where we left off the last time.  Earlier this week I received an email from one of those friends.  She was writing to let us know that she was fasting and praying for us during lent about our desire for a child.  Even though we rarely get to talk and only see each other every couple of years, she always seems to write just what I need to hear, when I need to hear it:)  I could go on with so many more examples.  As I sit here and write this blog, I am truly grateful for the friends God has blessed us with.
     And California is no exception.  We have dear friends that we will miss, but I am glad that we don't have to say goodbye.  They can join our group of "forever friends", our hearts forever mended together. 

 

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends