Faithfulness in Friendships

"O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you." Psalm 89:8

Time to meet some of our friends.

The Lord has been so gracious to us in answering our prayers for friends Specifically friends who would love us well, pursue us and challenge us, let us be ourselves, and laugh whole-heartedly with us.  

Next to us are Caleb and Lia Brasher and on the right are John and Jessica Hellams.

Caleb and Lia went to Mississippi State. We were told to get in touch with them by Jim and Angela Davis. We could not fit together more perfectly. Caleb and Ben enjoy the rivalry of their beloved schools. Their friendship is full of laughter and common interests - playing and watching sports, good food, good movies, and music. Caleb is getting his MDiv at seminary here and desire for the Lord to use him to plant a church. 

The first time I met Lia, friendship happened almost immediately. As she gave me a tour of her house, we found ourselves in one room for thirty minutes talking about deeper things. When we finally got back to where everyone was, Ben said, "Is there a mansion I don't know about back there?" Lia is wonderful; she is beautifully confident, welcoming, and loving. She makes others feel completely comfortable around her and has a great sense of humor. Fun fact:  she worked as Belle at Disney all of last year. 

John and Jessica got married the last weekend in July. They both went to Western Kentucky and will easily say "Hotty Toddy" because they have no affiliation with Ole Miss, which only serves to annoy Caleb and Lia. They are our next door neighbors! John was around for the first month we were here then went home to get ready to marry his beautiful bride. John makes us all laugh so much and finds joy in living life together. He and Ben are so much alike in some ways. They both have a quick wit, a love of chilling and a love of playing sports, cooking and good food. John is also getting his MDiv and shares the same desires as Caleb to plant a church. This past week has been so much fun getting to know Jessica and see the two in the beginning of their marriage. She is extremely decisive, organized, productive and easy-going at the same time. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more.

Heather and Alison were in my last post with the parents. They both have been in the Masters of Biblical Counseling program for the past two years! What a blessing. They have prepared me so much. I love these two girls. More on them when I have better pictures :)

So this past Sunday the three couples went to downtown Raleigh to the "Food Truck Rodeo." 

This was definitely one of the top ten happiest times for Ben. 

Love my Lia. 

The boys had to give a shout out to Dad. Read the fine print.

They say you become who you hang out with...

Not to mention they were all wearing chacos, as well.

"He who walks with the wise grows wise..." Proverbs 13:20

As if we hadn't had enough food, my friends, knowing me and my love for all things sweet - especially Krispy Kreme - took us to the coolest one I've ever been to for a little dessert!

So so thankful for the Lord's sweet provision. 

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Weekend with the Parents!

"God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:8

The famous Duke Chapel

I can't even begin to tell you what a treat it was to have my parents come visit Ben and me! One of the most precious gifts in this world is parents that love you and support you whole-heartedly. I am beyond blessed to have such great relationships with my parents. Dad is wonderfully generous and delights in doing all things "Dad" - driving us everywhere, playing golf with his son-in-law, whooping everyone in the batting cages, and making sure everything is in order and that we have all we need and more. Mom is incredibly loving, intentional, and takes my laugh to a whole new level. She spoils our dog and loves spoiling us, as well.

We started the weekend off with a trip to Duke Gardens and Cameron Indoor (posted above). 

Friday night dinner was such a treat!


I have the best looking parents and husband in the world!

This is one of the only pictures I have with Mom! I'd say it's already my favorite. 

I bet you can't guess what we did the next night!

I'm telling you, we were so spoiled the whole weekend! 

Buck and I have pouted this whole week because our Mom and Mimi are not here anymore! This is how most days started and ended. Mom has a couple of love wounds from Buck.

And sadly, the weekend had to come to an end. After wonderful worship at The Summit church on Sunday morning, we enjoyed lunch with Caleb and Lia Brasher, some of our closest friends here. We spent the evening playing putt putt with some more of our friends, Alison and Heather, and watching the guys relive their glory days in the batting cages! Dad got a piece of every baseball! 

Look at that MS State guy just fitting right in. (That's Caleb btw)

This was such a fun way to end the best weekend so far in Wake Forest. I cried the next morning when my parents left. All the while, though, I was praising the Lord that His will still allows me to talk to them everyday and see them at least a couple of times a year. I am so blessed to have parents who want the Lord's will for my life more than their own or my own. What freedom we have in following Jesus.