The importance of friends

This morning I awakened to the echoing coos of the pigeon that sits on top of the chimney (I honestly think he sticks his beak down the chimney and coos!)
Today I went along to a women's bible study group at St John's. It was good to meet some new friends.
It is a little bit lonely during the transition phase when you move to a new place. Things seems a little bit weird, and you go from having a close circle of friends to having a few friends dotted about the place. It has been good to have the support of coming back to my church that I attended here previously, and in particular the friendships that I left behind are now flourishing.
I have relocated back and forth quite a few times in the past years, and with it my social skills and confidence have improved a lot! It involves finding groups or classes that interest you and just go along. This may sound like common sense to most people but I was very shy when I first came here and for me it still takes a lot of courage to walk into a room where I know no one and make the effort to start making friends.
May I make a suggestion? This week, take the time to let a friend know how much you appreciate having them in your life. It could be as simple as a note, or a cup of hot chocolate.
God bless
love jill
xoxo