I have the most interesting friends...

I remember a time when all my friends did the same things I did. We all either homeschooled our kids, were stay at home moms, or never missed church. Not so much today.

The circumstances of my life have dictated that my friendships change. My divorce brought working outside the home which altered my schedule dramatically. No longer were there opportunities to meet for play dates with moms and kids or the flexibility to get together with friends often during the week.

Yet, I realize that although my schedule and circumstances of life change, I have some of the most interesting friends. Just in my weekly interacting via calls, social networking, texts, and occasional visits, I have girlfriends who practice occupational or physical therapy, bellydance for fun, dance in drum circles, hunt, deliver mail, and more.

Recently, I encountered a couple of fun situations where I realized just how blessed I was by my friendships. First, there is Dana. Dana is Madisen's mom. Madisen plays ball with my Hannah Rose...softball, basketball; and since I have finally relented maybe even soccer this upcoming fall for the first time..they have even played travel ball together briefly.

For now, Madisen is an only child so Hannah often gets to tag along with their family. Last spring break they visited the Smoky Mountains. Most recently Hannah hung out during the snow storm after I returned to work. Dana spent all day pulling Madisen and Hannah in a wheelbarrow top from the back of a four wheeler all around their yard. I have attached a picture and video to show you how much fun they had.

Dana, and her husband Danny have taken Thomas, my youngest, hunting. Did you know that hunting often requires going the day before to scout out your area? The same weekend they went we had lots and lots of rain. Madisen's poor horse was struck dead by lightening. Yet, as determined people they still buried the horse, scouted the land, and took the kids hunting. There is something to be admired about that kind of dedication to do what you love.

That Sunday afternoon after church they showed up to pick up Thomas. Madisen came to the door with her heels, skirt and black sweater on. I proceeded to the car to find Dana in a dress. I still can't believe someone that pretty is about to go get decked out in camo and hang out in the woods. I am just glad they love us enough to be a part of our lives.

But the greatest thing was several weeks ago I get a phone call. I see from my cell that it is Dana. When I answer she is whispering...She says, "Hey, it's Dana. I'm about twenty feet up in the air. I just killed a deer and I can't find it. Danny is on his way to help me. Can you go get Madisen from her grandmother's and take her to practice?" Did you whisper when you read that...because without whispering while you read you lost the total effect!

I reassure her that sure I would pick up Madisen. That evening after practice both Danny and Dana show up with the deer in the back of their pick up.  She proudly lifts the prize up by its antlers for the kids, who have barreled out of the van, to see. I say, "Dana, I am totally impressed that you hunt. You are my only female hunting friend. I could never hunt with you because I don't like being cold and once I saw a deer I would only want to pet him. But I am thrilled to see your passion about life." Dana reassures me that this particular deer suffered minimally.

Here is a pic of her prize...the deer and her hubby...

My other friend Ingrid is living another great story...She met her husband Robert at a monster truck show in California. They got married and eventually returned to his homeland, which is nestled almost directly across the river from us on Hobbs Island. Our families meet via church; although I later realized we have purchased fish from his mom and dad's fish market for years.

Anyway, Ingrid's mom and step dad are about to retire her from the west coast. A few weeks ago I pick up Hannah from there home late one Sunday evening. When I arrive into their home here is what I found: I AM NOT KIDDING.....I EVEN TOOK PICTURES I WAS SO BLOWN AWAY!

 Ingrid and me hugging the ram..we edited the one where the kids had us picking his nose.

 Sydney and Hannah by the??????????I am sure I should know that!

 This cape horn buffalo is situated on Ingrid's dining table.
You can see the size of this creature, just head and bust, with Ingrid in the background.

These pictures don't even include the spare bedroom where the bed was completely covered with additional game. The story is that Ingrid's step dad has been on four African safari hunting trips. This is what he brought back. Her family had the animals shipped to Alabama to store until they retire here in the near future.

The only problem is Ingrid does not realize the truck will come at 7 am on Sunday morning...the very day of not only church but little Hayley's birthday party as well. So, at seven am with Robert out of town, Ingrid and the truck driver are jump starting the four wheeler in order to attach the animals onto the four wheeler and drive them up there incredibly steep driveway, unload them, remount them onto these bases and place them in her home.


I guess the most impressive moment of all this for me is that while Ingrid is reliving the day, there is never a moment of complaint or aggravation that dead wild game has taken over her home. She is calmly relaying the events and thinking ahead of how she is going to situate all these animals in her home til her folks get here. Never a moment of criticism or whining that her husband wasn't there to help or that there is no where to sit at the dining room table.  What an inspiration.

Before I left I said, "Ingrid, this was a fabulous way to end a hard day...I am going home to write about this.  So, here you have a couple of stories about some fabulous friends that the Father has placed in our lives.

There was a time of my life when people who lived differently or did things I considered weird would not have impacted my life. I was too critical and judgemental and narrow minded to consider the vastness of God and His glory that is manifested in and through the various lives He allows us to interact with.  But today I see Him....His character..revealed through my friendships and find myself humbled and grateful for the privilege of these friendships.

RIVER OF LIFE LESSON: Be open to the people the Father keeps putting in your life. The Lord may be wanting to use them to teach you something about Himself.

Who are you thankful for? I heard a sermon this past Sunday at Buckhead Church in Atlanta that emphasized DTR..define the relationship. The pastor was encouraging us to define our relationship with our heavenly father...is it growing and is there purpose there?  We can filter our earthly relationships through that same grid. How am I growing and what purpose does God have for me in my current friendships. Good food for thought.

I would love to hear your feedback about how the Lord is blessing you through your friendships!