lauren and I-35

i feel the need to write again. a super good friend and sister of mine called me unexpectedly today. i say unexpectedly because 1) she just left the dominican and haiti, and is now travelling on her way to mexico. and 2) i didnt think she had her phone or if she did that she would be able to call. but nevertheless, she called and the first words i hear are "i am in your town!! i just saw a huge sign that said welcome to ---!!!" of course, i was slow to believe that this girl from minnesota, who was just previously out of the country would be in my small little hick town smack dab in the middle of texas. which happens to be one of the largest, if not the largest state in the U.S.A. so here's to you Interstate 35. you bring people together in this world and we never stop to thank you. thank you 35 for keeping us all somehow oddly enough connected. i salute you. and lauren, here's to you. thank you for serving without second thought. you are a blessing. know that i am praying for you and anxiously awaiting a phone call for when you return on good ol' I-35. you should try convincing them that my town is really a superb place to stop and eat. really, we do have lots of good restaraunts right off the interstate. :) i love you. thank you for the phone call. i look forward to talking to you more. be brave, dear friend. have courage.