About 2 months ago my friend and I were talking about finances. She said to me, "Tell me what you need." I told her. Without hesitation she helped. She didn't think twice.
Last week it was my turn to step up to the plate for her. She was in a tough spot so I decided to get a ticket to visit her in Chicago. Flights were super cheap and she needed a friend.
We spent a lot of time talking and trying to figure out how to get her out of the mess that is surrounding her. When she got sick of talking, we hung out.
Unfortunately, the stomach flu was running rampant in Chicago, so she spent the last few days in bed. Nothing was solved, but she seemed to be in better shape when I left. Mission accomplished.
There wasn't much I could do for her while she was sick, so I avoided the stomach flu germs by staying with another waitress from that Cajun restaurant. I haven't seen this friend since the mid 90's. All of these years later, we still have a special friendship. It's like we used to be many years ago, only better. We have matured, healed, and grown up to be pretty cool people!
We organized a little reunion. One night they took me out to a fancy sushi restaurant. It was AMAZING. I've had good sushi, but this was incredible.
The next morning we had a brunch. Three of the guests called off sick, so it was small, but perfect. We spent all day eating and catching up.
After spoiling me rotten all weekend, this morning my friend took me to the airport at 5:30 a.m. I traveled back across the country in a mental fog, happy to be headed to Salt Lake, but sad to be leaving behind my new old friends.
In Salt Lake I am staying with a woman who got baptized with me in Honduras in 2008. She invited me to attend her small group meeting tonight. It was a nice ending to my day. I feel more settled in and refocused.
My time in the US hasn't been as I expected. Especially over the past week or so. It feels like I am running around putting out forest fires. Or trying to, because the truth is that some of my friends are facing horrific situations. I have no idea how to help. But God put me in their lives for a reason, and brought me close to them at this time. All I can do is keep my heart and mind open, and allow God to move through me.
