New Friends

As you know, I had (notice the "past" tense verb) struggled with loneliness here on the mission field in the past few years. But God, in his infinite kindness, has provided me with some new friends. I won't describe all of them, but I did want to mention my friend Kelley, a homeschooling mother of 5 who just came back from 14 months in the states. And then there is a new missionary that arrived in December, Felicia, whom I have really connected with. And last, but not least, is my new friend Angela.

Angela is 6 months younger than I am and has 3 children ages 7, 5, and 3. She and her husband have been married the same time as John and me. We have a lot in common. She is so easy to talk with, eats healthy, exercises, is a fellow missionary that loves the Lord AND (wait for it), she lives in my neighborhood. So far, we have shared Starbucks, she's brought us desert (and vice-versa), called me for a favor and our kids play together as well. Her daughter, Eliana, and my Avery, act like they have known each other forever. It is just too sweet. I just can't tell you how thankful I am to have a few new friendships that are going very deep, very quickly. Maybe I am jumping the gun, but I feel as if she is the kind of friend that I had back home and someone I will keep in touch with for years to come. We have a great connection already. The only downside is that she is so gorgeous that I feel so ugly and fat next to her. But those are my issues! LOL!!!! :)

So I am just praising the Lord for some new friendships. And that is not even including some of the fellow IMB missionaries that I already have strong connections with (Jenny McLamb) :) and now some of the new moms I am meeting at school. It is so nice not to feel so isolated and lonely! I wasn't even looking or searching and when I least expected it God placed some lovely American ladies in my life.