What's in a name?

We finally had the chance to meet a couple of weeks ago :) 

Carmen Joy and Carmen Joy

Here is the link to the blog I wrote regarding Carmen a while back: 

Way back When

My Great Uncle is asking for stories on Friendship for his little newsletter this month, so I thought I would write up a little one since it's a fun God story!

My friend submission for the Tin Can: 

I thought I would share a story about the most unusual gift of friendship I have been given to date. About twenty years ago, a good friend of mine sent me an email to my juno address ...except much to her chagrin it did not go to me..it went to Carmenjoy, while mine was Carmenjoy1. The owner of the other email sent her a message and let her know she had the wrong Carmen Joy. After receiving several emails that belonged to me, the other Carmen Joy sent me an email and we discovered we had a lot in common. She was 4 years ahead of me and attending Multnomah. We both loved Jesus! She really encouraged me in my walk with the Lord and challenged me in little ways, like choosing not to send out forwards when they were not wise to send..you know the ones that said "if you send this you will have this or that wish come true.." sometimes as a kid I missed what those things really meant. As the years went on Carmen met her husband, finished college and went overseas to the Philippines. Around the time they came back to states, I went to YWAM. All of these twenty years we swapped Christmas cards, newsletters, prayer requests, and pictures- never once meeting face to face. Though she was even born and raised in Colorado, where I lived for 7 years. In 2014, Carmen moved back to the NW with her husband and kids (they still serve in missions and she is now teaching part time at her old college.) and I'm also back in the NW. About a month ago she and I FINALLY had the opportunity to meet face to face! What a gift! She's a dear friend and it was incredible to meet. It's a miracle in this day to stay in touch with someone you have never met for twenty years! I hope we have many more opportunities to spend time together in the years to come.