Catching Up

This morning Marlin picked up Brent and all the children except Tara and Natalie. They drove and hour and half away to an orphan banquet. There are two more scheduled next week and we will join them on those...

Eating ugali, rice and chicken at the banquet...

Experiencing a flat in Kenya...

While they were gone, Tara, Darla and I baked cakes for Wednesday's Bible study at Aroba. We baked 8 of them. Think sheet cakes.

And we talked.

We did some laundry and washed her sofa cushion covers.

And we talked.

I cut a second dress for Darla.

And we talked.

We ate lunch and put the littles down.

And we talked.

The guys came home.

And we talked. 

It was a day of catching up on the past year. It is so good to be here.

People here wonder how we met...it made us stop and remember..

Darla was 13 and I was 14 when our family moved into their area. We became quick friends. Marlin lived in our home for a short time when he was struggling at 15-16. So we became like brother and sister. Later, as couples, we were in each other's bridal parties...and on from there. As God painted the pictures of our journeys, we've been there for each other. Our hearts are intertwined and we know each other, often even a glance across the room will tell me what she is thinking. 

Truly, I have no idea where we would be if it it weren't for these guys. Over the last 13 years, they have stretched us in our thinking and in our faith, many times without even knowing it. God has used them as he brushed the strokes on our canvas...

Old friends are not the best, but they are truly rare and special! They've seen you, good, bad, ugly and beautiful. And they still love you!!

I truly treasure the friendship, realizing how special it is to have such old friends. 

I truly treasure the Gift of being able to visit them in this far away land...