Wow, almost a full year since my last post!

A whole year since my last post! A feeling that I began to experience about a month ago is beginning to get stronger and stronger: I am falling in love with this place. Not sure how or why or what it will all bring, but yes, I am falling in love with Kansas! I was driving about 40 miles southwest of home today to see a patient and the feeling I had as I viewed the wind dancing in the fields of amber topped wheat was glorious! And I noticed about a month ago when I was driving about 50 miles northwest of home for my foot clinic day in Hutchinson, that I found myself thinking "this place really is beautiful". I love seeing far into the distance across the prairie or the farmland, with the big sky spread all around. So that's the landscape. But what is really grabbing my heart are the wonderful relationships we are building. The beauty I am seeing in the landscape around me pales in comparison to the beauty of casual friendships growing into rich, deep relationships. I am once again reminded of the sage advice given to me by a dearly respected co-worker (who had also moved several times) when we moved from NJ to Georgia: "Andrea, I can't think of any of those friends I wouldn't have wanted to make." So, while I sometimes bemoan the fact that I don't have many life long friends, I cherish the seasoning that having cherished friends in 6 "homes" gives to my life and I find myself heartily agreeing with that dear friend. And I am thankful that God is placing a dear love for this newest home deep into my heart and soul. I wonder what His plans are?