Because there's only one way to have old friends …

We were inseparable that year: Janae, Courtney, Bernadette and me, four freshman at OSU on the 5th floor of McNary Hall. We had weekly Ben & Jerry’s runs, lots of late nights huddling in the dorm-kitchen (the only place that was warm) and way too many times discovering that the boys had switched around the peephole on our door. So when the year came to a close it was Janae who suggested the idea:

“We could all live together–with four other girls–at Red Door next year.”

Hmm… I’d only met Brita and Hannah once or twice.

I’d never even met Zephyr or Jill.

And what on earth was Red Door?

“Sure!”

{I miss that endearing quality of college students–game for anything, even rooming with strangers!}

The day I moved in I met Zephyr for the first time. She was 6-feet tall barefoot and totally gorgeous. Jill was a smarty weather-girl who did the forecast for the Eugene news. Hannah and Brita were bubbling with smiles and always laughing and I soon discovered the gold-mind of Brita’s closet. (I miss the blessings of our open-closet policy!)

Mindy’s name wasn’t on the lease but she camped on our couch and brought the greatest conversations and thought-provoking questions. Chelle came after I moved out, but our lives crossed over so much it felt like we’d shared a room.

And that made 10 RDGs.

Before we moved in I learned the story of the Red Door Girls. An old, quaint house right off the campus at OSU housed generations of Christian girls, a legacy I knew nothing about until I was so blessed to become part of it myself. Just another example of how God’s gifts find us.

Without really knowing it, we were handed down a legacy of hospitality, joy, purity and faith. Our home was like a warm embrace, and it was always full. We had weekend dance parties and weekly Bible studies. Fresh cookies by the dozens flowed from our kitchen. There were always boys — lots of them — lingering in the sunroom or lounging on the couch, enjoying a cookie, a smile, a conversation, or just a long afternoon in a peaceful house that smelled better than their own. Jeff Patterson appeared every so often, but only because his best friend, Benjy, was marrying my housemate Zephyr (the one I’d never met).

So funny how things work together.

That was almost 13 years ago, when Janae made the simple suggestion that changed the course of our lives. Since that time we have celebrated every wedding (all 10!) and the birth of every single baby.

Twenty-one babies to be exact.

Yes, these ten girls have multiplied. We are now 41 in all. Ten girls, ten spouses, and 21 children birthed in just 7 years (and one more on the way!). And just recently we had the honor of all gathering together for a New Year celebration. We were only missing three husbands, two children, and one RDG.

Not bad.

I had no idea what I was getting into that day 13 years ago when I said, “Sure!”

I had no idea the friendship, joy, love, and blessing I’d receive. I had no idea that these strangers in my house would become soul-mates in my heart. I had no idea that this Zephyr, who I’d never met, would marry a man named Benjy who was the very man who led Jeff Patterson to Christ.

I just had no idea.

But isn’t that how it always is? We never have any idea what God is doing in the mundane moments of life. We, I, so often cling to all that is familiar, controlled. How often do I look into a complete unknown and simply say, “Sure!”?

But what if we did? What if we gave that new relationship a shot? A real go? We all love old friends but the only way to have old friends is to spend a long time with new ones.

Right?

I’m thankful. I think that’s what I’m saying. I’m thankful to be a RDG (and the RDGs that followed us are blessed women as well!) and thankful that even when I had no clue, God’s gracious gifts came and found me.

How have God’s gifts found you when you least expected it? And in what unknown situation or new relationship could you say “Sure!” … believing He has something sacred in store? Thanks all for reading, and to my dear Red Door sisters, I love you beyond words!