Letter of Gratitude

I've known Mr. ___a for only a few years. But, I've had the opportunity to spend some time with him and his family. What I most appreciate is his unfailing, passionate, humble service towards God and his Christian brothers. I can see it in everything he does and says. From his basketball playing to his stories of his own struggles. I am so grateful for his example as a Christian brother.

Dear Mr. ___a,

Thank you so much for everything! You have been such an encouragement to me and my family. I am so grateful for your willingness to share what God has been teaching you. You may not think so, but you have often shared words of great wisdom! I love that you don't stop at sharing your spiritual triumphs, but also your 'failures.'

Your cheerful service to others has also been meaningful to me. You see what needs to be done, and you do it, without being asked and with such a smile on your face that I can tell you really love to do it.

Your example as a faithful, loving friend to others and husband to your lovely wife is also very beautiful to see. In play and work, you are always kind and considerate of others.

I can honestly say that I've learned many different things from you. Thank you for your example of what true Christian behavior is like in practice, not merely in words. Keep up the good work!

In Christ,
Abigail D.

Letter of Gratitude

I've no idea or clue in the remotest of the exact date or moment when I met Brenda. But I remember that from my earliest childhood she has always inspired me. She's one of those amazing people that one can't help wanting to please. I'm terribly afraid that in my younger days I may have idolized her a little. I know I still have a stuffed animal somewhere that bears her name. But, what I love about her the most is her never-ceasing cheerfulness and thoughtfulness of others. She's still one of my favorite people.

Dear Brenda,

I want to thank you for being an example. While you seemed very old to me when I was little, (that perspective has changed, I assure you!) you were one of the those adults in my life that always had a smile and a kind word, and especially a listening ear!

You stand out to me as someone who is always cheerful. I remember reading a fairy tale once. It was about a lady who never stopped smiling, even when she was sleeping and things. I remember thinking at the time how absolutely impossible that was. But, I've changed my mind. You are that lady!

I love that you are always attentive. You never interrupt when someone is talking, and you always give your full and complete attention. It communicates that you love and care about the other person.

I will always be grateful to you for this wonderful example of a true Christian. Thank you!

In Christ,
Abigail D.

Letter of Gratitude

I met Mr. R. nearly five years ago. He's one of my favorite people. I consider him to be an epitome of a gentle, humble, and meek man. One who loves the Lord and loves the Lord's people.

Dear Mr. R.

I want to thank you for being such a wonderful example of a godly, Christian man. I love your example of love for the Lord, your wife, and others. It has been very meaningful to me. I appreciate so much your humble acknowledgement that you don't know everything. I can really tell that you hunger to learn more of Christ and His ways. While sometimes slow to speak, I love hearing you tell of what God has been teaching you.

I am grateful for the love you have shown to me as well. You always seek me out. You're a gentleman too! Almost always, even if you're sitting, you stand up to give me a hug. You're patient. You call me 'Missy,' and you tell thousands of wonderful stories that warm the cockles of my historian heart. I often consider myself to be one of your adoptive grandchildren.

Thank you so much. You're a wonderful guy!

In Christ,
Abigail D.

P.S. I think your wife is pretty amazing too. She has a such a sweet, loving demeanor, and is so very long-suffering. I only wish I could see her more often!

Letter of Gratitude

I met Mrs. Laurette S. during my time as a speech competitor. I was watching a debate round which happened to have her sons involved. Mrs. S. sat down next to me, and we introduced ourselves. But, contrary to my previous experiences in such circumstances, she kept going! I really appreciate it when grown ups actually take the time to talk to me and express interest in me. Which she did!

Dear Mrs. S.

I know I've told you this before, but I just have to say thank you again! Thank you for being friendly and interested in a random stranger and kid. I am so grateful for you! I keep the little email you wrote me towards the beginning of our interactions at the top of my inbox where I can see it. And I often re-read it. You have such a sweet personality and manner, even towards a youngster like me.

I love your passion and your smile. You have made a definite positive impact in my life. Thank you for showing that you care!

In Christ,
Abigail D.

Letter of Gratitude

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I've known the Edwin B. family forever. Well, as long as I can remember anyway. Our families have always been on excellent terms, but there is one particular instance that sets them apart in my mind. It was just after our family had moved to Oregon and I was desperately homesick for my home state. As in, desperately. My mother decided to attend a conference back home, and she took me with her, but not to the conference. The Edwin B. family most graciously offered to put me up for a few days. It was one of the best times of my life. (And I did get over my homesickness because of that trip. Sometimes you just have to go home once, and then you have the courage to go away again.)

Dear Edwin B. Family,

Thank you so much for taking me into your home that year. While I was a bit young and naive at the time, I realize now that I probably inconvenienced you, or at least flouted your preferences for foods and dress. And yet, what really sticks out to me is how much you went out of your way to make me feel at home. I remember many details of that visit that would be a case in point. Like the bean soup you made one evening because I happened to mention we had it a lot at home, but that I discovered later was not your idea of a fabulous meal. I remember several other meals or things you did for me under similar circumstances.

 Even the very slight mis-communication at the beginning of the visit points to how much you all cared about making a guest fell welcome. It was about the fiddle music you had playing. I remember you asked if I liked fiddle music, and I answered that it depended on my mood. You interpreted that to mean that I didn't like it, (although I did, hence the mis-communication. :D ) But based on that interpretation, you turned it off. See, even at the cost of personal preferences, you went out of your way to show that you cared.

It was one of the most memorable times in my life. I remember the hike up the road, with the grand kids/nieces/nephews in the wagon. And the sunflowers. The beautiful sunflowers. And the Purple Cows!

I just want to say, Thank You! Thank you for everything! For showing that you cared about a homesick little girl. Thank you.

In Christ,
Abigail D.

Letter of Gratitude

I met Mr. and Mrs. L. through speech and debate. Mrs. L was my speech coach. It is my humble opinion that they have blessed me very very very much through their willingness to listen, share expertise, and for their personal interest in me.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. L.

Thank you so very much for absolutely everything. You make me feel special. It's not often that I'm willing to share what God's been doing with me with other people, but I must admit Mr. L, that your good-naturedness, jokes, and true desire to listen has won its way. (Even if some of the jokes do shock me a little!) It means a lot to have someone who listens. Really!

Mrs. L, you listen too. But what I especially appreciate about you is your willingness to work one on one and to explain things until I understand them. It shows that you care not just about getting a speech to sound good, but also about the student personally.

You will both always have a special place in my heart. Thank you!

With love in Christ,
Abigail D.

Letters of Gratitude

It's almost Thanksgiving. Ok, maybe not quite, but, almost! And since it's so close, I thought I'd do something a little different in the next few weeks leading up to it. It's kind of been on my mind for a while.

I'd like to honor the older people in my life who have made an impact or influenced me in a special way. Now, since I have to limit this list a bit, I'm not including my family because, well, they should know already how special and awesome they are to me! And, if you're not included, it's not because I don't love you. Really! I do! This list includes both single and married people who are all, I think, over 25. When I was little, most of these people were already adults, or at least my young perspective perceived them as such. (As I've gotten older, some of them have seemed to get a bit younger. Or something.) Oh, and you'll probably be seeing a theme. And I'll tell you by Thanksgiving or so the one particular manner in which all of these people have influenced me.

Anyway, today I'd like to write a letter of gratitude to one of my oldest and most treasured friends. Not that she's the oldest friend, just one of the friends I've had the longest. In fact, I usually count her as my first real friend.

Dear Laura Hdn.,

I love you so much! I often pray that God will bless you for blessing me. I know I was just a little kid when we first knew each other; and you were an adult already! I know under the circumstances that many would not have taken any notice of me. After all, you had your own friends. But you did reach out to me in such a special way and at a time when I really needed someone to care. You probably don't know that I had gone nearly 8 years or so without a friend.

I am so grateful an thankful for you, Laura! Our traditional very hard bear hug has stood me well. (Although if you're wondering why I haven't done it so well lately, it's because I accidentally cracked someone's rib once and I didn't want it to happen to you!) Over the years, you have always been there to give me one of those hugs whenever I need one. And now, although distance separates us, I can still imagine getting one from you and that cheers me up when I'm discouraged.

Laura, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for caring, for being there, for being a lasting friend. Thank you!

With sincere love and high regard in Christ,
A.A.D