Friendship With Bill and Karen

Aren't they a cute couple? They still are. This is Bill and Karen Smith and that picture was taken in the late 70's in Anchorage. Bill was stationed at Ft. Richardson, Karen at Elemendorf. They met at the church Jim and I were attending. After a few weeks of seeing them at church, we just had to invite them to our house to get acquainted. Unknown to us, Bill and Karen had decided they just had to meet us. We headed over to where they were and they were walking toward us. Our meeting was a God thing. Karen said, "We just had to meet you." Our 30 year bond started with that meeting. There is a scripture in Psalms that states, God puts the solitary in families, and that's the way we looked at the military in Anchorage.

Bill is a Scot, and Karen is Boston Irish. Whoa!!! That says a whole lot doesn't it? It's really simple to get acquainted and build relationships with new people; dinners, game nights, church functions, long talks about dreams, vision, pain, joy. It's easy to see when God has bonded you with people, the friendship lasts through everything, including decades.

We were blessed to be at their wedding and further blessed to visit Karen in the hospital when their first baby, David was born. There have been three others born to them. David is married, served honorably in the Washington National Guard, with one year in a tank unit in Iraq four or five years ago. Their other kids are Joanna, Ian and Morgan.

We lost track of each other when we left Alaska in 1980. Bill and Karen moved to Talkeetna after Bill got out of the army, and then moved to the east coast to New Hampshire and worked at carpentry. About fifteen years ago, we got a call from Bill. They had an opportunity to move out west again, it's in their blood! Our conversation just picked up where we left off in 1980. Bill joined the Oregon National Guard and worked as a recruiter for years and then retired a few years ago. He and Karen and the kids built a beautiful home in the woods in SW Washington, off the Columbia River. We spent one July 4th with them by the river watching the fireworks. What memories.

Here's the thing about this friendship. Jesus has always been at the center of our relationship. Whatever either family has gone through, we have been there for each other. Been some pretty hairy stuff too. There has been great, funny moments and moments when you hold your breath. There has always been prayer for each family. We talk about silly stuff, but serious stuff too. We can say anything to each other and know it's ok. Here's another thing about Bill and Karen. When you love Bill and Karen, you love their kids and dogs too. You even love their families even though we have not met all of them. We've been there for David and Amy's happy wedding in Portland a few years ago. Karen and I have been at a beach house in Lincoln City with other women from her church several times. We have shared life, whatever it brings. Jim and I treasure Bill, Karen and their children. They are part of us. That is the work that Jesus does.

There is a lot of loneliness today. I pray that you will find this kind of friendship, the kind that lasts for more than thirty years. Cultivate the friendships you have now. Trust. Share your dreams with your friends, exhort, encourage and give in Jesus name. Be loyal. Be proud when it's time to be proud, be compassionate and honest with friends. Friendship is a reward from the Lord that comes out of fellowship. Never give up on friends.