Sad...

When I started the counseling program at Grace I quickly made two very close friends. Janine and Regina. Regina was from Germany, spoke broken English, and was constantly asking us to explain various American slang. Three years later she speaks the slang as well as anyone and is one of my very bestest friends. She has a European way about her that is refreshing and challenging. She is direct in a truthful but kind way and very very insightful. A few weeks back her boyfriend from Germany came and we got to hang out and get to know him. His name is Toby! (we named the dog before they started dating) Lee told Regina that if she didn't marry Toby he would. We were really glad to get to spend time with him and get to know him just a bit. He is a really amazing guy. Last night we headed to Spikes for the last time because Regina is heading back to Germany on Tuesday. I honestly am trying not to think about it too much or I will be really sad and cry. She has been an amazing friend and has experienced probably the most impactful portion of my life with me. She is a one of a kind friend and I hate to think that she'll be overseas in a few short days.
This is the hardest part about being in a transition stage of life. I made two really close friends in the masters program (Regina, Janine), I made two really close friends through working at the college (Amanda, Andrea), and I have one really close friend through church (Kirsten)...... and the only ones that are still here in Warsaw after only three years are Janine and Kirsten. The saddest part is neither of THEM plan to live here much longer either. As I think about how much I cherish each one of these women and their impact in my life I wonder......how long will it be before the Lord settles us in a place where other people are settled and we can do life together for more than just a few years. And as I tear up.... I think, each of these women are so special, will I ever have friends like these close by again? I can't imagine so. I can try to stay in touch with them all but it isn't the same. Thankfully I have three best friends who are stuck with me: Lee, my mom, and sister.....who can help me get through transition after transition of good friends moving away. The Lord has blessed me abundantly with friendships unlike any I have ever experienced since I've moved here and I just have to remember that it is better to keep investing where you are at than it is to hold back for fear of losing something.