#1 The Friend Factor
Ah, those lovely friends that stick with you through thick and thin. I know everyone is saying the friends as their highlight, but in reading two recent books (21 secrets to finding your soul mate and Rediscover Catholicism), I began thinking of a phrase I read in the former that really made me think a bit:
"Find your bridesmaids before your groom"
Seeing as it's every girl's dream to find her guy, this made me jump a bit, and I thought it was actually really fascinating. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, spending time with God and my simply cosmic friends this past summer made me realize that it is OK to wait! It really is! Using a deduction process from Regina Doman's Waking Rose I figured it out the same as Rose did: "There are billions of men in this world, and millions near my age. Maybe hundreds who are compatible with me, maybe at least a dozen who would want to date me. There's got to be at least five in on the continent who I would be happy marrying." Well, I'm content to wait until God hands me one of those five. Until then, I have the most amazing people in the world who are sticking by me.
In the latter of the two afore mentioned books, I read about a man's father said to him "If you find five true friends in this world, you are very blessed." A peculiar statement - don't most people have dozens of friends? He continued to say, however, that a true friend is not someone who always thinks the way you do and does what you want. It is someone who challenges you to make you be the VERY BEST person you possibly can. All I can say is that, I must have some true friends, because being around my very favorite people this year has really made me aware of my shortcomings in light of their virtues, and made me seriously humbled sometimes and rethinking myself. But not only do they encourage me to be better, they are always there for me and love me for who I am, even when I'm not being a the best I can be - more like a stinker.
And speaking of true friends, in a marvelous turn of events that have a fascinating tale that I won't get into because I'm already writing too much, the only friends that I have known my ENTIRE life recently moved from their three-day drive time home in Colorado to the mere four-hour drive time house in Steaubanville, Ohio (where I was born). I hadn't seen them in three years, and was blessed to see them twice just two weeks apart this summer! They are an amazing blessing and are truly inspiring in their goodness and grace. Christ shines through them like they were lit up by a star.
#2 The Not-Social Summer
Now I didn't get to see everyone as much as I would have liked, but it gave me the chance to pursue what I honestly think is my entire family's favorite (and expected to be favorite) pastime - that is, reading. I've always loved to read, but this summer I leapt deep into the world of not only classics but also family favorites that kept me not only occupied, but led me on a wild hunt through a thousand different lands that made me think and dream in a different fashion than my previous years. It was amazing to read the classical literature that has survived centuries of readers - some scary, some sad, some epic. I hope to do even more this school year and next summer.
But of course, knowing me, I require other stimulation. That is, the ever present screen. Watching movies has actually not been a pastime in my family for anyone except me and possible my brother. But I have gone to see movies with my friends also this year, and seen them at home. Possibly I have watched some of the best films I have ever seen this year, and have discovered that dramas are my favorite kind of film. If anyone needs a recommendations for movies that make you cry, laugh and really think, I can give a few suggestions. God has truly blessed my summer, and I hope he has blessed yours!
Don't summers just get better and better?
-Rhian
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