how do you say thank you?
thank you to all of you who kept our family lifted up before God these past several months. as my family prepares to leave las vegas i am brought to my knees and can not find the words to express my deep gratitude for the love that has been shown to me over the last five years. it is very hard to leave our las vegas family and on some level it feels really wrong to leave the people that love you deeply and without reserve. on the other hand there is a comfort that these people, that have shown us just how great and yet simply our heavenly Father loves us, will never really leave us.
to rebekah: for being my first friend in las vegas, who gave me a voice, an ear and company because you knew what it was like to have moved away from everything familiar. for trusting and confiding in me-i cherish our friendship.
to tori: for being clay's first friend and first kiss in las vegas!
to my niece kyla (in AZ): for saying a special prayer for our family every night for the last 7 months, i desire that great childlike faith!
to mr. dave carder: for your sincere love for others that was shown to my family at our first visit to apex. God placed you there to welcome us into the apex family when we really needed a family.
to colbrys: for loving and hanging out with our family as if we were your own.
to jimmy: for loving our family passionately and helping me to see that risking far outweighs the costs. for giving generously of your computer skills, without you it would have cost us money we did not have. for working for us at harvest foods, without you our boys would have had a lot less "dad time".
to amy carder: for your example of a wife who respects and honors her husband. for your encouragement to home school our children, your direction has helped tremendously!
to greg: for your friendship and encouragement to my husband. after each encounter with you, he is more passionate about the Father. for all you have humbly given of your self to the apex family.
to my neighbors: michael "lord of the wings", kim, nate, tasha, and many more...for letting us love you, eat
with you, talk about life and a Father that loves you.
to hayden: for being damon's best friend, i only dream of him finding such a gentle, beautiful, loyal companion as he has had in you. he will write to you and keep your picture in his room.
to the criminal who stole our black suburban: because of you our kids learned a little of the evil in this world and then we all watched our heavenly Father show Himself through our family, who loved on us in a crazy way during this time.
to tommy & meghann: for giving to us in our time of need and accepting our gift of love in your time of need. we value your friendship more than you will know. the other day, while cleaning out the art drawer, i found a countless number of papers that clay wrote on. they each simply read, "VOTE FOR CLAY". thanks for loving our kids.
to michelle: for your enthusiasm, your beautiful smile and unfailing faith in God.
to doug: for letting our boys play with your authentic lightsaber-they will never forget that moment! i see in you a pure and simple love for God and his children, don't let anyone convince you to grow up. signed, anonymous.
to adam: for your constant encouragement and advice regarding the sale of our home. for always taking the time to play with the kids, even if you just got off of a 12 work day and haven't eaten all day!
to cheryl: for seeing our children as Jesus sees them. for your time, teaching & money that went into making them feel loved and special. you are truly a beautiful gift from God to all of the children in the apex family.
to natalie: for sharing my passion for playing with our kids. we have had so many FUN times! for the countless hours of conversations and the encouragement that you have been to me.
to stacey: for your loyal friendship, never doubting the love we have for each other is priceless. for being family. for taking me home with you for your dad's funeral and allowing me to be by your side in your grief. for playing with, loving & honoring clay, damon and ella. for being someone that they can look up to. for being the person they are always excited to see. for being damon's girl.
to gene: for being the gentle man whom my infant children wanted to have hold them until they fell asleep. for being the strong man whom my children want to imitate and grow up to be just like! for the deep, brotherly bond you have with my husband. for giving to our family so generously and never expecting anything in return. for the beautiful music you brought into our home.
to serenity: for your sweet, fun spirit. for playing with clay and damon for the last five years just as if you were their big sister. we have had countless memories spent with you and i hope they never stop. as you laid your head on my shoulder tonight and said that you wish you could split your self in half, i fought back tears as i wished i could do the same!
to lisa: for your genuine kind heart. for being like a sister to me and a friend i can trust. for sharing your car, your money, your time, your daughter, your desserts, your clothes, your heart. for cleaning my house and taking care of my kids when i couldn't. for never hesitating to ask for help. for showing up to help out whenever i needed you and offering to help when i didn't think i needed anyone. for always being there for clay, damon & ella, they are secure in your love for them. for the trips away, the girls nights, coffee, facials, waxings, etc. i treasure you and expect many more good times together.
thank you from the bottom of my heart!
much ado about nothing
To love another person is to see the face of God. --Les Miserables