The Farm

These are our good friends who live far away on a big ol' piece of land.  They are some of the finest folks you'll ever meet and yesterday we got the invite to come play for the day.

We loaded up and set out on the hour long drive to their land.  My kids have taken to calling them Uncle Kenny & Aunt Sandra which is code for they are really cool people!!!  Sandra is quite the chef.  She made the most perfect chocolate chip cookies I have ever eaten.  They were the perfect combination of real butter, salt and chocolate.  There were piles and piles of cookies and only a small crumb left on the plate when we left.

We walked the trails, stomped through the brook, used the outhouse, picnicked at Cedar Grove which is the flat little area by the babbling brook.  Last night we all fell in bed tired and happy with rosy cheeks after a day full of friends and sunshine.

There is just no substitute for spending time with good friends who love Jesus.  We haven't always been surrounded with godly friends who encourage us and challenge us, but these last years we have been doubly blessed at the friendships that have developed in our lives.

If you don't have those close friendships, the best way is to get plugged into a small group at your church.  The next best way is to invite folks over to your house.  Either for dessert or dinner.  The other next best thing to do, which technically should be the first best thing on the list, is to pray and ask God to give your family good, godly friends. 

We've prayed for our family to be united with families whom we respect.  We want our kids growing up with other adults who love Jesus and live to serve him.  Having all boys, we especially want them to have lots of examples of godly men in their lives.

The three families represented on the couch in the picture are some of our very best friends.  My friend Tiff and I chatted it up the whole way there and back.  The kids did the same thing in the back.  Our families all love each other and it's awesome! 

And just when I think my week couldn't possibly get any better, I end up eating an order of pintos and cheese with a spork at lunch today.