the end of Girls Weekend....

After our perfect night of lounging, eating, and loving on each other, we got some much needed sleep. We all got to sleep in on Sunday which was so nice. We didn't necessarily want to skip church, but it was too tempting to relax and lounge at home for the morning. I am so glad that we did because I felt like I had my own Sunday lesson on the screened in porch that morning. My parent's screened in porch is my favorite place in their house. I usually do not have time on the weekends I go home to even enjoy the space, but this weekend was a different story.



I was working on Zach and Stacy's photos while Bekah and Fox chatted away. I piped in every once in a while, but for the most part I was just listening to them. Some lessons I learned from their conversation:

- Wants do not equal Needs. I often buy something I want without giving it a second thought. I do love to buy gifts for other people, but I also love to buy things for myself. Small things here and there, but in total they can really add up. They have such a selfless perspective that I wish I had more of. They think of the people in the world that are lacking things, or how much that $10 could bless someone else before buying a treat at Target. I loved hearing that and being challenged by it. I pray that I will be able to be more selfless in my desires, learning the difference in a need and a want.

- God provides. Bekah and Andrej sold most of their furniture and "things" before coming back to the states. They came here needing to furnish and apartment, find a car, and get all the things for the baby. God has been blessing them left and right! I love hearing how many things they have been given, and how many opportunities they have been given. I love to see two people who really deserve it, to get blessed!

- Inhale vx. Exhale. Michele told me about two types of relationships. There are inhale kinds- where you simply inhale from being around a person, full of encouragement, challenge, refreshment. There are exhale relationships where you pour into someone else. I have never thought about it like that, but I love the analogy. My girlfriends are my inhale relationships.

- My friends rock. As I sat there and listened to my old college roomies talk about love and life, I was so encouraged. It was bitter sweet because I knew our time together would only last through that afternoon, but was already looking forward to our next visit. Every time I hang out with Bekah and Fox, I leave feeling so encouraged in my life, my marriage, my walk with the Lord, my friendships, my dreams, every part of me is encouraged. We may not see each other every day, or even every month, but the times that we do share are so deep and so important that I never walk away empty handed.




I think Brad loves my girlfriends as much as I do because he sees how happy they make me. He loves the time I get to spend with Bekah, Fox, Stacy, Stephanie, and all the rest because he knows I come home a happier person. This only makes me wish that I lived at least in the same state as any of of these girls, but I believe the old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. With each of these ladies, I can go any length of time without talking to them, but as soon as we do connect, we pick up right where we left off. It is never forced, never fake, always real. It doesn't get any better than that.

We ended our time together by going to my favorite little coffee place for tea, coffee, and treats. Here are a few photos, just for jollies and laughs.

mine is cool.....hers is WAY cooler

laughing at the other tattoo....i love it

xoxo

my besties