Anyone who has known me for awhile at this point clearly understands that I love and desire to live in Asheville, North Carolina at some point in my life. This desire only intensified during the past 48 hours I spent there visiting Chris and Caroline with Katie, and Matty. For the past two years I have speckled visits down to visit these beloved friends, and each time I leave with this permeating feeling in my heart that says "Kari, just do it". It doesn't help that I get periodic encouragement and accountability to this idea from the McGlades themselves! I went into the weekend thinking very much about the state of sensitivity in my heart in regards to my location. I knew that I would love it there and want to live there. I did not expect Matt talk about moving there as well, but hey if I could relocate all my BFF's that'd be great in the process.
While there are many things that I am thankful for during my four year run on Young Life staff, I am most thankful for the relationships that have formed through the ministry and those friendships that have sustained themselves outside of working at camps now that I am no longer on staff. Caroline and I first met as Retail Managers, and I drew such encouragement in having someone to share the highs and lows of the job with, that it didn't take long for a friendship to grow outside of t-shirt colors and gift shows. The friendship that I have formed with both her and her husband Chris has been a bright light among the many people I have come in contact in the past few years, and I treasure them deeply. Enjoying them on my own is also a treat, but this weekend having Matt and Katie also there for the road trip was such an added bonus. Our friendships are all different with each other, but we collectively laughed, ate delicious food, and maintained a very similar rhythm of fun. I enjoyed them tremendously. We had such a great time that upon arriving back in VA, the three of us coordinated a game night to continue the fun!
During this time of travel in the past 8 months (I can't believe that, but seriously) I have not spent much time investing in all of my friendships equally. I have taken for granted the ease and comfort in some that had become second nature. Spending time with Matt this past weekend was one of the parts I knew was going to be important. Our friendship has changed so much over the years, but the toll of distraction and schedules had really made our friendship routine. This weekend during story sharing, and laughing I could only thank the Lord that somehow we had allowed each other to grow up and beyond what we were used too... and I was thankful. So tonight when I was updating the girls on all things fun of the weekend, I was honest and said that one of the best parts was the friendship from Virginia that got to spend some quality face time in a town we sincerely love in North Carolina.
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