Abbie Not Abigail

This girl. This girl right here has been one of the biggest blessings that has come into my life this last semester. From the moment we were the "awkward girls" at the crossroads college group on that cold and dreary January night, I knew that this friendship was going to blossom. There are always those few people that you meet and you just click with. Right away. That was Bethany in my life.

Last night I had the amazing opportunity to go to the Hillsong concert. Never before have I experienced worship with so many people. Hundreds of believers, hands in the air, eyes closed in genuine, heart felt worship. There was one point in the night when the band sang "The Stand". I think everyone with two arms in the place had them lifted in the air during that song. As we sang about surrendering everything we have to Christ and giving all we are to the "the One who gave it all" I was so overwhelmed with emotion. With my hands up and tears running down my face I reached over and grabbed Bethanys hand that was raised next to mine. What really hit me in that moment was this sense of gratitude to Christ. Gratitude for bringing Bethany into my life and having this friend, who in the last 6 months, has really challenged me in my faith, kept me accountable on things that I knew needed to change and has shown me what having joy in Christ looks like. There are few friends who will actually call you out when they see you messing up, who genuinely care about where you are in life. Bethany is one of those friends for me.

When I say she's contagious, I really mean it. If you want to know someone who can't get enough of being out in the sun, loves and I mean LOVES the beach, has a heart for people and finds laughter to be the cure for just about any mood you're in, then bethany is your girl. Bethany, I know you're reading this and as I read through what I've already wrote it kind of sounds like I'm trying to sell you on a dating website or something haha. not the case. ( especially due to the fact that you have a boy who loves you more than anything in this world!) I just want you to know how truly blessed I feel to have you in my life, and what an impact you've had on me in just the half a year that I've known you. You have such a contagious spirit about you.

Thanks for forcing me out of bed in the mornings to train for the daunting half marathon.
Thanks for the roof sit chats.
Thanks for laughing at pointless things with me.
Thanks for making me purge a lot of my clothes, even while I glared at you because I thought I needed to keep half of them that I never wear.
Thanks for your creativity and introducing us to a whole new world of crafts ;)
Thanks for letting me steal the word "piss" in everything I say...
Thanks for your generosity and showing me that I don't need to hold on to all these stupid worldly possessions that I do have.
Thanks for showing me what having patience and trust looks like in the way you've handled the brokenness in your own life.
Thanks for your random cards filled with encouragement on bad days.
Thanks for being you.

I love you to the moon and back girl.