Dear Williams 3N

Dear Williams 3N,  

Four years ago I received a list with names of girls I had never met and began to pray over those names. I prayed that God would guide their steps to Olivet and prepare them for this new stage of life they were about to begin. I prayed that God would prepare them to love each other and have lasting friendships that would go beyond the walls of our hallway. I asked God to prepare and strengthen me to be what they needed me to be. I had no idea where and what they were coming from. I didn’t know what hurt and baggage they were bringing with them and I could only pray that God would give me the wisdom and insight to love them as they needed. Little did I know the impact each of you would have on my life.

Before I knew it each of you were moving onto our floor some of you scared and some of you scared. I remember praying as I met each of you that God would guide our relationship throughout the upcoming year. From those first few days I knew I had my hands full. Each of you brought a unique story and personality to our floor that I will never forget. There was always so much laughter and excitement that first week. I could not believe how well you all clicked!

Over time I began having deeper conversations with each of you and learning more about the hurt and baggage each of you carried. My heart broke and I prayed desperately that God would use me to show each of you how beautiful and loved and priceless you are. But God did not just use me to bring healing in your lives, He used all of you. Weekly, you prayed for each other and encouraged each other. You left “potty” mail encouraging on another and telling them how beautiful they were. I was inspired.

That year ended and I had more memories than I ever thought I would and you were all so lucky to put most of those memories down in a book for me to remember (yes I still have the book). Over the past few years I have watched you all continue to grow together. Those friendships developed freshmen year have not gone away, in fact they have only grown stronger. God truly knew what he was doing when He placed you on that floor.

And now four years later, my girls are graduating from college. All the hard work and prayer has finally paid off and YOU ARE DONE! I could not be more proud of each of you and I am beyond excited to see what God has in store for you. I still pray that God will guide your steps on this new adventure, that he would sustain these friendships created, and remind you on a daily basis that you are beautiful, loved, and priceless. But now I thank God every day for the impact you girls have had on my life. I have never been more encouraged and inspired by your love for God and each other.  My life has been truly blessed by your beautiful smiles, beautiful hearts, and beautiful friendships.

 

Thank you for being a part of my life. You have changed me.

Dear Husband

 As I watched my husband get ready this morning, I was hit with the reality that I am so grateful for this man!  Unfortunately, I often forget to express my gratefulness. So my goal of the week is to let my husband know just how thankful I am for him. I encourage you to do the same.

To my sweet husband,

I know I do not say this enough, but thank you.

•     Thank you for loving me every day, even on the days I don’t make it easy.
•   Thank you for choosing me above any other woman in the world.
•   Thank you for thinking my nerdy high school self was attractive and pursuing a relationship with me.
•   Thank you for being my constant support and encouragement.
•   Thank you for putting up with my mood swings (which I know don’t happen that often!).
•      Thank you for loving God and continuing to pursue a relationship with him.
•    Thank you for allowing me to talk non-stop for 30 minutes the moment you walk in the door.
•       Thank you for appreciating my perfectionism.
•       Thank you for allowing me to act on my shopping addiction and thank you for not allowing me to act on my shopping addiction.
•      Thank you for loving my family.
•      Thank you for allowing me to love your family.
•      Thank you for putting up with my constant day dreaming.
•      Thank you for not getting frustrated about my indecisiveness.
•      Thank you for taking the trash out, changing the light bulb, cleaning the grill, doing the dishes, building a table, fixing my bike, fixing my car, putting gas in my car, going grocery shopping with me, helping with dinner, folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom and the list goes on and on.
•      Thank you for being a walking furnace when I am freezing.
•      Thank you for believing I am an amazing wife, even when I know I have clearly missed that mark.
•      Thank you for desiring to be a dad.
•      Thank you for being “Uncle Chocolate Milk”.
•      Thank you for driving that beat up car so we can pay off our school loans.
•      Thank you for living in an apartment building filled with college aged girls, who I know annoy you.
•      Thank you for spending 5 hours trying to figure out how to rearrange the living room furniture.
•      Thank you for working.
•      Thank you for coaching and loving on those kids.
•      Thank you for not getting angry when I interrupt you. 
•      Thank you for your patience.
•      Thank you for your desire to make me happy.
•      Thank you for your desire to help others. 
•    Thank you for teaching me to change a flat tire, even though I will never be able to do it myself       because I am a weakling. 

And most of all thank you for being committed to our marriage.