Thankful Thursdays---Friends

     I am so thankful for all my friends, past and present! Since the time I was a little girl, I have always had a hard time making friends. I used to be extremely shy. Some would probably say that I still am, but believe me, I have come a loooooong way! Honestly, I'm just really quiet until I get to know people a little. Once that happens, it is hard to get me to stop talking, lol :)
      Anyway, God has certainly blessed me with friends in each of the stages of my life. When I graduated from high school, I started working while I went to a community college. I became friends with my coworkers. They taught me how to be silly and have fun (and still work hard at the same time) We literally had a party every chance we got. But, after two years, it was time for me to move on to a four year college.
      When I moved out own my own, I was still working and going to school. I didn't really know anyone in this new town and I really needed some friends. So, I prayed for God to send me some. He answered my prayers! A few girls from church reached out to me and took me in so to speak. I also became friends with another girl that was in my American Sign Language class. I loved hanging out with these girls and was truly thankful that I had people to enjoy college life with. As time went on, my friends from church got married and busy with life and my other friendship dissolved.
     Once again, I really needed some friends in my life. Well, God came through again! One of the married girls had a friend move to town and we became best friends. We were able to "build" a group of 6 friends for our grad school years. To say we had a lot of fun and trying times together would be an understatement! 
     After college, I moved to my current location where I have extended family nearby but didn't really know anyone else in the area. After two long, lonely years of not knowing anyone here, I decided to get my dog, Effie. Last year was such a fun year! I got to meet tons of people at my apartment just because I had Effie as an icebreaker. Some of those people I will truly never forget. So, I got used to talking to strangers and inadvertently became more outgoing. This was the reason I was able to meet my current group of SLP friends. Seriously. Through a couple of connections, I was able to introduce myself to a couple of these girls. Before, I probably would have been uncomfortable doing that.
     It is truly amazing how God works! The other day I was thinking about all of this and something dawned on me.....One of those friends from college was the connection to my best friend now who was the connection to one of my SLP friends here who introduced me to the other girls here. Whew! That was a mouthful!!! I know this was confusing and vague without naming people but I hope this post makes at least a little sense. Basically, I am thankful for all my friends, past and present! There have definitely been lots of fun times and a few heartbreaking times through these relationships, but God has used each of these friendships to provide for me, teach me, challenge me, and encourage me. The way He works simply amazes me!