"None of us can underestimate the importance of our own friendship."
~ S. Michael Wilcox

I read this quote late last night and it has been on my mind ever since.

We moved to a new house about 2 months ago and with it came a new ward. Which meant leaving great friends behind in our other ward. Sure, I still talk to my good friends there, and other good friends around the country, but those were dear friends that lived across the street, that I would see every Sunday, go to lunch with, have play dates with, see at other church activities...oh, I miss them.

So when we moved, I was sad. Again. And I'm still in mourning.

Hubby and I bugged our new leadership to give us callings and they called us as...you guessed it: nursery leaders.

And the most embarrassing thing EVER happened. I cried!

No, seriously, I did. I had no control, it just came out!

You see, serving in the nursery is like being cast into outer darkness. You never see anyone, never get to know anyone new, never get to socialize with the other people in the ward. It's one that I have a tough time with. But of course I'm happy and willing to serve wherever they need me to serve, doing whatever the Lord wants me to do. He knows that he can count on me.

Anyways, I explained to the poor 1st counselor that I didn't hate him, or hate the calling, but that I have been having a hard time making friends and that I really wanted some! I'm a social person, I need friends, I need human interaction. And a girl doesn't get to make friends by serving in the nursery. Sure, I have my hubby serving in the class with me, but for those of you that know my hubby, he's not much for conversation. And he has 3 days off during the week, so him having to listen to me talk for an additional 2 hours on Sunday - I'm the last person he wants to be with. {end rant}

Back to my original thought.

So, I've been pondering that quote. And I was reminded that even though I may not have many friends where I live right now, it's just as meaningful that I be a friend.

And I am a good friend. I care deeply about the few good friendships that I have.

My bestie friend and I have been like sisters since high school, for 15+ years. She sent me a hilarious birthday card last month, the inappropriate kind that only good friends can share. I drove 2+ hours the other day to visit her and her newborn baby girl, and she fought hard to stay awake the entire time I was there. She listens to me complain when I call and I listen to her ramble when she needs to get stress off her chest. I am so thankful for a friend that cares for me the way that I care for her. That's what true friendship is all about.

My treasured talent is that I am a good friend. And maybe that's what I can do for my new ward. I think there's a lot of girls in my ward that could use a good friend. And friendship is the cohesive muck that keeps a ward alive. And even though I don't know many of the sisters, I can be a good friend to the few that I have had the pleasure of meeting, thus far.

But in the meantime she’s a sister
and a teacher and a friend
Hours turn into days that turn to
years that never end
And she wonders when she’ll ever
really find herself again
But she’s becoming one on whom
God can depend ~
. . . In the meantime