Knoxville

I was walking out of class the other day thinking about everything I needed to do-- printing out the notes I never got to, calling work because I won't be in town this weekend, a date I was going on later that evening, blah blah blah. I checked my phone and saw that one of the newest loves of my life, Caitlyn, had called from Knoxville. I suddenly found myself smiling as I called her back and the more rings that came and went, the more anxious I was for her to pick up the phone.

As a quick update-- I met Caitlyn this summer in Cambodia, and was roommates with her for about two weeks in Vietnam. Basically, we clicked right away and knew almost instantly that our future paths would cross in some way or another. Either that, or I would abduct her and force her to be my roommate here in sunny San Diego. But that's another story...

We updated each other fairly quickly as I walked back to my car and she mentioned some awesome stuff going on in her life. She asked me to keep her in my prayers and of course, I said that I would. Then I remembered my Bible study from this past week. We had read 1 Corinthians 11 and discussed the importance of praying for people who not only needed it, but asked for it. And we challenged each other this week to pray for someone right on the spot if they needed prayer. Well, here was my chance. It had been months since I'd done this, and even though I knew Caitlyn was extremely dedicated to Christ, for some reason there was still a level of nervousness going through my brain. Yet, as I was praying, the words just.. flowed. 

Oh, so what does this have to do with anything? Well, I'm flying out to Knoxville tomorrow morning, bright and early, to stay with Caitlyn and her family for a few days, as well as with some other close friends I made this past summer in Cambodia and Vietnam. It's a miracle, really, that I'm even able to go over there just to see them. And even though I'm pretty sure I have no role, but to go hang out, listen to some awesome testimonies, and I don't think I've been this excited about seeing anyone this much in a long long time. More updates to come during and after the trip... I heard bungee jumping may be involved :)

Lizzy

So, a few days ago my friend Lizzy was in town and I was SO super excited to see her. I mean, it's been over a year now since I moved from Philly, and most definitely over a year since she'd let me crash at her parents house, or since I've gotten in trouble with them for showing up too late at night and never speaking to them again. But that's another story. And I am sorry Lizzy for putting your embarrassment in blog-form for the public to see. But not really.

Anywhoo, as I drove up to her sister's apartment complex, she came walking up the driveway looking like she just stepped out of a magazine, as always. I suddenly had the thought, "What the heck are we going to talk about?" You know, that strange feeling you get when you're about to meet up with someone you haven't seen in a wicked long time. (yes, wicked). Will things still be the same? Will there be awkward pauses and small talk? I hate awkward small talk. Oh crap, she just got in the car. "HEYYYY!" 

The small talk in the car wasn't so bad. As we drove up to the tiny restaurant for breakfast I heard Lizzy's, "Oooh.." and knew instantly that I was going out of my mind and being absolutely ridiculous and we'd have a great time. Duh Tiffani.We sat down outside even though it was chilly and overcast, looked at Lizzy and casually asked how her trip was. Oh, did I forget to mention? She just came back from traveling the better part of Southeast Asia, no biggie. I actually didn't know she was overseas until she was in the car mentioning it. Before I knew it, we were transported back to her room again talking like old times as she updated me on the past year and a half I'd missed. As it turns out, she's been going through a lot of the same stuff I have. Trying to figure life out, realizing the medical field actually kinda sucks and switching majors, boy issues (ugh, don't even get me started), and what to do after you've heard God's call. 

Then the conversation switched to me so that Lizzy could eat her waffles, and I spilled most of my guts all over the table of the past couple years, and it was then that I realized just how much we had in common, and what do you do after you've heard God's call to live in a place halfway across the world? I mean, we're both still in school, not remotely ready to move to Southeast Asia even though I'm pretty sure the both of us would do it in a heartbeat. 

Then Lizzy brought up something that I said that I only really said in passing, but it kind of became the theme to our whole morning together: God sends us the right people at the right time. I didn't think twice about it when I said it, but I'm so glad that Lizzy was encouraged to hear something seemingly so insignificant to me. And it wasn't just an encouragement to her, but as it kept coming up in conversation, I looked back and realized just how true it was. And right there, was Lizzy sitting right across from me, encouraging me in ways she'll never understand and letting me share my dreams and my fears with her. Listening right when I needed someone to listen, right when I felt like I was constantly surrounded by guy friends, and missing home in Philly just a tad. Right there in front of me-- God had sent me someone that I needed to hear from at the perfect time.

There is a chance that I won't see Lizzy again for a very long time, but hey, I'm sure that if we don't meet up somewhere in the states, we'll find each other when we're both finally on the other side of the world.