Letter (to a loving army of family and friends)

2010-06
i am forced, by the sheer weight of the debt i owe, to offer my thanks.
 
to our friends afar, whom we haven't seen for entirely too long.... you have held us up in prayer.  what a great, humbling honor it is to be the target of your heartfelt prayers.  you believe in a God with limitless reach and you ask Him to look after us.  it is the very best of what you have to offer and tears come as i ponder the wonder of this.  for your generosity in fighting the spiritual battle on our behalf, we are grateful.  thank you.
 
to our friends close by, whose presence is a constant reminder that we are never forsaken or abandoned...  you too have carried us in your prayers, but God has given you the opportunity to embody those prayers with action.  you have seen with your own eyes our frailty, and have stood in the gap.  taking that stand sometimes means that you're hip deep in muck you'd rather not be in; but there you are... strong when we are not, faithful when we are tired, present when we need a friend.  thank you.
 
to our family near and far who would drop everything at any moment and give all they can....  you make us a great family. Pezzelles, Woodruffs, Boyds, McBrides, Hawthornes, Stidhams, Morrises.  how long will i lean on you before you get tired?  my prayer for us all is that God will reveal himself more and more to all of us; that He will capture our hearts before they beat their last - so that the final homecoming will be all the more joyous!  thank you.
 
to amy and paige, the finest young women i know....  it is pure joy to be your dad.  we are great team, getting better day by day.   your care for me is obvious and adorable.  your love for each other is so gratifying.  may the God of all wonder make His home in your hearts forever!  thank you.
 
to sherry, who changed our lives forever....  you made me a better man than i ever could have been.  you introduced me to Jesus.  you stood by me when i would have walked away.  you believed my impossible dreams.  you raised amazing daughters.  you took care of us.  we miss you.  terribly.  thank you.
 
to God, Sovereign and Everlasting.... thank you for this life.... exactly the way you planned it.  it is perfect.  thank you.
 
love
tim