Being a friend and "The Friend"

As you may or may not know I've been working at Shriners Hosptials for Children, a non-profit organization, for my internship. It is there that I am doing research on the development of Autism and Spinal Chord regeneration. I am so happy with my choice to come here for so many reasons - I love the lab, I have a great P.I., Beth and I love Sacramento/California in general, she has a great job, the ward/local church congregation is awesome, AND I find it extremely inspirational to go into work everyday and see children being blessed by the goodness that still exists in this world.

One of the goals of Shriners Hospitals for Children (SHC) is to provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal condition, burn injuries, and other special healthcare needs utilizing love, friendship, and family oriented service as a main tool. They then educate physicians and conduct research to further this cause. Children who need it most are transported with their families, free of charge, to the nearest Shriners Hopsital, sometimes hours and hours away. The service has no regard to health, race/ethnicity, gender, economic standing, or any political agenda - only sincere need. For example, a day care facility in Mexico recently burnt down and SHC provided everything that 11 children could have needed. These children, and thousands-millions more with varying needs, need friends. I'm thankful some have found the friend they need.

I wanted to put this plug in because it demonstrates true friendship - a key quality in being a disciple of Christ. And true friendship is something that I want to demonstrate better.

Here is where I'm at:

--- Children at Shriners help me want to give my friendship to all those in need of it - those in the corners of society.

---10 months ago I married my best friend. Last night I watched this movie... Valentines Day about how true love comes as a part of doing just that! It made me realize that I need to be a better best friend - showing how thankful I am of what I have and being much, much, much more selfless.

--- I called my best friend Emma and she expressed how excited she was for our new news, becoming even more a part of our family

--- Making new friends with a family in our area who wants to go back to church.

I've also been studying these passages; Luke 5:1-13, 12:27-30, Luke 14:16-24. These stories demonstrate many attributes that are essential to being a true disciple of Jesus Christ; selflessness, charity, love, care, priorities, virtue, not hypocrisy, humility, and friendship. Friendship is the quality that I am focusing on this week. Christ was the ultimate friend to me and still is - He is to all of us. John 15:13 - "And greater love hath no man this, that he lie down his life for a friend"