The Best of Folks

It was our Georgia turn for Thanksgiving this year. We decided to break up the drive and stay in Memphis a night both there and back. If you track it with me, that means driving through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina to get where we were going. Isn't that wonderful? I mean is there a better region of America to re-connect with than the whole entire south?? Farmhouses galore, rolling hills with SEE ROCK CITY painted all over their barns, random mammoth fireworks stations, the most beautiful lakes and rivers, and a Chick-fil-a at every exit. If that isn't enough, almost every state has a group of the most wonderful people you or I will ever meet (my apologies Louisiana - I don't know any of you yet). Case in point, it was quite purposeful that we steered to Memphis. After living there 10 years it's hard not to get close to people - especially ones as loving and wise as these families we were fortunate to do life with.

When we all started together, Josh was just a little guy and Greg and I were leading a new small group at our church. What a blessing these folks came along. We went through a lot together, living out Acts 2:42-47. We served the community, studied God's word, prayed achingly, ate barbecued ribs, baby-showered a LOT, played hard, and even wept together at the funeral of one of our own. Many of us have gone on to new places but I am happy to say that each of these couples are now leading small groups of their own. Woot woot and glory to God!

This is sweet Amy, one of my bestest and dearest friends. We go back before the small group started. We stayed at their house while we were there and here's one reason why I love her. When we walked into her guest room, all 4 walls were covered in pictures of us together!! Wish I had a picture of THAT - it was awesome! One of the pictures was of me holding their newborn Ainsley Elizabeth, my precious little namesake. Look how she has grown, that little cutie patootie. Love her and her big sis!

Even with long spans between visits, it's amazing how the bond unified in the Spirit can make the years seamless. It's been true of every point along the way of the Banks Adventure. And that's a lot of southern highways. :)