Thunderstorms make me dreamy

It’s raining here, not quite the thunderstorm I was hoping for, but a good solid spring rain.  I’m so happy to be experiencing my spring a couple weeks early.  Spring rains are meant to wash away the winter remains, and I love them!

I was talking with Catherine and Spencer last night, about my trip, and realized I haven’t really talked about it much lately, as is expected.  I had to ‘get in the zone’ to remember things...people groups, where I was, what I did, when I was there, etc...  It sure was good to look back again.  I found that some of the issues I thought were a big deal as they occurred and then even when I first came back, are now not.  It makes me laugh now. ... ‘Oh, so and so was so annoying then, but now I can’t even remember why’, or ‘I was so upset and offended during that time, but now I can’t remember why or at whom.’  It’s nice to realize that life moves on and perspective changes as time passes.  I hope to one day live with a clearer present perspective, less offended and more graceful.

I love being with friends, talking about life, about my trip, about knowing Jesus, finding passion, living with purpose and raising kids to do the same. (Not that I have them, but now many of my friends do, and I have great influence on my niece and nephew even now).

Being with friends here again makes me all the more motivated to do what it takes to make and find good friends in Des Moines.  I have wandered around in loneliness too much at home, mostly in years past, but the temptation is there now again.  I know they are out there, and I have been too caught up in my own selfishness and self pity to find them, hoping that people would come out of nowhere to be my best friend.  I am reminded that I do have great friends all over the country even if I don’t talk to them all the time, and certainly never really see them.  

I love Catherine and Spencer because our relationship during the 7 weeks I lived with them showed me that I was able (and even really enjoyed) relating to married couples, and that it’s normal for married couples to relate well with singles.  I have to put in a word for them, and say that they are amazing people, and I don’t think they are normal (in a good way:-) ), but they instilled hope in me to have friendship with other marrieds.