that I could have understood the role that Mike & Patti Paschall would play
in my life. My initial love for them
came when I found out they were from TEXAS and of course only grew from there….and
shifted into things that were more substantial than just where they lived.
I trusted them from the beginning and for some reason, I
knew that I could open up and share my heart and my struggles with them. They truly are the easiest people to talk to –
and they have no judgments to make…you are accepted and loved just for who you
are when you are in their presence. I
have had a lot of adults in my life act as spiritual mentors … but I have never
had “spiritual parents”, until Mike & Patti.
They began as Ms. Patti and Mr. Mike … but I wholeheartedly call them
Momma and Pops now! I am beyond honored
and blessed to have them in my life – for the rest of my life!
I have sought their wisdom so much this year, I probably
drove them nuts with all the emails and questions. But, I know that I need them in my life and I
desire to be the Christ that I see in them.
I am encouraged by them as individuals and of course by their marriage –
I truly want to have a marriage like theirs in the future. They are so real and normal … and yet so
freakishly in tune with the Holy Spirit, that I basically cried every time they
ever shared anything with me this year. They
are both so strong and full of wisdom and yet are full of grace and love and a
gentleness that makes you feel at ease when you are with them. Mike is the tough teddy bear who always tells
you the truth, even if it is hard to hear.
(But is always available and ready with hugs and kisses). And Patti is just adorable and full of love
and acceptance and you can’t help but love her – she is even a little sassy at
times! (And my favorite Patti is the one at 4 am)!
It is hard for me to explain the way that I love them or the
way that I feel when I am around them …they make me feel at home and home is
something I cherish with all of my heart!
They have taught me this year about the real Jesus – the Jesus who loved
with all of His heart and held no judgments against anyone. They have walked hand in hand with me and
patiently loved me as I began to learn who the Holy Spirit really is! They have had grace with me as I have
confessed some things in my life that I felt guilt and shame over!
I cannot and would not want to imagine how this year would
have been without them. And now, I never
want to imagine my life without them. I
am thankful that they are stuck with me forever and I am always looking forward
to the next time I am with them.
I love you both SO MUCH and I seriously thank God every
single day that you are in my life! You
being a part of my life seriously has changed me forever!
