Hey Mom and Dad, I just wanted to take some moments and say thank you. I can’t put all of what I want to say into words but I’ll do my best.
Firstly, and most importantly, thank you for showing me a beautiful example of Christ in your lives. I can’t thank you enough for the way that you put the Lord first in all things. In the difficulties, and there have been many, neither of you turned away. You bring the truth of Luke 9:57-62 to life. You have decided to follow Christ in your lives regardless of what that has looked like at different times and you have put your hands to the plow, never looking back. Your foundation is set in Jesus and you have not wavered but been steadfast in your living for Him alone. This has given me such a foundation in what I want my life to look like keeping Christ at the center of my life, be it marriage, kids, sickness, or health.
Secondly, thank you for loving your kids unconditionally. You have created this sort of open family type of thing. Everyone is family! It was such a blessing to grow up into this environment where there’s so many people coming in and out of our house. Having foster kids constantly in the house gave me a such a broad view of people regardless of background, skin color, disability, income status, etc. Amidst the differences, you loved these kids alongside your own beautifully. I never felt less than, if anything I gained so much from this. I can remember one time when I was younger I would say one of the kids wasn’t even my foster brother because he was driving me crazy. But you said just because he’s not the same and he may do things that annoy you doesn’t mean that he is not your brother, everyone in this house is family. It was so long ago but I remember it clearly and I never looked at any of the foster kids as not my brother or sister after that.
And lastly, thank you for loving each other. You both show such a great respect and love for each other and you have truly committed yourselves to one another. Things have been craaaaaaazy at times but you stuck through it, never giving up on each other. Dad, thank you for showing me what it looks like to be a man of God and how to love, support, and truly honor a woman both in your words and your actions. I admire this so much and I thank you for showing me that through your life. Mom, thank you for much of the same and also the example that you’ve shown of how a wife supports her husband and just in the way you carry yourself. You’ve shown me so many qualities that are important in finding a wife one day. Again, thank you both for choosing one another first after God and choosing to love each other every day.
If there’s one statement that I would say you have both said to me at different times that will always be what pushes me on would be this: “I’m proud of you no matter what you do.” Remember that the words you speak are so powerful and can easily change a life. They have definitely changed mine and I thank you for all the encouragement you’ve given me. You probably thought I was crazy when I first told you I might leave the country for a year haha. But you prayed with me in that decision and along the way you have and continue to constantly encourage me in my life’s journey towards Christ.
I love you so much Mom and Dad! I am so thankful that I get to say I’m your son! Hope you’re cool with everyone knowing some reasons why I have the best parents. If not whoops… I’m out of the country anyways soooo… Peace out!
