It's the 'too' that matters.

We all have pet peeves. One of my roommates can't stand when the sink is so full that she can't fill up the Brita pitcher. Another friend hates when her socks get wet from someone spilling water on the floor. My dear friend can't stand it when people smack when they eat. (And I tend to agree. That noise is terrible.) I personally can't handle it when someone enters a room and changes everything-the temperature, the music, the general atmosphere.
But I've recently discovered that I have the complete opposite of pet peeves. I guess you could call them my favorite things, but they aren't really fitting into the raindrops on roses category. They are deeper than girls is white dresses with blue satin sashes or apple strudel. These things are the ones that make my heart sing and make my eyes twinkle. They can turn the late nights of loneliness into nights where I snuggle into my nest and sigh out of happiness. What are these things? There are too many to name...but I'll give you the one of the moment.
Favorite thing of the Moment: Getting to say "I love you too."
I know it sounds simple, but that 'too' means the world to me. When I get to say that, it means that the other person thought of the love first. It means that they think I'm worthy of hearing it. It means that someone sees me and loves me.
When I was a little girl, I used to pray that my parents would say "I love you" first, only because I wanted to say the 'too.' It's the 'too' that matters. It sounds like a silly prayer, but the days that the Lord answered that prayer are ones that I still remember, fifteen years later.
I have this one dear friend who is really good at giving me this joy. Anytime we are parting ways, she takes the time to pause, look me in the eye, and say "I love you." Do I deserve this? Oh definitely not. But is it something I adore about her? Yes. Does the song in my heart get louder every single time? Yes.
It truly is the little things. The moments that other people don't see as important are the ones that bring me the most joy. She probably doesn't think much of that moment of looking me in the eye and loving me, but that is what screams friendship to me. And it's that moment of joy that causes me to realize how blessed I am...to know her, to be here, to have friends who love me.
Even in the times where I feel like I'm a complete mess, I'm loved by this one and others...and that's where the joy is.

Feels like home.

There are simply some close friendships that feel like home. Some are old and routine. Some are new and exciting. All of them force me to see how blessed I am. Some days, I spend hours alone, chatting with the Lord and baking something new. Some days, I spend my afternoon doing homework and chatting with an old friend as she bakes cookies. Some days, I spend my evening with a newer friend, talking and laughing about nothing and everything. Somehow, it all fits together. Somehow all of these friends fit together into this crazy plan the Lord has for me...and I am encouraged. Though often the days seem endless and the nights pointless, it's the moments of truth with these friends that remind me of who I am and Whose I am. This place-here in the middle of child and grown-up, smack dab in the center of His will, surrounded by His grace-it's where I belong. And these times of hope and purpose, even in the midst of the overwhelming sense of too much to do, are what keep me going.

Rest.

That gentle sway...
That is exactly how being at home makes me feel.
Relaxed. Easy. Calm.
The total opposite of what the last two weeks have felt like.

Figuring out classes and credits and graduation is stressful.

I liked my original plan, but it seems that the Lord has some other ones for me.

Might  I convince you to pray that my heart would be molded to His will?

I know things will always work out best that way.

Thank you for being patient as I often forget to blog.

Hopefully, these next few days will provide the jolt I need to get back into blogging.

I have a few things in mind, so get excited for the next few posts.

In the last few weeks, the Lord has been good to provide a newly close friend who deserves much praise. 

For now, I'm going to go back to enjoying the gentle flow of being home.

And perhaps a bowl of ice cream. 

Take time to rest today, friend.

I know that you probably need it as much as I do.