A gratitude to the first 26 people that came to mind(there are some more souls with me on this great adventure that deserve some gratitude but I don’t want it to seem like I’m picking favorites ;):
To the Munfords: Thank you for loving me so well. I’m not even your kid, but I always knew I would be greeted with welcoming arms, potentially a fruit cup, and some encouragement or a good joke. If I had to pick second parents, you’d be at the top. Thank you for supporting and believing in me!!
To Gram & Pop:
Man o MAN do I love you two. You are everything I aspire to be. Your grace, gentleness, generosity, kindness, work ethic, and commitment to each other sets such a precedent for the woman and wife I want to grow into one day. Thank you for spoiling me rotten with love, and for giving up so much for me. Thank you for the texts, the visits just because, and for never letting me doubt how much I’m cared for.
To my Emma gal:
Hey boo. ‘Thank you’s on ‘thank you’s for you my dear. Thank you for listening, supporting, being one of my biggest hype men, always making time for me, and for every ounce of wisdom you continue to pour into me. Thank you for never being too busy to hear my troubles, and for celebrating my victories with me like they’re your own.
To Tyler Joseph:
I’ve never met you in person but what you write is so real and has been so encouraging to me that I can’t leave you off the list. Thank you for being brave enough to bare your soul through your lyrics, I get intimidated posting something as lacking in intimacy as an instagram post so my respect for you is among the upmost. Thank you for letting me never get as conceited as to think that my struggles are unique to me and that I am alone in them.
To Jessica Sowell:
You good woman. You are so wise Jess. Thank you for pouring into a lazy junior who liked to ramble and make sassy comments, I hope you see some of the seeds you’ve planted in my life through the fruit of my actions. I certainly accredit you to many of them.
To Debbie Gilcrease:
Ms. Debbie, thank you for being an constant source of encouragement to me. I can’t think of a time in my life when I didn’t think I could trust you with a question or with a pleasant greeting. Thank you for serving and stewarding me towards the Gospel for so many years, you made such a difference in my walk!!
To Ms. Jennifer:
I wish I had your address so I could send you a whole novel about how much I appreciate you. Tirelessly, mercifully, selflessly, for five whole YEARS you gave up your precious time to try to teach a bunch of wild little girls about the goodness of their Father. One of the most frequent spiritual affirmations I receive is my confidence in my daughter-ship of the King, and I owe so much of that to you. Thank you for reminding me week after week for most of my childhood that I am God’s girl, and that nothing can separate me from that love. For you, my sister in Christ, I am eternally grateful.
To Grandma: Not enough words in the English language(or probably Spanish too) to explain how much I praise the Lord for your heart for me. You have given up so much of your money, time, emotional energy, weekends, and heart into making me feel cared for, and I will never be able to express how grateful I am for you.
To Jd & Amanda:
Bet you were hoping you’d make the list, huh? No worries, the longer I’ve been away the more I realize how good you are to me. You deserve a book about every thing I’m thankful to you for doing or being for me, but right now I just want to thank you for caring about me and being on my side. Thank you for defending and taking care of me.
To Gabi: Gabi girl you are my sunshine. Thank you for making me laugh when skies are gray, and for always having a funny joke or song to share with me. Thank you for being so encouraging and lovely and kind, I freaking adore you!
To Rob: You know me so well, and I thank you for speaking life into me when I am discouraged or confused. Thank you for asking me hard questions, being real with me, and accepting and joining in with me when I’m being silly. Love you LOADS.
To Reagan & TK: Sorry to group you two together, but you share so many amazing qualities. Each of you inspire and challenge me to be better in different ways, and are truly the best encouragers. Thank you for loving me so well!!
To Blubber:
Hey my dude. You are a human I seriously have under appreciated. You are kind, slow to anger, steadfast, and friendly to everyone you come in contact with. You stand up for righteousness, and you are loyal to the people you love. Living with seven boys makes me appreciate what a rare gem you are and how lucky I am that I got to be your sister.
To Mr.Larsen:
Thank you for
1.) Putting Gabi Boyle and I in the same PAALS class
2.) Letting Gabi Boyle and I be in the same carpool the first six weeks. She’s one of the best humans I’ve ever met so thank you for letting us become friends.
To my PAALS carpool:
I don’t think any of you will every read this, but if you do I wanted to say thank you for being so patient with me. I’m sorry my car always smelled and my aux was broken and I was really awkward and quiet or asked too many questions. Thank you for being funny. You all really are such great gals, hope all is so good in your world.
To Mrs. Tammy Barham:
Thank you for being real with me. Thank you for not sugar coating the doctrine battle waiting for on the other side of Katy, Tx, and thank you for helping prepare me for it. I already see the fruit of what was taught to me being tested against what I’m being told now, and I am able to stand firm in what I know to be true.
To Mrs. Kelly Pichon:
Your depth of knowledge and love for the word of God is something I still am in awe of. You are truly a woman who seeks after the Lord and is able to test and encourage others by the very words of the Lord, and I(and I’m sure others) am very encouraged to learn the character of the Father in the same way you are.
To Lauren Debor:
Oh my girl. My oldest friend. A safe soul to me, thank you for being a part of the foundation of my life and memories. Thank you for being so unapologetically yourself, being someone I never have to hide old or embarrassing pictures from because you’re probably in them too, and for sharing so much wisdom with me. I’m so excited to tell you all about this year!
To Hannah Fallin:
Ah my girl. You are a RARE gem. Your goodness glows from your heart and genuinely radiates to everyone around you. Thank you for speaking so much truth and joy into my life, I believe I am better when I am around you and I look forward to trying to repay some of your kindness when I get home!
To Rebecca Hyde:
Thank you for doing to World Race, and thank you for posting about it. Were it not for some cool girl who used to go to Taylor High School who was doing this cool mission trip thing, I might not live in Honduras right now or being experiencing the Lord in the way that I am. Forever grateful for your obedience, sister.
