TWO NEW FRIENDS

 Don't you love the way the clouds cast shadows,
but the sun is always shining on top!

Hubby and I had a great trip to Winnipeg, our home town!  While Peter was spending special treasured times with his brother and sister, I made arrangements for a few dates for myself.

I met for morning coffee with my childhood friend Barb and we took hours catching up on the latest.  Special times, memories, sharing challenges and promises to pray for one another!
 
In the evening we were invited to attend the 50th Anniversary of my sister-in-law's sister.  A lovely celebration of their married life. Their three sons and grandchildren did an amazing job on the program!  It was also a fun time for us as we could visit with folks we were together with in youth group at our home church! What a blessing!

Sunday we attended church and for dinner my hubby's whole extended family shared a delicious meal and good fellowship.  We enjoyed the warm breezes in their lovely garden - bedding plants waiting to be planted soon - apple trees snowing petals and lilacs ready to perfume the air!

Then on Monday evening was a special occasion that was a first in my life. I had been following Ruth's Photo blog almost since I started blogging.  I loved her and Jake's photography - the birds, the flowers, the seasons. I learned so much from her about Manitoba and particularly southern Manitoba that I never paid attention to when I was growing up there.  Her posts always touched my heart. Our daughter and her family had lived near to where Ruth lived and I had a special interest because of that. Having read posts of others who met with fellow bloggers, I promised myself that the next time I visited Winnipeg I was going to make a special effort to meet up with Ruth, drive down myself and see the area where she lives. She was particularly always on my mind when her sweetheart Jake passed away and my heart ached for her loss. They had done this blog together and I prayed that the Lord would be her strength in this valley of grief and loss.

 Getting the cameras ready!!

Because we flew, however, and didn't rent a car, it was Ruth who willingly agreed to drive to the city so that we could meet. We made arrangements to meet at the mall that is close to my in-laws. I got there a little early to look at all the mall improvement and even bought myself a new wallet at Bentley's. Then I settled in to do some people watching until Ruth and her sister arrived.  Had no idea from which direction they would approach, so I kept looking around every few moments. I was totally excited to be meeting someone who I admired through her blog!!  From her profile pic I knew I was looking for a pretty lady with white hair.

Ruth and Karin

On my next look to my right were two lovely, younger ladies just walking past a wide post.  My eyes locked on hers as she rounded the corner and we knew instantly!

 So glad Becky, Ruth's sister, kept her company on the trip up!

Lovely to get two new friends in one visit!

 Introductions, welcome hugs, laughter followed and before we even thought of food or drink we spent a half hour chatting as if we had known each other for years! The food court offered all the options a person could want! We ordered and enjoyed our meal, keeping up with the give and take of heart-to-heart conversation of three sisters in the Lord. Because we had been reading each others blogs for so long we already knew quite a bit - just like 'old-fashioned pen-pals' we said!

I'm so thankful that Ruth was willing to meet, that her sister joined in the fun, and that neither one of us had any misgivings!  There was such joy and encouragement!  The time flew by much too quickly and we said our farewells - definitely not good-byes - for Christians never meet for the last time.