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| Aubrey Grace |
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| Griffin |
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| The Partin's |
Since Sunday I've had the privilege of hosting one of my oldest and dearest friends Sarah and her family at my home . Sarah and I haven't seen each other for a year and half . Our last visit was New Years 2010 when she was pregnant with Aubrey and Griffin was just 1 year old . Her husband Jon is in the Army and they've been stationed in Germany for the last several years . It's so hard having a friend that's so far away, but with real true friends distance is only a matter of miles . I have no siblings of my own and I think the Lord has blessed me with amazing friends in their absence . I truly count my former college roommates as my sisters . We've shared fun, difficult, heart breaking, and inspiring times together, Life ! I'm so grateful that through the years while we may be oceans apart we have all been able to keep up with one another .
The Partin's are headed to Texas where Jon will be stationed next . So, on the trek from Germany , visiting family, and on their way to their new home in Texas they made it to my house for a lil' pit stop and some much needed friend time! It was a BLAST!!!! I had yet to meet little Aubrey in person and I fell in love with her first thing . When she arrived Sunday evening she was still in her church clothes a fluffy pink dress , sweet slippers and her pearls . I would learn through this time together that Aubrey is a girl after my own heart with a love for pink and fashion !! I also believe her first word EVER was Jack .
Traveling with Sarah, Jon and Aubrey where Griffin, Sarah & Jon's son and Sarah Anne, Jon's younger sister . It was such a blessing to have every bed in the house full and a person at every seat at the dining table . My heart was overflowing with the joy of cooking for them and loving on them all . I'm so grateful for our former roommate Jessica who was a FACS(family and consumer science) major. When we all lived together she taught us all about menu planning, shopping for meals, and time management in the kitchen . Even still when we are going to visit with her she will ask in advance if we have food preferences or suggestions so she can plan ahead . I swear I think I learned more from her than I did my home ec. teacher in high school .
It was wonderful to share my home, town and family with these dear friends on their visit . Monday we spent the morning getting their oil changed and shopping for craft supplies . After that adventure it was time for the babies naps and us girls crafternoon. Sarah did an AMAZING job making these sweet signs for each of her children's door for their soon to be new home .
I think they turned out so beautiful !!!! She painted , designed the lay out, and came up with the buttons for letters . SUPER CUTE!!!!! I am sure I will one day steal these ideas for my own gift giving or decorating purposes in the future . After naps and crafting we headed to my Great Aunt & Uncles farm for some time with the animals . My Uncle Lyndon has many talents but training, caring for, and hearing animals are some of his best ! Aubrey and Griffin loved the chance to pet one of the sheep and to be so close to them . They also got much entertainment from the sheep dog and the herding dogs Luke and Speck . To be honest I think us adults had just as much if not more fun . We also spent some time trying to coax the cows over to eat some leaves from our hands . Didn't work . I think they could smell our fear . HA! One of the funniest things was how Aubrey took to my Uncle . She had at this point not let me hold her yet . But once we got to the farm she went straight to my Uncle and wanted to stay with him for the remainder of our visit . Uncle Lyndon got a big kick out of it and loved having her to tote around . 
After farm time we headed to my grandparents who had known Sarah when she and I lived together in the dorms . They where so happy to see her again and to meet her family . Papaw is a navy man so I think he and Jon talked a bit about military life . I'm so glad that Jon was willing to chat about it all . I'm sure it was fun for papaw . By the time we finished with family and farm time every one was ready for dinner . We spent the rest of the evening eating, crafting, telling stories and looking at pictures of Sarah and I's time in college . It was so wonderful to be together again and to reminisce . It was such a blessed time in our life so fun and care free . I pray everyone would have such a wonderful college experience as we did . While this visit was missing our other three roommates physically they where with us in spirit . Amber, Jenny & Jessica it just didn't feel complete with out you with us . Don't worry we told embarassing stories about y'all too !! I mean, didn't wanna leave anything out .
The Lord truly loves me more than I'll ever be able to comprehend . He knows my hearts cry and answers it before it's ever left my lips . Today as my friends pulled out of the drive to continue on their way to this new adventure I was over whelmed with tears and joy . I am SO thankful to have a home that friends feel welcome in , food to cook for them , family who will love on them like they are kin' , and friends that are so wonderful them selves that they make it all so easy to do ! I am blessed ! I've got to keep myself reminded of that when times get rough . God is good ! I've got to write that on my hand for the days He feels so tough on me . While I may not have children of my own , yet , God has allowed me friends with awesome babies that let me love on them, cook for them, and spoil them . While I do not know where I'm going or what is next for me just yet , God is allowing me to use this time to love His people and to use His provision and blessings for me , on others . I've got some of the best friends a girl could ever have .
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| I'm sad about it too Aubrey ! I miss you already . |
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
John 15:13 Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Ecclesasties 4: 9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
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