Brown paper packages tied up with string

I got a box. In the mail. It felt like it took ages to get here and there may or may not have been some tears when I thought it was lost for a day and a half, but it arrived and I was thrilled. It sat in my room for a few hours till my friend Jenny (who organized the whole thing) woke up so I could open it with her. Here is the most lovely box of things that make me so thankful that these friends know me SO well and love me so well.

This is Jenny. She is wonderful and thoughtful and loves me like I can't believe. I'm so thankful God has placed her in my life. This is the picture I have of Jenny on my wall and these are the things she gave me. Mac'n'cheese. Six whole boxes! Even got shells and white cheddar! She's a dream. You never know what you'll miss till you're gone. She also sent me salsa because It's my favorite snack and there is NOTHING spicy here. I opened the salsa right away. Didn't even finish opening the box first. There is also a box for making mummy cupcakes (despite the fact that it came a few days into November, I'm still VERY excited to make these...very soon). Also, she made my favorite thing from my favorite coffee shop: cashew butter (it's like peanut butter but with cashews and coconut oil). So nice!

These are my dear friends Chanelle and Kellyn (with Jared also pictured). They are hilarious, smart, beautiful, cool, and they love the Lord so well with their lives. I just want to be around them all the time whether we laugh or cry. I love them. And they love me. And know me SO well as evidenced by these three chocolate bars. One is banana peanut butter. Bomb. One is smoked stout caramel. Bomb. And the last is bacon chocolate. CRAZY BOMB! These were crazy delicious. The bacon was crispy even though it was inside chocolate!!!!! How is that even possible?? These girls are dear.

This is Jill. She looks like me sometimes. And she knows me. I miss her loads more than she knows. I miss being known by her. I miss having a companion by my side for all things. I miss going places with her. She is my first pick for all the museums and monuments I want to see here. This is my forgotten Nalgene water bottle. Needed this like you wouldn't believe. Inside it, along with a giant plastic bag, is a TON of green tea. So good. It's a staple for life. I am going to live forever. There is also chili pepper flakes. Like I said, nothing is spicy here. Not pictured is a pair of athletic shorts. Who knew I would have missed these even when it's 30 degrees outside? But I did. She is wonderful. And pretty. (Get it? Cause we look alike.)

This is Aly. She is beautiful, smart, thoughtful, honest, caring, and wise. She has been a lovely friend and is such an encouragement to me. She also knows me enough to know I love bacon. So here is bacon salt. It says low sodium but she warned me it has MSG. We both agreed it was worth it. And MSG adds so much good flavor, right Jill?

This is Jason (with Jared who snuck his way into this story even though he sent me nothing. He's the worst! Just kidding. He's great.) Jason sent me BBQ sauce (which was one of the first things I wanted when I got here. Maybe because I knew I couldn't get it anymore!). He also sent chili powder, goldfish, and more pictures of people I love. He is kind and thoughtful and a great friend to me.

And this is the part that made me cry a little. This is Tommy. I really love him. He is silly, fun, motivated, honest, caring, and giving. He sent me coloring books which he loves, and we did together sometimes. And he sent Monopoly Deal. It's his favorite card game. But he didn't go buy me one. He sent his. He told me to use it to make friends. I am so thankful for these wonderful, selfless, thoughtful friends. I can't believe what a wonderful support system I have at home. This is just a few of the wonderful people I know and love. Thanks dummies! You're wonderful!