About a year ago today, I embarked on one of the happiest and most memorable years of my life thus far. In fact, I would even say it was life-changing, because it was exactly that. So many blessings.
The Bible talks about the importance of having four crazy friends [Mark 2], but I have six...all who continually bless my life in their own individual ways in the fashion in which the Lord has created them. We are all so very different (which may be an understatement), but our relationship is centered around Christ, first and foremost, meaning we can be what we are -- a direct reflection of His love and never ending grace.
Having people in your life who are completely sold out for the Lord and the cause of His greater glory, who encourage you to be the woman God that you have been intentionally created to be, and never cease to amaze you with their abilities to bless your life is one of the greatest gifts a lady could ever ask for. My God is so good.
Time spent with all of you is always precious, and I have so many memories that I will never forget -- all the laughter, discovery, compassion, forgiveness, peace, grace, crazy, love. I would not have it any other way. This past year has been beyond myself and anything I could ask for. And although we cannot know where the Lord will take us next, it can only get better. How beautiful.
If I could fully and successfully express exactly how deep of an appreciation I have for each of these wonderful human beings I would, but I cannot. There are just not enough words for that.
But alas, I will give it my all -- and with that, I write...
My dearest family,
Rebecca --
Becoming friends with you may be one of the single greatest blessings that has ever happened to me. And I can honestly say that you (and Bekah) are one of the first real best friends that I have ever had, which means so much more than I could possibly express. I know I can be a handful and a half sometimes, but even in our differences (which there are so many), you love me just the same. You have such a deep passion to serve, to get your hands dirty, and you are constantly striving to be the best version of who you have been created to be. And in it all, you remain humble and gracious for the opportunity to use your gifts for our Savior's greater glory. We have grown so much together over these past few years, sharing our joys, pains, struggles, and triumphs...but it is all in Him, which is by far the most beautiful thing. You inspire me to live a life greater than myself. You encourage me, challenge me, and love me more than I could ever ask for -- and I thank the Lord for putting you into my life for those very purposes. I am so excited to see what the Lord has planned for your future. You will do great things. I love you.
Josh --
Good Gandhi, where do I even begin. My Seinfeld buddy, the social butterfly, photo of the day, Chapter 29, pinkies in the middle with a right hand star...only some of the reasons why I love having you as a friend. Josh, when I look at you, I see Christ. Your life is rooted and centered in His glory and in His will, which is evident through your zeal and passion to do His work. You are fearless, willing to go wherever and whenever you are called. And I will have you know that this is contagious. You are so easy to talk to (a little truth or truth, ya see) and so easy to be my honest self with, seeing as you may actually be more crazy than I am. You know how to make the best of every situation and turn everything into a good time, and you know how to get the rest of us to surprisingly (and willingly?) follow suit. You live life to the fullest, nothing to lose, nothing to regret...which is something I have learned to embrace for myself over this past year. So thank you, for all of it. Love you...NOT! (But really I do).
David --
I am just so happy that I know you. I do not think I have ever met a person more honestly caring and interested about the lives of others than you, and your passion to serve them accordingly reflects the same love that you have for Christ, which is simply beautiful...and something that I hope I can obtain for myself someday. You have always encouraged me to be proud of the person that I am, never allowing me to short change myself or underestimate the gifts that I have been given. I always enjoy our talks, big or small, because I always learn so much from you. You are willing to listen and respect my thoughts, regardless if you understand or not. And we ALWAYS have a grand time together, whether it be jamming to some tunage (IN ALL CAPS), cooking crazy foods (that I am slowly but surly learning to appreciate), batman fist pumping, or swing dancing anywhere and everywhere, which is one of my new favorite things. Not having you here this semester really revealed how thankful I truly I am to have you as a friend, but I am thrilled that you are doing what you love in a place where you can be a blessing to others. Te amo.
Peter --
Now technically speaking, I have not necessarily known you for an entire year. But by meeting Ryan and Josh, I pretty much have...after story after story after story. And now actually having you as a part of our family feels nothing less than normal, and I would not have it any other way. Your intelligence --your ridiculous awareness of everything-- is so wonderful and is so incredible and is manifested in so many ways...in your humor (my personal favorite), in your attention to detail in other people's lives, in your passion for your passions, in your desire to learn, in your family, and in your love for our Savior. You challenge me to think beyond myself, to step outside of my comfort box and appreciate parts of the world that I could be missing out on. Never have I felt the pressure to be anything but myself, for you accept (and actually encourage) the whole crazy that I am and appreciate my moments (oh so many) and then some . You make me laugh more than any other human that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I will forever remember you as the "Hammertime Hoedown boy"-- which only deserves a proper curtsey, and of course, Kudosos. So much love.
Ryan --
I am so pleased with how much our friendship has grown over the past year -- such a perfect combination of humor, humility (mostly on my part), and love. What a guy. You live such a purpose -driven life. You have a compassion to serve and to help those in need, living a life according to our Savior. Your natural leadership is evident in knowing how to connect with other people on their level, meeting them where they are at in order to serve them in the best possible way. And you take life for what it is and make the most out of what you have been given. You always seem to catch me in my finest of moments, which is usually thoroughly embarrassing, but it also makes me feel safe; when I am with you, I know everything will be okay. You have taught me to enjoy the person that I am, to never feel ashamed. I am excited to see how the Lord will work in your life next, for it has been such a beautiful thing to witness over this past year. You are such a blessing to me...and I would not chose anyone else in this world to take care of my best friend. I love you, friend.
Bekah --
My beautiful best friend. I cannot even begin to describe how blessed I am to have such a godly young lady as yourself in my life. Your life consistently emanates the love you have for our Jesus, always seeking Him and pursuing the call He has for your life. And regardless of what situations life throws at you, you remain in the grace and peace that He provides. You have set such an example for me over these past few years, helping me to be confident in who the Lord has created me to be. Not having you here is so bitter sweet -- all I ever want for you is to be where the Lord is calling you to be...but it is certainly hard to not desperately miss you when I need to know what I should wear, am having a girl-out moment (the few that I actually have, naturally having no idea what is going on...), when I need some straight up tough love, or just having someone to listen while I talk it out. You are always there for me, time and time again, faithful till the end. I can only hope to be such a blessing to someone else in the same way you are such a blessing to me. We have in fact been through everything and the moon, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I love you oh so very much.
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"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealously, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant or inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love for us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy, fretful, or resentful; it takes no account to the evil done unto it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice or unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best in every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]."
I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13
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