refrigerator friends

over the past few days i have spent a lot of time with the guys and ladies of our summit connect group and it has reminded me of how grateful i am for those people. they make up the majority of our blog readers too, so refrigerator friends, this one goes out to you.

i had been in a number of "small groups" and bible studies in my life, and they had all been pretty good. we met once a week. we talked about the bible, god, life. we prayed for each others grandmas. and then we left and went to meet up with our real friends to have fun afterwards. i expected about the same when we joined our summit connect group, but now 2 years later i am amazed at how my perception of a small group has been changed. together we have walked through a wedding, moves, job changes, pregnancies, babies, painting projects, foreclosures, tough family situations, holidays together, and so much more. the folks in our group are the people who received text message updates, practically by the minute, on the day janie was born. they are the friends who walk straight to the refrigerator upon entering our house, because i'd be offended if they felt like they had to ask for a drink. they are the ones our kids will call aunts and uncles despite there being no blood relation. they are the people with whom we have been given an opportunity to live life together and they have done a pretty rocking job at doing just that.

as most of you know, about a week and a half ago sweet ava hunter was diagnosed with brain cancer (you can read more about that and know more specifically how you can pray for her and her family on her dad's blog). while the rest of us 'fridge friends can't possibly imagine what josh, lisa, noah and ava are going through, we will walk the long road ahead beside them, praying all the way and learning a lot in the process. i think i speak on behalf of our entire group when i say that already, we have been amazed and challenged by josh and lisa's strength, grace and faithfulness in all of this. seriously, they are absolutely incredible. we are so blessed to be a part of this community of people and i hope i never forget it.