FELLOWship

Can you see them out there?

It’s Kevin and our friend (and avid fisherman), Tommy. Apparently misty mornings like the one we had today make for the best fishing, so Kev bundled up and met him by the dock as soon as he arrived.

I rushed out there to snap that photo of them as they made their way across the lake because I love witnessing moments like that one. I love witnessing my husband being a friend, and I love witnessing people being a friend to him. 

Kev always says that I’ve “never met a stranger”, and I think that he is definitely one of the sweetest guys in the galaxy, but it seems like the older & busier we get, the more challenging it is to make close friends. Do you know what I mean?

I think that’s why I love what’s happening in that first photo so much. When I look at into it, I see two people that met less than a year ago, but already feel like they go way back. I see two people being intentional about carving out time to cultivate quality calm together. I see one guy that genuinely loves sharing his trusty old boat, and another guy that’s willing to give fishing a try because he knows this Trip isn’t just about the fish.

I didn’t realize it when I snapped them on my way home from the lake, but I see connection and growth when I look at into these next two pictures:

…and if you look real close, you can see those same things up there in that first picture, too. #GoodStuff

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39 Responses to FELLOWship

1. Liz Reid says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 1:22 am

   Love all your Design and DYI posts Layla. Thank you. I know what you mean about friendships; always important to nourish them, but it is harder with so many other demands on our time!
   I am intrigued by that huge tree in front of the lake; the one with the ‘Dr Seuss’ foliage! Do you know what it is?

   

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   • Nancy says:

     Feb 23, 2013 at 8:04 am

     The foliage that you see is spanish moss, a parasitic moss that grows on many different kinds of trees in the deep south. You can often buy pkgs of it in craft stores and is it used in flower arranging. I don’t know what that particular tree is though.

     

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   • Haley says:

     Feb 23, 2013 at 2:18 pm

     That is Spanish Moss. But it is not parasitic. It is an epiphyte, or air plant. It gets it nutrients and water from the air/rainfall.

     

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2. Pam H. says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 1:42 am

   Hi
   First I want to say how much I have enjoyed your blog. I stumbled upon it today and read through all the posts going back to when you moved into your new home. You write beautifully and obviously straight from your heart. I loved Kevin’s song and would have donated happily if I had PayPal. I wish you all the best as you go forward with the adoption process. Your future child is blessed!
   I have a question, is your magazine available to purchase. My iPad doesn’t.’t have flash so I couldn’t open it.

   

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3. Lynda says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 2:16 am

   The photos are great. I love the connection you’ve made in the story with them. What a blessing!

   

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4. Fiona, Lilyfield Life says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 2:19 am

   beautiful thoughts and beautiful sentiment. although I’ve made some beautiful close friends with other mums at school that I didn’t expect to. I think it’s about still allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to new ideas. and getting out of our comfort zones…and maybe you’ll have fish for dinner as well
   happy saturday
   Fiona xx

   

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5. Kristy says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 7:22 am

   This is so deep! I, too, love when my husband spends time with someone so good for him and that he is good for. How neat! Indeed, as we get older it is harder to make close friends. We’ve had the same problems as well and then when kids enter the picture, at least when they are younger, it makes it even harder. But we meet the BEST friends because we’ve learned what real friends are. Have a great weekend!

   

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6. Julie B. [Holland] says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 7:52 am

   love the photos and the meaning behind them . I think certain people are sent into our lives at the right time for reasons we dont understand at the time.

   

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7. Nancy says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 7:59 am

   I smiled when I read “he bundled up” to go fishing as my DH just left with our 9yr old DS to go ice fishing and they really had to bundle up!

   I know what you mean about friendship, although my mother who just turned 80 has friends that she has known for more than 60 years. Sometimes when you become friends with your kids friends parents, when the kids drift apart, so does your friendship.

   

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8. Mary @ Finding Healthy Hope says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

   i love witnessing how God is working in your heart, drawing you closer to Him.
   i know this post isn’t about that, necessarily, but i can just feel it!
   xo

   

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9. Siobhan says:

   Feb 23, 2013 at 9:47 am

   What a beautiful insight! Thanks for sharing!

   

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10. Lisa says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 9:51 am

    What a beautiful post. I love your thoughts and photography.

    

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11. gina says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 10:16 am

    you’ll be so surprised at how many close friends you will make while raising your child. there is just such a special bond between parents going through the same things at the same time. you’ll find the ones you bond with early will be lifelong friends!

    

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12. sarah says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 10:32 am

    This was beautiful and lovely and true. Thank you for this glimpse and reminder. Happy weekend to you!

    

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13. Mary says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 11:28 am

    Layla,

    I have never written to you before, even though you ‘talk’ to me all the time. I am a HUGE fan of your work, but it is your heart that often makes mine sing. Your insight to life and your willingness to share yours with so many is a true gift. This particular post showed how truly deep you roll, girl. Thanks for opening the window of your life for all of us to peek in

    Mary

    

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14. Katie says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Ah, Layla.. there’s true beauty! in both the moment and the reflection. It’s post like this that keep me reading. As much as I love all the beautiful home shots, this takes the cake. Thanks for always opening your heart to us. Love, Katie

    

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15. Rene says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    My husband and I were just talking about how hard it is to make close friends as adults. So glad you all have found some:)

    

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16. Corinne says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    What beautiful words and beautiful pictures…
    thank you so much for sharing, Corinne

    

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17. Debbie says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Beautiful story about a beautiful day. We sometimes forget that men need good friends also. My husband and I have moved several times in our marriage and we now comment on how much easier it is to make friends when you are younger or have children at home. We now live in a small town where we have been for 16 years and are still newcomers. Try to cherish moments with new friends. Also, remember that someone else may need a new friend.

    

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18. Mindy says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I love it when guys fellowship and connect like that. I agree that life can get so busy, or we let it get so busy, that time spent with other’s goes out the window. We had unexpected visitors the other evening and it reminded me how much we need each other, how we were not created to be alone…Thanks for sharing Layla!

    

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19. Amber says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    You are so correct in your words. I bet they both had a great time. Did ya have fish for dinner?

    

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20. Peggy says:

    Feb 23, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    Beautiful – It’s almost Sunday here in St. Louis – was able to chat with my son in Afghanistan – he is making these deep connections as he connects with the men at his post and prepares for his group to arrive. Thank you for your inspiring words tonight.

    

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21. Julie B.[Holland] says:

    Feb 24, 2013 at 1:26 am

    xxx

    

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22. mary beth says:

    Feb 24, 2013 at 5:59 am

    Great thoughts! I think it’s especially hard for men to make those heart connections with other men, so Kudos to Kevin for responding to the outreach!

    

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23. teresa says:

    Feb 24, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    I can’t tell you how this struck me this afternoon as I was reading your post. My closest friend died of cancer last week. Since I am considerably older than you, I really do feel that the older I get the harder it is to make close friendships (the kindred spirit kind). I had been thinking about that all week.
    I can tell you make friends easily. I feel like you are one of my best friends and we don’t even know each other! To hear me talk about your blog to my daughters, they would agree. They know you by first name, now. grin….
    Thanks for the thoughts today, Layla. Luff you bunches!

    

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24. angela says:

    Feb 24, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    Please pray for Brittany Vollmers . She lost her parents and siblings in a car crash. She was away at college.

    

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25. Julie B. [Holland] says:

    Feb 25, 2013 at 10:36 am

    Layla can you tell me why my name and email wont stay anymore in the comment section? I have to enter it everytime I want to leave a comment. Thanks

    

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    • Layla says:

      Feb 25, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Boy, I’m not sure about that, Julie. I’m terrible when it comes to tech-y stuff!

      

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      • Julie B. [Holland] says:

        Feb 25, 2013 at 3:49 pm

        ok thanks layla , it happened in the last week or so.

        

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26. Jen M says:

    Feb 25, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Seriously, where do you live? It looks like your neighbourhood is straight out of a story book and I love it!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Feb 25, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      Sweet home Alabama, Jen! We recently relocated from Prattville to Pike Road and we are loving being out in the sticks!

      

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27. hello haha narf says:

    Feb 25, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    spectacular photo up there at the top. and i love the words you wrote about it. xoxo

    

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28. Wendy Hogan says:

    Feb 25, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    I just shared with a friend a week or so ago how hard it has been moving 5 times in 3 years. We are just hitting 40 (wow) with 3 boys 12, 8, and 5. We’ve had warm welcomes and promises of “let’s get together soon” and no follow through. Life is busy, we get that. We’ve also been told “my friend card is full”. Really.

    Coming “home” has been equally challenging. So, I very much appreciated this post.

    w

    

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29. tara Lowry says:

    Feb 25, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Layla…..i love how you love kevin and how he loves you..what a true picture of grace you guys share in your marriage. I’m so grateful for sweet friendships…and I agree, the older we get and the busier we get, it is harder. I’m So grateful for the friends in our lives!!!

    I still can’t believe that you guys live out in Pike Road….we lived out there, too, when we lived there 12 years ago….we actually lived in Bridlebrook farms…it was our first house right out of seminary. that was back when pike road really was the sticks.

    it’s grown so much now! I have a doctor that I have seen on and off for 12 years when my back starts to give me fits…Dr. Theresa Allen..she’s WONDERFUL.

    We also have sweet friends who live out in Pike Road…out Carter Hill Road.

    

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30. Jude says:

    Feb 26, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Love the natural beauty and sentiments shared in this post…heart-warming to see through your talented daughter’s eyes

    

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31. Chrissy says:

    Feb 26, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Beautiful pictures!

    I’m glad that Kev is making a close friend. A lot of the time, it’s harder for men to form close bonds with other men when they get older.

    

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32. Darcy says:

    Feb 26, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    I’m so excited for you and where you are at spiritually. All the wonderful insights that God has been giving you about the everyday ordinary things is so refreshing and a perfect testimony to the work He is doing in you!

    God’s abundant blessings to you, your hubs, and your little sweetie!

    Darcy

    

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33. Jenny says:

    Mar 4, 2013 at 9:38 am

    My husband and son are excited to go fishing again and they had to bundle up, too. I love watching them go together. In a couple of weeks, we’ll all be building a backyard deck so it’s a good time for them to unwind a bit before this major project starts.

    

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34. Lorraine says:

    Mar 22, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Stopping by for the first time and enjoyed perusing your sweet blog! SO nice to meet you and look forward to visiting again

    Kindly, Lorraine

    

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