Speaking of Friends

I just re-read my last blog post after about a month since I wrote it. I realize that it sounds pretty lonely. I didn't mean to make it sound as though I have no friends here in Finland. On the contrary! I probably have more friends than I can count. It is not friends that I find lacking some days, it is simply a best girl-friend.

You know those days when you are feeling sorry for yourself and you forget to pray to the One who loves us most? That was one of the days. But you know something amazing? He listened to my lonely heart and sent someone to refresh my spirit anyway. He sent me a friend that fit almost every description that I expressed a desire for. As I re-read my blog post, I just couldn't help but smile to myself, and maybe shake my head a little. I should be talking to God about the desires of my heart, and not complaining to the world. 

The week before last, Sari Seppanen from SD stayed at our house before heading back to Sweden. She has been in Scandinavia for a few months, but this was only her second stay in Finland, the first being while her parents were here. I feel so refreshed after her visit. Every day was full of conversation and laughter over many a cup of coffee and slice of pumpkin bread. We both were able to talk as fast as we wanted in our own tongue, using whatever expressions and idioms we wanted without worrying about the language. We stayed up into the wee hours of the morning, and I felt what it was like to get that over-tired hilarity again. Something I hadn't experienced with another friend in such a long time! I was able to be myself to the extent that I could be weird, and share my dumb sense of humor (The one that most of my friends die laughing at in the very same breath that they rolls their eyes and tell me what an idiot I am) and in the next moment be serious and discuss things from the heart. There is something about people laughing at you (in a good way) or with you that makes you feel so appreciated.

Think about it. What do you like about your best friends? Is it that they tell you their troubles, and you tell them yours? or is it because you can laugh together? Same thing about girls looking for a mate... Do you really like guys who just make you laugh? Or do you like the ones who appreciate and laugh at your humor in return?

That's one great thing about my father-in-law. He has made me feel appreciated from the first day I sat and chatted with him, because he laughs a lot. Frank has (jokingly) told me before that he can't understand why his dad laughs at me sometimes because I have such a dumb sense of humor... I blame it on my Matson-Somero mix of blood. It was around that time that I realized how much someone chuckling over something you've said can mean a lot.

just a random photo with a couple of friends