Gifts of Friends and things NEW

The gifts from friends are wonderful and the gifts of friendship are even more so. Along this road we have seen people spend time cooking and delivering soups, making natural granolas and smoothies, deliver flowers to the house and notes of encouragement. We have heard about and felt the power of prayers being sent heavenwards and we have received visits and calls and had conversations where the first question has always been,"How are you?" and it has been meant in a new way. Chelsea and her Mom have shaved their heads in solidarity. Then Sandy, Cindi's sister arrived with a shaved head as well and a bagful of fun hats to try out. These are some of the beautiful moments we have experienced and we are so grateful.

This past week I officiated a wedding with my two friends Pam and Dave Hillis and then dropped in on another. People celebrated life and celebrating something new. This past week I sat with almost 200 from my church community as we considered a step forward for us - something new. This past Sunday friends of ours messaged us with the news of their firstborn finally arriving - little Naomi has entered into the world to join us all and walk with us on the roads we find ourselves on. Life goes on...into new things, happy things and tough things. All of these things we are so grateful for. Cindi is moving along in new ways this time around. She has recovered from the nausea quicker this time but is beginning to experience bone ache. This is something we were warned about and now she is beginning to feel it. As you may know, we shaved her head last week and as she said last night, it hurts now to touch her stubby head. This too shall pass as will the stubs.

In many ways, this path has offered up unique gifts for us and others. Friendships and relationships are deeper. There is an honesty and a gentleness in our relationships right now. Things have subtly changed and are real and focused on the simple, the here and now and it is quite beautiful. My friend Dean is struggling through treatments for a disease he has right now. We have other friends who are walking through cancer. We have young friends who are working hard to have a baby. We have people in our circle of friends and in our church community who are on tough journeys - faithful yet hard journeys. We are not alone in any of our troubles - none of us are. We pray for those people we know about - celebrating the great things and advocating for those in need. It is our privilege to receive these gifts of prayer and love and even more so to extend them. And frankly, it is good.

May you have someone praying for you and may you experience the beauty of receiving love and prayer from friends. May you find forgiveness and strength in weakness and live to lean on Jesus' grace for awhile. May the song of your life be one that is rich and full of real, happy and sad yet wonderful choruses. May you enjoy and appreciate this day and the next - as if each were your last, lived to the full. This is our prayer for you.