On Friday morning my new friend Myriam came over to chat with me about our church service. She is a twenty-something, newlywed who works as a nanny. A very good one I am sure, after seeing her around my kids. We talked for two and half hours and could have gone on much longer if my kids didn’t need to eat. Her mother is French and her father from Morocco. He lives there part time and she visits quite often. Her husband was born in London but his parents are from Ghana and the Congo. It felt so good to have an adult conversation and to make a British friend.
My first Sunday here I met Nicole- she is from Minnesota but has lived in London for eight years and for an amateur linguist like myself I couldn’t tell she was American at first. But it’s funny how we adapt and sometimes when she and I are talking her British accent slips. In fact she said that people have said her husband (a through and through Englishman) sounds American. Anyway- she has three adorable little girls that Miriam fell in love with instantly. Their names are Ninette (5), Persephone(4) and Morrigan(2) and we hear nothing but “Ninette and Poppy” all day every day from Mim. On Friday Nicole invited us over to play and then our husbands joined us for dinner.
I don’t consider myself a shy person or an introvert, but I do have insecurities that make me nervous about making friends in a new city and a little unsure if I’m the kind of person someone would like to spend time with. (I’m NOT fishing for compliments or reassurances here, I’m just trying to be honest.) So I felt really relieved on Friday night that I had the chance to get to know these great ladies and I’m really excited to have friends and spend more time with them. I knew I wanted to make friends and I have always considered inclusion and belonging to be a basic human need, but I was surprised about how good it really did feel to be connected here.
Just Your Average Jo 
you’ve inspired me to do something different and uplifting. thanks
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Random, but the guy on the far right of your very FIRST picture and I worked in BYUSA together at BYU. Small world!
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What a cool experience for you. We need to scrapbook so I can get some details!
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i really love this post jo, because i too have found that strangers can become our dearest friends. If we only take the time to get to know someone. I think alot of the time we think that it is to much work or you pre judge someone and don’t think you would have anything in common with them…i have found that everyone i talk too, i have something in common with them, even if it is something small, And a friendship is born…The world is so big with so many friendships to be made…aren’t we lucky:):) i am so happy for you that you got to experience such a great time in peru, i look forward to more pictures:)
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This is so true…it is amazing the bonds that can form in just a few weeks when you are stretched and growing with a small group of individuals.
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How awesome! Jo you are amazing! What a neat experience.
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Wow! I am just amazed again and again. I love your descriptions of everything– you’re a very talented and thoughtful writer. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience!p.s. I love your DH sweatshirt… I have that exact one in my closet still too!
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Oh man….I miss presidency meetings at your house. *sniff sniff*
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I will have to say that we had quite the meeting. It was VERY productive and I'm glad for the visit that we had. It was worth the late night. Thanks for the memories!!!
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I'll second that…it is fun to get together with other women and talk and laugh! It was great fun!!
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hear, hear!
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I am so happy you are finding friends. That is truly the hardest part of leaving your saftety net of friends back home.
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I love this. I think you are one of the greatest friends to have.
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Such cute pics of Si and Mim. I’m so happy to hear you’re making some friends. Just remember, despite any inadequacies you’re friends here (ie Me) may have in keeping in touch with you, we love and miss you!!
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I’m so grateful your family has moved here!
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