you

knowing there is still a road ahead of reestablishing our family and physical healing for ken, the return of him home is a perfect time to try and express my heart of gratitude to you.  my heart fills to the brim with thankfulness as i reflect on how you've upheld me over these nearly three months. 

over this time, jesus ministered to my soul in a powerfully personal way.  i am so in love with Him - now more than ever.  who God is has brought me peace where only frenzy and panic should have resided.  strength when i would have been left to crumble.  the very nature of His character was more real during this time than ever before.  i felt His actual presence, and i reveled in that gift. 

that could have been enough - just Him.  but because He accomplishes more than i could ever ask or imagine (eph 3:20), He gave me you. 

You who prayed unceasingly.
You who sent me messages full Scripture & encouraging words.
You who mowed our grass.  cleaned our yard.
You who provided meals for our family.
You who woke up in the middle of the night - us on your hearts - and prayed.
You who gave sacrificially to provide for practical needs.
You who fixed to prepare for homecoming.
You who gave me music.
You who came to me at the hospital.
You who gave extravagant gifts.
You who called me.
You who hugged me.  
You who took down my garden.
You who gave to my girls.
You who listened. 
You who provided wisdom.
You who showed up in emergency.
You who helped me not short circuit my christmas lights.
You who came to ken so i could be with our girls.
You who fed our chickens.
You who kept me company.
You who understood.
You who cried with me.
You who asked how we are.
You who kept our life running & served in ways i will never even know about.
You who met me in our time of need. 

each of you are an incredible blessing to me (and ken and the girls).  you were what i needed, and i am certain God is so pleased with your selfless displays of service. 

through those acts of service, you helped champion my faith through this journey, and as a result, you've played an integral role in this story of ours. 

and part of the reason i look back on this part of our story with gladness is because of the moments you invested in our family.  God has certainly showered us with blessings, and you are one of those blessings! 

i have learned from you how to love and serve people in the midst of trial.  in the future, i hope to emulate your example, and serve others like you have us.  thank you for giving of yourselves so we could experience the love and character of Jesus.

all my love & gratitude,
lindsay

I love God because He listened to me

listened as i begged for mercy

He listened so intently

as i laid out my case before Him.

Death stared me in the face,

hell was hard on my heels.

up against in, i didn't know which way to turn;

then i called out to God for help;

"please, God!" i cried out.

"save my life!"

God is gracious - it is He who makes things right,

our most compassionate God.

God takes the side of the helpless;

when i was at the end of my rope, He saved me.

i said to myself, "relax and rest.

God has showered you with blessings.

soul, you've been rescued from death;

eye, you've been rescued from tears;

and you, foot, were kept from stumbling."

what can i give back to God

for the blessings He's poured out on me?

i'll lift high the cup of salvation - a toast to God!

i'll pray in the name of God...

oh, God, here i am, your servant,

your faithful servant: set me free for your service!

i'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice

and pray in the name of God...

{psalm 116 msg}