Restoration.

Today... Today I just want to brag on one of my favorite girls in this whole wide world. This girl has been on my heart so much lately, and I just want to share a little bit about my life, her life, and our friendship.

Mel.

Oh, Mel. This girl and I have been friends for a LONG time. I can hardly remember life before first grade when we met. Or even sixth grade, when she moved into a house right up the street from mine. When we would get on the same walkie talkie channel every Wednesday night at 9 o' clock just because we could and we thought it was cool. Who knows what we talked about those nights on our walkie talkies. Basketball, school, I don't really know.

Mel and I continued to be friends for the rest of our school years. We weren't always close, we were often bitter, and we were frequently jealous. There were times when Mel and I probably didn't like each other very much. But that's what is so cool about this story.

After leaving Ash Grove and coming to Mizzou, I found God. He was always there, but I couldn't see Him. I had been looking for happiness in all the wrong places and never felt fulfilled by anything. I had been searching harder to find proof of His inexistence than I was for His existence.

One pretty awesome thing about that, is that while I have been here in Columbia and while I was in Colorado growing in my faith and really learning about God, Mel also accepted Christ and was baptized.

Over Thanksgiving break, I saw Mel for the first time since all of that happened in her life. I had the opportunity to talk to her and spend time with her (and the rest of my Ash Grove girls). We, meaning Mel, Morgan, and Brodie for good portion of it, talked for hours until it was WAY TOO LATE. We sat there and talked about things I never imagined talking with her about. And in that moment, I felt so vividly the restoration and healing that God was bringing to our friendship. Ahh, I can't even explain it. I see so much change in her it's unreal. Between the two of us, it was like a new friendship forming, and it made me so excited.

We both decided that probably for the first time, we were actually excited to be friends. I am excited to spend time with her and to keep growing with her. The best part is, she is only one of my friends who has recently decided to start following Christ. I am so stinking pumped to see all of the work the Lord has been and is doing at home.

I am thankful for my time spent with these girls and the ones not pictured this past week.

So for now, that is all.

Love,
Anna.