Friends

This is one of those transition periods in our lives. We've been in Colorado since late last August. Until then, we had never lived here, but only dropped in for short visits since my brother moved here in 1999. We didn't expect to be here but for 4 months. However, we've been here now 8+ months, with plans to be here until the end of May or into early June.

This past weekend was Mother's Day weekend. We ended up getting to spend time with some people who we had never met when we arrived last August, but who have become friends.

Saturday I took our kids to Zec's 5th birthday party. We met him & his family through a Friday public school program that all 3 of our kids participate in. He's in my younger daughter's kindergarten class, while his elder sister is in my elder daughter's class. His father is in the service & we've gotten to visit them & their parents on their home on a local Air F0rce b@se several times.

Afterwards I dropped off Blake at his home. He's in my younger daughter's kindergarten class. My son says that his elder brother Evan is his best friend in the U.S. His mother & my wife have become friends.

Sunday morning I got to teach the 7th of 8 sessions on m!ssi0ns at the chu*rch we've become a part of here. While looking out at the class, I realized that a lot of my favorite people here are part of this class.

For celebrating Mother's Day, we weren't sure what to do. We ended up going out to a Chinese restaurant with a family whom we met during our 2nd week at the chu*rch (after I said something during a Memorial day weekend service about being new & from France). They have become some of our favorite people here. We then went over their house later in the day and our kids were in their pool.

It's funny how life works out sometimes. We had no idea that we would be in Colorado for 9 months, be part of this particular chu&rch or have our kids in this school for the whole school year.

I'm thankful to the Father for the new friendships that He's brought into our lives for this year.

When we were in California for 11 days last month, we had a chance to connect with some old friends, as well as meet some new ones.

This summer, we plan on getting to revisit some old friends in the Midwest & East Coast before we return to our Paris world across the Atlantic.

In the Gospels, it seems like even Jesus needed friends, particularly when He was going through difficult times, like just before the trial & crucifixion.

We're very grateful to and for our friends.