My deepest thanks...

These thank you’s skim the surface. I was inspired by Shaun’s message at church on Sunday to write out a list of thank you’s- acknowledgments of blessings people have bestowed on me (much like Paul did at the end of his letters in the Bible). This may seem impersonal- a public blast of very personal thank you’s. But as you read, I hope you remember the little things people have done for you- and that you find the time to thank them. I’m sure I’ve missed moments worthy of gratitude- people worthy of praise for what they’ve done in my life. And for that I’m extremely sorry.

In no particular order…

Thank you Amy Chamberlain, for playing with my hair and letting me lay on your lap the afternoon Jeremy died. Even after experiencing his loss yourself, you ministered to me in our loss only hours later.

Thank you Chelsea McGarry for taking me under your wing when I moved to Madras as an isolated newlywed. You went out of your way to meet with me, to check on me, and encourage me. You were transparent and bought us the GREATEST book “Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas. Thank you for meeting with me and guiding me as a new wife!

Thank you Meg and Bryce Clark for being our adventure buddies. Whether in Aruba or a day trip to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. You visited us in every place we lived- Madras, Connell, and now of course Newberg. And Meg I’ve appreciated our kindred spirits and respect for one another. Thank you both for wanting to enjoy life with us!

Thank you for the Bodnars for remembering Jeremy’s birthday after he died. I remember you made my parents their anniversary meal, but put 3 plates at the table with a birthday cupcake for Jeremy. You made their bitter sweet anniversary, being on Jeremy’s birthday, meaningful. Not in a painful-reminder kind of way. But you stated the obvious- that thoughts were on Jeremy- but blessed them with a wonderful meal too.

Thank you Kristen Harris for sharing your life with me. From weekly meetings at the Coffee Cottage our senior year of high school, to our short coffee dates when you visit back home now a days. You’re transparent and vulnerable. You won’t offer unsolicited advice- but you encourage me in the ways of truth and integrity. Thank you for sharing your life’s ups and downs with me. It’s the best gift.

Thank you Jake for letting me cry on your lap when Chas and I broke up in 2000. You loved me. And yet you caught my tears when my heart broke from another guy. I stayed home from school depressed. I didn’t even call you. But you came over with banana laffy taffy. You were patient. Not pushy. And loved me selflessly in that moment. A friend- when you wanted to be so much more. (And now look- we’re married. It paid off!) Your love never gave up. Even these last few years of intense challenges/speed bumps. Thank you for never giving up on our love.

Thank you. I don’t know your name. But you helped me on the lakeshore when Jeremy was still missing in the water. My feet had thorns in them. I was distraught and in shock. And you watched over me. I was only 14. You wrote my family a letter weeks later. Thank you for your calm presence and kind words. I don’t know your name but thank you.

Thank you Uncle Bill for talking to me the day I called to announce my engagement. You’ve always been a supportive role in my life. I remember being extremely glad to talk to you – and hearing your authentic joy for me. You also stepped up to help with practical coordination of events after Jeremy died. We needed that so badly. And it must have been so hard for you. Thank you. Although I wish I saw you more, I’m extremely grateful that I feel so loved and supported by my Uncle.

Which brings me to by aunts on the west coast- Thank you Dee and Val for being so crazy. (I must include Grandma Lee too) You’ve all brought me light and life. I’m extremely lucky to have an extended family that cares so much for me and has been so vocally supportive. You make me laugh. You make me cry. You’ve supported me through break ups, traveling the world, and of course, my wedding day. Thank you for being involved in our lives and for praying for me and for my husband.

Thank you Melinda Gunther for leading 3 high school girls in bible study each week (Elizabeth, Tenley and myself). We couldn’t have been the easiest, most-focused girls. I think you listened to more boy gossip than our parents combined. Thank you for leading our small group, being a great example of a patient wife and mother, and investing in us when it mattered most.

Thank you Dad for forcing me to drive on North Valley Road. I was 15 and you pulled over at the section of College and North Valley. We were in the white pickup. You got out and forced me to drive on the windy highway. You knew I needed it to learn. You’ve let me learn along the years. You stepped back and let me live, even when you wanted to shelter me and keep me safe at home. Your concerns didn’t keep me from traveling through France and Italy with just Kristen, or keep me from dangerous places in Africa. You supported me. And walked alongside me through difficult adult lessons. Thank you for letting me learn, for teaching me responsibility and respect, and for loving me.

Thank you. I don’t know your name. You found me as the first evening program started at the International Youth Conference in Colorado Springs. You were one of the directors of the whole conference, but you sought me out from our little group caravanning from Oregon. I was only a freshman in high school. You spoke big words to me that night. You said that because of my story, and Jeremy’s story, students were coming to the conference who would find Christ. You thanked me for sharing my story. Thank you for speaking big words into my life and being so intentional.

Thank you Mom for mediating us kids. I remember Jeremy and I had a fight that you helped mediate for at least 2 hours. I can’t imagine the work it took to be patient and reasonable with 2 young and unreasonable selfish kids. But you did it. Because integrity, communication, and respect matter to you. You taught us the right way to work things out. The right way to communicate hard feelings. And you’ve continued to help me sort through difficult things through the years. You’ve listened and given great advice. You’ve invested hours upon days upon months upon years- caring about my integrity and the details of my life. Thank you for investing me in, with your heart and your time.

Thank you Mittet family. Since sharing a seat next to Jensine in kindergarten, you’ve welcomed me as your own daughter. We’ve not be in consistent contact as I’ve moved away and grown up, but you were my second family. Many of my childhood memories are of weeks in Silverdale by the lake, or painting/drawing on your kitchen counter, or making forts in your backyard and basement. Thank you for loving me as your own.

Thank you Becky Jastram. You mentored me throughout my year as a Resident Assistant at George Fox in 2003-4. But most importantly you were a great example. You waited patiently for the right man all those years; you handled difficult situations with strength, and you inspired our small team more than you know. Our ‘dream team’. Thank you for being a good example to us who were in very defining stages of life.

Thank you Raphel Weber. You made me laugh straight through the last couple years of high school. Laughter was medicine. It healed my heart. Remember the pool dives at your house for pennies? We were in and out of that pool at least 2 dozen times in a day. But even after graduating together and going to different states for college, you were faithful in calling every year on Jeremy’s anniversary. It was extremely meaningful to me during those busy college years. Thank you for making me laugh, and for wanting to remember my brother.

Thank you Michelle Kintz for the journal you inspired at my brother’s gravesite. For the last 10 years people have written deep and meaningful entries that have helped all of us in the grieving process. Your idea paved a way for people to express their emotions and heal. Remember the time we took our homework up there after school and it started to rain on us? Thank you for being so thoughtful to my family in our time of need.

Thank you Scott and Joan Lee for being like 2nd parents as we grew up. I still remember coming home as a family and noticing someone had relocated all our Christmas present to the roof by the chimney. I remember talking on the CB radio with you- receiving my fish nick name- on a road trip, getting lost on the way down to Newberg when we were moving, and going to work with you, Joan, on take-your-child-to-work day. Thank you for being faithful family friends over the years.

Thank you Soul Sistas (Jenna, Carley and LiLi) for being so incredibly faithful. Our friendships have not only endured the ambiguous years of college in different states, but has blossomed to something so beautiful in the last year of meeting together more often. We have something special, don’t we? 4 very different girls in different stages of life- but we know how to love each other, huh? Thank you for offering prayers in the hard stuff and genuine joy in the good stuff.

Thank you Gary Warford for doing Jeremy’s funeral. To be honest, our families have had some difficult experiences together, but I can’t neglect the fact that you stepped up and helped lead us in celebrating Jeremy’s life. You also opened your home the night Jeremy died to dozens of our youth group friends. Thank you for providing a safe place- and a place where I could come and be surrounded by his friends. Most importantly, it was a place where I had a chance to speak truth into Ben’s life- to be guilt free and own no responsibility for what happened to Jer. My middle school and high schools years formed a lot of who I am today- and many of those years were under your great leadership as youth pastor. Thank you for being fun and a father figure at church, and for leading my family in August of 98.

Thank you Irene Endicott for our ‘tooting’ outings (named of course, before you knew what ‘tooting’ was). I SO looked forward to those times of shopping with you. “1 need, 2 wants”. I loved trips out to your house, for holidays and goofing around your properties. Thank you for spending time with us as kids and taking us ‘tooting’!

Thank you Wolffs for finally (and I mean that because Jake and I were on and off for so long!) accepting me as part of the family. I flew Jake off to Minnesota on our first Christmas, which broke a lifetime of traditions for your family! I’m frugal and opinionated- and sometimes stubborn , but thank you for loving me. I remember asking God to give me a big family after Jeremy died. I needed/wanted a family full of siblings. And God gave that gift to me- and it’s all of you. Rita, Jonathan, Emily, Jeremiah, Katie, Hank and Taylor! Thank you for being my family, for our weekly dinners, and for being involved in our lives.

Thank you Fabulous Five. (which without me is really the Fabulous Four). Jamie, Candy, Jillian and Shannon. We’re faithful to one another. We might not always agree (OBAMA!). We may have seasons of connecting and not connecting, but we’re faithful. We’re determined to be there when it matters. Thank you for traveling to and fro- between dinners, showers, weddings and the like. Thank you for prioritizing ‘us’.

Thank you Rolando, Tito, Pollo, Makko and Lenin for welcoming me to Guatemala and giving me the opportunity to serve. Some of you are on different paths right now, but you are all like special family to me. Thank you for the open door to come and serve, and for sacrificing so much in helping others in your country. God bless you, your families, and your ministries.

Thank you Missy Getsinger. For the Pledge, eggs, milk, glue gun, books, tanning spray, and whatever else I may have borrowed from you. You’re a good neighbor, but mostly, you’ve been a great friend since high school. Remember making me a congratulations card when Jake and I started DATING the final time!?!? Haha Thank you for listening, for demonstrating examples of humility and service, and for our special friendship.

Thank you Hillerstroms for coming to my wedding! I don’t think I had seen or talked to you in 12-16 years before that! I remember, as a VERY young girl, doing church events together as families. I can’t believe after so long, you’d come and support me and my family on my most special day. Thank you for wanting to support us and reconnect!

Thank you El for changing my mind about going to Australia… and instead signing us up for the Africa trip. It changed my life. Completely. We’re ‘ruined’ together! You inspire me in so many ways: artistically, spiritually, and globally. Thank you for being my friend, for being a steady positive influence, and for sharing terrible garlic-bread-breath with me years ago!

Thank you Kate (now Catherine!) Olson for inviting me to your birthday part in 8th grade. You may not remember, but I was shy and didn’t have a lot of friends. You invited me to your party, where other more popular girls would be. You included me and introduced me and it boosted my confidence. Do you remember that? You gave me an invite by your locker on the 2nd floor of Chehalem Valley Middle School. Thank you for including me (and for lending Kris and I your house in Milan years ago!)

Thank you Steve Dodson for speaking encouraging and prophetic words to me in Guatemala in 2007. We were sitting on the shore of Green Bay. I have often thought back to your words. Sometimes I’m intimidated by your intensity and forwardness, but you ministered to my heart. Thank you for being obedient and courageous in speaking truth.

Thank you Anna. Even though we’re cousins, I don’t know where you live or what you’re up to. But I remember you sending me a big bouquet of roses on my 16th birthday. Might have been my first flowers. They were SO special to me. Thank you for sending those.

Thank you Stefanie Stern. You were such a support when I was an RA and we were roommates. You helped me through my break up with Jake that year. You helped me laugh and have fun. You taught me cribbage- and as of late- you’ve continued to be a faithful and loving friend. Thank you for your support and for every single crazy memory from college!

Thank you Elizabeth Fallow for helping me dress cooler in the 8th grade. We went back-to-school shopping and you helped me pick out some new shoes and jeans. (tan Candy shoes and wide leg jeans). It was a huge self confidence booster. Thank you for inspiring style.  (I’d like to think I’ve made you proud the last few years!)

Thank you Heidi Boos for being my camp counselor in middle school when we slept in those teepee’s. You were a great example, and you continued to be involved in my life- even prompting us to sing special music at church together! You also sang at Jeremy’s funeral. Thank you for being a positive influence on my life at such an early age.

Thank you Georgina for speaking at Selah (Women’s conference at George Fox). I came up to you after the seminar and told you I wanted to be an inspirational speaker someday too. I told you some of my story. You said you’d look forward to hearing me someday. Thank you for being kind and affirming God’s plan for me- just a stranger.

Thank you. I don’t know your name. But one day, over a year ago, I sneezed at a stop light. I looked out my window, and through your car window you said “Bless you”. The shortest of exchanges but I still remember it. Probably because we go through our days passing hundreds of people and rarely stop to interact… but you were kind and we both shared a laugh. I hope I’m observant to the people around me and give them reasons to smile or chuckle. Thank you.